diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16993-8.txt | 17301 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16993-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 326826 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16993-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 338409 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16993-h/16993-h.htm | 17486 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16993.txt | 17301 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 16993.zip | bin | 0 -> 326801 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
9 files changed, 52104 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16993-8.txt b/16993-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..03cfe4b --- /dev/null +++ b/16993-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17301 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Miss Dexie + A Romance of the Provinces + +Author: Stanford Eveleth + +Release Date: November 3, 2005 [EBook #16993] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS DEXIE *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions (www.canadiana.org)) + + + + + + + + + + +MISS DEXIE; + +A ROMANCE OF THE PROVINCES. + +BY + +_STANFORD EVELETH._ + +TORONTO: + +WILLIAM BRIGGS, + +WESLEY BUILDINGS. + +C.W. COATES, MONTREAL, QUE. S.F. HUESTIS, HALIFAX, N.S. + +1895. + +Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one +thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, by WILLIAM BRIGGS, +Toronto, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa. + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typos have been corrected. + + + + +MISS DEXIE; + +A ROMANCE OF THE PROVINCES. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY--1864 AND WAR TIME. + + +The war between the North and South has sent a wail of grief into thousands +of homes throughout the land, and the dreadful death-roll is daily being +added to, for battle follows battle, and the slaughter is appalling, even +to those who have been hardened to the sight by months of action. No wonder +that the faces of wives and mothers are white with anguish--that fearful +death-list has carried desolation to their hearts, and others, just as +dear, are obeying the command, "Forward to Spotsylvania." + +Men stop to discuss the situation at street-corners, or hurry to the +telegraph or newspaper offices for the latest news, their anxious faces +telling how their lives have been touched by this outbreak of strife. + +Among those who pass along the streets of a New England town, is one whose +genial countenance attracts attention. He is above the average height, +strong and well proportioned, and his quick and energetic step and +wide-awake appearance proclaim him of New England birth. + +As he nears a house in the suburbs, a shout of welcome greets him, and he +lifts his eyes and smiles upon a group of young faces in an upper window; a +moment more and the door is thrown open, and childish forms hurl themselves +upon him. + +As soon as the children's noisy greeting was over, Mr. Sherwood entered +the room where his wife awaited his appearance, and drawing a chair near +the couch where she was reclining, related the news of the day. + +"Yes, I am later than usual, but I received a despatch from mother, and +that detained me," said he, in answer to her remark. "I have arranged to +run down to the farm to-morrow, as mother says my immediate presence is +necessary." + +"And is there no word from Charley yet? His name is not in the list of +killed or wounded, but I fear the worst." + +"His wife was at the telegraph office while I was there," said Mr. +Sherwood, as they entered the dining-room. "She expected news every hour, +and will send you word directly she gets a message. I tried to persuade her +to return with me, but she was too anxious to leave the office until she +had some reply to her despatch." + +"This is a trying time for wives and sisters, and Charley was my favorite +brother. But what new trouble has happened at the farm, that you are needed +in such haste?" Mrs. Sherwood asked, as she poured out the tea. + +"It seems that mother has heard that I intend joining the new company, if +it is called out, and she has objections which she wishes to make +personally. You know mother is not a Unionist; her southern prejudices are +too strong for that, and the possibility of my joining the northern army +has embittered her mind. You might come with me to-morrow; the change would +do you good," he added. + +"My visits to the farm are doubtful pleasures," replied Mrs. Sherwood, who +had but little sympathy with her husband's people, "but any change will be +welcome while this uncertainty exists about my brother. Can I trust you all +to be good and obedient if I leave you in charge of Nurse Johnson?" she +asked, lifting her eyes to the young faces around the table. + +The best of behavior being readily promised, Mrs. Sherwood soon left the +room to make preparations for the unexpected journey, and early next +morning Mr. Sherwood and his wife were on the train bound for Crofton, the +nearest station to the old home farm. + +While they are on the way, a glance at the history of his parents will +explain how matters stand at the homestead. + +Squire Sherwood was a well-to-do farmer, who was well known outside of his +own village, having held several public offices at various times, but these +had been given up in order to superintend his fine farm, which years of +toil had brought into a high state of cultivation. Early in life, while +doing business in Louisiana, he had married a southern lady; but a few +years later he came into possession of the farm, and they moved North. + +His wife found the change very great, and often sighed for the luxurious +life of her southern home; but she fell into New England ways more readily +than might have been expected. When she moved north, she brought Dinah, who +was her particular property, with her; indeed, Dinah was so much attached +to her young mistress that she refused to be left behind, and life on the +farm was made more endurable by her services. When, in the course of time, +a son was born, he was placed in Dinah's care, and little Clarence was as +fond of his black nurse as was ever the southern-born child of its black +"mammy" of the southern plantation. + +But Mrs. Sherwood did not lose her individuality by her marriage. The +peculiar institution of the South she would like to have seen extended to +the North as well, and when the disruption took place her sympathies were +with those of her old home; she was heart and soul a southerner. Up to this +time the same friendly feeling existed between mistress and maid as when +they had lived under a sunnier sky; but the sentiments engendered by the +hated Abolitionists, soon found vent in sharp words, and other abuses, that +hitherto the faithful creature had never known. + +Dinah felt keenly the change in her mistress, but bore it patiently, +thinking it would soon pass; but village gossip soon spread the report of +Mrs. Sherwood's treatment of her black servant, and the southern +sentiments, so openly expressed, caused the family to lose the estimation +of their neighbors, and gained instead their animosity. Party feeling ran +high, and the villagers declared that if there was another draft made, the +son should be made to fight against the avowed principles of the mother, +and as the sentiments of both parties grew stronger as the war advanced, it +brought matters to a crisis. + +Hence the telegram requesting the son's presence at the farm. + +When the train arrived at Crofton, the carriage was waiting for the +travellers, in charge of the hired man, and they were soon driving along +the familiar road to the homestead. + +"What is the matter at home, Joe?" said Mr. Sherwood. "Are all well?" + +"Yes, all well, sir," and Joe touched the horse lightly with the whip; "but +the war news is troubling them, and making your mother very anxious about +you." + +Joe was an old and trusted servant, having lived with the family for years, +and so much confidence was placed in him that he seemed like one of the +family. When they arrived at the farmhouse, the son wished to know at once +why he was sent for in such haste, but his father replied: "Plenty time, +Clarence, plenty time ahead of us to talk about the matter; let us have +dinner before we discuss troublesome questions." + +But the mother's heart was too full of anxiety to wait, and she asked: "Is +it true, Clarence, that you are going to join the Union army?" + +"Well, I am ready to do my duty, mother," he replied, in a conciliating +tone, "but I have not yet joined the company, so you need not be anxious +about me until you have cause." + +"But I have cause already! I hear that another draft is soon to be made, +and the people around here are determined that you shall be drawn into the +fight, if only to spite me, but if you enter the army at all it should not +be on the Unionists' side; that would be taking up arms against your kith +and kin, and no son of mine must do that!" + +A look of terror spread over the face of the son's wife. Was her husband to +be torn from her side, as the mother feared? + +"I cannot argue this question with you, mother, lest we should not agree," +said the son, gently. "It is a pity that as a family our interests are so +divided; but others have placed their interests against kith and kin, and, +if duty called, I should have to do the same. I own that at present I +shrink from the call, as the forces seem concentrated near my sister +Annie's home. I wish she would come north, but that cannot be expected +while her husband is in danger. He has command of an important position, +but Sherman is sure to dislodge him, and I fear the result will be +disastrous. But I see you have something else in your mind at present, so +what is it that you wish me to do, mother?" + +"I want you to leave the country, Clarence. I cannot bear the thought of +you being drafted to fight against my home and people, and your own natural +affections should cry out against uniting with the slayers of your +kindred." + +"Oh! this cruel, cruel war!" cried the son's wife. "We are indeed a divided +family, for my brother is with Sherman near Atalanta, fighting against my +husband's people. Oh! Clarence, do as your mother wishes, and let us leave +the country, for my heart will break if you are drafted!" + +"You must leave at once, if at all," said the mother; "even a week's delay +may be too late, for the neighbors boast that before the month is out I +shall see my son march away to Washington! I would give every dollar we +possess to help the southern cause, if what they threaten should come to +pass!" she added, in an angry tone. + +"Well, mother," replied the son with a smile, "my patrimony is too precious +to run such a risk, and as I am not very anxious to shoot anyone, or be +shot at either, I will do as you wish, and let you live in peace. I feel +confident that a few months will end the struggle, or my decision would be +different; but where do you wish me to go?" + +"Go!" her countenance softening at once. "You can decide that for yourself; +as long as you are out of the reach of the Unionists, that is all I ask. +So, go to Halifax, if you like!" + +"Very well, mother, to Halifax I'll go, but you do not seem to have the +welfare of your only son very much to heart, after all, by the way you +speak." + +"Nonsense! Clarence, you know my heart better than that! I mean that it +matters little where you settle, so long as you are out of American +territory until the war is over." + +"Oh! Halifax will suit me very well, mother. Ever since I can remember you +have threatened to send me to Halifax; so now I'll go, and I do not believe +I shall find it a place of torment either. Nelson, who was in partnership +with me when I was in Augusta, has moved his family there, and I may join +him again in business. He is buying up horses and sending them to +headquarters. What! you surely would not object to me making some money out +of the Unionists?" he asked, in answer to his mother's quick look of +surprise. + +The discussion lasted some time, but to the relief of the son's wife they +decided to return home the following day, that her husband might have an +opportunity to settle his business in time to catch the first boat to +Halifax. + +Becoming aware of the hostility which prevailed among the neighbors, on +account of Dinah's presence at the farmhouse, Mr. Sherwood proposed to take +her with them to Halifax as their hired nurse. He had a kindly feeling for +the good, old woman, who was such a faithful and partial nurse to him in +his boyhood, and he could not help seeing that she was less kindly treated +than formerly, and to his surprise his mother consented to the plan. Dinah +made no objection when the matter was laid before her, for like many +colored women of her age she had an intense love for children. This love +had grown stronger during the years there had been no children at the +farmhouse to lavish it upon, and the short visits that the grandchildren +made at the farm were red-letter days to Aunt Dinah. + +Mrs. Sherwood found her cares much lessened with Dinah installed as nurse. +The care of children was always a wearisome burden to the rather indolent +mother, so the irksome duties were readily placed on the willing shoulders +of Dinah. + +While Mrs. Sherwood awaited her husband's directions, her brother's wife +appeared one day, bearing the sad announcement that Charley had fallen in +the last battle; and though Mrs. Sherwood had been expecting this from the +first, her grief was more distressing to witness than that of the +afflicted, sad-faced wife. + +But there had been no hope in Mrs. Sherwood's heart since her brother had +bidden them farewell, and marched away with his comrades; and her fears +being realized, she was more anxious than ever to leave the country that +might yet claim her husband also, and when word came from Halifax that a +furnished house awaited the family, Mrs. Sherwood easily persuaded her +bereaved sister in-law to accompany them thither. + +A few weeks later, the family--consisting of Mrs. Sherwood and her +brother's childless widow; Gussie and Dexie, twin girls of sixteen; Louie, +aged thirteen, Georgie ten, Flossie three, and a year-old baby in the arms +of black Dinah--arrived in Halifax, where this story properly begins. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The new home awaiting the family was situated in the south end of the city. +The house, which is still considered a desirable residence, was built in a +style very common in Halifax, for the accommodation of two tenants. The +owner, a Mr. Gurney, lived in one part of it; he was a native of England, +but at the solicitation of his brother, who was an officer in one of the +regiments, he had removed to Nova Scotia, and was doing a prosperous +business on Granville Street. + +Mr. Gurney had a large family. Cora, the eldest, was just out of her teens; +then came Launcelot or Lancy, as he was usually called; then Elsie, and so +on, till you came to an infant in arms. As the cabs containing the Sherwood +family drove up to the house, the nursery windows in the second story of +the Gurney household were filled with childish faces, anxious to see what +sort of playmates their new neighbors might be; and when the young +strangers alighted on the sidewalk they observed the happy faces and smiled +back in return, thus pleasantly intimating that they hoped to be friends. +But when Dinah appeared with the baby, the faces in the window betrayed +their astonishment. "Oh! a black nurse! and the baby don't seem a bit +frightened of her!" they exclaimed in surprise. + +"I wonder if they love her when she is so _very_ black," said little +Gracie. "I shouldn't love to kiss her, would you, Percy?" looking at their +own fair-faced nurse in loving approval. + +Mrs. Sherwood was surprised to find the house so neatly and comfortably +arranged, but she soon learned that she was indebted to Mrs. Gurney for +this pleasant state of affairs, for she had given Mr. Sherwood much +material assistance in making the rooms look home-like and cheerful. + +In the evening, when the family were assembled in the parlor, Mrs. Gurney +tapped lightly at the door, and her cordial greeting seemed more like that +of a friend than the first meeting of strangers, and when Mrs. Sherwood +began to thank her for the thoughtful attentions that had made their +home-coming so pleasant, she stopped her with a word. + +"Do not thank me, I beg of you, Mrs. Sherwood," she said, with a smile. "I +have only done for you what I wish someone had done for me when I first +came to Halifax. I know by experience," she added, as a smile lit up her +motherly face, "what it is to come into a strange place, among strange +people, with a hundred things needing to be done at once, and a family of +children to attend to besides. I felt sure you would like the place better +if you found it a bit home-like and settled, but I have come in to explain. +I was afraid you might think I was making myself too busy in your affairs. +Now, I do hope, Mrs. Sherwood, that you will not make strangers of us after +this." Her face beamed with kindness as she spoke, and after a short and +friendly conversation she withdrew. + +The next day was a busy one in the Sherwood household, but in the afternoon +the twin girls were invited to go for a walk with the young ladies next +door, while Louie was persuaded to go up to the nursery with the Gurney +children. + +Louie felt very shy when she found herself among so many little strangers, +but the kind, good-natured nurse, in white cap and apron, who presided +over this restless brood, soon set her at ease by bidding the children show +Louie their toys. And what a store of them there were to be sure. There +were several miniature sets of dishes of various patterns, and whole +families of dolls, from the aged grandmother in a white frilled cap, to the +tiny china specimen that was too small to be dressed. There were Noah's +arks that held animals that would have astonished old Noah himself, and +rocking-horses in various stages of dilapidation, from the bright new one +with only a scratch on his leg, to the headless and tailless steed that +rocked in a melancholy way in the corner. Then there was a swing that hung +from the ceiling, and a springy teeter-board that could bounce the little +ones quite into the air. These and other treasures were duly inspected by +the shy Louie, who soon entered heartily into the games started for her +amusement. + +The twin girls were delighted with their walk. They had viewed the city +from Citadel Hill, and had extended their walk to other spots of interest, +but it seemed to them that they had moved nearer the seat of war, instead +of away from it, for the sword and gun-bearing officers and soldiers whom +they met in different parts of the city seemed more warlike than those who +had passed through the streets of their old home, as they journeyed toward +headquarters. + +In a short time the family settled down to the routine of home-life that +comes natural in all households, and having secured competent help, Mrs. +Sherwood was able to order her household without much exertion on her part; +in fact, she began to feel that she might now take life comparatively easy, +and, little by little, the duties of housekeeper were laid upon Aunt +Jennie. + +Dinah found the burden and exactions of her small charges quite bearable, +so the not-over-anxious mother was relieved from trouble in that quarter +also. But Dinah seemed well satisfied. Her love for the little ones placed +under her care had been strong enough to silence the superstitious dread +that had filled her heart when she first learned the destination of the +family; but in spite of her efforts to please everyone, Dinah could not +overcome the strong dislike which Biddy openly and emphatically expressed +for all "nagers." Consequently, a wordy warfare spiced the day's doings +occasionally, but, thanks to Aunt Jennie's tact and kindness, even this +grew less and less, as occasion for them vanished. + +A few weeks later, Mr. Sherwood accompanied Mr. Nelson to Prince Edward +Island, on a horse-buying expedition, but we will not follow them, as our +story has to do with those in Halifax; it is sufficient to say that they +secured a number of valuable animals for the New York market, at a price +that surprised Mr. Sherwood until he understood that the Island farmers +were ready to dispose of all products "cheap for cash." + +As might be supposed, the friendly intercourse between the members of the +two families grew stronger as the taste of each became more apparent. + +Dexie and Elsie were "chums" at once, though each possessed an opposite +nature; one supplied what the other lacked, so they agreed charmingly. + +Gussie was older in appearance than her twin, Dexie, and preferred the +society of a "grown-up" young lady, and Cora Gurney found her a pleasant +companion. + +Launcelot Gurney, or Lancy, was the musical genius of the Gurney family, +and this soon caused a feeling of friendship to spring up between him and +Dexie Sherwood, and few days passed in which they did not spend +considerable time in each other's society. But the closest observer could +find no fault with this intimacy. It sprang from the similarity of tastes, +and the frank, straightforward manner which marked their intercourse denied +the existence of any foolish sentimentality. Though younger than Cora, +Lancy seemed by his steady ways and manly behavior to be the eldest of the +family. Perhaps the fact that his father talked so much with him, and +interested him in matters that seldom claim the attention of youths of his +age, had something to do with his manner, but behind his usual calm +exterior there was an amount of conceit not always apparent to others, a +conceit that placed himself above the ordinary High School boys who had +been his daily associates. This they had felt intuitively, and with his +precise habits and nicety of dress had caused him to be dubbed "the dandy." + +Another member of the Gurney household must also be mentioned, for Hugh +McNeil belonged to the family almost as much as Lancy himself, seeing that +he had been cared for by Mrs. Gurney before Lancy was born. He was the son +of a strange marriage, a marriage that had turned out disastrously. His +father had been valet to Mr. Gurney's eldest brother, and, while attending +his master in Paris, had fallen in love with a pretty French waitress, and +secretly married her. On returning to England with his master, the French +wife followed him and revealed the marriage, and this so enraged McNeil's +master that he discharged him on the spot. Whereupon McNeil, after securing +a comfortable lodging for his wife, left for Australia, intending to send +for her as soon as he obtained permanent employment. Before he had done so, +the French wife died in giving birth to little Hugh; and the matter coming +to the knowledge of Mrs. Gurney, she had pitied the motherless babe and had +him placed in a comfortable home. As he grew older, Mrs. Gurney became so +fond of her young protégé that he was taken into the family, and was given +an education that enabled him, in later years, to be of much service to his +benefactors. + +In looks he favored both parents, inheriting the strong, sturdy frame of +his Scotch father, with the dark features and piercing black eyes of his +mother. At present, he occupied the position of clerk or general factotum +to Mr. Gurney; his quickness and ability to grasp the requirements of +business, with the general activity of his movements, made him invaluable, +and Mr. Gurney trusted him like a son. Amongst other duties, Hugh +frequently attended auction sales, to watch for bargains in their line of +business, and it was at one of these sales that Mrs. Sherwood met him. She +had accompanied Mrs. Nelson to a sale of bankrupt stock, and wishing to +secure some desired articles she asked Hugh's assistance, and he served her +so well that he was asked to call, and he was received so graciously by +more than one member of the family that the call was often repeated, and he +soon had the "freedom of the house," as Dexie laughingly expressed it. + +The English custom of playing at charades or tableaux, was much in vogue +in the Gurney household, and on rainy days the children were sure to be +found in the attic, where a mimic stage had been erected, and drop curtains +of a peculiar style and pattern added to the attractions of the place. The +young neighbors next door were soon initiated into the mysteries of the +"green room," and their added numbers made the audience seem immense, since +it took every available box and board to construct "opera chairs" for the +crowd; but every chair was sure to be filled when the new "star," Signora +Dexina, was announced to appear before the footlights, and if these latter +were but candles left from the last Christmas tree, what mattered it? + +One day while up in the attic rehearsing a new piece, the idea occurred to +them that a private entrance into each other's apartments, by way of the +attic, would be a great convenience, so they eagerly searched the partition +for a loose board. Finding one that was quite broad, they put forth every +exertion, and after much shoving and prying, during which their fingers +received many splinters and bruises, they succeeded in getting the board +loose from the floor. By shoving it aside, they could squeeze through the +opening into the opposite attic, then the board would swing back to its old +position. + +The "convenience" of this private entrance only children could explain, as +it seemed hardly worth the exertion to climb three pair of stairs for the +pleasure of entering the house of their next-door neighbor by this narrow +doorway, but the children were delighted with it. In after-years others, +long past childhood, did not scruple to use this doorway, and silently +bless the hands that formed it. + +The good old custom of family worship was daily practised in the Gurney +household, and appearing suddenly in the dining-room one morning, just as +the family were about to "take books," Dexie stayed to prayers, and was so +impressed with the charm and simplicity of the devotions, that she asked +permission to come again. + +The exercises consisted of reading, verse about, a portion of Scripture, +then a verse or two of some well-known hymn was sung, after which Mr. +Gurney made a short prayer, using simple words within the comprehension of +the little ones. Special mention was made of the needs of the family. If +any of them were ill, they were mentioned by name, and it gave Dexie a +curious feeling the first time she knelt with the family to hear Mr. Gurney +ask for a "particular blessing to rest on our young neighbor, who worships +with us this morning." The charm of it all seemed to be in the feeling of +reality there was about it, the decorous behavior of the little ones +showing that it meant more than outside form to them. None of the Gurney +family was excused from this morning worship unless sickness made it +impossible to appear, and it soon became a regular thing for Dexie Sherwood +to make her appearance with her Bible when the bell rang for prayers. Dexie +thoroughly enjoyed these exercises, her religious education having been +limited to the little she had learned in Sunday School, for the Bible was +not a very well read book in the Sherwood household, and its treasures were +almost unknown, until they were opened to her eyes by the Gurneys. + +Aunt Jennie was much surprised when she learned the cause of Dexie's +frequent morning visits next door. The evident desire for instruction which +made her niece seek from others what should have been imparted to her at +home, came like a reproach to her heart. She had been reared in a Christian +home, where Bible truths had been imparted to her from her cradle up, so +she now endeavored to supply what was lacking in the religious education of +her young relatives. It was done quietly and without ostentation, but the +last half hour of the day was given to Dexie, and she spent it with her +aunt in the privacy of her chamber, where they studied the Book together. +Dexie tried to persuade Gussie to join these readings, but with no success, +for Gussie, like many others, "cared for none of these things." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +When Mr. Sherwood returned from New York, he was accompanied by a Mr. +Plaisted, a gentleman of a speculative turn of mind, who had attached +himself to Mr. Sherwood with a persistency that showed he had "the cheek of +a drummer," and he had invited himself to accompany Mr. Sherwood to his +home in Halifax. Although fond of horses, there was nothing about the +appearance of Mr. Plaisted to suggest the jockey: he was what would have +been termed in a later day a fair specimen of the genus dude. He was of +medium height, and was decidedly foppish in his manner, and with his +elaborate neck-ties and perfumed curls, he was, in his own estimation at +least, quite irresistible. His hands and feet were unusually small for a +man. The latter he was very proud of, always encasing them in boots of the +very latest style; and, no doubt, the "cold cream" and other cosmetics +which he nightly used helped to give his hands and face the fair appearance +that so delighted himself. + +His presence in the household seemed to have an opposite effect on the twin +girls. Gussie was delighted with his fine appearance and gallant speeches, +but Dexie seemed to see the ignoble nature behind and kept him at a +distance. + +A few evenings after his arrival, when the family were assembled in the +parlor, Mr. Plaisted, who was leaning back in his chair, in an attitude +peculiar to Americans, asked: "Have you a son living in Boston, Sherwood? I +met a young fellow in a broker's office bearing your name. Any relation of +yours?" + +"No, neither a son nor a relation; this is my only boy," Mr. Sherwood +replied, reaching for Georgie's ear in a playful manner. + +"Ah! that's a pity now! a grown-up son would have been some use to you. If +one of the twins had happened to be a boy, you would have had quite an +assistant by now." + +Dexie was sitting behind the window curtain, watching the passers-by. She +resented this speech, and the rude way it was uttered provoked her into +replying: + +"One does not need to be born a boy to be of use in this world, allow me +to tell you, Mr. Plaisted! for in all things that he needs help, I am my +father's boy--not ghost!" she laughingly added, as Plaisted, startled by +her sudden appearance, almost overbalanced in his chair. + +"Bless me! I didn't notice you were there, Miss Dexie," said he, regaining +his equilibrium with an effort. "Guess you've been studying Shakespeare for +my benefit, eh, Miss Dexie?" + +"Oh! that's just like Dexie," said Gussie, with a frown. "She always likes +to make a scene when she can. She will want to go on the stage, I expect, +by and by." + +"What nonsense! Gussie," said Dexie, smiling good-naturedly, "when all the +theatrical performances we are allowed to attend are those that take place +up in the attic." + +"Oh! come now, Miss Dexie. How often do you slip off to plays with that +young chap next door?" said Plaisted, with a sly wink at Gussie. "I often +see you down street together." + +"Your eyesight must be remarkably good, then," was the icy reply, "for I +think no one else can accuse me of 'slipping off' with any person." + +"By the way, Miss Dexie, I have been wondering what your name is, ever +since I came. Is it an abbreviation or a nick-name?" said Plaisted, anxious +to turn the conversation. "I have never met with a young lady bearing your +name before." + +"And you are not likely to meet one again," was the quick reply, as a flush +of anger covered her face. + +Mr. Sherwood looked across at Dexie, knowing full well that Plaisted could +not have broached a more unfortunate subject. Dexie's full name was her +chief annoyance, so he answered in a quiet tone, "Her name is Dexter, but +she would like us all to forget the fact, and call her Dexie instead." + +"Since Mr. Plaisted is so inquisitive, it would be wise to gratify his +curiosity at once, and have done with it," and Dexie turned sharply around +and faced the rest. "He had better learn the whole of our names, and the +history of them as well, and then, perhaps, he will be kind enough to drop +the subject forever. Here is the story: At the time father was married he +was doing business in Augusta, Maine; but it happened, unfortunately, that +mother was born and brought up in Dexter. For some reason, that I have +never been able to fathom, when we twins appeared we were honored by being +called after those respective places! Gussie was the smartest and +best-looking baby, I suppose, so she was selected to bear the name of the +capital city, while I had to bear the burden of Dexter! It is a wonder how +I managed to survive the christening, for the very name was enough to +finish one! Oh! I have wished a thousand times that the town of Dexter had +been visited by a conflagration, and wiped out of existence, before +mother's people ever went there! But there! I daresay they would have gone +to Skowhegan! Norrigewock! Mattawamkeg! or some other place with an +outlandish name, and, of course, I should have been named after it, just +the same! Dexie is bad enough, but Skowie, think of it!" + +A peal of laughter interrupted Dexter's hot-spoken words; but the mention +of her name always touched a tender spot, and she added, in an injured +tone, that made her father smile in spite of himself: + +"And there is Louie. Everybody thinks her name is Louisa, so she escapes +the questions of the curious; but her name is Louisiana, after the State +where grandma's old home is. We were there for a long visit when she was a +baby, and she is not likely to forget that fact all her life. Then papa has +a sister in Georgia; so of course we went to see her, too; but her +plantation was so lovely we were all delighted when papa consented to stay +there a year or two and help Uncle Edward set out some new groves, and get +everything in good running order. We were there when Georgie was born, so +he got off comparatively easy; but then! boys always do!" + +Plaisted's shouts of laughter forbade further expressions of displeasure, +and Dexie turned her back again and looked out the window, while she +regained her composure. Nothing so aroused her indignation as the mention +of her name consequently few knew what it really was. Louie liked her +name, for by bearing it she became her grandmother's favorite, and Gussie +could look on the matter with indifference. + +"I quite sympathize with Dexie," said Mrs. Sherwood, "but her father has a +New Englander's love for novel names, and gives no thought to the +unnecessary burden that it puts upon the children, one which they have to +bear all their lives." + +"Oh! well, Gussie can't complain, I'm sure," said Mr. Sherwood. "No one +will become inquisitive over her name," he laughingly added. + +"I have no doubt that Miss Gussie feels thankful she secured first choice," +said Plaisted, "and that her good looks entitled her to it," and he looked +over at Gussie with bold admiration in his glance. + +"I don't think looks had anything to do with it," said Mr. Sherwood, "else +this curly pate would have had first choice," reaching over to pass his +hand over the brown rings of hair. + +"Seems to me this conversation is much too personal," said Dexie, rising +from her seat. "I think a change would be welcome to one and all," and she +sat down before the piano. + +Mr. Sherwood smiled his approval. He was very proud of his daughter's +musical ability, for she could sing and play to suit the taste of any +audience, and could arouse the inner emotions of those who had any feelings +that were capable of being stirred at all. One of her accomplishments, +which she seldom exhibited before strangers, was that of whistling. Few +people have heard the exquisite notes that can be produced by an adept in +the art, but there are whistlers and whistlers, whose notes differ as much +as those of the linnet and the crow. While accompanying herself on the +piano, Dexie could produce such wonderful trills and quavers, with such +purity of tone, that she could almost rival the very birds themselves, and +she never failed to surprise and charm all that heard her. Wishing to +please her father, as well as convince Mr. Plaisted that her name did not +make her a "ninny," she selected some of her best pieces and sang her most +charming songs; then, after a few soft notes, she broke into a bird-song, +whistling the notes so faithfully true that Mr. Plaisted was startled as +well as delighted, and the conversation he had begun with Gussie came to an +abrupt end. + +"Well, Miss Dexie, I must confess that you have surprised me," said he, as +Dexie resumed her seat at the window. "I never heard the equal of that from +the boards of any concert-room in New York. No one would object to paying +'dear for his whistle,' if that quality was purchasable. You would make a +fortune on the stage." + +"I hope Dexie will never use her whistle as a money-making gift," said her +father; "but I think, myself, it is about as pretty music as one ever +hears." + +"You can bet your life, Sherwood, she would create such a furore in musical +circles that she would make something besides money for you. Bring her out, +Sherwood; it will pay you better than speculating with horses." + +"Heaven forbid!" replied Mr. Sherwood, extremely annoyed at the way +Plaisted spoke of his favorite daughter. "I fancy I can make a comfortable +living for my family, without turning my daughter into a public character." + +"Thank you, papa," came the clear-cut tones from the window; "but pray do +not waste any more sentiment on Mr. Plaisted. He happens to be one of that +kind of men who would sell their own mothers for profit! But he can't help +it, poor man, he was born that way!" and before Plaisted could recover from +his surprise, Dexie had left the room. + +"That was a pretty good slap, and no mistake," exclaimed Plaisted as he +drew out his handkerchief to wipe his hot face. "I meant no offence, +Sherwood, 'pon honor." + +"Well, as my daughter did not take it so, be kind enough to be more guarded +in your remarks in the future. However, in a battle of words, I fancy she +is able to hold her own, and come off victor every time, too." + +The matter was dismissed with a laugh, though memory lingered long over the +plain-spoken words; but in his secret heart Mr. Sherwood was glad that +Dexie had so answered this New York gentleman. Dexie had won her position +in her father's heart by her prompt and willing service. She it was who +could be depended on to do the numberless little tasks, insignificant in +themselves, perhaps, but of the greatest moment when taken together, for +the joy and comfort of home-life very largely depends on the way these +little things are attended to. Her sister, Gussie, was too fond of pleasing +herself to be of much service to others; but Dexie was quick to see +another's need, and she found it a pleasure to wait on her dear papa, who, +however active and energetic he might be when about his business, dearly +loved to be waited on when once he was inside his own home. He always found +Dexie willing and ready to give all her time for his pleasure. She had even +changed the style of her handwriting so as to help her father with his +correspondence, and she proved herself such an able assistant that, on +giving her verbal instructions, she could write out his letters quite as +clearly and business-like as if his own hand held the pen. Once, in Dexie's +absence, he had pressed Gussie into service, but Mr. Sherwood never +repeated the request, for Gussie's writing resembled the "sprawls of a +many-legged spider that had fallen into the ink bottle, and then wiped his +legs on the writing-paper," according to Mr. Sherwood's description of it. + +But Gussie was pretty if she was not useful. She was a perfect blonde, with +a wealth of yellow hair, which she twisted round her head like a golden +coronet. Her eyes were as blue as fresh spring violets, and her slight, +willowy figure gave promise of much grace when fully developed. Her twin +sister, Dexie, was much unlike her in every way, having dark brown eyes, +while a mass of short, light-brown curls covered the well-poised head, +giving her something of a boyish air. She had a clear complexion, but was +not so fair as Gussie, and her figure was shorter and more rounded. She was +quick and alert in all her movements, and laughed when Gussie called her a +tomboy, but she was only thoroughly wide-awake, and enjoyed life with a +zest that was but natural in a girl of her years. She scorned the languid +air that Gussie affected, and looked with disdain on the one-legged storks +that her sister delighted to transfer to canvas, and she wondered how it +was possible for anyone to sit for hours over a bit of fancywork the +usefulness of which was doubtful; but this was the only kind of _work_ that +Gussie ever cared to do. + +Since Aunt Jennie had taken up her abode in the family, Dexie had found +great delight in solving some of the mysteries of cookery, and the +toothsome articles she evolved, under her aunt's direction, were exhibited +with as much pride as Gussie felt when she adorned the new sofa pillow with +such gorgeous butterflies that no one dared use it thereafter. But Dexie +was at her best when seated before the piano; then her face glowed with a +beauty far exceeding that of her sister's, for the soul shone in her face, +and she would make the instrument respond to her feelings like a human +being. However ruffled her state of mind might be--for, be it known, Dexie +was not blessed with a very even temper--she could pour out her troubles to +her beloved instrument, as she would to a dear friend, and she always found +peace and consolation there. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +One evening, when Mr. Plaisted was still in Halifax, there was a small +party held at Mrs. Gurney's, to which the Sherwoods were invited. Although +the party was only for "grown-ups," as Elsie Gurney said, invitations were +given to Gussie and Dexie, as company for the young members of the party. +Among those present was Major Gurney, and several of his brother officers, +whose gaily-attired figures added much to the beauty of the rooms. + +During the evening music was introduced, and it need hardly be said that +most of the songs sung were thoroughly English, and of course much +applauded; but Dexie, in her loyalty to the land she called _home_, though +living out of its borders, could scarcely conceal her annoyance, and +turning to a table near, she picked up a book of views in order to hide her +vexation. Presently she became aware that the book before her was composed +of views that were unmistakably English; and no sooner was their +nationality noted than she dropped the book as if it had burnt her fingers. + +"The idea of that little spot on the earth lording it over all creation!" +she said to herself, and her lip curled in scorn. + +Just then the young man at the piano struck up the notes of "Rule +Britannia," which was caught up at once by all the red-coated gentlemen +present, as if the very words were a sweet morsel under their tongues. It +ended at last with a crash, and Dexie gave a sigh of relief when she saw +the piano stool vacant. + +But Mr. Gurney was making his way towards her, and, bending over her, said +in a low voice: + +"Will you favor the company with some music, Miss Dexie? I have often +listened to some very enchanting strains from your fingers." + +"Well, I think I can play something that will be quite as enchanting as +that we have just listened to," Dexie replied. "I don't believe that piece +was ever meant to be sung inside four walls, and those officers shout as if +they intended to raise the roof. I am afraid my playing will seem very tame +after all that bluster," she laughingly added. + +"No fear of that," said Mr. Gurney, smiling. "Try and see if you cannot +beat them at their own game." + +Dexie looked up quickly, and caught his meaning, and as she crossed the +room her thoughts were flying through her brain, trying to bring to mind +some song that would answer those "red-coated braggarts." A smile came to +her lips, as memory served her. Yes, she could sing something that was +quite as musical as "Rule Britannia," anyway, and echo the praise of her +own land as well. So when she passed her father she whispered: + +"Give me the help of your best bass in the chorus;" and bending over +Gussie, who was listening to the remarks of a many-striped officer, who was +standing near her chair, she said in a low tone: "Give me your help this +once, Gussie, and let your alto be heard clear to the citadel." + +Seating herself at the piano, she struck a few chords, and then her rich, +ringing voice, with every word clear and distinct, sounded through the +room: + + "Of all the mighty nations in the east or in the west, + Our glorious Yankee nation is the brightest and the best; + We have room for all creation, and our banner is unfurled + With a cordial invitation to the people of the world. + So, come along, come along; make no delay; + Come from every nation; come from every way. + The land it is broad enough; you need not be alarmed, + For Uncle Sam has land enough to give you all a farm." + +An amused look passed over the faces of those present as the sentiments of +the singer reached their ears, and Plaisted said, half aloud: + +"Good for you, Miss Dexie; I back you there!" and when the chorus was +reached, his fine tenor was equal to any that had been heard during the +evening, his "Come along" ringing out like a bold challenge. + +"Hurrah for the Stars and Stripes!" cried Lieutenant Layton, as he joined +in the applause that arose as soon as the song had ended. "Your nationality +is quite apparent, Miss Sherwood. That's right; don't let your own broad +country be sung down." + +Dexie found herself immediately surrounded, and was overwhelmed with +entreaties to sing again, for the "back slap" had been as diverting as it +was unexpected, and she found it impossible to leave the piano without +singing again. But she thought that one song in that strain was enough, +though Mr. Gurney came over to her side, saying: + +"Give us another like the last, Miss Dexie. It is good for these red-coated +fellows to remember that they have not conquered all the people on the face +of the earth." + +"I am afraid it will offend someone," said Dexie, softly. "I couldn't +resist the temptation of letting them know that _I_ don't think England is +supreme. I am a loyal American, even if I do reside in Halifax." + +"Oh! there is no danger of offending," Mr. Gurney replied. "The lion has +roared quite enough for one evening, so let the starry flag play awhile in +the breeze." + +But Dexie did not like to flaunt the flag too near the lion's face, and in +his own den, as it were; so remembering some of the beautiful, pathetic +songs, that had been inspired by the war, she thought they would be quite +as much enjoyed. + +Lancy Gurney was seldom far from the piano, and as Dexie finished her song +she motioned him to her side. A few whispered words passed between them, +then Lancy sat down beside her, when there rang out a symphony that +delighted every ear. + +In a few minutes, Dexie took advantage of the movement she had brought +about on purpose to relieve herself, and rose from the piano, leaving Lancy +seated at the instrument. + +This musical treat brought Dexie into social prominence, as there were +several members of the "Song and Glee Club" present, and she was much +surprised to receive invitations for herself and sister to join the club. + +This club contained some of the best singers in the city, but had no +members so young as those now invited to join them. The invitation was +never regretted, however, for they soon acknowledged that the "Sherwood +twins" were quite an acquisition. + +The pleasant evening was over at last, and the twins had received +compliments enough to turn older heads than theirs; but Dexie did not dwell +on the flattering remarks as Gussie did. Her singing and playing came as +natural to her as it did to talk, and she was not puffed up by the praise +bestowed on her for it. But Gussie was always vain of her good looks, and +she magnified the remarks that her pretty face had elicited, and when they +were about to retire Gussie had quite the air of a society belle as she +said: + +"I have made quite an impression on Lieutenant Morton. I feel quite sure he +is almost in love with me already." But, receiving no answer to this +remark, she added: + +"I hope you are not jealous, Dexie, because I received so many compliments +from those fine-looking officers?" + +"Pooh! you silly thing! Jealous! Well, that's rich, I must say," replied +Dexie, in a tone of scorn. "You seem to think it is a fine thing to be +complimented by soldiers, but not so I. Why, didn't Mrs. Gurney tell us +one time that it was not considered respectable to be seen talking to +soldiers on the street, and I can't see how it makes so much difference if +you talk to them behind closed doors." + +"Oh, but there was not one soldier invited to Mrs. Gurney's party; they +were all officers, every one of them," was Gussie's reply. + +"Pshaw! what difference do a few ornaments on a man's coat make to the man +inside of it, I'd like to know? I expect that half of them, at least, were +common soldiers once themselves, and were bossed around like the very +meanest of them. I declare, I'd rather be a black on auntie's plantation +than be under some of those bawling officers we met to-night." + +But Gussie did not care to discuss the matter further, as it required some +time to think the matter out seriously, if she would discover why an +officer should be less open to objection than a common soldier, for it was +true enough that many who wore the stripes had stepped up from the ranks; +yet how few of the better class care to make friends with the common +soldier, be he ever so respectable as a private individual. Was it likely +that a cloak of uncommon respectability was put on with the officer's +uniform? Hardly; else some of them lost the cloak very shortly after it was +put on. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Mr. Sherwood, accompanied by Mr. Plaisted, made a trip to Prince Edward +Island before the winter set in, and though they did not make a very +extensive purchase, they travelled through the country and learned its +resources, visiting many farms where salable horses could be secured in the +spring. They took the horses they purchased direct to New York, where they +were disposed of to good advantage, after which Mr. Sherwood returned to +Halifax and settled down for the winter. + +Mr. Plaisted remained in New York, but promised to be in Halifax early in +the spring, and be ready for the first boat that crossed to the Island. + +The first winter in Halifax passed very pleasantly to the Sherwoods. The +winter sports were new, and keenly enjoyed, and the "Sherwood twins" soon +became as good skaters as those who had practised the art for years. Yet no +one must imagine that everything ran as smoothly as clockwork in the +Sherwood household, for there are few families who can boast of such +perfect regulations that there is _never_ a jar. + +Mrs. Sherwood had been only too willing to throw off all responsibility and +place her duties on Aunt Jennie's shoulders, but there were many things +that must of necessity be left to Mrs. Sherwood herself, and when such +things were put off indefinitely they were apt to prove annoying; +consequently, when "patience ceased to be a virtue," the domestic +atmosphere was sometimes cleared by a small-sized storm. + +There are also times when domestic helps are apt to be exasperating in the +extreme, and a word of rebuke or remonstrance is like a match to a can of +gunpowder; the powder is apt to go off, and the girl just as likely, and +both leave an unpleasantness behind them. Queer, too, that both are apt to +go off at the most unexpected and inconvenient moment; but so it is. + +The Sherwood family were not exempt from this experience, for Biddy raised +a storm because Dinah seemed to be made more of than she was herself. No +explanations or smooth words would bridge over the difficulty. She refused +to stay in a house where "a big nager could stay in the room wid the missus +and hould the baby as long as she plased;" so she left the house, and quite +suddenly, too. + +This disarranged household matters somewhat for awhile, as it was some time +before a capable servant could be found, and Mrs. Sherwood was obliged to +exert herself a little and attend to the wants of the baby, while Dinah +filled the vacant place in the kitchen. + +But rheumatism had laid its torturing clutches on poor old Dinah's limbs, +and she could not be expected to get through the same amount of work that +Biddy accomplished, so the help of the twins was frequently necessary to +keep agoing the domestic machinery. + +This was no hardship to Dexie; but Gussie, oh dear! it was just horrible to +have to wash up the breakfast dishes, and to polish the silver. And the +rooms _never_ needed to be dusted so often before, that she was sure! and +wherever the dusters went to after she was done with them was a daily +mystery. Dexie offered to solve this trying enigma, but Gussie's wrath +waxed hot when she read the words which Dexie printed in large letters on a +piece of wrapping-paper and stuck on the wall, for the moral was obvious-- + +"_There is a place for everything_; THEREFORE, _put the dusters +back in their own place when you are done with them, and you will be sure +to find them again._ + +"(NO CHARGE FOR THIS ADVICE.)" + +But things moved along somehow, as they always do, yet everyone was glad +when the new Biddy appeared, who answered to the name of Nancy, and the +ways of the household fell back into former grooves; while the sigh of +relief which Gussie gave as she took up her neglected fancywork again, +might have been heard--well, quite a distance away. + +As the weeks went by, the enforced idleness became irksome to Mr. Sherwood; +and having at one time been on the staff of a leading newspaper, he took up +his pen again--or rather Dexie did, as his amanuensis--while he brought +forth from memories' halls, things interesting, amusing or instructive. He +had travelled extensively, and always saw the ludicrous side of things, so +he was able to tell many amusing incidents that to others might have passed +as commonplace. His productions were eagerly accepted, and, what is better, +liberally paid for as well. + +The short winter days passed very quickly. Time pleasantly spent is sure to +fly fast, and skating and sleighing parties are always merry gatherings; +thus so many evenings were given to Glee Club practice, church socials and +other like entertainments, that an evening at home was a delightful change. +During the winter the Sherwoods had the opportunity of becoming well +acquainted with many of the military fraternity, but Dexie's reserved +manner forbade the least familiarity. They were merely friends of her +friends, and her dislike to the red-coated gentlemen caused her much +good-natured chaffing; but it never annoyed her, for she always had an +answer ready for the keenest shaft. Lancy Gurney could always depend on +having Dexie Sherwood's company when these little pleasure-parties were +made up; and when he brought his sleigh out for a "spin" Elsie and Dexie +were sure to occupy the back seat, and the vacant place by Lancy's side was +never long empty, for the wit and vivacity of his companion made the seat +very desirable. + +Hugh McNeil always had a share in the pleasures of the rest of the family, +and no matter how many offered to fill his sleigh he always kept a seat for +Gussie Sherwood, for he had paid her much attention from the first. Gussie +found it very pleasant to have someone to take her here and there, and feed +her vanity with admiring looks and soft speeches; but if Gussie had a +chance to secure another escort more to her mind, she thought nothing of +snubbing Hugh unmercifully, yet was willing enough to smile him back to her +side when no other gentleman offered his company. But few men care to be +made the plaything of a young girl's caprice, and there came a time when +Gussie's smile lost its power to charm. Her pretty face had been the +attraction; but having ample opportunity of seeing Gussie under the +different light of home-life, he could not help seeing the shallow nature +that lay behind her outward sweetness, or that this sweetness was more +ready to come to the front when self was to be gratified. + +But Hugh's heart had been touched for the first time, and when his eyes +were opened he was loth to displace his idol, even though he knew that +common clay was its substance. For a long time he gave no sign of the +change that had taken place in his feelings; he was to all appearances as +devoted to Gussie as ever. + +One day, along the first of March, Lancy Gurney walked hastily home from +the store, and entering the Sherwood household, inquired for Dexie. + +"What is it, Lancy?" said Dexie, peeping over the stair rail at Lancy in +the hall below. + +"Come down, Dexie; I want to speak to you. Can you come for a drive with +me?" he asked, as Dexie reached his side. "Father wishes me to do a little +business for him a few miles out of town, and I want company. Will you +come?" + +"Yes, if you will take Elsie as well," was the reply. "How soon are you +going, Lancy?" + +"In about half an hour, if we can get ready; but I don't want to take +Elsie. We will take the single sleigh, and three in a seat will not be +comfortable." + +"It will be three in a seat or one, Sir Launcelot; so take your choice. Run +in and see if Elsie can go, then I will get ready also. No use coaxing; +your half an hour is rapidly passing," she added, smilingly, as Lancy +lingered, endeavoring to change her decision. + +But "three in a seat" was not so uncomfortable as Lancy had imagined, and +they were soon speeding over the road, and in due time reached their +destination. + +They were detained much longer than they expected, and so were late +starting for home, and the snow which had been falling in fine, light +particles, soon increased in volume, and it was quite apparent that a +severe storm was upon them. + +When they reached the open road, they found they were to suffer for the +delay, for the sharp wind cut their faces and almost blinded them with the +drifting snow. + +All landmarks were soon obliterated, and, though the way was familiar under +different circumstances, Lancy found it hard to distinguish the road from +the open field, as the snow fell so thick they could see only a short +distance beyond the horse's head. + +The girls were soon so benumbed with cold that they were glad to creep +beneath the sleigh robes, and the roads were becoming so blocked with +drifts that their progress was very slow indeed. Several times they stuck +fast, and Lancy had to get out and tramp down the snow, while, with +encouraging words, he urged the horse along; but in one of these heavy +drifts, snap! went the shaft. + +This was a misfortune indeed, for a thorough search in pockets and +sleigh-box failed to produce a string or strap of any kind. + +Elsie had been on the verge of crying for some time, and this new disaster +brought the tears in earnest. + +"We shall all freeze to death here!" she sobbed. "Whatever shall we do?" + +"You can stop crying, Elsie," said Lancy, who felt bewildered by this new +difficulty. "I am bothered enough already. I suppose it is no use to ask +you girls if you have any kind of string in your pockets," he added. + +"No, of course we haven't," replied Elsie, quite cross. "Girls don't fill +their pockets with trash!" + +"Here is my belt, Lancy," and Dexie held up a strap of Russian leather. "Do +you think you can bind up the shaft with that?" + +After some delay, the shaft was strapped together, and they slowly pressed +onward. + +"How far do you think we are from Halifax, Lancy?" Dexie asked, after they +had travelled some distance through the drifts. + +"I can hardly say, Dexie, we have come so slowly; but I fear we are not +more than halfway." + +This was indeed the truth, and the storm seemed increasing in violence; but +if a thought of danger passed through their minds, no voice was given to +it. + +Presently they passed a farmhouse, and they almost decided to stop and ask +shelter; but just here the road seemed better, so they pressed on, knowing +that their absence would make those at home very anxious. For some distance +the road was less drifted, owing to the shelter of a line of trees that +skirted it, but farther on they came to drifts that were high and hard +packed, through which the horse gave a plunge, breaking the other shaft, +and this brought matters to a crisis. + +"It is no use, girls; we can't get home to-night. It is a pity we did not +stop at that farmhouse," said Lancy, as he ascertained damages. "We will +have to get back somehow, I'm afraid." + +But how to get back was a question. They had passed the farmhouse such a +long time ago that it seemed as if it must be miles behind. Lancy was +almost in despair as he felt the broken shaft. How could they reach the +farmhouse in this disabled condition? Although suffering intensely from +the cold, he thought little of it, but he began to have serious misgivings +as to the safety of the girls. + +"I am so sorry I asked either of you to come with me," he said, as he bent +his head to speak to the shivering girls. "I shall have to cut the reins +and tie up the shaft with them, but I fear it will be slow work retracing +our way." + +"Oh, Lancy, you can't cut the reins! How are you going to drive if you do +that?" said Dexie, in alarm. + +"I can walk and lead the horse. There is nothing else to do." + +"Wait, Lancy! Here is my silk scarf; it is real long and strong," and Dexie +forced her cold fingers to untie from under her wraps, the pretty scarf +that encircled her neck, which Lancy found to answer his purpose very well. + +The sleigh had become so imbedded in the drift, that Lancy was afraid the +shafts would pull apart if the horse put forth sufficient strength to +extract it, so he decided to take the horse out and turn the sleigh +himself. But when the horse found himself free, he refused to stand still, +and Dexie insisted on getting out to hold him. Leading the horse around the +drift to regain the road, Lancy found there was a level stretch extending +in the same direction, and he concluded to follow it and thus regain the +farmhouse. He assisted Dexie through the drifts, and as she held the reins +he endeavored to turn the sleigh. But he had not quite accomplished his +task when a cry from Dexie came through the storm: + +"Oh, Lancy! come quick! I cannot hold him, and I hear water running +somewhere! Oh, the horse is in!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +What new calamity had overtaken them! Their only hope of safety seemed in +the horse, and he had disappeared from sight, leaving only his head showing +above the white mass around him. Lancy was soon at Dexie's side, and +understood the situation at once. The level stretch of snow was but the +covering of a frozen stream that here flowed parallel with the road. He had +led the horse near a weak spot, and the ice had given away beneath him. The +water might not be deep enough to drown him, but Lancy saw at once it would +be impossible to get the horse out without assistance. He helped Dexie back +to the sleigh, saying, + +"You and Elsie must cover yourselves up in the sleigh, and wait here till I +walk back to that house for help." + +"Oh, Lancy! is there no other way?" Dexie cried, her courage giving way at +the thought of him leaving them. "You will get lost in the storm, and we +will surely freeze to death before help reaches us." + +But there seemed no other way out of the difficulty, and he hurriedly +tucked the robes around them, while he tried to quiet Elsie, who was almost +wild with terror when she learned her brother's intention. + +"Hush! Elsie, dear. If I stay with you we shall _all_ freeze. You need not +be afraid. I will surely reach the house and send someone to you if I +cannot come back myself. Don't cry, dear. See how bravely Dexie bears it." + +"But you are not her brother," she sobbed; "she has only herself to think +of. Oh, what shall we do if you are lost in the storm! How I wish I had +never come!" and she buried her face in the seat before her. + +Lancy's heart ached for both of them. Yet to leave them seemed their only +chance of life, for it grew colder every moment. He must find help soon, or +they would not survive the night. Bending over Elsie, he kissed her +tenderly, saying, "Don't be afraid, Elsie. I will find someone to send to +you before I give up; so don't fret. We'll see mother again, never fear." +And bending over to see that she was well covered with the robes, he +whispered, "Good-bye, Elsie; pray for help," and he kissed her again. + +Passing round to the other side of the sleigh, he secured the robes around +Dexie so that the wind could not displace them; then putting his face down +close to hers, said, "I am sorry to have brought you into such danger, +Dexie; but you know I did not mean to. Will you kiss me good-bye?" + +Dexie lifted her face at once, her heart strangely stirred by the tone in +which he spoke; but she realized their danger, and this might be, indeed, +good-bye. + +"Do not fret about us, Lancy," she said. "Think only of yourself, for I am +so afraid you will be lost in the storm." + +"Never fear, Dexie. But remember this, girls: Don't go to sleep; keep +awake, no matter how hard it may be to do so. Get up in the sleigh and jump +and scream rather than run the risk of falling asleep here in the cold. +Remember, now! Good-bye, girls; and may Heaven keep you both safe," and +Lancy disappeared in the storm, leaving a comforting feeling behind him +with his last words. + +"Oh, Dexie! do you think we shall ever see Lancy again?" Elsie asked, in a +choking voice. "Just think how they will fret at home if anything happens +to us!" + +Dexie could not control her voice just then, so she made no reply. + +"I wonder if the poor horse will drown or freeze to death; but perhaps it +is warmer in the water than in the wind," and Elsie's thoughts turned again +to Lancy. + +Then they put their arms around each other, and talked in a weary, +desultory way. But it was hard to talk when there was nothing pleasant in +their thoughts, and they were so cold, so very cold. + +Presently Elsie's head fell over on Dexie's shoulder, and it aroused Dexie +to a sense of their danger. Was she really falling asleep, and allowing +Elsie to do so as well, after the caution Lancy had given? She lifted +Elsie's head gently, saying, "Sit up, Elsie, dear. I'm afraid you are +getting sleepy, and you must not go to sleep, you know." + +"Oh, do--leave me--alone! I'm--so tired." + +"But I can't leave you, Elsie; you are getting sleepy, and don't you +remember what Lancy said?" and Dexie lifted her up and gave her a gentle +shake. + +"Oh, do stop--just a moment." + +"No, not a moment!" + +Dexie was fully aroused now, and realized Elsie's danger. + +"Come, Elsie, you must sit up, for I do not intend to let you sleep;" and +she shook her roughly in her alarm, for Elsie had laid her head on the +seat, in spite of all her efforts to arouse her. + +"Here, if you don't lift up your head and wake up, I'll have to rub your +face with snow; so sit up at once. Oh! do, Elsie, dear." + +Elsie allowed herself to be lifted into another position, but she seemed +dazed, and Dexie was thoroughly frightened and shook her by the arm, as she +cried, "Oh, Elsie, can't you hear me? Don't you know that if you fall +asleep you will surely freeze to death?" + +"Oh, Dexie, I'm freezing now," was the low reply. + +Dexie seized her hands and clapped them between her own stiff angers, which +felt like lead, they seemed so heavy, but she succeeded in rousing Elsie so +that she would talk to her. + +"Let us try to sing," said Dexie at last; "perhaps it will be easier than +talking," and she began "Jesus, lover of my soul." + +But before the verse was finished she became aware that she was scarcely +murmuring the words herself, while Elsie had stopped altogether. + +"I'm _not_ going to sleep; so, there!" she said aloud. "I _will_ stay awake +somehow, and make Elsie, too." + +She found that the effort she had made to speak aloud had aroused herself. +The drowsy feeling was dispelled, and she bent over Elsie and shook her +until she received a faint answer. + +"Do you think Lancy has arrived at the house, Elsie?" she asked a few +minutes later. No answer, for Elsie's head had fallen back on the seat. She +was oblivious to all remarks. + +"Dear me, this will never do! However shall I keep her awake more than a +minute at a time? What if Lancy returns and finds her stiff and cold?" + +The thought was awful, and for the next few minutes there were some lively +movements under the sleigh robes; but the terror that filled Dexie's heart +gave way to a feeling of relief as Elsie sat up and reproached her friend +for being "so rough." + +"But I shall _have_ to use you roughly, Elsie, if you don't stay awake," +Dexie answered, as she placed the robes around her; "so keep talking, then +I'll be sure of you." + +But the intense cold seemed to freeze the words on her lips, and soon an +unintelligible murmur was the only answer to Dexie's questions. + +"What shall I do? She will be asleep in another minute, if I don't look +out. If I could only get her cross she would give me less trouble." + +As a general thing Elsie was very easy-going, though she had quite a temper +when once it was aroused, but with the excellent training she received from +her mother, she seldom lost control of herself. When she did, she was cross +clear through, and it took her a long time to get over it. Dexie thought +that this was a time when a burst of temper might be justifiable; so she +determined to pick a quarrel with her, and hoped the end would justify the +means. + +Shaking her roughly to gain her attention, a few sarcastic remarks soon +started a wordy warfare, and sharp words went back and forth for some time. +Presently their situation occurred to Elsie, and she burst into tears of +repentance. + +"Oh, do forgive me, Dexie; to think I would say such things while we are in +such danger! I do not know what is the matter with me." + +"It is my fault," cried Dexie, unable to keep up the quarrel under such +contrite circumstances. "I have been provoking you on purpose to make you +scold me; but I didn't mean a word of the unkind things I said to you. I +only wanted to keep you awake;" and thus confessing to one another, they +calmed down into a state that was almost too angelic for safety, but +before they had time to drop asleep again shouts were heard in the +distance, telling of relief close at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Lancy had a hard struggle to break through the drifts, and began to fear he +would sink down with exhaustion before he had secured help, but he reached +the farmhouse at last, having walked back much faster than the horse had +travelled in going the same distance. + +A few words of explanation were enough to arouse the family, and even while +Lancy spoke, the two men in the room began to pull on their boots and get +into their outer garments in a way that showed that they "meant business." + +Mr. Taylor and his big son would gladly have gone alone to rescue the +girls, thinking Lancy was not in a fit state to return, but the possible +fate of those dear to him filled Lancy with dread; he must return and see +to their safety. He eagerly drank the hot mixture that Mrs. Taylor placed +in his hand, and when the men declared themselves ready, he felt able to +accompany them. + +"This is a terrible night to be out-of-doors," said Mr. Taylor, as he +pulled his coat collar around his ears. "This is the worst storm we have +had for years, and it will be a mercy if your sisters are not badly +frost-bitten, before we can get them to the house. Push on after Tom, and I +will be with you in a minute," and he turned toward the stables. + +Lancy found it easier to retrace his steps than when he struggled alone +through the blinding snow, and presently Mr. Taylor passed them on the back +of a horse, carrying a coil of rope and a bundle of rugs, and he was the +first to reach the snow-covered sleigh. + +"Are you all right?" he called in a cheery voice. + +"We are alive, and that's about all," Dexie answered. + +"Well, cheer up; your brother is just behind," and as he spoke Lancy joined +him. + +"Now, young man," said Mr. Taylor, "Tom and I will see after your horse, +while you pilot your sisters to the house. They can both ride back on my +horse; he will carry them through the drifts better than they can walk. +Here are some rugs. Now, shall I help you to mount?" turning to Dexie. + +"We are so cold I fear we can't hold on," she replied, her teeth chattering +an accompaniment to her words. "I feel as if I had no feet at all," she +added, as they lifted her up and brushed the snow from her garments. + +"Oh, Lancy! I can't ride a horse," said Elsie, who was being brushed and +rubbed back to life. "I never could sit on a rocking-horse itself. I'll be +sure to fall." + +"Well, you won't have far to fall, so let that comfort you," said Dexie, +who was settling herself to her unusual position. "Lift her up, Lancy. +There! now hold on tight, Elsie, for if you fall off we can't stop to dig +for you!" and the awkward riders moved slowly through the drifts, while Mr. +Taylor and his son disappeared down the bank, and very soon their shouts +told that the submerged horse was rescued. + +The poor animal was thoroughly chilled, but warm rugs were spread over him, +and when, in the shelter of the stable, he was rubbed and doctored, he +seemed none the worse for his cold bath. Meanwhile, the women in the +house--good Samaritans, if ever there were any--had everything prepared for +the comfort of the travellers. Rousing fires were blazing in different +rooms, and garments were being warmed before them, while a steaming kettle, +containing some stimulating beverage, was waiting on the hearth. When the +half-frozen girls entered the house they received a warm welcome--warm in +more than one sense of the word, for the quick-handed women soon divested +them of their wearing apparel and placed warm garments upon them--and +before they had time to realize the change, they found themselves seated +before the fire, wrapped in warm blankets, sipping hot negus, a delicious +sense of warmth seeming to pervade their whole being; but as Dexie +possessed the most vitality she was the first to respond to the efforts put +forth for their relief. + +Elsie did not rally so quickly. Her teeth chattered and her limbs trembled +long after she thought she was well warmed, but her heart was full of +gratitude as she said: + +"I did not know there were such good, kind people in the world. It was +almost worth while to be caught in the storm to be treated so well by +strangers." + +And Dexie, from the folds of her blanket, turned her large dark eyes on the +women who were kneeling beside them rubbing their feet, and said in a low +voice: + +"We could not expect our best friends to treat us more kindly. Everything +seemed prepared for our comfort before you ever saw us. I'm sure I can't +think of one more thing that could be done for us." + +"But there is one more thing to be done, my dears," and Mrs. Taylor smiled +kindly into their young faces. "We must put you to bed." + +"Oh, dear! I feel too comfortable to move," and Dexie leaned back in her +big chair with a sigh of content. + +"Well, it _is_ a pity to disturb you, but to bed you must go," and, much to +Dixie's surprise, a pair of strong arms lifted her as if she were a child, +and a moment later she found herself in the next room, where a comfortable +bed received her. + +"How do you like being a baby again, Elsie?" she laughingly asked, as Elsie +was placed beside her. + +"I think I rather like it, but we have made trouble enough for these good +women without letting them carry us to bed. How is it that you can be so +good to strangers?" and Elsie lifted her eyes to the motherly face. + +"My dear! have you never read the words, 'I was a stranger, and ye took Me +in.' You know there is such a thing as entertaining angels unawares." + +"I thought you were that kind of people," Elsie whispered, as Mrs. Taylor +bent to kiss her cheek. + +"Did you, dear? Then I need not remind you that your thanks are due +elsewhere, for I am sure you both have grateful hearts to-night." + +"Will you please tell us how Lancy is before you go? We have not heard his +voice since we came in," said Dexie. + +"To be sure! but you need not be anxious about him. Your brother is in the +kitchen, snug and warm, by this time. I must go and put him to bed; but I +don't think I shall offer to carry him there," and she laughed softly, +adding, as she reached the door. "Do not get up in the morning till I give +you leave. You cannot get home until the roads are broken; so stay in bed +till the house is well warmed. Good-night, my dears." + +There was an interval of silence; then Elsie said softly, "I wonder if our +mothers will be frightened because we are not home. I am afraid mother +would cry if she knew we were out in the storm to-night." + +"Oh! they'll not fret, at least my mother will not. They know that Lancy +will look after us." + +"Lancy kissed you to-night, didn't he, Dexie? Do you know I believe he has +fallen in love with you," said Elsie, in a confidential tone. + +"Oh, Elsie! how can you say such a thing?" and Dexie blushed in the +darkness. "He kissed you good-bye, and, considering our danger, it was +natural enough to treat me the same; indeed he seems like a brother. Even +the people here think I am your sister." + +"Oh! you needn't mind me, Dexie. Our folks all like you and would have no +objections, for I heard mamma tell Cora that she was pleased at Lancy's +choice, and thought you would get on very well together." + +"Nonsense! Elsie; you must have misunderstood what they were talking about. +Lancy and I have been much together on account of our music, and your +mother would rather he spent his time over the piano with me, than with the +wild young men about the city; that is what she meant. It is only the music +that Lancy thinks of; so don't get foolish notions into your head, Elsie." + +"Well, perhaps mamma did mean that, but I'm sure she didn't say it so. I +thought she meant--something else," and whatever suspicions had been +aroused in Elsie's innocent heart were lulled to rest for the time. + +But this revelation aroused various feelings in Dexie's heart. She never +thought that the friendship existing between Lancy and herself would be so +differently construed. She liked Lancy very much, and never hesitated to +affirm it, but it made the blood rush to her face when she thought of +Lancy's good-bye kiss in the way Elsie had spoken of it. + +"Such silliness! Our good times will all be spoiled if people begin to +imagine such nonsense about us. How shall I be able to meet him in the +morning? But there! it is only Elsie's foolish mistake; I will not think of +it any more," so, resolutely putting the subject from her mind, she fell +asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +It was quite late when the young people opened their eyes next morning, and +the unfamiliar surroundings made Dexie lift her head with a start; but the +sparkle that came from the glowing wood fire in the old-fashioned grate +spoke of friendly cheer, and she turned a bright face to her companion as +she asked after her welfare. + +"My head aches a little, and I feel stiff and sore, but I suppose you feel +the same," was the languid reply. + +"Not I. I never felt better in my life. I would like to get up and see what +the world looks like around here." + +Just then the door opened, and Mrs. Taylor stepped into the room. + +"So my snow-birds are awake at last; and how do they feel this cold +morning?" was the cheery question. + +"I am quite well, thank you; but Elsie feels rather tired, I fear," Dexie +replied. "May we get up, please?" + +"Well, I'll not punish you by making you stay in bed," was the smiling +reply, "but I think your sister would be the better of another hour's +rest," then adding a few sticks to the blazing logs, she left the room. + +Dexie was soon dressing before the fire, her lively tongue keeping up a +pleasant chattering as she glanced occasionally through the frosty +window-panes to the white world outside, and Elsie soon roused from her +lethargy and showed some inclination to bestir herself also. + +When Mrs. Taylor returned, bearing a dainty breakfast, she found them +standing before the fire, their arms around each other's shoulders, and she +thought them very loving sisters, though their looks betrayed no such +relationship. + +They were indeed a contrast as they stood together before the fire. Dexie +was all aglow, her cheeks dimpled and rosy, her merry brown eyes full of +life and her pretty hair falling in rings about her forehead, making her +look much younger than she really was; while poor Elsie's face looked all +the paler against the background of dark hair that grew low on her brow, +and hung in two long braids down her back. Her grey eyes looked dull and +heavy, and she lacked the sparkle that made Dexie so attractive. + +"Come now, and have your breakfast," and Mrs. Taylor drew the little table +nearer the fire. "I am going to let you enjoy it alone, but when you are +ready step into the room across the hall. Your brother is anxious to see +how you look after your adventure." + +Dexie was just going to explain that she was no relation to Elsie, when the +conversation of the night before came into her mind, and while she +hesitated Mrs. Taylor left the room. As the door opened they could hear +Lancy's voice as he conversed with the family, and for the first time it +brought a flush to Dexie's face. She shrank from the thought of meeting +him, but this diffidence was owing more to Elsie's remarks than to any +change in her own feelings. + +"Come," said Elsie, at last, "we don't want to sit here all day. Let us go +and find Lancy." + +She stepped at once to his side as they entered the room, and gave him a +sisterly embrace, making Dexie's quiet "good morning" seem a cool greeting +in comparison; there seemed a strange restraint between them that neither +had felt before, which forbade any show of feeling on either side. This was +noticed at once by Mrs. Taylor, who was brightening up the fire, and she +said: + +"Seems to me you haven't such a warm welcome for your brother as your +sister gives him, yet he has been inquiring very particularly after you." + +"He is not my brother, Mrs. Taylor. I do not know how the mistake has been +made, but we are no relation whatever." + +"Not your brother! Then who are you, my dear?" smiling at Dexie's blushing +face. + +"Lancy, introduce me properly," and Dexie rose to her feet. + +Catching the spirit of mischief that shone in her eyes, he stepped quickly +to her side, and with a flourish made the introduction. + +"Allow me to make you acquainted with our next-door neighbor, Miss Dexie +Sherwood." + +Dexie bowed graciously to the several occupants of the room, who rose to +their feet, and all embarrassment fled at once. + +"Next-door neighbors those two may be," was the whispered comment of the +young girls who were stepping back and forth as they prepared the mid-day +meal, "but there is every sign of a closer relationship in the future, if +their looks do not belie them." + +But the only sentiment in Dexie's heart was gratitude and love to a Higher +Power. As she turned the leaves of a music-book she had picked up from the +table she passed the book to Lancy, saying in a low tone: + +"If I were home, I would like to sit down to the piano and play that." + +Lancy glanced at the page, and his eyes told her that he understood, for +the words of the anthem to which Dexie referred began, "Out of the depths +cried I, and thou, O Lord, hast heard." + +"Does the owner of these books play?" and Lancy turned to address Mrs. +Taylor, a sudden thought like an inspiration coming to his mind. + +"Only a little. Our Susan is wild over music; but our little old piano is +all she has to practise on, and during the winter she can only go into +Halifax once a week for a lesson. Susan, show them into the sitting-room, +and perhaps Miss Sherwood will play something for us." + +As Dexie entered the room she took in at a glance the many pretty and +tasteful things which adorned the walls and brackets, and she wondered if +Susan's fingers had accomplished such marvels in autumn leaves and other +little adornments. + +The fireplace was a thing of beauty, with its polished andirons, and the +ruddy tongues of flame that leaped forth from the heaped-up wood made a +cheerful picture. + +Several big cushioned chairs were drawn near the hearth and a basket of +knitting work was "handy" on a table, while in the old-fashioned rocker the +family cat peacefully reposed. + +Lancy had no eyes for anything but the piano, and as Susan opened it she +smilingly exclaimed: + +"Confess, now, that you think there is little music to be got out of this +ancient-looking thing." + +"Well, it is an odd make, certainly, but some of these old pianos have a +fine tone. Sit down and play something for us, Miss Taylor," and he drew +the music-stool in place. + +"Oh, no! I couldn't think of it!" she replied, smiling. "My playing is not +of an entertaining kind as yet, for even mother flies to the kitchen when I +try a new piece, but you will find me a good listener." + +Was that the same old piano? thought Susan, as she stood by the instrument +watching Lancy's fingers passing over the keys. Why, it seemed to be a +thing of life; and she moved away almost in awe at the sounds that came +forth from the hitherto despised keys. + +Presently Dexie began to sing, low and softly at first, then her expressive +voice swelled forth, thrilling the listeners that gathered at the door. +Susan slipped away, her eyes full of tears. + +"Oh! if I could only play and sing like that I would wish for nothing +more," said she to her sister. "That anthem means more than the mere words +and music." + +"Yes, it sounds like family prayers," replied her sister. "I declare I +don't know what I am crying for. I wonder if it would be a sin to mash +these potatoes while that singing is going on; they will be getting cold, +I'm afraid." + +But the closing words rang out joyously, "But Thou hast been merciful and +heard us; therefore Thy name will we praise all the day long." + +Not until she had finished did Dexie realize that she had so many +listeners, but she turned a bright face to the group at the door. + +"I did not know we had such an audience." + +"Don't stop, friends," said Mr. Taylor, coming into the room. "Such music +is quite a treat. I guess, Susan, there is more in that piano than you ever +dreamed of. Let us hear something else." + +Lancy rose from the music-stool, saying to Dexie: + +"Play 'The Mocking Bird,' and I'll sing to your whistle." + +A moment later Dexie's supple fingers were dancing over the keys in a +delightful prelude. Then Lancy's voice filled the room as he sang the +well-known song, accompanied by the exquisite notes of the southern mocking +bird, and the continuous warble that poured from Dexie's throat during the +chorus made her listeners start as if a veritable bird were concealed in +the room. + +"Well, that spoils the old proverb from this time forth," said Mr. Taylor, +as he leaned back against the wall and thrust his thumbs into the armholes +of his vest. "Whistling girls and crowing hens will hereafter have a chance +to be heard. Old saws ain't always true, eh, Miss Sherwood?" + +"Well, I never heard a hen crow yet, Mr. Taylor," and Dexie laughed softly, +"and I do not know what is their usual fate, but the proverb does not alarm +me in the least." + +"Do whistle another piece, Miss Sherwood," said Susan. "It will give us +great pleasure to hear you." + +Lancy turned over the leaves of a book, then placed it on the piano, +saying: + +"Try that, Dexie, and I'll whistle with you." + +It would be hard to express the pleasure that this exquisite bird-song gave +to those who listened. All the songsters in the woods seemed let loose in +the room, now singing together in full chorus, then singly or in pairs they +twittered and trilled as Dexie's soft whistle followed or joined Lancy's +stronger notes, while such bird-like notes came from the keys before her as +might have deceived the very birds themselves. + +"Nothing will surprise me after this," cried Susan, when the song had +ended. "I heard my music-teacher play that once, and I thought it the +tamest thing I had ever heard; of course he did not try to whistle it too, +but the music itself sounded quite different." + +"Perhaps your music-teacher never took the trouble to listen to the birds +themselves; that makes a difference, you know," said Dexie. + +Just then Mrs. Taylor came into the room, saying: + +"I think you must come to dinner, but you must give us some more music +afterwards. Really, Susan, that old piano is not such a poor affair, after +all; is it, now?" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +As was expected, they found there was much anxiety at home over their long +absence. Mr. Sherwood was on the watch when the sleigh drove up, and was +beside it in time to help the muffled figures alight, and anxious to hear +the particulars of their protracted drive. + +"Let me go into Mrs. Gurney's just a minute, papa," said Dexie, "and I will +tell you all about it when I come back." + +Then they found themselves pulled through the hall by the eager children, +who had been watching for their appearance for hours, and into the +sitting-room where Mrs. Gurney sat with a white, anxious face, waiting +their arrival. + +In a few minutes the story of their detention was told, Lancy telling his +part and Elsie hers, Dexie finishing the story by confessing to the extreme +measures used to keep Elsie awake, not sparing herself in the least when +telling of the quarrel she had provoked, and there was a suspicious +moisture in Mr. Gurney's eyes as he listened to the story. + +"You have been in great peril," said he, as he drew the girls to his side. +"Let us all kneel a moment and return thanks for the safety of these dear +ones;" and all knelt, just as they were: Mr. Gurney with one arm around +Elsie, the other around Dexie; Lancy with his fur coat still on, and the +whip in his hand; the little ones, who had pressed into the room, dropped +to their knees, their arms full of toys; Mrs. Gurney with the baby in her +arms--all knelt, while a few earnest words went up from a father's grateful +heart. + +Mrs. Gurney insisted that Elsie should go up to bed at once, and be +doctored for the cold she had evidently contracted, and pressing a kiss on +Dexie's cheek, she followed her daughter upstairs. + +But for all their care Elsie was confined to her room for several weeks, +and her recovery was slow and tedious. They were all thankful, though, that +nothing more serious resulted from exposure to the storm, which was the +worst that had visited the country for several years. + +Dexie had to tell the story over again when she went home; but she made +light of it all, making much more fun out of their grand ride on horseback +than either she or Elsie had experienced while partaking of it. But the +whole story came out when Lancy came in during the evening, and Mr. +Sherwood's look of tender solicitude contrasted strangely with the mother's +apparent unconcern, as the story of their adventure was related at length. + +"I am forgetting that I was sent in here with a message," Lancy said, a few +minutes later. "Elsie has been asking to see you, Dexie, and mother wishes +to know if you are too tired to run in a few minutes." + +Dexie followed Lancy into his own door, and running swiftly up the stairs +was soon bending over Elsie, who was wrapped up like a mummy. + +"I did not want to see you for anything _very_ particular," Elsie said, in +answer to Dexie's inquiry. "But I could not go to sleep for thinking of +last night. It seems so good to be in my own bed again, safe, after all my +fears, that I wanted to tell you once more how sorry I am for being so +cross with you; for I was _awful_ cross, Dexie, when you talked so harshly +to me." + +"Now, Elsie! don't speak as if there were anything for _you_ to be sorry +for, or I shall have such qualms of conscience as will surely make me ill," +was Dexie's laughing reply. + +After a few minutes' chat, Dexie left the room to return home, but Lancy +was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and he drew her into the parlor, +saying: + +"Stay with me a little while, Dexie, do; no one will disturb us here, and I +want to have a 'sing.' Your father or Gussie are sure to be in the parlor +if we go into your house." + +"Well, it will have to be a short 'sing,' Lancy, for the drive in the wind +has made me sleepy." + +When Mrs. Gurney passed the door a few minutes later, and peeped into the +dimly lighted room to listen to the soft strains that met her ears, she +smiled and softly withdrew, for Lancy was seated at the instrument, and +Dexie stood by his side, her hand resting carelessly on his shoulder, while +they sang what Mrs. Gurney knew was their private thanksgiving. + +As the last notes died away, Lancy turned on the music-stool and took her +hand; Dexie's thoughts had been so engrossed that, for the moment, she let +it rest there, when she heard the low-spoken words: "I want to tell you +something, Dexie." + +Instantly Elsie's words flashed into her mind, and she tried to break away +from the arm that encircled her waist. + +"Let me go, Lancy," was the startled cry. "It is time I was home." + +"I will take you home presently, Dexie; I want to talk to you a few minutes +first," and catching her hands in his he held her close. + +"But I do not want to be held here! Oh, Lancy! let go my hands. I must go +home." + +"Be quiet and listen to me a minute, Dexie; only a minute. I want to tell +you that, when I left you both in the sleigh last night, I felt far worse +about leaving you than my own sister. Do you know why, Dexie?" + +"I don't want to know, Lancy. I don't want to hear another word." + +"You can't get away from me, Dexie; so don't try. I want to tell you," he +added, in a lower tone, "that before last night I never knew why it was +that I liked to spend all the time I could with you. I thought it was on +account of our music, but as I walked through the storm last night the +truth came to me. I love you, Dexie, and that is why my heart kept me up +till I found help. I was almost wild with fear that something would happen +to you before I could get you safely sheltered. Yes, darling, I love you; +and the thought has made me feel so light of heart that I could sing all +the time for very joy." + +"Oh, Lancy! how can you talk so. You have spoiled all our good times +together, for I'll never come in here again when I know you are home," and +she turned her face away from his earnest gaze. + +"Oh, yes, you will; you will not be so unkind as that. If you refuse to +come in here I will go into your house just twice as often; so you can't +get rid of me, Dexie," was the smiling reply. + +There was a moment's silence, when Dexie said: "It will be a pity for us to +quarrel, Lancy, but you must not talk to me like this any more. Really, I +did not think you could be so silly. Think how they would all tease us if +anyone should find us here; and you know Gussie would make my life a misery +if she guessed you had been talking such nonsense." + +"It is not 'nonsense' to tell you that I love you, but my love shall not be +a source of annoyance to you; no one need know it. Everything will be as +usual, only, Dexie, you will know that I love you, and I will know--well, +what, Dexie? You do not dislike me any more than you did two days ago, do +you?" he whispered. + +"I have not changed in the least, but I shall dislike you very much, Lancy, +if you do not try and forget what has been said here this evening." + +"I cannot forget it even if I wanted to, Dexie. Do not think that I want to +vex you, dear, but I want you to understand me. Now, there is only one +thing more, Dexie," and his voice grew tender; "that kiss you gave me last +night in the sleigh seems to be resting on my lips yet, and has been a +sweet memory all day long. But, Dexie," and he laughed softly, "you know it +was a very cold kiss, after all. Give me a warm one to take its place, and +I'll let you go." + +Dexie shook her head and tried to draw back from him. She felt so +distressed that the tears were on the point of falling. She had gone +through so much during the last few hours, and this unexpected interview +tried her more than Lancy was aware. + +"Only one kiss," he urged. "You gave it willingly last night, darling." + +"But things are not the same as they were last night." + +"No, I love you better, Dexie. May I?" But without waiting for permission +he kissed the face so near him, and found it wet with tears. + +"Dexie, darling, I did not think you would care so much. Forgive me if I +vexed you; you kissed me last night without a word." + +"But you are not the same, and there was a reason last night. It is not +fair, Lancy. You have quite spoiled our good times for the future." + +"No, not spoiled them, only made them dearer. Dexie, you shan't be vexed +with me. Come over on the sofa and let me talk to you." + +"No; you said you would let me go home, and I want to go now, this very +minute." + +"Very well." He rose and pulled her shawl over her shoulders, then followed +her silently into the shelter of her own door. He would have followed her +into the house as well, forgetting that Dexie's face would tell tales, but +she stopped him at the door. + +"I don't want to see you any more to-night, Lancy; I really don't," she +said, as they stood a moment in the front hall. + +"You are displeased with me for telling you that I love you. Perhaps I +should have waited a little longer before speaking about it; but, Dexie, I +couldn't keep it to myself. I had to tell you." + +"I would not have been any more pleased to hear it, even if you _had_ kept +it longer;" and, lifting her eyes to his face for a moment, added, "I am +not exactly vexed with you, Lancy, but I'm not pleased either. Now, go +home; do." Being thus summarily dismissed, there was no choice left him; +but before he turned to obey her command, he raised her hand to his lips, +and whispered a tender "Good-night, Dexie." + +She stood and watched him down the steps, then turned and went quickly to +her own room, and locking the door behind her threw herself face down on +the bed, and for a few minutes wept without restraint. She felt completely +unnerved; so much had happened during the last twenty-four hours that had +tried her strength and courage, that Lancy's declaration had filled up the +measure of her strength. + +But her thoughts, always rapid, soon worked out a semblance of order from +the confusion that filled her mind, and she dried her eyes and began to +review her conduct in the light that others probably judged her. + +She would not deny, even to herself, that she preferred Lancy's company to +that of any of her male friends; but they were both so young that it was +ridiculous to even imagine that their intimacy meant more than common +friendship. However, if Lancy chose to be silly, that was no reason that +she should become sentimental also. She was not obliged to fall in love +just because Lancy fancied himself in that condition. It would be horrid +not to see him or sing with him again when their voices chorded so well +together; and Lancy never misunderstood her, if everyone else did. Yes, it +would be very hard not to be friendly with him; but, there! surely one can +be friendly with a gentleman without being expected to fall in love with +him, and she felt positive that if there were a Prince Charming for her, +his name was not Lancy Gurney. + +Having thus decided the matter satisfactorily to herself, she rose and +quickly prepared herself for bed; for several days after she took good care +not to be left alone with Lancy, and she kept him at a distance by her +saucy speeches. + +But his manner to her was the same as usual. The tender look in his eyes, +when they met hers, was the only reminder of his words. The knowledge of +his love, too, ceased to annoy her, or it was crowded back by the many +incidents that filled her life at this time; but it was there, ready to +spring up at the slightest touch. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The first day of April dawned brightly. The warm rays of the sun seemed +doubly welcome after the cold, stormy weather of the previous month, and +the streets were filled with people, who were out enjoying the sunshine +regardless of the mud that covered their feet at every step. + +But Nova Scotians are a courageous people the whole country over, as +witness the intrepidity with which they walk to and fro, year after year, +through mud that seems in some places almost bottomless; for, strange +though it may seem to outsiders, who cannot expect to learn the secrets of +the learned road commissioners, the more time and money spent on a road the +softer and muddier it seems to become. + +It is a fact that can be vouched for by many responsible persons, that +once, while a poor man was walking along one of the country roads in early +spring, he sank so deep in the mire that, on putting forth his strength to +lift his leg, he pulled it apart above the knee, leaving the lower half +sticking in the mud! Fortunately he was carrying a strong cane, and by +leaning upon it he managed to keep upright until help arrived, when he was +rescued from his perilous position. After much difficulty, the imbedded +limb was extracted from the mud, and safely fastened again in its place--it +was made of wood! + +But, leaving facts for fiction, let us step into the Sherwood household, +and we will find Mr. Sherwood busy preparing for another trip to Prince +Edward Island. + +Mr. Plaisted had arrived from New York a few weeks previously, and was to +accompany him, though the departure of this gentleman would cause no +regrets in the household, for his true nature had been revealed during his +stay amongst them. His bland and courteous manner was not inborn--it had +but a surface character; and if "to know a man you must live in the house +with him," then it took but a short time to become thoroughly acquainted +with Mr. Plaisted. If he had not been so puffed up with conceit, he would +have felt the altered atmosphere around him; but he was not sensitive--not +in the least--and he could stand an unlimited amount of snubbing without +being touched. His familiarity had indeed "bred contempt," and the hope of +his speedy departure alone kept back the threatened storm. Even Nancy in +the kitchen had been heard to say that, "if the scented dandy didn't kape +out ov her kitchen wid his imperdent speeches, she would give him wan blow +wid her fist that would spoil his beauty for him," and threatened to "give +warnin'" if the mistress did not keep him to his own quarters. + +Mrs. Sherwood was more than satisfied to leave all unpleasant things for +Aunt Jennie to settle. It was quite convenient to be an "invalid" when +there was trouble below stairs, and it required more than a hint to make +Plaisted see that he was transgressing all rules of hospitality. When Mr. +Sherwood announced that the Straits were opened, and they would leave at +once to catch the first boat, they were all willing to "speed the parting +guest," even though he would take Mr. Sherwood away with him also. + +Strange though it may seem, Gussie was the only one who saw no fault to +find in Mr. Plaisted. He was too free with his compliments to be anything +but pleasant company to her. She was willing enough to listen to his soft +speeches, for in her eyes he was a hero of romance, and the warning words +and admonitions of Aunt Jennie only served to exalt him higher in her +estimation. + +Dexie treated him with such frigid politeness that he did not care to meet +her cold stare more often than necessary; so, when he sought Gussie's +society, Mr. Sherwood or Aunt Jennie were the only ones likely to interrupt +the _tete-a-tete_. + +But things were not always to run so smoothly for Mr. Plaisted, and this +first day of April brought such discomfiture that his fastidious feelings +were very much upset. About noon, when the streets were thronged with +pedestrians returning from work or school to the mid-day meal, Dexie +noticed Mr. Plaisted sauntering toward the house, twirling his light cane +and looking as if he thought himself the pink of perfection. But what was +it that was fluttering in the breeze behind him? Some urchin--exasperated, +no doubt, by Plaisted's immaculate appearance--had fastened to his +coat-tails a bunch of dirty rags, and as Dexie watched him from the window, +she was convulsed with laughter as she saw him lift his hat and bow +profoundly to the two Desbrasy girls on the opposite sidewalk, who +immediately pulled out their handkerchiefs and applied them to their +faces; but he walked on, unconscious of the diversion he was causing to the +passers-by. As he came into the house, Dexie struck an attitude, and +exclaimed, in a tragic voice, "I could a tale unfold!" + +Plaisted stood in the doorway, and looked at her in amazement. + +"Dexie, don't be a fool," said Gussie, looking up from her wools, and +frowning at her sister's strange behavior. + +"No, Gussie; I don't intend even to _try_ and be one, for when Mr. Plaisted +assumes that character, no one else has a possible chance either as court +fool or April fool." + +Plaisted was too surprised to speak, and Dexie took no heed to his +darkening brow, but continued, "So _you_ have been studying Shakespeare, +and this is a practical illustration, I presume; or possibly you are posing +as a disciple of Darwin, and, to prove his theory, have unfolded your tail +to the public gaze. I have often wondered what it was you needed to make +you a perfect specimen of what Nature intended you to be." Then, catching +his arm, she turned him about that Gussie might see, adding, "He is quite +complete now, Gussie--see! This is a specimen of the species known as the +'missing link.'" + +"For goodness' sake! how long have you been carrying that?" cried Gussie, +quite horrified at the sight. + +Plaisted turned his head, and understood at a glance the meaning of Dexie's +words. Then, angrily grasping the cause of offence, he endeavored to remove +it, till an ominous sound of tearing cloth caused him to desist. + +"Take it off! take it off! You, Dexter!" he cried, backing around to her. +"Take off that trash, I say!" + +But that word "Dexter" sealed all chance of help as far as Dexie was +concerned, for she put her hands behind her back and surveyed him +scornfully. + +"Not I! I wouldn't disfigure you for worlds; it quite completes your +appearance. It would be a sin to remove what Nature seems to have forgotten +in your make-up." + +"Do take it off for him, Dexie," said Gussie, coaxingly. I would myself, +only I don't want to dirty my hands." + +"And do you think that _Dexter_ is going to soil her beautiful hands by +touching the dirty rags? No; Dexter is not! There might be smallpox on them +for all I know; I'm sure they're spotted enough." + +Plaisted turned and twisted himself this way and that, in vain endeavors to +reach the back of his coat, but could not manage it; and as he stood for a +minute, his hands held out in front of him, while he looked over his +shoulder at the unwelcome appendage, he did indeed present a woful figure. + +"Why don't you take your coat off?" Gussie said at last. + +"Oh! confound it; I never thought of that," as he twisted himself out of +his coat. + +"Why, of course you didn't think of it," retorted Dexie. "How could you be +expected to? Everybody knows that creatures with tails are not supposed to +think at all." + +"Dexie, I'll tell papa if you won't stop; you are impudent," Gussie said, +sharply. + +"Do tell papa, Gussie. I only wish he were here to see the sight himself. +He does not know what he is missing by being late for dinner. It is too bad +that he must get the story second-hand, when he might have enjoyed the +edifying sight himself if he had only been on time." + +"I'd like to see the wretch that put that trash on my coat," said Plaisted, +as he flung the mass into the grate. "By George! I'd fix him." + +"I'd give a lot to see him myself," said Dexie, exultingly, from the other +side of the table; "and he should have at least a quarter for that piece of +work, though I'm sure it was worth a whole dollar to see you strutting up +the street with signals of distress waving in the breeze behind you. Ha, +ha!" + +"I believe you did it yourself before I went out," he said, white with +rage. + +"Oh! I do wish I had! How I do wish I had thought of it! How proud I should +feel if _I_ had been the one to give the citizens of Halifax such a grand +idea of what the lost species are like; and how generous of you, too, to +give a free exhibition of yourself, in your proper form, when you might +have gone to the dime museum and earned a fortune!" + +Plaisted felt too wrathy to reply, but he gave her a look that was meant to +annihilate her; then turning to Gussie, who seemed to sympathize with him, +said, + +"I met those Desbrasy girls as I was coming up the street, and I do believe +they saw it. Confound the thing! I remember now that they pulled out their +handkerchiefs directly I bowed. I daresay they were laughing at me!" + +"Laughing! not they!" put in Dexie. "They happened to see your feet, and +were weeping with envy because theirs were so much bigger! Don't fret, Mr. +Plaisted, you are not worth looking at without this finishing touch," and +with a scornful laugh she passed out of the room, slamming the door behind +her. + +Plaisted drew a sigh of relief when his tormentor vanished. + +"Bless my soul! what a tongue that girl has," and he wiped the perspiration +from his brow. "I hope she don't often let her temper loose like that." + +"Well, no; but you have only yourself to blame for it, and I was almost +going to say that it serves you right, too." + +"Why! how's that?" said Plaisted, in surprise. + +"Well, you know very well that you have tormented Dexie about Lancy Gurney +till you have aroused her temper quite often; but you might have escaped if +you had not insulted her just now." + +"Insult her! How, pray? I'm sure I did not." + +"You called her 'Dexter,' and that is a name she can't stand from anybody. +I believe she would have taken off those rags for you if you had spoken to +her as 'Dexie,' for she really is obliging, you know, though she did enjoy +seeing you made an April fool." + +"Bless my soul! I never noticed that I called her Dexter; and so that was +the spark that caused the explosion? Well, I shall not forget it in a +hurry." + +"She generally succeeds in paying back, with double interest, anyone who +uses that name to her, as I know to my sorrow," said Gussie, with a shake +of her head. "Yet, after all, I don't blame her much, either; but it is the +one spot in her make-up that seems vulnerable." + +"Well, it is a good thing that I am going away so soon. I expect she will +make it hot for me while I am here." + +"Oh, no! I guess you are safe, Mr. Plaisted. The storm is over for this +time, unless you care to brew another like it; the one word will do it, you +know," and she looked up with a smile. + +"Thanks; I beg to be excused! That one experience is enough to last me for +one while. Ugh! I wonder if there was any disease on those dirty rags," +looking at his fingers and then on his coat, as if in doubt which would be +the first to break out with it. + +As he left the room to smooth out his ruffled plumage, holding his coat at +arm's length before him, the sounds of laughter in the next room greeted +his ears. As he listened a moment he heard Dexie relating the particulars +of the scene in the parlor, and he shook his fist in the direction of the +sound. This relieved his feelings somewhat, and he vowed a hasty vow that, +for the future, he would leave Dexie Sherwood and her doings alone. He +would have spared himself many unpleasant moments if he had kept his vow. + +During the time that Mr. Plaisted was staying with the Sherwoods, Gussie +had been very cool to Hugh McNeil. As the former was about to leave the +city, Gussie thought it time to recall her old "stand-by," and was +surprised to find that Hugh was less ready to return to her side than +formerly. A feeling of jealousy arose in her heart when she saw that Hugh's +attentions were transferred to Dexie. + +Hugh had not ceased to come in during the evenings, as usual, even though +Gussie was cool and abrupt with him. Not wishing Hugh to feel hurt by the +change in her sister, Dexie had talked to him, and had played and whistled +for his amusement, till the little spark of kindly regard which had +formerly represented his feelings for Dexie was fast being fanned into a +flame of passion by these little attentions, which were bestowed in a +friendly way, and for her sister's sake. + +Dexie was not aware of the change in Hugh McNeil until Mr. Plaisted had +left the city, and she was surprised and displeased to see that Hugh now +ignored Gussie's presence almost as much as Gussie had his when Mr. +Plaisted was near, and turned to her instead. + +It was hard to define her true feelings, but when she understood that Hugh +had mistaken her friendliness, her whole being seemed to rise up in a +vigorous protest. As it is "an ill wind that blows nobody good," Lancy was +made happy again by Dexie's presence. She no longer sought to evade him, +and her soft, rippling laughter, mingling with the low tones of Lancy's +voice, was again heard as they lingered over the piano together. + +This made Hugh mad with jealousy, and the fact became so plain to Dexie +that her manner was even more gracious to Lancy when Hugh was by to observe +it. + +But Hugh's sturdy Scotch nature came to the front, and he made a mental +resolve to win her in spite of everything; even his master's son should not +take Dexie from him. He would wait, but would not vex her by pressing his +suit at present when it seemed so distasteful to her; she might smile on +someone else instead of Lancy, then he could watch her less easily. He +would not meddle with the existing state of things. + +Yet he had one bit of comfort given him. He it was who hastily appeared in +the Sherwood household one morning with the startling intelligence of the +assassination of President Lincoln. + +The events "at home" were closely watched by all the family, and this +unexpected calamity, just at this time, was as much of a blow to them as to +those nearer the scene of strife. + +Hugh had always been "Mr. McNeil" to Dexie. She had never used the more +familiar name, as the rest of the family were in the habit of doing; but +when she heard him tell his news, she caught his arm, and exclaimed: + +"Oh, Hugh! do you think it is true, or only a report? Tell us, quickly!" +and she looked eagerly into his face, as if to read the truth there. + +Hugh longed to clasp the hand that rested on his arm for a moment, for +during all their intercourse she had never called him "Hugh," and it +thrilled his heart as it fell from her lips. He wished that he might be the +bearer of any news, however unwelcome, if it would cause her to forget her +reserve and repeat again that little word "Hugh." + +But nothing happened, and matters went on about the same during the weeks +that followed. + +Mr. Sherwood did not return home for some time, for, after selling his +horses, he made a lengthy visit to his mother, who was not in the best of +spirits at this time. She was alarmed at his boldness in coming to see her, +though he assured her he had taken all precaution, her old enemies need not +hear of his presence. His visit so cheered her that he saw she needed +something to take her thoughts away from herself, and from the conflict +that engaged her mind. + +Having expressed a desire to have one of her granddaughters come and live +with her for a season, and having a preference for Louie, who seemed to be +a part of the dear old southern home whose name she bore, it was decided +that Mr. Sherwood should bring her to the old homestead for a long visit. + +Dinah had been sorely missed by her mistress, though she was slow to +acknowledge it; but, at Mr. Sherwood's suggestion, it was decided to bring +her back with Louie, that the faithful old nurse might spend her last days +with those she had known and loved all her life. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over +those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of +their next door neighbors. As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and +spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and +the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root +in her heart also. She did not realize this herself, but the signs were +apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that +governs all actions. + +Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents. To +them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, +perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have +expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to +compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when +they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in +themselves. + +Formerly it was the custom to spend the greater part of the Sabbath morning +in bed, and, after a late breakfast, Mr. Sherwood read the American papers +until dinner was served. In the evening a walk was indulged in, or, if a +popular preacher was announced to appear in any of the churches, he would +attend, taking some member of the family with him; but it was seldom that +Mrs. Sherwood attended public worship. As the head of the house passed the +Sabbaths in this careless fashion, the rest of the household felt free to +spend it as it pleased themselves also. + +No one seemed to hold the day any more sacred than the other six, except +Aunt Jennie; but as Dexie came to note the difference in the Sunday life of +her next-door neighbors, and mentally compared it with how the day was +spent at home, she inwardly resented the feelings that would intrude +themselves, for they pointed out the fact quite plainly that there was +something needed in their lives at home which was engrafted in the +household next door; and, though she scarcely knew what to do to remedy a +difference she did not care to define even to herself, yet she silently +resolved that an outward form at least, similar to what she saw next door, +should yet be practised at home, for she could not bear the silent reproach +any longer. + +When Dexie opened her heart to Aunt Jennie about it, she found that the +same thing had troubled her quiet auntie for a long time; so together they +laid plans that eventually brought about a different Sunday life from that +the family had hitherto known. Yet the change began in a very commonplace +way, too; for instead of enjoying the extra sleep that the family usually +indulged in, they were aroused one Sunday morning by repeated calls to +breakfast--calls which were hard to resist when the opened doors let in +such appetizing odors from the kitchen, where Aunt Jennie was +superintending the morning meal. And if their olfactories were closed to +this appeal, their ears were not so easily shut to the sounds that Dexie +was bringing forth from the piano, as hymns, anthems and psalms followed in +succession, and made further sleep impossible. + +"What has got into you all this morning? Have you forgotten it is Sunday?" +said Mr. Sherwood, appearing at last. "How can anyone sleep with all this +racket going on, Dexie?" he added, stepping into the parlor. "What on earth +made you rout us out of bed at this hour? Why, it is not nine o'clock yet!" + +"Oh! you slept long enough papa. I am sure we don't need more sleep on +Sunday morning than we do any other day. You'll not be sorry you got up +when once you have tasted some of the good things auntie has made for +breakfast," and she raised her mouth for a kiss, then led him to the table. + +Gussie made her appearance in time to sit down with the rest, but she +looked cross at Dexie for having disturbed her. + +"This is the first Sunday morning we have all met at the breakfast table +for months, I do believe," said Mr. Sherwood, leaning back in his chair, as +he finished the meal. "But where are the papers this morning? What! still +in the office? However am I going to pass the day without my papers? +Strange that no one thought of going for them last night." + +Someone had thought of it, but had purposely forgotten again, hoping that +he might be induced to attend some place of worship in the morning, if for +no better reason than to pass the time away. + +The Gurneys were members of the Episcopal Church and attended at St. +Paul's. Dexie had often accompanied them on Sundays, and had grown familiar +with the service that was, in after-life, so dear to her; but, knowing that +her father disliked that form of worship, she intended to persuade him to +attend St. Matthew's (Presbyterian), as she knew he had a great respect for +the officiating clergyman. + +"Well, papa, since the time will seem long to you with nothing particular +to do, why not come with Gussie and I to hear Dr. Grant? They have a fine +choir at St. Matthew's; so we will be sure to enjoy either the sermon or +the singing, if not both." + +"Oh, I'm not going out this morning, Dexie, so speak for yourself," said +Gussie. "It is a horrid bother to dress up so early in the day. I have a +nice book to read, so, if you want to go out, you can go with the Gurneys, +as usual." + +"But I would rather go some place with papa," said Dexie; "and it will be +nicer to make a family party of it. Besides, I want to hear what the new +singer is like, and of course I can't go alone. You remember Cora Beverly +was talking about her, and says she has the sweetest voice she ever heard. +You will come with us, won't you, papa?" she asked, coaxingly, as she went +behind his chair and stroked his hair. + +"Well, I'll see, by and by," Mr. Sherwood replied. "I may go with you this +evening, though." + +"Now, papa, what will prevent you from coming this morning? I do think you +will be most unkind if you refuse, for I have set my heart on hearing that +singer. Now, do say 'yes,' papa." + +"Well, you little torment, yes, then! Now, leave my hair alone, or you'll +have my head as bald as the back of my hand," holding her away at +arm's-length. + +Dexie bent over and gave him a final kiss; then, turning to Gussie, said: + +"Did you see how nicely I have done up your frills and laces, Gussie? That +pretty cream lace will look lovely with your new dress, if you frill it +around the neck." + +"New dress, indeed! Old made over thing, you'd better call it!" was the +scornful answer. + +"Well, it is too bad that it was not made up to suit you at first. Now that +it has been altered, it looks quite stylish, and becomes you splendidly, +and this is just the day to wear your new hat." + +This bit of flattery had the desired effect. Gussie decided that it really +was too fine to stay indoors, so she rose from the table to begin her +preparations for church. + +"Seems to me you have taken to psalm-singing very suddenly," said Gussie, +as Dexie accompanied her preparations with some song of David that was +unfamiliar to Gussie's ears. + +"Oh, no! they sing psalms every Sunday at the Episcopal Church," and Dexie +hummed away with a light heart. + +"But not to such tunes as that! They go hopping along on one note, like a +hen with a sore foot, and then end up altogether differently from what you +expect. Chanting is not singing, and I think it sounds ridiculous." + +"Well, a hen with a sore foot would sing a mournful song, I fear; but if +you would come to St. Paul's some morning and hear them sing the _Te Deum_, +you would not think there was anything mournful about it. It sounds just +glorious! Everyone might not think so," she added, noting her sister's +scornful look; "but everyone does not admire psalm-singing after the +Presbyterian style, either. However, chant, psalm or hymn, it's all one to +me so long as I know the tunes, for I hate to stand as dumb as a post when +I go to a place of worship. Some people are content to have nothing more to +do in the service than say 'Amen' at the close of the benediction, but I +think a responsive service claims the attention of careless churchgoers, +and gives people something else to think of besides the style of the +garments of those around them." + +"Well, I enjoy looking at the styles when I go to church, and I hope people +will think my hat is becoming," said outspoken Gussie; "I believe other +people put on their fine feathers on Sunday with the same object. However, +I do believe that an ugly hat is as conspicuous as a handsome one." + +"Well, I suppose it is! I wonder if there is such a thing as a 'happy +medium' in trimming a hat. Dear me! what a lot of things a person has to +think of in this world!" and with a sigh she followed her sister +downstairs. + +Aunt Jennie watched them depart with a prayer in her heart that some +message might reach the heart of her careless brother-in-law, and she +seemed to have had her prayer answered, for he was willing enough to attend +the same church the following Sunday. + +But Gussie was not attracted either by the sermon or the singing. Something +else had to be the attraction to draw her out of a Sunday morning, unless +she was urged with a persistency that would have moved a mule in the +tantrums. + +But when Mrs. Sherwood announced, one Sunday morning, that she would +accompany the rest to church, Dexie felt that her happiness was complete. +She knew it was owing to Aunt Jennie's influence that her mother had put +forth this extra exertion, and though it was Sunday, Dexie felt like +dancing a jig around the floor, for her mother had become even more +indifferent than her easy-going father in matters pertaining to religion. + +In the Gurney household there was no day in the week so gladly welcomed as +the Sabbath, and of a family containing so many young children this is no +light thing to say. + +In the first place, the little ones were so anxious not to lose any of the +many extra treats that this glad day afforded them, that they put on their +best behavior with their Sunday garments--and where is the person, little +or big, that does not feel more important in his best clothes, and act +accordingly. + +Then instead of having breakfast in the nursery, with nurse at the head of +the table, the family met around the one table, below stairs; and to the +little ones this was a treat indeed. Having the children around him only +one day in seven made it quite a change for Mr. Gurney also, though it +wearied while it delighted him; and each succeeding Sunday he more fully +realized the blessing he possessed in his good wife, for he had none of +that patience and tact that is required to keep such a family in order. + +Then on fine Sundays all the children went to church, except the two +youngest, and the advent of a new member in the family was hailed with +delight by one of the family at least; for of course a baby, however new, +counted one, and it was warmly welcomed by the one who was thus raised to +the dignity of a church-goer. + +We must not forget the treat that was reserved for Sunday afternoons, for +directly after Sunday-school there was sure to be in readiness for each +member of the family a plate containing what the children called "goodies." +This was a mixture of confectionery, dates or figs, apples, nuts, pears or +oranges, or other fruits as the season might be. As Dexie Sherwood was +expected to spend this part of the day with the family, her plate was +regularly prepared with the rest; and until the time that Lancy had made +known his feelings for her, Dexie had enjoyed the _tete-a-tete_ which he +always managed to arrange in some quiet corner. Even now she was not always +able to avoid it, without being positively rude, for she could not make +Elsie see that her presence was necessary when Lancy managed to give his +sister the impression that it was otherwise; it was quite clear that Mother +Gurney saw nothing amiss in Lancy's desire to take Dexie "somewhere out of +the noise," for the little ones made much of their Sunday freedom. + +It was during one of these Sunday afternoon chats that a better +understanding was arrived at between Lancy and Dexie. They were sitting in +the parlor, with a screen drawn between them and any chance observer, their +plates on a small table near them, when Dexie playfully tossed over a piece +of confectionery bearing the words, "You look unhappy." + +Lancy looked up with such a tender look in his eyes that Dexie instantly +repented her action, but it was too late, and she dropped her eyes to read +the sweet messenger that fell in her lap, "You have my heart." + +Dexie had no answer except, "Do forgive me," and she tossed it over with a +look in her eyes that filled Lancy with an unutterable longing to take her +in his arms. + +"What shall I forgive you for?" he said, laying his hand on hers. "I am not +unhappy, only when I see how you try to avoid me. I have kept my promise, +and have not spoken a word that could annoy you. Why do you try never to be +alone with me? It is hard to forgive you for that," he said, in a low tone. + +"I did not mean anything by those silly candies; I was only in fun." + +"Then you don't want to be forgiven, is that it? or do you mean that you +are going to be good to me in the future?" + +"I don't know what 'being good' implies, so I won't promise," she replied, +smiling. + +"It means that you will not act as if you were afraid to be alone with me a +minute, and to talk to me as freely as you did before, well--before that +snowstorm. You have never put your hand on my shoulder, and asked me to +take you any place since then. You don't know how I miss the pleasant hours +we used to spend together, or the delight I felt in the pressure of the +hand that has never willingly touched mine since I spoke to you here in the +parlor. The Dexie I knew a few weeks ago seems to have gone away, and I +miss her very much, indeed." + +"I can't be the same as I used to be, Lancy. Something is different, and +I'm so afraid someone will make remarks about us if we are so much together +as we used to be." + +"What kind of remarks? tell me, Dexie. Something we would be ashamed to +hear?" and he smiled into her distressed face. + +"You know what I mean very well, Lancy, and I couldn't bear it." + +"Did you ever hear any remarks before--before that snowstorm?" + +"No! I never thought there was anything to make remarks about, but I have +been looking at things differently lately." + +"In what way, Dexie? Do tell me?" and he caught her hands in a firm clasp. + +"Don't, Lancy! Please stop! There has been enough said and done already to +make people talk if they knew about it." + +"Only a few words, and one little kiss, that was all, Dexie. If the thought +of what people might say keeps us apart, you are very foolish, for if we +were never to speak to each other again we would be accused of having had a +'lover's quarrel,' so don't keep me at a distance any longer on that +account. You are making us both miserable for nothing; for I don't believe +you are enjoying yourself a bit under the new rule that you have set up. +Confess now, are you? honor bright, Dexie?" and he looked eagerly into her +eyes. + +"Well, no, Lancy," and she looked up with a smile. "It isn't quite so nice +as it used to be, and I have stayed home several times when I wanted to go +out. I am not shy, naturally, you know, and I would have asked for your +escort if there had not been reasons to prevent me. Hugh has been very +anxious to show his gallantry, but nothing would tempt me to go three steps +with that big Frenchman." + +"Well, I wish Hugh could hear you say that, Dexie, for I was beginning to +feel jealous. He talks so much about you I was afraid he had entered the +lists against me." + +"Lancy, what nonsense you talk! Hugh is Gussie's particular property. What +made you fancy that I had stepped into her shoes?" + +"Nothing that need vex you, Dexie, so don't frown; but he told me in +confidence, you know, that you were--but there; it was in confidence, so I +won't repeat what he said. I know he cares more for you than for Gussie, +and the fact don't please me very well." + +Dexie was silent for some minutes. The remembrance of certain looks and +speeches that Hugh had lately addressed to her were now explained; he +thought she had quarrelled with Lancy, and he was anxious to take Lancy's +place. She lifted her eyes, saying: + +"Hugh shall have no chance to think any such a thing. But I know how it has +happened. Gussie had no eyes for anyone else while that Plaisted was here, +so I had to entertain Hugh occasionally; but dear me! how soft he must be, +if my foolish songs have turned his brain." + +And then, looking shyly into his eyes, she added, "I won't run away from +you any more, Lancy. We will go back to our old ways, but don't talk any +more nonsense to me, and we will be chums again. Is it a bargain, Lancy?" + +Lancy bent nearer to the curly head that was bent to hide her blushing +face, then, seizing her hands, held her close as he whispered, in a tender +voice: + +"That's my Dexie back again! I won't annoy you with words, but you know +what my feelings are for you all the same. Now, seal the bargain, Dexie," +and he turned her face to his. + +Well, the perversity of girls! is there anything equal to it? Must it +really be confessed that the girl who thought that one little stolen kiss +was worth crying over should raise her pretty mouth to receive a much +longer caress; yes, and enjoy it, too! But there! come to think of it, that +first kiss in the parlor was a one-sided affair, reluctantly received; and +a one-sided kiss is like--is like--well, whatever is it like? We give it +up! + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +Returning home by way of Eastport, Mr. Sherwood took passage in a vessel +bound for Londonderry, a small seaport on the Bay of Fundy, and from there +he travelled by stage to Truro, where he took the train for Halifax. + +While on the train an incident took place which, while affording amusement +for the passengers, led to after-results that were quite surprising to the +Sherwoods. + +It seems that a countryman, hailing from Prince Edward Island, had +accompanied the vessel in which he had shipped the surplus oats and +potatoes that had grown on his farm, and the vessel had arrived in Halifax +a few days previously. This being his first trip "abroad," he had +determined to see all the sights which the city of Halifax afforded while +he waited for the vessel to discharge her cargo and prepare for the return +trip to Charlottetown. + +His innocent air soon attracted the attention of some sharpers, or +"confidence men," as they would have been termed in a later day, and +thinking he had met the "gentry for shure" in the well-dressed scamps that +were so friendly to him, the countryman willingly accompanied them to an +uptown resort, where he was treated to drugged liquor, and then robbed of +the tidy sum that the sale of his produce had brought him. Then, adding +insult to injury, they had taken him to the depot, and, placing a ticket +for Truro in his hatband, they put him on board the cars and left him to +his fate. + +He was put off the train at Truro in a dazed condition, and passed the +night in some out-of-the-way corner of the freight house, where he slept +off the effect of the liquor. + +His alarm and astonishment when he came to himself and found he was alone +and in a strange place, and with empty pockets, was both painful and +ludicrous to witness. His distress seemed all the greater in that he had +not the faintest idea where he was or how to get back to his vessel waiting +alongside the wharf in Halifax. + +It took some time to make his story understood, but when it became known to +the men about the depot they gave him a good breakfast, and determined to +get him "dead-headed" to the city, as the farmer felt sure he could easily +find the thieves and recover his money if he once got back to Halifax. He +had never seen a train of cars in his life, being too drunk the night +before to know how he was travelling; so when the train steamed into the +depot next morning, after announcing its approach by ear-splitting shrieks, +he dropped out of sight behind a pile of boxes, thinking that some wild +creature was let loose upon the streets. Before he could collect his +scattered senses he was seized by strong hands and stowed away in a corner +of a freight car, where, upon bags of potatoes, he was told to "sit down +and keep out of sight." For the first few miles he literally obeyed the +injunction, for he shook and trembled with fright, and with every shriek of +the engine he ducked his head, thinking his very life was in danger; but as +time went by and he still found himself whole and uninjured, he took +courage, and sat up and looked about him as well as the dim and close car +would permit. By and by the motion of the car caused the door to slide open +a few inches, for, fortunately or unfortunately, the door had been left +unlocked, so he crawled cautiously forward and peered through the opening, +wondering greatly at the frightful speed of the "animal" that was drawing +them along, but he concluded that it was "michty encouragin'," for at the +pace they were going he would soon be within reach of the rascals who had +emptied his pockets. + +Not content to let well enough alone, he disregarded the injunction given +him to "stay there," and when the train stopped for a few minutes at +Shubenacadie, a station on the line, he stepped out on the platform to have +a look about him; but not being quick or daring enough to step back on the +moving train, he came very near losing his ride. + +Fortunately, one of the train hands who had befriended him at first, saw +him as the train moved along, and pulled him aboard the second-class car as +it passed them. + +Having previously been stowed away among the freight, he had no idea of the +accommodation for travellers behind him, and the sight of so many people, +sitting quietly on the seats, filled him with awe. + +But the good-natured brakeman now drew him inside the car, intending to +place his wandering friend back into his former quarters as soon as the +train stopped at the next station. + +When the eyes of the countryman had taken in the scene, the thought +immediately suggested itself that this must be some sort of a meeting-house +or chapel that was travelling along. + +He stood for a few minutes regarding the people before him; then turning a +solemn face to the brakeman asked, in a properly subdued voice, as became +the situation: + +"Is there preachin' here the day?" + +Not comprehending the meaning of this question, but thinking the countryman +meditated a religious attack on those who were present, the brakeman +replied: + +"Not to-day; these are good Catholics." + +"Ye dinna tell me!" and his eyes and mouth expanded in surprise. "An' are +they repeatin' their prayers?" he innocently asked. + +"Oh, yes, everyone of them," was the reply. + +"Then let me oot o' this!" he cried, reaching for the door. "It's to +Halifax I want to go, so open the door an' let me oot o' this." + +"There! sit down and be quiet, or you'll get put out fast enough," replied +the brakeman, giving the man a shove into the seat. "You sit still where +you are, mind, or you'll get into trouble," he added, as he turned to +attend to his duties outside. + +Here was his chance. Our friend from the country felt that he was in +trouble already. He had no intention of joining the worshippers, for he was +a member of the good old Scotch Kirk; so he opened the car-door, and +stepped out to the platform outside. + +The swift, sidelong jerks almost took him off his feet. Grasping the +hand-rail, and looking around for some means of escape, he cautiously +stepped across into the better furnished first-class car behind. + +"Bless me, but I'm in luck!" was his inward comment, as he beheld the +comfortable seats. Taking the first empty one, he sank down on the cushions +with evident delight shining from his eyes at his blissful surroundings. + +But the argus-eyed conductor soon spied him, and not recognizing him as a +ticket-holder, swooped down upon him at once. + +"Your ticket, sir." + +"The same to yersel', ma frien'!" was the courteous reply, thinking this +some new form of salutation. + +"Here! no nonsense! where's your ticket? let's see where you're going." + +"Weel, sir, I'm hopin' to get to Halifax some time 'fore long. We seem to +be gaun as the craws flee, so nae doot we'll soon get there. Does +this--er--buildin'--stop there for victuals or--or onythin'?" + +The conductor, thinking him out of his mind, said more mildly: + +"Who came with you? Who is looking after you aboard the cars?" + +"Oh! a nice young chiel yonder; but he left me alane there, so I stepped +oot withoot his kennin' an' popped in here." + +"Ah, yes; just so. I've no doubt there is a spare room in one of the public +institutions awaiting you. What sort of a looking man has you in charge?" + +"Oh! he's a clever young chiel, wi' a door-plate on his bonnet; the sexton, +I tak' it." + +Not making much out of this information, the conductor left him to make +inquiries ahead, tapping his forehead significantly to some passengers +near, who had overheard the conversation, and who, as soon as the conductor +was out of sight, began to question the "harmless lunatic." + +His answers to their inquiries were not more clear than those the conductor +had elicited, and Mr. Sherwood, who sat a few seats behind, becoming +indignant at the rude jokes that were being made at the expense of the +unfortunate man, stepped forward to interfere. + +Surely he had seen the man before. He gazed at the man's distressed face, +but could not place him. + +"What's the trouble, my friend?" he asked, sitting down in the seat behind +and leaning over to speak to him. + +"I'm shure I dinna ken, sir, at a', at a'. There's a mistak' afloat +somewhere. I never was in sic a fix afore. This is a queer kintry, I tak' +it." + +"Where are you from?" + +That question set him on the right track at once. He could tell his story +if once he started at the beginning, though he found it impossible to make +these strangers comprehend his present dilemma; so beginning from the time +he left his own dooryard with the last cartload of potatoes, he gave them a +detailed account of his wanderings up to the time when he met the fine +young gentlemen in Halifax. But he had no idea how he got to Truro; that +was all a blank to him. When Mr. Sherwood explained that the train on which +he was riding was a public conveyance which went back and forth daily to +carry passengers and freight, he could scarcely believe it. His own +explanation seemed the more plausible, for did it not agree with what the +young sexton told him? He had been befooled once too often to listen to the +many explanations of those around him. + +But the conductor now appeared, having found out all there was to tell +about the man, and feeling annoyed at his mistake, now demanded of the +countryman either his ticket or his fare, and threatened to put him off the +train at the next station if he did not produce either the one or the +other. + +"But, ma guid man, I haena a copper aboot me, or it's wullin' enough I'd be +to gie ye a shullin' or so for this fine drive." + +"Well, off you get then the next time we stop." + +"But shurely ye wadna be pittin' a puir man oot o' yer waggon, or chapel, +or whatever ye ca' it, whan there's sae mony empty pews? I'm no croodin' +onyane, an' I'm wullin' enough to sit onywhere." + +"We don't take people on the cars for nothing," said the conductor, +decidedly. "If you can't pay, you can't ride." + +"Weel, it's the rich anes that's aye the stingiest, shure enough," replied +the man, more to himself than to the brass-buttoned figure before him. "But +ye widna fin' the like o' yersel' owre in ma kintry, let me tell ye! The +puirest farmer widna refuse to gie a stranger a lift if he was gaun the +same way as himsel', even if it was only a kairt that he had, an' it loaded +to the brim." + +"Can't help it," replied he of the buttons, with a grin. "Off you get at +the next station, or we'll put you off without ceremony." + +"But I'll no gang aff, if I may be sae bold as to tell ye!" said the now +angry farmer. "Ye took me to Truro against ma wull, for why did I want to +gang to a place that I never heard o' afore; so, then, ye'll tak' me back +to Halifax again, wullin' or no, an' whan I get my money back I'll sen' ye +the price o' the drive. If ye think I'm croodin' the gentlemen, I'll gang +oot an' sit on the steps o' yer backdoor, but, guidness only kens! there +seems room enough in these empty pews for a dizzen o' ma size." + +"Here, conductor, I'll pay the man's fare," said Mr. Sherwood, who had +listened to the conversation with ill-concealed amusement. + +This being satisfactory to the conductor, the man was allowed to keep his +seat in peace, and, engaging him in conversation, Mr. Sherwood discovered +that he had been the guest of the man's brother during one of his trips to +Prince Edward Island. His home was on the north side of the island, and the +farm of Roderick McDonald was well known as one of the best-paying places +on the "Garden of the St. Lawrence." + +On finding that the man beside him was the Yankee horse-buyer, Mr. McDonald +rose and shook his hand with a warmth that showed his pleasure at the +meeting. + +This unexpected kindness from one whom he had learned to consider as a man +of unlimited means and unusual smartness, quite set him up in his own +estimation. + +He began to feel quite elated at his present position, and felt himself a +hero as he related to the attentive strangers the many strange things he +had seen since he left home, quite ignoring the fact that some of his +listeners might have been "abroad" as well as himself. + +But it was impossible to put a damper on this loquacious countryman, even +though he loudly set forth his own ignorance. + +"Oh! but I'm a great traveller!" said he. "There's nae kennin' hoo mony +miles I've travelled since I left ma hame on the north side o' the Islan'! +Let's see; it's thirty miles frae there to the toon, an' it tak's a hale +day to cover the distance wi' a loaded kairt o' tawties, let me tell ye! +Then, whan we were snug aboard the vessel, guidness only kens hoo mony +miles we went afore we cam' fornenst the city o' Halifax, for we were three +days on the michty ocean, at the mercy o' ony storm that micht come alang +unawares. Yes, indeed, an' we travelled alang through the dark nicht as +weel, they tell me, though that I'm no prepared to say, seem' that I was +fast asleep in the hold," and he looked around to see if any of his hearers +doubted his word. "Then, whan we got to the wharf in Halifax, an' I selt ma +tawties an' oats, I cam' ashore an' tramped the streets o' Halifax, up hill +an' doon dale, till ma new buits are a' worn oot behin', as ye can see for +yersel's," and he lifted up his feet, one after the other, that the truth +of his words might be verified; then continuing: "It was whan the thiefin' +scoon'rels met me an' made ma acquaintance that I gaed wrang; but I never +suspected they'd start me on ma travels again, an' withoot ma kennin', +tae--ay, an' sen' me aff withoot as muckle as a copper in ma pocket, at a', +at a'! no even as muckle as wad buy me a bit o' breakfast, which the guid +folk at Truro gied me for naethin', an', if it hadna been for them, I don't +think I wad ever hae been able to fin' ma way back to ma hame on the farm. +But here I am, richt amang the gentlemen an' ladies, travellin' alang like +the Queen hersel' micht be prood to dae. Ay, but it's a long story I'll hae +to tell them at hame whan ainst I get back to ma ain kintry again, an' it's +themsel's that'll be dum'foon'ert to hear me tell aboot the mony kinds o' +folk ain meets whan they gang abroad!" + +"Have you met any naked savages since you left your distant country?" asked +one of the sports, with a wink at his comrade. + +"Naked savages, is't, you mean? Ay, that I hae, or nearly naked anes," was +the quick reply. "On the streets o' Halifax, sir, near the wharves, sir, +that's whaur ye'll come across them, but, dae ye ken noo, I aye thocht +that savages were black, made sae I mean whan they were born into this +worl'. But, dae ye min', it's masel' thinks that some o' them could be made +white, if only ane had soap an' water enough to dae't. No that I didna see +ony black savages roamin' roon' as weel; but maist o' them had some +claithes on, like decent Christian folk. Some hadna come to that knowledge +yet; but the nakedness o' black skinned savages isna sae noticin' as that +o' white savages, I tak' it." + +A hearty laugh followed this last remark, and the conversation became +general, until the train arrived in Halifax. + +Mr. Sherwood took the countryman to the police headquarters at once, where +the story of the theft was told at length, and as he could give a good +description of the men who had robbed him it was thought that they might be +captured. + +As Mr. Sherwood had received such kind treatment from the man's relations +in Prince Edward Island, he thought it but fair to repay it by looking +after the farmer during the rest of his stay in the city. + +To satisfy the man that the vessel had not sailed during his absence he +took him down to the wharf, and, after explaining to the captain the cause +of his detention, Mr. Sherwood insisted on taking him up to visit his own +family. + +The farmer demurred at this, saying that his clothes were not in a fit +state to visit anywhere. + +This fact was evident, but Mr. Sherwood intended to visit a ready-made +clothing store on his way up town, and make his friend presentable. + +This was rather a delicate matter to accomplish without wounding the man's +feelings; but the native tact of the Yankee served him well here, and when +the farmer stepped before the large mirror in the back shop of Silver's +clothing store and saw his own reflection, he hardly knew himself. + +"But hoo am I ever gaun to repay ye?" he asked. "If I shouldna get ma money +back I'll be in a bad fix." + +"Not at all, Mr. McDonald. I'll buy the best horse you have got, if you +will sell him to me, and we can settle this little matter then; but I made +enough on the big black horse I bought from your brother to give you this +suit and still have a good profit besides." + +"Weel, ye're an honest man, for ye paid a guid price for the beast, an' +paid it in cash tae." + +"Thank you for your good opinion; but in case the police should not find +those rascals before the vessel sails, it will be rather hard on you to +return home with empty pockets, so let me pay you in advance for that +horse." + +It was quite a different-looking man that came out of the store a few +minutes later, for he had been refitted from hat to boots, and he looked +the well-to-do farmer to the life, even the well-filled purse was not +lacking, for Mr. Sherwood had given him the horse's value instead of the +modest sum the farmer stated as the selling price of his animal. + +The polite store-keeper promised to send the farmer's cast-off garments to +the vessel, and Mr. Sherwood was soon introducing his friend to the members +of his household. + +Mr. Sherwood's unexpected arrival made a joyful excitement, and the farmer +mentally resolved that an account of the happy meeting between the Yankee +horse-buyer and his family should be added to the rest of the story he had +to tell when once he arrived home. + +When Mr. Sherwood had privately explained to the family the present +position of his new friend, together with the respectability of the family +and the kind treatment he had received from their hands, he was treated as +an honored guest, and Dexie had never been so gracious to the fastidious +Plaisted or treated him with half the courtesy as she now bestowed on the +honest, kind-hearted, though ignorant countryman. + +That this kindness was appreciated was quite evident from the satisfaction +that beamed from every wrinkle on his honest face; and when he found +himself seated in the most comfortable chair in the parlor, listening to +the music that Dexie was bringing forth from the piano for his pleasure, +he doubted in his mind if even the Governor himself was as happy and +fortunate as he. + +As the vessel was to sail the next day for Charlottetown, he had to leave +the pleasant rooms for closer quarters on board the vessel; but before he +said farewell he exacted a promise that, should any of them ever go to the +Island, they would visit his home on the north shore. + +As the vessel was about to leave the wharf Mr. Sherwood appeared, +accompanied by a member of the police force, who gave over to the hand of +the farmer about half the sum which had been stolen from him, and the man +actually felt richer than when the whole amount had lain in his pocket. He +pressed Mr. Sherwood to accept payment for the drive on the train and for +his new suit, but Mr. Sherwood reminded him of the horse he had purchased, +saying: + +"Look well after my horse, McDonald, and if you will find out where I can +get some more good animals I will be glad to pay you for the time and +trouble expended in doing so," and with a hearty hand-clasp Mr. Sherwood +stepped ashore. + +In a few minutes the vessel's cable was shipped and she slowly passed down +the harbor, bearing on her deck one who had a heart full of gratitude for +kindness shown a stranger in a strange land. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +Mr. Sherwood's presence at home seemed to infuse new life into the +household, and the following weeks passed very pleasantly to Dexie, for her +father needed her services again, and for that reason she was excused from +much of the endless sewing that seemed necessary in making up Louie's +outfit. + +Sewing machines were not so common at that time as to be considered a +necessary household article, and Mrs. Sherwood was slow to take advantage +of the new invention, preferring the use of fingers instead of feet for +articles that required a needle and thread to fashion them; consequently +Louie's wardrobe took some time to set in order. + +Dexie was willing enough to change the needle for the more congenial pen +and ink, and Mr. Sherwood insisted that Gussie should put her needle to +more practical use. Now, while Gussie liked well enough to handle a needle +and thread when something showy and fanciful was to be evolved thereby, she +almost rebelled against the plain sewing, it was such dull, uninteresting +work; it made so much difference if the sharp little instrument held Berlin +wool, floss, etc., or the common cotton thread, which, though so useful, +was too prosaic to suit Gussie. + +Do not let this convey the idea that the time was all spent indoors, at +some employment or other, for never were outings so frequently enjoyed. +There were excursions down the coast to Cow Bay, and picnics to various +points of interest, which, in the vicinity of Halifax, are innumerable and +within easy-reaching distance to dwellers in the city. + +Mr. Gurney owned a small boat which carried a sail, but there were plenty +of willing hands to row it when the wind failed, and before the summer was +over, Dexie could handle an oar with the dexterity that only practice can +give. + +It was very pleasant of a warm summer evening to glide along the waters of +Bedford Basin, through which the boat cut her way as if through molten +silver, and there was many a time when the little craft held but two +persons, one being Lancy Gurney, and the curly head of his companion was +very like to that of Dexie Sherwood's! + +The early days of October were marked by the departure of Louie and the +kind old nurse Dinah. + +Poor Louie! her heart was rent with conflicting feelings. She had been wild +with delight to think that she had been the one chosen to spend the winter +with her grandma, and, though the journey thither was a pleasure she had +long looked forward to, the final leave-takings were so much harder than +she had anticipated that she felt almost tempted, at the last moment, to +give it up, and stay with those she had never loved so much as she did now, +when prepared to leave them. + +We must not stop to tell of all the changes which took place in the old +homestead when it was decided that Louie was to spend the winter there. The +eyesight of the grandparents became so much better as they thought of her +coming, that they noticed with startling clearness how dingy the old +farmhouse had grown. Their brightened vision regarded the faded carpets +with aversion, and when they had given place to new ones the curtains +looked positively shabby, and they were astonished to find how much +difference a little paint on the house and out-buildings made in the look +of the place. + +Without chasing away the _homey_ took of the low, comfortable rooms, they +were made brighter and more cheerful, as if rejoicing with the grandparents +in their joy, and joining in the attempt to make the little grand-daughter +feel at home. + +Unconsciously, the old folks grew brighter themselves, and Grandma Sherwood +even went so far as to lay aside the cap she had worn so long that it +seemed to belong to her head quite as much as the beautiful grey hair +beneath it; and after putting it away reverently in the bottom drawer of +the bureau, she took out instead her "best cap," and wore it daily, in +anticipation of her grand-daughter's arrival. + +The pretty room that had been fitted up for Louie's use lacked nothing to +make it perfect except its occupant, and if Louie needed anything to +reconcile her to a winter's stay in the quiet farmhouse, this pretty room +contained it. + +Neither were its treasures revealed in a day, for, weeks after she arrived, +grandma would bid her search for some secret drawer which contained +something that she would like; and Louie's curiosity would be stimulated by +this admission, so that many a stormy day flew rapidly away while she +searched with the ardor of an Arctic explorer for the secret spring or knob +which, pressed at last, revealed delights that only a young girl's heart +can fully enjoy. + +Occasionally mysterious packages from the city arrived at the farmhouse +bearing Louie's name in full, and the delightful excitement of untying the +string and removing the wrappings, was entered into by the grandparents +with as much ardor as by Louie herself. + +But grandma's heart seemed to grow young again. She knew what would please +her little favorite, and she spared no expense if pleasure and happiness +were procured with the purchases, and thus passed away the pleasant winter, +bringing only that which seemed good into the storehouse of Louie's life +and heart. + +Louie was destined to see but little of her own family hereafter, for +during the following summer the grandmother's health became feeble, and she +would not listen to the suggestions that Louie should return home. A few +months later Dinah had the melancholy satisfaction of hearing the last +words of her dying mistress, who passed away in her arms. + +Louie was willing to listen to the entreaties of her grief-stricken +grandfather, to remain his little companion a while longer. + +The charge of the farmhouse now fell into the hands of Mr. Sherwood's +widowed daughter. She had possessed a fine estate in Georgia, and had lived +a life of ease until Sherman's march to the sea, when her plantation was +devastated, and her well-kept slaves had joined in the destruction of her +property. When her husband's body was brought home for burial, the result +of a distressing accident, there seemed nothing else left to do but to +return to the home of her childhood, reaching it in time to hear her +mother's last request with respect to Louie's future. + +Aunt Annie promised to consider the child as her own if she could get the +parents' sanction as well as Louie's free consent. The latter was freely +gained, as Louie was far happier in her present home. + +Mrs. Sherwood saw no obstacle in the way when the matter was laid before +her, and she gave up her rights with so little manifestation of regret that +even those who knew her best were astonished, and from that time Louie +ceased to be a member of her father's family. + +The second winter in Halifax was even more pleasant than the first had +been, for the Sherwoods had extended their acquaintances, and there seemed +always some new pleasure to look forward to. + +The Song and Glee Club started up afresh as the winter evenings set in, and +with a concert in the perspective the rehearsals were frequent and well +attended. + +Dexie's fine voice caused her to be given a more prominent part than she +thought was her just due. She had no wish to be thrust forward into notice +when there were older members of the club who were better entitled to her +place, but she had no objection to being accompanist, for in that position +she felt at home. But she was destined to come before the public in a more +conspicuous manner. + +One evening a member of the club brought in some new music, and the few who +had heard it were so delighted with its melody, that they eagerly urged its +performance at the approaching concert. A copy of the music being handed to +Dexie by Lancy, she began to hum it softly to herself, but becoming +enraptured with the bewitching strains of the composition, she +unconsciously changed the low hum to a soft whistle, which grew louder as +she proceeded. Sense of time and place disappeared, and she was unaware of +the delight of the little group around her, until the unusual silence +caused her to lift her eyes and understand the meaning of the sudden hush +that had fallen on those present. A burning blush covered her face as she +stammered out: + +"I beg your pardon, ladies and gentlemen; I forgot where I was," and then +sank on a seat near and hid her burning cheeks behind her book. + +Lancy was at her side in a moment. + +"Never mind, Dexie. You can't think how well it sounded. They were +delighted." + +"Oh, how _could_ you let me go on, Lancy? You might have stopped me, I'm +sure," she said, indignantly. + +But she was immediately surrounded, and praises and interrogations poured +forth from every side, making Gussie, who stood apart, turn pale with +jealousy. + +"Why did you not tell us that you could imitate the birds?" + +"I never heard anything so perfectly sweet," said a lady member, pressing +forward to speak to the blushing girl. + +Dexie wished the floor would open and let her drop out of sight, but she +gradually regained her composure and listened with displeasure to the +general conversation, during which this new element of music was discussed +at length. + +"Miss Sherwood, do come to the piano and try that again with the +accompaniment," said the leader, Mr. Ross. "You really must give us the +benefit of that flute-like whistle; it is perfectly irresistible." + +"Please excuse me, Mr. Ross; I really cannot," replied Dexie. + +"But we can take no excuse. After hearing you once, nothing but a +repetition will satisfy us. Mr. Gurney will play for you," was the eager +reply. + +But Lancy kindly came to her aid, and by a few whispered words succeeded in +drawing off the attention from Dexie, by suggesting that if they would try +the opening piece first and give Miss Sherwood time to reconsider her +refusal, she might whistle later on; and Lancy was rewarded for this short +respite by a grateful look as he passed her the open book. + +Dexie felt angry for bringing this embarrassing position upon herself, and +she was wondering if it would be possible for her to slip away unperceived, +when Gussie leaned over her shoulder. + +"Well, you did make a show of yourself, you great tomboy! It is a pity that +you can't keep your bad manners out of sight, before strangers, anyway!" + +This taunt acted like the prick of a goad, and made Dexie determine to stay +and show Miss Gussie whether her "bad manners" had placed her lower or +higher in the estimation of her friends. When the piece was rehearsed in +which she sang the solo, she put forth her best efforts, and rendered it +with such pathos and feeling that when it was ended, one and all, with the +exception of Gussie, were loud in its praise. + +As she lingered a moment beside the piano talking with a member, Mr. Ross +stepped over to her side and begged her to try the new piece, and she +silently bowed in answer; but the hunted look in the dark eyes might have +told how hard it was to nerve herself for this ordeal. + +The memory of Gussie's sneering remarks filled her with the needed courage, +and when Lancy sat down and passed his fingers over the keys her heart +ceased to throb; the very chords had a soothing power, and when Lancy +lifted his eyes to her face she replied with a look that she was ready. + +The first notes of the piece sounded from the piano, but brought no +response from Dexie's lips. Lancy looked up quickly. + +"Oh, Dexie, don't disappoint me!" he whispered. + +Softly the bird-like notes ascended, fluttered and quivered, then slowly +gained strength, then the clear, full notes rang through the room, charming +every ear. + +Those present listened in breathless silence. It was so faultlessly +rendered that it was hard to believe that weeks of practice had not been +given to bring such perfection of tone; but Dexie whistled for an object, +and that was respect and honor from those present in the face of her +"tomboy accomplishment." + +It is not everyone who can whistle for a thing and get their wishes +gratified; but, to the honor and respect which Dexie desired, was added the +praise and approval of the delighted listeners. She felt proud to receive +it, for it would forever silence Gussie as to how her "bad manners" were +regarded. + +Dexie was satisfied with her victory, and would not be persuaded into +repeating the piece, though, at the close of the rehearsal, she consented +to accompany Lancy in giving an exhibition of a bird-song. + +It was the same chorus that had delighted the listeners the morning after +the adventure in the snow-drifts, and the rendering of it was greatly +enhanced by the better instrument before them. + +Lancy played the accompaniment and whistled with her, and their voices +seemed transformed into veritable song-birds, as they joined or answered +each other's call. + +"We must have that at our concert, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross. "We +cannot afford to miss it. How is it that I never had the pleasure of +listening to this sort of music before, Mr. Gurney? You should have told us +of this new accomplishment, Miss Sherwood." + +"Indeed! you never would have heard it at all, if I had not forgotten +myself so completely," said Dexie, smiling; "but as to whistling at the +concert, that is out of the question. It is distressing enough to show my +tomboyism before the members here." + +"Nonsense! there is nothing of the 'tomboy' about that kind of whistling," +said one of the members. "It is an accomplishment few possess." + +"Well, it is fortunate for us that you made us aware of this talent of +yours, even though it was unintentional on your part, Miss Sherwood," said +Mr. Ross. "We must persuade you to give others the pleasure of hearing you. +It would add much to the attraction of our concert." + +"You are most kind, and your remarks most flattering, but I must be +excused," said Dexie, turning with a smile to those who had addressed her. +"I do not forget that 'whistling girls' are generally frowned down." + +"But there is no comparison between the usual tomboy whistle of girls, and +those bobolink, canary-bird notes that come from your lips," said an +enthusiastic member. + +"Miss Sherwood, I am going to place that piece third on the programme, and +will call around to-morrow and see you and arrange for these extra pieces. +We can leave out some of the songs rather than miss the treat you can give +to those who will be eager to hear you," said the leader, persuasively. + +"Indeed, Mr. Ross, I could not think of whistling before the audience we +hope to have, so I will excuse you from calling upon me, if that is to be +your errand," said Dexie, hurriedly. "I am doing my share as it is." + +"Well, if you think it will be too much for you, someone else might take +your solo; but that seems a pity, when you are so well prepared. Do you +find it tiresome to whistle?" + +"Oh, it is not that; it would not tire me if I whistled all day. But I +cannot face a hall full of people and whistle to them. It would be +dreadful!" + +"I would not urge the matter if I did not feel positive of your success. I +am sure the members of the club have the average intelligence, and, seeing +that you have charmed us all by your unique performance, you need have no +hesitancy in trying your powers before a Halifax audience," was the reply. + +"Don't think of it. Oh, I never could do it, Mr. Ross. I should be hissed +off the stage." + +"No danger of that, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Markman, the best tenor of the +club. "I'll answer for it that you will so electrify the audience that they +will demand an encore. Don't hide your talent from those who would be so +sure to appreciate it." + +"Give the matter serious consideration," said Mr. Ross. "I will run in +to-morrow and see you, even though I may run the risk of a cool reception. +What time shall I call?" he added, with a smile. + +"Well, if you must call and see me, I hope it will be on some other errand; +I will be at leisure any time in the afternoon, say three o'clock." Then, +looking up with a smile, added: "Don't imagine I shall reconsider the +matter; I simply could not do it." + +"I'll hope to find you in a better frame of mind to-morrow, Miss Sherwood," +he replied, giving her hand a cordial grasp. "May I ask permission for Mr. +Gurney to be present at the interview?" + +"Oh, certainly. I think you can safely venture to do so, seeing that he +will probably come in of his own accord, if you don't ask him," and Lancy +joined in the laugh raised at his expense. + +"Well, that settles it, Mr. Gurney, I shall depend on your support in this +difficult matter. Now, before we separate, I think I am voicing the +sentiments of the members here when I ask for one more song. Now, Miss +Sherwood, you have acknowledged that it does not tire you to whistle, so +you will send us home in the best of spirits if you will favor us once +more." + +Dexie placed her hands over her ears at the applause that greeted these +words, and amidst the general laughter Lancy drew her to the piano. + +"I am going to sing 'The Mocking-Bird,' so you must whistle," he said. +"Come, Dexie, there is no backing out," as she tried to escape him. + +"Well, get Gussie to sing with you, and I will; perhaps it will help her +good-nature a little--it needs help," she whispered, laughing. + +On being sufficiently urged, Gussie stepped over to the piano beside them, +and joined her alto to the chorus. + +Dexie played and whistled, and, as the members listened, all joined Mr. +Ross in thinking that their programme should hold this song also. + +"Well, Miss Sherwood, I think you have kept the best to the last. I have +heard that song several times, but never 'listened to the mocking-bird' +after all. The song in itself is beautiful, but, after hearing you whistle, +I see that it is imperfect with the mocking-bird left out. This is rather a +cold climate for that species of bird, Miss Sherwood, but I shall give a +Halifax audience the pleasure of hearing one, if I have to import one from +the South on purpose for the occasion. To-morrow at three o'clock, +remember, Mr. Gurney, and may the fates be propitious!" + +When Mr. Sherwood learned of Dexie's refusal to whistle, he was as eager to +change her decision as any member of the club. + +For once Gussie sided with Dexie, and said all she could to influence her +against it, but her motive was so apparent that her father reproved her +sharply. + +When Mr. Ross and Lancy made their appearance, Dexie had to listen to the +expostulations of three very urgent gentlemen; and though she held to her +refusal for some time, she was obliged to capitulate at last, stipulating +that she should only be asked to whistle one piece. Mr. Ross was obliged to +be content with this, but he found it hard to decide which of the pieces he +would put upon the programme. + +But a thought occurred to him, and he smiled as he considered it. Yes, he +would set down the new piece; and if he knew a Halifax audience, and he +thought he did, one piece would not content them. The others would do +nicely for the "encore" which he knew would be demanded. + +He smiled with pleasure as he rose to depart. + +"I will set you down for the new piece you were running over last evening, +Miss Sherwood," said he, "and Mr. Gurney will play your accompaniment. If +you do as well at the concert as you did last night when you first saw the +music, I shall be well satisfied." + +"But what if I should fail, papa?" said Dexie, when she found herself alone +with her father. "How can I stand before so many strange people and +whistle? Oh! I'm sure I cannot. No young lady whistles in public, and I +feel sure they will hiss me off the stage!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +The time slipped by bringing the eventful evening. In many homes nimble +fingers had been busy for days fashioning certain garments that were to +make the wearers quite fascinating to beholders. But Dexie declared that as +her best gown was very becoming, she had no intention of getting a new one +on purpose for the occasion, a few extra touches would make it quite +presentable. On the morning of the concert, she found there were still some +minor things needed to complete her toilet, so she went down-town to do a +little shopping. + +As she stood in a store waiting for her parcel, her eyes rested on a +handbill lying near, and as she read it her face flushed angrily, then +turned pale to the lips, for those great, staring letters announced the +evening's performance, and she was referred to as one of the chief +attractions, but in terms that aroused her temper to its highest pitch. + +Who could have worded that awful handbill? She longed to stamp her foot, or +scream, or give vent to her angry feelings in some way. How dared they +single her out by such a nickname? She snatched the parcel from the hands +of the astonished clerk and left the store with more speed than grace. + +While she is flying homeward, her angry eyes shining like stars from her +pale, set face, let us read the cause of her displeasure. + + "Temperance Hall. Temperance Hall. + + To-night. + + The Halifax Song and Glee Club will give their + Annual Concert + In Temperance Hall To-night. + + Full Opening Chorus by the Members. + + First Appearance of + THE AMERICAN WARBLER, + The only songster ever known to whistle popular airs to + piano accompaniment. + + Don't Miss It. + + Programme to consist of Solos, Duets, Quartettes + and + Full Choruses. + + God Save the Queen." + +When Dexie reached home she flung open the door and rushed up the stairs to +her own room in a perfect fury. + +Gussie had watched her swift approach from the window, and fearing that +some awful calamity must have happened, followed her sister upstairs, and +found her walking the floor like a caged tiger, her eyes positively fierce +as they looked straight before her, though seeing nothing. + +"What is the matter, Dexie?" she asked in alarm. + +Dexie turned and motioned imperiously for her to leave the room, then shut +the door with a slam that shook the house. Gussie hurried to her father, +saying: + +"Oh, papa! do go and see Dexie. I believe she is going to have a fit, for +she looks awful." + +"What's that?" and Mr. Sherwood looked up from his paper. "Did you say +something the matter with Dexie?" + +"Yes, do go and see what it is, for she turned me out of the room." + +"Have you been teasing her again about whistling?" he asked, looking at +her sharply. "I told you to let your sister alone." + +"Oh! it isn't that, papa. I have not offended her. She has only just +returned from the store, but there's something the matter with her, for her +very looks frightened me." + +Being thus admonished Mr. Sherwood was soon in Dexie's room, and he was +startled at the intense expression of his daughter's face. + +"My dear girl! what has happened to you?" he tenderly asked, as he took her +hands and drew her to his side. "Try and tell me." He stroked her ruffled +hair, and spoke in soothing tones, but it was several minutes before she +could utter a word. + +"Dexie, my dear, calm yourself, and tell me what is the matter; you will +make yourself ill. What is it all about, my dear?" + +Dexie pointed to the crumpled handbill that she had tossed under the table +as she threw off her wraps, and her father stooped and picked it up, then +smoothing it across his knee read the cause of offence. + +"Why, you foolish girl! surely it is not this that has put you into such a +passion?" + +"I won't have it! How dared they! The 'American Warbler,' indeed! Do they +think I will overlook such insolence and go to their old concert after that +public insult! No, I won't put up with it, so there!" and a flood of tears +brought relief to the overcharged heart. + +"Dexie, they never intended to hurt your feelings; it is only a mistake on +your part to think so for a moment. Why, it is quite a joke, one that the +audience will not be slow in appreciating, I'll warrant. Come, dry your +eyes, and never mind this announcement." + +But Dexie flung herself on the bed, sobbing through her tears: "Oh, papa, +what made you make me say I would whistle when I did not want to from the +first. I did not think they would treat me so meanly, or I never would have +consented. But I won't go near the old hall to-night; no, not a step!" + +Her father sat down on the bed beside her, and pushed away the hair from +her hot face, saying: "You are quite mistaken, dear, in thinking they meant +anything but praise in announcing your part of the programme. If you will +just think a moment, you will see it yourself." + +"Praise, indeed! They have insulted me in a most public manner. How dared +they take such liberties with my name, when it was only as a special favor +I consented to whistle at all! Oh, it was such a mean, shabby trick!" and +the tears fell in showers. + +"Come, Dexie, I can't let you cry like this," and he lifted her gently and +placed her beside him. "You will surely be sick if you do not control +yourself, my dear. It was too bad to vex you when there is so much +depending on you; but it was done unintentionally, I know, and they will +soon apologize when they know that the announcement has annoyed you." + +"But what will be the good of that? An apology will not recall those +handbills, which, I daresay, are all over the city. But I'll make them +repent it; they'll find that even a worm will turn if trampled on." + +"Tut, tut, what nonsense! You are not a worm nor the kind of bird that eats +the worm either--but here's Aunt Jennie. Auntie, can't you help me put a +grain of sense into this silly girl's pate? She imagines she has been +insulted by this bit of flattery, hence these tears," and he held out the +handbill for inspection. + +"Why, Dexie, this will never do. You will spoil your eyes for to-night, +dear. Nothing so very dreadful has happened, after all. I was quite alarmed +at Gussie's account, and feared something serious had occurred. Don't be so +foolish as to mind this bit of paper." + +But Dexie buried her face in her father's shoulder and cried the more. + +"Oh, it is too bad of you, auntie. I thought you would care if I was +abused, but nobody does, not even papa; but I'll make somebody sorry, for I +won't go near their old concert," and she jerked away from her father's +arms, and threw herself back on the bed. + +Aunt Jennie motioned for Mr. Sherwood and Gussie to leave the room, +thinking she might manage Dexie better alone, for this hysterical crying +needed to be checked at once. She sat down beside her and stroked the hot +face until Dexie's sobs had somewhat ceased. Her gentle voice did much to +soothe the tempest in Dexie's breast, but she seemed to have lost her +persuasive power for the time. + +Mr. Sherwood went at once to his wife's room to explain the cause of the +disturbance. + +"How inconsiderate of Dexie to cause so much annoyance!" was her fretful +comment. "I am quite sure I shall have the headache, for the way she +slammed that door was enough to upset the strongest nerves. I thought of +going to the concert myself if I finished my book in time, but it seems my +fate to be robbed of all pleasure. Why don't you use your authority, +Clarence, and make her behave herself?" + +"You must make some allowance for her, wife, for she feels much hurt over +that announcement. But the trouble is, what's to be done if she persists in +her determination not to appear? I might insist on her going to the hall, +but I doubt if I could make her whistle after she got there." + +"Well, if you do not use your authority you need not ask me to interfere. +She has quite upset me as it is." + +"It is not very often that she gets worked up like this. I believe she +controls her temper about as well as any of us. She seldom lets her tongue +loose as she used to do when things went wrong, but flies to her room and +fights it out alone. I expect those Gurneys have a good influence over our +wilful Dexie." + +"Well, I suppose she does not see those mild, quiet girls fly into a +passion very often, and this tiresome concert is to blame for this +disturbance. I fear if she has made up her mind not to go, you may as well +leave her alone; so let the matter rest, it disturbs me," and Mrs. Sherwood +closed her eyes as if the subject had passed completely from her mind. + +But Mr. Sherwood could not let the matter rest so easily, and his wife's +indifference annoyed him exceedingly. + +"Confound their stupidity!" he exclaimed at last, beginning to see it with +Dexie's eyes. "They might have known that she would object to such an +announcement, but it will be an awkward thing if she does not appear after +all. I hope Aunt Jennie will bring her to reason." + +"I hope so too, I'm sure," answered the wife with a sigh; "but Lancy Gurney +is as much interested in the matter as herself, and I believe he would make +her change her mind if anyone could." + +"Well, I think I will run in and see if he is at home, but I'm afraid it +will make a bad matter worse." + +A few minutes later Mr. Sherwood was standing in the parlor next door, +shaking hands with Mrs. Gurney. + +"We don't seem to meet very often, do we, though we are such near +neighbors," she said, with a smile, when the usual greetings had been +exchanged, "but you look worried. Are all well at home this morning?" + +"We are all well disturbed, certainly," he answered, with a short laugh. "I +have just come in to see if I could get someone to help me about Dexie." + +"Why? what has happened her? She is not hurt, I hope!" + +"Well, her feelings are, tremendously, I can tell you;" and pulling out the +objectionable handbill from his pocket, added, "she came upon this down in +some store, and has come home as mad as a hatter, declaring she has been +insulted, and she vows she won't whistle or go near the concert at all +to-night." + +"Well, that _would_ be rather serious, wouldn't it?" was the mild reply. +"Poor girlie, so she don't like to be called the 'American warbler.' It is +the publicity of it, I expect, that has hurt her. Where is she now?" + +"Up in her room, crying her eyes out. The more we try to reason with her, +the worse she is; even Aunt Jennie has failed to quiet her." + +"Now if you will let me advise--you know I have more experience with +rebellious children than most women," and she smiled up into the anxious +face above her, "let her have her cry out, and say no more to her about it +just now, and, if you care to turn her over to us, I think I can promise +you she will be all right by and by." + +"Do you mean that you are willing to take her off our hands for the day?" +and he looked eagerly into her face. + +"Yes, if we may. I will send one of the children in to ask her to dinner, +and we will not let her suspect that we know anything about it until she +speaks of the matter herself. We will find something pleasant to take up +her attention until Lancy comes home, and by that time she will have had +time to think of the matter in a different light." + +"But do you think she will consent to whistle after all, Mrs. Gurney? That +is the main thing." + +"Certainly; I have no fear. If the matter is put before her in a serious +light, she will be sure to do what is honorable. Of course, I quite +understand that until her temper cools off she will be immovable; those +determined natures always are. I have brought up one hot-headed person, and +I think I know the weak spot; and Hugh McNeil was never _quite_ +unmanageable. Do not fret about Dexie, I feel sure she will fulfil her part +to-night, and do us all credit." + +"Thanks, Mrs. Gurney. You cannot think what a relief it is to hear you +speak so confidently about it. I should feel very much aggrieved if she +persisted in her refusal, for I urged her to whistle, much against her +will, and I feel responsible for her appearance. I think, myself, that it +was not just the fair thing to send those handbills broadcast without +making her acquainted with the contents beforehand." + +"Yes, they might have consulted her; but, of course, it never occurred to +them that she would feel offended, and really I wonder that she is myself. +Still, I can quite understand it when I consider how uncertain she must +feel about her reception as a whistler." + +"Yes, that is the trouble, but she went out on purpose to buy some little +things to wear to-night, and I would like to know if she has everything +ready. But I daresay it will not be wise to refer to the matter while she +is of the same mind. Yet I want her to look as well as the rest of them," +said Mr. Sherwood, in an anxious tone. + +"To be sure. Well, her dress must be prepared for her. It would be a great +disappointment to Lancy if anything should happen to prevent her going; so +we must unite our efforts and carry the day, in spite of this little freak +of Dexie's. Now, I expect my girls know what Dexie's plans were for +to-night; and as my dressmaker is here finishing Cora's dress, I will have +her attend to Dexie's also; so let Gussie bring in what materials she +purchased while out this morning, and we will hold a consultation on the +matter. Now, do not be alarmed, Mr. Sherwood," she added, seeing his look +of concern. "I will promise to send her to the concert in good trim, and in +good temper too," and she smiled pleasantly as she bade him "Good morning," +as if it were an everyday affair to bring refractory girls to terms. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +Mr. Sherwood returned home feeling much relieved, and meeting Aunt Jennie +on the stairs, asked after Dexie's present condition. + +"She is crying still, though not so violently. I fear she has fully +determined not to take part in the concert to-night. I have done my best, +but I cannot shake her determination, so I have left her to herself to +think it over." + +"That's right. I have just been in to Mrs. Gurney's, and she has offered to +settle the difficulty and be responsible for her appearance to-night." + +"That is good news, indeed. I have perfect trust in Mrs. Gurney's ability +to succeed where the rest of us all fail; but the next trouble is, I +haven't the least idea what Dexie intended to do with the yards of lace she +brought home this morning, unless she intends to drape it over her dress in +some way." + +"Mrs. Gurney has promised to relieve us of that trouble also. She is quite +as anxious as we are that Dexie shall make a good appearance, and if you +will collect the fixings and take them in, Mrs. Gurney says her dressmaker +will do what is necessary." + +"Then the trouble may be considered over," said she, with a relieved sigh. + +"I will run into Mrs. Gurney's myself, and see what I can do for the +general good. How nice it is to have _real_ friends so near!" she added, +as she followed Mr. Sherwood into the sitting-room. + +In about half an hour, Elsie Gurney came running into the house, and as she +came through the hall called, "Dexie, Dexie, where are you?" + +Aunt Jennie opened the door, saying: "She is up in her room, Elsie; run +right up." + +Dexie heard the call, and, hastily rising, poured some cold water into the +basin, and began to bathe her face. Her head was bent over the basin when +Elsie entered the room. + +"Oh, here you are! What on earth are you poking up here for at this time of +day?" was the matter-of-fact greeting. "You are to hurry up and come into +our house and stay to dinner. Mother said you are allowed, so you needn't +stop to ask permission; and, just think, the box that grandma sent from +England has arrived, and it is full of all kinds of finery. You know we +always have a box sent us at Christmas time, but this one was delayed +somehow," and she looked curiously at the flushed face that was buried in +the brimming hands. "There is always something for everyone of us in the +box; but do hurry, Dexie, your face isn't so dirty that it needs soaking, I +hope." + +"Well, hardly," was the reply, thankful enough to be given so much time to +recover her composure; "but I may as well tell you before you find it out +yourself that I have had a bad attack of the pouts, and the effect is not +so easy to get rid of. Now, you needn't ask what's up, for I don't intend +to tell you." + +"Pshaw! who cares about your pouts? Not I, anyway," was the reply, in a +high and mighty tone. "Come along, if you're coming, and if you're not, +then stay home. I can't wait, for I want to see what is in the box for me." + +This unceremonious manner of treatment made Dexie come down somewhat from +the pedestal of injured greatness, and she forced herself to talk to Elsie +to keep her waiting, while she made a fresh toilet. + +"Now, do I look a fright?" Dexie asked, as she prepared to follow Elsie +downstairs. + +"Well, I can't say that you look much worse than usual, but you certainly +don't look any better. Your nose looks swelled. Shouldn't wonder if you had +it tweaked; but, then, what odds how it looks? Hurry up, and come along. We +have apple dumplings for dinner to-day. Do you like milk or sauce on them +best?" + +Dexie did not answer; something of more consequence than dumplings was +troubling her just then, and as she followed Elsie into the front hall, she +was tenderly feeling her nose and mentally comparing it with its usual +proportions, inwardly calling herself all sorts of hard names for being so +silly. + +"But I won't whistle to-night, so there!" she kept saying to herself, as if +she needed to keep her determination constantly before herself in order to +back it up. + +Elsie rushed up the stairs at once, eager to enjoy the delights that an +English box always contained; but for once Dexie's interest was centred in +herself. Her nose could not be forgotten; in fact, she was trying to reduce +its proportions by pressing it between her thumb and finger. She wondered +if the rest of the family would notice it and make remarks thereon. Lancy +would be sure to know at once that something was wrong; but she would keep +out of sight, for she would _not_ whistle; no, indeed. + +"Oh, Dexie, how you do poke along!" Elsie remarked from the top of the +stairs. "I declare, you are enough to try the patience of a Job. Come +along, or I'll rush into the room first, manners or no manners; then mother +will be displeased." + +Dexie was up the few remaining steps before Elsie had finished speaking. +She was just as anxious to see the English presents as if half of them were +meant for herself. Her swelled nose was instantly forgotten, and she passed +through the door that Elsie held open for her, and was soon bending over +the treasures with the rest. The room was soon in confusion, as dress +patterns, laces, ribbons, gloves and fans, and trinkets in endless variety +were strewn over bed, table and chairs. The swelled nose could not hide the +beautiful things laid out for her admiring eyes, and she watched with +smiling face as Elsie adorned herself with finery without regard to number +or suitability. + +"Oh, what a fine Indian brave am I!" sang Elsie as she danced before the +mirror, her arms adorned with three sets of bracelets, and her neck +encircled with ribbons and lace, while several lockets and charms attached +to velvet bands added to her glory. "Now, with a few of those ostrich tips +in my hair, I shall be ready to start for the Governor's ball," she added, +dancing around the room, sending the ribbons and laces gaily fluttering +behind her. + +"You'll bawl at home, my lady, if you spoil anything with your capers," +said Cora. "Take off those things at once, Elsie; some of them are mine, I +know. Oh! here is a note, mother. The coral set belongs to Elsie, and is +presented by her godmother, and this bangled set is mine. Do you think they +would be too showy to wear to-night, mother?" + +"Oh! what is this beautiful thing?" Dexie exclaimed, as she lifted a +handsome lace bertha. "My! isn't it lovely? How do I look in borrowed +feathers--or laces, to be more exact?" + +"Oh, fine!" Elsie replied. "I wonder who it was sent to--not me, I hope; it +would make me look like a fright, while it makes you look like a fairy," +and Elsie turned to examine another parcel. + +But Cora had decided in her own mind who it was that should be the first to +wear the pretty lace affair, for as she looked at Dexie with the fluffy +thing around her neck and throat, she seemed to suggest the very character +she was to fill in the evening, and, as she removed it and laid it gently +aside, Cora whispered to her mother: + +"It will suit her nicely, don't you think? What else would do to go with +it?" + +"Those ribbons and gloves match it perfectly; they were meant to go +together, I expect, for an evening costume. Just see what she takes a fancy +to, and lay it aside; then use your own judgment." + +A little scream of delight from Elsie betokened another pleasant discovery. + +"Gloves! boxes of gloves, and handkerchiefs by the set, and all hemmed, +too! Oh! and marked; see, these are my initials. Blessings on the +thoughtful person who sent me those, for my handkerchiefs disappear as +mysteriously as ghosts. Now, if I only unearth a box of shoe-laces, I'll +think my cup of joy quite full." + +"Shoe-laces! and they so cheap!" Dexie exclaimed in surprise. + +"But I have to buy mine with my pocket-money. I break so many of the +tiresome things, that mother thinks it will make me more careful if I have +to replace them myself. But they are always in knots, and when I have to +keep them neat and tidy at my own expense it leaves me little enough for +chocolate creams. Dear me! I think they might have sent me a few dozen, so +that I might get a chance to have one good 'tuck in' for once, as the +street arabs say." + +"Why, Elsie, I am surprised at you," was the mother's mild rebuke. "Surely +you can feel grateful, without requiring shoe-laces to 'fill up your cup +with joy,'" and there was a faint smile around the mouth that reproved in +such quiet tones. + +"Ah! I know what ails me, mother dear. 'From all selfishness, envy, +uncharitableness,--and all the rest of it, good Lord, deliver me.' I'll say +it next Sunday with a different meaning to it, particularly if I get the +shoe-laces." + +"Why, Elsie Gurney! how dare you speak those words so flippantly!" said +Cora severely, looking at her sister in surprise and displeasure. + +"I wasn't _thinking_ flippantly, if I did speak so. I wasn't, truly, +mamma," said Elsie, in a contrite tone. "I never thought I was selfish +and--and all the other things when I said it over in church, but I do +believe I am--some--anyway. After this I will say 'deliver me' instead of +'us.'" + +"Hasty speeches often lead to thoughtful acts. I will be very glad if the +missing shoe-laces make my daughter a little more thoughtful about things +of greater moment. Do not look so shocked, Cora; it did not _sound_ well, I +know, but she did not mean it irreverently, I'm sure. I remember when I was +a child at home we all had to learn the fifty-first Psalm as a Lenten +lesson, and once my little brother came through the rooms, singing it to +the most rollicking tune that was ever danced by; but the very contrast +between words and tune made the words sink into my heart as nothing else +could have done, for I did not learn very readily. Of course, dear, I do +not approve of it; but children are children, and the longer they remain so +the better, I think," and with a little sigh Mrs. Gurney left the room, +laying her hand lovingly on Elsie's head as she passed her. + +More than an hour passed before the contents of the box had been examined, +then with Dexie's assistance the wrappings which covered the floor were +picked up, tables were tidied, and the room put in order. + +Mrs. Gurney drew Lancy aside as soon as he entered the house, to explain +the difficulty about Dexie. + +"What! Not whistle or go near us!" he cried. "Why, she'll have to! +Everybody is talking about the concert, and inquiring about our 'warbler.' +Those handbills were the greatest success. Not whistle, indeed, when the +crowd will be there on purpose to hear her. Why, mother, she is the chief +attraction! Where is she? I'll show her very soon that she _can't_ back +out. They would mob us if she failed to appear. Why, I couldn't go either +if she did not." + +"Softly, softly, my son," laying her hand on his arm. "Wait a moment till I +explain further. Dexie is not one to be forced into doing a thing she does +not like, and if you talk to her in that strain you will only strengthen +her determination to stay at home. She must be treated differently if we +would gain her full consent, and nothing short of that will do. I have +watched her face, and I know that unless quiet measures are used she will +resist to the last. My boy, I am quite as anxious as you are about it, so +do not look so wild. Listen to my plan." + +Lancy's excitement cooled down as he listened to his mother's advice, and +he promised to do his part if sufficient self-control were granted him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +When they met around the dinner-table Lancy was strangely silent, though +his eyes shone with suppressed feeling, and Dexie began to hope that the +subject of the concert would not be broached; but her hopes were rudely +shattered as Mr. Gurney turned his smiling face and said: + +"So you have honored us with your company to-day, Miss Dexie. Are you +aware, wife, that our young neighbor has found a place in the hearts of the +public, though her identity is hidden as yet under the sweet sounding title +of 'American Warbler?' Every one is asking, 'Who is it?'" + +Some commonplace remark from Mrs. Gurney, followed by a warning look, +caused the subject to be suddenly changed, and in the conversation that +followed, the angry flush faded from Dexie's cheeks, the firm shut mouth +relaxed; but the workings of her mind were not quite hidden from the +motherly eyes that watched her so closely. + +Dexie was fully determined not to go to the concert, yet she would not have +cared to confess it to those around her, knowing how shocked they would be +at such a resolution. Somehow the matter looked different while she was +among them as one of the family. She was sure that the high sense of honor +that prevailed among the Gurneys would be sufficient to make any of them +fulfil a promise once made, even at a great sacrifice to themselves. + +But she would not. No! not if they despised her for it! She would not put +up with that impudent advertisement, and she laid down her knife and fork +quite suddenly, and clasped her hands in her lap in that close grasp that +always told when her feelings were stirred. + +Mrs. Gurney watched the expressive face, and returned Lancy's look with one +of sympathy. + +"Lancy is going to drive to the Four-Mile House this afternoon, Dexie," +said Mrs. Gurney. "Would you like to go with him?" + +"Oh, yes, indeed," was the quick reply, delighted to escape further +questioning. + +"Then he will have the sleigh ready as soon as you are. Be sure and wrap +up your mouth and throat. It never do to catch cold, you know." + +Dexie lifted her eyes for one brief moment to the smiling face of the +little mother. The reference to her throat brought back the troublesome +resolution that would not stay resolved, try as she would. She longed to +throw herself at her feet and confess the whole hateful story, but she +dared not. That resolution would fall to pieces like a house of cards, if +once the story were told to Mrs. Gurney. But she hated herself for the +deceit she was practising. How would it end? + +As Lancy drove round to the front door Cora ran out and whispered: + +"Don't speak hastily to her, Lancy. Remember how much depends on the way +you put it. But be sure and get her full consent." + +"What time am I to bring her home?" + +"As early as possible; if she has not consented by four o'clock, bring her +home to mother. You know we have to dress and have tea." + +"And what about Dexie's fine feathers?" + +"Only get her consent to go, and we will make a perfect fairy of her. +Grandma's box just came in time." + +Just then Dexie appeared, and was quickly tucked under the robes. + +"Wish us good luck, or fling a slipper, do, Cora, for we are going to +elope!" Dexie laughingly exclaimed. + +"Good luck, then, and with all my heart I wish it; but slippers are costly, +and mine are new," was the laughing reply. + +"What happy fortune takes you out of town this afternoon, Lancy?" said +Dexie, a few minutes later. "Make it forty miles, instead of four, if you +wish to earn my everlasting gratitude." + +"Any other day, Dexie, I would feel like taking you at your word," and a +look full of meaning flashed from his eyes, which she understood. + +By and by they passed a fence that was covered with posters, and in the +most conspicuous place Dexie saw the obnoxious handbills with their great, +staring letters. + +"Did you see that?" and Dexie flushed angrily, as she pointed at the +announcement. + +"Why, yes! and everybody is coming to the hall to hear you to-night." + +"Are they, indeed!" drawing her head back stiffly. "Then they might save +themselves the trouble, for they won't hear me." + +"Dexie, you are not in earnest!" and Lancy tried to repress the hot words +that rose to his lips. "You surely would not refuse to whistle after giving +your word, and the posters all over the city?" + +"Why was I not consulted about the announcement, if I am of so much +importance? Who was it that dared to use my name in such a manner? If you +know, you can go and tell them that I resent the insult, and will not +appear before an audience under such a nickname!" + +"Some people would think the title very complimentary, Dexie." + +"Those who do can earn the title and enjoy the compliment, then, for it +won't be me," was the firm and angry reply. + +"Dexie, I can't think you mean all your words imply. If you knew how highly +Mr. Ross speaks of your whistling, you would know that he would be the last +one to offend you. Indeed, he is so assured that your performance will be +the chief part of the concert that he gave it the special mention that has +offended you, and he has gone to the expense of fitting up the hall away +beyond anything ever seen in Halifax. He is so lifted up you would think he +was walking on air." + +"He will find solid ground under his feet about eight o'clock this evening, +I fancy! for he will find that his 'warbler' has flown to parts unknown." + +"Is it possible, Dexie, that you have it in your heart to so disappoint the +members of the club, and the public as well? As for the name he has given +you, what matters it? I have been called 'The Dandy' for years, but I have +as much respect from my friends as if the term were complimentary. Dexie, I +can't think you intend to go back on your word." + +"Dexie felt the reproach, but would not relent. + +"Mr. Ross had no right to announce my part of the performance at all; it +was only as a favor I consented to whistle. If I am his 'drawing-card,' it +was only fair to consult me about publishing the fact. I feel positive +that, after such an announcement, I will be hissed off the stage before I +utter a dozen notes. Who ever heard of a girl whistling in public before? +It is considered vulgar enough if she is caught at it in private! I cannot +face them, Lancy; I truly cannot." + +"If it is your reception you are afraid of, Dexie, then set your mind at +rest. Even the rougher element would as soon think of hissing a canary." + +"But you forget, Lancy, that to be the first to appear in a part so unusual +is of itself a risky thing. Had it not been announced I would not mind it +so much, as it would be unexpected by the audience, and the very audacity +of it would have won to my side the rougher element. As it is, the audience +will expect something beyond my power to give them." + +"Looking at it in that way, I admit that the announcement was a mistake, +Dexie, since it has made you apprehensive of your power to charm; but no +one else doubts it, dear, and I feel sure that my Dexie will not put her +friends in the embarrassing position that would arise if she purposely +stayed away from the concert to-night. I grant that the announcement was a +mistake, as you look at it, and that it was very thoughtless of those who +got it up to send it to press without submitting it to your inspection; but +having done so, and sold hundreds of tickets on the strength of the +announcement, common honesty should make you fulfil your part. If your +absence only affected the members of the club, it would not matter so much, +but hundreds of outsiders would blame the club for obtaining money under +false pretences; so you see, Dexie, you really cannot stay home. Do be +reasonable, darling." + +A deep blush tinged Dexie's cheeks, brought there by something else than +the frosty air, and for a few minutes there was silence between them. + +Meanwhile, Mr. Sherwood had started out for a walk in order to quiet the +anxiety that filled his mind, and meeting Mr. Ross down by the Grand Parade +he astonished the man by telling him of Dexie's determination. + +"But, Mr. Sherwood, she _must_ come," he cried aghast. "Her performance has +been announced and is the talk of the city." + +"Can't help it, Mr. Ross. I am extremely sorry, but it was that very +announcement that has caused the trouble. She says you have insulted her, +and she has cried and scolded ever since she set eyes on it." + +"Yet I expected the reverse. What's to be done?" + +The question was as helpless as the man's face was hopeless. + +"Well, I can't say. I can use my authority and insist on her going to the +hall, but you know the old saying, 'You can drive a horse to water, but you +can't make him drink.' It was only this morning that she came across a +handbill, and she flew home in such a temper that it put the whole house in +an uproar. I can truly say it has quite upset me, for I was anxious to have +her do her best to-night." + +"But if I go and apologize, and assure her of my unwillingness to cause her +a moment's annoyance, surely I might make amends for my unintentional +mistake. I will do anything, everything, Mr. Sherwood, that you can +suggest." + +"Believe me, Mr. Ross, everything possible has been already done to make +her see that you had no intention of 'insulting' her, and we have had to +pass her over to our next-door neighbors. If they fail, you can try your +persuasive powers. She is out driving with young Gurney just now, and we +are simply living on our hopes." + +"I trust he will succeed. I would hardly dare to face the people to-night +without her. Come and see how well the hall looks while we await her +return; then I must see her and explain." + +"Better not, Mr. Ross, unless you have some other excuse for calling. If +young Gurney gets her to change her mind, you had better make your peace +with her after the concert is over, instead of risking it beforehand." + +"Very true; but I might call with a bouquet for both of your daughters, and +I need not refer to the matter if her consent has been already secured." + +"Such an errand would seem natural and should do much towards earning +forgiveness," was the smiling reply. + +A revolution was going on in Dexie's mind as the sleigh flew over the level +road, and Lancy watched the varying expressions, for he had learned to read +her face like an open book. Checking the speed of his horse, he turned to +her and asked if she felt the least cold. + +"Not at all, Lancy; the air is just frosty enough to make it enjoyable." + +"The roads are somewhat better than they were last winter when I took you +out in the storm. Will you ever forget it, Dexie?" + +"I am never allowed to, it seems; but I wish I could drop that twenty-four +hours out of my memory,"--annoyed that Lancy referred to the time that was +associated with his declaration of love. "I wish you would forget that +unfortunate drive and all connected with it. It is no pleasure to remember +how near we came to freezing to death," she added. + +"Well, Dexie, if you will only look at that side of it, why not repay me +for the trouble I took for you that night, and do me a favor in return?" + +"If any favor I can do will forever relieve me of any obligation I may be +under, you have only to name it," said she coolly, "providing the favor is +within reason, though." + +"No, I'll not ask it, nor put it that way; not for all the concerts that +will ever be held!" he hotly answered. "But, Dexie," and his voice grew +tender again, "if the same motive would move you to grant me this favor +that impelled me to save you that night, you would make me very happy." + +"And this favor, Lancy?" + +"Remove the anxiety you have caused us all, and overlook what has vexed +you, and come with me to the concert. You know I can't go without you, and +our absence will spoil it. My wilful Dexie, don't you think you were rather +hasty in your judgment this morning?" + +"My judgment don't amount to much when once my temper is up, as you know +very well, Lancy; but I'll acknowledge that I do feel rather ashamed of +myself, for making such a fuss, though I still think it was a shabby trick +to advertise me that way." + +"So it was, Dexie; but will you make one shabby trick the excuse for a +second? You will take back your refusal, my Dexie?" + +"Well, Lancy, perhaps I would, if it were not too late; but it is too late +to repent now, for my dress isn't ready, and there are endless other +matters to see to that would have kept me busy the whole day, so my +repentance will do no good. In fact I haven't the faintest idea what I did +with the purchases I made this morning, unless I flung them into the street +as I rushed along. What a fright I must have looked! But I don't believe I +met a soul that knew me; that's one comfort, anyway." + +"Then you would whistle to-night if only your dress were ready?" + +"Well, I hate awfully to say it, Lancy, but I do believe I would, for I did +not think that my absence would spoil your part of the performance when I +spoke so decidedly." + +"Then we will consider the matter settled, for your dress will be ready +when it is time to put it on," and a look of relief spread over his face. +"Mother said she would see about it if you would only go." + +"Oh, dear! Does your mother know how silly I have been? Who could have told +her?" + +"Never mind, Dexie. She knows you won't come back as naughty as you went +out. She felt sure of that." + +"Lancelot Gurney! Did you take me out on purpose--on purpose to make me +change my mind? Well, well! how eagerly I ran into the trap that was set to +catch me," and a smothered laugh rang out on the frosty air. + +"All's well that ends well, you know. Your father was in despair when your +Aunt Jennie could not manage you, so he turned you over to us. Since I have +proved myself so capable, that ought to speak well for me in the future, +eh, Dexie?" and he smiled mischievously into her eyes. "But I'm not quite +sure of you yet, Dexie. Give me your word that you will whistle +to-night--honor bright, mind." + +"Yes, _honor bright_, Lancy. I'll whistle, or try to, if they don't hiss me +when I begin. Now, turn back, and let us get home as quickly as possible; +there will be a lot of humble pie waiting for me. I may as well eat it and +have it done with. I feel worse to meet your mother than all the rest." + +"You forget that I have an errand at the Four-Mile House. That will give us +a chance to get warmed, and then for a wild drive home." + +When they arrived at the hotel they were glad to find the parlor vacant, +for they could monopolize the fire that burned so brightly in the grate, +besides enjoying the liberty of free speech. + +"You may as well lay aside your wraps, Dexie, as we will not start for home +for half an hour," said Lancy, as he returned from an interview with the +landlord. + +When the sleigh was again brought to the door, there was a triumphant look +in Lancy's face that contrasted well with the rosy cheeks of his companion. + +"We will have the wind in our faces going home, Dexie, so be sure and wrap +up your mouth and throat. It will never do to spoil your whistle after all. +I tell you what, Dexie," he added, as he helped her adjust the fleecy +scarf, "I feel myself quite a diplomatist, and I shall claim remuneration +for this afternoon's work. Do you know what will square the bill?" + +"Possibly I may guess your terms, sir, but I shall claim the usual three +months' credit," and a saucy face was lifted to his. + +"Not three hours shall I wait," he laughingly replied, as he followed the +figure that passed so swiftly from his arms. "I have a good notion to claim +'cash on delivery,'" helping her into the sleigh. + +"I fancy you would not find it easy to enforce your claim, sir." + +"Don't be too sure of that, my Dexie. I have had too hard an afternoon's +work to do it for nothing, and 'kiss number two' would settle the account." + +There was no chance for further conversation, for Lancy needed to give his +attention to the spirited animal before him. It was generally a "wild +drive" when Bob wore the harness, unless he were kept well in check, and to +those who hastily took the side of the road as the sleigh flew by, it did +indeed look like a "wild drive," for the pace never slacked until the house +was reached. + +There were many anxious eyes on the lookout for their arrival, as Dexie +noted with shame, but she determined to face the matter boldly, and if +possible make some amends for the trouble and anxiety she had caused. + +The front door of both houses opened simultaneously as the sleigh drove up, +Mr. Sherwood appearing at one and Cora at the other, and a hundred +questions could not have asked more than the one word which fell from the +lips of both-- + +"Well?" + +Dexie sprang out on the sidewalk, and with a wave of her hand in Lancy's +direction, answered the question in dramatic tones: + +"See! the conquering hero comes!" + +That was enough; they all understood her, and Elsie, who was standing on +the doorstep, flew into the house where the busy needles were flying, +shouting as she ran: + +"Yes! she is going! Lancy has managed her! She is all right again!" + +"There, save that little comedy till by and by, and come in here," said Mr. +Sherwood, smiling, in spite of himself at the way Dexie had announced her +surrender. + +"Come into our house as soon as you can, Dexie," Cora called after her +retreating figure. "We want you for something." + +What a feeling of relief her arrival caused! They had scarcely realized how +great was the tension until their anxiety was removed. But all seemed to +breathe more freely, and the preparations for the concert went briskly on. + +Dexie threw off her wraps in the hall, and followed her father into the +sitting-room, where Aunt Jennie sat waiting. + +"You are back, my dear," was the aunt's quiet greeting. + +"Yes, auntie, and ready to eat all the humble pie you have prepared for +me." + +"I have prepared none, my dear, but I am pleased to see that you are ready +and willing to eat some. Your father has passed a miserable time waiting +for your appearance." + +"Poor papa!" and Dexie threw her arms around his neck. "How horrid I have +been, to be sure. Now, lay on the stripes easy, and I'll promise not to do +so any more," and she playfully held out her hand. + +"You had better not, you little tyrant," drawing her to him. "I believe my +hair has turned grey with the anxiety you have caused me." + +"Oh, so it has! here is one hair quite grey; yes, actually two of them! +I'll show you," and a couple of hairs were withdrawn with a jerk. + +"Stop! you torment," catching her by both arms. "Isn't it enough that my +hair has turned grey? Must you make me bald as well? I thought Lancy was +going to sober you down before he brought you back. I'll have to call him +in to finish his job." + +"No, I'm going to be good, I really am; so say you are not cross with me +any more, then I must run off and see about my dress." + +"Well, I'll forgive you this time; but if you cut up any more such capers, +I'll hand you over to young Gurney for good." + +"But I won't be handed over, you dear old papa," giving him a squeeze that +almost choked him. "I will not exchange my papa for the best-looking young +gentleman you can find in the city. But, papa! do persuade Gussie to leave +my shortcomings alone, for the next few hours at least," she added, in a +low tone. + +"I will see that she does not annoy you. Now, don't you think you had +better go and practise awhile?" + +"Couldn't think of it, papa mine!" Then, taking her father's face between +her two hands, she looked earnestly into his eyes, saying: "Do you think +there is the _least_ danger of me breaking down to-night? Do you? Confess +the truth, sir!" she laughingly demanded. + +"Well, no; I don't think there is." + +"Neither do I. Trust your naughty tomboy; she is going to 'eclipse all her +former efforts and cover herself with glory.' But, wait you till I see Mr. +Ross," and she shook her head. "I will forgive him for _this_ night only, +and then--well, never mind! How is mamma? Is she very angry with me?" she +added, presently. + +"Not so much as might be expected. You must let her see you when you are +dressed." + +"Oh! Aunt Jennie, _did_ you see anything of a stray parcel, with some lace +and other things inside of it? or have I really tossed it into the street?" + +"It is in at Mrs. Gurney's with the rest of your apparel for to-night. I +have just finished Gussie's suit, and she is all ready to dress. Gloves and +all are waiting upstairs." + +"Oh, dear! what shall I do, auntie? I completely forgot the gloves. That +abominable handbill turned my brain, I do believe; and I thought I was +learning to control my temper! Oh, dear!" + +"Don't fret, my dear! The best of us are put out sometimes. But everything +has been prepared for you in at Mrs. Gurney's; for Lancy's success rests on +your appearance, and they were all anxious on his account as well as your +own." + +"Well, I suppose I must go in next door and apologize; but I would rather +get a switching than see Mrs. Gurney." + +Dexie's appearance was heralded by a number of little voices, as she made +her way to the sewing-room with heightened color and eyes bright with +unshed tears. + +"I beg pardon of each one of you, separately and collectively," Dexie +began. "I never dreamed that my fit of temper was going to affect both +households. You are more than kind, and I have no words to thank you." + +"Well, don't do it, then," said Elsie; "save your breath, and run upstairs +and see your dress, instead. Come, let me show you the finery." + +"Where is your mother? I must see her a moment. How does my nose look now, +Elsie?" she added, as they went through the hall. + +"It looks as if it ought to be tweaked again, you bad girl! But oh, Dexie! +your dress is lovely." + +And so thought Dexie herself as she stood by the bed whereon it lay, and +she bitterly reproached herself for the anxiety her waywardness had caused. + +Tears were in her eyes as Mrs. Gurney came quietly into the room. + +"Dear Mrs. Gurney--" She could say no more, but the eloquent eyes told the +story quite as well as if it had been spoken by the quivering lips. + +"There, my dear! There! never mind. It was only a mistake, and we all make +mistakes sometimes; so don't fret any more. See how nicely we have managed. +Do you like it, my dear?" + +"So very much that I feel I shall never be able to repay you for the +trouble"--her eyes still full of tears. + +"Oh, yes, you will, I expect payment this very night," and the firm, cool +hand was laid lovingly across Dexie's shoulder. "When I hear that you have +overlooked the cause of the trouble, and have sung and whistled your very +best, and to Lancy's satisfaction--when I have heard this, I will consider +the debt well paid," and she bent over and kissed the wet cheeks. "You had +better try on the gloves, dear; then see if we have forgotten any one +thing." + +The face was soon wreathed in smiles. The many things made ready for her +use by her dear friends made her realize how much they cared for her, and +her girlish heart beat fast as she thought of the triumph she was +determined to win, if only to please them. + +"We are going to have an early tea, and then we will begin to dress," said +Cora, making her appearance in the room. "You must put yourself into my +hands to-night, Dexie, so be passive and obedient. We have all set our +hearts on your success, Dexie, dear." + +"And I will not disappoint you, I promise. I would be a monster of iniquity +if I did not do my best, after making so much extra trouble for everybody +to-day." + +"Ask Gussie to come in with you for tea, Dexie," said Mrs. Gurney, "and if +she will bring in her dress, one can help the other get ready." + +"Oh, that will be splendid! But I don't want any tea; we had a nice lunch +at the Four-Mile House, and I won't eat anything more till after the +concert. So you can leave my share till then," she said with a smile. +"What new whim possesses you now, Dexie?" asked Elsie. + +"It is not a whim. I am going to put forth my best efforts to-night, and I +can whistle better if I do not eat." + +"What nonsense! did you ever try it?" + +"Not purposely, but I know I can." + +"That is right, Dexie; use every means to enable you to appear at your +best." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +Mr. Ross had lingered near the house ever since he had parted from Mr. +Sherwood, so anxious was he to hear the decision of his erratic "warbler," +and he was much relieved when he saw the sleigh drive up to the door at a +much earlier hour than he had dared to hope. + +Feeling quite sure that she had reversed her hasty decision, he turned his +steps to the nearest conservatory, from which he emerged later on bearing a +box which contained what he hoped would prove his "peace-offering." + +He was received by Mr. Sherwood, who had observed his approach from the +window, and his smiling face told the story before there was time to +exchange words thereon. + +"Can I see her?" asked Mr. Ross, as he heard of Lancy's success. + +"Well, I'm afraid not; she is engaged, I believe. I suppose you wish to +hear her rehearse?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I'm afraid you will have to be content with the promise that she +gave to me, that 'she would do her best.' Depend on it, she will not +disappoint any of us to-night. I'll answer for that." + +"But I should like so much to see her. I would like to apologize for my +unintentional mistake. Will you take this bouquet to her with my +compliments, and ask if I may see her for a few moments?" + +"She is in Mrs. Gurney's at present," said Mr. Sherwood, "but if you will +wait here I will step in and see her; but I do not think it will be wise to +insist on an interview. My daughter has a temper of her own, and that +announcement has provoked her in a way I never saw equalled, so unless she +seems perfectly willing to see you, she should be let alone, until after +the concert any way." + +Mr. Sherwood was soon in the next hall inquiring for his daughter, and she +came down the stairs behind Mrs. Gurney, who also stopped to speak to her +next-door neighbor. + +"Dexie," said Mr. Sherwood, "Mr. Ross sends his compliments with this +bouquet, and wishes to know if you will see him and allow him to explain, +or apologize, whichever you choose to call it," and he handed her the +fragrant flowers. + +Instantly they were flung to the end of the hall, and an angry flush rose +in her cheeks as she exclaimed, hotly: + +"Tell Mr. Ross that I--" + +"Dexie, my dear, your promise," came the quiet words from Mrs. Gurney. + +"Oh! do forgive me, this once more, Mrs. Gurney," and Dexie rushed after +the ill-used flowers; then, in a changed voice, gave the message: + +"Tell Mr. Ross that I appreciate his compliments--oh! highly," and she made +a grimace, "also his flowers. They smell nice--what is left of them; but +I--oh, papa!--I can't see him. Must I go and hear him talk when the very +thought of him makes me angry? Make him go away and leave me. I have +promised to do the best I can to-night. What more can he ask?" + +"You need not see him unless you choose; I will take him your excuses," and +he left the house, and returned to Mr. Ross. + +"I have brought her excuses in place of herself, and you must rest content +with that, Mr. Ross. I think it will not be best to risk the chance of a +second refusal, and but for Mrs. Gurney's interference I would have had to +bring it, I fear. Let it pass till some other time and take no notice of +any coolness she may show to-night, for that public announcement has cut +her deeply." + +"I am grieved to hear it, Mr. Sherwood; I will endeavor to atone for it at +some future time," and with a few parting words he left the house. Very +pretty was the picture that the young girls made, as they fluttered about +the rooms helping each other to put the finishing touches to their toilets. +Gussie's pink and white complexion looked lovelier than ever when set off +with a suit in which pale blue and white lace formed the chief parts. Dexie +seemed like a gleam of summer sunshine as she fluttered here and there; her +pretty suit had been draped with some gauzy material, that glistened and +sparkled as the light fell through its folds. The long sleeves had been +replaced by short lace ones, trimmed to match the pretty lace bertha, and +the long handsome gloves quite completed her costume. + +"There, I believe we are all ready at last," said Dexie, as she picked up +her neglected flowers. "Let me fasten this cluster of rosebuds in your +belt, Cora, as the finishing touch; then I will make a _boutonniere_ for +Lancy's coat." + +"Why, Dexie, you are spoiling your bouquet!" and Cora seized her hand. "I +cannot rob you of your flowers." + +"But you will take them as a gift, Cora, since they are so beautiful. It +would be a pity not to use them. I do not intend to carry them, for I want +no flowers from Mr. Ross." + +"But perhaps Mr. Ross will not be pleased if you give your flowers away," +said Gussie, holding her own bouquet daintily to her nose. + +"I fancy that his pleasure or displeasure will not affect me," and an angry +gleam brightened her eyes. "I merely accepted them as a peace-offering +which binds me for this night only. If the flowers help to make someone +else entrancing, they will fulfil their mission as well as if I carried +them." + +"Well, if we are all ready let us go down and show ourselves to our private +families before we try to charm the eyes and ears of the public," said +Cora. "Your parents are in the parlor, Dexie; go and make your best bow, +before you put on your wraps; Gussie, do likewise," and Cora gave a +sweeping look over their figures. "Why, Dexie!" she added, "are you not +going to wear any jewelry after all?" and she pointed to the case she had +opened for Dexie's selection. + +"Please, if you don't mind, I would rather not. I feel dressed enough." + +"So you are, Dexie," Lancy exclaimed, coming to the door at this moment. +"Flashing jewels could not improve you, for you look stunning already. But +the horses are waiting in the cold, while you girls are admiring +yourselves." + +With that they ran down the stairs, all except Dexie, who turned to the +dressing-table in search of a pin, and as they left the room Lancy came +hastily towards her. + +"Oh! is it you, Lancy? I have saved some flowers for you. Shall I pin them +on?" + +As she did so, Lancy slipped his arm around her, and his admiring eyes +confirmed the words that fell from his lips. "You are beautiful to-night, +Dexie. You need not fear any audience with those brilliant eyes and cherry +lips. You will win all hearts, as you have mine." + +Dexie lifted her eyes in surprise, and saw a lover's face very near her +own, and before she could retreat he had pressed her to his heart, and +kissed her on both cheeks. + +"For shame! look!" and she pointed to a mirror where their images were +reflected. "What would your mother say to such rudeness, sir?" + +"I think she would say, 'Dexie, give Lancy one kiss for his trouble this +afternoon.' Don't you think I deserve one, my Dexie?" + +But Dexie flew past him and downstairs to the parlor, where her parents and +Aunt Jennie were awaiting her. + +"How do you like my looks, mamma? Am I not pretty, for once?" she asked. + +"If you had behaved as well as you look I would see no cause for +complaint," said her mother coolly; "but a 'daw in borrowed feathers' is +never a pretty sight." + +"But, mamma, I am going to be just as good as I look, for this evening +anyway; and I am sure, if my eyesight does not deceive me and my friends do +not flatter, that I never looked better, so I'm content," and she left the +room to put on her outside garments. + +She meekly submitted to the extra wraps that Lancy insisted on placing +round her face, and she felt, as she stood beside him, that Lancy's +tenderness and love added not a little to her daily happiness, even though +she had not just the same regard for him as he professed to have for her. + +"I think I'll drive down with Hugh," she said teasingly, as they came down +the steps to the street, where both sleighs were waiting. + +"But I won't let you," said Lancy quickly. "You are mine for this evening. +I have earned that much, surely. I can't spare you to anyone else, my +Dexie," and he lifted her in beside himself. + +They drove quickly to the hall, and were soon in the dressing-room, among +the bevy of young ladies who were to take part in the concert. Gussie's +heart was pierced with envy as she noticed how much attention was bestowed +on her sister, and she heartily wished that Dexie had kept to her refusal +of the morning. + +Mr. Ross noticed that his peace-offering was not appreciated, and wisely +refrained from further remarks, giving the necessary directions in as few +words as possible. + +Very gay did the Temperance Hall look that evening, with its walls draped +with bunting and its stage decorated with palms and other ornamental +plants; and it never held a larger audience than now awaited the opening +chorus, while the applause that filled the house at its close seemed to +make the rafters ring. + +The first selections were admirably performed, and were fully enjoyed by +those present, but when that part of the programme was reached in which the +"American Warbler" made her first appearance, the enthusiasm reached its +height, and found vent in round after round of applause. + +Lancy made his appearance first, taking his seat at the piano. This +intimated that he was not the "Warbler," and the audience looked around in +doubt, as if asking each other what next to expect. + +A moment later Dexie appeared, and the sea of expectant faces made her +tremble. What if she should fail? + +The appearance of this bright young girl, bowing before them, caused a +moment's hush to fall upon the people. Was she the "warbler," and what was +the character of the performance that was rated so highly? After an +exquisitely rendered interlude, Dexie's clear whistle joined the +accompaniment, and seemed to hold the listeners spell-bound. At its close a +moment of silence followed, but when Lancy rose from the instrument the +applause began, and grew louder and more deafening, and Mr. Ross hurried to +Dexie's side as she left the stage. + +"You must come forward again, Miss Sherwood; that encore is not to be +resisted," as the thunderous applause grew in volume. + +She took Lancy's arm at last, and stepped forward and bowed her +acknowledgement. But that was not enough; nothing but a repetition would +satisfy the enthusiastic audience, and when Mr. Ross asked her to give "The +Mocking Bird" she felt obliged to consent. Mr. Ross had rightly judged a +Halifax audience when he said it would not be content with one performance, +and not till the strains from the piano rang through the building, followed +by the appearance of Dexie, did the uproar cease. + +Lancy played a long interlude to give Dexie time to compose herself, then +the first strains of the familiar song floated softly through the hall, and +very tender and touching did the words sound as they fell from Lancy's +lips, for genuine feeling was behind them. It was like a passage in a +love-story, and where is the person that does not enjoy the repetition of +some passages, even though they may, at the same time, pronounce them silly +and sentimental in the extreme? + +Dexie stood near the piano. Her soft, low whistle seemed to come from a +distance, then floated nearer and nearer, gaining strength and volume as +the song progressed; and when Lancy sang "Listen to the Mocking Bird," the +joyous, bewildering notes of the birds she was imitating seemed floating +directly overhead, then receded as the next verse was sung, returning +fuller and sweeter to accompany the chorus, each verse seeming to grow more +tender and beautiful, and, when it ended, the enraptured audience showed +their appreciation by applauding with all their strength. + +"No; I cannot go out again," Dexie said, as Mr. Ross urged her to appear +once more in answer to the call. "It is not fair to the rest, for there +are other things on the programme much nicer." + +"Just this once more," Lancy pleaded, his eyes shining with satisfaction. + +"Come on to the stage, at least, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross, "or they +will have the house down over our ears. May I announce that you will +whistle again at the conclusion of the programme?" and Dexie had to +consent. Mr. Ross led her to the front of the stage, and the audience, +expecting another repetition, subsided into silence; but it was soon broken +when the announcement was made that they should have another selection +later on. + +Mr. Sherwood found his way to the dressing-rooms, and received Dexie with +open arms, while numbers gathered around to congratulate her on her +success. + +"I am proud of you, Dexie," her father said, as they stepped aside. "I was +down among the audience while you were whistling, and on every side I heard +words of warmest praise. Your fear of being hissed was a foolish fear, +after all. I am sure you are not sorry that you came here to-night." + +"No, papa; but I do hope that Mrs. Gurney will be pleased. I whistled for +her and Lancy to-night, and if they are satisfied, that is enough. But, +listen! That is Gussie's voice; that is the duet between her and Miss +Burns. Oh, I do hope they will applaud her heartily!" + +But no such feeling had dwelt in Gussie's heart when Dexie was before the +audience. If she had failed, had completely broken down or been hissed off +the stage, as Dexie herself feared, Gussie would have exulted in her +failure; yet if Gussie had faltered in the least, none would have felt it +so keenly as her twin sister Dexie. + +"Did you see Hugh among the audience?" Lancy whispered from behind her +chair. + +"Yes; how savage he looked! Such a scowl does not improve his handsome +face, if he only knew it. I never saw him look more fierce." + +"I expect that he did not like to see you leaning on my arm before them +all," he whispered. "He is fearfully jealous, Dexie, so do not flirt with +him any more when he goes in to see Gussie," he added, as he stroked his +growing moustache. + +"I am not likely to flirt with Hugh McNeil or anyone else," she said, with +some spirit; "but judging by the looks cast in this direction, I am under +suspicion already, so please leave me, Lancy." + +The several selections on the programme were performed to everyone's +satisfaction, but every time that Dexie appeared, either as a singer or +accompanist, she was received with such marked favor that it was plainly to +be seen who was the favorite. + +"Now, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross, as the last piece ended and cries for +"the warbler" arose in the hall, "send them home so well pleased with our +entertainment that they will all be eager to attend our next." + +"There is to be no repetition this time, Mr. Ross," said Dexie, decidedly. +"Let Mr. Gurney play the National Anthem directly the piece is ended." + +"Very well. I will direct the members of the club to be ready to step +forward the moment your piece is finished, and we will dismiss them with +'God Save the Queen.'" + +As Lancy and Dexie made their appearance the clapping of hands arose again, +and, under cover of the noise, Dexie whispered a few words to Lancy, who +immediately secured another piano stool. Then they both sat down before the +instrument and waited for the signal to begin. + +A moment later and the outburst of melody that filled the hall seemed to +come from a multitude of song-birds, and the peculiar, bird-like whistle +never sounded sweeter or clearer as it rang out in answer to Lancy's more +powerful notes, their fingers meanwhile flying over the keys in delightful +harmony. Dexie forgot the hundreds of eager listeners. She seemed to have +partaken of the free, joyous nature of the birds she was so cleverly +imitating, and when the last notes had died away the applause that greeted +their ears seemed to shake the building. + +It was a decided relief when the notes from the piano overruled the uproar. +A moment later and the stage was peopled by the members of the club, the +notes of the National Anthem sounded through the hall, and the audience +below rose to their feet at this the closing signal. + +As the crowd passed out the door, Hugh McNeil made his way to the front; +and as he went at once to help Cora Gurney, and gave Gussie the assistance +she asked for, Dexie thought nothing of his sudden appearance amongst them +until he bent over her and hissed in her ear: + +"I could have killed the both of you as you stood there making love to each +other before them all, as if you belonged to him already! You shall be +mine, not his! I swear it! so take care how you trifle with me!" + +Dexie, terrified by his angry looks, hurried away, and Lancy, noticing her +white face, asked anxiously: + +"What has happened to you, Dexie? You are as white as a ghost." + +"Oh! that big Frenchman has frightened me. Didn't you see him talking to me +just now?" + +"Yes, but I supposed he was congratulating you on your success." + +"It is a pity you could not have heard his congratulations, Lancy. I fancy +you would not consider them complimentary," and they hurried homeward. + +Mrs. Gurney had arranged a little supper for those of the household who +attended the concert, and if anyone noticed Hugh's absence, no one dreamed +of the cause thereof. + +The skill that was required to keep out of Hugh's way during the weeks that +followed, might have raised Dexie to an eminent position if it could have +been turned into another channel. Such a sharp lookout lest Hugh might find +her alone, such a dodging through doors when his strategy had almost +succeeded in bringing her face to face--really it was a marvel how +skilfully she avoided him. Yet the fact that she did avoid him gave him a +false hope, and he thought if he could once lay his heart before her the +battle would be his. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +Winter changed into spring slowly yet surely, and the almanac declared that +summer was nigh long before people were prepared to accept the assurance. + +To Elsie Gurney the spring had been particularly trying, and her mother +began to feel anxious as day after day found her lying on a couch, listless +and weary. The doctor advised change of scene as the best means to recover +health and spirits, and Mrs. Gurney decided at last to accept the kind and +repeated invitation of a dear friend living in Charlottetown, and send +Elsie thither under Lancy's escort. Mrs. Gurney wrote to her friend +explaining Elsie's condition, and the kind letter that came in reply caused +preparations to be made at once for the visit. + +"My guest chambers are all vacant," wrote Mrs. Fremont, "and my girls are +delighted with the prospect of having someone new to the place to show +around and gossip with. But, with your houseful, surely you can spare more +than two of your family. Remember, I have not seen any of you since we came +to Charlottetown, so be generous. Launcelot must not think of returning for +some weeks, and he must come prepared to see a deal of service, for my +girls have already planned drives and picnics that he must lead to success, +for Huburt has not yet returned from abroad, and an elder brother is sadly +missed in these little pleasure-parties. Elsie shall have the best of care, +and I feel safe in promising that when she returns home all trace of her +illness will be dispelled." + +But Elsie shrank from this visit and begged to be allowed to stay at home. +She was naturally shy and reserved, and to go among new faces, and into +strange places, and be expected to take part in the pleasures that were +being prepared, oh! this was worse than being ill at home, for then her own +dear ones would be near her. + +But the visit, like the big doses of medicine that the doctor ordered, had +to be taken, whether she liked it or not, and the preparations went on, +though it grieved her mother to see how Elsie shrank from the visit. + +One day when Elsie was crying about her "banishment from home," Dexie +Sherwood came into the room, and learning the cause of Elsie's tears she +frankly stated her mind as follows: + +"Well, if you are not a baby, then I never saw one! The idea of you lying +there crying until your eyes are red and swollen because you are going off +on a fine cruise! I declare! if I thought I should be treated half so well, +I'd fall sick this very day, and you may be sure I would select some +complaint that required a change of scene to restore me," and, assuming an +expression of extreme woe, she added: + +"Your kind friend in Charlottetown didn't say that any sick neighbor might +join you, I suppose? for, ah me! I am beginning to feel awfully bad +already. Where, oh! where can I go to regain my shattered health?" + +Elsie's tears of grief changed to tears of laughter, and she replied, + +"Well, I suppose it does look silly for me to be fretting because I have to +go away, but I hate to go among strange people. If Cora could come with me +I would not mind it at all." + +"But Lancy is going with you," said Dexie, "so you cannot come to any great +harm. The people over there are quite civilized, I'm told, so they won't +likely eat you; not till you get a little more flesh on your bones, +anyway." + +Mrs. Gurney, who was in the room, lifted her eyes to Dexie's animated face, +and said in her gentle, motherly tone, + +"Dexie, my dear, why couldn't _you_ go with Elsie? I was stupid not to have +thought of it before." + +"For my health, do you mean, Mother Gurney? But I am afraid I have +recovered it already. I have made Elsie laugh, and the unusual sound has +cured me like a charm." + +"Well, not exactly for _your_ health, my dear, but for Elsie's," she +replied, as she looked into the laughing face before her. "When I think of +the double benefit your companionship would be to her, I wonder that the +thought did not occur to me before." + +"Oh! Mrs. Gurney, I feel so ashamed," and Dexie covered her hot cheeks for +a moment with her hands. "I never intended to suggest such a thing when I +made such a thoughtless remark. Oh! what can you think of me! Indeed I only +said it to make Elsie laugh." + +"There, there; of course I understood your bit of fun," and Mrs. Gurney +patted the blushing girl on her shoulder, "but when a suggestion made in +sport brings such a change in Elsie's looks, how much good would result if +the jest were turned to earnest." + +"But imagine me going to Mrs. Fremont's when she is not aware of my +existence! I couldn't pass myself off as Cora, for I am too unlike any of +the family. Indeed, I fear my wickedness would soon betray me," her +embarrassment giving place to a mischievous air. + +"If I write and introduce you, you can feel as sure of as hearty a welcome +as if you were one of my family. But we must not make plans till we consult +your parents," said Mrs. Gurney, turning to leave the room. + +"Oh! Dexie, if you only _would_ come with me, it would make all the +difference in the world," said Elsie. "A weight seems lifted off my heart +at the thought." + +"Yes, but look at all the nice dresses you are getting made. You would find +me a very shabby companion, for I never dare ask mamma for a new dress +unless Gussie is in need of one also; but now that papa is home I might +manage that difficulty, and I am quite sure of Aunt Jennie's help." + +Mrs. Gurney was soon discussing the matter with the parents next door, +making much of the great favor it would be to herself if they would spare +Dexie to accompany Elsie to Charlottetown. Consent was readily granted, +though Mrs. Sherwood could not refrain from expressing a fear that the +necessary preparations would be rather troublesome, as she did not feel +able to make any extra exertion herself. + +Mrs. Sherwood was quite an invalid, or at least she thought she was, which +amounted to about the same thing. Necessity did not compel her to bestir +herself very much, so she began to think she _could_ not, and she was +generally found lying on a sofa with a book as companion. + +Dexie's absence from home would be rather a pleasant relief than otherwise, +as she had an unpleasant way of finding unfinished work and laying it in a +work-basket by her mother's side for completion. Dexie's brisk ways and +ceaseless activity were extremely annoying, as it seemed a continual +reproach to Mrs. Sherwood, who preferred the easy, languid movements of her +twin sister. + +No one raised any objections to Mrs. Gurney's plans except Gussie, and her +objections were many and loudly expressed. + +It was shameful of Dexie to thrust herself into the Gurney family as she +was doing. Anyone could see that it was more on Lancy's account than +Elsie's that Dexie was so delighted to accompany them. Why didn't she go +and live with them at once? She might as well, seeing that so much of her +sewing was being prepared in Mrs. Gurney's sewing-room. + +This, and pages more, was reiterated daily, till Dexie would snatch up her +work and run to her aunt's room, and she was heartily glad when the time +came to leave Gussie and her unkind words behind her. + +Yet it was not only on Gussie's account that she felt so glad to be off, +for, when Hugh McNeil heard of her intended departure, he added his +persecutions also. At first, when he learned that Lancy was to accompany +Elsie, his heart beat high with hope. Dexie would be free from Lancy's +influence, and he hoped much from a few weeks of uninterrupted intercourse. +His passion for Dexie had grown as the weeks went by, and when the one +obstacle, Lancy, was removed, all would be well. His visits to the +Sherwoods were more frequent than ever, and he openly showed his preference +for Dexie's society. + +But Gussie had no other admirer just then, and she accepted the attentions +meant for her sister as if they were her own just due. This was so +exasperating to Hugh that, when Dexie turned away from him, he would take +his hat and leave abruptly. This strange behavior Gussie set down to +everything except the true cause, for she did not dream that Hugh's +affections had been transferred to her sister, for Dexie openly snubbed +him. + +But, when Hugh learned that Dexie was preparing to accompany the others, he +was almost beside himself with rage. He refused at first to believe it--the +idea was too preposterous! Well it was that the announcement was not made +to him before the assembled household, for his face revealed the fierce +conflict within, and he had quite as many objections to make as Gussie, +though they were not so openly and freely expressed. Chancing to meet Dexie +in the hall, after repeated efforts to catch her alone, his bitter +disappointment was so touchingly expressed that, for the first time, Dexie +felt a sort of pity for the man, though she could not understand the +intense feeling that seemed to possess him. + +"Promise me five minutes alone! only five minutes!" he begged, as Dexie +tried to pass him. "You will surely grant me that small favor before you +go! I must speak to you, Dexie, even if you refuse me a private interview." + +"I have no right to grant even 'five minutes' interview' to my sister's +lover," was the cool reply. "You can have nothing to say to me that might +not be said before the whole family." + +"Am I your sister's lover? You know better, Dexie! I have been blinded by +her pretty face, but my eyesight has returned to me. I want something more +than beauty in my future wife," and he tried to catch her hand. + +But Dexie was too quick for this movement, and she hotly replied: + +"And I hope you may get it! May she be blessed with a temper hot enough to +make even a Frenchman tire of dancing to the music of her tongue!" and with +this retort she flew past him, and the door slammed behind her. + +Hugh stood for a moment and gazed after her; then, turning on his heel, +pulled the ends of his long moustache into his mouth as he muttered to +himself: + +"Not so bad, my little girl! The hot temper is there fast enough, but it +won't make me dance, unless it will be for joy at getting the owner of it." + +This happened just the day before they started on their journey, and, +through the hours of that busy day, Dexie kept wondering what Hugh wished +to tell her. Should she see him and be done with it? No; for his earnest +looks and half-spoken words told all too plainly the nature of the +interview. Dexie never could explain, even to herself, why she disliked +Hugh so much; but his very presence seemed to raise up all the opposition +there was within her. To a stranger, he would have seemed more attractive +than Lancy Gurney. His figure had attained to manly proportions, and his +manner had a charm that was quite pleasing. His dark, handsome face and +brilliant black eyes seemed to tell of southern birth; and the heavy, +upward-curling moustache added much to his attractions. Dexie had looked +upon him with favorable eyes when she first came to Halifax. He had formed +a striking contrast to Gussie's fair beauty, but the memory of his handsome +face was far from pleasant as Dexie thought of the words he had spoken to +her in the hall. + +Yet Hugh succeeded after all, and the five minutes he asked for thrice +repeated themselves before Dexie could escape from his presence. + +The back of the house, or ell, which formed the kitchen, was a story less +in height than the main building, and its flat roof was often utilized by +both families as a drying-ground for small articles of clothing, and Dexie +had stepped out of the window that overlooked this roof to bring in some +forgotten articles that hung on the line. + +It had been very warm all day, and as Dexie stood a minute, enjoying the +cool breeze that blew in from the harbor, her figure was distinctly +outlined to observers from the rear of the house; but her presence might +have escaped notice, had she not been softly whistling some little song. + +Hugh had just returned from the depot, where he had taken the luggage which +was to accompany the young travellers in the morning, and his heart was +full of bitter feelings as he thought of his master's son filling the place +he coveted so dearly. + +As he passed into the yard, Dexie's soft whistle reached his ears. He was +too well acquainted with the sound not to recognize the source of it, and, +glancing up, he saw her there in the twilight, the breeze gently lifting +her wavy hair and fluttering the ribbons around her neck, as if +endeavoring to attract his attention. One glance was enough, and before +Dexie knew he had returned from the depot, she was startled by his +appearance beside her. + +She turned to enter the house, but Hugh had not gained this opportunity +merely to let it slip by, so he boldly stepped before her and shut the +window, and his exultant face was a strong contrast to the expression +depicted on Dexie's. + +They stood thus face to face for several moments, silently regarding each +other--Hugh flushed with triumph, his eyes glowing with a feeling of +victory; Dexie, her heart beating fast in her anger, white and defiant as +she regarded her audacious companion. + +It was Dexie who broke the silence. In a tone of the utmost contempt she +said, as she waved him aside: + +"Stand back out of my way and let me pass," and she moved towards the +window. + +"Not yet, Dexie, just hear me for a moment. I want to speak to you." + +"Not a word, sir, let me pass at once! How dare you keep me here against my +will!" + +His tone of entreaty changed to command. + +"Because it is my will that you shall hear me," and his face grew paler as +he spoke. "For once you shall listen to what I have to say. I can be silent +no longer." + +"Well, if you must unburden your mind, talk to the chimney there; it will +care quite as much for what you have to say as I. It is quite in keeping +with the estimate I had formed for you, to keep me here a prisoner on the +house-top. Stand aside at once and let me enter the house." + +"Dexie," he said more firmly, "I am not going to let you pass until I tell +you what I came here to say. Is it not enough that I am to lose the sight +of your bright face for such long, weary weeks, that I must be refused +these few moments--moments that I must perforce steal from you if I am to +get them at all? Do I need to tell you what a blank my life will be while +you are away; and not only a blank, but a fearful dream of blasted hopes +and weary longing? Oh, Dexie, take away some of the bitterness that your +absence will cause, by giving me, at least, the promise that you will not +forget me while you are away." + +"Not forget you, indeed!" she said in a rising voice. "I may forgive you +this insult, but you may be sure that I will do my best to forget you, just +as quickly as I can. I am not given to remembering unpleasant things." + +"Dexie, do not talk so bitterly; you do not mean it; say you do not, +Dexie?" he said, entreatingly. "You are vexed at being kept here against +your will; come, then, let us go inside and talk it over quietly," he +added, persuasively, and he reached for her hand. + +"But I _do_ mean every word of it," and she stepped back out of his reach, +"and if you do not wish to hear me express myself more plainly, I'd advise +you to open the window at once." + +"Hear me a moment, Dexie. I know you are prejudiced against me on account +of Gussie; but give me time to prove that I am in earnest when I say that +it is you that I love," and her hands were instantly imprisoned in his +strong clasp, "and I love you, Dexie, with the intense love that a strong +man feels for the one woman who is all the world to him, a love that is not +to be compared with the boyish feeling that Lancy Gurney has for you. Give +me some hope, Dexie, that sometime in the future, when you have rightly +considered the matter, you will look on me with a more kindly feeling in +your heart than you are willing to own to to-night." + +Dexie freed her hands by a great effort. His words had flowed like a +torrent from his lips, and she took a step back from him, as she replied, + +"Mr. McNeil, I will _never_ regard you in the light you are thinking of, so +all this talk is worse than folly." + +"Have I spoken too late?" he almost hissed. + +His eyes seemed to burn as he looked into her face. + +"Have you already promised yourself to Lancy? Tell me!" + +"I will not!" came the defiant answer. "You have no right to ask such a +question, and I will not answer it!" + +Her defiant air and scornful words angered him. He had buoyed himself up +with the hope that if he once declared his love she would be touched with +the declaration, and, if she did refuse him, would do it in a kindly way +that would bid him hope for better luck by and by; but to have his love +flung back in his teeth, as it were, was more than his passionate nature +could bear. + +"Oh! so you love him, do you, and spurn me. Tell me, is it so?" + +Again she stepped back from him as he was speaking, and was unaware how +very near she was to the edge of the roof; but Hugh observed it, and +thinking he could force a confession from her lips through fear, if by no +other means, he quickly grasped her arm, saying in a voice trembling with +passion: + +"Do you love him? Tell me, or I'll throw you over!" + +Dexie turned her head, and for one awful moment, as she realized her peril, +her face blanched to her very lips; but instead of the answer Hugh +expected, she raised her eyes to his, and he quailed beneath their terrible +glance, as she cried: + +"Throw me over then, you coward, for I'll never tell you!" + +An instant they stood thus face to face, on the very edge of the roof, when +Hugh's better nature asserted itself, and he quickly drew her back to +safety, exclaiming hoarsely: + +"Forgive me, Dexie, I never meant to do it, indeed I did not; I would not +harm a hair of your dear head for a thousand worlds!" + +He felt weak and small before the girl whom he had thought to bend to his +will, and made no effort now to keep her from entering the house, but +stepped to the window beside her and raised it, endeavoring all the while +to get a word of forgiveness from her close-shut lips. She never even +turned her head in his direction, but entered the house and into her own +room, and Hugh was obliged to descend with a more uncomfortable feeling in +his breast than he had felt there when he sought Dexie's presence on the +roof. "Baffled, after all," was his silent comment; "a coward, she called +me; yes, it was a cowardly thing to do, and I might have known she would +resent it. But how handsome she looked as she defied me on the very edge of +the roof! I believe she would not have opened her lips and answered that +question, even to save her life, after she had once refused to speak! But +I'll win her yet, and she will be doubly dear when conquered at last, my +brave Dexie!" and with feelings that were only intensified by this +interview, he returned to the yard to prepare the carriage for the drive to +the depot next morning. + +It was some satisfaction to be able to see that everything possible was +done for the comfort of his darling, though it was bitterness itself to +think of her going away under the escort of Lancy Gurney. + +When he re-entered the house, his unusual pallor was quickly noticed by +Mrs. Gurney, and she kindly asked: + +"Are you very tired, Hugh?" + +Without lifting his eyes, he replied: + +"No, not tired, but heart-sick." + +"What is it, Hugh? What is the trouble?" she asked, in her kind, motherly +tone. + +"Do not ask me, please! it is nothing that can be remedied, believe me," +and he raised his eyes a moment and met her inquiring gaze. + +"Well, my boy, you, like the rest of us, I suppose, have just so much pain +and trouble to bear in this world. Do not let it bear too heavily on your +young heart; all is for the best in the end, you know," and her hand was +laid on his shoulder with a sympathetic pressure, as she passed on. + +All for the best! when in all the hasty preparations that are of necessity +left till the last few hours before a journey, no one even thought of the +fierce heart-struggle that was his, or would have cared about it had they +known it! There seemed to be no kind word of remembrance for him, amidst +the bustle and confusion that reigned around him. He felt as if he stood +apart from those who, up to this time, seemed as near to him as kith and +kin. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +Both families were early astir the next morning, but the hour soon arrived +that the last "good-byes" must be said, and Mrs. Gurney had reason to be +thankful that Dexie was one of the party, otherwise it would have been +impossible to have started Elsie on her journey without seeming to be +harsh. As it was, Elsie clung to each of the family in turn, as if her +journey were to extend to the Cape of Good Hope, and the length of her stay +to be indefinite. She was lifted into the carriage at last, her hat pulled +back on her head, and her disordered apparel otherwise smoothed out by +Dexie, and Hugh was bidden by Mr. Gurney to "drive on quickly," amidst the +shrill choruses of "good-byes" from the little ones of the family who had +gathered on the steps to see them off. Seeing that Elsie still kept looking +back and waving her handkerchief in token of farewell, Mrs. Gurney drew the +children into the house, and then went away to her own room, where, for a +short time, she remained. When she appeared among them again, her face had +regained its usual calm and placid expression. She had left her burden with +the Great Burden-bearer, and though her heart would go after her daughter +in loving solicitude, she felt that Elsie was in safe-keeping, and so could +rest content. + +During the drive to the depot, Dexie was all life and animation. She plied +Lancy with questions which she gave little chance to answer, until she +succeeded in getting Elsie's attention turned to outward things, and as +they drove rapidly along the road, they began to speculate whether any of +the occupants of the cabs that were going in the same direction were to be +fellow-travellers. + +Hugh was unusually silent--perhaps it was just as well that he was--but the +rest of the party kept up such a stream of talk that his want of speech was +not remarked. + +His heart was too sore for speech, for Dexie's cold, indifferent look cut +deeper than she knew. He had not been able to get a word with her since the +unfortunate interview on the roof, but he felt that he _must_ have one +parting word, and he kept revolving in his mind what he could say that +would likely win for him one word of forgiveness for his unguarded words. + +But it was not easy to obtain even the smallest speech amidst the bustle +and distraction of the moving crowd at the depot. Lancy hurried the girls +into the car that they might have a choice of seats, then, leaving them +comfortably seated, he left the car to secure their tickets and checks. + +Had it not been for the fact that amidst the hurry of gathering up the +wraps, etc., from the carriage, they had forgotten that ever-welcome +addition to one's travelling paraphernalia, the lunch-basket, Hugh might +have been unable to get a word from Dexie beyond the curt "good-bye" that +she had already cut and dried, as it were, and ready to fling out the +window at him at the last moment. + +But Hugh's keen eyes observed the forgotten basket, that had been packed +with such care, and seizing it he entered the car, just as Lancy was +leaving it at the opposite door. + +Lancy had wisely chosen the centre seats as being the most comfortable, and +Dexie sat chatting gaily to Elsie lest the home-parting should again come +before her mental vision, when she saw Hugh enter the car. + +She had just time to compose her face into a look of solemn indifference, +when Hugh reached her side. + +"You forgot the lunch-basket, Elsie," he said, looking across at Dexie who +sat facing her. "You left it in the carriage." + +"Oh! so we did," said Elsie. "Whatever should we have done if you had not +seen it in time! Wasn't it lucky, Dexie, that he noticed it?" + +"Oh! I suppose so," was her indifferent reply, "but we could easily have +bought something when we felt hungry. I hope, Elsie, that you do not think +we are going into a wilderness where people live on grass roots!" and she +coolly leaned back in her seat, rearranged the pretty tie at her throat, +then pulled a book from the strap, as if ready for the perusal of it when +Hugh would be kind enough to relieve them of his presence. + +But Hugh was not to be dismissed by hints. Taking the seat by Elsie's side, +and opposite Dexie, he said: "Still, I am sure you would have felt sorry +to have forgotten it; you know it is the last home-cooking you will eat for +some time, Elsie." + +Whereupon Elsie's lip began to quiver, and a suspicion of moisture to +appear in her eyes; a word more of home matters would cause the drops to +fall into the handkerchief that Elsie was already pulling out of her +pocket, in readiness to catch the coming shower. Dexie could have boxed +Hugh's ears with a good grace, but she refrained. + +"Don't be a goose, Elsie," was her flattering remark. "Just as if no one +else in the country could make a decent cake but your Susan! Don't, for +goodness' sake, get sentimental over eatables just because Mr. McNeil +happens to be struck that way." + +The tears forgot to fall, the handkerchief was left in a crumpled heap, +hanging half out of her pocket; and as soon as the lump that was in her +throat could be disposed of, Elsie ventured meekly to remark that she "was +sure Lancy would be late if he did not hurry in." + +This recalled Hugh to the fact that unless he made good use of the few +remaining minutes, his words to Dexie would be left unsaid; and as Elsie +leaned out the window in hopes of seeing Lancy, he bent forward to Dexie, +saying in a low voice, + +"Say that you forgive me, Dexie, before you go. I was wild with pain at the +thought of you leaving me so long with nothing to hope for. I cannot let +you go without a word of forgiveness for my hasty words; you know I never +meant to do it, Dexie, for I would die to save you from harm." + +"Very kind of you, I am sure! but pray do not have any funeral on my +account. I feel quite capable of looking after myself, and I hope you will +not make it necessary for me to repeat this assertion in the future. Say no +more about forgiveness; the occurrence is too recent for that, but I will +try to forget it." + +"Dexie, do not speak so cruelly. How can I prove that I love you, and that +it was the thought of losing you that drove me to madness! You can't +believe that I meant to carry out my murderous threat--no! I cannot think +it, when my own heart aches with love and longing for you. If I write to +you, Dexie, and lay my heart open before you, surely you will believe me!" + +"Do not trouble yourself to write, Mr. McNeil," was the scornful reply. "If +you have any heart-trouble, you will find me a poor physician, for I have +not the slightest interest in your condition." + +"Dexie, are you going to leave me with no kinder remembrance of you than +those cruel words? I _must_ write, Dexie; say that you will answer my +letter," and a look of entreaty beamed from the dark eyes raised to her +face. + +"Couldn't think of it! I am going away to enjoy myself, and am not going to +bother writing to every Tom, Dick and Harry, so I'll have to _throw you +over_!" and a pair of defiant eyes met his gaze. + +Hugh's passionate nature was raised to the utmost, but he choked back the +words that rose to his lips, and giving her one long, earnest look, said in +a hoarse voice: + +"You repeat my words! May you never have a happy moment until you are as +sorry for saying them as I am!" and he rose and left the car, meeting Lancy +on the steps. + +"Well, Hugh, we are away at last," said Lancy, gaily. "Good-bye, old +fellow!" + +But Hugh merely raised his eyes and hurried past, and before Elsie knew he +had left the car she saw him driving furiously down the road, past cabs and +trucks, escaping collision as if by a miracle, and the speed never slacked +until he had covered more ground than was necessary to take him home. + +"What is the matter with Hugh?" said Lancy, as he seated himself beside his +sister. "I do think he might keep his temper occasionally. What has gone +wrong, now?" and he looked over at Dexie for his answer. + +"I fear I am the wicked person that has gone wrong and as his eloquence +prevailed not in turning me from my evil ways he feels heart-sick." + +"Heart-sick!" cried Elsie, in surprise; "that would not put him in a +temper, surely." + +"Love-sick, then," said Dexie, with a smile; "that might account for it." +"Well," said Elsie, in a tone of disgust, "he must be awfully in love with +your Gussie, if he can't leave her long enough to drive us to the depot +without pining for her," whereupon Dexie forgot her surroundings and burst +into such a rippling laugh that Lancy felt forced to join her. The +infection spread to their fellow-travellers, and caused a smile to pass +around, although the cause of the merriment was unknown beyond the little +group from which it started. + +"I fancy I can guess the cause of the trouble," said Lancy. "I daresay Hugh +found the parting painful. Am I right?" + +Just then the starting-signal sounded, and the train sped away across the +country, and our travellers settled down to whatever comfort there is to be +obtained in a railroad car. + +As soon as Lancy could get a word with Dexie, he asked her again what Hugh +had said to her, and she, willing to put his mind at ease, replied: + +"He wanted me to promise that I would answer a letter he wished to write to +me, and I gave him to understand that I wanted no correspondence with my +sister's lover, so we had a few words over it and then parted--_not_ +friends, I fear!" + +Lancy knew that Hugh was only waiting his opportunity to oust him from his +favored position, and it delighted him to hear Dexie speak of him in that +strain. + +"Thank you, Dexie; I guess Hugh can hear all he needs to know of you +second-hand." + +Dexie smiled, and she did not pull away her hand when, for a moment, Lancy +laid his own shapely one across it. Lancy was her good friend; why should +he not feel sure of it? And a warm pressure of the hand goes a great way +towards proving friendship, to say nothing of a stronger feeling. + +We must go back to Hugh, whom we left driving furiously along the road, his +heart full of bitter, angry feelings. He reproached Dexie for her cold, +heartless words, and himself for his ungovernable temper. He would give +worlds to recall those hasty words spoken on the roof, but it was too late; +he doubted if ever Dexie would forgive them. He felt that he could not +meet Mrs. Gurney's searching glance while in such a mood, so he kept on, +seeing nothing and hearing nothing of what was passing around him, his only +thought being to get away from human sight until the heat of the battle had +somewhat passed away. + +It was not until some hours later that he made his appearance at Mrs. +Gurney's. She was becoming quite anxious at his long absence, as she wished +to hear the latest news of Elsie. Even when Hugh did return, he lingered so +long in the stable that she had to send a message to him before he made his +appearance. + +He felt glad to find her alone in the room; he could not hide his feelings +from her, but others need not know of his weakness. + +"How did she keep up, Hugh? Is she all right?" + +"Elsie, you mean? Oh, yes. I think she is all right. She did not get a +chance to fret after she left the house." + +"But what detained you? I suppose you stayed to see them off, but the train +must have gone hours ago." + +"Yes, I know it, Mrs. Gurney; but I--I didn't stay to see them off--I +couldn't," he added, seeing her look of surprise. "I'm a fool, I suppose, +but I couldn't stand there and see her go away without giving me one kind +word, so I drove off down the road until I could hide my folly from others' +eyes. I have driven Bob pretty hard, I'm afraid, but I have rubbed him down +well, and he will be the first to recover from this day's work." + +He spoke bitterly, but openly, as any loved son might speak to a tender, +sympathizing mother, and he had found her all that during the long years he +had lived with them; and though her own son had gained, as he thought, the +one thing he longed for, he knew she would feel for his disappointment. + +"It is Dexie you mean. You do not like her to be going away with Lancy. Is +that it, Hugh?" + +"Yes, but that is not all. She has treated me so scornfully, while +Lancy--." He broke off abruptly, with a gesture that finished the sentence +for him. + +"But, Hugh, think a minute! Lancy's tastes are similar to her own. How can +she help showing the preference, when their very music seems to draw them +together? I would not have thought, Hugh, that you would be so willing to +give up Gussie as you seem to be. You are not trifling with both girls, I +hope, Hugh?" + +"No, indeed! You do not understand, and I cannot explain; but Gussie is not +what I thought her at first, and Dexie--well, she is so much more. It does +not make it easier to bear to know that I have placed a barrier between us +with my own hands. Oh, my temper! my hateful temper! it has done me more +harm during the last twenty-four hours than during all my life long," and +he laid his arms across the table and bent his head upon them. + +"Perhaps it is not so, after all; the last burst of temper always looks the +worst. Don't you think so, my boy? Forget it for a few moments, and tell me +about Elsie. Has she gone off in good spirits?" + +"Yes, I believe so, but to tell the truth I had no thought for anyone but +Dexie. Elsie will not get a chance to fret, I feel sure, but I wish Dexie +felt half as bad about leaving home as _she_ does. It would be a comfort to +think about." + +"I am quite surprised, Hugh! Surely you can see that Dexie's feelings for +you are far from encouraging, and how can you think that two such +firebrands--yes, you must excuse the term, if you do not like it, but it +suits you both--do you think you two _could_ be happy together? Have you +thought of this matter seriously, Hugh? I am afraid not. Yet one should +study well the character of the one whom we would choose to walk with along +life's road. We all know something of Dexie's temper, for she has not tried +to hide even her worst faults from us. With your own high temper, Hugh, it +would be a great risk to link your life with hers. There is nothing so +beautiful and complete as a happy married life, but there can be nothing so +unutterably miserable as an unhappy marriage." + +"Well, it may be as you say, and Dexie may not be suitable in some ways for +me, but I can never care for anyone else as I care for her. If I could only +win her, I would make her so happy that there would never be any cause for +her to get angry with me." + +But the memory of the words he had spoken on the roof a few short hours +before stung him at this moment, and sharply reminded him of his inability +to control himself as her lover. Would he be more likely to govern himself +as her husband? + +Seeing that Mrs. Gurney was regarding him closely, he hastily rose to his +feet, saying: + +"You are right, Mrs. Gurney, as you always are. I should not succeed in +controlling my temper in the future any better than I have done in the +past. I will try to overcome this foolishness. I love Dexie Sherwood too +well to wish to bring one moment of sorrow into her life." + +He left the room and sought his own chamber, and during the hour he sat +there in silence he fancied he had buried forever every thought of tender +regard for Dexie Sherwood. He even imagined that he could look with favor +on Lancy, or anyone else, who would make her as happy as she deserved to +be. + +His magnanimous feelings were even puffed up to that degree that he was +mentally witnessing her marriage ceremony, with Lancy as chief actor, when +the sound of the dinner-bell recalled him to his senses. Yet, when he sat +down to the table and beheld Lancy's empty seat, he ground his heel into +the rug under the table, as if it were his enemy, for the thought occurred +that Lancy, at this present moment, might be bending over the head so +precious to him, or whispering words in her ears which he never wished her +to hear, unless spoken by himself. Truly he did not know himself, and as +the nature of his thoughts occurred to him he almost despised himself for +his weakness. Surely he needed another grave than that he had dug while in +the privacy of his own room; a grave that would keep entombed that which he +wished to put forever out of his memory! It was only by bringing up to his +mind his own imperfections that he could keep Dexie out of his thoughts. + +But as days went by, and other matters of importance intervened, he was +kept so busy, mentally as well as bodily, that his love was put back out of +sight; he felt her absence less keenly, and his love for Dexie was thought +of as a thing of the past. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +We must now return to the young travellers, whom we left in the car, +expecting to reach their destination by nightfall. In this they were +disappointed, for when the train was within a few miles of Truro it came to +a sudden standstill, throwing some of the passengers out of their seats, +but seriously injuring no one. + +"Something wrong with the engine!" was the explanation, when heads were +thrust from the windows to inquire the cause of the trouble. + +This explanation was received with due submission by those accustomed to +railway travelling, but Elsie, her nerves unstrung by other causes, sat +crying hysterically, and would give no heed to Lancy's repeated declaration +that nothing serious was the matter. + +"We will be detained here for a while, Elsie, but that is all," he added. + +Elsie, though, seemed unable to control her sobs, and Dexie began to feel +anxious, for these crying fits invariably brought on a nervous headache, +and when at last the train started, Elsie was hardly in a fit state to +continue the journey. + +Under the circumstances Lancy deemed it best to stop over at Truro until +the next trip of the Island boat. This would give Elsie time to recover, +and they would have an opportunity to see something of the pretty town they +had heard so highly praised. + +Elsie felt relieved at this decision. She was unused to travelling, and +found the short journey tiresome in the extreme; indeed her throbbing +temples called imperatively for quietness and rest. + +The train steamed into the dark, tunnel-like depot, and stepping out on the +platform, they found, after some difficulty, the little room that was +designated "The Waiting-Room," where Lancy left the girls to inquire for +hotel accommodations. + +While in semi-darkness they waited his return, Dexie tried to ascertain if +there was not a pleasanter outlook than could be obtained from the door, +but the one dust-encrusted window gave a dim and indistinct view from that +quarter. + +As if in answer to their wishes, Lancy speedily returned, and as they +gathered up their wraps Dexie asked: + +"Do you know why they call this room the 'waiting-room,' Lancy? Give a +guess." + +"Can't! I give it up," giving a glance around him. + +"Well, I'll just tell you. This room has been 'waiting' for years for +someone to clean it, and that is how it has earned its name. Even the rusty +old stove has taken on the look of dejection that seems to haunt the +place." + +Lancy was beginning to think that the little town had been very much +overpraised, as unfortunately the worst-looking part of it was situated +near the depot, and he felt disappointed and vexed that they had not been +able to continue their journey. His annoyance was increased when he learned +that there had been an excursion to the town the day before, crowding the +hotels, which had not yet recovered from the effects of the many +disturbances that had taken place inside their doors. + +It was a new experience to the girls, this seeking a temporary home at a +public hotel, and the unpleasant features of hotel life, to which older +travellers shut their eyes, were to them unbearable. + +Entering the parlor of the hotel to which he had been directed, Lancy told +the girls to be seated while he saw the proprietor; but the expression on +the faces of both girls gave Lancy some uneasy feelings, and Dexie's +uplifted nose told the cause of her disapproval. + +"It will be no use for you to engage rooms here, Lancy," said she, "for if +all smells like this we won't stay." + +"Well, I will just order a lunch, and we can decide about rooms later on." + +This was found to have been a wise precaution, as the disgusting fumes of +stale tobacco-smoke and liquor, seemed to pervade every corner. + +"It's no use being too particular, girls," said Lancy, as they rose from +the table, and re-entered the parlor, "we will not be here but a day or +two, you know." + +"Well, but surely we can find some other place to stay in while we are +here. We don't want to appear at Mrs. Fremont's with our clothes smelling +like a bar-room!" said Dexie, rather sharply. + +"Well, no doubt the next hotel will suit us better," and a few minutes +later they entered its door. + +But it was quite evident, even to Lancy, that they had not bettered their +condition by going farther. The house had probably been very popular the +day before, and there was an air of confusion about the place that added +its unpleasantness to the atmosphere that must be breathed by those that +sought the hospitality of the house. Elsie looked timidly around the parlor +as she entered, as if expecting to see the ghosts of those who had offered +up so much incense; but the room was vacant, all having departed, leaving +behind a disagreeable reminder of their presence. + +"We are just as badly off as ever," Elsie whispered timidly to Dexie. "It +is not very much better, is it, Dexie?" + +"No, I should say not. The very curtains are full of it. How can people +bear it! Tobacco-smoke and rum! Do let us get out of here, Lancy, before +anyone comes in!" + +"Hush, Dexie! Someone will hear you." + +"No danger! but do let us run before they see us here." + +"But we must stay somewhere, Dexie," said Lancy. "What shall we do?" + +Dexie felt provoked at their unpleasant position, and she replied in no +gentle tone. + +"Do! Well, I think if nothing better is to be obtained in the town, we will +do as some of our ancient ancestors have done before us, we will 'lodge +without, in the streets,'" and gathering up the wraps she walked out of the +house, closely followed by Elsie, and more uncertainly by Lancy. + +The case was becoming serious, but it had its ludicrous side as well, which +reached its height when Dexie stood on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. +Throwing the wraps over her left arm, she raised her right hand high toward +heaven, and exclaimed in dramatic tones: + + "Tell me, ye wingčd winds, that round my pathway roam, + Is there no hotel in Truro where the landlord sells no rum?" + +And the answer came, not from the winds she had apostrophized, but from an +open window that she had not observed; and the answer was: + +"Fair lady, there is none." + +"There! I told you that someone would hear you, Dexie," said Lancy, vexed, +yet amused at her behavior. + +But Dexie stood as if unable to move, and gazed at the open window in +astonishment. + +But the owner of the voice now appeared at the door, and Dexie drew a sigh +of relief as she saw what a good-natured, smiling face it was that looked +into her own. He never belonged to that house, she felt sure, though it was +nothing to his credit to be lounging inside its doors. However, it was not +likely he would consider her remarks as personal, so she slowly regained +her composure. + +With a profound bow, the gentleman at the window said: + +"There are no hotels such as you speak of in the town, but there are +several private boarding-houses where travellers can be made comfortable. +May I have the pleasure of directing you to one?" This to Lancy. + +"If it would not be too much trouble, we would be very much obliged," and +Lancy's natural state of mind slowly returned. + +"Oh! no trouble at all," said the affable stranger; then turning to Dexie +he relieved her of her armful of wraps, with a simple "Allow me, please," +and started away with Lancy, who was carrying the so far unused +lunch-basket, leaving the girls to follow at their own pace. + +"Oh, Dexie! weren't you startled when that man spoke from the window?" said +Elsie. "I thought I should faint away with fright." + +"It is a good thing that you thought better of it, then, for they would +have carried you right back into the hotel, and there would have been no +escaping after that." + +"Where do you suppose he will take us?" Elsie asked as they turned a +corner. + +"Couldn't say," was the unconcerned reply; "but as the place looks nicer +the farther we go, there is no need to be alarmed. I hope we will be +fortunate enough to secure lodgings on this pretty, tree-shaded street, for +flower-gardens are as thick as houses. Oh, see! he is going into that house +with the nice lawn in front of it." + +A moment later they stepped through the gate that Lancy held open for +them, while their new friend went briskly up the walk and entered the house +in a manner that showed he was quite familiar with the place. + +He had told Lancy as they walked along that he could recommend the house +where he boarded, and as he gave such a good account of the place, Lancy +determined to seek accommodation there. + +"But there is one thing I must tell you," said the smiling stranger. "Mrs. +Morris is pretty sharp of tongue, and may make very strict inquiries as to +who was your grandmother, and what calling your great-grandfather followed, +before she will allow you to engage rooms. But do not mind it. I fancy you +can satisfy her on those points. She is as clean as a new pin and an +excellent cook--two good recommendations, you will allow." + +"Well, I hope my ancestors will please her, for my sister is much in need +of rest. Is her husband of the same turn of mind as herself?" Lancy +smilingly asked. + +"She is a widow, as is also her sister, who lives with her. It is the +latter who owns the place, but it is the younger and sharper one who keeps +it in running order. But here we are. I'll go ahead and prepare the way for +you," and he left Lancy to follow with the girls. + +As they appeared at the door, Mrs. Morris was just coming towards it, +saying in no gentle tone: + +"Don't you know any better, sir, than to rush into the house like that, +leaving all the doors wide open behind you! Do you suppose people will want +rooms here if they are swarming with flies?" + +"On my honor, madam, there were only two that ventured through the door! I +counted them!" was the positive reply. + +"Come in quickly, sir," to Lancy; "and you women--girls, I mean," taking a +second look, and shutting the door the moment they were inside of it. "You +want rooms and board," she added sharply, looking them well over. "And how +comes it that young people like you are travelling around without your +parents? Not running away, are you?" + +"Oh, no, madam!" replied Lancy, keeping a straight face by a great effort. +"We were on our way to Charlottetown, but the train was delayed by an +accident, so we thought we would stay over in Truro and wait for the next +boat." + +"Didn't get hurt by the accident, did you? for this ain't no hospital, no +way; only a plain boarding house for respectable people." + +"We are not hurt in the least, madam, but we are very tired, and hope you +will allow us to stay here for a day or two," Lancy hastened to explain, +for her many objections began to alarm him. + +"You come from Halifax, do you? Bad place that. Thieves and robbers thrive +there, I'm told. How long have you lived there?" + +This was addressed to Dexie, but she dared not open her mouth to answer +lest she should laugh outright; and Elsie, fearing she might make some +unfortunate speech that would send them to the right-about, hastened to +reply: "For some years, ma'am; we used to live in England before we moved +to Halifax." + +"Oh! English, are you? I was afraid you were Irish. You resemble some I +have seen. What trade does your father work at?" + +"He has a store on Granville Street; but do let us stay here, please," +Elsie replied, fearing that this catechising would result disastrously. + +"Well, you seem proper enough. I guess you can stay." Then turning suddenly +around to where their guide stood, biting his moustache, "This is Mr. +Maxwell." + +The two girls bowed, and Mr. Maxwell replied: "And I believe this +gentleman's name is Gurney. Mr. Gurney, Mrs. Morris." + +And Lancy, not to be outdone by all this formality, added: "Allow me to +introduce my sister, Miss Gurney, and her friend, Miss Sherwood." + +"What! you are not sisters! I thought you were, though you don't look it, +sure enough," said Mrs. Morris. + +"I hope it don't matter, Mrs. Morris," said Dexie, who actually thought the +woman might refuse to keep her. "We are very dear friends, Miss Gurney and +I, and will gladly occupy the one room while we are here." + +"Very well. Step into the parlor. I will bring my sister to see you," and +she disappeared in a twinkling, but returned a few moments later in a +quiet, dignified manner with her sister, saying: + +"These young people want to stay here a few days. Shall we keep them?" + +"Why, to be sure, Matilda. Take off your hats, my dears; you look warm. So +you are only going to make a short visit, my sister tells me." + +"Yes; we are going on to Charlottetown in a day or two," Dexie replied. + +"Perhaps you would like to go to your room at once? Matilda, let them have +the pink room; it will be the most pleasant. I will try and entertain the +young man while they are gone," said Mrs. Gleason, whose manner was as +quiet and pleasant as her sister's was sharp and abrupt. + +But Maxwell had decided to see to the young man himself--long enough, at +least, to find out something about his companion; so, as soon as Mrs. +Morris left the room, he turned to the good-natured sister, saying: + +"Let me take him to my room for awhile, Mrs. Gleason; then you will not be +bothered with either of us," and, reading permission in her smiling face, +he led the way upstairs. + +The room Maxwell occupied was really worth visiting, and it told at a +glance the character of the owner. Its walls were decorated with articles +that would not have been allowed inside the doors had Mrs. Morris beheld +them in time to utter a protest, for she was as timid about some things as +she was sharp in others. For instance, there was a fine breech-loading +rifle, dear to the heart of Maxwell, that hung on the wall above a brace of +handsome revolvers. These were the cause of constant terror and alarm to +Mrs. Morris, for she never entered the room without a look of fear in their +direction. She fully expected them to "blaze away at her," notwithstanding +the fact that Maxwell had repeatedly assured her that they were not loaded. + +Then there were several stuffed animals that had been deprived of life by +these very weapons, and Maxwell had their forms preserved in as natural an +attitude as possible. While these added to the adornment of the room, they +likewise served to increase Mrs. Morris' terror, and she could not get +over the idea that they might "jump at her, for they always looked just +ready to do it." + +These, among other things, gave Mrs. Morris a particular aversion to the +owner of the articles, for it was no trifling thing to keep this room well +dusted and in proper order, with one's body in a quiver of fright all the +time, not knowing from what direction she might be assailed. + +But the treasure that took Lancy's eyes directly he entered the room was +the display of fishing-rods that hung on the opposite wall, and he stepped +up at once to examine them. + +"That is a fine rod you have there," he remarked to Maxwell. + +"Yes, rather; fishing is my favorite sport. I have caught a five-pounder +with this light one," and in the discussion of flies, reels, etc., they +were fast forgetting that they were utter strangers but two short hours +ago. + +Presently Maxwell asked, as if it had just occurred to him: + +"Who is this young friend of yours, this Miss Sherwood? She is very +amusing; quite an original, is she not?" + +"Well, she is something different from the average young lady, if that is +what you mean. She is an American." + +"Ah! I thought as much; and your _sister's_ particular friend, is she?" +giving a sly look at Lancy. + +"Yes," not heeding the look, but aware of the hint conveyed in the words. +"My sister's health is not good, and Miss Sherwood accompanies her to +Charlottetown, as she was not willing to go alone. They have been very +intimate ever since Miss Sherwood moved to Halifax. I am sure they are both +well pleased that we did not stay at the hotel, seeing that through your +kindness we have secured such comfortable quarters here." + +"Don't mention it! that appeal to the winds would have moved the hardest +heart. I guess she got a start when I spoke from the window. Ha, ha! I +fancy I see her yet. She would make a fine actress." + +"You had better not make that remark to the lady in question. She would not +consider it a compliment, I can tell you," said Lancy. + +"No? Then what sort of a speech would your Miss Sherwood call +complimentary?" + +"Better try and find out for yourself," said Lancy, smiling. "It has been +too hard a thing for me to discover for myself to give it away." + +A few minutes later, hearing the voices of the young ladies in conversation +with Mrs. Gleason downstairs, the young men joined them. + +But the entrance of the gentlemen seemed to put a bridle on the tongues of +the little party, for Dexie was not slow in perceiving that Maxwell was +trying to quiz her, and it was very hard to withstand the good-humored +banter of this young gentleman. She stood the teasing as long as she +thought necessary, then her ready tongue made Maxwell confess that for once +he had met his match, and the laughable occurrence of their first meeting +was allowed to drop. Dexie was well aware that her snubbing was not +relished, for Maxwell sat regarding her silently as she conversed in low +tones to Elsie, pulling at his moustache with a restless movement that was +quite annoying, if he only knew it. + +Why is it that gentlemen who possess this ornamental appendage to their +upper lip persist in using it so unkindly? You see it at all times and in +all places, at home by their own fireside, in church, when the sermon is +supposed to be occupying their attention, on the streets, in fact +everywhere you will see the moustache undergoing torture at the hands of +its possessor. Some merely smooth it out, or daintily curl the ends of it, +if it happens to be long enough; some lick at it, like an animal at a lump +of salt: some chew it savagely, till you wonder there is a hair of it left; +in fact it is badly misused by the majority of men, for few leave it to +serve its legitimate purpose. + +After tea, at Mr. Maxwell's suggestion, the party went out for a walk. They +strolled up and down the principal streets until twilight was almost over, +and their first impression of the place was happily dispelled. They were +willing to accord the same praise to the town as did others who had visited +it. Cleanliness and thrift seemed the characteristics of the majority of +the inhabitants, and the beautiful grounds and gardens that surrounded +most of the houses spoke well for the taste of the owners. + +When the time came for them to continue their journey, more than one member +of the family regretted their departure, for their presence had quite +brightened the household, and Dexie had won the approval of Mrs. Morris +herself by her quick movements and practical remarks, and for the decided +manner that refused all attentions from Maxwell. + +"If you ever pass this way again you must come and see us," said Mrs. +Morris at parting, "and if any of your friends ever visit the town we will +be happy to accommodate them." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Morris," said Dexie; "I will not forget it. We could +hardly advise anyone to make an extended stay in your pretty town if they +were obliged to patronize your hotels," looking up with a smile at Mr. +Maxwell, who was waiting to accompany them to the depot. + +"I am afraid our hotels have given you a poor opinion of the place, Miss +Sherwood," said Mr. Maxwell, as he fingered his moustache; "but you must +remember that they are not intended for fastidious young ladies, but for +the accommodation of the general travelling public." + +"Then it does not speak well for the tastes of the 'general travelling +public,'" replied Dexie, as they turned towards the depot, "and it is a +pity that the one blot on your pretty town is just where it falls under the +notice of strangers who enter it by the railway." + +Years after, when Dexie made her next visit to the town, she was surprised +to see the change that had taken place in the vicinity of the railway +station. The gloomy, dingy depot had given place to one that was light, +airy and commodious, and the unsightly buildings in the neighborhood were +replaced by better and worthier structures. + +The hotels she had so justly condemned were either obliterated or so +improved upon as to be unrecognizable; and if the objectionable bar-rooms +were not suppressed, public opinion had caused them to be placed in a more +obscure corner of the building, and the respectable stranger was no longer +insulted by their immediate presence. But of this more anon. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The rest of the journey was made without mishap, and when the travellers +arrived at the wharf at Charlottetown, they found Mrs. Fremont waiting to +receive them, Lancy having informed her by telegraph of their detention. + +Mrs. Fremont's residence was situated in the suburbs of the city, amidst a +park-like grove that gave it a very English look in Lancy's eyes. The house +was large and roomy, and furnished in a solid, comfortable style, that +would make modern parlors look frivolous in comparison. + +Dexie had no fault to find with her reception, for the whole party were so +warmly welcomed that they felt "at home" at once. Mrs. Fremont's two +daughters proved very pleasant companions. Beatrice, the eldest, was of a +gentle, quiet disposition, and her very presence held in check her +frolicsome younger sister; for Gertrude, who was fat, fair and seventeen, +saw too much of the bright side of life to be anything else than +good-natured and jolly, and finding her counterpart in Dexie Sherwood the +days flew by on gladsome wings. + +An enjoyable garden party was held a few days after the young people +arrived, and by that means they became acquainted with a number of the +young people in the city, and Elsie forgot her shyness in the pleasant +bustle that made the days pass so swiftly. The daily drives in the low, +comfortable carriage soon began to tell favorably on her health, and she +did not find it at all hard to enter into the amusements planned for her +benefit; but among all the pleasures that were attainable, one alone stood +out above all others, one that neither Elsie nor Dexie ever cared to miss, +and that was--to go marketing. + +Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, the country people for miles around +drove into Charlottetown, bringing with them whatever farm produce they had +to dispose of. Great carts bearing vegetables, eggs, butter, berries and +"garden truck" beyond mentioning, might be seen wending their way along the +roads leading to the city in the early mornings on market days, and the +products of the field, garden, poultry yard, etc., were offered for sale +in and around the large market-house that was situated in the centre of the +city. Here the people of the city came by hundreds to purchase whatever +fancy dictated or needs demanded, making a scene that was worth coming far +to see. + +To educate her daughters into the difficult part of household management, +Mrs. Fremont had given over to them the task of buying the supplies for the +family. A sum, ample for a week, was given them, and at the end of the week +the accounts were made up under the mother's supervision. If the daughters +had planned wisely there was always a surplus, which was added to their +pocket-money. + +When Dexie learned of this, and realized the responsibility which these +young girls took upon themselves as a part of their education, she was +anxious to acquire the same accomplishment, and it became quite amusing to +hear the prices of different articles discussed in such business-like +tones, for Dexie and Elsie were often drawn into these discussions before +they were aware of it. + +In consequence of this, when market days came round, there was quite an +important air about the four young ladies who drove towards the +market-house, and there seemed to be a good deal of fun as well as business +going on, if one might judge by their eager, happy faces, and the way the +task was often unnecessarily prolonged. + +One evening, when a party of young people were visiting at Mrs. Fremont's, +a remark was made that brought about a discussion of a sect which are known +in Prince Edward Island as McDonaldites or "Jerkers;" and after a +description of the remarkable character of their meetings, there was much +curiosity raised concerning them. + +"You ought not to go home without attending a meeting, Mr. Gurney," said +Mr. Holbrook, "for I do not think the like is to be seen anywhere else in +the world. One visit is generally enough to satisfy most people, but to +those who have good nerves one visit only whets the curiosity. For my part, +I like to go and watch them whenever I find the opportunity." + +"Well, I went once," said Gertrude Fremont, "and that was quite enough for +me, and I do not call myself nervous or timid either. Still I would not +have missed seeing them _once_ for anything, but that experience is enough +to last me a lifetime." + +"I used to think that the people exaggerated when talking about the actions +of the Jerkers," said Beatrice, "but I had to believe my own eyesight; it +certainly is a very strange thing." + +"I wonder if it is anything like what the slaves down South used to be +affected with," said Dexie. "I have heard my grandma tell of prayer +meetings in the negro quarters, where some of the slaves would act in the +same way you describe, but I suppose it is not the same thing except in +name. I should like very much to attend a meeting." + +After much persuasion, Mrs. Fremont consented to allow the young people +under her charge to attend a meeting of this peculiar sect, under the +escort of Mr. Holbrook, but the consent was given reluctantly. + +"I quite understand the curiosity you have to witness such a mode of +worship," she said, smiling kindly at Dexie, "but I fear the result for +Elsie. I am afraid it would quite unnerve her." + +"But if she is the least frightened she need not stay in the church to +watch them," said Lancy, who was eager to visit a McDonaldite church. "It +must be a wonderful sight indeed, if the people go through such contortions +as Mr. Holbrook speaks of." + +A few days later the little party drove off in the comfortable covered +carriage on a visit to Uigg. As they crossed the river to Southport they +found several other carriages going in the same direction, so they followed +on, journeying by the beautiful Vernon River road towards their +destination. + +There was but one thing that marred the enjoyment of the drive to Elsie, +and that was that the day was Sunday; but her conscientious scruples were +overpowered by those who voted that it was "no harm, surely, to drive to +church on Sunday." + +But Elsie felt that they were not going to church for a worthy motive, but +only as sightseers, and, judging by the accounts they had heard, a visit +to a McDonaldite or Jerkers' church was similar to going to a play or +circus. Still her scruples were not strong enough to allow Lancy and Dexie +to go without her, but the beautiful scenery through which they passed had +for her no charm, for she felt, for the first time in her life, that she +was a Sabbath-breaker. + +Dexie had no such pangs of conscience, but enjoyed the drive to the utmost, +and Elsie's oft-repeated remark that they "ought not to have come" found no +response in the hearts of the rest. Happily for Elsie, a Sunday feeling +soon possessed her, for Dexie, in the fulness of her heart, could not be +silent, and as ordinary talk seemed out of place in the Sabbath stillness, +she began to sing. + +Elsie's voice soon joined the rest, and the sound of harmony rolled along +with the carriage, and before they reached the church of the Jerkers, Elsie +felt more at ease with herself and her surroundings. + +It seems passing strange that while the Shakers, Quakers and other peculiar +sects have all come in for a share of newspaper discussion, this most +peculiar sect called McDonaldites, or Jerkers, have escaped the pen of the +reporter. This may be due to the fact that, during the life of the great +McDonald, Prince Edward Island was considered by travellers to be rather an +out-of-the-way place and not worth visiting. But year by year the army of +tourists is increasing, as the Garden of the St. Lawrence becomes better +known, and a visit to a McDonaldite church may yet be one of the sights in +store for my reader, for it is doubtful if such a sight can be witnessed in +any other civilized community. + +McDonald, the leader of the sect, has been dead many years. He was a man of +powerful physique, and his mind must have corresponded to his large and +vigorous body, for the power or influence which he had over his followers +was something extraordinary, if not alarming. As his presence was not +necessary to set the members of his Church in motion, and the "jerks" are +kept up even to the present day, there may be some other explanation for +the singular behavior of his followers; but the memory of their leader is +held in reverence, and by many the "jerks" are still attributed to his +power. + +The writer has attended but one meeting where the great McDonald presided, +and, being then young in years, the dress, or rather the undress, of the +man was itself awe-inspiring. It was something unusual to see a man in the +pulpit with his coat and vest laid aside and his shirt open, laying bare +his brawny neck. The man himself was enough to create fear, but when the +activity of the members began, discretion seemed the better part of valor, +and we escaped without ceremony. It would be impossible to convey to the +reader an idea of the awful excitement that always prevailed among his +followers, when under the direct leadership of McDonald himself. Even the +attempt to do so would be called exaggerated and untrue; but after +witnessing through the open window the surprising actions of the +congregation, we turned away, feeling that the half _could_ not be told, +for words would fail to portray the scene. The reader must be content with +a meagre description of a visit to the church made many years after the +death of the leader, when the excitement was less intense, to which meeting +Lancy Gurney and his party are hastening. + +There are several churches of this sect in different parts of the Island, +but the principal church is in a country place called Uigg. The yearly +sacrament is held at this church, and on these occasions the multitudes of +worshippers who come from a long distance to attend this ceremony are +almost doubled by the number of sightseers who flock to witness the sight. +At such times the adjacent fences are lined with vehicles of every +description, giving the place the appearance of a fair or horse market. +These yearly meetings cannot begin to compare with those held during the +lifetime of the leader, but those who never witnessed a meeting conducted +by the Rev. Mr. McDonald could scarcely believe they were ever more +startling than those held in later years. + +With this digression we will return to our young travellers, who, having +secured their horse under the sheltering trees by the roadside, and +fortified their courage by doing justice to the lunch Mrs. Fremont had +prepared for them, now entered the crowded church and stood among the +number of observers in the aisle. + +The inside of the edifice had an unfinished look, and the arrangement of +the seats was uncommon, but to most people the seats themselves formed a +most unusual sight, for they were all without backs, the reason of which +soon became apparent. + +The meeting had commenced, and the minister was preaching, but it must be +confessed that there was little heed given to his words, for the attention +of the people was attracted to the centre of the church, where a number of +people were already under the peculiar influence; but our little party, +being at a distance, watched the proceedings with a feeling of safety, yet +not unmixed with fear and dread. + +Presently a young girl about seventeen or twenty, who sat in a seat quite +near, began to be affected, and all eyes were turned in her direction. She +was dressed in what was probably called in her neighborhood the "height of +style." On her head was a saucer-like bonnet of the "gypsy style," covered +with large artificial flowers, which drooped over a chignon of such +remarkable dimensions that it must have required a multitude of hairpins to +keep it together; but her bonnet helped to keep it in place, as strings of +ribbon were placed at the back, then brought forward under her chin in a +flaring knot. + +The peculiar actions of these people are well named "the jerks." In this +instance the hands seemed to be the first part affected; a slight twitching +was soon followed by a quicker movement, then her feet jerked about as if +she were dancing a jig; a moment more and she flung her arms around wildly, +while her head began to shake in quick time to the movements of the hands +and feet. This soon loosened her chignon, the ingredients of which flew in +as many directions, and her hair swept wildly about her face. Her bonnet +fell at the back of her neck, but being held by the strings it bobbed up +and down her back like an animated nosegay. She accompanied her movements +with shrieks and screams that were better suited to a madhouse than a place +of worship, and when exhausted nature finally succumbed, she fell back +against those seated behind, who, very good-naturedly, it must be +confessed, for she weighed more than a trifle, helped her to regain her +senses and her seat. When she was able to sit up, her neighbors on either +side handed back the articles of wearing apparel and pieces of headgear +that she had scattered about, and the girl made a fresh toilet, as well as +the limited stock of hairpins allowed. + +A number of other cases equally startling were taking place in different +parts of the church, and the backless seats were explained. It certainly +was less dangerous for the "jerkers" to throw themselves back into the laps +of those behind them than against the hard back of a seat. But the feelings +of those who received the form of the exhausted enthusiast we do not +profess to explain. It is probable, however, that those in the near +vicinity of one who had the "jerks" would prepare themselves for the +backward throw that so many execute at the last moment of their paroxysm. +But to those who looked on, it seemed like a game of "give-and-take," as if +each did not know what moment he might be under the same obligation to +someone else. + +While standing in the aisle Dexie passed her arm around Elsie's waist, lest +they should be separated in the crowd. Dexie had become so engrossed in +watching the worshippers that she had forgotten how the sight might affect +her friend, but glancing into her face she saw that this was no place for +one of Elsie's temperament. But the aisles were blocked; they seemed +standing in a vice, with no power to move front or backwards. The +_enthusiasm_ seemed increasing every moment, and as almost every seat held +an active member, the excitement in the church was appalling. + +One young girl, quite near where Dexie stood, sprang to her feet with a +shriek that caused Elsie to scream with fright, and Dexie bade her hide her +face from the sight. But Elsie felt she must watch what was going on or +else scream again, so great was her terror. The sight was indeed alarming, +for the girl beat the air with her hands while she jumped up and down, +until her movements appeared actually dangerous to those near her. Her head +was thrown backward and forward with such violence and rapidity that it +seemed a marvel how she escaped dislocation, and her whole body was in +violent motion. At last she fell to the floor with a final shriek, where +she struggled about for several minutes, much to the alarm of those in her +immediate vicinity. + +On all sides shrieks and cries mingled with the quick movements of those +who had the "jerks," and Elsie could bear it no longer. + +"Take me out, Dexie; I can't stay here another minute!" she cried. + +Lancy was some distance away, but he pressed to her side, regardless of the +bruised toes and sides he left behind him, and lifting Elsie in his arms +pressed to the door, with Dexie closely following. They hurried away to +where the noise of the worshippers was not quite so audible, and by degrees +Elsie grew quiet and calm. Leaving them seated on the grass by the +roadside, Lancy re-entered the church, the strange doings having a certain +fascination which he could neither explain nor resist. + +In a short time Elsie recovered sufficiently to walk around, but curiosity +drew her again to the church, and they watched through the windows the +peculiar actions of the people. But the excitement had now somewhat +subsided, and Elsie urged that they enter the church again. Dexie was +afraid of the effect which another such scene might have upon her friend, +so she tried to persuade Elsie to stay and watch at a safe distance. Elsie +felt sure she would not be alarmed again, so they entered the church and +obtained a seat that had just been made vacant. + +A few minutes later, the movements of an old woman attracted notice. They +had watched her as she entered the church a short time before, and had +pitied the poor, feeble creature, as she dragged herself up the aisle by +the aid of a pair of crutches; but all pity left Dexie's heart as she saw +the crippled creature thump the floor with her crutches, and bring them +together over her head with a crash that rivalled the noise made by many of +the hard-handed sons of toil, who had taken the "jerks" during the service. + +"What makes them do it, Dexie?" said Elsie, in a whisper. "'And there was +in the synagogue many people possessed of the devil;' that is the only +solution of the mystery that I can see," was the reply. + +"Oh, Dexie! do you really think that is what ails them? How awful!" + +"'And there was one woman among them who had seven devils,' and that is she +with the crutches, I think. Are you afraid? Shall we go out, Elsie?" + +"It does scare me, but I cannot help looking at them," was the answer. + +But the "jerks" now spread from one to the other, until pandemonium let +loose could not be much more alarming. Elsie turned white with fear, but it +was impossible to get out at the moment, as the aisles were blocked by +terrified sightseers, their screams of fright mingling with the shrieks of +those who had the "jerks." It is safe to say that no madhouse ever held a +more excited crowd. + +At this moment a heavy woman, who sat on the same seat that held Dexie and +Elsie, began to be affected, and as the seats were only supported at each +end, this one began to spring up and down, setting all those who were upon +it in motion. + +The two girls were on their feet in an instant, feeling for one awful +moment that they were taking the "jerks" themselves; but finding the floor +steady under her feet, Dexie soon regained her composure, and endeavored to +quiet Elsie, who was now sobbing without restraint. + +Out of this they must get at any hazard, and, drawing Elsie after her, she +crossed to the door by stepping on the knees of the people who intervened, +giving no thought to the outraged feelings of those she had used as +stepping-stones to freedom. + +As they reached the doorstep, they saw Mr. Holbrook at a distance, and were +soon at his side. + +"How soon can we get away from this awful place?" Dexie hurriedly asked. + +"Well, I do not know, Miss Sherwood. Are you in a hurry to go?" + +"Yes, that I am; I have had enough of this kind of worship, and Elsie must +not go near the church again. Where is Lancy?" + +"I believe he is inside the church; I saw him there a short time ago. He is +much interested, I believe. I hope, Miss Gurney, that these excitable +people have not seriously alarmed you." + +"Oh, I don't want to see them any more!" cried Elsie. "I wish we could find +Lancy, so we could start for Charlottetown." + +"Do you know, I believe he wants you to stay overnight at some place near, +so that he can stay to the evening service. Could you agree to that plan, +do you think?" he asked. + +"Certainly; if the place we have to stay is a good piece away from this +church, out of sight and hearing of these people," replied Dexie, feeling +that a drive back to town would be very tiresome after the exciting day +they had spent. + +"Well, suppose we start now? The drive will do you good," said Mr. +Holbrook, as he turned towards their carriage; and as he led the horse on +the road, he proposed that they start for Montague Bridge at once, +describing it as a pretty hamlet about two miles from the church. + +"But if Lancy should come and find the carriage gone, he would be anxious," +said Dexie. + +"Oh! I'll pin a note to the tree, so if he comes here it will explain our +absence; but I will be back before the service is ended; and I fancy he +will not leave the church till then. You are quite sure you have no +objections to leaving him behind you, Miss Gurney?" he asked. + +"Oh, no! But are you quite sure you can get us a nice place to stay? I +suppose you know the place around here very well," she added. + +"Yes, indeed; I have spent my life on the Island, Miss Gurney, and I know +my fellow Islanders pretty well. I will leave you quite comfortable, never +fear." + +They were soon driving along at a rapid pace, and Dexie hoped that the +scene in the church had passed from Elsie's mind, till her question to Mr. +Holbrook proved the contrary. "Do tell us, Mr. Holbrook, what _is_ it +makes those people act so? Is it the talk of the minister that does it? I'm +sure I could only hear a word now and then, though his lips kept moving +even when the noise was the worst." + +"That is a hard question to answer, Miss Gurney," was the reply. "Some say +it is the Heavenly Spirit working within them; others think the spirit is +not of a heavenly origin; others, again, say they are getting relief from +the bondage of sin." + +"Well, if that is the way they show their relief, I think it would be +better to stay in bondage," said Dexie. "I wonder if it can be the same +craze that used to affect the colored people down South. Grandma's people +kept slaves, and I have heard of such actions amongst them, but if I ever +heard the explanation of them I have completely forgotten it. Still one +would hardly think that a superstitious negro craze would affect the +clear-headed Scotch people in the same manner. It is a mystery to me how +they live through it." + +Mr. Holbrook laid back his head and laughed. + +"But they are human, like other people, Mr. Holbrook," she urged; "and how +is it that they do not hurt themselves? There was a man with a shock of red +hair, sitting near the chimney, who took the 'jerks.' I daresay you noticed +him. Now, unless his head is made of something different than ours, it must +be smashed in on one side, for he struck the chimney with such rapidity and +force that it sounded quite sickening from where we sat. Really, I should +not have been surprised had he fallen dead to the floor." + +"I daresay he never felt it," said Mr. Holbrook, smiling. "I do not believe +that any of them know what they are about when they take the 'jerks,' or +else some of the women are very careless of appearances." + +"Oh! well, don't let us talk about them any more," said Elsie. "Papa often +says that everyone has a right to his own belief, and these people seem to +believe _something_, and they really _must_ believe it without merely +saying so, as so many of us do, or else they could not act out their belief +in such a dreadful manner; but whatever their belief is, it must be +awful!" + +In a short time they entered the village, which was situated on both sides +of a river, connected by the bridge that gave the place its name. Mr. +Holbrook drove at once to a house where he knew the girls would have every +attention, and the pleasant face of the woman who welcomed them at the door +seemed to speak of rest and security to be found beneath her roof. + +With a few words of explanation Mr. Holbrook left them, promising to be +back in good season with Lancy. He then returned with all speed to the +church of the McDonalds, where he found the energetic members still in +active motion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +"What a relief to find ourselves safe and quiet once more!" said Elsie, as +she leaned back in her chair with a sigh of content. "I did not know I was +so tired." + +"A visit to the McDonaldite church is apt to fatigue both body and mind," +said their hostess, Mrs. Gardner. "It does not seem right, does it, for +people to leave their own church to witness such doings?" she added +seriously. There was a mild rebuke in her words, and Elsie remembered with +a pang that it was Sunday. She had given little thought to the fact during +the last few hours. + +"No, I am sure it can't be right, Mrs. Gardner," said Elsie, "but we were +so interested when we heard about these 'Jerkers' that we wished to see +them before we went home." + +"Then you do not belong on the Island. Where is your home, my dears?" she +asked, as she stepped briskly about preparing the tea. + +"We are from Halifax," Dexie answered. + +"And is it possible that you are the daughter of Mr. Sherwood, who buys +horses on the Island? Why, we know him well. He always stays here when he +comes this way. Well, well; many's the time he has told us about his twin +girls, but I never expected to see one of them here. Are you the beauty or +the singer?" she smilingly asked. + +"Now, Mrs. Gardner," said Dexie, laughing, "I am sure you can see for +yourself that I am not the beauty." + +"Then you are the singer; but your looks will do very well. Uncommon beauty +is often a snare to its possessor, and the ability to sing God's praises is +worth far more. Are you too tired to do so to-night?" + +Dexie looked up with a question in her eyes, and Mrs. Gardner added, + +"There is a service in our meeting-house to-night. Would you like to attend +it with me?" turning to Elsie. + +"Yes, indeed; I would love to go. The day will not seem all lost if we +spend a short time of it properly. But do tell us, Mrs. Gardner, what makes +those people take the 'jerks'? It seems such a queer kind of religion." + +"My dear, I have lived in these parts for more than twelve years, and I am +acquainted with several families of McDonaldites, but I never yet learned +why they take the 'jerks,' or what they signify, but I know that there are +many good religious people belonging to the sect." + +"But they might be good people on _account_ of their religion or in _spite_ +of it," said Dexie. + +Mrs. Gardner looked over at Dexie with a serious face. + +"I wonder if you can repeat the first verse of the first Psalm. Try it, my +dear," she said. + +"I do not think I can say it word for word, Mrs. Gardner," said Dexie, +presently; "but it is something like this, 'Blessed is the person who never +goes where he knows he ought not to be, and who never sits down in the seat +of the scornful.' Thank you, Mrs. Gardner, I see the application," she +added, smiling. "I fear I have been on that seat to-day, and I have no +right to be scornful when I am such a heathen myself. Yet I never attend an +impressive service that I do not wish I were a good member of that +particular church, no matter what denomination it happens to be. But +to-day, although I have witnessed the most impressive service of my life, I +never wished I was a good McDonaldite; no, not once. Now, you needn't +laugh, Elsie, for you know yourself I can jump around just as lively as +most people, and I am sure I could go through some of the most surprising +movements if I tried, but I never once felt the least desire to emulate the +members of that church, so I conclude that I have not been benefited by +attending that wonderful gathering; yet I have always thought that any +religious service that does not inspire you with a desire to join heart and +soul in it, is a miserable failure. I am afraid if I had to choose between +the two, I would rather be a dancing dervish than a McDonaldite. However, +perhaps if I understood the doctrines of each I might choose the other way. +But that brings me back to the beginning again, and makes me wonder how it +is that no one seems to really know why they take the 'jerks,'" turning to +Mrs. Gardner. + +"Well, since none of us _do_ know, let us try to forget about them for the +rest of the evening," said she. "It is a comfort to know that there is a +religion which the simplest can understand, and a service in which we can +all unite without committing any impropriety." + +A few preparations followed, and they were soon on their way to the +Methodist chapel, where the reverential feeling that always filled Elsie's +heart when inside a place of worship was not now wanting, as it had been +while inside the church of the McDonalds, and she followed the example of +Mrs. Gardner and bowed her head in silent prayer. + +The service was opened by singing a hymn--one of those good old-fashioned, +heartfelt songs that are dear to the hearts of all Christian people, +whatever may be their Church or creed--and a feeling of strong emotion +filled Dexie's heart as it rolled from the throats of the people around +her, then her own clear, full notes rose above the assembled voices. + +The minister lifted his eyes, and rested them a moment on the owner of the +voice; but, thinking that he supposed she was just singing for effect, +Dexie remained silent while the next verse was sung. A look of +disappointment was reflected on the faces of those around her; but Dexie +was not prepared for the pointed rebuke that was given as the minister read +out the next verse. + +"When the Lord gives a good voice, He expects the owner to use it for His +glory; so let all sing who can sing, and do not be afraid to praise God in +His own house." + +Dexie felt that the words were directed to her, and wisely obeyed, fearing +a more open command might be given her from the pulpit, and she detected +the nod of approval that was given as she lifted her eyes to the preacher. + +When the service was over, Mrs. Gardner introduced her young charges to +those near her, and as the minister came down among his congregation he was +presented to the strangers also. + +A few pleasant words followed the introduction; then, drawing Dexie aside, +he said: + +"I felt sorry to have to reprove you before the whole congregation, seeing +that you were a stranger here; but after showing us that you _could_ sing, +it was very wrong and unkind to be silent. You know, the verse says, 'Let +those refuse to sing who never knew our Lord,' and I would be sorry to +place you on the left hand when you are so well able to sing God's +praises." + +Dexie did not know whether to be amused, hurt or vexed. The words uttered +were words of rebuke, but the odd manner in which they were said and the +humorous twinkle in the minister's eyes did not well agree. He waited a +moment for her answer, still holding her hand and looking down into her +face with a serio-comic expression quite unlike a clergyman, until Dexie +answered, in a low tone, + +"I will remember what you said, and will always sing when I can, though I +should not like to be spoken to right out in church very often." + +"That's right," said Mr. Barkly. "I am glad to know that I have made an +impression on one of my congregation, at least, and that your sin of +omission will not be repeated. There is nothing like a personal remark to +bring people to a sense of their shortcomings; so let this be a warning to +you, Miss Sherwood," and he walked down the aisle at her side. "I hope, +Miss Sherwood," he added, "that your stay amongst us will allow us the +privilege of hearing your voice again. With a good preacher and a fine +singer as inducements, we ought to bring out a large congregation, eh?" + +Dexie looked up quickly, but the ministerial air could not hide the rich +vein of humor in the man, and she smilingly replied, + +"I should not like to be reproved before a larger audience than was here +this evening, Mr. Barkly, and I might unintentionally do something that +would bring it upon me; so I think the preacher must depend on himself, as +we expect to return to Charlottetown to-morrow." + +A few parting words, and the group separated, and Dexie found herself by +Elsie's side, walking towards their temporary home. + +As they were very tired, they decided not to await Lancy's arrival, so at +an early hour they asked to be shown to their room, and its spotless purity +spoke well for the housekeeper. + +"However shall we get into that bed, Dexie?" said Elsie, as the footsteps +of Mrs. Gardner were no longer audible. + +"That is just what I was wondering myself," and Dexie stood regarding the +high, old-fashioned four-poster. "Do you suppose they use a step-ladder, or +jump into it from the table? Why," lifting up the counterpane and sheets, +"it's just a mountain of feathers; we must spring into it from this chair." +A little later her smothered laughter camp from its depths, and the laugh +was repeated when Elsie sank beside her. + +When they came downstairs next morning they found Lancy waiting for them, +and a few minutes later Mr. Holbrook put in an appearance, making a merry +little party as they sat round the cosy breakfast table. + +At the earnest solicitation of Mrs. Gardner, they consented to stay a few +days longer at Montague Bridge, and visit the places of interest in the +vicinity. + +"I will leave the horse and carriage, and return to town with a friend, and +report to Mrs. Fremont," said Mr. Holbrook, "so you can drive around the +country here; and when you are ready for home just follow the telegraph +poles, and you'll not miss your road. You have made a good thing of it by +visiting Montague Bridge." + +A few days later the new friends they had made were left behind, and they +were again in sight of Charlottetown. + +When they arrived at Mrs. Fremont's they were received with delight, as +there had been a picnic planned, and they were waiting the return of the +little party from Montague, in order to announce the day. + +After the pleasant bustle of preparation had resulted in hampers of +delicacies, a lively procession of vehicles, filled with happy people, +started for Stanhope Bay, a lovely spot on the north shore of the Island. + +The high sandbanks that here border the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence +were a source of wonder and amusement to those of the party who were +strangers to the place, but woe to the one who stepped unwittingly near the +edge of the bank! for the yielding sand gave no foothold, and an awkward +slide down the face of the bank was always the result. But the shore below +was as firm and smooth as a sanded floor, and soon every member of the +party had thrown dignity aside and let themselves down through the warm dry +sand to the beach, where they sought for treasures of the deep in the shape +of pretty shells and other sea beauties, that were thrown up by the mighty +waves that here dash on the shore in thundering tones when tempests rule +the waters of the Gulf. + +It was only when a sense of hunger brought to mind the full baskets +awaiting them in the grove at the top of the bank, that they turned their +backs on the restless waves, and essayed to climb the steep sandbanks. + +But a complete knowledge of mountain-climbing was of little use here; it +was each one for himself in the scramble for the top, for there could be +little help given either in front or rear. + +A mad rush up the bank, at an angle that offered some slight foothold, +brought Dexie, hot and panting, to the top, and she turned to give a word +of instruction to Elsie, who was trying to climb the steep face of the bank +only to find that she slipped back almost as fast as she ascended. + +"Go back to the bottom, Elsie, and make a run for that bunch of grass where +I came up; you will never get up there; watch Gertrude Fremont. Now, Elsie, +run for it!" + +After a few minutes' hard climbing, Elsie reached the top, and the next few +minutes were spent in shaking their skirts, and emptying their shoes from +the accumulation of sand that filled every crevice. A smooth spot was then +found to do duty as a table, and the snowy cloths were spread, when the +contents of the heavy baskets revealed themselves, and all the delights of +a picnic in the woods were present in abundance. + +Even the long-legged spiders, who invariably invite themselves to such +gatherings, and persist in walking over and around the various viands, were +here represented by members of the family who seemed to be great +grandfathers of their tribe, judging by their size; and the dexterity shown +by some of the young gentlemen in picking up these wandering vagrants and +sending them back into oblivion, called forth much praise from the female +portion of the party. + +After a day of delightful enjoyment, the hour arrived for them to return +home, and having so much less to pack up than there was at starting, they +were soon on the journey homeward. + +Before the picnickers separated, there was a driving party arranged to go +to Rustico Beach, Brackly Point or Cove Head, for another day's outing, and +the day was set for the drive. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + +The next morning, when the mail was opened, Dexie received a letter from +home, in which, beside the commonplace news, there were pages devoted to a +startling and amusing announcement. + +"Just think," Gussie wrote, "there is a man at the Gurney's who has come +all the way from Australia to find Hugh, and to tell him about the fortune +left him by his father. It amounts to a very large sum, and will make Hugh +one of the wealthiest men in the Province, so, of course, he is now quite a +different person in my eyes than when he was a mere clerk. Unfortunately +for me, he is not so agreeable and friendly as he used to be, and he does +not come in to see me nearly so often as formerly, but I manage to meet him +frequently, and treat him with so much favor that I am quite sure I will +have no difficulty in securing him. I have been teasing mamma to buy me +some more new dresses, for I feel quite shabby now that there is a prospect +of possessing so much wealth. I am sure we will be a fine-looking couple, +for Hugh looks particularly handsome lately, but rich men always look well +in the eyes of a young lady. If you are asked to stay for a long visit, I +would advise you to do so, as it is much more convenient for me to have you +away just now." + +Dexie smiled at this, but turned over the page and read on: "I shall send +you word as soon as I am engaged, for then I shall want your help on my +trousseau. As you are visiting among fashionable people, I wish you would +keep in mind whatever dressy garments you see that would suit my style. +Hugh wished to be remembered to you, and was anxious to know when you would +return, but I do not see that your movements concern him." + +There were more pages in the same strain, and Dexie smiled at the many +things Gussie had disclosed without being aware of it. She could read +between the lines, and the reason of Hugh's inquiries on her behalf were +not hard to guess. But Dexie knew it would be a great disappointment to +Gussie if she failed in her schemes, and she was willing enough to prolong +her visit if it favored Gussie's future prospects, but she knew that Hugh's +pocket-book was far dearer to Gussie than Hugh himself. + +Lancy had received a letter also, and Hugh's unexpected good fortune was +told at length. Hugh's father had not died during the journey to the +Australian gold diggings, as had been reported, but he had changed his +name, and so was lost sight of, until he had accumulated the fortune that +now fell to his son. Lancy wondered if Hugh's better prospects would have +any influence on Dexie; he knew well that Hugh would use his money as a +stepping-stone to Dexie's favor. Perhaps Dexie surmised what was going on +in his mind, for she passed him her letter with permission to read it. +After they retired from the breakfast room, they discussed the news +together. Lancy felt ashamed to think he could not feel as pleased about it +as he ought, and Dexie listened with heightened color as he told his fear +of being set aside for Hugh. + +"Lancy, you must remember I am free to do as I like with my future," she +said, with flushed cheeks, "for I have not given you the least word of a +promise; but let me tell you once and for all, that Hugh cannot buy my +favor, and he has not been able to obtain it by coaxing, or brute force +either." + +"Dexie, what do you mean?" was the quick reply. "What has he said or done +that you speak like this?" + +"Let us go to the summer-house, Lancy, and I think I can satisfy your mind +on one point, and that is, if I fail to appreciate your attentions as you +think they deserve, you need not lay the blame on Hugh McNeil," and, +standing under the shadow of the swinging vines, Dexie related the +substance of the interview on the kitchen roof the evening before they left +Halifax. + +"The scoundrel! and he dared to threaten you, and was actually going to +throw you from the roof! Why did you not tell me, Dexie, and I would have +horsewhipped him if it had cost me my life!" And he dug his heel into the +gravel, as if he had his enemy beneath it. + +"Don't, Lancy; it is all over, so try to forget it. I know that Hugh felt +sorry for his burst of temper the moment after, but he could not unsay the +words, and I would not forgive them--that is why he felt so badly when we +parted on the train. I did not intend to tell you of it, Lancy; so do not +look so vexed." + +"Oh! if I only could lay my hands on him, I would pay him for his impudence +and brutality! but, Dexie, were you not very frightened?" and he clasped +her hands in his own, and looked earnestly into her face. + +"For the moment, when I turned my head and saw the stones beneath me, I was +almost sick with fear, but I think my temper saved my life just then, for I +turned on him and dared him! Oh! I could have torn him limb from limb, I +was that angry! I broke the commandment a dozen times as I stood there +before him--I mean the one that says 'Thou shalt do no murder.' I killed +him in my heart, I mean. However, I feel real pleased to hear of his good +fortune, so I think I must have repented; but I'm not quite sure," she +laughingly added. + +"My brave Dexie! that is no easy matter to forgive!" said Lancy earnestly. + +"Oh, well! I am going to forgive everything, and be as amiable as possible +to my future brother-in-law. You see, Gussie has claimed him already. Now, +you must keep this to yourself, Lancy, or I will never tell you anything +again; but you see how foolish it is to hold up Hugh as my possible lover. +Are you satisfied now?" + +"No, not quite, Dexie, but if you will tell me what you refused to tell +Hugh, then I will be," and he drew nearer her side. + +"Then I guess you can remain unsatisfied, Sir Launcelot, for I will not +confess to a feeling I am not sure of possessing." + +"But you will confess that no one else holds the first place--that you love +no one else? You will tell me that much, surely, Dexie?" and he tried to +read the answer in her dark eyes. + +"Well, yes, Lancy. I can safely concede that much without committing +myself, but you need not begin to build air castles on that!" + +A step sounded on the gravel walk, and Elsie's head appeared through the +swinging vines at the door. + +"Here I have been searching for you for half an hour! Whatever have you two +been doing here, all by yourselves? Not love-making, surely; but your face +looks guilty, Dexie," and she looked keenly at her brother, to see what his +earnest tones might have meant. + +"Well! you little Paul Pry! we were love-making and love-breaking, both. +You came just in time to hear that my engagement to Lancy is--not a settled +thing," and she laughed at the surprise in Elsie's eyes. "So please unsay +what you told Mrs. Fremont in the parlor last evening. But what are your +wishes, Miss Gurney?" + +Elsie returned her bow with great formality and replied "Miss Beatrice +Fremont sends her compliments, and will Mr. Gurney be kind enough to drive +us to the market this morning, as Miss Gertrude is otherwise engaged." + +"With pleasure, but such dignity ill becomes your youthful brow, sister +mine. Did mother tell you the news about Hugh?" + +"No! She said you would tell me the news your letter contained." + +"Well, just think! Hugh's father has been alive for years, long enough to +lay by a big fortune for Hugh. But he took a fever and died, just when he +was almost ready to return to England. He managed to get a trusty man to +see after his business, who has arrived in Halifax, and Hugh is rich enough +to buy us all out if he wants to. Mother says he has made no plans for the +future yet, but frequently asks when we are expected home, though why he is +anxious about us, I can't see." + +Something caused him to glance at Dexie, and the peculiar smile on her face +made Lancy understand at once the reason of the frequent inquiries. Hugh +did not care to make plans for the future until Dexie had returned, when +her acceptance or refusal of his suit would have something to do with his +future plans. But after hearing Dexie's story, Hugh's anxiety on their +account did not trouble him further. + +As they walked towards the house, Elsie expressed a hope "that Hugh and +Gussie would soon get married, and would give them a good party to +celebrate the event," and Dexie heartily seconded her wish. + +But even Hugh's good fortune was set aside, for this was market day, and on +no account would they miss the drive to the crowded mart. They were soon +speeding along the level road, past cartloads of farm products of every +kind, which were slowly making their way towards the same goal. While +Beatrice was making her purchases the two girls wandered about to view the +busy scene, but they soon became aware that the attention of a +broad-shouldered countryman was directed to themselves. Dexie wondered +where she had seen the man before, as his face looked familiar, but her +memory was refreshed by the outspoken and hearty greeting that met her +ears. + +"Bless yer bonnie face! If this aren't Mr. Sherrud's dochter, I'm mista'en! +What! dinna ye ken the auld farmer McDonald, that was seein' ye in Halifax? +Oh, I thocht ye'd ken me! An' whan did ye come owre?" and her hand was +grasped and given a hearty shake as she tried to answer his many questions, +for the pleasure of the meeting was easily read in the open countenance +before her. + +"Weel, weel! but it's pleased I am to hae met ye the day, an' is yer +faither as smart as ever?" and seeing him glance towards Elsie she +remembered herself and introduced her friend. + +"She is our next-door neighbor in Halifax," Dexie explained. + +"An' ye are both owre for a visit? Weel, weel, an' ye never telt me ye were +comin' at a', at a'. But whaur are ye stayin', if I may ask?" + +"At Mrs. Fremont's. I am here at Miss Gurney's invitation, and her friends +have been very kind to me. We have been here a little more than three +weeks." + +"An' ye never sent me word! If I had kent ye were here, I wad hae sent doon +for ye afore." + +"You are very kind, indeed, Mr. McDonald, but I am here with friends this +time, and I am afraid I cannot leave them." + +"Hoot, noo! ye needna leave them; there's room at the farm for ye a'. Hoo +mony is there besides this ane?" + +"One young man." + +And catching sight of Lancy, a short distance away, she called his name and +he stepped at once to her side. + +"This is Mr. Gurney, a brother to my friend here." + +"Ay, ay; I remember him," greeting Lancy heartily. "An' hoo dae ye like the +look o' the Islan'?" + +"Very much, indeed!" Lancy replied. "It is a fine place, and we have been +enjoying ourselves immensely." + +"But ye haena been up oor way yet! If I'd only kent ye were here I wad hae +had ye up afore this," he repeated. + +"Thank you kindly, Mr. McDonald, but we could hardly impose on your +good-nature as far as that." + +"Impose, is't? Ma dear sir, it's prood an' happy we wad be to hae ye come +to see us. You maun gie me yer promise to come afore ye gang back to +Halifax. The gran'mother wad be sair hurt at no seein' ye. Whan could ye +come, noo?" turning to Dexie. + +Just then Beatrice Fremont came towards them, and her smile of recognition +told Dexie that the farmer was well known to her. + +"I did not know you were acquainted with my friends, Mr. McDonald," and she +extended her hand. + +"I ken her faither weel, an' I met the dochter whan I was abroad," he +replied with a smile, "but I never expected to meet ony Halifax folk the +day. It's her faither that did me the kindness whan I was in Halifax that +I'll never forget, an' it's weel pleased I am to meet them. Is't at your +place they are staying, Miss Fremont?" + +"Yes," replied Beatrice, smiling, "but I think I heard you trying to coax +them away from us, Mr. McDonald." + +He looked up into the bright face and replied: + +"Ay, I want to show them that I dinna forget their kindness to me whan I +was a stranger in a strange land, an' no wishin' to rob ye o' yer visitors +at a', I was tryin' to hae them say whan they wad come up to the farm, for +it's masel' that'll come efter them, whanever they say the word." + +"You need not be afraid to accept the invitation, girls," said Beatrice, as +the farmer turned to say a few words to Lancy. "Your presence would cause +no trouble; they are always so glad to have visitors that it is a pleasure +to go. I spent several weeks there last summer, and I know they would all +be glad to see you." + +"It is well enough for Dexie to go," said Elsie, "but it would be very rude +for me to go on such short acquaintance." + +"There, Elsie, I stand condemned. Behold me, a visitor at Mrs. Fremont's, +and we never knew of each other's existence before the visit was planned," +said Dexie. + +"But this is different, Dexie," Elsie hurried to explain. + +"The difference is in your favor, Elsie." + +"I think I can promise that they will be as glad to see you both at the +farm as we were to have you here, and you know your being no relation does +not matter to us." + +"Well, I would dearly love to go," Dexie said. "It will be such a chance to +see that part of the country, and by the way papa speaks of the McDonald +homestead we would like it very much." + +"Then you cannot do better than spend a few days at the seaside with him. +There is a fine beach near, and chances for sea-bathing and all the rest of +the delights of a seaside farm. If you like, Gertrude will go with you and +stay for the first day or two." + +"Is there a beach and sandhills like Stanhope Bay?" Dexie asked. + +"Yes, only better, I think; and they have boats and go fishing sometimes. I +am sure you would enjoy yourselves." + +Lancy had been talking to Mr. McDonald during this conversation, but he now +turned to them, saying: + +"What do you say, girls, to accepting this kind invitation? Shall we go in +a body?" + +"They would all like to go, Mr. McDonald, but they are afraid they will +crowd you," said Beatrice, smiling; "but I know so much better than that, +that I am going to send Gertrude along with them. You will give her +house-room, I know." + +"Hoose-room, is't; there's plenty o' that; but hoo shune can ye a' come +up?" he anxiously inquired. + +"Well, not till next week, Mr. McDonald. We have planned to go for a picnic +to Brackly Point, but you can tell the girls at home to look out for them +next Wednesday; you need not take the trouble to come in for them, Mr. +McDonald; I know how busy you are on the farm, and Gertrude knows the road. +You must not let them run wild," she laughingly said, "but keep them well +in order. But I must hurry home or I shall not be in time to give cook +these vegetables for dinner. You must call in and see us on your way out of +town, Mr. McDonald," and promising to do so he walked with them to where +the carriage was waiting, and they drove home discussing the proposed visit +as they went. Dexie then explained how she became acquainted with the +farmer, and gave them a short account of the troubles he had experienced +while visiting Nova Scotia. + +"He shows to better advantage when he is at home on his own farm," said +Beatrice. "He told us how he fell among thieves when he was in Halifax, and +how a kind gentleman befriended him, but I did not expect I would ever know +any of the family that he praised so highly when he told us the story. He +supplies us with winter vegetables, and we are quite friendly, I assure +you." + +"How strange things do happen! I never expected to set eyes on the man +again, and here we are planning to visit his home. A chain of +circumstances, linked together, stretches a long way, even though the links +are small and insignificant in themselves." + +"Yes; it would have been a great disappointment to him had you refused his +invitation. He loves to have visitors in the house. I can speak from +experience, for I have been there with Gertrude. I expect Mr. McDonald did +not impress you favorably when he was in Halifax, but in his own place you +will not find a finer man anywhere." + +"I can well believe it, but--oh! Beatrice, what is that?" + +As they turned a corner they came upon a man standing in the centre of the +street ringing a bell which he held in his hand, and instantly the doors +and windows in the neighborhood were peopled, and pedestrians within +earshot all stopped at the sound. + +"Oh! who is it? What is he saying?" cried the girls. + +"Listen," and she checked the horse. "It is old Hatch, the town-crier; +something is lost." + +The bell stopped, and in a loud voice the man read from a paper: + +"Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Lost, lost! On market square, a tin box, containing +papers. The finder will be rewarded by leaving it with the city marshal at +the court-house. Oh, yes! Oh, yes!" + +The bell rang again at the conclusion of the proclamation, and the man +hurried on to the next street-crossing, where the loss was again set forth, +his voice coming back in waves of sound as the carriage rolled farther +away. + +"The 'town-crier,'--that means a crier hired by the town, does it?" said +Lancy. "I thought there was not such a thing this side the Atlantic. Why do +not people advertise their losses?" + +"That is the way they do it," said Beatrice, smiling, "and it pays better, +particularly on market days, than to put it in all the city papers. It is +the quickest way to make a loss known, or to advertise a sale, for +everybody listens to old Hatch, or Mr. Hatch, I should say. It is very +old-fashioned to have a town-crier, I suppose, but we should miss him very +much, though I daresay the office will die with the present crier." + +"I think it is an old English custom," said Lancy. "I have read of criers +going through the streets to announce great events, such as battles and +other public matters, but I thought they were out of date long ago." + +The events of the morning were duly discussed with Mrs. Fremont when they +arrived at the house, and she assured them that no thought of inconvenience +need cause them to shrink from accepting Mr. McDonald's invitation. Their +visit would bring pleasure to all the members of the family. + +"You will not find the family rude and rough, as some country people are. +The girls are bright and intelligent, though full of fun and frolic," she +added. "You will be sure to enjoy yourselves, and should there come a rainy +day you will find plenty to amuse you in their quaint though comfortable +farmhouse." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + +The same comfortable carriage that carried them to Montague Bridge was now +travelling in an opposite direction, and the young strangers viewed with +pleasure the luxuriant fields that surrounded the many farmhouses, and +which promise such abundant harvest to their owners. The drive proved a +very delightful one indeed. In consequence of the many stoppings they made +to regale themselves with the sweet wild berries that grew in abundance by +the roadside, the afternoon was drawing to a close when the little party +reached the McDonald farmhouse. + +The hardy pioneer who had first settled on the land that was owned and +tilled by his descendants, must have selected the site on which he built +his first log-house with an eye to the picturesque and beautiful, for no +other spot for miles around had such a far reaching and delightful +prospect. As time went by, and the land gave forth its increase, the +log-house was supplemented by a more pretentious structure, that was "built +on," the original apartments serving for kitchens, outhouses and other +necessary buildings; and as this process of erection went on at later +periods, the farmhouse was large and many sided, and possessed many +conveniences that farmers are apt to consider unnecessary. But the honest +pride that the present owner had in the well-tilled acres extended to the +buildings upon it, and neatness and thrift were everywhere present. No +hingeless gates propped with sticks met the eye; no broken-down doors were +to be seen on his barns; a master hand ruled the land, and his rule brought +prosperity and happiness. + +The inmates of the farmhouse were such as you would expect to find amidst +such surroundings--active and intelligent, and not wholly given up to the +pursuit of the things which perish with the using, for the young people, at +least, found time for intellectual pleasures that would have been +considered in some farmhouses a wilful waste of time and means. + +The family consisted of two young girls well up in their teens; Tom, a +lively boy of twelve, and Dora, a plump little miss of six; and coming +after these, in her own estimation, was the mother, a model of neatness and +good-nature, a fine dairy woman, whose interests were, of course, centred +in her cows and poultry yard, and she was generally found somewhere near +the vicinity of her particular treasures. + +Then there was Phebe, the strong-armed. A very important member of the +family was she, as you would soon learn if you made any stay in the +farmhouse. She it was who solved problems by the aid of washboard and +scrubbing-brush, and the tempting meals she sent out of the kitchen would +have delighted the heart of an epicure. But to see Phebe at her best, one +should be at the farm during the busy haying season. It was her pride and +delight to be considered "as good as any man," and she could "pitch a load" +with a dexterity that even the two farm hands could not equal. These latter +were brothers, and lived in a snug cottage a few rods away, said cottage +being kept, like everything else on the farm, as "neat as a new pin," by +Joe's wife, a brisk little woman, whose head scarcely reached to her +husband's shoulder. + +Another inmate of the farmhouse should have a paragraph all to herself, for +"the grandmother" cannot be described in one brief line. Although she had +long since passed the allotted span of life, yet age had not dimmed the +lustre of her keen grey eyes nor dulled her faculties; and though she could +no longer take an active part in the management of the household, yet from +her corner in the pleasant room a potent spell reached out and overshadowed +the members of the household. No crowned monarch on his throne ever ruled +over such deferential and loyal subjects as those that here yielded to her +benign sway. Not that she required it of them--it was graciously accorded +her as to the patriarchs of old, and she seemed to belong to a holier age. +Her soft white hair fell over her brow, and was drawn back under a large +white frilled cap that surrounded her head like a halo, and the placid +countenance that beamed beneath it inspired a feeling of reverence. She was +called by all the household "the grandmother," and was dearly loved by them +all; but the filial love of her son was far above that usually accorded to +aged mothers, and it was easy to see how it warmed her heart. + +Such was the household into which our young travellers were ushered about +five o'clock on a beautiful summer day. + +Mr. McDonald had been watching for their appearance for some hours, and his +hearty greetings were repeated by the rest of the family. The farmer's +daughters, Maggie and Lizzie, received Gertrude with the cordiality of an +old friend, and though at first they seemed a little shy with the strangers +from "abroad" this soon wore away, and they found their visitors quite as +amiable as if they had been born on the same soil as themselves. + +As soon as they had been refreshed, outwardly and inwardly, they were taken +into the room where "the grandmother" sat in her large, comfortable chair, +and were introduced to her with much solemnity; but they only waited for +the few words of welcome to each, and then passed into the pleasant +sitting-room adjoining. + +"You must go in to-morrow and see the grandmother, one at a time," said +Lizzie, as she drew a chair near the rest. "She does not see many +strangers, and more than one confuses her. It seemed necessary to introduce +you in a body, but she will be better pleased to become acquainted with you +separately." + +"I have something for her," said Gertrude. "She seems to remember me as +well as if I were here only last week." + +"I have something for her, too," said Dexie, smiling, "but it is only a +soft foot-rest, and I see she has one now." + +"That is kind of you to think of her," said Maggie. "Let me know when you +are going to give it to her, and I will slip in beforehand and pull away +her old one. She will be so delighted to think that you remembered her." + +But the beautiful prospect from the windows claimed a closer inspection, +and they went for their hats and started for the beach. + +Lancy followed Mr. McDonald to inspect the premises with the happy owner, +promising to join the rest later on. The girls walked along the path that +led across a waving field of grain, and then stood for a few minutes +looking off at the white-topped waves that extended as far as the eye could +reach. The high sandbanks here raised their barriers against the waters of +the Gulf, and shrill screams of laughter, such as only come from girlish +throats, accompanied their descent through the dry, yielding sand to the +beach below. The little white-washed building that served the double +purpose of bathing and boat-house was duly inspected; and when Dexie +admitted her ability to handle an oar, it raised her very much in the +estimation of the bright country lasses, as they were under the impression +that her soft hands were not put to much energetic labor, but one who had +sufficient muscle to handle an oar could surely do other things as well. +While they were on the beach Lancy joined them, and after he had inspected +the boat-house, under Dexie's enthusiastic guidance, they agreed that on +the morrow they would sail across to the distant point, and view the +prospect from that quarter. + +"We will take a lunch and have a private picnic," said Lizzie. "I hope the +day will be fine. You have no idea how rough it is here when the wind is +high; the breakers come rolling in so high and grand that it is quite +fascinating to watch them, but dangerous in the extreme to be on the shore. +Vessels have to keep out to sea when there is a storm, for this is +considered a dangerous coast, but there have not been any wrecks along here +for some years." + +They returned by a different route, entering the house by a side-door, and +the visitors were surprised to see the display of flowers that bloomed in +the outer porch, making it, indeed, a bower of beauty. + +"Why! you have made quite an addition to the house since I was here last," +said Gertrude, as she stood to admire the blossoms. + +"No, not an addition, only a little alteration," said Maggie. "Don't you +remember this old porch where father used to smoke his pipe of an evening? +Well, in the spring, when Joe was making the glass frames to force the +early vegetables for market, we got him to put a glass frame on each side +of the porch. They are not very neatly done, I admit, but they answer the +purpose very well. Then these few shelves were easily fitted up, and this +is the result," she added. + +"I missed your flowers, from the window seats, and wondered if you had +found them too much trouble," said Gertrude, fingering some sweet-smelling +leaves near her. "Well, you see, there were so many of them that it was +quite a task to look after them when they were spread over the house. In +the winter we don't mind the trouble so much, as there is so little left of +'green things growing' to rest the eyes upon that we find them quite a +pleasure. In the bright days of spring there is so much to see and do +out-of doors that we thought we would collect them here. Of course, we +still keep the grandmother's window full of blossoms, for she loves them so +dearly." + +"It is a pity that the porch is not on the south side of the house," said +Dexie. "I should think it would be quite chilly here when the wind blows." + +"So it is," said Lizzie, with a smile, "and I suppose you think we might +have chosen a better situation for our little conservatory when this +many-sided house has better spots to select from, but it was not the +flowers alone we were thinking of." + +"Well, what else were you thinking of, if I may ask?" said Gertrude. + +Lizzie blushed slightly as she replied: + +"This is the door that mother uses to go in and out when about her dairy +work--that is the dairy under the trees at the end of the path--and father +likes to sit here and watch her about her work of an evening while he +smokes his pipe; and when she has done her work she will often sit here and +rest a few minutes with him; but there is not much of a prospect from this +door, except the waters of the Gulf, so we thought we would put our flowers +here and she could see and smell them when she went in and out. She might +be too busy to stop and notice them particularly, but they are something +pleasant to rest her eyes on when she is through with the milk. I always +thought that the restless waves made her think of my brother who was lost +at sea, but now I fancy that the flowers rest her, though perhaps it is +only fancy, after all." + +Dexie's thoughts flew back to her own mother lying listlessly on her sofa +so much of the time. How much had she ever done to change the current of +her mother's thought? She made a mental memorandum to try the effect of a +few bright blooms in her mother's window as soon as she returned home. + +As they talked, Maggie had taken up her father's pipe that had lain on a +shelf near, and emptying its contents she took from a pouch hanging on the +wall a piece of tobacco and a jack-knife, and, with a practised hand, she +refilled the pipe afresh, then laid it gently on a little shelf within easy +reach of the cosy seat that her father occupied during the warm summer +evenings. It was done so quietly that it was almost unnoticed, but Dexie +saw it and understood the kindly act. She wondered if she loved her own +father enough to perform such an act for him. She felt glad that her father +did not use tobacco, for she would not care to be outdone by these Prince +Edward Island girls; yet in her case she felt that even lovingkindness had +its limit, and that she would have to draw the line _this_ side of the +tobacco pipe. + +Maggie felt, rather than saw, that Dexie was watching her, and as she laid +the pipe in readiness for her father's evening smoke she looked up and said +with a smile: + +"You never saw a girl do that before, confess now? Well, I don't care for +it, but father likes to find his pipe all ready for him, so I try to +overcome my dislike, and his tobacco-smoke helps to keep my flowers free +from vermin, you know." + +As twilight deepened into evening the members of the family all assembled +in the grandmother's room, and a home-like feeling came over Elsie as she +saw Mr. McDonald open the big Bible that rested on a small table near the +grandmother's chair, and read, in his rich Scotch accents, the evening +psalms. Then they quietly knelt, all except the grandmother, who, rising +slowly to her feet and leaning on her staff, offered up the evening prayer. +It made Dexie think of the patriarchs of old, who blessed their families +"leaning on their staffs for very age." Then the family said good-night to +the grandmother, and the polished candlesticks that decorated the mantle +shelf were taken down by the farmer's wife and a lighted candle set in +each; these were then handed to the different members of the family, who +passed out of the room in single file, very much after the manner of a +diminutive torch-light procession. + +The family were supposed to retire to their own rooms at once, as "early to +bed" was the rule of the farmhouse, but the laughing group of girls all +assembled in one room for a friendly chat before retiring. + +As Lancy sat by his open window enjoying the quiet scene without, the sound +of their voices reached his ears. He would have preferred a walk, or a +short _tete-a-tete_ with Dexie, instead of this early-to-bed arrangement, +but he respected the rule of the house and blew out his candle at an early +hour. He was rewarded for his good behavior by a long refreshing sleep, and +Dexie appearing to him in his dreams was more gracious than ever she had +been during his waking hours. + +But, as everyone knows, when young ladies get talking together of an +evening, sleep "comes slowly up that way," and the shortness of their +candles alone warned them that it was time they sought the pillow. But the +short candles were unheeded, for Gertrude was relating reminiscences of a +former visit, and the fun and frolic that prevailed at the farm during +their stay. At last, when one of the candles flared up, then subsided in +smoke, the girls rose to leave the room, but Gertrude turned at the door, +saying: + +"Take good care, girls, and sleep well over to the back of the bed, or you +may repeat the performance that took place the first night that Beatrice +and I slept in the house." + +"Oh, do tell them about it, Gertrude," said Maggie, laughing. "Our candles +will hold out that long, I think." + +Gertrude seated herself on the foot of the bed, while the rest waited for +the story. + +"Well, we slept that night in the room that Lancy occupies, at the head of +the stairs, and, do you know, I never enter it but I feel cold shivers +running up my back as I think of that night. You see, Mrs. McDonald's +feather-beds are wonderful for size; they are her pride and joy; but we +were not used to them, so, during the night, we rolled over too near the +front of the bed, when suddenly out we both went, and the feather-bed fell +out on top of us! I thought there had been an earthquake, and so laid quiet +for the next shock. By and by Beatrice crawled out from under the ruins +and tried to lift the feather-bed back on the mattress, but instead of +doing so she fell back on the floor with it in her arms. Over went the +table, and this upset the whole contents of the water-pitcher over my back. +Good gracious! how it scared me! It was pitch dark and I could not tell +what had happened, so I screamed--screamed as if I was being murdered. +Imagine our feelings when the door opened, and in walked Mr. and Mrs. +McDonald, carrying a candle and a poker. Oh! I thought I should die with +shame. They thought that robbers had broken into the house and were +carrying us off, so they ran with the poker to our rescue. It took them +some time to comprehend the true state of affairs, then Mr. McDonald +disappeared in a twinkling. The girls here came running up to see what was +the matter, and they soon tossed the bed and bed-clothes out of the way, +and got some dry garments for poor shivering me. Beatrice escaped with a +lump on her head as big as an egg. I had no outward bruises to speak of, +but I felt bad enough without any; but the water-pitcher had the handle +broken off, and the bed-clothes and feather-bed had to be dried +out-of-doors for days after. Oh, dear! I did feel so ashamed; such a scrape +I never got into before or since. So take my story to heart, and do not +lose your senses if you do fall out of bed," and Gertrude laughed as she +took up her candle and followed the rest from the room, leaving Dexie and +Elsie to the mercy or comfort of their big feather-bed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + +There was a full breakfast table the next morning, for the young visitors +determined to fall into the ways of the family as much as possible, so +decided to be "early birds" along with the rest. + +During the meal, Mr. McDonald suggested the various ways they might pass +the day enjoyably; but when he had exhausted the resources of pleasure +that occurred to his mind, Dexie smilingly said, + +"You are very kind, Mr. McDonald, to place so many pleasures within our +reach, but it would not be right to spend the whole day in that way." + +"What way would you prefer to pass the day?" said Lizzie, with a smile. + +"Well, first, I should like to help wash the dishes, then I should like to +be set to work at anything else that I can do in a passable manner." + +"Dear me! is that what you call enjoying yourself, Miss Dexie?" said +Maggie. "I fancy you would not like dish-washing, if you had to do it all +the time." + +"Well, perhaps a full day's task of dish-washing would be rather tedious," +said Dexie, laughing; "but I was only bidding for the breakfast dishes, you +know." + +"But there is no need to trouble yourselves about anything," said Mrs. +McDonald. "Enjoy yourselves all you can while you are here; Phebe can +manage the work nicely. Put on your hats, and have a walk through the +fields; it will give you a fine appetite for your dinner." + +"But I have a remarkable appetite already, Mrs. McDonald; I shall be +alarmed if it increases much more," was the smiling reply, "and you know +the Bible says, 'If one will not work, neither should he eat,' or words to +that effect, so you must have pity on me, and not keep me idle. Lancy, your +appetite is wonderful too, for that is your second cup of coffee; you had +better hunt up some work also," she laughingly added. + +"I will give him some now," said Lizzie. "Before the tide comes in he can +go down to the boat-house and get out the boat. We want to be off by ten +o'clock; the tide will be about right then, and since you are so anxious +for work, Miss Dexie, you may help Maggie pack the baskets. I hope, +Gertrude, you won't ask for something to do, for I want you to take Miss +Gurney around, and show her the poultry yard. Mother will be too busy to +protect her from our feathered enemies." + +"Enemies! are they very savage?" Elsie asked in alarm. + +"No; the trouble is in the opposite direction," said Maggie. "The creatures +are that tame they are quite a nuisance; you can scarcely step for them. +The greedy things look for something to eat from everybody who ventures +inside the yard, and will fly on your shoulders for the first chance at the +pan. Gertrude knows how to protect herself, so you can put yourself under +her care with safety." + +How pleasant it is when one goes visiting to feel as if you are one of the +family; but the expression "Making yourself at home" is more often made +than really experienced. While at the farmhouse our young people did truly +realize the feeling. + +It would take too long to tell of the many excursions by water, and drives +by land, that were enjoyed daily, but the vicinity for miles around was +thoroughly explored. Every night Gertrude would say she ought to return +home, but the next day would seem so full of pleasure that it seemed a pity +to miss it. + +One evening, when they were seated and idly swinging among the boughs of a +low-limbed tree that stood near the house--a favorite spot with the +girls--Dexie suddenly remarked, + +"Lancy, I am just hungry for a 'sing;' do start up something." + +"Bless you for the thought," Lancy replied, from a distant limb. "I have +been wondering these few days back what it was I was missing. Take the +first choice yourself, and start away." + +But they found it was easier to start the singing than it was to end it, +for they soon had all the household within hearing distance, and "just one +more" was asked for from so many different quarters that their song-hunger +was fully satisfied before they were allowed to stop. + +They seemed to sing like the birds, from "lightness of heart, and very joy +of living." After a few moments' silence, a bird-song was whistled by the +"mates in the tree," eliciting strong words of praise, as well as surprise, +from the delighted listeners. + +"Oh, that's nothing to what we have to endure at home," said Elsie. "Those +two are always hooting away like a pair of owls. It is a wonder their +throats are not split before this. I almost hope that the piano at home +will be mouldy when we get back." + +"We will soon knock the mould out of it, hey, Dexie?" Lancy laughingly +replied, as he lifted his mate down from her perch. + +"Oh, how I should love to have a piano, and be able to play on it," said +Maggie, with a long-drawn sigh. "Perhaps we will have one sometime." + +"Why, Maggie, how can you say such a thing? A deep sorrow comes before that +joy; and how can you wish for it?" was the stern reproof of her sister. + +"Oh, dear! what have I said! I forgot that for the moment!" and there was +such a tone of regret in her words that Dexie's eyes asked an explanation. + +"We can't have a piano while the grandmother is alive. She thinks that all +music, except the bagpipes, perhaps, is positively wicked; so we try not to +think about it. We spoke about it to father once, and he felt so badly that +he could not please us and the grandmother too. Of course she comes first; +but he has put the money in the bank to buy an instrument--sometime. I hate +to think about it, though I long for it more than I can tell. It makes me +feel as if I was such a wicked creature; for just think of wishing for a +thing that can only be had over the grandmother's coffin! Oh, dear! I wish +I had never heard the sound of music!" and to the surprise and dismay of +the little group she burst into tears. + +"Oh, do forgive me! I am to blame for this, I fear," said Dexie, her face +showing her distress. "I did not know--" + +"Don't think of such a thing, Miss Dexie," said Lizzie, putting her arm +around her. "It was not your fault; Maggie has her cry over this same thing +every few weeks, and feels the better for it, too, I believe. We have many +pleasures that few girls on a farm ever think of, and we ought to be +content. But I really do believe that if the grandmother could walk around +the house, and should come across the books and other things that we girls +have brought into it since she was confined to her room, she would die with +the shock. She thinks that everything remains about the same as it was in +her day, and we are careful not to disturb her opinion; for in this case a +little deceit seems wise, or, at least, necessary." + +In a few minutes the sunshine again appeared on Maggie's face; but the +feeling that was brought out by the sudden tears seemed to draw Dexie +nearer to this young girl who had such a love of music, yet could not give +it expression until the shadow of death had first walked before her. + +The next morning brought a letter from home, and by its tone Lancy felt he +must be needed; so it was decided they should return to Charlottetown, +finish their visit at Mrs. Fremont's, and then return home. + +When Mr. McDonald learned that the young people were preparing to leave for +the city, he called Dexie to his side, and turning to a small cupboard +brought out a tin box, saying: + +"Someane left this box in ma kairt that day I saw ye in the toon. I jaloose +the owner was buyin' somethin' an' laid it there an' forgot aboot it, but I +never saw it till I got hame. I opened it to see if I could fin' the name +o' the owner, an' I found some papers wi' yer faither's name on them. Can +ye mak' oot whit it means, ma lassie? Somethin' is no richt, I tak' it." + +Dexie sat down beside him and read several of the letters and papers, and +their contents filled her with surprise. She was well acquainted with her +father's business, as she wrote many of his letters, and she saw at once +that something was indeed wrong. + +"How strange that I should come across this!" she said. "This letter is +written by a man named Plaisted; he does business with papa. He has been on +the Island with him, and knows the people that have had dealings with papa, +before he joined him. What are you going to do with the box, Mr. McDonald?" + +"I was gaun to ask Mr. Gurney to return it to the lawyer whase name is on +the inside o' the cover. He's considered an honest man, though he is a +lawyer. Maybe if ye wad tell him aboot this man Plaisted, it micht keep him +frae daein' yer faither ony mischief. It wad dae nae harm, ony way." + +"May I copy this letter written by Plaisted? I would like to show papa what +kind of a man this Plaisted is, for I think he trusts him too much." + +"Weel, it canna be ony harm, shurely, jist to _copy_ the letter, but ye +needna mention the maitter to onyane; there's nae kennin' whit they wad +mak' o't." + +Dexie soon had a copy of the letter and a general knowledge of a few others +in Plaisted's peculiar handwriting, and this proved of much value in +establishing certain facts that came up at a future time, the copied letter +proving the missing link in a chain of evidence that brought Plaisted's +misdoings to judgment. + +Lancy was consulted about the box, and promised to see it safe into the +hands of the owner. Soon after they learned that this was the very box that +they had heard the town-crier proclaim as _lost_ when driving home from the +market-house. + +With many regrets at leave-taking, both on the part of visitors and +entertainers, the little party drove away, unconscious of the fact that +under the seat of the carriage there were several substantial tokens of +regard, which were, however, discovered, when they arrived at Mrs. +Fremont's. + +Mrs. Fremont congratulated them all on the benefit they had undoubtedly +received from their visit, particularly Elsie, who seemed to be a new +creature. Her pale cheeks had been painted by the sun a warm brown, and the +pure sea-air had created an appetite that told its story in rounded limbs +and wide-awake appearance that contrasted greatly with the languid +movements she had brought with her from Halifax. + +Lancy sent word to his parents that they would return the following week, +and promised to telegraph the day of starting. + +This was glad news to Hugh, who was present when the letter was read, and +heard its contents discussed. + +Ever since Hugh had come into possession of his fortune he had looked +forward to the return of the party with much impatience. There were times +when he felt almost tempted to seek Dexie's presence, and try again to win +a word that would give him some hope. All his future plans seemed to depend +on the way Dexie treated him, and he waited her coming, uplifted sometimes +by hope, but more often depressed by fear, and with a restlessness that +made him almost irritable at times. He insisted on filling his usual place +in the store, glad enough to keep his mind occupied and his thoughts away +from himself. + +At last one morning the telegraph messenger knocked at the door, and +brought the welcome message. + +A broad smile passed over Mr. Gurney's face as he read the telegram, and he +handed it to his wife, saying: + +"Dexie sent that telegram or wrote it, or I'm very much mistaken." + +Whereupon Hugh was very anxious to read it, and to his great delight Mrs. +Gurney passed it over to him, and this is what he read: + +"Kill the prodigal; the fatted calves are on the way." + +For the first time in many weeks, Hugh burst into a hearty laugh, and he +read the words over until he could almost fancy he heard Dexie's laughing +voice beside him. + +"Well, that message may have seemed incomprehensible to the transmitter of +it, but it tells us a long story," said Mrs. Gurney, a smile lighting up +her face. "It says they are well and in good spirits, that they are glad to +be coming home again, but will be very hungry when they get here, so I had +better bestir myself and 'kill the prodigal,'" and she rose to visit the +kitchen. + +"Well, she has told the story within the limit of ten words, too," said +Hugh, making some excuse for keeping the bit of paper so long before him. + +"What prodigal are you going to kill, mamma?" said Gracie, following her +mother into the kitchen. + +"Oh! that is what we will call the big fat chicken that eats so much oats, +and picks the little ones on the back when they try to get a mouthful. He +will do for a prodigal, so we will have him cooked for Elsie's supper." + +Gracie sat down on a low stool, her face wearing a puzzled expression, and +she began to repeat to herself the parable of the prodigal son. Suddenly a +bright look came over her face, for she had solved the troublesome riddle, +and she joyfully exclaimed: + +"Oh, mamma! Dexie didn't learn it right; they didn't kill the prodigal, it +was the fatted calf that was cooked! Oh, dear! how funny to make such a +mistake, and she such a big girl! Say, Hugh," as he passed through the +room, "Dexie is the prodigal, and not the fatted calf, isn't she?" + +And with more earnestness than the subject demanded he replied: "I hope +so." + +It was Mr. Gurney who drove to the depot in the evening to meet the +travellers, much to the disappointment of Hugh, who hoped to be the first +to receive Dexie's greetings; but the excitement of their arrival had +somewhat subsided by the time he made his appearance in the house. + +It is needless to say there was great rejoicing in the Gurney household +that evening. Elsie was petted and caressed to her heart's content, and she +listened with a smiling face to the oft-repeated remark that she "looked so +much better." + +Hugh's unexpected good fortune came in for a share of the discussion which +took place round the tea-table, and the well-cooked _prodigal_ was the butt +of many jokes. Dexie was asked to come in and get her share of the "fatted +calf," as Gracie persisted in calling it, but she begged to be excused, +feeling that she would prefer to spend her first evening at home. + +Gussie lost no time in telling Dexie all her hopes and plans, and she gave +the impression that everything was settled. She could talk of nothing but +the splendid time she expected to have in the future. + +"Hugh does not say much to me, but I know I can do just as I like with him +after we are married, so I don't mind if he is rather cool and short +occasionally. Of course he means to marry me, or why did he talk so long to +papa about it?" said Gussie, as she followed Dexie downstairs. + +"Did papa tell you about it?" a suspicion of the true state of affairs +entering her mind for a moment. + +"No--but--well, to tell the truth, I was listening at the door, but I heard +enough to let me know the nature of the interview, for I heard papa say +quite distinctly, 'I don't think she cares enough for you, and she must +marry to suit herself,' so what else could he have meant? Now, I do not +care so very much about Hugh, I must confess--or I did not, I mean, when he +was merely Mr. Gurney's clerk, but with a fortune in his pocket who could +refuse such a fine-looking man?" + +"Well, I could, for one," said Dexie, trying to hide a laugh. "He would +need something more than riches to be attractive to me, for all his fine +looks; but I congratulate you, Gussie. I hope you will be happy." + +"Of course I will be happy, so long as the money holds out, anyway," said +she, with a laugh that grated harshly on her sister's ears. "Did you see +any brides when you were away, Dexie, and how were they dressed?" + +"I wasn't searching for brides, Gussie. I confined my attention to +pollywogs, crabs, and things of that ilk." + +Gussie's remarks jarred on her feelings, in spite of her efforts to seem +careless, but she smiled, as Gussie scornfully replied: + +"Well, did I ever! I guess if you searched for a sunburnt face and a +blistered nose, you found _them_ fast enough." + +"Yes, unfortunately, one can find those sort of things without searching +for them; they are thrown in with the pollywogs for good measure; but my +nose is not half so ornamental as Lancy's. Don't be cross, Gussie. Let us +go into the parlor and wait for the trunks. I have a lot of nice new +patterns in fancywork for you." + +They entered the parlor together, where Aunt Jennie followed them, and they +talked about the many events that had transpired during Dexie's absence. +The room was almost dark. It seemed pleasanter to talk in the twilight, but +a bar of light shone from the sitting-room door, and relieved it from any +sombre appearance. Dexie kept wondering why the expressman did not appear; +she was anxious to see if the little treasures she had collected for +distribution had borne the journey safely. She rose at last and went to +the window to see if there was anyone in sight, but she was disappointed. +Not so Hugh, who was just entering the house, and caught sight of her +outline against the window-pane, and, thinking the unlighted parlor vacant +but for Dexie's presence, he softly opened the door and stepped to her +side. All her cold repulses were forgotten, her curt words of dismissal +faded from his memory, his heart was yearning for her presence, she was +there before him, and in a moment he had her in his arms. + +"My darling! my love! do I see you at last. How I have longed for this +moment!" + +It was so sudden that for a moment Dexie was powerless to move, but she +freed herself quickly, saying, as she stepped back: + +"How dare you! How _dare_ you touch me! It is I; not Gussie," she added, +thinking he might have mistaken the person, though his words belied the +thought. "I was watching for the expressman, and did not notice you had +come in; you made a mistake," came the quick-spoken words. + +"Well, I should say it was a mistake, and an odd one too," said Gussie, +coming forward. "How could you mistake that mop of a head for mine, Hugh?" + +She had seen the embrace, but the whispered words had not reached her. +Naturally, Hugh was much taken back when he realized that Dexie was not +alone, but he anathematized Gussie in his heart, and bit his lips to keep +back the words that sprang up in reply. If Gussie had known how precious +that "mop of a head" was to her quondam lover, she would not have been so +ready to "give herself away," as the trite saying has it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + +The embarrassing silence that followed Hugh's entrance was broken at last +by Aunt Jennie, who made some commonplace remark that allowed free speech +to resume itself again. She saw at once the position of affairs; the reason +of Hugh's coolness when in Gussie's society was no longer any secret. She +thought he had lacked the lover-like eagerness that one might expect, +judging the matter from the standpoint of Gussie's frequent remarks. + +But believing that Lancy Gurney had more than a friendly feeling for Dexie, +she felt uneasy for the result of the struggle between the rivals. Dexie +would surely suffer between them. + +It was impossible for Dexie to feel at ease after Hugh's extraordinary +greeting. She felt vexed at the thought of the spectacle she must have +presented to those who had witnessed it. Did Hugh really know her, or were +his words meant for Gussie alone? The hope that it was the latter made her +decide that it must be; but if she had noticed how carelessly he replied to +Gussie's entertaining chatter, or observed his eager looks in her own +direction, she might have guessed that his heart was not in Gussie's +keeping. + +The arrival of the trunks brought a grateful respite to all, and Dexie +disappeared the moment the expressman arrived, but with the excuse of +helping to lift the trunks into the hall, Hugh followed her. Gussie, +however, was close behind; not for a moment would she leave those two +together. After what she had seen in the parlor there should be no chance +of further _mistakes_, if her vigilance could prevent it. + +Dexie was so anxious to show her treasures that she opened her trunk as +soon as Hugh deposited it in the hall. + +"Here, Georgie," as her brother came running down the stairs, "take this +parcel to mamma, carefully, mind, and ask her if she is too tired to see me +again to-night. When you come back I will give you the box of something +that I heard you wishing for," and looking up to her sister, who was +bending over to watch her, she added, "Here is your parcel, Gussie, and +this is for auntie. Where is she, I wonder?" + +"Oh! do let me see what you brought for auntie?" and Gussie caught the +parcel from Dexie's hands and began to inspect the contents. + +Hugh was for the moment forgotten, but he still lingered near the door, +hoping that some chance would favor him. He had so much to say, so much +that had been crowded back into his heart during her long absence, that he +felt he must seize the first opportunity to speak of his hopes, and he +wished to assure her that there had been no mistake on his part when he met +her in the parlor. Just then Gussie stepped over to the lamp for a closer +inspection of some fancy patterns, and Hugh turned to Dexie, saying: + +"You seem to have remembered everyone but me, Dexie. You have not even a +kind word to give me." + +"Well, I have not an _unkind_ word either, Mr. McNeil, so that ought to +count for something, I think," and she stooped to pick up some paper from +the floor, "but I think you deserve a good many for the ridiculous mistake +you made when you came in." + +"I made no mistake, except that of thinking the room held no one but +yourself. Give me a chance to prove it, Dexie." + +Dexie pretended not to hear, but turned the conversation by saying: + +"I have not congratulated you on the good fortune you have met while we +were away." + +"Well! I think it is time you did," Gussie answered, awake to the fact that +a low conversation was being held near her. "I am sure it is no everyday +affair to fall heir to a fortune. Weren't you surprised when I wrote to you +about it?" + +"Yes, very," and the memory of the letter brought a smile with it. "And if +the possession of money means happiness, I presume Mr. McNeil feels raised +to the seventh heaven of bliss." + +"Not yet, Dexie, but I am looking forward to the 'seventh heaven' you speak +of." + +"Mrs. Gurney mentioned that you thought of going abroad. I hope Lancy's +absence has not interfered with your plans, Mr. McNeil?" and she made a +move to ascend the stairs. + +"Would you like to go abroad, Dexie?" + +There was an eagerness in his tone that Dexie did not understand, so she +answered: + +"Well, if going _abroad_ means a visit to Great Britain, I say no, most +decidedly! What do I care for the English, Scotch or Irish--as a race, I +mean? My definition of the term abroad is, a tour through Europe, ending +with Egypt and the Holy Land, and farther still if the pocket-book held +out." + +"Dexie, will you go abroad with me?" + +Gussie looked from Hugh to Dexie in open-eyed surprise. This invitation +might mean much or little. + +"Why, Hugh, it would be improper for Dexie to accept such an invitation," +she hastily said. + +"There would be nothing improper about it, if she went as my wife." + +"You are carrying your jokes too far, Mr. McNeil," said Dexie, coldly. "If +you want to turn Mormon you had better 'go West, young man,' for when I go +on _my_ wedding tour I want a husband who will be content with _one_ wife, +and, when he and I go abroad, we will go alone. No offence meant; but two +is company, while three is a crowd. So good-night to you both," and she +turned and ran up the stairs, leaving Hugh looking after her with a beating +heart. + +"Well, I hope I have been plain enough this time," was her inward comment. +"Can he really care for Gussie and expect to marry her, as she thinks, or +does he want to turn Mormon and marry the both of us? But whatever he has +said to Gussie don't count, so long as he makes eyes at me. I'm willing to +be pleasant and agreeable, if he is to be my brother-in-law; but he shall +not call me 'his darling' and 'his love,' as if it were me he was engaged +to. I wish I had slapped his face for him." + +But, figuratively speaking, she had just done so, and if she had seen the +grieved look on Hugh's face as he groped his way out the front door, she +would have realized that her slap had struck home. + +Gussie felt indignant, as she stood in the hall recalling the scene just +passed. Hugh had left her without a word, but she could plainly see that +the blame was not on Dexie's shoulders this time. + +"I do believe he cares for Dexie, after all; what else could his words +imply? But she does not care for him, that is plain; and it will be a +strange thing if I cannot arrange matters so that he cannot help but offer +himself. After what he said to papa, I know he wants to marry one of us, +and I will see that it shall be myself." + +The next day Dexie had a long talk with her father. She had called him +aside to give him the letter she had copied from the one in Plaisted's +handwriting, and when she had explained the circumstances Mr. Sherwood was +much astonished, and praised her for her thoughtfulness in securing an +exact copy. + +"I will write to the parties in question and forbid the payment of any +money to him, but I will say nothing to Plaisted about the matter at +present. I will keep a sharp lookout, and directly he tries to put his +plans into execution I will bring him up short. Thank you, my little woman, +you have done a lucky stroke of business for me; but stay a minute," as +Dexie rose to leave the room, "I want to ask you something. How much do you +care for Hugh McNeil?" said he, as she came over to his side. + +"Why, papa, what makes you ask such a question? Didn't you make a mistake +in the name?" she said, archly. "Didn't you mean to say--Lancy Gurney?" + +"No; I have a guess that way. But how about Hugh? Come, I have a reason for +asking," and he drew her down to his knee. "Think a minute, and tell me." + +"But, papa, I don't need to think a moment in order to answer that +question. I don't like him at all. You should ask Gussie that question." + +"I need not, for I think I know what her answer would be; but I have a +little story to tell you, and I want you to give it serious consideration. +As soon as Hugh McNeil knew about the money coming to him, he asked me for +a private interview. From what Gussie said, I expected that he intended to +ask for her. But Hugh was very straightforward, and made the whole matter +plain, and, Dexie, he asked for the liberty of making you his wife. He said +he was willing to wait any reasonable time for you, if only he had the +promise of your hand in the end." + +"Papa! you never told him _yes_! say you did not!" cried Dexie, springing +to her feet and regarding him with beseeching eyes. "My dear, I could not; +so do not look so frightened about it," and he drew her back to his side +again. "I am not willing to give my little girl to anyone yet, but I am not +insensible to the fact that a man who loves my daughter as Hugh professes +to love you, and can provide for her so handsomely, is worthy of some +consideration." + +"Why couldn't he take Gussie? She wants him and I don't," she answered with +a frown. "I am sure Gussie told me she was all but engaged to him. He +doesn't want the both of us, I hope." + +"Dexie, I am sorry to say that Gussie has not acted so well about this +matter as I could wish. She makes no secret of the fact that she would +gladly accept the position he offers you, and it annoys him. Hugh confessed +to me that at one time he did think he cared for Gussie, but found his +mistake, and he has been so open with me about it that I cannot blame him +for the change. Think it well over, Dexie, before he talks to you himself. +A handsome man like Hugh, with a good bank account, will not come in your +way very often. He offered to make a handsome settlement on you, directly +you promised him your hand." + +"Dear papa, would you like your poor Dexie to be unhappy for life?" +throwing her arms around his neck. "I am sure you would not," as he drew +her closer to him. "I could never marry Hugh; his very presence makes me +feel pugnacious, and I feel like picking a quarrel with him every time I +speak to him, and I enjoy doing it, too." + +"Well, in that case it would not be pleasant to live your life with him, +would it? but still it seems a pity to lose the money when he seems so +anxious to put it into your hands. Your life would be so different with +money at your command. If it were only Gussie, now." + +"Yes, if it were only Gussie everything would go smoothly while the money +lasted; but you did not tell me the result of the interview, papa." + +"I told him I would leave the matter for you to settle, but I gave my +consent, if he gained yours. I think he would be good to you, Dexie." + +"Well! I guess he would have to, if he once got me, or I would know the +reason why! What does mamma say about it, for I suppose she knows?" + +"She seems much put out that it is not Gussie he asks for, but she hopes +you will not be so foolish as to throw the chance away. That is the opinion +of the both of us, you see, so do not decide hastily, Dexie." + +"Dear me, how provoking it is! Mamma will be vexed, and I cannot help it, +for I really cannot _say_ I consent when I feel such a dislike to the man. +Some young ladies would see nothing but his fortune; but think, papa, we +might live for fifty years! and I can't look forward to fifty years of life +spent with Hugh McNeil. So tell him for me, papa, that it cannot be." + +"Take time to think it over, Dexie, before he gets _any_ answer, for Hugh +will be much disappointed if you refuse him. I promised to plead his cause +for him, but I cannot do so against your inclinations, since it will be you +alone who must live your life with him. But, Dexie, many people live +happily together without loving each other overmuch, so do not think it +impossible for you to do the same. Do you care so very much for Lancy +Gurney?" he asked, after a pause. + +Dexie did not feel so embarrassed over this question as her father +expected. She was pleased to have her father take such an interest in her +little affairs of the heart, and show his sympathy in things that are +usually left to the mother and daughter to talk over together. + +"I do not know if I can explain it to you, papa," she replied with a smile. +"I don't think I should care to marry Lancy--indeed, I am quite sure I +never shall, but I like him very much for all that; but you need not tell +anyone I said so, will you, papa?" she added, seeing a smile in her +father's eyes. "Lancy has been very kind to me ever since we came to +Halifax. You know yourself he has added very much to my pleasure by his +thoughtful attentions, but I do not think it will end as Lancy expects," +and a pretty blush spread over her face. + +"Then you have not given him any promise!" smiling at her red cheeks. + +"No, but he seems to think everything will be as he hopes, and is so +pleasant over it that it is a pity to undeceive him. I'll promise not to +allow any love-making, for he knows very well it is useless to become +sentimental with me. Please don't tell my little secrets, not even to +mamma, for she is sure to tell Gussie." + +"Do not be afraid to trust me with your little affairs, Dexie," he said, +kissing her cheek. "I am only too glad to be your confidant and adviser. I +am sorry that your mother feels so little inclined to take the same +interest in your affairs; you need her more now than when you were a +child." + +Mr. Sherwood watched his daughter with loving eyes as she tripped away from +his side, and he wished for the power to look into the future and see how +matters would end. He sighed as he realized how much depended on her own +judgment; but his daughters must each settle for herself the question that +would make or mar their future lives. + +A change took place in the Sherwood household a few weeks later, for Aunt +Jennie was obliged to return to her old home in Vermont, which was such an +unlooked for event to Mrs. Sherwood that it quite upset her. They had all +become so used to looking to Aunt Jennie for everything, that the house +would seem to be without its head if she were gone. + +When Dexie told her aunt how the Fremont girls managed the household +expenditure and took the oversight of much of the housekeeping +arrangements, Aunt Jennie replied that she thought her niece quite as +capable as the Fremont girls, and asked Dexie if she could not undertake to +fill her place after she was gone, as she knew Mrs. Sherwood would be glad +to be relieved of the charge. When Dexie broached the matter to her mother, +she found her quite willing to let anyone step into the gap, so Dexie +determined to learn as much as she could while her aunt was present to +advise her. + +The little account books were brought out and studied, until Dexie felt +sure she understood what ought to be done, though she doubted her ability +to put the knowledge into practice. But her doubts soon gave way to a +feeling of confidence in herself as, day by day, she mastered new +difficulties. + +"I think I will make a wonderful housekeeper, by and by, mamma," Dexie +said, as they were all seated in her mother's room, and Mrs. Sherwood was +regretting Aunt Jennie's approaching departure. "I am learning fast. Even +Nancy gives me encouragement. The only thing that troubles me is the fact +that Nancy thinks I am playing at housekeeping, and I am afraid she will +resent my authority after auntie goes away. I shall have to wear a cap and +spectacles to add dignity to my new position," she laughingly added. + +"How absurd you are, Dexie," said her mother, with a frown. "If you intend +to act as housekeeper I hope you will try and be less childish; and to go +through the house whistling like a boy, as you did to-day, is far from +lady-like. Will you ever learn to be genteel like your sister Gussie?" + +"I think Dexie should be given her full name in the future," Gussie added, +"if she intends to rush through the house like her namesake round the race +course." + +"But I will not be called after Bonner's trotting-horse! I will not!" said +Dexie, angrily. "I fancy this would soon be a queer house if there was no +one in it with more energy about them than you possess! However, let us +return to the matter under discussion," said she, more mildly. "I want to +know, in case I make any savings from the month's allowance, if I can +pocket the remainder." + +"I am afraid, Dexie, that you will not find much left over, for the first +few months," her aunt said smilingly. "You must allow something for your +inexperience, you know." + +"Oh! I know that, auntie. But can I have it, mamma, much or little? Make +the bargain with me, mamma." + +"Certainly, Dexie; but you cannot expect to save much out of the usual +month's allowance unless you scrimp us." + +"Oh, I'll promise not to scrimp," was the laughing reply. "But I am going +to begin my reign while auntie is here; then my inexperience will not cost +me so much. I kept my eyes and ears open when I was at Mrs. Fremont's, and +I didn't peep and listen either; but I learned a few things that I think +will be a great help to me in my future sphere." + +"I think Gussie had better join you in this branch of study," said Mr. +Sherwood, laying down his paper. "It will be as much benefit to her as to +you." + +"Thanks, papa. I beg to decline the honor! I have no wish to shine as a +domestic; it is not in my line," said Gussie, in a lofty tone. + +"Well, I do not expect to run the house as smoothly as Aunt Jennie--I am +sure you will not expect it of me, mamma--but I will do my best, and it +will be nice to learn just how to do things." + +"That is right, Dexie. Every girl should learn how, even though she may +never have to put her own hands to the work itself. But do not be too +particular about keeping within the monthly allowance; I am quite as +willing to pay for housekeeping lessons as for music lessons." + +How Dexie prized the weeks that followed! In after years she looked back to +them with a thankful heart, for Aunt Jennie did not confine her teaching to +the art of housekeeping alone. The inward culture of the heart was not +forgotten. The good seed was sown with no sparing hand, and though some lay +weeks, months and even years without bearing fruit, yet few were altogether +lost. + +What a blank her absence caused in the household! She had filled a mother's +place among them, for the loving tact that bridged over the little jars +that are apt to occur in every household was not one of Mrs. Sherwood's +accomplishments. + +The first few weeks after her aunt's departure were very trying ones to +Dexie. There seemed much fault-finding that was really unnecessary, but +Dexie honestly tried to do her best. She could see her own failures as well +as her successes, and when she found that much of Nancy's ill-temper was +due to Gussie's interference in the kitchen, she laid the matter before her +father, and that put an end to many petty annoyances. + +Dexie had much to bear from her mother also, for Mrs. Sherwood felt +aggrieved that Dexie did not appreciate Hugh McNeil's attentions as she +thought they deserved. His visits were a daily occurrence, and it was +vexing to see Dexie refuse what would have been so acceptable to Gussie. + +"If you do not intend to marry him, why do you not tell him so plainly?" +she said one day, when Dexie had shut herself up in her room to avoid +meeting Hugh. "What is the use of keeping out of his way, when you know +what he wants to see you for?" + +"Why should I put myself in his way, when I do not want what he has to +offer? He shall not talk to me about it, either, unless he does so before a +third party. I will not see him alone! I sent him a decided answer through +papa, so why can he not be satisfied with that? I declare, I almost hate +the man!" + +"Tell him so, plainly; then, and give Gussie a chance. She is not so +foolish as to allow any sentimentality to come between her and a fortune." + +"I have already told him so, as plainly as I can, mamma. But if you think I +am standing in Gussie's way, just give Hugh McNeil this message from me. +Tell him that I will _never_ marry him; that I hate the very sound of his +footsteps; that if his fortune were four times multiplied, I would not have +him; that I want him to cease persecuting me with his hateful attentions, +and leave me alone! Now, is that plain enough for any sensible man to +understand, do you think?" + +"Dexie! take care! See that you do not repent those words, for I shall see +that they are repeated to him, word for word." + +"Thank you, mamma, and if you can make the words sound any stronger, I hope +you will do so. I will be well pleased to see Gussie occupy the position +she craves. When she does, my congratulations will be most sincere and you +will not know me--it will make me so wonderfully good-tempered," and she +put her arm across her mother's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Dear mamma, +do not be vexed with me; but if I cannot endure Hugh for one hour, how can +I think of spending my whole life with him?" + +Mrs. Sherwood gave Hugh the message at her earliest opportunity, but it did +not have the same effect on Hugh as she expected. + +Hugh had no intention of accepting Dexie's refusal at second-hand; he would +hear it from her own lips before he would give up hope. It might be an easy +matter to remove the cause of her dislike, if he once found out what it +was. + +But Dexie knew her message had been delivered, and so felt herself free; +and as Gussie was in excellent spirits, there seemed no reason why she +should be glum when Hugh was near. She no longer slipped out of the room as +Hugh appeared, though she was just as careful not to allow him to find her +alone; but as Lancy's visits were as frequent as ever, Hugh was supposed to +have given up the fight. + +But Hugh had discovered that there was one way left him in which he could +win a smile from Dexie, and he did not scruple to use it, though he was +well aware that by doing so he was giving Gussie a false hope. + +He had only to take a seat by Gussie's side, and say a few words to her, +even the most commonplace, and Dexie's reserve would melt at once, so he +spent many pleasant evenings in the parlor by this little scheme. He knew +very well that Gussie was spreading her net, but if he found Dexie +entangled in the meshes instead, Gussie's injured feelings would not +trouble him. All stratagems are fair in love and war, so he smiled to +himself and took courage. + +Good fortune did not spoil Hugh. It made his good qualities shine out all +the more brightly, and his friends admired as well as envied him. Dexie +heard his praises sung from so many different quarters that her dislike to +him was fast melting away, and seated by Gussie's side she could look on +him with favor. But Hugh was merely biding his time, and was constantly on +the watch for a favorable opportunity to press his suit personally and +alone, in spite of the fact that Dexie considered the matter forever +settled between them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + +The auction rooms on Barrington Street were full to overflowing. A stock of +goods was going under the hammer at ridiculously low prices, and among the +bidders Hugh McNeil was conspicuous. As he turned to speak to a friend, he +was much surprised to see Dexie Sherwood among the crowd. She was alone and +not a little frightened at finding herself jostled about, and she welcomed +Hugh with a smile as he made his way to her side. + +"I am so glad to see you, Mr. McNeil. I was just wondering if I should be +able to get out of this alive." + +"How did you happen to come here at all; curiosity, I suppose?" and he +smiled down into her face. + +"Oh, no, indeed; I came on business, but I did not know what a hard time I +was going to have of it. I heard Mr. Gurney talking about this sale last +night, so I thought I might take advantage of it as well as the rest. I am +Commissary-General now, you know, so I am on the lookout for bargains in my +line," and she laughed softly. + +"You want to bid for something, then; come and show me. Take my arm, so we +will not get separated in the crowd," and for the first time in her life +she placed her hand on Hugh's arm and followed his leading, and this +thought came to Dexie with added force as Hugh pressed the hand in token of +the pleasure granted him. + +More than one person noted the bright young face that eagerly watched the +several assortments fall under the hammer, and the light that shone in +Hugh's dark eyes was not all caused by the excitement of the sale. + +"I feel quite proud of my bargains," said Dexie, as they left the building +and turned towards home. "I am ever so much obliged for your help; it will +make such a difference in my accounts. Oh, you can't think how economical I +am getting to be," said she, with a rippling laugh. + +Then Dexie found herself telling her companion how she had gone with the +Fremont girls to purchase household supplies, how they all enjoyed the +excitement of the sales, and how sometimes no one would bid against them, +much to the auctioneer's chagrin; how she was profiting by the Fremont +girls' experience, and was accumulating such a nice little sum, to buy +something very nice for her mother by and by. + +Hugh listened with a beating heart. He had known for a long time what a +busy life she led. It had formed the foundation of many excuses when he had +asked her to accompany him to places of amusement; but just now all her +former coolness was forgotten in her present kindness. She had never talked +to him so freely before, and Hugh was lifted up with hope at this +unexpected friendliness. + +When they reached home, Hugh detained her at the door. + +"Will you grant me a favor, Dexie?" he asked. "Do not go into an auction +room alone again; without me, I mean. You know I am always at your service, +and will only be too happy to help you at any time. You will grant me this, +Dexie?" and he looked earnestly into her face for an answer. + +A number of expressions passed over Dexie's face as he spoke. Had she done +a bold, imprudent thing in attending the sale without an escort? She had +not given it a thought. Surely one might go about a matter of business +without a gentleman's escort? The Fremont girls did so. That it might be +improper had not occurred to her, and it vexed her to be reminded of it by +Hugh, so his well-meant offer failed to soften her. + +"Yes, and no," Dexie coldly replied. "I will promise not to go again alone, +but I won't promise to go in your company again," and she turned and +entered the house. + +Why had he spoken and lifted again the barrier of reserve that had broken +down during their morning's intercourse? was Hugh's thought as he entered +his own door. Might he not have brought about his wishes without exacting a +promise? + +The next evening, several young ladies, with their gentlemen friends, met +in the Sherwood parlor to discuss a proposed family picnic, and Hugh came +in during the discussion, and was pressed to join them. + +"Where is the picnic to be?" he asked. + +"Oh, down the coast towards Cow Bay; we'll pick out a place when we come to +it. The trouble is, to find out how many teams we can get up," said George +Desbrasy. + +"Well, the Gurneys are all going, but they cannot take any but their own +crowd, and there are several ladies we must find room for amongst us +somehow," said Fred Beverly. + +"Well, I have to drive mother and sis, but I have one spare seat. Will you +accept the seat beside me, Miss Gussie?" said young Desbrasy. + +Gussie wished he had not made the offer, as she hoped Hugh would ask her to +drive with him, for Hugh had a fine team of his own now. + +But as Gussie hesitated about accepting, she saw Hugh turn to Dexie, and +with the air of a Chesterfield ask, "May I have the pleasure of your +company for the drive down, Miss Dexie?" + +"Thank you, Mr. McNeil, but I daresay I am already engaged." + +"No chance for you there, McNeil," said Fred Beverly, with a laugh; "Miss +Dexie is spoken for already." + +"Did I understand you to say that you were _already_ engaged for the drive, +Miss Dexie?" said Hugh, persistently. + +"Well, Lancy has not asked me yet, but since he has promised to go, my +invitation will come all in good time." + +"But his team will be full. You had better take your chance with Hugh," +said Fred. + +"There will be room enough for me, never fear," said Dexie, smiling, "so +Mr. McNeil is free to offer his services to some other forlorn damsel." + +"First come, first served, Miss Dexie," said Hugh. "I asked you first; come +with me," he added, bending over her chair. + +"Couldn't think of it. We would be sure to quarrel all the way, and when I +go to a picnic I want to enjoy every minute." + +"It takes two to make a quarrel, and I'll not be one of the pair," +persisted Hugh. "Come with me, and let me prove to you how much I can add +to your pleasure, when you will let me." + +"Prove it now by asking Fanny Beverly or Maud Seeton to drive with you, for +I decline the honor." + +"Are you so wrapped up, heart and soul, in Lancy Gurney, that you cannot +spare a moment to anybody else?" said Hugh, angrily. + +"Certainly!" Dexie replied, with flashing eyes, "and since you are going to +be so disagreeable, Mr. McNeil, I guess I will leave you," and she joined a +group near the table. + +"Where is Lancy, that he is not here to arrange about this picnic, said +Fred Beverly to Cora Gurney, who was sitting by the table. + +"Couldn't say. He promised to come in to-night." + +"Listen! isn't that Lancy at the piano?" said Maud Harrington, as a sound +of music in staccato style reached their ears. "How plainly you can hear it +through the walls!" + +There was a hush for a minute, when Dexie said as naturally as if it were +the most ordinary thing in the world, + +"Yes, that is Lancy's call; he wants me for something. Will you excuse me, +friends, for a little while, till I see what is wanted?" + +Looks were interchanged amongst some of the young people, and, hoping to +make Dexie feel vexed, Gussie said, "Lancy Gurney has only to whistle, and +Dexie will run like a dog at a call." + +But Dexie took it all in good part, saying, with a smile: "Well, even a +faithful dog is not a despised creature, you know, and it is something to +know that Lancy will not whistle for anyone else while I am around," and +turning at the door she added, "In case I do not come back, let me say you +can count on me for anything I can do towards the success of the picnic. +Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," and, as Hugh lifted his eyes, she +swept him an elaborate courtesy. + +Hugh was too vexed to take any further part in the discussion, and he soon +withdrew, intending to find out what it was that drew Dexie away from the +pleasant gathering. + +When Dexie entered the parlor next door, she found Lancy seated at the +piano, looking quite unlike himself. + +"What is it, Lancy?" going over to his side. "Why did you not come into our +house to-night?" + +"I have come across something unusual, Dexie, and I could not leave the +piano until I mastered it. Sit here and listen." + +Lancy's hands moved across the keys, drawing forth such thrilling chords +that her heart was stirred to its lowest depths. + +"Stop, Lancy, I cannot bear it," said she at last, laying her hand on +Lancy's arm before he had finished a page. + +Lancy looked up into the agitated face so near him, saying in a tremulous +voice: + +"Then I am not mistaken about it, since it affects you the same as myself. +What is there about those chords that thrills our hearts so painfully? It +is the only piece of music that has ever so affected me. I have not been +able to play it through yet without a break. Sit down and try how far you +can play, Dexie." + +Dexie took the offered seat, and her hands swept the keys; but her firm +touch seemed wanting. Wherein was that peculiar power that thrilled her +with such exquisite pain; her hands fluttered, tears rose unbidden to her +eyes, then, with a sudden break in the chords, she bowed her face in her +hands. + +Lancy was bending over her in a moment, and drawing her hands gently down, +held them in a firm clasp. + +"What is the matter with that music?" she said, at last, in a low tone. "I +do not think I am nervous, but it sets my heart throbbing so that I cannot +bear it." + +"I think it is the keynote of our hearts that is struck by those chords, +and gives back such answering thrills. I never came across anything before +that affected me like it." + +"Well, whatever it is, it is painfully sweet. I will try it again, but +don't stand looking at me, there's a good fellow, but go away by the window +and look out at--nothing." + +Again those wondrous chords filled the room, but the masterful touch that +usually accompanied Dexie's fingering was now wanting, for it was a +trembling hand that followed the printed notes. More the once she faltered, +but after a period of waiting she would repeat the passage and go on. But +presently a longer silence occurred, and Lancy turned from the window to +look at her. Tears were standing in her eyes, and she sat with her hands +clasped tightly before her. Drawing her away from the piano, he led her to +the sofa, and the silent sympathy in his manner was more eloquent than any +flow of words could have been. + +"It seems foolish, does it not, Lancy?" she said at last, "but it is no +common piece of music, and I shall never be able to play it before +strangers." + +"No; neither shall I, Dexie. That music speaks to your heart and mine +alike. Let it be for ourselves alone, will you, Dexie?" and the grey eyes +looked very dark in their earnestness. + +"Well, have it so, Lancy. I will be able to play it properly by and by, I +expect. But I never noticed the name of it." + +"It is simply called 'A Song Without Words.' Let us name it again to suit +ourselves." + +"Very well. I came in to ask you into our side of the house. The picnic is +being discussed; but I don't feel a bit like going back myself now--that +music has almost upset me." + +"Well, stay with me and let us have a quiet 'sing' by ourselves here; that +will be pleasanter than discussing a picnic--shall we?" + +When Hugh looked into the door a short time afterwards, he saw nothing that +need have caused such a frown to wrinkle up his manly brow, for Lancy was +only playing a simple ballad, and Dexie was seated in a low rocker some +distance from the piano, her hands clasped behind her head, singing softly, +her whole appearance seeming to suggest rest and contentment. Perhaps that +very suggestion goaded him to bitterness, for why couldn't Dexie be as +contented and happy in his society as in Lancy's? + +The picnic came off as planned, and was enjoyed by all excepting Hugh, who, +finding he could not have the companion of his choice, coaxed little +Gracie and Ruth Gurney to go with him, and they willingly consented. But +Gussie looked with angry eyes on the fine turnout, "just wasted on those +little torments," as the light buggy flew past the more sober-going horses +that were bringing up the rear. + +She forgot her anger, however, when she returned home and found that Mr. +Plaisted had arrived during their absence. + +Bless us! how very amiable we can be when we want to make a deep impression +on someone's soft heart! + +Gussie's face was now all smiles. Her words were all sweet when Mr. +Plaisted was by anyway, and as it is an ill wind that blows nobody good, +Dexie felt grateful enough for anything that would cause Gussie to be a +little better-natured than she had been during the last few weeks, and +Gussie's very unexpected offer, to "keep the parlor dusted while Plaisted +is here," touched Dexie to the heart. + +But his presence made Dexie's task much harder than usual. Such a +"lie-a-bed" as he was in the mornings, and he expected to be served with a +hot breakfast whatever might be the hour of his appearance. + +Nancy remembered him of old, and resented the added work, and Dexie tried +almost in vain to pour oil on the troubled waters. + +One evening, when Plaisted was about to retire, Dexie handed him his lamp, +saying: + +"Our breakfast hour is eight o'clock, Mr. Plaisted, and if you will rise at +the first bell you will have plenty of time to curl your hair before the +breakfast bell rings." + +"Dexie, don't let your tongue run away with you," her father said, +reprovingly. "Plaisted will surely be up in good time to-morrow, as we have +much work ahead of us if we intend to catch the train." + +"Yes, I'll be up to-morrow morning without fail," he replied. "I don't see +how it is that I oversleep myself so often when I am here; I fully intended +to get up to breakfast this morning, but missed it. However, you will see +me to-morrow morning at the breakfast table, Miss Dexie, if I am alive," he +added jokingly, as he waved a good-night to Gussie. + +"Very well; but if you are not up in time we shan't wait for you," said +Dexie, smiling, "for dead men need no breakfast." + +"Oh! you'll see, Miss Dexie, I'll be up to-morrow in time, without fail," +and he laughed as he disappeared up the stairs. + +But when eight o'clock came next morning, it brought no Plaisted with it, +and Dexie horrified them by asking if they had better go up and view the +remains. + +Breakfast was eaten in silence. Mr. Sherwood was vexed at Plaisted's +laziness when there was so much need of energetic work to make up for time +lost and wasted. + +"Perhaps he did not hear the bell," said Gussie, as the clock struck nine. +"I'll ring it again," which she did, vigorously. + +But another hour slipped by, and still he did not appear, much to Dexie's +disgust and annoyance. + +While standing by the window waiting his appearance, she became aware of a +great event that was taking place in the backyard. It happened that a pet +cat had met with some accident that had deprived it of life, and the +children were indulging in a funeral. A grave had been dug at the back +corner of the yard, and the procession of mourners was marching back and +forth across the yard with many twists and turns, to make it last longer, +until it at last reached the open grave. Georgie Sherwood, who marched in +the front of the procession, with the remains in a raisin-box, now +deposited it in its last resting-place, while the little Gurneys, who were +sedately following, wailed aloud. + +When the grave was covered to their satisfaction, Frankie Gurney came into +the house with Georgie, holding a piece of smooth, white marble, and asked +Dexie if she would write something on it, for it was to be the cat's +tombstone. + +"Say that she was the prettiest and best-behaved cat in Halifax, and that +she left a large family of sorrowing kittens behind her." + +"Yes, and children, too. Be sure and say that, Dexie," added Georgie. + +The inscription was soon written in Dexie's largest and clearest hand, and +it delighted the eyes of the little ones, who could easily read every word. + +"Where did you get such a nice stone, Frankie?" she asked. + +"Oh, down in the grave-stone shop. The man told me I could have it." + +A sudden thought came into her mind, and she smiled as she asked: + +"Could you get another piece as big as that, do you think?" + +"Oh, yes; there is another piece like this. Someone broke a foot-stone, and +it is no good, the man said. I'll go and get it, if you want it." + +"Oh, will you? then run quickly. I'll make you a new kite, if you will +hurry." + +In a very short time Frankie was back with the stone, Georgie, meanwhile, +being engaged in setting up the cat's monument. + +"What do you want with the stone, Dexie?" he asked, as he regarded her +attentively. + +"Come with me, Frankie, and I will show you," and she led him upstairs to +the upper hall. + +"I want to play a trick on Mr. Plaisted; but I can't, unless you will help +me." + +"Oh, I'll do anything you tell me," his eyes eager for any fun. + +"You see, he is a fearful hand to sleep in the mornings. He is not up yet, +and the morning is half gone. He said last night that he would be up in +time for breakfast, if he was alive. Well, you can hear him snoring in the +next room; but, since he is not up, I am going to consider him dead, and I +want you to put up his tombstone. Now, do you think that you can go +carefully and put this at the head of his bed without waking him?" + +Laying the stone on her knee, she soon had it written over in large, plain +letters, and hoping that Plaisted might sleep till noon, as he often did, +she slipped downstairs to await results. + +It is not often that a man is roused from sleep by his own tombstone +falling on him, but that is how was at last awakened. Quite likely +Frankie, fearing to awaken him, did not place it very securely. However, as +Plaisted was about to turn over for another snooze, down came the marble +slab on his papered head! It almost stunned him for a moment, but curiosity +roused him enough to find out what had struck him. + +Lifting his arms above his head, he grasped the object, but not calculating +on its weight, it slipped out of his hands and bruised his head in another +spot. Raising on his elbow, he gazed in bewilderment on the thing, but +turning it over he quickly grasped its meaning, for the words thereon were +plain enough for the dullest man to understand, and read as follows: + + "Sacred to the memory of + D.S. PLAISTED, + who departed this life while in full health and curl papers. + His death was sudden, + but quite expected. + This monument was erected by one who fully realized his + WORTH-LESS-NESS. + Peace to his ashes." + +A few moments of awful silence followed the reading of this inscription, +then curses both loud and deep were heard in the room. With a bound he was +out of bed, and opening the door he flung his tombstone over the baluster +to the bottom of the stairs, with a crash that startled the family from +their seats as if a thunderbolt had shaken the house. + +Dexie disappeared instantly, knowing what the noise meant, but feeling +thankful that there was no one near the stairs when the crash came, or she +would have had to seriously repent her joke. As it was, the stairs were +dinged and marred, and the fragments of the tombstone were strewn over the +hall. + +It did not take Plaisted long to dress that morning, and he soon appeared +before the assembled family, his brow dark and his eyes flashing. + +"Who did that?" he demanded as he made his appearance. + +"That is just what we have been trying to find out," replied Mr. Sherwood, +who thought he was referring to the noise. + +"I mean, who put that stone in my room?" + +"What stone? I hardly think you are awake yet, Plaisted," and he regarded +him severely. "Do you know what time it is?" + +Plaisted glanced at the clock, and his angry feelings were swallowed up in +the feeling of shame that spread a flush over his face. + +"Heavens! I never thought it was so late as that! So we have lost the train +again by my carelessness. Too bad, Sherwood. But that joke was no light +one. Did you put up that stone?" + +"What stone? I don't understand," replied Sherwood, angrily. + +Plaisted turned back into the hall, and gathered up the pieces he had flung +down in his anger, then piecing it together on the table pointed to the +inscription. + +A roar of laughter came from Mr. Sherwood's throat, as he took in the joke. +Dexie, hearing the laughter and knowing its cause, came boldly into the +room, ready enough to confess her share of it, now that she knew her father +would not scold very much about it. + +"Dexie, did you do that?" he asked, as she appeared. "That writing looks +very familiar." + +"Well, I wrote the inscription," her face never changing expression, "but I +hired another person to set the stone up. Has there been a miracle that you +have come to life again?" she added, turning to Plaisted. + +"Well, I'll have to own that you have got the best of me this time, Miss +Dexie; but I'll pay you for that tombstone yet, see if I don't," and he +seated himself to his late breakfast. + +There was no need to set up a monument to Plaisted's memory the next +morning, as he was down before the breakfast bell rang, and as Mr. +Sherwood kept him confined to the business they had before them, he found +no time to pay Dexie back for the trick she had played him. + +During the day something occurred that referred to business matters in +Prince Edward Island; and becoming annoyed at Plaisted's equivocal answers, +Mr. Sherwood took the copy of the letter Dexie had brought home with her, +and laid it before his eyes. Plaisted read it with a puzzled brow and +shamefaced cheeks. + +"Where did you get this?" he asked, in embarrassment. + +"No matter; but can you deny it is yours?" + +"By thunder! I guess I can! that is not my handwriting," he replied, trying +to bluff it off. + +"No, the handwriting is not yours, I know. But dare you say that that is +not an exact copy of a letter that was written by your hand?" + +"Well, you have me there, Sherwood, so I may as well own up. I was going to +do a bit of shrewd business for myself, but someone seems to have got ahead +of me. Now I look at this writing, it is singularly like the writing on my +tombstone," he added, as he studied the letter before him; "but, of course, +it isn't possible." + +Receiving no answer, he looked up at Mr. Sherwood and seemed to read the +truth in his face. + +"You don't mean to say that my conjecture is right?" + +"Yes, Dexie's thoughtfulness and quick perception have saved me a good +thousand. Your doings on Prince Edward Island were made known to her in a +singular manner, and she was sharp enough to see the advantage that an +exact copy of your letter would be to me; and as your letter was placed in +her hands quite unexpectedly, she copied it. You and I must part. I'll have +no schemer like you for a partner any longer. I'll not have my name mixed +up with such doubtful dealings." + +High words followed, but as Mr. Sherwood had the upper hand, Plaisted was +obliged to submit to his decision, and he soon left the room to collect his +belongings, having received a peremptory dismissal. + +"There is one satisfaction that I wish you would grant me, Sherwood," he +said, turning as he reached the door, "Tell me how your daughter chanced +upon that letter." "No, that you need not know; but it was by the merest +accident, and was as great a surprise to her as it has been to me. But she +was sharp enough to see how important her information was, and knew that a +copy of your letter was the best guarantee she could bring me of your +craftiness." + +"Sharp! yes, that is just the word for her. She is like a bunch of nettles, +stinging you if you but touch her. She has contrived to give me an +unpleasant memory of her every time I have been here. And so it is to her I +owe this break in our business intercourse;" and with flushed face and +flashing eyes he left the room, and before night he was journeying toward +the "land of the free," a sadder, and, let us hope, a wiser man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +"Hope long deferred maketh the heart sick," and Hugh became dull and +morose; the happiness he hoped for seemed as far off as ever, and the +continued disappointment was making his life bitter. Mrs. Gurney saw the +change, and tried to persuade Hugh to go abroad. This he longed to do, but +waited; he might yet go abroad with Dexie as his travelling companion. He +would not take the message sent him as final; surely if he could see her +alone, face to face, he would compel her to give her reasons for refusing +him, and he might explain away her objections. + +But Dexie considered the matter settled, and feeling herself free she +thought it right to drop her stiff, reserved manner, and be once more +friendly. This change made Hugh think that there was still hope for him, +and he determined to take a lover's privilege, and press his suit face to +face. + +With this end in view, he called on the Sherwoods one afternoon, and +finding Mr. Sherwood alone, he asked permission to take Dexie out for a +sail, adding that there seemed no other way of seeing her alone. + +"I doubt if she will go with you, Mr. McNeil," said Mr. Sherwood. "Why not +let the matter rest as it is? I don't think you are making much headway; +better not press it any further." + +"She has not given me fair play," was the reply. "If I am to be refused, +why must I take it from another's lips? Give me the chance to open my heart +to her, and I will be satisfied." + +"Well, Mr. McNeil, I wish you well; but she must choose as she likes. What +is the water like to-day?" + +"Smooth as a mill-pond; scarcely a ripple," was the reply, as he followed +Mr. Sherwood into the next room. + +"I have called to see if you will go for a sail, Miss Dexie," said Mr. +McNeil, as he entered the room and seated himself beside her. "You have not +been on the water for some time; it is a pity to miss this fine afternoon." + +Gussie knew very well that she was not included in the invitation; but she +had no intention of being left out, so she eagerly answered: + +"Oh, yes, of course we will go; it will be lovely and cool on the water +this hot afternoon." + +Hugh knew it would be useless to hint that it was Dexie alone he wanted, +but he meant to get rid of her society somehow. + +"You have not said if you would go, Dexie," said Hugh, looking intently +into her face. + +"Oh, yes! certainly. I shall be delighted to go, if Gussie thinks she will +not get sick." + +"I don't think Gussie was included in the invitation," said Mr. Sherwood, +looking up from his paper as he became aware of the situation. + +"But of course it was understood; I would not go without her," said Dexie. +"What time shall we be ready?" + +"I will call in half an hour," and Hugh left the room with his heavy brow +drawn into a decided frown. + +During the walk to the wharf Hugh was so silent that Gussie began to banter +him on his gloomy countenance. + +"You don't look as if you enjoyed the prospect of an afternoon on the +water, after all!" she said, laughing. + +Hugh took no notice of her remarks, but handed the girls into the boat, +threw the shawls on a seat, and shoved off. + +"I hope the wind will rise a little," said Dexie, as they seated +themselves. "You will find it rather tiresome to row all the time." + +"We will catch a slight breeze after we get out a bit," replied Hugh. + +But Gussie no sooner felt the motion of the boat than she repented her +decision in coming. She was a veritable coward on the water; the least +ripple made her shrink with fear, and nothing but her anxiety to keep Hugh +and Dexie apart would have allowed her to overcome her dread. But once on +the water, fear and sickness overmastered all else. + +"Oh! do be careful!" she cried in alarm, as Hugh stepped forward to adjust +the sail, causing the little craft to dip slightly on one side. + +"No danger, Gussie," said Dexie; "the boat will not tip as easily as you +suppose." + +"But do you not think it is getting rough?" she asked, as a slight ripple +came towards them. "Oh! I wish I had not come. Do let us go back." + +"The idea! Why, we have not been out ten minutes," said Dexie, who +thoroughly enjoyed the motion that sent the color from Gussie's face. +"Gussie, are you frightened, or sick?" she added, looking into her sister's +face. + +"Both. Do ask Hugh to return; I am in misery." + +Hugh lost no time in doing as he was requested, and they soon reached the +wharf. Gussie stepped ashore at once, glad to reach _terra firma_ again; +but as Dexie stepped forward to join her, Hugh turned sharply: + +"Are you frightened, too? I thought you were made of something better." + +The taunt aroused Dexie, and she replied: + +"No, I'm not afraid. It was not I that asked to return." + +Instantly Hugh stepped into the boat and, gave it a shove that sent it +several rods, saying: + +"Then we'll not lose our sail on Gussie's account," and he bent to the +oars, sending the little boat far out into the stream. + +Gussie stood on the wharf until she saw that they really meant to leave her +there, and then walked thoughtfully home. + +"I wonder what this means?" was Dexie's inward comment when she found +herself alone with Hugh. "There is some method in this madness, for I see +it in his eyes." + +She did not offer to begin the conversation until she saw Hugh hoist the +sail and turn towards Point Pleasant. + +"Where are you going, Mr. McNeil? I thought we were going up the Basin." + +"I think we will try the Arm; there will not be so many crafts about." + +"Why this wish for seclusion?" said Dexie, forcing a smile. "Surely there +will be room for us as well." + +Hugh paid no attention to this remark until they had turned up the Arm; +then dropping the sail and changing his seat to one opposite Dexie, he let +the boat drift with the tide. + +Looking at her earnestly he said, + +"It was a lucky thought that made me bring you out on the water. I thought +Gussie would soon get enough of it. We are not likely to be interrupted +here, and you cannot run away from me. Now, do you want me to tell you why +I have brought you here?" + +"No; I have not the least curiosity about it," was the seemingly +indifferent reply. + +"You know what I wish to say, Dexie, though you do not care to acknowledge +it," he said, in a low tone. "Believe me, Dexie, I have not been playing at +love-making all this time. I never was more in earnest in anything than I +am in this. Tell me, what is it that you have against me?" + +"Mr. McNeil, I thought this matter was settled. You received the message I +sent you. Why bring up the subject again? I do not wish to hear another +word." + +"You cannot help yourself, Dexie. You have had your own way in this all +along, and have not allowed me to say a word. Now it is my turn, and I will +not be put off. Remember all is fair in love and war." + +Dexie was silent. She was a little afraid of Hugh in this mood, but no sign +of her fear appeared outwardly. + +"I have reached the limit of torture that I can bear," said Hugh, after a +pause. "I have had harsh words and cold looks for a long time, and you have +slighted me on every possible occasion; but it has made no difference in my +love for you. It has grown until it has taken possession of me, and my life +seems to hold nothing worth living for with you left out of my future. +Dexie, have pity! Is my life of no account to you that you can toss it +aside without a thought?" + +Dexie raised her eyes to the earnest face before her as she replied: + +"I must think of my own self. Why should I make my life unhappy to please a +passing fancy of yours?" + +"A passing fancy! I understand that remark; you mean it as a sneer. It was +a passing fancy with Gussie, I will admit. But, Dexie, it is a strong man's +love that now burns in my heart. Think of all that it is in my power to +give you, if you will only receive it. But the fact that I possess a +fortune gives me no pleasure unless I can share it with you. Say the word, +Dexie, and your every wish shall be gratified, if it is in the power of a +man or money to do so, and my whole life shall be spent in making you +happy. You need never have a care. What more could you ask of me, Dexie?" +His eager eyes seemed to burn into her very soul as he waited her reply. + +"I ask you for nothing; but if you will take all this and lay it before +someone who could and would gladly accept it, you would be far happier in +the end. It is a waste of time to try and persuade me to do what my whole +soul refuses to consider, even for a moment." + +"But why? Tell me why, Dexie? What have you against me? Is it on Gussie's +account, or is it Lancy Gurney that comes between us?" + +"What matters the reason? Call it what you like, it stands between us, and +always will," she answered with rising color. + +"You will not say! Can it be possible that you are so much in love with +Lancy Gurney that there is no room for a thought of me? He will never make +you happy; he knows nothing of love as I feel it--a schoolboy attachment, +that will soon be forgotten!" + +"Be kind enough to leave Lancy's name out of this discussion altogether," +said Dexie coldly, "and as there is nothing to be gained by prolonging this +unpleasant interview, we had better return home." + +"You are mistaken if you think I am going to end this little excursion +without gaining my end. Do you remember the time Lancy took you to drive, +on purpose to gain your consent to whistle at the concert? Well, he kept +you out until you gave him your promise, and I intend to profit by that +idea of his, and keep you here until you give me a promise also." + +"Why! Mr. McNeil, are you crazy?" said Dexie, in alarm. "What parallel do +you see in the case? What good would a promise do you which you know I +would break the moment I reached the shore?" + +"You will not break any promise you make. I am not afraid of that. I think +I know you better than you do yourself, Dexie." + +Dexie flushed angrily, and turned her eyes to see the position of their +boat. They had been drifting at the will of the tide, and she had given +little thought to it in her excitement. But now, understanding what might +be in store for her, it was necessary to think of some way of escape. + +Could she keep Hugh from regarding her movements, and draw his attention +from their boat's course? + +After a few minutes' silence she asked, a smile twitching the corners of +her mouth: + +"I suppose there is not a piece of paper anywhere about," and she looked +into her pocket and beneath the seat in a vain search; and there was a +gleam of mischief in her eyes as she added: "I suppose you could not +accommodate me with a piece of paper, could you, Mr. McNeil? Oh, thanks. +And a pencil? Much obliged. Now, if there is only an empty bottle around +some place, with a tight cork, I'll not despise the shipwrecked mariner's +post office." "What are you going to do?" said Hugh, looking at her in +surprise. + +"Well, if I am to be detained here indefinitely, I would like to send a few +parting words to Lancy. I am sure it would be _such_ a comfort to him, in +case the letter ever reached him, to know that I cared enough for him to +remain true under such trying circumstances." + +Was she making fun of him or not? Hugh could not tell, but he snatched the +piece of paper from her hand and flung it over the side of the boat. + +"Poor Lancy! how he will grieve for me!" she added in a commiserating tone, +as she watched the receding scrap of paper. "You might have allowed me that +one bit of consolation, I am sure, Mr. McNeil." + +"Do you really love Lancy so much? I cannot believe it, Dexie." + +"You might, nevertheless; for believe me, Mr. McNeil, if I had but one last +wish granted me, it would be that I might be transported to his side. Ah +me! I do not think I ever cared for him so much as I do at this present +moment," and Dexie began to sing in a minor tone and in the high, cracked +voice of an old woman: + + "Why--do--we--mourn--departed--friends + Or--" + +"Dexie, stop that!" and Hugh's' voice was sharp with pain and annoyance. "I +do believe you are the most vexatious creature that ever lived." + +"It makes me happy to hear you acknowledge that, Mr. McNeil; and I think +you are far too sensible to want to spend your whole life with such a +vexatious creature as you know me to be. Put a stop to all this nonsense, +and let us return home." + +"Never! You are trifling with a matter that is more than life and death to +me, and you make jokes while I suffer. Do you think I cannot see through +all this professed love for Lancy? Do girls in love confess it to a third +party so freely and openly? No! Lancy has no place in your heart at all. I +have watched you too closely to be mistaken," and before she was aware of +his intention her hands were seized in his strong grasp as he poured out +his heart in a torrent of passionate words. + +Dexie was moved in spite of herself. She looked into the face so near her, +and asked herself the question, "Why could she not love him?" He surely +loved her truly, or he would not speak so earnestly. A future such as he +could give her would be eagerly grasped by many young girls. She had never +thought his face half so expressive as it now appeared to her. Yes, he was +very handsome after all; his very soul seemed shining through his eyes, and +as he talked she dropped hers before his earnest gaze. + +"It is no use," she said at last, in a low tone. "I cannot, I cannot-- + + 'I do not love you, Dr. Fell, + The reason why I cannot tell.'" + +But, low as the words were, Hugh heard them. + +"Never mind the love, Dexie; marry me, and the love will come afterwards." + +"No, Mr. McNeil, I will not risk it," was her low reply, as she pulled her +hands from his close grasp. "I am quite sure we could not live a week in +peace and happiness. There is something in your very presence that raises +up the worst feelings in me, and why should I knowingly spoil all my life?" + +"It is no risk, Dexie; you shall never have any reason to be vexed with me. +Your father is quite ready to accept me as a son-in-law; he trusts me, why +cannot you? My darling, you have had time to think it over. Give me your +promise; it need not be fulfilled until you wish it." + +"I cannot give a promise I have no wish or intention of keeping, and how +can you ask such a thing? How can you want an unwilling bride?" + +"Never mind me, Dexie. Say you will be my wife sometime, and that will be +enough. You will never regret it." + +Dexie covered her face with her hands, and thought it over. The few +minutes' silence was broken by Hugh, who hoarsely asked: + +"Will you give me your promise, Dexie?" + +"No, I will not!" + +"But you shall! I swear it! Do you think I am not in earnest?" and the +love-light in his eyes was dimmed by a harder and fiercer look. "You will +return home my promised wife, or not at all!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +They had drifted on and on. + +A little to the left a vessel was riding at anchor, and Dexie felt sure +there must be someone on board who would help her. If she could only alter +the course of the boat and get into the current, it might bring them near +enough to attract attention, then she would shout for help. + +There was a long silence between them. Hugh regarded her earnestly, feeling +sure she would give in at last. Dexie had no thought of doing so, but was +striving to think of some way to escape him. As she sat, her hands folded +in her lap, she studied well the position of the vessel; noting also the +ladders that hung over the side, and a daring thought entered her mind. + +"Dear me!" she said at last, "this is getting very monotonous. I am tired +doing nothing. I think I might learn how to use an oar, even though I may +never have the chance to put my knowledge into practice." + +She reached forward and grasped a light oar, handling it rather awkwardly, +as a novice might, but succeeded at last in getting the blade over the +side, more by chance than good management, apparently. + +"I thought you knew how to use an oar already," said Hugh, his mind turned +a moment from the subject that had been absorbing him. He watched the +spasmodic dabs that Dexie was making, not thinking there was any purpose in +the seemingly awkward efforts at rowing. + +"Well, no--I'm not much of a hand at it--I must confess, but I think--I +could learn--in time," and she glanced up to see if they were nearing the +vessel; but Hugh followed her look and instantly surmised her intention. + +"Ha! I see your scheme! Let me warn you not to make any outcry in hope of +getting assistance from that vessel, for I tell you it would come too +late." + +"I am not afraid of your threats, sir, as you might know by this time," +said Dexie, in a firm voice. "I do not forget the time you were going to +throw me from the roof, if I did not say the words you wished to hear. I am +a good swimmer, let me tell you, so you will not find me so easy to drown +as you may imagine; however, accidents will happen, and I would fain die a +dry death, so take up the oars and turn back to the city, or I shall jump +overboard, and try and make for that vessel." + +"Sit down, Dexie," said Hugh, fiercely. "Do you think I am such a fool as +to let you escape me, after all? Let me tell you, I planned for all +emergencies before I asked you to come out with me, and yesterday I made my +will and settled up my affairs by writing a letter for your father, in case +we do not return. So take care, it remains with you if there shall be a +tragedy. There shall be no risk of a separation, for if you make any effort +to escape, it will be stopped by this," and a bright revolver gleamed in +the rays of the setting sun. + +Dexie shuddered in spite of herself. The dread of firearms was as strong in +her as in most of her sex, and she shrank back in her seat with a horrified +look. + +"A fine proof of your regard, I must say, to carry a loaded revolver on +purpose to shoot me!" was the scornful reply. + +"I prepared it for myself alone. Don't drive me to use it against either of +us. Will you promise not to call for help?" + +And looking at the murderous toy she gave the promise; and Hugh, knowing +she would keep it, laid it on the seat beside him. + +"Alone, and with a madman! Heaven help me!" was Dexie's thought. Her heart +beat wildly. She dared not take her eyes from his face. But there was +something in her glance that had power to subdue him, and, feeling this, +she met his gaze unflinchingly. The oar still lay across her lap. Gently, +with an almost imperceptible motion, its blade reached the water, and +slowly, very slowly, the distance between the boat and vessel was +shortened. She sat back in her seat so still that the slight movement of +her wrists was not observed, for Hugh's eyes seemed riveted to her face; +there seemed a mesmeric power in the depths of her eyes that held him, and +obliterated all else from his mind. + +Dexie's heart gave a great throb as the shadow of the vessel fell across +the boat; but still he saw nothing till Dexie bent forward to give the +strong pull to the oar that would give her freedom or death. The boat +answered the touch and gave a sideward lurch that sent it broadside against +the vessel, and Hugh woke as from a trance. One upward glance, and he +sprang forward to thrust the boat aside and keep her off. But as he turned +his back Dexie sprang up, and it was but the work of an instant to slip the +revolver into her pocket, and as the boat swept past she grasped the rope +ladder that hung from the vessel's side. + +Terror seemed to lend her wings, for she found herself on the vessel's deck +before she had time to draw a breath, where half fainting she lay for some +moments, thanking Heaven for her safety. + +But was she yet safe? No sign of life appeared on deck; but might there not +be a number of sailors, drunk, below? Would she be any safer in their +company than with Hugh? She shut her teeth hard at the thought, and +slipping her hand into her pocket, with fear and trembling, she pulled out +the revolver, and laid it at her side. How had she dared to touch it? Yet, +while facing Hugh, the possession of that revolver seemed the one thing to +be desired; but now that she had it she dreaded to touch it, though it was +her only protector in this, her awful position. + +When the boat slipped clear of the vessel, and Hugh turned about and +realized that he was alone, he sank down on the seat as if powerless to +move. + +Where was Dexie? How had she escaped? No cry had reached his ears, no sound +of splashing water warned him that she had gone over the side. Yet he was +alone, Alone! + +His terrified glance swept the water around him, as if he expected to see +her upturned face in the waves that mocked his misery by their ceaseless +motion. + +Merciful Heaven, had he lost her, after all; lost the life that was dearer +to him than his own? It could not be. A few rapid strokes, and he was again +at the vessel's side, intending to summon assistance from those on board to +aid him in his search. Had either of them known that the two men on board +the vessel were hopelessly drunk in their berths below, and that the rest +of the crew were about returning from Halifax charged with hell-fire in the +shape of Water Street whiskey, it might have made some difference in the +actions of both. + +Dexie watched Hugh's movements with interest, but when she saw him +approaching the vessel her fear of him again increased, and she rose and +confronted him. + +"Don't come any nearer, I warn you!" she cried. "I hold the revolver now, +and I shall not scruple to use it for my own safety." + +"Dexie, how did you get there?" was the relieved reply. "Put down that +revolver before you do harm with it. You must come back in the boat! Do you +think you are safe among a lot of sailors!" + +Hugh seemed perfectly sane how, whatever may have been the condition of his +mind previously, and he shuddered as her unprotected condition flashed over +him. + +"Keep off, McNeil! don't come any nearer at your own peril! I will trust +myself among a shipload of drunken sailors before I will put myself in your +power again." + +"Dexie, I'll give you my word of honor to take you home at once, if you +will leave the vessel. Come, you need not fear me any more; I think I must +have been mad." + +"Keep off, I tell you! I am not so foolish as you think! I don't forget you +prepared that revolver in your sober senses, whatever may have been your +state of mind awhile ago. Keep back, or you shall have the bullet you +prepared for me!" + +What could he do? She seemed terribly in earnest, yet, if she did not come +back with him, how should she be able to return at all? Should he make a +dash and rescue her against her will? She seemed to define his thoughts, +for she leaned over the side, saying: + +"Go at once, and send someone for me, for if I ever reach Halifax again it +won't be under your care! Go, I say! I hate you! I _hate_ you! You need not +try to reach me," as Hugh rowed nearer. "You just touch that ladder, and +you will find my bleeding body here, not a living person!" + +Hugh sat in the boat irresolute, not knowing what to do. + +"I cannot leave you there, Dexie; you _must_ come back to me, and come +quickly before you are discovered. I swear I will row you home at once, and +not trouble you with a word," and the boat almost touched the vessel's +side. It was heavily laden, and sat low in the water, and Dexie felt the +distance between them was very short indeed. If Hugh insisted on reaching +her, the struggle would be short and soon over, for nothing would persuade +her to go back in the boat with Hugh again. She raised her arm; and the +sound of a shot was sent over the water, followed simultaneously with a +sharp, splintering sound, as the little leaden missile tore its way along +the stern of the little boat. + +Dexie look around, expecting the sound would surely bring someone from +below, and if that someone was not sober, Hugh was still near enough to +help her. But no one appeared; she seemed the only living person on board. +She looked back at Hugh. She had not hurt him, nor had she intended to do +so, but she struck much nearer than she knew, and Hugh went back a stroke +or two. + +"Do you believe I am in earnest now?" she asked, as she still held the +revolver in her hand. "Go and bring someone for me while there is time, for +I will never go back with you!" + +But as Hugh bent to the oars, sending the little craft so swiftly to do her +bidding, the courage that had hitherto sustained her suddenly vanished. +Alone and unprotected, what might not happen to her? But it was too late to +call Hugh back now, so she must face whatever fate there was in store for +her. What if Hugh had no intention of sending help to her, and should leave +her there? Oh, for some chance to get away! + +Dexie had almost given up in despair when the muffled sound of oars was +borne on her ears. She sprang quickly to the other side of the vessel and +looked anxiously in the direction of the sound. Soon the rower came in +sight, and by the stripes and epaulets of the wearer she recognized him as +a military officer, whose strong, rapid strokes were rapidly taking him +citywards. Oh, if he would only take her with him! Dare she ask him? The +hitherto-despised soldier seemed an angel of mercy, as the hope of rescue +sprang up again in her heart. But he is coming near, and she must not let +the chance slip. How should she hail him? In what words make known her +peril? She felt stupid, just when she needed her readiest wit. He was +almost abreast the vessel before Dexie found her voice, and then in +frightened tones came the cry: + +"Help, soldier! Help!" + +The soldier turned his head, and rested on his oars as he listened. + +"Help, soldier! Save me, I beg of you!" + +The pleading tones told that the cry was from someone in trouble, and a few +strokes brought him to the vessel's side. + +"What's the matter, miss? What's wrong that you are calling for help? What +can I do for you?" + +"Oh, take me away from this vessel! You are going to the city, are you +not?" + +"Yes; but perhaps I shall get myself into some scrape if I take you away," +and a smile lit up his face for a moment. "How came you here? Are you here +against your will?" + +"Yes, and no. Take me off quickly, and I'll explain," she replied, +hurriedly, for a movement below reached her ears. + +She was soon seated opposite her deliverer, who looked at her curiously, +but said nothing till they were quite a distance from the vessel; then, +resting on his oars, he said: + +"Now, tell me how you came to be on that vessel; but, first, will you tell +me your name?" + +"Oh! must I--" and Dexie dropped her head. + +"Well, you need not if you do not wish to. I know you, all the same, though +I have not heard your name. You are the 'American Warbler.' Now, tell me +your story." + +"I hardly know how to tell it, though I don't mind you knowing about it. +There is so much to tell before you will understand how I came to be on the +vessel." + +"Well, if it is all a secret, I'll promise not to tell anyone except my +wife. She might hear that I have been on the harbor with a young lady, so I +had better tell her myself," and he smilingly waited Dexie's explanation. + +"Oh! since you are married, it will not be so hard to tell." + +There was quite a pause. Where would she begin? + +"Come, now, how did you come to be aboard the vessel?" he repeated. + +"But I can't tell you _how_ until I have told you _why_," said she, trying +to control her voice, "so I must tell you all that happened this +afternoon," and, beginning from the time that Hugh prevented her from +joining her sister on the wharf, she told the story of the afternoon, +though not without skilful questionings that made the matter clear, though +hardly comprehensible. She gave no names, but mentioned Hugh as "the young +gentleman." + +"You have had quite an adventure, Miss--," and he looked up thinking she +would supply the name, but she smiled and shook her head. + +"Miss Jonathan, then; you must have some name for my wife to know you by," +he added, smilingly. "Now, I don't think you did a very wise thing when you +got on a strange craft for safety. It was all right as it happened, but it +might not have happened all right. However, you are safely out of the +scrape; still, if I am not mistaken in the young man, he thinks too much of +you to really harm you." + +"Do you think you know who it was?" and she looked up with a flushed face. + +"Well, I suppose it was the same chap that whistled with you at the +concert, wasn't it!" + +"No, indeed! I suppose I must tell you more, after all. You don't +understand the half of it yet. It was one who was, at one time, my sister's +lover, or so I thought, but he--" + +"He changed his mind, I see," and there was a twinkle of fun in the eyes +that watched the face before him. "I begin to see the point now. That is +why he did not want your sister with you. May I hazard a guess and say that +perhaps it was the dark young man who was glowering at you the night of the +concert? Oh, I saw it all," as she looked up in surprise. "So it was he?" + +"Yes, he was out of temper that night, I remember." + +"Well, he did not look very amiable, I must say; but, for all that, you +were safer with him than on the vessel, for, if I am not mistaken, that is +the crew going aboard now," and the shouts and songs of the sailors reached +their ears as they rowed towards the vessel. + +"Oh! thank you, thank you a thousand times, for coming along just when you +did! What should I have done? But I had this," and she drew forth the +revolver from her pocket. + +"Great Scott! have you got that yet? What were you going to do with it?" + +"I would have turned it on myself if there was no other way. Would you mind +accepting it? McNeil shall never have it back," and she laid it by his +side. + +The oars were poised in the air as he caught the name. "McNeil, you said! +Not the McNeil that has had the fortune left him lately, and is considered +such a great catch?" + +"Yes, he has had a fortune left him; as for being a great catch"--and the +shrug of her shoulders finished her answer. + +"Well, I don't think he will have to force his attentions on the rest of +the young ladies around Halifax by the aid of a revolver anyway, if all +they say of the young man is true. He is well liked, I hear, by all who +know him. And so you won't have him?" + +"No, I won't promise to marry any man, however rich he is, who would ask +it with a revolver in his possession to enforce it. I should hate him for +it." + +"There spoke the woman's heart; a loaded revolver is hardly a lover's +weapon, I'll admit. What a bit of romance this will be for my wife! Have I +your permission to tell it?" + +"Just as you like; but please do not tell anyone else--your soldier +friends, I mean." + +"Certainly not, if you wish it; but young ladies usually like to boast of +their conquests." + +"Well, on all other points McNeil is sensible, and, as he will probably +marry someone else some day, it will not be pleasant to have this affair +become known." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + +It was quite dark when they reached the wharf, and Dexie was wondering if +Lancy knew of her absence when she saw his well-known figure outlined +against the sky. + +He did not know that the object of his anxious thoughts was so near, as he +stood looking seaward, with a dark frown upon his face. + +As the soldier moored the little boat, and prepared to help Dexie ashore, +she suddenly said: "I gave you the revolver, but will you mind giving me +the rest of the bullets in it?" + +He looked at her in surprise. + +"Certainly," he replied, and he laid them in her hand, "but I think you +will find them unpleasant reminders of an incident you would do well to +forget. A man in love is often a desperate individual, without realizing +his condition; and I have no doubt that, by this time, McNeil would do much +to recall what passed this afternoon. So let me ask you, for him, to +forgive it." + +"I could forgive all but the _revolver_ part of it. That was premeditated, +and I shall not forget it. Let me thank you again for your kind assistance. +I shall always think better of the soldiers for your kindness to me." + +"I am amply repaid, my fair warbler," replied the soldier, as they stood at +last on the wharf, "and if your excitable lover ever asks for his revolver, +here is my address," and he handed her a card; "but, if I mistake not, a +friend is waiting for you," and he waved his hand towards Lancy. + +At that moment Lancy turned, and seeing the object of his thoughts so near, +and in company with a soldier, his face underwent a series of expressions. +But it was really Dexie, though he could scarcely believe his own eyesight, +and he was at her side in a moment. + +"Why, Dexie! where have you been? We were afraid there had been an +accident." + +A hundred questions were on his lips, but the presence of the soldier kept +them back. + +"I have been in danger, but there has been no accident, Lancy; and you must +thank this gentleman for bringing me safely home." + +As the memory of it all passed before her, her self-control gave way, and +covering her face with her hands she burst into tears. + +This was rather embarrassing to Lancy, who was all in the dark in regard to +Dexie's movements. He was told that she had gone off with Hugh, and here +she was in company with a soldier, and in tears. + +"She will be all right in a few minutes," the officer replied, in answer to +Lancy's surprised looks. "She has gone through enough to try a strong +woman's nerves. Wait here; I'll get that cab, if it is empty, and you can +take her home at once," and he darted up the wharf at a rapid pace. + +"Where is Hugh?" said Lancy hurriedly; "not drowned, Dexie?" + +"No; not that I know of," she said, choking back her tears. + +"Then, what does all this mean? How came you to be out with the soldier, +Dexie? I don't know what to think." + +"I will tell you presently, but that soldier saved my life. Thank him for +me, Lancy, for I cannot say enough." + +The arrival of the cab prevented further explanation, and Dexie allowed +herself to be seated in it without a word. + +"I do not yet know what has happened," said Lancy, holding out his hand to +the soldier, "but I thank you very heartily for your kindness. Jump into +the cab with us, as far as your way lies, and tell me what this is all +about." + +As they took their seats, Lancy turned to Dexie, who had almost recovered +her composure, saying: + +"You have not yet introduced me to your friend. How shall I call him?" + +Dexie held up the card she had in her hand, saying: "I do not know myself, +and it is too dark to read." + +"I am Lieutenant Wilbur, at your service, and I feel happy in being the +means of rescuing the 'American Warbler' from a very unpleasant situation." + +"I am Launcelot Gurney. Now, will one of you tell me what has happened? You +have not been capsized, Dexie, for your clothes are not wet; but you have +been gone since early afternoon, and return in unexpected company. I am +bewildered by the thoughts and suggestions that crowd into my mind." + +"Let me tell the story briefly, and she can relate the details later on. +Here it is: Your fair warbler finds herself afloat, and unintentionally +alone with a desperate lover, who demands her heart and hand at the point +of a revolver, with the alternative of a death in his arms. Choosing +neither, said American warbler skilfully guides the boat to a vessel +anchored near, hoping to find a rescuer. This failing her, she takes +advantage of a moment when the aforesaid lover's back is turned, and +escapes to the vessel by aid of a rope ladder, and effectually keeps at bay +the aforesaid lover by a judicious use of the revolver, which had +previously been turned against herself. Then finding himself worsted, the +afore-mentioned desperate lover hies himself away, and your humble servant +turns up in the nick of time, and rescues the almost despairing warbler, +and returns her to the arms of--well--a waiting friend; quite a romance, my +wife will say." + +Lancy listened to the story with amazement. + +"Dexie, is this possible? or is the lieutenant only joking?" + +"It has been no joke to me, Lancy; I can say that," was the reply in a +quivering voice. "I was not off the vessel ten minutes, before we met the +vessel's crew going towards her. I can't bear to think of it." + +"But the revolver; surely that is an exaggeration!" + +"It is here," and the lieutenant held it towards Lancy, who drew back with +a shudder. + +"Heavens! is it possible? I can hardly realize how Hugh was capable of such +an act." + +"You had better take this Mr. Gurney, and give it to the owner," said the +lieutenant, still holding out the weapon. + +"No!" said Dexie quickly, "he shall not have it back! If you will not keep +it, Lieutenant Wilbur, I will throw it into the harbor the first chance I +get!" + +"I will keep it then, fair warbler," and he replaced it in his pocket. + +"Does he not know your name?" said Lancy, in a low tone. + +"No, but he saw us both in the hall, and remembers me." + +"Well, it is but fair, lieutenant," said Lancy aloud, "that you should know +the name of the lady you rescued. This is Miss Dexie Sherwood." + +"Ah! happy to know you at last, Miss Sherwood," was the laughing reply, as +he bent over her a moment; "but I must bid you good-bye, as I get off +here," and signalling the driver he lifted his cap, and was soon out of +sight. + +They reached home in a few minutes, and Lancy followed Dexie into the +house, saying: + +"I must have the story from your lips before I leave you to-night, Dexie." + +"Very well; but remember it is long past tea-time, and I am almost +famished." + +The family had become very much alarmed at Dexie's prolonged absence, and +Mr. Sherwood had gone out to inquire if any accident had been reported on +the water. As Dexie entered the sitting-room, Gussie looked up in +surprise, as she saw who was Dexie's companion; she expected it would be +Hugh, and it was easy to see that she was not in the best of tempers. + +"It is time you were home, miss," was her caustic remark. "It is a wonder +you are not ashamed of yourself to stay out till this hour! Just you wait +till papa comes home--he has been almost wild with fright; and you have +given mamma one of her nervous headaches, and she is quite ill; so you know +just what you may expect from her." + +Dexie made no answer, but moved briskly from sideboard to closet, +collecting her supper. + +"It would have been better for you if you had come home at the proper time +to your supper, instead of keeping us waiting for you, as you did," and a +torrent of complaints and reproaches were poured out, regardless of Lancy's +presence, till he was moved to reply: + +"I think, Gussie, if you knew the cause of her detention, and how much she +has borne because of it, you would not say another unkind word to her +to-night." + +"Oh, never mind her, Lancy," said Dexie; "honestly, I rather enjoy it. I +was so afraid this afternoon that I should never hear her scold me again +that I can bear all she has to say as meekly as a lamb." + +Gussie looked up in astonishment, then dropped her eyes for very shame. + +"What has happened? Were you capsized? Is Hugh drowned?" she asked in +alarm, noticing for the first time how sober they looked. + +Her unceremonious exit from the boat had put her out of temper. She felt +angry and mortified when she remembered how glad Hugh seemed to be to get +rid of her. Was the day to end in a tragedy? + +Where was Hugh, sure enough? + +After leaving Dexie, he rowed across the harbor to some small fishing-boats +that were riding at anchor, and tried to hire the occupants of one of them +to accompany him to the vessel. But the story he told them seemed so +improbable they would pay no attention to him for some time. Hugh was +almost beside himself with fear on Dexie's account; but he at last +succeeded in persuading a crafty old fellow to accompany him, by promising +him more money for his services than the fisherman had ever, at one time, +seen in his life, and finally he accompanied Hugh back to the vessel. + +But, by the time they arrived, Dexie had disappeared past George's Island +with the soldier, and Hugh found the vessel's deck alive with a set of men +capable of the darkest deeds that drunken sailors ever perpetrated. Hugh's +inquiries were not understood, of course; but believing the worst, he +demanded to be allowed on board the vessel. This the captain, who now +appeared, and who was about as drunk as his crew, refused to allow. Hugh +urged and argued in vain, the idea of a young lady being aboard the vessel +being hailed with uproarious shrieks of merriment by the vessel's crew. +Hugh was at last obliged to give up in despair, and he rowed back with all +speed towards the city, to secure the aid of the police in his search. + +This was the darkest hour Hugh had ever known. The strain on his nerves, +coupled with the anxiety of the previous weeks, was more than he could +bear, and when, with the assistance of two men armed with authority, he +searched the vessel for any trace of Dexie's presence, and found none, his +brain seemed to collapse, and the brass-buttoned officers carried him back +in their boat to Halifax in a state of unconsciousness. + +About midnight, with a doctor in attendance, he was carefully carried to +Mr. Gurney's in a state of delirium. + +The next morning the startling news was brought into the Sherwood household +that Hugh McNeil was down with brain fever, and that the doctor had not +left the house since midnight. + +Why did they all look at Dexie in such a horrified manner? Was she to +blame? Their looks implied as much. She fought against the implication +inwardly, but made no remark whatever as the news was being discussed. + +But, as the day wore on, the unnatural stillness of the house seemed to +weigh her down with its oppressiveness, and she caught herself listening to +every sound with strained ears and every nerve on the alert. + +She did not dare venture into the next door to make inquiries, not knowing +how much they might be blaming her for Hugh's sudden illness; and the added +trouble and anxiety his sickness necessarily caused, left no time for the +Gurney girls to run in with a report of his condition. Consequently, when +Lancy appeared about nine o'clock in the evening, Dexie's eyes asked the +question her lips had not power to form. + +"Hugh is no better--worse, if possible," and Lancy's face was as white as +Dexie's own. "He keeps calling for you in his delirium; he seems to think +you are drowned or worse, and reaches out to catch you. It takes two to +hold him sometimes." + +"Oh, Lancy! am I to blame?" she said, bursting into tears. "I have had such +a horrible day with my thoughts. I don't see how I could help it; yet it +was my fault, I suppose." + +"Well, under the circumstances, I don't see how you could have done +differently, Dexie; but don't fret about it. It is an uncomfortable affair +all round, to be sure. I can't help feeling proud of you the way you braved +it out rather than give your promise; but, of course, it was hard on Hugh." + +"Does your mother know anything about my part of the affair?" + +"Oh, yes! I told her all about it. Hugh raved so, I had to explain what I +knew about the trouble. She guessed quickly enough that something had +happened between you." + +"And the doctor?" + +"Oh! he knows about it too, and he wants to know if you will come in, if +they find they cannot quiet him. Oh, Hugh will not know you," he added, +looking into her frightened face; "but the doctor thinks you might get him +to sleep if you would be willing to try it." + +"Oh, dear! I don't want to go near him; but I suppose I must, if there is +any chance of convincing him that I am safe, after all." + +The doctor looked up in surprise when Dexie appeared in the room with Mrs. +Gurney a short time after. Was it this slip of a girl that had wrought such +mischief? + +"So this is _your_ work," and he waved his hand towards the bed. + +Dexie flashed an angry look at him, saying in a low voice: + +"I beg your pardon, sir, I think Mr. McNeil can blame himself and no one +else. What can I do, Mrs. Gurney?" + +Hugh was tossing about in restless delirium, muttering broken sentences; +and the piteous cry of "Dexie! oh, Dexie!" rang through the room. + +"Speak to him; perhaps he will realize you are here," said Mrs. Gurney. + +The doctor placed a chair by the bedside for her, then stood by the foot of +the bed, watching. + +"I never meant it, Dexie; I would not throw you over for worlds; forgive +me." + +Dexie knew that the memory of the scene on the roof was troubling his mind, +and the anguish depicted on Hugh's face brought such a lump into her throat +that she could not speak a word. + +"Come back into the boat with me; I'll promise to take you home," he cried. + +The doctor eyed Dexie sternly. + +"Speak to him," he said, sharply. + +"I am here, Mr. McNeil. I have come back safe and well. Try to sleep." + +Her voice seemed to pierce the troubled brain, and his face lost much of +its troubled look. + +"Sing something, Dexie," said Mrs. Gurney, "and perhaps he will sleep. He +has not been quiet since they brought him home," and, bending down, said +softly, "Try, Dexie. I know it is hard for you, but if he will sleep it +will be almost the saving of him. You will do this for me, I know." + + "Nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer to Thee." + +It was almost a whisper, but it soon had a visible effect on Hugh, and in +half an hour the doctor's curt words, "You may go now," were more welcome +than the sweetest praise. + +As the fever ran its course, Dexie was frequently called to Hugh's +bedside. How she dreaded those visits, yet stern duty forbade her to +refuse, as her heart often prompted. + +Dexie soon saw that she was not in the doctor's good graces, for as Hugh +revealed the past, in broken and disjointed sentences, it gave him the +impression that she had been trifling with Hugh's affections, and she +resented the tone he assumed when speaking to her. However, as the days +passed, and the doctor learned the real truth of the matter, he began to +look at Dexie with less disfavor; but the inquisitive manner with which he +now regarded her was not less objectionable. + +"You will marry him yet," the doctor said one night as he watched his +patient through his wildest hours. + +Dexie, who was sitting near the window, turned in surprise at the +unlooked-for remark. + +"Yes, my word for it, Miss Sherwood, you will marry him yet, after all the +fuss you have made over your refusal." + +"Never!" The reply was low, but intense. "I know my own mind, I guess! I +would not stay in the same room with him, though he is unconscious of my +presence, only Mrs. Gurney imagines he is less restless when I am near, and +she is anxious about his recovery." + +"Oh! you need not tell _me_! I have heard of such cases before now. I have +seen your eyes full of pity as you have watched beside him with Mrs. +Gurney." + +"Perhaps so; but not with the 'pity that is akin to love,' by any means," +and as Mrs. Gurney returned to the room, she bowed a stiff good-night to +the doctor and went home. + +After days of anxiety the fever reached its height, and there was not a +more anxious heart in the house that day than Dexie's own. + +As she went about her daily household duties, she mentally pictured to +herself what might happen in case of the worst. Would she be blamed for his +death? and what would become of all Hugh's money? + +She speculated as to how he had willed it, and wondered what were the +contents of the letter Hugh had written to her father before that +afternoon's sail. She hoped she would not be summoned again to the +sick-room. But she was not to have that wish, for late in the evening Lancy +came in to bring her over at once. + +"The doctor says the next hour will decide whether he lives or not, and he +wants you to be near in case you are needed in a hurry." + +Towards midnight Hugh opened his eyes and recognized Mrs. Gurney, who was +bending over him; and as he turned his face and saw the doctor also, he +said, in a faint voice: + +"What is the matter? Why am I here?" + +"You have been sick, Hugh," said Mrs. Gurney, taking his hand; "do not +talk." + +"But I thought--I thought--I was in a boat," he said, faintly, and a +puzzled look came over his face. "I was looking--for someone--or I was +dreaming." + +"You must not talk; try not to think itself," said the doctor, as he held +some medicine to his lips. "You have been dreaming, no doubt; but try not +to think about it any more." + +Hugh was quiet for some minutes; memory was slowly returning; but at last +the past all came back, and, casting an imploring glance into the doctor's +face, said: + +"Tell me! I remember it all now--I was searching for Dexie--is she safe?" + +"Yes, safe and well, so make your mind easy." + +"If I could--only feel--sure--" + +"Will you bring me that pitcher of water, Miss Sherwood?" + +The doctor's voice was low, but distinct, and an eager light came into +Hugh's face as he heard the name. + +"Pour a little into this glass," the doctor added. + +As Dexie came near at the doctor's direction, Hugh looked up, and for one +short moment their eyes met. + +But that moment assured Hugh that Dexie was safe; that was all he could +comprehend at present, for he was too weak to ask any more questions. Dexie +could not bear the strain much longer, so, bending over Mrs. Gurney, she +whispered: + +"Tell me I may go, if only into the next room. I cannot bear it." + +"Just a moment more, Miss Sherwood," the doctor whispered, overhearing the +request "Help me a moment here," he said aloud, "and then you may retire." + +She came towards the bed, and complied with his directions, knowing full +well that Hugh's eyes were devouring her face. + +"Is it you, Dexie, or your spirit?" the words were low and tremulous, but, +in the stillness of the room, sounded clear and distinct. + +"It is I, Mr. McNeil, alive, and well as ever I was." + +"Thank God!" + +His eyes closed, and with a gesture the doctor dismissed her; then taking +his seat beside the bed, he watched until he was assured that Hugh had +fallen into a natural sleep. + +As Dexie left the room, she mentally said a final good-bye to it, feeling +thankful enough that her services would not be needed again to hush the +despairing cries or still the grasping hands that had clutched at space. It +was the last time her eyes rested on Hugh for weeks. She knew he was +recovering, and that was enough. + +During his convalescence, Dexie never entered the Gurney household, lest by +some chance she might come face to face with her enemy. + +The occurrence on the boat was tacitly dropped by all parties concerned, +and only when Hugh accidentally heard that the Sherwoods were preparing to +return to the States did his reserve break down, and it was to Mrs. Gurney +alone he expressed his regrets and intentions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + +"Here's news, girls; we are going back to Maine!" and Georgie rushed into +the sitting-room where his sisters and their girl friends were chatting +together. "Papa says we are going back _for sure_, in just a few weeks, +too! Isn't that jolly?" and he manifested his delight in a series of +handsprings that would have charmed the heart of an acrobat. + +"Yes, I heard something of it, but hoped it would not come to pass," said +Dexie. + +"It is the best news I've heard for a long time, the sooner we leave this +horrid place the better I'll be pleased," was Gussie's comment. + +Elsie was quite depressed at the thought of parting from her friends; but +the intervening weeks were full of pleasure and excitement, and drives and +parties seemed to follow one another in quick succession. + +One day Dexie came in from a shopping expedition in great excitement, +saying: + +"Oh, girls, I have met my double; met her down in a store on Granville +Street, and I actually followed her until she entered a house on Spring +Garden Road. If she had worn one of my suits, I should have expected her to +walk home instead of me. I began to think 'this could not be I.' Whom do +you think she can be?" + +Nobody knew; but a few days after, Lancy related the fact that he had +hurried after a lady, supposing her to be Dexie, and found he had been +following a stranger. + +"I am going to find out who this young person is," said Dexie, laughing. +"Who knows, perhaps it is my only chance to 'see myself as others see me.'" + +After a few inquiries, it was found that Dexie's double was a Nina Gordon, +only daughter of a widow lately arrived in Halifax, and residing with a +bachelor brother who was travelling for a city firm. + +Cora Gurney happened to meet both mother and daughter while making a round +of calls with a friend, and she ran in to tell Dexie of the meeting. + +"Your double is not very much like you after all, Dexie," she said. "Her +figure and style of walking are remarkably like yours, even to the poise of +her head; her hair, too, is almost the same shade; the eyes and upper part +of the face are similar: but the mouth and chin are her own--they have no +resemblance whatever to the true Dexie. It is the first sight that strikes +one. When you look for the resemblance, it really seems slight enough, and +when she begins to talk, my! the illusion vanishes at once, for really I do +not think I ever met a person who irritated me as she did. She is a girl +after the 'china doll' pattern, and can only use her brains at the +direction of her mother. I do not think she ventured a remark of her own +all the time I was there." + +"Perhaps she did not have the chance," said Dexie, eager to champion the +cause of her double. "Some girls are not allowed to have an opinion apart +from the maternal idea of the fitness of things, and are kept down." + +"Nonsense! If you had heard her talking, Dexie, I'm sure you would have +felt like shaking her. It is only when her face is in repose that she +resembles you in the least, for the moment she begins to talk, or even +listen--or try to listen, one might say--she has the most senseless +expression I ever saw on a woman's face." + +"Goodness sake! bring me a looking-glass, quick! do, till I see what I look +like when I talk. Does my face assume an idiotic expression when I am +conversing? Be honest and tell me, for sweet charity's sake." + +"Ease your mind, Dexie," said Cora, laughing. "Did I not say that there the +resemblance ends? It is only when her face is at rest that the likeness can +be seen at all. If you ask her the simplest question, she must refer to her +mother for advice before she replies. For instance, I asked her if she +liked Halifax. 'Do I like Halifax, mamma, do you think?' and she turned to +her mother with such an affected simper. Really, I almost disliked her the +moment she opened her mouth." + +"I hope I shall get a chance to see her before we leave Halifax," said +Dexie. + +"Well, I asked her and her mother to call on mamma next week, almost on +purpose for your benefit. Hugh is getting along so well I think mamma can +receive some friends. I will let you know when they come." + +A further acquaintance corroborated Cora's idea of Nina Gordon's brains. +She seemed to have no mind of her own; a good thing, perhaps, in some +cases, but a more spiritless person to talk to never vexed the heart of man +or woman either. She had no answer for the simplest question without first +asking it from her mother, and away from her mother's side she was uneasy +and almost dumb. + +The mother's idiosyncrasy was always to do "the correct thing." The fear of +not doing it, or the dread of having done it unknowingly, was constantly +before her--the bugbear that troubled her daily. Perhaps the daughter +inherited the mother's dread, and her fear of doing or saying something +that was not just "the correct thing" made her put all the responsibility +of conversation on her mother's shoulder. Dexie was amused, as well as +provoked, as she listened to the efforts at conversation which Cora vainly +endeavored to sustain with her double, and it was evident that Mrs. Gurney +also was surprised as well as amused at Mrs. Gordon's remarks. + +"However do you manage with such a large family, Mrs. Gurney?" she was +saying. "Why, with only Nina I am wearied to death; for from the time she +wakes up I must see to everything for her until she goes to bed again at +night. How you manage it for so many, I can't see, I am sure. I should die +of fatigue." + +"Oh! the children soon get big enough to help themselves, and the younger +ones, too," Mrs. Gurney replied, with a smile. "I seldom see my girls in +the morning until I meet them at the breakfast table." + +"Is it possible! Do you not have to superintend their dressing?" she asked, +in surprise. + +"Why, no, Mrs. Gordon! Girls of that age," waving her hand toward the group +by the window, "are supposed to have judgment of their own in such things, +and with some to spare for the little ones." + +"Dear me! I should be so afraid they would not do the correct thing if I +was not by." + +"Perhaps you are by when she ought to rely on herself," was the smiling +answer. "My girls are relieving me of much of the burden of household +cares." + +"Well, well!" and Mrs. Gordon looked across at the girls in surprise. "I +wonder you are not in constant dread that some of them might not do the +correct thing when you are not near with your instructions. How wonderful +that you can trust them alone so much! Nina seems a child in comparison." + +Dexie was mentally comparing Nina to a big, useless doll; for she had to +conclude that Nina cared for nothing but "to be dressed up and wait in the +parlor for callers." + +The girls coaxed Nina away from her mother's side while the latter was +talking to Mrs. Gurney; but directly she was asked a question she wanted to +rush back to her mother, and see how she should answer it. + +"But don't you know yourself whether you like music or not?" Dexie asked +her, as Nina vainly endeavored to catch her mother's eye. "Do you not play +or sing, Miss Gordon?" + +Nina picked at her gloves in embarrassment as she replied, with a simper: + +"Well, I play scales on the piano sometimes." + +"Then you _are_ fond of music, I suppose," said Cora, pleasantly. + +"Well, I think I am. I will ask mamma; she knows if I like it. Is it quite +correct to like music, do you think?" + +The silly look which accompanied this speech made Dexie almost disgusted +with her, but she turned to Cora and smiled significantly. + +"Well," said Dexie, when her double had taken her departure, "she has tired +me out; but with that chin what can anyone expect? It tells her character +at a glance." + +"Tell us your opinion of her," said Cora. "Do _you_ see the great +difference there is between you?" + +"Why, she is different every way. First in importance is temper; there she +has the best of me, for she is as mild as milk-and-water, and I own it +certainly is not the 'correct thing' to get into such rages as I do. She +gives the impression that she is never determined about anything, and +anyone can persuade her that this, or that is right, as she has no mind to +solve the matter for herself. She will go through life depending on +another's conscience to keep her straight; but with that chin what else +could she do?" + +"What does her chin say?" said Cora, smiling. + +"'Unstable as water; unstable as water.' I saw the words every time I +glanced at her." + +For the next few days Dexie endured much teasing about her intelligent +_double_; but she bore it all so good-naturedly that it soon died away. + +Much to everyone's surprise, Dexie endeavored to see Nina frequently, and +tried to induce her to visit them often; and Dexie laughingly gave as her +reason that she would like to knock a little common-sense into her _double_ +before she left Halifax, for fear people might think that Nina was her +exact counterpart in everything. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + +One day, as Dexie was going to the post office, she met Miss Taylor, and +the memory of the adventure in the snowstorm with Lancy and Elsie rose +vividly before her mind as she grasped the outstretched hand in friendly +greeting. + +"I am in such a dilemma, Miss Sherwood!" she exclaimed. "I drove into +Halifax with a neighbor, and he was to meet me an hour ago; but I have +discovered that his usual absent-mindedness has caused him to forget all +about me. I am at my wit's end, for mother will be alarmed at my absence." + +"Come home with me, Miss Taylor. Oh! you must," as a refusal rose to her +lips, "and if you really _must_ return home to-night, it can easily be +managed, I know." + +After much persuasion, Miss Taylor accompanied Dexie home; and as she +explained the necessity of returning that night, Mrs. Gurney told Lancy to +order the horse and buggy and drive her out. + +Lancy seconded Miss Taylor's request that Dexie should drive out with them, +and the gay little party reached the Taylor homestead about sundown, +greatly to the surprise and relief of Mrs. Taylor, who feared that Susan +might try and walk the distance rather than miss the evening's festivities; +for there was to be a marriage in the family that night, and Susan had been +obliged to hasten to the city for some necessary trifles that had been +forgotten until the last moment. Lancy and Dexie stayed until after the +ceremony, but, having a long drive before them, declined the kind +invitation to linger. + +As they drove homewards the conversation turned on the intending departure +of the family from Halifax. + +"I have been waiting for a chance to have a good talk with you, Dexie, ever +since I heard you were going away; but there has been so much going on that +I never seem to see you alone a minute. Are you sorry to go, Dexie?" + +"Yes, indeed I am. I have found Halifax so pleasant that I shall always +regret leaving it." + +"But you are coming back sometime, you know, Dexie? I am sure you know I am +constantly looking forward to the time when you will be my wife. We +understand each other, do we not?" + +"Well, I am not sure that we do, Lancy. I doubt if we look at things in the +same light," and she gave a quick glance into the face that was regarding +her so earnestly. + +"But you know how much I care for you--that I love you, Dexie?" he said, +taking her hand. "You have never told me you cared for me in so many words, +Dexie, but I am sure you do. They are all pleased with the idea at home, +and father has promised to take me into partnership the first of the year. +Until then I shall not know just how much of an income I shall have, but I +know it will be enough for us to live on quite comfortably; and we could +live in the part of the house that you occupy now. But you have not said +the word yet that will bind us. Will you be my wife, Dexie?" + +"Lancy, I will be honest and plain-spoken; then there will be no +misunderstanding. Of course, I care a good deal for you, but I really do +not believe I love you as a woman should love the man she marries; and you +may meet the one who will give you that love some day, then you will be +sorry you put that question to me. Honestly, Lancy, although we have cared +very much for each other's society, I don't believe we would be half as +happy together as man and wife as we are now. I can't imagine myself living +with you day after day, and performing the little daily services for you +that come so naturally from your mother, and which goes to make your +father's life so comfortable and happy." + +"Why need you pattern your future life after that of my mother; your mother +does not--" Lancy paused in embarrassment. + +"Oh! you need not mind saying it to me; it is only between ourselves. You +want to say that my mother does not put herself out to do much for the +happiness of the rest of us." + +"No, I was not intending to go so far as that, Dexie." + +"Well, I hope when I get married that I shall care enough for my husband to +feel like exerting myself a little towards making the house comfortable. I +want a happier married life than I see at home. I suppose we all have our +ideals, but I would sooner take your mother for an example of what a wife +should be, rather than mine." + +"I believe you and I would live very happily together, Dexie; if you cared +for me as much as I care for you, there would be no trouble," and he +pressed the hand he held in his. + +"Oh! I daresay we might get along quite _passably_, Lancy; but that doesn't +seem to me enough, and I do not want to be bound by a promise which, in the +future, we might both wish was never made." + +"Dexie, I never thought you would put me off like this," said Lancy, in a +wounded tone "You have known all this time how much I care for you, and how +it was to end, and yet you think I may fall in love with someone else when +you have gone away. How can you think such a thing?" + +"I have no cause to think so, Lancy, for indeed you have been most kind to +me all along; but I cannot help thinking that you may meet someone else who +would suit you better, and yet you would feel bound to me if a promise was +made between us. Let me go away free, Lancy, and if by the time you are +ready to take a wife you find your feelings the same as they are now, ask +me your question again; perhaps I will know my own mind by that time, for I +must confess I hardly do at present." + +"I will never change; but you--you want to leave the way open for yourself, +and I thought you cared for me, Dexie." + +Dexie felt hurt at his reproachful tone, but she put her hand across his, +saying: "Lancy, don't be silly, for I do care for you. I do not know any +other person, outside my own family, that I like so well as I do you. Now, +will that admission satisfy you? But do not ask a promise from me for a +year; give me even six months; by that time we will know whether we are +necessary to each other's happiness or not." + +"Very well, Dexie, but I shall feel that you are mine, even though you have +not given me your promise; so do not let any romantic notions run away with +you when I am not near to watch you." + +"But, Lancy," said she, laughing, "supposing I should happen to meet some +person who inspired me with love such as one reads of in story books, would +you care to have me for a wife if my heart were not in the bargain?" + +"No, Dexie, I hope you are supposing impossible things. Would you break my +heart?" + +"Hearts don't break, Lancy," she said, smiling; "they may ache, but I doubt +if they ever break." + +"Dexie, you make my heart ache already. I have planned and hoped so much, +and you give me so little to build on, after all. Is it fair to trifle with +me like this?" + +There was a few minutes' silence, then Dexie said: + +"Lancy, think a minute. Have I ever been guilty of trifling with anyone's +feelings? Have I not been open and outspoken to you in everything? I am +afraid, Lancy, this very fact has made you think that I care for you more +than I really do, but I think that too many young girls jump into matrimony +with their eyes blindfolded, and I do not intend to add to the number. +There is plenty of time to settle the question, when I know that I really +love you. It would not be honest to deceive you in this, Lancy." + +"My Dexie, you could not deceive me if you tried. I am perfectly content +with the love you have for me already, without waiting for the romantic +passion which some story-writers consider necessary before a marriage +should take place. But your answer has disappointed me, Dexie, for I +expected to present you to mother, on our return, as my promised wife. +Indeed I was so sure you would not refuse me, I prepared myself with this," +and he took from his pocket a little casket containing a handsome +engagement ring. + +"Lancy, how could you?" The words seemed to come from the depths of her +heart. + +"Do let me put it on your finger, Dexie. Think what happiness you will give +me by wearing it." + +"Lancy, I want to please you, really I do, but don't ask me to put it on. I +always think a ring binds the person receiving it the same as it binds the +finger, and, once on, is almost a sacred thing; and feeling as I do, I +don't want to wear it lightly. Lancy, can't you trust me for six months +without a reminder?" + +"Yes, but I wish you would wear it as a 'sign between me and thee'; do not +refuse me this, Dexie." + +"Let me wear it on my chain, then, and I will take it," and she drew from +her neck a fine gold chain with a pretty charm attached. Detaching the +latter, she held it to him, saying: + +"This is my one treasure, Lancy, take it in exchange; if ever you care for +another more than for me, send it back to me. I will wear your ring in its +place on the same conditions," and she clasped the chain around her neck +again, hiding the ring in her bosom. + +Lancy placed the precious token in an inside pocket containing some other +treasures, and Dexie blushed as she recognized them as some trifles of her +own. + +"I think I can claim that glove," said she, laughing as Lancy tucked the +little parcel in his pocket. "I have missed it for some time." + +"You shall have it when the hand is mine that fits it," said he with a +bright smile, as he raised her hand to his lips. "I wonder if you realize +how much I shall miss you, Dexie. The only ray of comfort I can see is the +thought of the pleasure your letters will give me; only for that I would go +melancholy, like Hugh." + +"Lancy, don't joke about Hugh; I can't bear it. I was so startled when I +saw him out last Sunday. He looked so pale and thin I could hardly believe +it was he. Does he ever mention my name, Lancy?" + +"Never; but if anyone happens to bring it up in connection with anything, +he seems that eager to hear every word, that I can't help feeling sorry for +him. Be careful and don't make me your second victim." + +"I do not believe I am responsible for Hugh's condition, and it is not fair +for you to speak as if I was; but now he is able to be about, I am in +constant terror lest he will corner me sometime and renew his attack. That +is the only thing that makes me feel glad that I am leaving Halifax. I am +afraid I could not bear such another scare as he gave me that day in the +boat." + +"I will make it known to him in some way that you are to be my wife; and +when he hears it, I am sure he will never trouble you again. When +everything is settled, I will go and claim you; and I fancy Hugh will not +stay in Halifax when we are married. How soon do you think you will be +going away?" + +"Sometime within a month. Papa is weatherwise, and thinks the winter will +set in early, so is anxious to hasten our departure." + +A few evenings later, there was a small family party at Mrs. Beverly's, to +which Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood and the twin girls were invited. Cora and Elsie +Gurney were also going with Lancy and Hugh. This being the first time Hugh +was able to appear at such a gathering, he was building many air-castles in +connection with it, for he would there meet Dexie for the first time since +his illness. He had made inquiries as to whether Dexie would be present, +and being assured that she intended going, he looked forward to the meeting +with a pleasure that was not unmixed with pain. + +But when Dexie heard that Hugh intended going, and had been asking about +her intentions also, she thought she would give it up; yet considering that +she must of necessity meet him sooner or later, she thought it would be +wiser to do so among a number of people. + +Everything seemed to go wrong with Gussie that day. She had heard by some +chance that Dexie and Lancy were really engaged, and as Dexie would neither +admit nor deny the fact, she felt exasperated almost to madness. + +As the day wore on, Gussie's incessant bickerings became unbearable, and +among other things she charged Dexie with the most heartless behavior in +regard to Hugh, until she could not bear the thought of meeting him, so she +silently decided to remain at home, but to say nothing about her decision +until the last moment; consequently, no one had a chance to tell Hugh that +Dexie had changed her mind. + +When the guests were assembled in the commodious parlors, Hugh searched in +vain among the different groups for a trace of the face he was so anxious +to see. Once he gave a start as a face turned towards him--a face that +seemed to belong to the form he was seeking--but when the sound of the +voice reached his ears he turned in disgust, for it was only Nina Gordon. + +Later on he learned from Gussie that Dexie had turned "sulky" at the last +moment and refused to come. His face lighted up at the information, and +Gussie never knew that her news sent him to make excuses and adieus to his +hostess, and drove him homeward at a pace that seemed unnecessary, seeing +that he had so much leisure time at his command. + +Dexie had gone to the parlor to get a book, and stepping to the bow window +to draw the curtains, saw his well-known figure hurrying down the street. + +"Goodness! here is Hugh coming back! What has happened, I wonder?" + +It took her but a moment to fasten the hall-door, and running to the +kitchen, said: + +"Nancy, if anyone calls, do not admit them to-night. You can say the family +are out. I am going to the upper hall to finish my book." Then, laying her +hand on Nancy's arm, she said in a low tone: "Don't let Hugh McNeil come in +to-night, Nancy. I have fastened the front door, so he can't come in unless +you let him." + +"Rest easy, missie; you shan't be troubled if you don't like. But I mind he +is off to the party with the rest." + +"I have seen him coming back, so I wanted to warn you." + +"All right, then. Ye have had a hard day, missie; run off with yer book. +It's meself that will see ye are not troubled the night by anybody." + +Nancy had been in the family long enough to know something of their +affairs, and she took quite an interest in the doings of her favorite. She +saw more than she let anyone suppose, and her apparent stupidity was often +put on as a "blind." + +With a book as a companion, Dexie was soon in her favorite retreat, for she +had one cosy little corner which no one cared to dispute with her. The +recess at the end of the upper hall she had curtained off, and besides the +few blooming plants on the wide window-sill it held an old-fashioned but +comfortable sofa, a big chair and a tiny table. It was here Dexie made up +her housekeeping accounts, and performed such other duties as she could +bring to her snug little corner. It was the one spot in the house which she +claimed as her own. + +She had no sooner seated herself to read than the sound of the door-bell +echoed through the house. It was several times repeated before Nancy +appeared to answer the summons, and Dexie's heart seemed to leap up in her +throat as she recognized Hugh's voice. But Nancy remembered the injunctions +given her, and refused admittance, saying decidedly that the family were +out; and when Hugh reminded her that Miss Dexie was at home, Nancy boldly +said that Miss Dexie was not going to be disturbed by anybody. Dexie gave a +sigh of relief as she heard the door shut and Hugh's step on the pavement +below. She turned to her book and was soon lost to all outside influences +in her sympathy for the heroine of the story, when a slight movement of the +curtain caused her to look up. The book dropped from her fingers and she +staggered to her feet, her face white, even to her lips. Terror seemed to +rob her of all power to move or speak, as she gazed into the face before +her that was almost as colorless as her own. + +With a quick movement Hugh dropped the curtain behind him and came forward +with outstretched hands. + +"You cannot keep me away, Dexie. You refused to let me in at the door, but +you forgot the secret passage in the attic. My darling! I did not intend to +frighten you!" noticing for the first time how terrified she looked. "I +only came to ask your forgiveness." + +He reached out his hands to catch her, but he was too late, for, as he +spoke, she fell in a heap on the floor in a dead faint. With trembling +hands Hugh lifted the unconscious form to the little sofa, and kneeling +beside her bent over her, chaffing her hands and calling her by all the +tender names which he had only dared to give her in his heart; and the +pent-up emotions of weeks found relief in a shower of kisses, which rained +on the upturned face and ruffled hair that framed it like a glory. It was +very wrong of him, to be sure; but the man who is famishing, and who steals +the loaf that will put life into his starving body, should not be severely +dealt with, and Hugh's hungry heart was sadly in need of some satisfying +food. + +Dexie's faint lasted so long that Hugh began to feel alarmed, yet he could +not think of calling to Nancy for help. Not for anything would he have her +know that he had dared to enter the house in this clandestine manner, and +he knew Dexie would feel vexed enough if anyone should find him there with +her; so he hastily opened the nearest chamber door, and securing the +water-pitcher on the stand, he bathed the white face until the quivering +eyelids told that consciousness was returning. A few minutes later Dexie +opened her eyes, and seeing Hugh still beside her she tried to raise +herself, but sank back again on the sofa. + +"Leave me at once!" she said, faintly. "Oh! I feel so sick! Go, I say." + +"I cannot leave you until I see you better, Dexie. I will not touch you +again, so do not be afraid of me." + +Dexie felt too helpless even to object, so she laid back with closed eyes, +wondering what had come over her just when she needed to be strong and +bold. At last, when the silence was beginning to be unbearable to both of +them, she opened her eyes, and Hugh, seeing her efforts to rise, gently +helped her to a sitting posture, then seated himself in the chair beside +her. + +"Why did you come here, Mr. McNeil?" looking at him with offended eyes. "It +is unfair to persecute me in this way." + +"Forgive me for coming, then, but I had no thought of persecuting you. I +heard news to-day that troubled me, and I was not strong enough to resist +the temptation of coming to see you once more, when I found you were not at +the party." + +Dexie sat with tight-clasped hands, but said not a word, and Hugh saw no +relenting look in the dark eyes that looked almost black in their +intensity. + +"Dexie, you are displeased with me, and justly so, for my mad behavior in +the boat, but I have longed for the chance to ask your forgiveness, and I +went to Mrs. Beverly's to-night solely to ask it of you. Dexie, your heart +is not as hard as you would have me think, for I know whose kind hands +helped Mrs. Gurney during my illness, and how you watched beside me when +others were too terrified to be of service." + +Still no response from the white lips, for Dexie's heart was throbbing too +fast to allow of speech. + +"I am going away, Dexie--somewhere--it matters little where--so bear with +me, for this is the last time I shall see you alone. I cannot stay here, +knowing that others have obtained the happiness I longed for," and looking +into her face, he added: "Is it really true, Dexie, that you are going to +marry Lancy? I heard it to-day as a fact." + +A deep flush spread over the face that before was so deathly white, and not +wishing Hugh to think there was any doubt about the matter she drew from +her neck the gold chain, and, as she held up the ring, said in a low tone: +"Is that enough to convince you?" + +"No, Dexie, it is not, for you would not hesitate to wear the ring in its +proper place if you felt sure of your own heart." + +"If I was not sure before, I am now!" and in an instant the ring was +flashing on her finger, and her eyes were lit up by an angry gleam. She +wondered how it was that Hugh always seemed to bring up her worst feelings. +She was angry, and she did not attempt to hide it. + +"You have no right to speak to me like that! You have no right even to seek +me here against my will! I have plenty of unpleasant memories of you +already, so be kind enough to go home! When I remember that boat sail, your +very presence seems an insult." + +"Dexie, I did not mean to vex you again, but it is not my fault that your +memory is full of unpleasant happenings in connection with me. Fate seems +against me," said he, with a sigh, "but, Dexie, let us part friends," and +he rose from his seat and stood beside her. + +But the firm, closed mouth gave no promise of yielding until Hugh dropped +beside her on the sofa, and in a voice choking with emotion made one +further appeal. + +"Dexie, if you could but picture the anguish of my heart when I returned +that day to the vessel with other help than mine, and found no trace of +you, I think that even you would admit that I suffered enough for my +madness and folly; and since I have been sick, memory has given me many a +weary hour and adds many a thrust to wounds that are almost unbearable. It +is hard to give up all hope and face the dreary future without you, for you +have robbed my life of all happiness. If I must be sent hopeless away, tell +me, at least, that the unfortunate past is forgiven; it would make it +easier to bear." + +His voice had grown soft, and his eager, pleading tone was hard to resist. + +Dexie felt her anger giving place to a feeling of pity. + +"I do not forgive easily, I fear, Mr. McNeil," said she, in a low tone, +"but I will try and think less bitterly of that unpleasant affair in the +future. I would be sorry to think that I had, even unintentionally, spoiled +your life; but you will not feel so low-spirited when you get stronger. The +best years of your life are yet before you, and I will soon drop out of +your memory as entirely as if you had never known me. Forget me as soon as +you can; that is the best wish I can give you." + +"Ah! Dexie, that proves that you do not know what true love really is! When +your heart awakens, as it surely will sometime, you will know how cruel you +have been to me. Well, you have told me to go, and I suppose I must; but +it is hard--hard to leave you so! Do we part friends?" and he held out his +hand as he rose to his feet again. + +"Yes, I think so," and she gave him her hand, "but I hope you will not come +here any more; it is unpleasant for both of us." + +"And this is to be our good-bye! It is hard to give you up, my darling!" +and he held her hand as if he would never let it go. "I wonder if I shall +ever see you again!" + +"Mr. McNeil, I have not troubled you with many favors, so I think you might +grant me one. Please do not leave the Gurneys just now; on my account, I +mean. We are going away from Halifax so soon ourselves, and I know it will +be a disappointment to them if you leave just now. I am sure they do not +wish you to go away until you are stronger. They have all been so kind to +me, I wish you would not make any change until we are gone." + +"That is a great temptation, Dexie, coming from you; but a few weeks of +your presence, even though I may not see you, will be heaven itself, +compared to the life I must spend without you. I may, perhaps, see you +again." + +"No! Not alone, at least! Let this be good-bye, Mr. McNeil," and she tried +to draw away her hands. + +But he drew her close to him, and giving one long, earnest look into her +eyes, he lifted her hands to his lips and pressed a burning kiss upon them; +then the curtain dropped behind him. + +Dexie stood where Hugh had left her for some minutes, listening to his +retreating footsteps as he disappeared up the attic stairs, then sank down +in the chair Hugh had occupied, and buried her face in her hands. There was +a tumult in her heart that required some deep thinking before she would +feel like herself again. Thoughts had arisen that had disquieted her. Hugh +had told her that her heart had not yet awakened; was it so? Why, then, was +she wearing Lancy's ring? She blushed as she pulled it hastily off, hiding +it on her chain like a guilty thing. + +The story she had been reading, and which she had thought so overdrawn, +came into her mind; it had pleased her because she had thought it so +delightfully unreal. But had there not been passages in her own life quite +as romantic in their nature as that which seemed so interesting when read +out of a story-book. + +Her heart had not yet awakened! How those words seemed to repeat themselves +over and over as she sat. + +Had she awakened Hugh's heart only to disappoint him? Well, she had not +intended nor wished to do it; but he was very much in earnest, and she was +sorry. She sighed as she rose from her chair and picked up the book that +still lay on the floor, but she had lost all interest in the story; so she +threw it carelessly on the table and went downstairs to await the coming of +the rest, her thoughts still busy over the problems that Hugh's unexpected +visit had aroused. + +Dexie found that the party had not improved Gussie's temper, for she came +home with many complaints as to how she had been neglected. + +"I wish you had gone," she said spitefully to Dexie. "I was sick and tired +of hearing people ask where you were, and why you had not come, and there +was not a soul there that I cared to talk to, even Mr. McNeil disappeared, +no one knows where." + +Dexie colored slightly as her father regarded her curiously; no further +mention was made of the matter at the time. Mr. Sherwood, however, was not +surprised when, a short time after, someone came behind him, and, with arms +around his neck, confessed in his ear that "Mr. McNeil had been in to see +her, but had come in through the attic, because he was not allowed in by +the door, and that they had quarrelled a little, but parted friends," and +ended by asking him "not to tell mamma, for fear Gussie might get hold of +it." + +"Poor little girl, she has quite a time of it among them," her father said +as she left him; "yet I think I can safely leave it all with herself." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + +"Only one week more and we must say good-bye to dear old Halifax," said +Dexie one morning, as she hurriedly made her toilet. + +"Well, I am glad of it, for it is cold enough here this morning to freeze a +bear," replied Gussie from among the blankets. + +"Oh! Gussie, the ground is covered with snow, and it is still snowing," +said Dexie, joyfully, as she raised the window curtain. "Oh, I do hope it +will last until we can have one more sleigh drive," and she ran downstairs +singing like a lark. + +All day the snow kept falling in large heavy flakes, but towards evening +the weather turned clear and frosty. Then the merry jingle of sleigh-bells +could be heard on every side, for everyone who could was taking advantage +of this, the first sleighing of the season. + +Lancy had no trouble in getting Dexie to promise him her company for a +sleigh drive, but he was planning for a private little drive in a single +sleigh, with only room for two; while Dexie, not quite so sentimentally +inclined, was hoping to make it a jolly sleighing party, in which a number +should participate. She had watched Lancy as he drove away to the store in +the large open sleigh which was termed "the delivery team," and a few +whispered words to Elsie were hint enough. + +A short time before Lancy could be expected home, Dexie and Elsie, well +wrapped in furs, were making their way towards Mr. Gurney's store on +Granville Street; but meeting Maud Harrington and Fanny Beverly, they +stopped a moment to speak to them. + +"Which way are you going, girls?" Dexie asked, her eyes sparkling with +mischief. + +"We are on our way home, just now," said Fanny, "but it is a wonder that +you girls are not taking advantage of the sleighing, when it will last only +a day or two at the most." + +"Oh! we expect to have a drive later on," said Elsie. "Be on the lookout +for us, and if you are not over-fastidious as to the style of the turnout, +there will be a chance for you to have a drive as well." + +"Oh! I'll not refuse a sleigh-drive; I would accept a seat on a bob-sled +rather than miss the first sleighing," said Fanny, with a laugh. + +Lancy was surprised when Dexie and his sister made their appearance in the +store; but as Dexie carried some parcels with her, he supposed she had been +out to do some shopping. + +"I am almost ready to go home, girls, so sit down and wait for me," he +said, as he brought forward some seats, "and if you will accept a drive in +the delivery, it will save you the walk home." + +Of course they would wait and drive back with him; so Lancy went out and +placed some temporary seats in the big sleigh, making them soft and +comfortable by the aid of rugs and robes. + +"Are you coming back with us, Hugh?" as Hugh made his appearance from the +booking-room. + +"Well--yes--if I may," and he looked over to the window where Dexie was +standing, as if to ask her permission. + +"Well, there is plenty of room, Mr. McNeil," she said, with a smile, "so +you won't crowd us." + +Lancy helped Dexie into the seat beside himself, so Hugh and Elsie took the +seat behind. + +"Really, this is very comfortable, Lancy," said Dexie, as they flew along +the street. "I don't see what better accommodation one could ask than this. +Don't drive straight home; let us have our drive without changing the +sleigh," she added, in a low voice. + +"No, I want you alone; there is too much room here to please me," he +replied, with a smile. + +"Oh! stop a minute, Lancy," cried Elsie, a moment later. "There is Maud +Harrington and Fanny Beverly; I want to speak to them. Do ask them to come +for a drive." + +"Elsie, are you crazy?--in this sleigh? Good evening, ladies" (this to the +laughing girls on the sidewalk). "I am delivering some lively freight, you +see. Don't you admire my turnout?" + +"Yes; it is superb. May we get on board?" + +"Well, if you would care to--I don't mind," was the hesitating reply; "but +I have nothing but boards for seats, you know." + +"Oh! no matter. The first sleigh-drive of the season is always the most +enjoyable, no matter what sort of a sleigh carries you along." + +Lancy soon had them seated as comfortably as circumstances would permit, +and they drove off with many expressions of delight. + +"Turn up Spring Garden Road, Lancy," said Hugh, entering into the spirit of +the fun; "perhaps we will meet another friend or two who would enjoy a +spin." + +Presently they came up with Fred Beverly and May Deblois, as they were +stepping briskly along the sidewalk, who started in surprise as the sleigh +drove up and they recognized the occupants. + +"Will you have a drive?" was Lancy's greeting. + +"Most willingly," replied Fred, laughing. "Really, this is kind of you, +Gurney, to give your friends a drive on the first snow." + +"Oh! you need not give _me_ any credit, for you had better believe I never +intended to form a sleighing party when I started out with _this_ team." + +"Unexpected blessings thankfully received," said Fred, laughing. "The going +is fine, but it won't last long, unfortunately." + +On they went, their merry laughter chiming with the jingling of the sleigh +bells, and more than one person turned to look after them with a feeling of +envy. + +"Oh! that was Mrs. Gordon we just passed at the corner," said Elsie, in a +whisper. "How horrified she would be if she knew who we were!" + +"Do let us call for Nina," said Dexie; "there is room for one more, and I'm +sure she would enjoy it." + +"But she would not consider it 'the correct thing,'" said Fred, with a +laugh, "so you would have your trouble for nothing." + +"Oh, I am sure she would _love_ to come! do let me run in and ask her!" she +urged, as they neared the house. "Ten to one she will not come until her +mamma comes home to tell her if it is 'the correct thing' or not," said +Fred, teasingly. + +"Yes, that will be just it; she will not know what to wear for this special +occasion, and it is a pity to lose a moment of this beautiful evening," +said Fanny. + +"I'll run the risk, and stand responsible for 'the correct thing' this +time," said Dexie; "so do let me out, Lancy. Give me three minutes, and I +will return with or without her." + +Dexie had noticed Nina's wistful face in the window as they drove up, so +she ran into the house without ceremony. + +"Come, Nina, can you get ready to go for a drive in three minutes? Say, +quick!" + +"Oh, I would _love_ to go, but mamma is out, and I could not get ready so +soon without her. Oh, I am so sorry!" and she looked her disappointment. + +"Come along; I'll dress you in a jiffy," and she pulled her out into the +hall, and from among the clothing which hung in the cloak closet she soon +had her muffled to the ears, in spite of Nina's repeated protests that +_none_ of those articles of clothing belonged to herself, but to her uncle. + +"Oh, I am so afraid; indeed, I feel _sure_ mamma would say that it is not +the correct thing to go like this." + +"Oh, no matter; hurry, or they won't wait for us. It won't hurt to be +dressed in this rig for a short time," and Dexie hurriedly buttoned the big +coat around her, and pulled a fur cap down over her ears, completely +concealing her identity. + +"My muff and furs are upstairs somewhere. Mamma put them away." + +"This will keep your neck warm," and Dexie snatched a fancy woollen afagan +from the back of a chair, and wrapped it around Nina's neck. "Put your +hands up your sleeves, and you will never miss your muff," and she hurried +her _double_ out on the sidewalk. + +"Time is just up," said Fred, "but you have done it complete. Let me help +you in, Miss Gordon," and Nina was soon tucked in among the rest. + +"Now, drive on as fast as you like; we must not keep her out long, for fear +her mother should see her. I expect she would never hear the last of it. +For once the correct thing has been set aside. What do you say, Elsie?" +Dexie whispered; "I am sure Nina will enjoy the drive, even though she may +be tormented with the thought of her novel wrappings." + +Nina did indeed enjoy the drive. It was so seldom that any girlish +pleasures came her way that for once she forgot to worry about her +appearance. + +Dexie's self-reliant manner was doing much to inspire Nina with courage to +act on her own responsibility occasionally, and the few weeks' acquaintance +with girls of her own age made quite an improvement in her manner, so that +she could now laugh with the rest at the harmless jokes which passed back +and forth, without waiting to consult her mamma about the propriety of it. + +They were driving along pretty fast, for the streets had become hard and +smooth by the continual passing of so many teams; but the speed only added +to their pleasure, and no one had a thought of a possible mishap. As they +turned a corner the sleigh gave a sudden slew, and instantly all hands +found themselves on the ground in one grand, promiscuous heap, the shrill +screams of the girls adding to the general confusion. Lancy landed on his +feet, and quickly brought the horses to a standstill, and it took but an +instant to right the sleigh on its runners again. With quick movements Hugh +and Fred picked up their scattered belongings, and helped the girls back +into their seats, making many anxious inquiries as to whether any of them +were hurt, and they drove rapidly away before a crowd had time to gather. +The girls were breathless with laughter and excitement; it had all happened +so suddenly they had not time to realize their awkward predicament before +they were back into their places again. Lancy was the only one who did not +laugh over their tumble, and his frequent apologies made them feel that he +blamed himself for the catastrophe. + +"Lancy," said Fred, at last, "it was not your fault that we spilled over; +that corner was as smooth as glass, and we _had_ to go, but we are not +hurt a bit, so don't take it to heart. Man alive! it was the crowning event +of the evening to see Hugh sliding off on his ear! Did you have time to +make an observation of my remarkable somersault, Hugh? It was cleverly +done; a professional tumbler could not have done it better!" and Lancy was +obliged to join in the laugh that followed. + +"Well, I have picked up quite an assortment," said Dexie, whose lap was +full of articles she had hastily swept from the ground when she rose to her +feet. "This is your muff, Maud, and this fur glove must be yours, Mr. +McNeil. Now, who claims this silk handkerchief and handbag?" + +The handkerchief proved to have come from Nina's pocket, but no one claimed +the handbag. + +"I have still a fur-lined driving-glove, with a crown on the buttons, a +bunch of keys, and a--something in a jewel case. Will the owners please +prove property and pay expenses?" + +Fred put in a claim for the bunch of keys, but an owner was still wanted +for the handbag, driving-glove and jewel case, which, on examination, +proved to contain a handsome gold watch. + +"Someone else must have been spilled out at the corner besides ourselves, I +expect," said Lancy, "and they must have lost these articles. Perhaps we +will find some trace of the owner if we search the handbag when we get +home. Here we are, Miss Gordon, none the worse for your tumble, I hope," he +added, as he drew up to the curb-stone, and Hugh helped her up the steps to +the door. The rest of the party were then left at their respective +door-steps, as they drove along towards home. + +At Elsie's request, Dexie followed her into the house, and they were soon +searching the contents of the handbag for some clue to its owner, but with +little success. Not so, however, with the watch, for as Lancy touched the +spring and caused the case to fly open his exclamation of surprise caused +Dexie to look up, and a flush of crimson spread over her face as she read +the words that revealed its owner, for engraved on the inside of the case +were these words: + +"Presented to Lieutenant Wilbur by his brother officers, in token of +distinguished bravery." + +Hugh could not understand the meaning of Dexie's flushed face, even though +he stepped forward and read the inscription over Lancy's shoulder, for he +had never learned just how Dexie had escaped from the vessel, but supposed +that Lancy had in some way brought it about. + +"One good turn deserves another, and--gets it this time," said Lancy, with +a meaning smile. "I fancy that Lieutenant Wilbur would not care to lose +this particular watch." + +"Will you send it back to him, Lancy?" said Dexie. + +"No, not I; but I will send him word where he will find it. Do you remember +his address?" + +"Well, I think I have his card somewhere; but I don't want to see him, +Lancy," she said, in a low tone. + +Hugh heard the whispered conversation, and wondered what connection there +could be between Dexie and the lieutenant that caused such a look on her +face at the sight of his name. + +Dexie left the watch in Lancy's care and went home, but she was present +next evening when the lieutenant called to claim his property; and as he +brought with him a letter of introduction from Major Gurney, he was well +received, and his pleasant and affable manner won golden opinions from all. + +Yet not from all, either, for Hugh McNeil watched him with frowning brows, +and he scowled darkly as he observed Dexie and the lieutenant in close +conversation in a corner by themselves. + +When Hugh met the lieutenant in the hall on his way out, he did not +hesitate to put the question that had been troubling him all day: + +"You seem to have met Miss Sherwood before, Lieutenant Wilbur. May I ask +where?" + +The lieutenant looked at him steadily for a moment before replying: + +"I am not at liberty to tell you that, at present, Mr. McNeil, for that is +Miss Sherwood's secret, not mine. She tells me that she will be leaving +Halifax in a few days; if you will call on me at this address, one week +after she has gone," and he handed Hugh his card, "I will be at liberty to +place in your hands a _souvenir_ which Miss Sherwood leaves in my care for +you. Until that time, I wish you good evening;" and, lifting his hat, the +lieutenant departed, leaving Hugh much puzzled over his words. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + +The last day in Halifax--Dexie never forgot it. It was engraved so +indelibly on her memory that time had no power to obliterate it. It had +been a busy day as well as a sad one, and Elsie Gurney spent the most of it +by the side of her friend, helping, as well as hindering her, as the +household goods were being packed for removal. Lancy claimed one hour in +the evening for himself; and as the rooms in the Sherwood household were +almost dismantled, the greater part of the time was spent over the piano in +the Gurneys' parlor, and their heart's good-bye was spoken through the one +piece of music which they called their own. + +"Remember, Dexie," and Lancy turned on the piano-stool and took her hands +in his own, "you must not play that piece for anyone; it is yours and mine. +When you are alone and think of me, let your thoughts be expressed through +our own sweet music. Do you know, my Dexie, I believe I shall know when you +are playing to me; that invisible power which we have both felt, but cannot +express, much less give it a name, will still be between us, and when my +heart goes out to you, my darling, it shall be through the same medium. +That piece of music shall be sacred to you alone, and I shall play it for +no one else until I see your dear face again. Do you agree, Dexie?" + +"Yes, but I feel as if I shall never have the heart to play anything again, +Lancy," for this parting from her friend hurt her more than she expected. + +"Oh! yes, you will;" and he drew her over to the window within the shadow +of the curtains. "The time will soon slip by, and when I go to claim you +it will seem to you like coming back home again. I shall always be looking +forward to that time, Dexie, so remember your promise." + +"You must not forget the conditions, Lancy, and if you find your love grows +less, instead of more, be honest with your own heart, and do not, in your +pride, hide it from me. Absence may not 'make the heart grow fonder' in our +case," she added, with a sad smile. + +"Do not prophesy evil, but think of the happy present. Are you afraid or +ashamed to own the fact to others, that you care for me at the present +time?" + +"No, I do not think any one who knows us will accuse either of us of +bashfulness; the opposite has been laid to my charge until it has become an +old story," she replied. + +"Well, seeing that we understand each other, why not wear your ring? I +particularly want Hugh to see it on your finger; I don't believe he has +given you up yet, Dexie. Will you wear it to please me?" + +Dexie unclasped the chain from her neck, and Lancy slipped the ring in its +place on her finger. + +"I think you need not mind what Hugh says or thinks," she said in a low +tone. "I did not intend to tell you, Lancy, but I will confess now that +Hugh saw that ring on my finger once before," and she told him the +substance of the stolen interview in the upper hall. + +"That is how it happens that we are on speaking terms again," she added, +"but when Hugh gets well enough to travel, and begins to realize that he is +a rich man, he will smile at all this foolishness; but if I live a hundred +years, I will never forget that dreadful afternoon in the boat. Lieutenant +Wilbur is going to give him his revolver after I am gone; that will be a +reminder of it which he won't like, I am thinking!" + +The next morning the last article was removed from the house, and the last +good-bye given to the friends they must leave behind them. The two families +met for the last time in Mrs. Gurney's parlor, and as they lingered over +the last words, Dexie seated herself at the piano, and there was no quiver +in her voice, though there were tears in her eyes, as she sang: + + "Farewell, farewell, is a lonely sound, + And always brings a sigh; + Then give to me, when loved ones part, + That good old word, 'Good-bye.'" + +Hugh and Lancy, as well as Elsie and Cora, accompanied the family to the +boat, which was to sail about noon. Hugh lingered near the group on the +steamer, hoping that Dexie would give him some kind word at parting, and at +last Lancy, very generously, took her over to his side, saying: + +"Don't look so blue, old fellow; Dexie is not taking a final leave of +Halifax. Time is most up, I expect," he added hastily, as he took out his +watch, then turned aside as he saw Hugh's agitated face. + +"It is really settled, then," said Hugh, in a low voice, as he took Dexie's +hand. "I wish you had left something that I could do for you, so that my +life will not feel quite so empty." + +"I have no favor to ask of you, Mr. McNeil, yet if I hear that you have +been kind to Nina Gordon it will please me very much. Mind, I do not ask it +of you. If someone would have the goodness of heart to save her from her +mother, she would make a sensible woman yet. If Cora Gurney would only take +a friendly interest in her, I would not be afraid of the future of my +_double_. Good-bye, Mr. McNeil, that is the warning-signal, I believe." + +Hugh seemed in no hurry to heed the warning, but stood aside where he could +watch Dexie's face as she parted from Lancy. He heeded not the few hurried +words so earnestly spoken, nor the fervent clasp of their hands, for there +was no answering light in Dexie's eyes as they rested on Lancy's face. +Friends were hurrying across the gang plank, but Hugh waited till Lancy had +disappeared; then stepping to Dexie's side, he hurriedly whispered: + +"I was not mistaken! your heart has not yet awakened, as I said! and +Lancy's ring binds no heart but his own. All is fair in love and war, and +my chance is as good as his, after all! _Au revoir_, my little wife!" and +he raised his hat and hurried ashore. + +His heart beat rapidly, and though he carried away the memory of Dexie's +indignant look, he stepped across the plank with a firm, light step. Lancy +wondered at the transformation which seemed to have taken place in Hugh +since he had seen him on deck, a few short minutes ago; but they stood +together and watched the receding steamer, until the one that was so dear +to them both was lost to view. + +While Dexie was on deck taking her last look of "dear old Halifax," Gussie +hurried below to secure the best accommodation for herself, and she was so +long in deciding the matter that she appeared only in time to wave her +farewell from the deck. + +After the bustle of departure had subsided, the steward came forward +bringing a moss-lined basket, filled with choice hothouse flowers, saying: + +"A gentleman left this in my care, to be delivered to Miss Dexie Sherwood. +I believe it belongs to one of you ladies." + +"Oh, Dexie, they can't _all_ be for you," said Gussie, eagerly, as she +reached out her hand and took the basket from the steward's hands. + +"Here is a note directed to me; wait till I see who it is from," and Dexie +picked a tiny roll of paper from among the blossoms. One hasty glance over +the written lines, and Dexie curled her lip in a disdainful smile. + +"You may have everyone of them, Gussie, for I don't want them," and she +drew herself away, as if the very touch of the basket were odious to her, +at which Gussie looked up in surprise. + +"Hugh McNeil sent them, so you are welcome to everyone of them," she said +in a low voice, as the steward withdrew. "He is very particular to state +that they are for me alone," and her lip curled. "I wish they had been +brought to me while he was by, I would have tossed them overboard before +his eyes! Thank fortune, I have seen the last of him!" + +"You will live to be sorry for your treatment of Hugh McNeil, mark my +words! He would not have found me so hard to please," and Gussie placed the +flowers tenderly beside her. + +Strange, but the first thing that Dexie did when she reached the privacy +of her stateroom was to snatch Lancy's ring from her finger, almost +angrily, and slipping it again on the chain about her neck she snapped the +catch with no easy hand; and her face was far from being tender and loving +as she put out of sight the pledge of Lancy's love and fidelity, for she +was saying in her heart: + +"I will never be so foolish as to put that on my finger again; it was wrong +to wear it at all. Hugh is right; it binds no heart but Lancy's, and I +doubt if I can truly say that much itself, three months from now." + + * * * * * + +If we look in upon the Sherwood household a few weeks later, we will find +them comfortably settled in the busy town of Lennoxville, a town which is +noted throughout New England for its manufacturing industries. The house is +pleasantly situated a short distance back from the street, allowing room +for a neat lawn in front of the house, which is made more attractive by a +few flower-beds set near the front entrance, and beneath the windows. + +The former owner had taken much pleasure in designing the house and its +surroundings, and everything about the premises was neat, convenient and +attractive, but financial difficulties had obliged him to relinquish the +property just when he might naturally expect to reap the benefit of his +labors. Mr. Sherwood had purchased it at a very reasonable figure, +considering the advantages it possessed, and having obtained a permanent +and remunerative position in the office of a large manufacturing firm, the +family had reason to hope that this was their last move for some years. + +Dexie was delighted at the possibilities which the well-laid-out kitchen +garden at the rear of the house promised to afford. Everything at present +was bare and sere, but when the spring opened it would require but little +labor, and that of a pleasant description, to prepare a garden that should +delight the heart of any housekeeper; and the flower-beds in the front of +the house, which were now covered and protected by branches of fir, would +in due season blossom into spots of beauty. + +The family-life at this time was very pleasant. Gussie seemed to have +forgotten, for the time, all her former jealous and unkind feelings, which +had made her so often, while in Halifax, an unpleasant member of the +household. + +Society in Lennoxville was pleasant and attractive, and the Sherwoods were +made right welcome among a choice circle of friends. Invitations to social +gatherings were showered upon the twin girls until their popularity was so +firmly established that no one thought of questioning it. + +Dexie missed her Halifax friends very much. She met with no one in her new +home who could fill the place that the Gurney family had held in her heart, +and among all her many friends there was none she could make such an +intimate companion of as Elsie Gurney. In musical circles, Dexie soon +filled an envious position; but so far she had met no one whose sympathies +were like Lancy's. Oh, yes, she missed Lancy very much, indeed--she never +hesitated to confess it when the matter was alluded to; and very often, +when alone in the parlor, the piece of music which had such a strange power +over each of them filled the air with unmistakable longing, and seemed to +speak of loneliness and sorrow. But her bright face expressed no such sad +feeling to others; it seemed only the musical side of her nature that +mourned the loss of a kind and sympathetic friend. + +She heard quite frequently from Elsie, and Lancy's weekly letters were +always bright and chatty; but they left Dexie with a certain uneasy feeling +that should have had no place in her heart, if Lancy's expressed regards +met with the reciprocation which he had some right to expect. + +She would not have cared to confess to the relief she experienced when, +some weeks later, Lancy wrote to her of his intended visit to England, +where he meant to spend a few months among his relatives in Devonshire; and +the thought that the wide ocean would be between them, did not cause the +same regretful feeling in her heart as it did in Lancy's. Once since they +had left Halifax, Dexie, to her surprise, received a letter from Hugh +McNeil, that had come enclosed in one to her father. Mr. Sherwood said +little as to the contents of his letter; but the earnest, passionate words +in Dexie's left no doubt in her mind that Hugh had small intention of +giving up his suit, though for the present he would leave her in peace. + +He told her of his intention of making a journey to Australia, to visit the +last resting-place of his father; and after an extended journey, he hoped +to come back and find all the unpleasantness in the past forgiven and +forgotten. + +For some time after the letter was received, Dexie fancied that her father +regarded her with more attention than was necessary; but it soon passed +from her mind without giving her the slightest suspicion that Hugh had +placed in her father's hands a substantial and unmistakable proof of the +genuineness of his regard. + +This was to be unknown to her until such a time as circumstances rendered +it necessary to communicate the facts. But if he survived the dangers of +the passage, and returned safely and found her still free, he would again +endeavor to gain her consent to a closer relationship. + +Fortunately for Dexie's peace of mind, Mr. Sherwood kept the matter to +himself; but the fact that both Hugh and Lancy intended to put the ocean +between them and herself, even for a short time, gave her a sense of relief +and security which she would have found it difficult to explain. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + +One day, a few weeks later, as Mr. Sherwood was returning from his office, +he was much surprised to meet Mr. Plaisted on the street, and he stopped +and spoke to him cordially. + +"Why, Sherwood! is it you? I never expected to meet you here," and Mr. +Plaisted shook hands with his former partner. + +"I am settled here now," replied Mr. Sherwood. "What are you doing in this +part of the country?" + +"I am travelling for a New York firm; just arrived in town this morning. +Did I understand you to say you were living here?" + +"Yes; we removed from Halifax some time ago. Here is the address; drop in +and see us before you leave town, if you are not pressed for time," and he +handed him a card. + +"Thanks! I shall be pleased to call this evening, my kind regards to the +family," and raising their hats the men separated, with but a passing +thought of their former differences. + +The presence of Plaisted in the town was a great surprise to the Sherwood +family, and Dexie heard of his intended visit with a frown. + +"I am astonished, papa, that you could ask him to call after all that has +happened; but it is like his impudence to accept the invitation, which he +might know was more an act of courtesy than a desire to renew his +acquaintance." + +"Let bygones be forgotten, Dexie; it is poor policy to remember old scores +too long. It is enough that there will never be any more business relations +between us. His stay in town is likely to be short, so there is no fear +that he will trouble any of us long." + +"Well, I hope you will be careful, and not say anything that he can +misconstrue into an invitation to remain with us overnight. But it will be +just like him to stay, and stay, and stay, till it is too late to go back +to the hotel," said Dexie. "But if he manages, after all, to foist himself +upon us, I'll take a cook's privilege and leave the house--until he is out +of it in the morning, anyway. So remember, papa, I have 'given warning,'" +and she shook her finger at him as she turned to leave the room. + +But there was no frown on Gussie's face when she heard of Plaisted's +expected visit. She was only anxious to appear at her best, so she retired +to her chamber and spent the intervening time over a toilet that was meant +to impress Mr. Plaisted afresh. She was ready as ever to turn a listening +ear to his flattery, though she had ample opportunity to realize how empty +and meaningless were his words. + +The family were assembled in the parlor when Mr. Plaisted was announced, +and he found no cause to complain of his reception, for even Dexie's cool +bow and formal greeting were so much like her former treatment of him that +when she ignored his offered hand he did not resent it openly. But in his +heart he vowed to "get even" with her. The frigid stare with which she +regarded him when he attempted to draw her into conversation reminded him +of past discomfitures, and, forgetting that he seldom came off victor when +crossing swords with Dexie, he determined to pay off old scores with +interest. As his business kept him in town for several days, his calls were +quite frequent, but he found no chance of annoying Dexie, save by the one +small and spiteful way of addressing her as "Miss Dexter," and the quick, +angry glance that was flashed at him as he said it told that she resented +it. + +One afternoon, when he was in the parlor chatting with Gussie, Dexie came +into the room on some errand, and her slight bow of recognition gave him an +opportunity to ask, in his sneering manner, if she was "keeping her smiles +for the disconsolate lovers she had left behind her in Halifax?" + +A sharp retort rose to her lips, but she repressed it, and her lip curled +with scorn as she answered his sallies in the coolest terms that common +civility allowed. He might as well have tried his cutting speeches on an +iceberg for all the satisfaction he received, so he dropped back to the +only source of annoyance at his command. + +"Can I trouble you for a drink of water, Miss _Dexter_?" he said, with a +malicious grin. + +Dexie took no notice of this request, knowing it was made only for the +purpose of using her detested name. + +He repeated his request a second time, and even Gussie flushed at his +offensive tone, though she called Dexie's attention to the request. + +"Dexie, Mr. Plaisted asks for a drink. Where are your manners?" + +"I have sent them away for repairs, Gussie dear," Dexie replied, in her +sweetest tone, "and I fear they will not be returned to me until after Mr. +Plaisted has taken his departure. Very sorry, but they have experienced +such a strain these few days past that they were about worn out." + +"Dexie, I am ashamed of you! Bring a drink of water for Mr. Plaisted +directly!" + +"My dearest Gussie, if Mr. Plaisted wants a drink, pray get it for him +yourself," was the soft and sweet reply, "for he will surely die of thirst +before Dexter brings him a drop. Allow me to suggest that, as an +alternative, you can ring for the servant to wait on him, or lead him to +the pump like any other--beast," and unmoved by the looks cast upon her she +passed into the next room. + +"You brought that upon yourself, Mr. Plaisted, but I am very, very sorry," +said Gussie, who felt all the insolence of the words that were spoken with +such suavity. "Why will you call her _Dexter_ when you know that it makes +her throw aside all civility?" + +"Well, it _is_ too bad, I will allow," replied Plaisted, "but I own that I +have only myself to blame when I provoke her into making such stinging +retorts; but the temptation to tease her is irresistible, and I owe her for +a good many tricks she has played on me." + +"Well, were I in your place, I would not call her 'Dexter' any more; though +if your experience of her is not warning enough, I need say nothing more." + +"Well, I must admit that she has always had the best of it so far; but I +will take good care she has no chance to repeat any of her former +tactics--though, if I am not mistaken, I have good cause to remember every +visit I ever made to your house, thanks to her. However, I ought to take +the old proverb to heart, 'Those that live in glass houses should not throw +stones,' for I should feel vexed enough if my second name were thrown at me +in the same manner. It is quite as odious to me as 'Dexter' is to her." + +"What is your second name? 'D.S.' are your initials, are they not?" + +"Yes; but you would never guess what the 'S.' stands for. When I was a +little shaver my father was particularly interested in the history of the +Prophet Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and +I believe he fully intended to name me after the four of them; but at my +christening mother drew the line at Shadrach. I am just as close regarding +my second name as Dexie is about her own--so close, in fact, that not one +of my schoolmates ever found it out." + +"But did they never ask what the 'S.' stood for?" Gussie asked. + +"Of course! but Dan_u_el gave it as Samuel, and had to answer to the name +of 'Dan_u_el Sam_u_el'; but that was better than the changes they would +have rung on my right name." + +Dexie was an unintentional listener to this explanation, and it did not +raise Mr. Plaisted in her estimation. It was so like him to treat another +in a way he would object to himself; but after awhile the name came back to +her, "Shadrach." Where had she seen or heard that name before? "Shadrach; +Shadrach," she mused. "I have it!" she said at last; "the 'Widow Bedott'!" +and with the thought she flew up the stairs like a whirlwind. + +Dexie was soon in the attic kneeling beside an old box filled with books +and papers. All housekeepers are apt to know by experience the state and +condition of this box, and to possess its counterpart in some out +of-the-way corner of the house. After a diligent search Dexie was rewarded +by finding a package of loose leaves which once formed a much-loved volume. +The very leaf she wanted seemed lost; but to her great joy a leaf, crumpled +and torn, proved to be the object of her search. She smoothed it out +carefully, glanced over it, and then laughed softly to herself. + +"Now it is my turn, 'dear Shadrach, my Shad.' With the help of 'Widow +Bedott,' I fancy I can impress this visit upon your mind quite as indelibly +as your unwelcome visits in Halifax," and she slipped the loose leaves into +her pocket. + +Still, as yet she had no definite plan in her mind as to how she would play +her game of retaliation; but during the evening she heard her father +inquire how long Mr. Plaisted intended to remain in the town. + +"I leave the day after to-morrow," Plaisted replied. "I have an appointment +in H---- on the fifteenth." + +"Oh, to-morrow is St. Valentine's day!" cried Gussie. "I really had +forgotten it. You must send me a valentine to remember you by"--this to +Plaisted, who had seated himself beside her on the sofa. + +"Am I likely to be forgotten without some reminder?" was the low-spoken +reply. "I was hoping something quite different." + +The mention of valentines gave Dexie an idea, and during the evening she +visited several stores where these tokens of sentiment were kept for sale, +but found nothing in the shape of a picture that would suit the verses of +tender sentiment so touchingly expressed for her beloved Shadrach by the +fair widow. + +As she was returning home she passed a little shop, the windows of which +were decorated with valentines of the one and two cent variety, and one of +these caught her attention. It was one of the most common sort, and showed +in variegated colors a large fish with two tails for legs, two elongated +fins for arms, on one of which was a basket containing some smaller +specimens of its own species, while the other held to its mouth the +melodious fish-horn that delights our ears every morning. + +Purchasing this caricature of a shad, she pasted below it a version of the +affectionate lines of Widow Bedott; then enclosing it in an elaborate +envelope, she addressed it with many flourishes to: + + "MR. DANUEL SHADRACH PLAISTED," + +and carried it herself to the post office. + +As she passed the fish market her attention was attracted by some very fine +shad displayed for sale, and they immediately suggested a further means of +accomplishing her revenge, so she ordered a supply. + +Dexie sought her mother directly she arrived home. + +"Don't you think we might ask Mr. Plaisted to dinner to-morrow, mamma?" she +asked. + +"Please yourself, Dexie; but if he is asked, you must see about the dinner +yourself. It will not do to trust Eliza to get up anything extra, you +know." + +"The dinner shall be well served, but I have a favor to ask, mamma. If Mr. +Plaisted is present, will you praise or condemn the fish course--at the +table, I mean; praise it highly, or condemn it heartily." + +"Well, I cannot see your object in making such a request, Dexie," said her +mother in surprise, "but I will not be indifferent, if that is what you +mean." + +The next morning, when Mr. Sherwood was drawing on his gloves to go to his +office, Dexie followed him out to the hall, and as she brushed a few specks +from his coat, asked: + +"If you see Mr. Plaisted this morning, will you send or bring him up to +dinner; but don't say that I told you to ask him?" + +"Well, what's in the wind now? I thought you did not care for Mr. +Plaisted's society," regarding her intently. + +"An invitation to dinner does not mean that I have changed my opinion of +him, does it? He has been quite unbearable, so I'm going to 'heap coals of +fire on his head.'" + +The roguish gleam in her eyes, and the smile she could not conceal, made +her father think that there was more in the invitation than he understood, +and he surmised that the "coals of fire" were not absolutely figurative. + +"All right! I'll see that he gets the invitation. What shall I order for +dinner?" + +"Nothing, papa; I have everything ready for our expected guest, so don't +let him disappoint me." + +"Hum-m! there's something up, sure enough; though I can't see through it +yet," he said to himself as he walked thoughtfully away. + +"So far, so good," said Dexie, _sotto voce_. "How I wish I could have seen +Shadrach when he opened his valentine this morning!" + +Dexie would have felt satisfied that her shaft had struck home had she seen +Plaisted when he had "taken in" the contents of his valentine. + +He had stepped into the office to mail Gussie's valentine, and was much +surprised when a beautiful envelope was placed in his hands. It held +something very sweet and delicate, no doubt, and as he turned aside he +pressed it to his lips. + +Observing the name of Shadrach, he felt sure it must have come from Gussie; +no one else knew his second name, so she must have sent this sweet +love-token. It was hardly fair to write out his name in full; but, of +course, it was only done to make known the identity of the sender. He +thrust it into his pocket and hastened to his hotel, where in the privacy +of his own room he could enjoy it without interruption. The loving words he +expected to find were certainly there, yet as he read them a dark frown +gathered on his brow: + + "Dear Danuel Shadrach! thy valentine speaks, + While the rosy red blushes surmantle her cheeks; + And the joys of requital brings tears to her eye. + Now, Shadrach! my Shadrach! I'm yours till I die. + + "The heart that was scornful and cold as a stone, + Rejoices to hear the sweet sound of your name; + Farewell to the miseries and griefs I have had, + But I cannot forget them! dear Shadrach! my Shad! + + "Dear Shadrach! my Shadrach! my troubles are o'er, + My name in its fulness you'll whisper no more; + Or your own sweet cognomen will make you feel sad, + For I hold the whip-handle! Oh Shadrach! my Shad!" + +Mr. Plaisted read the lines over several times before he comprehended their +meaning, or understood what connection the absurd picture had with them; +but when the whole force of the matter struck him, his rage was +uncontrollable. He crumpled the valentine in his hands and threw it with +all his force towards the fire, but in his anger he aimed too high, and it +struck against the wall and bounced back at him, as if those hateful words +were hurling themselves at him. + +"Ha! if I only knew who sent that, I'd--" + +Words failed to express the punishment awaiting the author of those +insulting verses. But wait! did he know the handwriting? at thought of +Dexie Sherwood's previous productions coming to his mind. Ah! that last +verse seemed to throw out a hint! He looked at his tormentor closely, and +doubted. That envelope, yes, Gussie must have sent it, for she had spelled +his name "Danuel." He never would have thought that Gussie would be guilty +of such a thing. He would go away on the next train and never look on her +face again. Yes, he would go at once, and forget the whole cursed +stuff--said "cursed stuff" being the affectionate lines which continued to +haunt him after the manner of the mind-destroying craze which Mark Twain +inflicted on a later generation, "Punch, brothers, punch with care;" for as +he walked down the street the words kept time to his feet, the train bells +echoed them, and it was those very words that pealed a warning at the +crossing. So intent were his thoughts on the affectionate lines that he was +oblivious to everything around him, and Mr. Sherwood spoke his name twice +before Plaisted awoke from his reverie. + +He felt inclined to refuse the kindly-worded invitation to dinner which Mr. +Sherwood extended to him, but, on second thoughts, accepted it; he would +satisfy himself as to whether Gussie sent the valentine or not. But it took +only a few questions to assure him that Gussie was innocent, after all, and +she seemed so offended when he asked if she had told his name to anyone +that he felt compelled to believe she knew nothing of the matter. Gussie +was too much enraptured with her own valentine to take much note of +Plaisted's abstracted manner, for even the sight of Gussie's pretty face +did not put aside the memory of those tormenting lines. + +But his torture was only begun. Dexie was determined to crowd into a few +hours the annoyance he had spread over several days in her case. Her plans +were well laid, and she had even studied a book of statistics for his +benefit. A few minutes before dinner was announced, while Gussie was adding +a few touches to her toilet, Dexie came into her room, and, after a few +general remarks, said: "Mr. Plaisted has come to dinner, has he not?" + +"Yes, papa sent him up. I hope you have something nice for dinner, Dexie." + +This was the very question that Dexie hoped to hear, so she replied: "Oh! +yes, I think it will pass. There is some nicely-cooked shad for the fish +course; but if that does not suit Mr. Plaisted's fancy, there is sufficient +besides. Say, Gussie, I don't often ask a favor, but I wish to-day you +would praise the shad." + +"Praise the shad! Why on earth should I praise the shad! If it is cooked +nice, isn't that enough?" + +"No, Gussie, not for this occasion; I'm afraid Mr. Plaisted will not be +partial to shad, but if the rest of us seem to like it, of course he cannot +refuse it." + +"Oh! all right. I'll not only praise the shad, but I'll make Mr. Plaisted +think there is nothing I like better." + +Gussie hastened down to the parlor, where Mr. Plaisted was waiting, while +Dexie threw herself into a chair in muffled shrieks of laughter. + +"There, now, I guess I can keep a straight face till the time arrives;" and +a few minutes later she followed the family to the dining-room. + +There was certainly nothing amiss in the manner of the cooking or serving +of the shad, and the presence of this particular fish at the table did not +strike Plaisted as unusual, until Mr. Sherwood asked if he would be "helped +to shad." + +His mind by this time had become almost normal, but that one word threw him +back into his former state, and brought again that tormenting refrain, +"Dear Shadrach! my Shad!" He glared at the dish containing the fish as if +he would annihilate it; but, hastily collecting his scattering senses, he +took the plate Mr. Sherwood passed him, thinking it a strange coincidence +that the never-till-now hated fish should be thrust before him at this +moment. He tried to be his natural self, but those haunting lines had full +possession of him, and every mouthful seemed to choke him. + +Dexie was watching him closely, and felt sure that his abstraction was due +to the one cause, and she silently enjoyed his discomfiture. + +Gussie, who sat opposite, also noticed it, and remembering her promise to +Dexie, began: + +"Oh! Mr. Plaisted, I'm afraid you do not care for shad! How unfortunate +that we happen to have it for dinner to-day! We are all very fond of shad, +myself especially, and this is very nicely cooked, just to my liking," and +she gave Dexie a sideward look. + +"Yes, we _all_ like shad, even to the cat," said the irrepressible Georgie. +"I found her with her nose in the basket the first thing." + +"Be quiet, sir!" said the father sternly, and Georgie obediently subsided, +while Dexie could hardly repress a giggle. + +"Let me help you to another piece, Plaisted," said Mr. Sherwood. "What! not +any more? It is not often we get such good shad in an inland town. Halifax +is the place for fine shad! In the season, when the catch is fair, you can +get your pick for a song almost, but here, I expect, their scarcity makes +them of more value." + +"Yes," replied Dexie, "they are rather dear, _dear shad_," and she looked +intently at her plate, well knowing how Plaisted was glaring at her. "Yes," +she added, "I call them dear shad when one has to pick over such a quantity +of bones before getting a satisfactory mouthful, don't you, Mr. Plaisted?" +But Mr. Plaisted laid down his knife and fork, and returned her look with +interest. + +"I fear you are not making a dinner at all, Mr. Plaisted," Mrs. Sherwood +put in. "You do not seem to care for shad." + +"No! I detest them, though I was not aware of the fact till to-day," he +replied. + +"They are not cooked to your liking, I fear! I wish, Dexie, you had looked +after them a little better. How do you prefer your shad cooked, Mr. +Plaisted?" she added, in a concerned voice. + +"I do not care for shad in any shape or form," he said, rather shortly, +which caused everyone to look up in dismay, all except Dexie, and she +seemed intent on finding the minutest bone. + +"I am very sorry! You should have spoken about it sooner. Eliza, remove Mr. +Plaisted's plate. I hope we have something else you can relish." + +He made a show at eating what was set before him, but it was hard work. +Could his entertainers talk of nothing else but shad? It appeared not, for +when the conversation seemed about to turn to other things a skilfully put +question, or a bit of information, brought the fish back to be discussed in +another light; consequently, the shad question was pretty well sifted. The +method of catching them, the amount caught during the last season, the +catch of the previous year compared with other years; in fact, Dexie seemed +to have the fishing reports at her finger-ends, or at the end of her +tongue, to speak literally, and Mr. Sherwood seemed delighted with the +chance to air the knowledge he possessed to such an attentive listener. But +Mr. Plaisted's thoughts were elsewhere; he was repeating to himself the +lines he had no power to forget, and when dinner was over he was almost a +mental wreck. + +Dexie was exulting in his misery, and was longing to let him know she was +the author of it. + +When they entered the parlor, Mr. Sherwood turned to Dexie, saying: "Give +us some music, Dexie; something to cheer us up and drive away the blues," +and he nodded at Plaisted, who had thrown himself into a chair. + +But seated at the piano, Dexie still kept up the torture of the dinner +table by selecting songs that suggested fishing, or fishermen's daughters, +until Plaisted rose and walked the floor in ill-concealed distress. + +Feeling the crisis near at hand, she tried to think of something that would +"cap the climax," but as nothing occurred to her, she added a verse +impromptu to what she was singing: + + "Oh! father dear, I've caught a fish; I'm sure it is a shad; + Pray help me take him off the hook; you see he's hurt so bad!" + +This was too much for Plaisted. Taking a sudden turn he faced his +tormentor, but she heeded not his angry looks. + +"I tell you what, Sherwood!" and he wheeled around angrily, "if I had a +daughter who would play such stuff as that, I'd--I'd smash the piano to +atoms!" and he brought his fist down on the table with a crash. + +"What do you mean, sir!" and Mr. Sherwood was on his feet in a moment. +"Your words and actions are insulting!" By this time Dexie was by her +father's side, ready to give the finishing stroke to her enemy, and gently +pressing her father's arm, said: + +"Let me settle this affair, papa. I think, Mr. Plaisted, we can cry quits +from to-day. You have found great delight in calling me 'Dexter.' I hope +you are equally delighted to hear your own name repeated in its most +obnoxious form. I find there is nothing more effective for a man of your +stamp than to treat him as he delights to treat others. It is through my +exertions that you have _enjoyed_ yourself so much to-day, and if you ever +wish to have the pleasure repeated, just call me 'Dexter,' and I'll do my +best to repeat the entertainment." + +Everyone looked at Dexie in surprise, and fearing that Plaisted might still +have doubts as to her meaning, she swept him an elaborate courtesy, as she +said: + +"Good-bye, my dear Shadrach! don't forget in the future that 'I hold the +whip-handle, dear Shadrach, my Shad!'" and before the family realized what +this scene meant, Dexie had left the room and her voice was heard in the +hall singing: + + "Farewell to thee, oh Shadrach! my dearest Shad, adieu; + But Dexter has hereafter the upper hand of you." + +Plaisted was about to spring after her when Mr. Sherwood caught his arm. + +"What does all this mean, Plaisted? Explain yourself, sir!" + +"It means that I am the victim of the most diabolical practical joke that +was ever perpetrated on an individual, and it appears that Miss Dexie is at +the bottom of it, though you have all assisted her in carrying it out." + +"If there is any joke afloat I am entirely ignorant of it, Plaisted, I +assure you," said Mr. Sherwood. "I see that something is amiss, but I have +no idea what it is, though apparently Dexie is not so innocent." + +"Let me explain," cried Mr. Plaisted. "Miss Dexie has, in some way, found +out what my second name is, and that it is as hateful to me as 'Dexter' is +to her, and she has made it the subject of a very cruel joke. As I supposed +that nobody knew my full name, you can judge of my surprise when I +received this from the office," and he held forth the valentine. + +"Oh! that's only a valentine, Plaisted. You surely did not allow such a +little thing to disturb you?" said Mr. Sherwood. + +"But see what the envelope contains," he urged, bringing out the bedecked +fish. + +But if he expected any sympathy, he was disappointed, for when Mr. +Sherwood's eyes rested on the figure and read the lines beneath, shout +after shout of laughter rang through the room, and when Gussie stepped over +to see what the paper contained her shrill laughter joined the chorus. + +"Well, it serves you just right, Mr. Plaisted," said she. "I told you she +would make you repent it if you used her name so freely. But I wonder how +she found out your name? Could she have been in the back parlor while we +were talking?" + +"I believe she was!" Plaisted replied. "But the shad for dinner? Need you +have added that? The valentine was punishment enough!" + +Another shout of laughter from Mr. Sherwood, and Gussie's perplexed looks +gave place to an amused smile. + +"Dexie planned it herself! Ha! ha! ha! I see it all!" and Mr. Sherwood +roared again. "She marked this out as a day of punishment for you, +Plaisted, and she has carried it out pretty well! Ha! ha! It was she +herself who told me to ask you to dinner, saying she had everything ready +for you, and was going to 'heap coals of fire' on your head because you had +been treating her badly. Ha! ha! Guess you are pretty well scorched, sure +enough!" and he leaned back in his chair and wiped his hot face. + +"Yes, she _has_ scorched me! Those verses are burnt into my memory and +repeat themselves in spite of me. But you seemed to have studied up the +whole business of shad-fishing just for the occasion." + +"But, on my honor, Plaisted, I was entirely ignorant that my talk was +annoying you. Come to think of it, Dexie herself kept me at it. How she +must have enjoyed it!" and he laughed again. "I thought it strange that +she ordered shad for dinner," said Mrs. Sherwood. "Yet she actually asked +me to scold her before you all if they were not cooked satisfactorily." + +"You will not have a chance to call her 'Dexter' again," said Gussie, +"unless you want to be addressed as Shadrach or Shad. Whichever you dislike +the most, you will be sure to get. Now I understand what she meant when she +asked me before dinner if I would praise the shad," and she joined her +father's laugh; it was so contagious. + +"Well, I will be compelled to cry quits, sure enough," said Plaisted; "but +I never suspected that she could make such comical verses." + +"Oh! that is second-hand poetry, Plaisted. She has been misquoting the +'Widow Bedott' for your benefit," said Mr. Sherwood. + +"And who is the 'Widow Bedott'?" + +"She is a character in a most amusing book. Let me advise you to take her +as a travelling companion with you to-morrow. After you have read about her +Shadrach, the poetry won't trouble you as being too personal." + +A short time later Mr. Plaisted left the house, but his day's experience +still rankled, and he could truthfully say it was the most unpleasant day +he had ever spent. He mentally resolved that should he ever spend another +hour in the society of Dexie Sherwood he would treat her with the greatest +respect, for his day's punishment would be a lasting reminder of her power +of retaliation. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + +Among the many social gatherings which the "Sherwood twins" attended were +the weekly meetings of the Temperance and Benevolent Society, or the "T. +and B.," as it was usually styled. + +This society included among its members most of the young people connected +with the best families in the town. + +It was not so aggressive in the temperance cause as some of the other +existing societies, but it had its place, as its ever-increasing membership +clearly showed. It accepted no one as a member who had at any time been +addicted to the use of liquor, and it kept many young men from falling into +the pernicious habit of using intoxicants. + +Among the number who had lately signed their names to the constitution of +the society was Guy Traverse, the young manager of a large furniture +establishment in the town. He had but recently been appointed to the +position, but his pleasant, affable manners won him friends from all +quarters. + +He was quite an acquisition to the T. and B. Society: a fine reader, a good +declaimer, witty and quick at repartee, the Social Committee of the society +soon learned his value, and a smile of welcome greeted him wherever he made +his appearance. + +Being on the Social Committee, Dexie Sherwood was frequently thrown into +his society, but by some mistake or unintentional oversight they had never +been introduced, and there was something in Dexie's manner that forbade him +to make any advances without this formal introduction. + +As it was taken for granted that all the members had been duly presented to +each other, no one gave the matter a thought, and though the committee held +several meetings, at which both were present, no one noticed the fact that +these two were the only ones who did not exchange ideas on the matters +before them. + +One evening after the usual business matters were disposed of, the society +proceeded to elect new officers for the ensuing quarter, and Guy Traverse's +popularity was sufficient to place him in the highest office in the gift of +the society. When asked if he would like to name his own assistant, he +turned to the speaker and smilingly replied: + +"I would be happy to have the assistance of the society's organist, but as +we have not yet been introduced, perhaps she would prefer that I did not +give her name." + +"What! do you mean to say that you have never been presented to Miss +Sherwood! How did that happen? Come with me at once." There was much +merriment over the long delayed introduction, and Dexie smilingly consented +to accept the office of assistant, in addition to that of organist. This +gave Guy Traverse the chance he had long been looking for, and at the close +of the meeting he offered himself as her escort home. + +This Dexie politely declined, adding in her kindest tone, + +"Our house is just at the corner, Mr. Traverse, so I will not trouble you," +and she slipped away. + +The distance was short, for as Guy stood at the outer entrance of the T. +and B. rooms he could hear the front gate shut after her, yet he would have +enjoyed even that short walk with his fair assistant. + +"She is not inclined to be friendly, it seems," he soliloquized, as he +stroked his long silken moustache. "I must find out the reason." + +The next time opportunity offered he again asked permission to escort her +home, but again his offer was so pleasantly declined that he could not feel +offended, though it put him upon his mettle. He determined to overcome her +prejudice, or whatever it was that made her treat him with so much reserve. +As he turned to go home, Gussie came down the steps, and with his hand to +his hat he said, smilingly, + +"I almost fear to risk a second refusal to-night, Miss Sherwood, but will +you accept the escort that your sister has declined?" + +It was a blow to her pride that Dexie had been asked first, but such an +eligible young man could not be snubbed on that account, so Gussie smiled +her sweetest as she walked by his side. + +"Have I done anything to displease your sister?" he asked, as they stood a +few moments at the gate. "I find her very hard to get acquainted with, +though I can readily see that it is not her nature to be unfriendly." + +"You have not offended her, of that I am sure," Gussie replied. + +"Then you think she had no particular reason for refusing my company +to-night?" + +"She may have some objection to any company, but not yours in particular." +"Has someone else a prior claim?" he smilingly asked. "Believe me, Miss +Sherwood," he added, in an apologetic tone, "I am not asking out of +curiosity alone." + +Gussie believed there was someone else, for Dexie had a gentleman +correspondent. + +"Then she is engaged, I suppose, but if the fortunate man is absent she +might allow others the pleasure of her company occasionally." + +But the opportunity of meeting Dexie at his own pleasure came with an +introduction to Mr. Sherwood, and on learning that Mr. Traverse was a good +hand at chess (Mr. Sherwood's one weakness) he was made right welcome and +became a frequent visitor. + +Mr. Sherwood's residence was so centrally situated that the young people of +both sexes found it very convenient to drop in for a few minutes on their +way up or down town. Mr. Sherwood loved to see the rooms filled with +laughing faces, and encouraged this free-and-easy intercourse, and he +looked forward to the evening's pleasure with the ardor of a young man. +When Guy Traverse made his appearance he was sure of a hearty greeting, and +the weeks flew by very pleasantly until summer was ushered in, and still +there was little seeming difference in Dexie's attitude toward her father's +friend. + +One evening as a number of young ladies were assembled in the pleasant +rooms of the T. and B. Society, discussing a coming convention, the +society's Vice-President, Miss Edith Wolcott, said in decided tones: + +"Before this convention meets, we ought to make some new badges; these are +positively disgraceful! Will someone suggest something, or must I take the +responsibility of seeing that this society has decent and respectable +tokens of membership?" + +"There can be but one opinion where the badges are concerned," said Ada +Chester, smiling, "so let us draw from the funds of the society sufficient +money to purchase the material for new ones, then we can meet somewhere and +make them up." + +"Capital legislation! Now announce the place of meeting and the matter is +settled," and Frank Fenerty joined the group around the table. "Better set +the time and place of meeting without delay, for when you ladies begin to +realize the amount of work which the making of these badges involves, you +will each and all remember that you have a pressing engagement somewhere +else." + +"That's so," said George Linton, as he drew a chair beside his friend; "but +where's Traverse? As President of this society he ought to take the ladies +at their word, and set them to work before their ardor has time to cool." + +"There is not a house in town so convenient for all as the Sherwoods," said +Ada Chester; then turning to Gussie she asked: + +"Could we go to your house to make up the badges, Miss Sherwood?" + +"Certainly; that is, I think so. Dexie is the acting manager at home, so +you had better consult with her," replied Gussie, pleasantly. + +"Come here, Dexie," and Edith turned to where Dexie was evoking sweet music +from the organ. "May we go to your house to make the badges?" + +"That depends on what night you wish to come. If to-morrow evening is too +soon to appoint for the meeting, you could come Saturday. You know I have +to be at the church on Friday evening." + +"To be sure! I forgot about the meeting, and there is to be choir practice +afterwards, so I'm engaged for Friday evening as well. How shall we arrange +it?" and Edith looked inquiringly around the group. + +"Put it to vote," and Frank Fenerty rose to his feet. "Hands up now for +to-morrow night at Miss Sherwood's--or not there at all, is that it?" + +"No," Dexie laughingly replied; "our latch-string is out every night, but +neither Gussie nor I would be at home Friday evening." + +"What is to prevent us from accepting Miss Sherwood's invitation for +Thursday. I would rather go there than any other place in town," said the +truthful fellow, having long admired Gussie from afar. + +"We have to buy the material before we can meet to make it up," Edith +replied. "Great Scott! how much material do you want to buy anyhow," said +Fenerty. "I could buy out a store while you ladies were selecting the +ribbons for your neck." + +While they were speaking, Mr. Traverse made his appearance, and learning +the cause of the discussion, presented a cheque for the amount needed to +renew the badges, and volunteered his services as "needle-threader" for the +evening. + +"Come now, Traverse, you can't thread needles for the crowd," said Fred +Foster, "but if the ladies will only invite the male members, we will +promise to keep them supplied with threaded needles, _ad infinitum_." + +"Have you decided to come to our house Thursday? If so, all members of the +T. and B. are invited, but we will keep you gentlemen up to your promise in +regard to the needle-threading, so let no one imagine he can come and shirk +his duty," and the group separated. + +The next evening the parlor of the Sherwoods presented a busy scene. +Several small tables placed about the room were surrounded by groups, whose +nimble fingers cut and sewed the bunches of ribbon that were provided; and +as there were several "needle-threaders" for every group, there seemed no +reason why the work should not progress with the greatest of despatch. The +ever-increasing pile of finished badges which appeared on the several +tables gave evidence that their fingers were as nimble as their tongues, +and amusement and work were intermingled. + +Amidst the fun and merriment that was taking place in the room, Dexie's +abstracted and absent-minded manner was not noticed, except by one pair of +eyes--and very little that concerned Dexie Sherwood escaped the notice of +Guy Traverse. + +He was finding it hard to check the feelings with which he had long +regarded her, for he had become attached to her from the very first, and +his eyes were keen to note her varying moods. His frequent visits to the +house gave him opportunity to study her character, and the more he saw of +her, the higher grew his respect. A more tender feeling also was growing +within his breast, that gave him secret pleasure, though he kept well in +check any sign of its existence. He never had found the opportunity of +asking the truth of her engagement; but being assured that she had a +gentleman correspondent, he felt he had little cause to hope. He had been +present on more than one occasion when Dexie had discussed with the rest of +the family various extracts from letters which had come from over the sea. +To be sure, these extracts were mostly descriptions of places that the +writer had visited, or accounts of amusing episodes met with while +travelling; but there lingered an undefined impression on Guy Traverse's +mind that these letters were not so sacred as one would naturally suppose +they should be if the writer were dear to the heart of the recipient. + +"Something is troubling Dexie to-night," he said to himself, as he noticed +how unusually silent and preoccupied she remained, even when the merriment +seemed at its height. "I must be on the alert and see that she is not +troubled unnecessarily," for being a frequent visitor, he was aware that +Gussie was not always the pleasant person she appeared to be, and he, +somehow, connected her with Dexie's present mood. + +But in this case he was mistaken. The evening mail had brought Dexie a +letter from Hugh McNeil. She had heard so little of him for some time that +she began to hope (when she thought of him at all) that he had forgotten +her or had found other attractions that had effaced her from his memory. +But this unlooked-for letter told a different story, and his half-expressed +determination to seek her presence and renew his suit filled her with +dismay. + +She had thrust the letter hastily into her pocket with but a rapid glance +at its contents, just as her numerous guests were ushered in; and her time +had been so engrossed that the letter itself was forgotten, though the +memory of the eager, passionate words therein was bringing up all the +unpleasant scenes that had happened in Halifax in connection with Hugh. + +During the evening she had, with the help of the cook, set out a dainty +repast in the dining-room, and as she made her way into the parlor again to +invite the guests to come and partake of it, she wondered at the sound that +reached her ears, for instead of the hum of many voices one voice alone +was heard, and that was Gussie's. + +Now, for some time back the frequent visits of Guy Traverse had aroused +suspicions in Gussie's mind. They certainly were not always intended for +her father, and he never offered himself as her escort unless Dexie was in +her company. She had repeatedly hinted that Dexie was "already spoken for," +but the hint was not acted on in the way Gussie expected. Remembering all +this, Gussie's conduct this particular evening is seen in its true light, +but it brought its own punishment. + +In some unaccountable way, Hugh's letter had dropped from Dexie's pocket +while she sat sewing at the badges with the rest, and in searching for a +spool of thread, it fell into Gussie's hands. She glanced over the letter, +but did not notice the signature. Hugh had been thinking more of touching +Dexie's heart than of giving his letter the usual appearance, and had left +place, date and all tell-tale marks to find room at the bottom of the +closely-written sheet. Gussie guessed at once it was Dexie's letter, and +thought it would be "fun" to read it before those assembled; it would let +Guy Traverse know that he was wasting his time over Dexie. No one in the +room had the least idea what she meant when she rose from her chair and +said: + +"Oh! friends, listen! here is a specimen of true love for you!" + + "My dearest love, my heart's one treasure: + + "It is no longer any use to try and put you out of my heart. I + have tried to do it as you wished, but I cannot. I love you, my + darling, and my love will not die, try as I may to kill it. You + thought I could forget you if I went among fresh scenes and new + faces; but it is not so--your dear face is ever before me. + Sleeping or waking, it is the same. I cannot live without you, my + dearest--" + +"Augusta! Augusta! what are you doing? Is that your own letter you are +making public?" + +The words cut the air like a flash of steel. + +That word "Augusta" was reproof in itself, and Gussie felt it instantly, +and she shivered as she looked up and met the flashing eyes of her sister. + +"No," she replied, her cheeks aflame, but angry spite dies hard, and she +smiled scornfully, as she added, "I was amusing the company with a specimen +of love-making that is rare outside of novels. It is your letter, I +believe." + +Before Dexie could reply, Guy Traverse had risen to his feet, and coming +towards the table so that his form partly shielded Dexie from view, said: + +"If you have read all you wish of my letter, Miss Gussie, I beg you will +return it to me," and he took it from her hand and thrust it into his +breast-pocket; then turning a woeful face to the astonished guests, he +said: + +"Friends, have mercy on a fellow when he is down, and forget what you heard +just now. It was too bad of you, Miss Gussie, to expose a poor fellow's +feelings in that way. I ought to have posted my broken-hearted appeal +before I came in here, but I thought I might be able to think of some +stronger language that would touch the hard heart of my lady-love. I am not +in luck, as you can guess; but do not, I beg of you, let it go any farther. +I appeal to you, as members of T. and B., to keep this matter quiet and not +let it be talked about. Boys, you know how it is yourselves," and in +seeming embarrassment he turned to the window and remained in the shadow of +the curtain. + +"Oh! I beg your pardon, Mr. Traverse," Gussie gasped out, properly ashamed +for once. "I never imagined the letter was yours," and hiding her burning +cheeks in her hands she hurriedly left the room and flew to her chamber, +wondering how she could ever look those people again in the face. + +Traverse had given Dexie time to recover herself, and in a steadier voice +than she could have commanded a few moments before, she asked the friends +to drop their work, and come into the next room for refreshments. + +This was a welcome interruption to all; everyone felt glad to hide the +uncomfortable feeling that Gussie's act had thrown over them, and merry +groups formed in the dining-room as Dexie passed among them. The +uncomfortable scene in the parlor was put out of sight, if not out of +mind, and no one wondered that Guy Traverse did not make his appearance +amongst them. + +As soon as Dexie saw she would not be missed for a few moments, she ran up +to Gussie's room. + +"Come down at once, Gussie. You cannot stay away from our guests without +making yourself look worse in their eyes. The sooner you make amends for +your unpardonable act, the better it will be for yourself." + +"Oh! Dexie, I was never so ashamed in my life! I never dreamt it was his +letter; I thought it was yours." + +"And what business would you have to read out anybody's letter to a company +of people? I am glad to hear that you feel ashamed, for well you may! Come +downstairs at once, unless you want everyone to cut you forever." + +Gussie followed her sister into the dining-room, and she set about her +duties as well as she could, but finding that Traverse was not in the room +she soon felt more at ease. + +Dexie felt that she must see Mr. Traverse before the rest entered the +parlor. She had been so astonished at his bold claim of ownership that for +a moment she could not understand it, but the truth flashed on her mind +that he had done it to shield her, and she blessed him for it. + +Guy looked round as the door opened, and coming forward he took the tray +she carried in her hands and set it on a small table near, saying: + +"Is this for both of us, Miss Dexie? Sit here," and he placed a screen to +hide them from the gaze of intruders; then coming over to her side, drew +the letter from his pocket, saying: "Forgive me, Miss Dexie, for claiming +your property; it is yours, is it not?" + +"Unfortunately, yes; and you were more than kind to shield me as you did," +and she put the cause of the trouble in the deepest corner of her pocket. +"I did not know what to do when I heard Gussie reading it aloud." + +"I knew at once it was yours by the way you looked; but I thought I would +play the vanquished lover, and crave your pardon for my audacity +afterwards," and he looked intently into Dexie's flushed face. + +"Believe me, Mr. Traverse, the writer of that letter is not the silly man +one would expect, judging by his foolish words. In everything else he is +worthy of respect." + +"Do you think it foolish for a man to love a woman with such love as he +speaks of in the letter?" + +"Yes; when the man knows it is useless, he should try and forget her." + +"He should try--hum!--well, it seems one does not always succeed in +forgetting, even with much trying. Miss Dexie, you owe me a favor; tell me +honestly how you stand with this lover from over the sea. Are you engaged +to be married to him, yet give him cause to write in such a strain?" + +"No, certainly not; I am aware that this letter has given you the +impression that I have been corresponding with the writer, but it is not +so. This is only the second time I have had a letter from him, though I +believe papa hears from him occasionally; but I have never sent him a +line." + +"How does it happen that he writes to you so appealingly? Have you jilted +him, Miss Dexie?" and he looked eagerly into her face, to read her answer. +"Will you not tell me?" he added, as he waited some moments for her reply. + +"There is very little to tell, Mr. Traverse. I think the part of the letter +that you heard tells the story well enough," and she gave a quick look into +his face, "but I think I understand what you mean. This is not the one that +Gussie refers to so often." + +"Miss Dexie, if I have spared your feelings to-night, spare mine now, and +tell me what I ask: Is there more than one lover across the sea? Do tell me +the truth, Miss Dexie." + +His low, earnest tones thrilled her strangely, and she dropped her eyes, as +she replied in a low tone: + +"Let me first explain about the writer of the letter. I never gave him +cause to write to me like that, for I have always disliked him. He has +persecuted me shamefully, even so far as to threaten to shoot me if I did +not promise to marry him, and the strongest wish that was ever born in my +heart is that I may never see his face again." The words ended in a +whisper, but so intense were the tones that Guy felt she told the truth, +and he asked: "What sort of a young man is he, if I may ask?" + +"If he had not made himself an object of dislike to me, I could give you a +very favorable account of him," she answered, lifting her eyes an instant, +then turning aside as she met his earnest looks. "He is well educated and +very good-looking, if you admire the kind of beauty that goes with olive +skin, eyes like midnight, and hair to correspond. He has a good bank +account also, and would be a good match--for someone else," she added, +laughing softly. + +"Did your father favor his suit, that they correspond yet?" + +"Oh! yes; and everything was arranged, settlements, and all. Nothing was +lacking--except my consent." + +"Then there was never a promise between you? Forgive me, Miss Dexie, if I +seem inquisitive, but I wish very much to know." + +"Nothing like a promise! indeed, nothing could be so distasteful as the +thought of such a thing; not even from the first. I never liked him." + +"But there is someone else, Miss Dexie. Is there not a promise given to +someone else?" came the eager tones. + +"Not exactly a promise, Mr. Traverse; but there is a mutual understanding +that may lead to one. I think you would like my friend, particularly if you +heard him once at the piano," she replied, as her cheeks grew pink. + +"Then you are not really engaged, Miss Dexie?" + +"Now, Mr. Traverse, I think I have told you enough," she replied, beginning +to feel embarrassed. "Some things are not easy to tell, even though one may +not care if the facts are known." + +"But I have not got down to facts yet, Miss Dexie, and I should like to +know the truth. 'For favors received, be truly grateful.' I think it is +only fair to let me know how matters stand with you and this lover over the +sea." + +He waited a moment for her answer, then added, in an eager tone: + +"Your sister told me several times about your engagement to this young +gentleman that writes to you from England. If it is so, why deny it?" + +"There is a promise between us to wait a year," came the low-spoken reply. +"Then, if we are both of the same mind as when we saw each other last, I +expect I shall spend the rest of my days in Halifax; but a year is a long +time, and much may happen before then." + +What strange power was there in his looks or words that drew this admission +from her? She regretted the words the moment after she uttered them, but +she did not know that she had removed the barrier that kept Guy from trying +to win her himself. + +"Do you think he may learn to care for someone else, or that you--" + +"I have never met anyone yet that I like better," and she lifted her eyes +to his as she said this, but she dropped them at once, and a strange, +uneasy feeling possessed her that she could not understand. + +"Thank you, Miss Dexie, for your confidence. Now, let the understanding be +mutual. Will you give me the privilege you have so long denied me of being +your friend and protector _pro tem._, as it were? Neither you nor I have +anyone here to claim our society, and I get very tired of my own company; I +would like to have one special lady friend. Will you not hereafter accept +my company without that inward protest which I always feel you have for +me?" + +"You are very kind, Mr. Traverse, but I would prefer matters as they are. I +do not mind going about alone in the least." + +"Oh! I know that, Miss Independence, but I mind it; so say that I may +occupy the place of the absent friend, to some extent at least. I'll write +to him and demand permission, if you object," and he laughed pleasantly as +he took her hand a moment in his own. + +Just then the sound of footsteps warned them that their interview was over, +and Guy rose to his feet and stood by the window as the rest entered the +room. + +"Hello, Traverse! we missed you in the supper-room," and Fenerty came over +to his side. "Have you found all your persuasions in vain, Miss Dexie?" +pointing to the untasted repast on the tray. + +"Man alive! do you think a man's appetite can survive everything?" said +Traverse, with a frown. + +"Forgive me, Traverse! I did not mean to add to your feelings. I don't +wonder you feel cut up," said Fenerty, whispering his apologies. + +"Mr. Fenerty, take him out in the dining-room. My presence has prevented +him from partaking of the refreshments I brought him. Try and make him +forget the unpleasantness that has occurred," and Dexie looked up with a +smile at Traverse, as he followed his friend from the room, and then turned +to her other guests. + +She was glad to see that Gussie was doing all she could to win her way back +into favor, for she passed from group to group with a pleasant word and a +smile for all. Fingers and needles were soon busy again, and the unfinished +badges were attacked with renewed vigor. + +"That was a nasty trick of Miss Gussie's, Traverse," young Fenerty was +saying, as he waited upon his friend in the dining-room, "but I am sure she +never suspected that the letter belonged to you." + +"What difference did that make? The act was unpardonable when she knew it +was not her own property. I suppose I will never hear the last of it." + +"'Pon honor, Traverse, I hope you do not think any of us are mean enough to +refer to the matter again. But come away to the rest, if you are through; +they are at work again, I believe." + +"It is all right, Miss Dexie," nodding to her as she appeared in the door. +"He will soon get over it. Is there any objection to a little carpet dance +to finish the evening? That will make Traverse forget to be melancholy if +anything will," he added, in a low voice. + +"Very well; as soon as they finish the badges you can help clear the room." + +Dexie cast a backward look at Traverse and saw his amused smile, and it was +hard to control her features when his face assumed such a mournful +expression directly Fenerty addressed him. + +Half an hour later, tables and chairs were set aside, and the sound that +came forth from the piano, at Dexie's bidding, set agoing the feet of the +dancers. She had played through several dances when Guy came up to her side +with Ada Chester. + +"I have brought someone to take your place, Miss Dexie. Play a waltz for +us, Miss Chester," and Guy took Dexie from her seat. + +The couple made the circuit of the room several times before anyone joined +them; it was a pleasure to watch the well-matched pair swaying to the +delightful music. + +"We seem to have the floor to ourselves," Dexie said with a smile. + +"If they knew the bliss of a perfect waltz, we would be crowded out, Miss +Dexie. I begin to think I never waltzed before; your step is perfect--what, +you are not tired?" as Dexie stopped and led the way back to the piano. + +"No, but I will relieve Miss Chester; she is very fond of dancing." + +Dexie did not care to confess how much she had enjoyed the little dance, +but she was beginning to think that there was some strange spell in the +voice and manner of her partner that drew her very thoughts from her. She +must get away from his presence, so turned to Miss Chester, saying: + +"I can recommend Mr. Traverse as a superb waltzer, Ada, so let me give you +the pleasure of a few turns around the room with him to the same music. Mr. +Traverse, do let Miss Chester know for once what waltzing really is," and +she struck the keys and sent them floating from her side. + +The evening's pleasure closed all too quickly, and as the last good-byes +were spoken Guy lingered to whisper: + +"I shall call and take you to choir practice in good season, so do not run +away before I come for you. Good-night, Miss Dexie." + +The warm clasp of the hand, and the earnest look in his dark grey eyes, +lingered in Dexie's memory until sleep had put all thoughts aside and mixed +the real with the unreal in troubled dreams. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + +One bright summer morning, while the dew still glistened like diamonds on +grass blades and flower petals, Dexie and her father were to be seen +walking quickly in the direction of the depot, and, on arriving there, were +surprised to see Mr. Traverse waiting on the platform. + +"What, Traverse, are you off this morning too?" said Mr. Sherwood. + +"Yes, I have business in Boston; some machinery to order. And you, Miss +Dexie, are you going on a journey as well?" + +"Oh, no; I have come to see papa safely on board the train, and to jog his +memory about a few trifles I want him to bring me home from the Hub." + +"Ha, ha; a few trifles, indeed! If you expect me to bring back half the +things you have mentioned, you had better come along with me, for I've +forgotten them already," her father laughingly replied. + +"I thought that would be the way," Dexie replied with a smile, "but you +will not get off so easily as you think. Here is my book, and the list is +on the last pages, so you have no excuse to forget one of the articles, +papa," and she slipped the little book inside his vest-pocket. + +"Glad to have your company, Traverse. How long do you stay?" + +"Well, I am not particular to a day or two. I expect to be ready to return +on Friday." + +"And this is Monday; well, we can arrange to return together, so, Dexie, +you can make your mind easy. Your old dad will have someone to look after +him both ways." + +"That is very nice. Take good care of him, Mr. Traverse," and she gave him +her hand as he said good-bye. + +Her father bent his head and kissed her, saying playfully: + +"Now, don't run off with the gardener, or do any other dreadful thing while +I am gone, and I will try and get your commissions filled, even to the box +of chocolates." + +They stepped on the cars, and with the usual ear-splitting shriek the train +moved away, leaving Dexie on the platform looking after them. The two men +stood at the rear door and waved a farewell, and Dexie returned home, never +thinking that she had seen her father well and strong for the last time. + +Mr. Sherwood had not been away from home since they had moved to +Lennoxville, and Dexie planned to have a dainty repast awaiting his return, +and she was in the kitchen when a telegraph messenger appeared at the door. + +"A telegram for Mrs. Sherwood, and one for Miss Dexie Sherwood." + +Dexie tore hers open, and her heart seemed to stop beating as she read: + + "There has been an accident, and your father is hurt, but not + fatally. He cannot be moved at present. Can you come at once? + + "GUY TRAVERSE." + +Dexie rushed up the stairs, her white face telling of trouble, and as soon +as her mother saw her she asked in alarm: + +"What is it, Dexie? What has happened?" + +"Dear mamma, come back into the room, and I will tell you. There has been +an accident, and papa is hurt. Oh, mamma, do not scream so! No, he is not +killed; do not say it. Oh, hush! let me open your message. Mine is from Mr. +Traverse, and he says papa is hurt and cannot be moved. Oh, mamma! do not +scream so. You will terrify the children and make yourself ill." + +"Oh, he is dead! My husband is killed!" she cried. "Why has this dreadful +calamity come upon me?" and she wrung her hands and wept aloud. + +"Oh, mamma, you _must_ stop! Listen: this is what your message says, and it +is signed by a railroad official: + + 'There has been a collision, and your husband is injured. It is + impossible to move him in his present condition, but everything + possible shall be done for his comfort and relief.'" + +"Oh, mamma! let us go to him at once." + +"Dexie, do you want to kill me? I could not survive the journey in the +present state of my nerves; and does not the message say that everything +shall be done for him? What could I do more?" + +Another peal of the bell, and Dexie flew down to the door, where a +brass-buttoned youth presented himself. + +"I am sent to say that there is a train starting for the scene of the +collision in fifteen minutes. If there is anyone here going down, they will +have to hurry." + +Dexie rushed back to her mother's side. + +"Oh, mamma, I must go to him! Can you go, too? Say quickly, mamma!" + +"Oh, I shall die! I shall die!" and Mrs. Sherwood fell back on the sofa in +violent hysterics. + +This was answer enough, and Dexie rushed to her own room, calling loudly +for Eliza. + +Gussie ran up the stairs at that moment, saying wildly: "Oh, Dexie, is it +true? Is papa hurt?" + +"Yes, Gussie, and I am going to him. Run to mamma; I cannot delay a moment. +Here, Eliza," as the frightened domestic appeared, "put those things into +this travelling-bag while I tell you what you are to do. Papa is hurt, and +I have barely time to catch the train. You must run for Mrs. Jarvis as soon +as I am done with you, and tell her to come and stay with mamma; then hurry +along for the doctor--he will give mamma something to quiet her. Tell Mrs. +Jarvis I leave everything in her care till I return, and say that she must +fix up the back parlor all ready for papa, in case he can be brought home. +She will know what to do. Now, I must go. I am sure I can trust you to do +your best, Eliza, till I get back. I do not know when that will be." + +She arrived at the depot hot and breathless, but in time to take her place +among the number who, with white, sad faces and tear-dimmed eyes, were on +their way to claim the forms of loved ones, or to comfort and relieve those +whose lives had been spared them. The first tears she shed were those that +fell when she recognized Edith Wolcott and her brother among the +passengers. + +"Dexie, you here, and alone!" was Edith's greeting, and the answer was a +flood of relief-giving tears. + +"Papa is hurt," she sobbed, as Edith inquired why she was on the train. + +"I am so sorry; but perhaps it is not as bad as you fear. We expected Aunt +Eunice would arrive by that train. We do not know that she really was a +passenger, but I could not rest at home till I knew the truth!" Edith +exclaimed. "Mr. Traverse was to have returned to-day," she added. "Did you +hear if he was hurt?" + +Dexie did not know, but thought not, as he had sent her the message +concerning her father. + +They relapsed into silence, except when someone would voice the sentiments +in the heart of each and say, with a sigh, "How slowly the train moves +along!" Yet they were travelling very rapidly, and in due time they arrived +at the scene of the wreck. + +Such a spectacle Dexie had never seen. Cars were piled upon one another in +a confused mass, and she wondered how anyone had escaped alive from the +broken timbers that had formed the cars. + +She seemed to know instinctively which way to turn in search of her father, +but she had only made a few steps when she met Mr. Traverse looking for +her. + +"Do not be alarmed, Miss Dexie; I am not so bad as I look," he said, +reassuringly, as Dexie started at the sight of his bandaged head and +splintered arm. "I have an ugly scalp wound, and that makes the bandages +necessary, and my broken arm is nothing. Now, be brave," he said, as they +stopped before the door of the house where her father had been taken. "He +has been suffering great pain and looks badly, and he will not be able to +see you unless you are calm. The doctor is with him now. I will go and see +if you can come in." + +"Do not keep me waiting, Mr. Traverse. I will be quiet. Indeed, you can +trust me," and she lifted a white face, full of entreaty, to his gaze. + +"My brave little girl!" was Guy's inward comment. "It is just as well that +she came alone, for no one else in the family has self-control enough to +bear this." + +In a few minutes Guy returned and conducted her to her father's side, and +she bent over him and kissed his white face tenderly. + +"Dear papa, I have come to stay with you. What can I do to help you?" and +she laid her hand in his. "Mamma feels too badly to come just now, dear +papa." + +The quiet manner in which she removed her hat and cloak and then returned +to the bedside to await the doctor's orders impressed the latter favorably, +and with a few words of instruction to Mr. Traverse he departed to see his +other waiting charges. + +They were sad and anxious days that followed, for it was feared that Mr. +Sherwood might not, after all, survive the shock; but Dexie never lost +heart, and was rewarded, after many days, by hearing the welcome news that +her father could safely be moved to his home. + +Traverse had proved himself a helpful and faithful friend, and more than +one broken-hearted person blessed him for his ready help and sympathy, for +the accident had been attended with much loss of life and had spread +mourning into many homes. + +Dexie had written twice daily to her mother; but having once mentioned the +fact that the few houses in the vicinity of the accident were filled with +maimed and wounded who were too ill to be sent to their homes, Mrs. +Sherwood considered it impossible for her to witness the sight, and Dexie +advised her to stay at home. She was well aware that the distressing sights +and sounds which were to be witnessed hourly in every house would have such +an effect on her mother that her presence would be more hurtful than +beneficial to her father in his present condition. + +Dexie was very anxious to know if everything was in readiness for her +father's arrival, and Mr. Traverse relieved her anxiety by offering to go +to the house with the family doctor and make everything sure, and then +return and accompany them home. + +It was with a feeling of shame that she gave her last message to him as he +was about to leave her. + +"Will you be kind enough to tell Dr. Brown how necessary it will be for +papa to come home to a quiet house; and if mamma is not able to bear the +sight of his arrival, will he see that she is not at home just at the time? +He will understand and can manage it, I am sure." + +Traverse looked at her in surprise. + +"Mamma is apt to be hysterical, and papa will be too tired with the journey +to bear any unusual excitement. I dread the time of his arrival at the +house more than I do the rest of the journey; but it must be managed +quietly, somehow. It would take so little to set him back when he is so +weak." + +"It shall be managed quietly, Miss Dexie, so do not be anxious; I will see +that your father has every chance," and he turned away, wondering at the +care and tact that could see and overrule the want of thought in others, +when age and experience should have given others the self-control that was +so wonderful to see in a girl of her years. + +Mr. Sherwood bore the journey much better than they expected, and they +carried him to the room which, by Dexie's forethought, had been provided +with everything that could add to his comfort. The house was quiet and +still, and a good hour's rest fortified him for the visit that his wife +must soon make to his room. + +Mrs. Sherwood had been persuaded into taking a drive with the doctor's wife +about the time the train was expected, and she had been kept away long +enough for Mr. Sherwood to rally from the fatigue of the journey. Gussie, +with the rest of the family, had witnessed his arrival from an upper +window, and wept sorely at seeing her father carried into the house on a +bed, remembering how well and strong he had walked out of it a few short +weeks before. + +When Mrs. Sherwood arrived, and found that her husband had been brought +home in her absence, she felt very much hurt, and she entered the room +subdued and quiet; but when she beheld the change that had taken place in +her strong, robust husband since she had last seen him, nothing but the +doctor's presence prevented her from throwing herself across the bed. She +dropped to her knees by the bedside, with a wail of despair, and Gussie's +sobs were added to the moans that came from the lips of the kneeling wife. +Dexie bent over her sister, saying firmly: + +"You must either control yourself or leave the room. Can't you see how it +distresses papa?" + +Guy Traverse led the sobbing girl out of the room at last, and his kind +words of comfort did much to help Gussie overcome her violent grief. He +was fast recovering from his own wounds, and he made himself very useful in +spite of his one-armed condition--for he still wore his broken arm in a +sling. Dexie was not blind to the excellent traits of character he had +displayed during the trying weeks past, but when she endeavored to express +her thanks he stopped her with a word. + +Weeks passed, and Mr. Sherwood's progress was so slow as to damp all hopes +as to his ultimate recovery. + +"I must know the truth," he said one morning, when the doctor made his +usual visit; "it is no kindness to keep me in ignorance of my true +condition. If I am not likely to rise from this bed a well man, then it is +time I settled my business; so tell me what you think, Dr. Brown." + +But it is not easy to get a doctor's opinion, and at last it was decided to +send for the famous Dr. Jacobs, and have a consultation. + +"Well, have the consultation as soon as possible, for this uncertainty is +harder to bear than the knowledge of a speedy death," said Mr. Sherwood. + +Oh, the agony of that hour, when Dexie waited, with the rest of the family, +the verdict of the assembled doctors. As she knelt by her bed, her face +buried in the pillows, she felt as if the worst could not be much harder to +bear than this dreadful suspense. She dreaded the sound that would summon +her to her father's bedside, yet, when it came, she rose to obey with a +firm step, though the white face, from which her eyes shone almost black in +their intensity, was proof of the anxiety that filled her heart. + +"My dear little girl," and her father pressed the hand she laid in his, "it +is not so bad as we feared, after all. Dr. Brown, will you go and tell my +wife? Dexie, do you think you will get tired waiting on me if I have to lie +here a few more months?" + +"Oh, papa!" She could not restrain the tears that sprang to her eyes, so +she laid her head on the pillow beside him until she could lift a quiet +face. + +"Don't fret, Dexie, dear!" and he fondly stroked the head so near him. + +"I am likely to live for months, and you are such a capital little nurse +that it will not be such a hardship to spend the rest of my life on my +back." + +Yes, that was the verdict. Mr. Sherwood could never hope to walk again or +be a well man; but he would probably live for some time, his splendid +constitution being in his favor. + +This was hard news for the family; but they had feared the worst, and so +felt thankful for the extended time that might intervene before the end +would come. + +Mrs. Sherwood engaged the assistance of Mrs. Jarvis, an excellent nurse, to +attend on her husband; and as Dexie shared the nursing and relieved Mrs. +Jarvis, Mrs. Sherwood considered she had done her duty well and faithfully. +She did not feel strong enough to do very much of the laborious part of +nursing, but she was willing to make her appearance in the sick-room when +the patient was at his best. She had been present once when her husband had +been seized with a paroxysm of pain, and was so terrified and overcome that +she felt more than willing to leave her husband to the care of those who +were "so hard-hearted that they could witness such suffering," and still be +able to administer the necessary relief. + +As the weeks passed by and Mr. Sherwood grew no worse, it seemed impossible +to think that the "grim messenger" was really lurking in the shadow, for he +bore his illness with such patience and cheerfulness that only those who +were constantly about him realized how he really suffered. + +Mr. Traverse was always a welcome visitor, for Mr. Sherwood could never +forget that awful moment when death stared them both in the face, and how +Traverse had kept the flying timbers from crashing into his pinioned body, +receiving on his own head and arm the blows he might have escaped. + +Dexie had listened with averted face and tear-dimmed eyes to the story as +it fell from her father's lips, and she found it hard to meet her hero +without betraying something of the feeling which his noble conduct had +awakened in her heart. + +His frequent visits were both a joy and a pain to her, though why she felt +glad to hear his step, yet dreaded to meet his glance, she could not have +explained. + +Gussie was able now to meet Mr. Traverse without that feeling of +mortification which she experienced after she had read his love-letter +before her guests. His manner to her was as kind and respectful as ever, +and she hoped he had almost forgotten the circumstance. How often that +thoughtless act had been regretted no one knew but herself. There was no +chance of adding his name to her list of admirers, for he kept her at a +distance, even when his manner was most kind. She often wondered if his +_city girl_, as she styled her, had yet relented, or if he had given up all +hope of winning her. How he must have cared for her to write such a letter! + +If she had learned the true facts of the case, and found out that the +letter was really Dexie's, as she at first supposed, she would have put +aside the fact that her conduct was none the less reprehensible, and would +have used all her arts to win him to her side. As it was, she was more +willing to sit by her father's side during the time Mr. Traverse was +present than at any other time during the day. + +One evening when Mr. Traverse was sitting by Mr. Sherwood's bedside, Gussie +also being in the room, one of those sudden attacks that always came on +without a moment's warning seized upon Mr. Sherwood, and Mr. Traverse was +so alarmed that for a moment he lost his presence of mind; but Gussie's +shrill screams, as she rushed out of the room, aroused him. Something +should be done for the sufferer, he knew not what, and reaching for the +bell-cord that hung over the head of the bed he gave it a hasty pull, and +as he did so Dexie was beside him. + +She took in the situation at a glance, her rapid movements relieving Mr. +Traverse from the fear and apprehension that had seized him, and the means +of relief were soon at hand. + +"Raise his head on your arm a moment," she said, coming quickly to the +bedside. "Not quite so much; there. I must get this into his mouth somehow. +Thank you. Now, lay him down very carefully." A practical knowledge of +what was required made her movements swift, though quiet, and she worked +about him with a firm, steady hand. She was able to witness her father's +agony and still keep her wits about her; but this was positive proof to her +mother that Dexie had "no feelings." + +Mr. Sherwood was soon able to look the thanks he could not express, and +Dexie took a fan that lay near at hand and began, with a gentle motion, to +fan her father's flushed face. Guy noticed for the first time that the +tears were flowing down her cheeks, though she gave no sign of her +distress, nor made any movement to wipe them away lest that act should +betray them. + +"Let me do that much, Dexie?" was the low, whispered words, as he took the +fan from Dexie's fingers. + +He drew a chair softly to the bedside, and kept up the gentle motion until +Guy felt assured that the sufferer was asleep. + +Dexie was kneeling by the bedside, intently watching her father's face +through her tears, and she started when Guy laid his hand across her +clasped palms, and whispered, "Come away, Dexie; he is sleeping." + +She rose at his bidding, and he drew her to the window. + +"This has been very hard on you, Dexie, and you have borne it bravely," he +whispered softly, holding her trembling hands in his own. "Do not try to +hide the tears from me. Am I not your friend?" + +The touch of his hand and the tenderness of his voice touched a chord in +Dexie's heart and sent a thrill through every nerve, and she raised her +eyes to his for one brief moment; but in that short time she read a story +that might have filled a volume, and no one could now say of her that "her +heart had not yet awakened," for she knew the truth at last. + +The appearance of Mrs. Jarvis at this moment was a welcome relief to Dexie, +and giving a hasty account of her father's late attack she hurried from the +room. She felt she must get away from everyone and face this new thing that +had come upon her. + +As she passed into the hall she found Guy Traverse waiting for her. + +"May I ask for a few minutes, Miss Dexie?" he asked, in a low voice. "I +have something I would like to say to you to-night." + +"Please excuse me to-night, Mr. Traverse," she replied, without lifting her +eyes. "I do not feel able to see anyone just now." + +"Some other time, Dexie, then. Good-night," and he held her hand one moment +in his, and turned to leave the house. + +He did not seem particularly pleased to find Gussie waiting at the parlor +door for him; but he intended to pass on and go home. + +"Oh! Mr. Traverse you are not going home so soon, surely!" she cried. "I +wanted your opinion of a new book that was sent to me to-day. Is papa not +better?" seeing the altered expression on his face. + +"Yes, he is better now, I believe, but you must excuse me to-night, Miss +Sherwood; your book must wait for some future time. Good evening," and the +door closed softly behind him. + +As Guy turned the corner of the house, intending to take a short cut to his +hotel through the back garden, there issued from an open window such music +as Guy had never heard before--so soft, so sad, yet so exquisitely sweet +that he stopped for a moment to listen. He had often listened to Dexie's +playing; but he never had heard her play a piece like that, and he drew +nearer the window. + +He could see her through the thin curtain that hid him from view; and as he +stood and watched her, he wondered what it was that had the power to call +up such an expression to her face. But as he looked the music suddenly +ceased, and Dexie's face was buried in her hands, and he could hear the +sobs that shook her frame. He longed to speak to her, yet dared not. He +knew he had no right even to witness her emotion, and he turned silently +and sadly away. Could he have been mistaken, after all? That one brief +moment when Dexie had looked into his eyes he felt sure of her love, and +his heart had throbbed with joy; and but for that interruption he might +even now be holding her against his breast, while he poured into her ears +the story of his love. + +But her tears and grief seemed a denial of his hopes. Had thoughts of her +absent lover given her that glorified look on which he had based his hopes? + +If Guy Traverse had been permitted to read a part of the letter which Dexie +penned that evening before retiring, he would not have waited so long +before testing the value of his hopes, for he would have guessed the +meaning of the words sent to "the lover over the sea." + +"I have thought several times lately that you are not so open and frank +with me as you used to be. Are you keeping something from me, Lancy? I +wonder if you have found out the truth of the words I said to you in +Halifax. Do not forget that it was to be 'honor bright' between us. I am +beginning to hope that my surmises are correct, but I know it is hardly +fair to force a confession from you that I shrink from making myself. It +may be true that 'open confession is good for the soul,' but I find it is +particularly mortifying to the body. + +"But I have been talking to you through the piano to-night, Lancy, and I +must set down in writing a little of what is in my mind, for I have to +confess to you, Lancy, that I can no longer _honestly_ keep the ring that +has stood 'for a sign between me and thee.' Now, do not mistake me, dear +Lancy. I have heard no word of love from any man's lips since I left you, +but for all that I have met someone that will always stand between you and +me, and I really have little to tell you, only that under the conditions I +cannot keep the ring any longer. Will you release me from any promise I may +have given you, and tell me truly if you are not pleased that I asked for +the release? You must not think that I have ceased to care for you, for +there are times, when I am at the piano, that I would give all I ever +possessed to have you beside me, and I have missed you more than I can +tell. I see now that more than one kind of love can find room in the heart +at one and the same time. Now, Lancy, if I have made a mistake in thinking +that you may have had the same experience as myself, and this confession of +mine grieves you, I will keep my promise still, _if you wish it_. I shall +look anxiously for your answer." + +But if Guy Traverse had no knowledge of this letter he was present when +Gussie held out the answer across the table, with the words: + +"Here is an extra heavy letter from over the sea, Dexie, and that bold +handwriting tells the identity of the writer at a glance, so there is no +use to deny that it is from Lancy Gurney." + +Guy saw no hope for him in the flushed face, and Dexie hurried from the +room as soon as she had grasped the letter from Gussie's hand. + +But Guy Traverse had no need to be so cast down, if he had only known it, +for the letter said: + +"I begin to fear that you are gifted with second-sight, and it is with +shame I confess that I have not kept 'honor bright' with you. I was afraid +you would not understand if I began to explain the matter, but your own +confession has made it easier. I can hardly tell you what has happened, +Dexie--it has all come about so suddenly that I hardly realize it myself; +but I was thrown from a vicious horse while visiting at a country-seat, and +was taken up insensible, and when I opened my eyes I found a sweet heart +bending over me; but believe me, Dexie, I did not know it was so until her +own lips confessed it, and she has become very dear to me since. But I have +been in misery when I thought how you would despise me, and I feared your +scorn. I shall always care for you, Dexie, as you care for me, and I am +glad to know that the music still holds us together. I have a request to +make, and if you will grant it I shall know that the admission in this +letter has not wounded you. Do not send back the ring, but keep it and wear +it occasionally. I have had a counterpart made of the little charm which I +enclose in this, and I shall always keep it in memory of the happy hours we +have spent together." + +Dexie read this letter over a good many times before she laid it away +under lock and key; but when she did so she took from its hiding-place the +ring she had not looked at for months, and slipped it upon her finger. + +"Yes, I will keep it and wear it, now that it means only friendship; of +course he does not wish to have it back. I am so glad he has found someone +else. He will never forget me, I am sure--I know that by my own feelings +for him; but if he had kept me to my promise I--" but she finished the +sentence in the innermost recesses of her heart. + +Dexie's reply gave Lancy a feeling of relief. He must explain to his +parents the change in his feelings, and he feared they would consider that +he had wronged Dexie Sherwood; but her letters would prove the contrary, +for did she not say: + +"Your ring is on my finger as I write, and I never wore it with more +willingness and pleasure than I do now, when it tells only of freedom and +friendship. I have had those words engraved on the inside of the ring. Will +you do the same with the token of friendship which you say you possess? I +was sorry to hear you had taken the trouble to get one made after the same +pattern, and I have a little scold all ready for you. Do not hide from your +ladylove till after your marriage the little romance 'between me and thee.' +Believe me, it will sound much better if told beforehand. I am pleased to +hear that your prospects are so bright, but you did not tell me half enough +about your pretty English lassie, or in what direction her talents lie, but +I can well believe that I am far in the shade so far as music goes. I +cannot tell you what you ask, Lancy, for my love has not been asked for in +words; but I am very happy, and if my future holds nothing brighter than my +present life, it will be well worth living, for the only shadow is the +thought of poor papa's sufferings. And now, dear Lancy, good-bye. This is +my last letter to you, but if we ever meet again I think you will find that +I am the same old Dexie." + +The letter had such a kind, honest ring to it that it quite relieved +Lancy's mind, and he wondered what Dexie would say if she knew that his +ladylove was only a passable singer, and had no talent for music at all. +Truly, he had fallen in love with his opposite. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + +"I say, Traverse! I believe you are getting melancholy," said Mr. Fenerty, +as, seated in Guy Traverse's office, he watched Guy bend over the papers on +the desk before him, yet seeming to accomplish nothing. + +Getting no response to his repeated sallies, he added: + +"What's up! out with it! If that pile of papers is in a tangle, say the +word, and I'll bring my mighty brain to bear on them, and set them in order +for you in no time! No? Are the men going out on a strike, then? or is your +great-grandma down with the measles? Then, for Heaven's sake, why such a +doleful expression? It is enough to give one the blues to look at you!" and +he re-crossed his legs and looked searchingly at his friend. + +"That's all your nonsense, Fenerty! I'm all right! What's the news?" and +Traverse leaned back in his chair as if to resign himself to the +inevitable. + +"News! he asks for news, when I have come here expecting to find him +boiling over with anxiety to impart news to someone!" and Fenerty rolled up +his eyes in astonishment. "However, now that I have looked at you, and seen +the settled melancholy of those features, I am obliged to own that you do +not look like a man to be congratulated." + +"Why should I be congratulated, and for what? What joke are you struggling +to get rid of, Fenerty?" + +"'Pon honor, Traverse, I believe you are right! The congratulations are due +in some other quarter, yet who is he?" + +"I am as much in the dark as yourself, Fenerty. I own that I hoped to win +her myself, and I feel the disappointment--keenly." + +"Traverse, I hope you will not think me a meddling fool; but I would like +to know if it is all up with the other one--she of the letter, I mean. You +might tell a fellow that much." + +Traverse looked at him keenly. He knew that Fenerty had a good heart, with +all his bantering, and it was plain enough to all that his attentions to +Dexie Sherwood could have but one significance. Yet there must be a feeling +in the mind of Fenerty, as well as others, that in the light of that letter +he was not "off with the old love before he was on with the new." Should he +trust Fenerty with the secret of the letter, and have at least one friend +who would not think him dishonorable in the matter? + +"Fenerty, how are you at keeping secrets?" he said at last. "I never hear +you parting with any, but whether that is owing to the fact that you have +none to impart, or whether your secrets really are secrets, I am not able +to guess. I would like to tell you about that letter. What are the +prospects of it becoming public property?" + +"'Pon honor, Traverse, you are a brute! Do you think I would speak of it to +my bosom friend, if I had one? and Heaven knows I haven't! But I have often +thought of your possible death from unrequited love. You must have been in +a desperate way about the time that letter was written, hey, Traverse?" + +"Fenerty, you are a great goose, and let me prove my words. But first, +while I think of it, never offer yourself as a detective, for the +requirements needed are not included in your make-up. Well, I never wrote +that letter at all. Miss Gussie was right in thinking the letter was her +sister's, but I guessed the truth before anyone had time to catch the +horrified look that came into Miss Dexie's face as she heard her letter +read out to the crowd. I felt I owed Miss Gussie one for the hateful trick, +so claimed it as mine; and I piled on the agony pretty thick, if I remember +rightly. How does that solution of the mystery strike you, Fenerty, hey?" + +"Traverse, you are right!" and he fell over against the wall, as if the +news had been too much for him. "You are right! 'Pon honor, but that was a +bright trick of yours to claim that letter! I hope you appreciated the +sympathy I expressed for you on that trying occasion. Ha! ha! But the +fellow that wrote that letter had it pretty bad, eh, Traverse? By George! +I'll bet a hat she has given in at last. That is where the ring came from!" + +This referred to a little scene that had taken place in the T. and B. +rooms. + +Dexie had taken her place at the organ as usual, and in so doing had +displayed a ring that was new to the eyes of those standing near. Dexie +blushed painfully when attention was called to the ring by her teasing +friends; but she would acknowledge nothing when they tried to draw the +truth from her lips. When Guy Traverse joined the circle, to see what all +the fun and laughter meant, Dexie rose to her feet and slipped away, unable +to meet his eyes. But, with the knowledge he had of Dexie's affairs, he +thought there could be only one explanation of the ring's appearance; her +engagement to the lover over the sea must be a settled fact. But Guy's +frequent visits to the Sherwoods made the rest believe there was an +engagement between him and Dexie. + +Dexie's ring aroused considerable discussion among her friends, and it only +made it seem more complicated when Gussie declared to a friend that she +believed "Dexie had that ring before she left Halifax, but never wore it." + +But it was her sign of freedom, and its glitter and sparkle was like the +light of her own eyes when they rested upon it. She was afraid that her +secret, that sweet secret of her own, might be surprised from her. Not for +worlds would she have _that_ person know that her heart had awakened at +last. With that ring on her finger, who could charge her with caring for +anyone but the giver? + +Guy Traverse thought he had every reason to feel sad and gloomy. How was it +that he ever supposed she cared for him, for now she was as reserved and +cool when in his society as she had before been frank and pleasant, and, of +course, that ring was responsible for the change. + +Gussie took the opportunity of relating to Guy, as well as to others, many +an interesting story concerning Dexie and her Halifax lover, but she +neglected to add that most of her stories were creations of her own brain. +Guy felt little interest in these stories. He felt that there was +something going on that he did not understand, but he intended to ask an +explanation from Dexie at his first opportunity, feeling quite sure she +would own the truth to him. + +But the opportunity did not present itself readily, and even Mr. Sherwood +felt the change and wondered what had come between Dexie and his friend. He +tried to seek into the trouble, but could find no explanation of it. + +Mr. Sherwood was able now to be lifted to a wheeled chair or couch, and as +he could be gently wheeled from room to room, he found the change quite +agreeable. The time did not seem so long as when he was confined within +four walls. + +There were times when Dexie thought her father might be spared for years +instead of months, but when one of his attacks of pain seized him such +hopes as suddenly sank away. His mind was more free from care, since his +lawyer, Mr. Hackett, had brought his business matters to a satisfactory +state; but his visits to the house were always times of trial. Mrs. +Sherwood would listen to no explanations that would bring to her mind the +thought of her husband's decease. But someone had to stand in the gap, and, +as usual, it was Dexie; she it was to whom Mr. Hackett explained the many +papers and the various transactions to which their contents related. + +"What is the matter between you and Traverse, Dexie?" said Mr. Sherwood one +day, as Dexie sat by his side, writing at his dictation. "Never mind about +that story now; I have forgotten how I intended to end the matter. Tell me +what has happened between you two." + +"Indeed, papa, there is nothing. Mr. Traverse has probably something else +to take up his attention, and he has been away to New York, I hear, so I +daresay he is too busy to drop in as often as he used to do. Never mind +him; it is a pity not to complete this story when it is so nearly finished. +Let me read what I have written down, then perhaps you will remember what +you were going to do with this singular young lady." + +"Oh, no! Put the thing out of sight! I'm sick and tired of her already. I +miss Traverse, Dexie, and if you have had a quarrel, make it up for my +sake. He brings a world of sunshine with him when he comes." + +"We have not quarrelled, papa; that is not the reason he has not been in. +But I will tell Gussie to ask him to come in to-night; she will see him at +the T. and B. rooms." + +"Why can't you ask him yourself, Dexie? Queer that he has not been in +lately! There was never a day but he would run in for a few minutes during +some part of it; so ask him yourself to come in and see me." + +"I am not going out to-night, papa dear, but I will write him a note, if +you say so," and she drew some tiny sheets from among the scattered MS. +that filled the desk. + +"Do so, then, and tell him to come in as early as he can." + +"There, how will that do, papa?" and she passed the few lines for his +inspection. + +"Well, it couldn't be said in fewer words; that's a fact," he said, looking +at her curiously. "Look here, Dexie, out with it. What has happened to you? +Don't try to hide it; for I'm not stone-blind yet," and he pinched her pink +ear, and pulled her face around to look into it. "What has come over you +lately? Some new experience, I am quite sure. Matters are not as they used +to be. I have noticed the change in you for some time. You go whistling +through the house as happy as a bird, and your face is as bright as a new +button. Surely it cannot be because Traverse does not visit us so often? +Yet, I notice if anyone speaks to you about him, you get as 'mum' as you +please. Come, you used to tell me all your little secrets, you know. What's +up, Dexie?" + +"Dear papa, I don't know what to tell you," and she stooped and kissed his +cheek. "You may look at things differently than I do, and news which may be +pleasant to me may seem very strange to you." + +"Then there is news of some kind, after all? Well, let us have it. I want +to hear the news, good, bad or indifferent. I will try to believe it is +_good_ news, since it has such a happy effect on yourself," and he looked +up at the bright face that was bending over his chair. "Well, you know, +there was a sort of promise between Lancy and me; but I am free from it. +Our last letters have been sent and received, and by and by he is going to +take an English lassie home as his wife." + +"You don't say so, and you find it a source of rejoicing! Well, you are a +queer girl, sure enough. Gussie would say you have been jilted." + +"But I have not, because it was I who asked to be released from the +promise. If you knew what good friends Lancy and I still remain, you would +not fancy I feel jilted." + +"Well, I'm blest if I see the point yet," and he looked at Dexie keenly. + +"Please, papa, do not look for it," was the laughing reply; "for if there +be any point to this story, it is not visible to the naked eye, and I doubt +if you could discern it with a microscope itself. But, papa, I do not want +this spoken about yet--Lancy's approaching marriage, I mean. I would never +hear the last of it if Gussie got hold of it, and there is a reason why I +want everyone to suppose that everything is as it used to be." + +"Well, you can trust me, little girl; but I say again, I cannot see the +point." + +"And I hope you will not get particularly sharp-sighted all at once, +either, papa," she replied, shaking her finger at him; "so don't you go +spying into my little affairs, until I give you liberty. Dear papa, there +is nothing to tell; when there is, you shall hear it the first thing," and +she stooped again and kissed his cheek. + +"But why does not Traverse come here as usual, Dexie?" he asked. + +"Perhaps he will tell you if you ask him, papa," and hearing her mother +call, she left the room. + +During the afternoon, a little note found its way into Guy Traverse's hand; +but the smallest word from the hand that penned those lines was very dear, +and he raised it to his lips, then put it in a hidden corner of his +pocket-book. + +Guy felt that he was indeed welcome when he made his appearance in Mr. +Sherwood's room that evening, for Mr. Sherwood received him with such +expressions of pleasure that it needed but the quick, bright glance that +Dexie gave him to assure him that his presence was welcome to both. + +"You have been busy, Traverse. What is going on at your establishment these +days?" Mr. Sherwood asked, as Dexie left the room to fetch the chess-board. + +"Oh! nothing more than usual. We have a good many orders in, and I have +been away to New York on business for the firm; but I was only away a week. +Your old firm has a new manager. Quite a step up for Rushton, isn't it? I +am pleased at his promotion, for he deserved it." + +"Yes; he was not expecting it either. He called to see me, and I was well +pleased to hear he had stepped into my place. Now, Traverse, play your +best, and see if you can beat me to-night," as Dexie laid the board and +chess men in order by her father's side. + +Mr. Sherwood soon became so engrossed in his favorite pastime, that he +failed to notice that the poor play of his opponent was due to the fact +that his attention was so taken up with watching Dexie that only a part of +his thoughts were given to the game. + +"Traverse, I don't believe you are half playing," said Mr. Sherwood, as he +removed a captured knight from the board. + +"Well, you 'most always beat me, you know, Mr. Sherwood, though not often +so badly, I confess," was the smiling reply. + +"Well, don't be so easily conquered this time, Traverse, or I shall begin +to think you have something on your mind." + +Guy laughed and promised better play in the future, and as Dexie was called +from the room he redeemed his character and won the next game, and during +the few minutes' chat that followed Guy sought for information concerning +Dexie's supposed engagement. + +Mr. Sherwood did not see the drift of his remarks until Guy asked: + +"There is a rumor that Miss Dexie expects to be married shortly. You will +miss her very much if the rumor is correct." + +"Oh! rumor has it that way, has it? Well, this time Dame Rumor is just a +little astray. Strange how things do get twisted round!" + +"Are you quite sure there is no foundation for the rumor, Mr. Sherwood?" +and Guy held his chessman poised in the air while he waited the answer. + +"Oh, well, there are some facts to start from, certainly; yet I do not see +how the news could have got abroad. I feel quite sure Dexie never told +anyone about it, and the matter is not known to anyone else in the house, +except myself. She does not care to have the matter spoken of just at +present, lest it be misconstrued." + +"Then where is rumor wrong, if I may ask?" + +"Well, Traverse, I promised not to speak of it, but I do not think she will +mind if I tell you." + +Mr. Sherwood did not notice how eagerly Guy waited for the next words, for +he was studying his next move and seemed to have forgotten what he was +about to communicate. + +"If Miss Dexie does not wish the matter spoken of, you may rely on my +discretion," Guy remarked, as a reminder. + +"To be sure; well, the fact is, she has broken off the engagement, if there +was any, between herself and that young Englishman. I daresay you may have +heard us speaking of him, and he is soon to be married to a lady from his +own country; that leaves her free, contrary to Dame Rumor." + +"Is it possible! And Miss Dexie--" + +"Is as happy as a lark; do not extend your sympathy, Traverse, or you will +find it much misplaced." + +If Dexie had guessed that the very one she had hoped to keep in ignorance +was the first one to be told the facts of the case, she would never have +parted with her _news_, even to her father. + +Guy's heart bounded with hope and joy as he heard it, yet his happiness was +still overshadowed by the thought of that ring. There was something more +yet to learn. + +"I expect the rumor of her engagement is due to the fact that she wears a +beautiful ring lately, the ring and the rumor go together, I expect," and +he looked keenly into Mr. Sherwood's face, as if to read any unexpressed +thoughts on the matter. + +"Oh! she wears a new ring, does she? That's nothing, Traverse; most young +ladies are fond of jewelry, you know. There is nothing in it, depend upon +it, for if the ring had come from the other one I would have known it at +once--there! lost again, Traverse; I don't believe you are in a playing +humor to-night." + +"Is there anyone likely to come between Miss Dexie and this young +Englishman, anyone who may have sent her the ring, Mr. Sherwood? You spoke +just now as if there was." + +"Well, there _is_ one who would like to bestow his hand and fortune on her, +but she will have none of it; surely it can't be that she has changed her +mind, after all," and Mr. Sherwood laid down his chessman to consider this +new phase of the question. Could it be that the ring was from Hugh, and she +not tell of it? The game lost its interest with this new thought, and +hearing the sound of the piano through the walls, he said: + +"Suppose you wheel me into the sitting-room; I hear Dexie at the piano." + +The music suddenly ceased as the door opened, and Guy pushed Mr. Sherwood's +couch into the room. + +"It is too bad to waste that sweet music on bare walls, Miss Dexie," said +Guy smiling, "so I have brought an audience. Go on with what you were +playing; the little I heard was very beautiful, so do not let us interrupt +you. I am told that I am not a very good judge of music, but I know that +the piece you were just playing was something finer than most piano +pieces," for he had recognized it as the same piece she had played when he +had listened through the window, and it had ended in tears. + +Guy came over to the piano, and leaning his elbow on the cover, watched her +hands as they flew over the keys, and there was a puzzled look in his eyes +as he asked as she finished: + +"Is that what you were playing just before we came in, Miss Dexie?" + +"No; but do you not think it is a very pretty thing?" + +"Oh, yes, very nice; but--" + +"Well, here is a new song just out, and if you do not think it is beautiful +I will agree at once with the one who told you that you were not a good +judge of music," and her clear voice sounded through the room. + +"Yes, that is very fine, Miss Dexie. The words are almost too pathetic, or +else you make them sound that way. But let us have the first piece; there +is something peculiar in it, I fancy," and he picked up some sheet music +from the stand and began to look it over. + +"Hand it over, if you think you have found it, Mr. Traverse. I will play +anything you choose from that untidy mass," and there was an amused look in +her eyes as she watched the search. He was not likely to find what he +wanted amongst those promiscuous sheets. + +"But I do not know it when I see it, Miss Dexie," he replied. "I am sure +you know what piece it is I refer to." + +Dexie laughed at his bewildered expression; but as he looked at her, she +said in a low tone: + +"Yes, I know what you mean, Mr. Traverse, but I do not play that piece for +everybody." + +"Not for me, Miss Dexie?" + +"No." + +"What's all this about a piece of music, Dexie? I didn't come here to hear +you two quarrelling," and her father smiled over at them. "Let us have the +piece you were playing first, Dexie. It sounded fairly well, the little I +heard of it." + +"Choose something else, papa. Shall I play your favorite?" and she struck a +few chords. + +"No, not that! What is the reason you can't play the one I ask for?" + +"That piece of music is only for one pair of ears, and they are not yours, +papa, nor do they belong to Mr. Traverse. Name something else." + +Her father, looked at her in surprise, and then laughed. + +"You have raised my curiosity, Dexie. You will surely play it for me when I +ask you?" "No, papa; it is sacred to the memory of someone else." + +"But what if I command you to do so?" + +"You will not do that, papa dear, I know," and she looked over with a world +of entreaty in her eyes. + +"Well, well, has it come to this!" he said, with a soft laugh. "Did I ever +expect to hear Dexie say such a thing to me! See how badly I am used, +Traverse; she actually refuses to obey me, knowing very well I cannot +punish her for disobedience. Well, well! who would think it of Dexie?" + +"Perhaps it is one of her own compositions that she is trying to keep +hidden under a bushel, as it were," said Guy, with a sudden inspiration. + +"Oh, now you are wrong! and, to prove it, you shall be made to listen to +one of my very own pieces as a punishment," and she turned again to the +piano. + +"Dexie, is that your own?" when the last chords had died away. + +"Yes, papa, all mine, and I have a verse or two composed to suit the music; +so be careful, or I'll inflict them upon you as well." + +"Now, gentlemen," she added, "what else shall I favor you +with--instrumental music, or songs, ballads, whistling choruses, or what? I +await your orders. I have an extensive repertoire from which you may +select," and her fingers passed softly over the keys as she smilingly +waited. + +"Then it is no use to ask for that one piece, Miss Dexie?" Guy said, in a +low voice. + +"No, sir, not at all! I only play that when--well, when I am sentimentally +inclined, you know. Did I not say it was sacred to someone else?" and she +lifted a saucy face to Guy's gaze. + +Then without a moment's pause Dexie began to sing, and she soon charmed +away the frown that had gathered over Guy's face on hearing her frank +admission. He stood and watched her as she sang, feeling that she had the +power to make or mar his life. + +"Now, papa, you have heard quite enough, I am sure," she said, at last, +going over to his side. "You are looking tired." + +"There! that is just the way I am served. Directly I am beginning to enjoy +myself, my pleasures are nipped in the bud;" then changing his tone, he +added, "Yes, dear child, I do feel a little weary. If Traverse will be kind +enough to wheel me back to my room, I guess I will let Jarvis put me to +bed; I hear her rummaging about looking for me now," and he smiled as he +drew her face down and kissed it. + +"Dear papa, I wish it was in your power to escape her search." + +Mr. Sherwood understood the wish, and pressed her hand in reply. + +Mr. Traverse was soon back by Dexie's side, watching the hands that were +evoking such sweet strains, but she seemed hardly aware of his presence +until he said, in a low tone: + +"Remembering what you told me, Miss Dexie, I was not surprised to hear that +you were shortly to be married. May I know the truth from your own lips, +Miss Dexie?" + +"I do not know why the report, true or otherwise, should trouble any +person, Mr. Traverse," and she stooped to pick up some scattered music, and +hide her face at the same time. + +"It is more to me than you think, Miss Dexie. If you will admit that the +report is true, I will not trouble you with further questions; but I +understand, from what your father said, that the rumor is not correct." + +"Papa had no right to tell you anything, Mr. Traverse, but I fancy you are +not much the wiser for any information he may have given you." + +Her blushing cheeks and downcast eyes did certainly convey the impression +that her father was not aware how matters stood, so he replied: + +"No, I am not much wiser, I must admit, for I cannot make what he told me +agree with that engagement ring." + +"Do all rings have that significance? Gussie frequently wears several +without implicating any gentleman," smiling. + +"Dexie, you do not know how much this means to me, and I do not know if I +have a right to explain. When I remember how much you told me the night +that Gussie read your letter, I do not see why you should hesitate to tell +me the rest now." + +"What was it that papa told you, Mr. Traverse?" Dexie asked, in a low tone. + +"Only that you were free. Yet how can I believe that, with this ring on +your finger denying the fact, and that music has some connection with the +past, that touches your heart, or why is it sacred to one person alone. I +do not understand it, Dexie." + +"And I do not expect or desire you to understand it, Mr. Traverse," came +the hesitating reply, as Guy awaited her answer. "I could not explain about +the music, even to papa, but the ring does not tell the story you are +thinking of." + +"Well, if I may not hear the music, may I know the story of this?" and he +took the hand that wore the ring in his own. + +Dexie slipped the ring from her finger and held it towards him. "Oh! what a +great fire a little ring has kindled!" said she, smiling. + +Guy took the ring in his hand, and noticed the words engraved inside, +"Freedom and friendship," with the letters L. and D. in monogram. + +"That may mean more than the words imply, and be but a part of what the +music signifies after all. I am only too willing to believe in the motto +engraved here, but I hope the word 'friendship' is called by its right +name. Perhaps the writer of that letter has touched your heart at last, +Dexie?" he added, looking intently into her blushing face. + +"No! oh, no! The ring did not come from him, Mr. Traverse." + +"My thoughts have not been pleasant to me since my eyes rested upon this, +and heard the rumor connected with it. Dexie, be honest with me and tell me +what it means." + +Dexie slipped the ring back on her finger, and shook her head. + +"It has been discussed enough, Mr. Traverse, please say no more about it," +she said, shrinking away from the eager, searching looks that made every +moment more embarrassing to her. + +"Just a moment, Dexie! Your father said that you asked Mr. Gurney to +release you from any promise between you. When speaking of him that +evening, you told me that you never had met anyone that you liked better. +Tell me, Dexie, have you met anyone _since_ then, that you asked to be +free?" and he bent nearer and looked intently into her face. + +Why had he put such a question to her? If she said "No," it would imply +that she still cared for one that was betrothed to another; but she could +not say "Yes," for that might betray her secret. + +Guy's face was very near her own, as she answered with a beating heart: + +"You have no right to put such a question to me, Mr. Traverse, and please +to remember that I am 'Dexie' to no man but papa," and there was a touch of +anger in her tone, to which, however, Guy gave no heed. + +"Excuse me, Miss Dexie, if I have offended you," and a bright smile lit up +his face. "I _had_ no right to ask that question, but I shall endeavor to +find it out all the same," a glow of satisfaction filling his heart. + +Gussie entered at this moment and Dexie escaped to her room, but Guy did +not think his case quite hopeless as he walked home, thinking it over. + +"I believe she does care for me; but shall I ever be able to make her +confess it? She must know how I love her. However, I feel free to go to the +house as usual, and I may not, after all, repeat the moth-and-candle story, +as I feared." + +But try as he would, he could not break through the reserve that now +surrounded Dexie like a mantle. She welcomed him with the fewest possible +words when he called on Mr. Sherwood, and she seemed so cool and stiff that +he felt chilled to the heart. It was seldom, indeed, that she addressed a +remark to him during an evening. Yet there were times when, suddenly +turning his eyes in her direction, he would find her looking at him so +intently that his heart would throb with hope and gladness, only to be +chilled again at the first word that fell from her lips. For weeks this +battle with hope and fear went on, and their friendly intercourse seemed to +have come to an end. Her visits to the T. and B. rooms were fewer than +ever, and the hour for choir practice was so often changed that he found it +almost impossible to see her a moment alone. His visits to the house gave +him little pleasure. Mr. Sherwood always brightened up when he arrived, and +but for the pleasure these visits gave to the sick man Guy would have +hesitated about making them at all. + +One evening as he entered the parlor he found the family assembled and busy +over various trifles: Gussie, with a basket of colored wools, was picking +out some needed shade; Mrs. Sherwood was by the fire with some fleecy +knitting work in her hands, while Flossie sat at her feet intent on fitting +a brilliant dress on her newest doll. + +Traverse stood in the doorway looking at the family group for some moments +until Dexie, who was reading the evening paper to her father, lifted her +eyes and acknowledged his presence with a bow. She perused the paper +silently, while her father and Mr. Traverse entered into a discussion +concerning certain charges made in it against one of the public officers of +the State, and at her father's request Dexie read again the article that +had called forth the discussion. + +When she had finished she lifted her eyes, and a wave of color spread to +her very brow as she met Guy's earnest gaze. If there was more animation in +the remarks that followed, Mr. Sherwood did not guess the cause of the +change. + +Wishing for a certain volume that had reference to the matter, Dexie rose +to get it from the bookcase, but not finding it readily Traverse came over +to assist her. The search went on in silence for some time, when Guy said +in a low tone: + +"Is there any quarrel between us, Miss Dexie, that we so seldom speak to +each other?" + +"Not that I know of, Mr. Traverse," Dexie replied, dropping her eyes to the +lowest shelf. + +"Then, why are you so silent when I am near? We used to be good friends, +but now you cut me to the heart by your cold looks and cruel speeches. What +has come between us?" + +"Nothing that I know of, Mr. Traverse, and if my words and looks do not +please you there is a way to keep out of the reach of both." + +"You are an enigma hard to solve, Miss Dexie," was the smiling reply; "but +I intend to find the solution, and until then you will not find it easy to +drive me away." + +"As you please," and catching sight of the book she was looking for, she +turned hastily from him and seated herself by her father's side. + +Guy felt in little humor to continue the discussion. He felt that Dexie's +manner was but a cloak to hide her true feelings from him, and finding it +impossible to draw her into further conversation he rose to leave the room. + +"May I speak to you a few moments in the hall?" he quietly asked, as he +bent over her chair. + +But Dexie shrank from such an interview, and replied: + +"Please excuse me; papa needs me just now." + +"No, I don't," came the unexpected reply from her father, who had heard the +request as well as the refusal. + +Dexie rose slowly to her feet, a look of indecision on her face. + +"Go at once," said her father; "Mr. Traverse is waiting for you, Dexie," +then she followed him out of the room. + +Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment as she waited in silence for Mr. +Traverse to speak, and her heart beat wildly as he regarded her with +earnest eyes. + +"Dexie, tell me honestly, do you wish me to cease visiting here?" + +"No, Mr. Traverse;" then after a pause, "papa would miss you." + +"But I do not come here on purpose to see your father; you know that very +well, Dexie," and the tender, reproachful tone made Dexie droop her head +still lower. + +"Have I offended you, Dexie, that you are so cool and distant with me?" + +"No, you have not." + +"Then is it because you dislike me that you will not speak a word to me? Is +that why you are so silent, Dexie?" + +No answer came from Dexie's lips, but she shook her head in reply. "What +is it, Dexie that has come between us--there is something, is there not?" + +"Did you ask me here on purpose to catechise me?" recovering her voice at +last. "Then I wish you 'good evening,'" and she turned to leave him. + +But Guy stepped quickly before her and seized the hand that reached for the +door. + +"Do not dismiss me so curtly, Dexie, but shake hands when you bid me +'good-bye' to-night." + +Dexie laid her hand in his, and he held it close, while for one brief +moment her eyes were raised to his, then as quickly averted; but that was +all Guy needed--the secret was his at last. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + +The next afternoon, while "the twins" were out with their mother on a +shopping expedition, Mr. Traverse called at the house, and tapped lightly +at the door of Mr. Sherwood's room. + +"Ah! Traverse, is that you? Glad to see you," said Mr. Sherwood. "I was +just wishing that someone would come in. The girls are out, and Jarvis is +outside rattling among the dishes, and there is not a soul to speak to. +Take a seat and be comfortable; the girls will soon be home, I expect." + +"I did not come to see the girls this time, Mr. Sherwood," said Guy, +smiling. "I knew they were out, met them in a store down town, so came upon +purpose to catch you alone." + +"Well, that is good of you, Traverse; it is intolerably slow to be cooped +up here all day, not sick enough to stay in bed, and not well enough to be +moved about. Any news?" + +"I have not read the day's papers yet," and he pulled them out of his +pocket, and tossed them on a table near. "You can look up the news yourself +by and by. I have come to have a talk with you this afternoon, Mr. +Sherwood, and to ask a favor. I hope you are sufficiently acquainted with +me by this time to grant me this favor, without taking much time to +consider the matter. I presume you have guessed that my frequent visits +here are due to something more than the friendship I feel for yourself," +and he smiled down at Mr. Sherwood, adding: "I have come to ask for the +hand of your daughter." + +"Oh! that is what you are after, is it?" and Mr. Sherwood leaned back in +his couch and smiled. "I had not given the matter a thought, though I might +have known there were other attractions than a sick man in the house. Well, +Traverse, I am pleased to hear your request, for I have always had a +personal liking for you, and I do not wonder that you have reached my +daughter's susceptible heart. My life is not going to last much longer; the +doctor may bolster me up for a little while, but the end is coming fast. I +feel my strength going daily, and I shall feel relieved to see her settled +in a home of her own before I am gone. Gussie is young and inexperienced, +but you will make her a good, kind husband, I feel sure." + +"Oh! but you mistake me, Mr. Sherwood," said Guy, speaking quickly; "it is +not Miss Gussie I am asking for. I admire her beauty and respect her +highly, but it is Miss Dexie I want for a wife." + +"Dexie! Man alive! what nonsense is this! You don't mean to tell me that it +is Dexie you have been making love to all this time?" said he, in surprise. + +"Well, I haven't made much love to her yet, I must confess," he replied, +laughing at Mr. Sherwood's astonished face; "but that is because she won't +let me. She will not give me the chance! indeed, I can hardly get a word +from her at all lately. Does it look to you as if I should be asking for +Miss Gussie, Mr. Sherwood? Believe me, I have never said a word to her more +than has been said in your presence, that would lead to the inference that +I had serious intentions in regard to her. I hope you will not refuse to +give me the one I want." + +"Well, well, I don't know what to say, Traverse; it is so sudden. I never +thought of you in connection with Dexie, and upon my word, Traverse, she +doesn't appear to be very much in love with you either, if I am any +judge!" and Mr. Sherwood looked up at Traverse, who was standing by his +couch, his hands clasped behind his back in a waiting attitude. "Now, with +Gussie it would be an easy matter." + +"Mr. Sherwood, I am happy to know that you are not indifferent to me, apart +from the fact that I aspire to be your son-in-law. I am sure you will +understand that I mean no offence when I say that while I admire Miss +Gussie I should not care to make her my wife; Miss Dexie is different." + +"Well, it strikes me, Traverse, that the difference is not in your favor," +and Mr. Sherwood smiled as he watched Guy's restless movements, for he was +now walking up and down the room. + +"Love-making must be done in a different way than when I was a young man, I +fancy." + +"Give your consent to the wooing, Mr. Sherwood, and I'll do the winning. I +will frankly admit that at present she appears to dislike me heartily, but +I have grounds to hope that there will be a change very soon. The signs may +not be visible to others, but I am not in despair, by any means," and he +stopped by the couch and smiled down at Mr. Sherwood's face. + +"Well, Traverse, though I ought not to say it, she will make you the better +wife of the two. You are not blind, and if a daughter is loving, unselfish +and sympathetic to her old father, she will make a good wife. Success to +your wooing, though it looks to me as if it might be a tough job. If you +win her, you shall have my blessing with her; but do not take her away from +me, Traverse. You will not have long to wait, and I should miss her sadly." + +"Well, there seems to be no sign of a speedy marriage at present," was the +smiling reply, as he took a seat by the window, "but I hope your life will +be spared for a long while yet. Do not say anything about my calling here +this afternoon. Dexie does not seem in the humor to hear a proposal yet; +but I am going to take advantage of the first chance, so you may expect +news at any time." + +"Well, Traverse, I shall watch the progress you make, _sub rosa_. It will +add quite an interest to the monotonous life I spend here on my back." + +"You may not have long to wait, for I am going to press the matter at the +earliest opportunity, even though I may get a positive refusal for my +answer," was the laughing reply. "I have bought the ring, so you see I have +some hope." + +"Well, upon my word, Traverse! that is taking time by the forelock, sure +enough. I must be even blinder than I thought, if there are enough signs +for you to go that far already. She wears a ring now that has given rise to +much gossip, but I cannot get at the truth of the matter. She will not tell +me her secrets as she used to do; so take care, Traverse, the giver of that +ring may be in your way, after all." + +"I'll risk it, Mr. Sherwood," he said, smiling. "But the young ladies have +just turned the corner; I shall have to escape by the side-door. Good +afternoon, Mr. Sherwood, you have made me very happy," and after a cordial +hand-clasp Guy left the house. + +"Strange that I never mistrusted that it was Dexie he was after all this +time," thought Mr. Sherwood. "Yet I might have guessed, if I had given it a +thought, for he never asks after Gussie when he calls, and it is always +Dexie he brings home when the girls are out--when she will let him," and he +laughed softly, as he remembered the playful account that Traverse had +given him of the trouble he had in keeping Dexie in sight, and how she had +escaped him sometimes by changing hats with one of her friends at the last +moment, and so bewildering him by her changed appearance that it was hard +to catch her until she was almost home. + +"I must find out if she has anything against him; perhaps I can speed the +wooing. She will need a protector soon, brave, independent little woman +though she is." + +The entrance of his daughters at this moment put an end to his thoughts, +and led him to notice once more the difference between the twins. Gussie +rushed to her rooms at once to view the purchases afresh, but Dexie quietly +slipped to his chair to see if he was asleep. + +"Have we been very long, papa? I hope you have not been lonesome or wanted +anything. They kept us so long looking at the things in the store that I +was getting anxious, fearing Jarvis would be too busy to see after you," +and she smoothed back his hair and stooped to kiss his forehead. "What +shall I do for you before I go to change my dress?" + +"Nothing at all." But noticing that Dexie was regarding the daily papers on +the table, added, "Oh, yes! just hand me those papers; I was wishing I +could reach them. There, that is all! be off! be off with you and change +your gown, if you want to!" playfully shoving her at arm's-length, for he +was afraid she was going to ask who had left the papers there. + +"They were to-day's papers," she said to herself, as she went to her room. +"Who could have left them? Surely _he_ was not here, for we met him down +street. Papa would have mentioned it at once if he had called, yet those +papers were left here by someone since we went out." + +Thus reasoning to herself, Dexie put on her house-dress, intending to +return to her father's room and ask who had called during the afternoon, +but second thoughts prevented her, and she turned to the kitchen to see +what had been provided for her father's supper, or to prepare, if need be, +some little extra dainty to tempt his failing appetite. + +Mr. Sherwood unfolded the papers Dexie had laid before him, but they failed +to claim his attention; the events of the afternoon still had possession of +his thoughts. + +"Traverse has told on himself by leaving these here, but perhaps she did +not notice the date, and there are always papers lying around the room. I +will not let her question me about them." + +But Dexie acted as if the matter had passed from her mind. She was as gay +as a lark, giving him bits of news she had heard while she was out, telling +him of the things she had seen during her walk that she thought might +interest him, even trifles which seemed hardly worth speaking about; but +when one is confined indoors, the veriest trifle of outside life is +welcome, so Gussie need not have curled her lip so scornfully when Dexie +was relating the sights of the afternoon. + +"Just think, papa," Dexie added, taking no heed to these silent objections +so plainly visible, "they have put new steps before the door of your old +office, and a new 'No admittance' card is tacked on the inside door, and +the place is being all spruced up. The painters have got to work at the old +Baptist church; it is to be repaired inside and out--quite time, too, for +it looks as if it had been exposed to the weather ever since the Flood! +Mitchell's tailor shop has two new figures in the window, and, judging by +the styles displayed, the latest style of coat is much cut away and would +suit you exactly. But if you want to dress in the very latest style, you +must also have a gorgeous plaid necktie. Shall I buy you one, papa?" + +"Why, Dexie; how silly you talk," said her mother severely. "What does your +father need with new neck-ties while he is lying there on his back?" + +The tears sprang to Dexie's eyes at once. Why could not her mother let him +believe for one half-minute that he was _not_ "lying there on his back" +with no need of fashionable attire? It made Dexie's heart ache to see the +changed expression come over her father's face at the thoughtless words, +and she turned from the room to hide her tears. + +But Dexie had many little devices to amuse her father, who was quick to +catch the passing moods of those around him. One little diversion in +particular always brought a spice of frolic with it, while it caused Mrs. +Sherwood to frown in displeasure. Dexie would set her father's table before +him, but bring in his food covered over, and he must guess at the contents +of the dishes by sundry whiffs which she would allow him from the corner of +the raised napkin, and his many absurd guesses, in response to her efforts, +often caused much merriment between them. He always found some little +surprise on the table, if nothing more than a new cup to drink his tea +from, or a pretty device on the little pat of butter; there was sure to be +something to make remarks about. But this "foolishness," as Mrs. Sherwood +called it, was kept up, and the harmless sport did much to induce the sick +man to eat, and thus kept up his strength. Dexie was glad to find that her +mother had left the room when she returned with a covered tray. Setting it +on one side, she raised her father and settled his pillows, placed the +invalid's table across the couch, set the tray thereon, then whipped off +the napkin that covered the dishes. + +"Now, papa, what do you think of that for a cup and saucer?" + +"Is that a cup and saucer, Dexie? Well, you might call it anything else and +not be far astray, I fancy. I'll have to ask, like the little nigger in +'Dred,' 'Which be de handle, and which am de spout?'" and he looked at the +cup with interest. + +"Why, that is the beauty of it. You can't make a mistake! If you take it +this way, why, _this_ is the handle and _that_ the spout. If you prefer it +end for end, why--there, you have it! I saw it down in the store, and +thought it would be just the thing to drink out of. Try and see how nice it +is. Not a drop spills out, you see, even when you are lying down. When you +get tired of it as a cup, then I'll call it a fancy vase, and set it on the +mantel for flowers. Handy thing, isn't it? useful or ornamental, just as +you like." + +Her father set the cup on the table and laughed pleasantly. + +"Now, papa," she added, "you will need your Yankee guessing cap to-night, +for I have something very nice. What is it?" holding up a dish. + +"Well, sure enough, what can it be? It smells like chicken, but there is +also a suggestion of oysters. There!--I give it up, Dexie." + +"That's right, for I do not know the name of it myself. I saw how to +prepare it in a book, but the name is beyond me. There is no English word +to express how nice this tastes, so you must eat in French to-night, papa," +sitting beside him to assist. "The little book tells how to prepare some +lovely little stews and dishes, and I am going to make some of them for +you. But don't be alarmed, papa! I'll try all the new inventions on myself +first--to see if they are safe, you know! But, between you and me, papa, +the author of the little cook book is a fraud! Some of the dishes are +quite plebeian. He goes on to say how to prepare some toast, so-and-so, +some milk and butter, or cream, so-and-so, put this and that in it, then +you dish it up and call it--oh! I can't say _what_ he calls it; but, if you +will believe me, it is just 'cream toast,' and nothing else, disguised +under a high-sounding name to deceive innocent people, and make them +believe they are eating something very high-toned. Just a little more tea, +papa. But I am up to their tricks and I'll not palm off any old-fashioned +dishes on you, under a Frenchified name," and she chatted on, helping him +and preparing what was before him, till she had beguiled him into making +quite a hearty meal. + +That evening Mr. Traverse made his appearance as usual, bringing with him a +pretty basket of fruit, and his inquiries after Mr. Sherwood's health were +made so earnestly that Dexie felt sure he could not have been in during the +afternoon; someone else must have left the papers. + +As may be supposed, Traverse was in excellent humor. He seemed bubbling +over with good-natured fun, and even Dexie thawed out sufficiently to +answer his repartees less caustically than usual. + +"Something very pleasant must have happened to you to-day," said Gussie, +looking at him archly, "or else you have been studying a joke-book for our +amusement." + +"Well, I have good reason to be jolly to-night," he replied, changing his +seat so as to watch Dexie's face. "I am going to be married! That fact +alone ought to make any reasonable man happy, don't you think?" + +This announcement was so unexpected by everyone, that even Mr. Sherwood +looked up in surprise, and wondered "what next," and Dexie's eyes flashed +in indignation as she said to herself: + +"Then he was only trying to get up a flirtation with me, after all, and his +tender looks and gallant speeches were only intended to draw me out! How +glad I am I never gave him the smallest encouragement! What should I have +done if he had guessed my secret? Yet he looked so true--who would believe +he was so deceitful? Oh, dear!" + +She bent her head lower over her work, and said not a word. No one should +ever know how her heart ached at that announcement. + +Gussie had always feared that if ever Guy Traverse gave up his "city girl" +he would turn to Dexie for consolation, and she was glad to hear this +announcement. Dexie was not going to get him, after all. She hoped Dexie +would feel disappointed, but she smiled sweetly as she said: + +"Ah! you sly thing! How you have deceived us? How long have you been +engaged, and when is the event to come off? Do tell us about it." + +"Well, I only received her father's permission to-day--something I was +afraid I would never get, so the time has not been set." + +"Come, Dexie!" looking up to see how her sister took the news, "you have +not congratulated Mr. Traverse yet on his approaching marriage." + +"I have not heard your congratulations, either, Gussie; but I believe Mr. +Traverse will not doubt the sincerity of mine as I fear he may yours." + +The retort struck home, as Dexie intended it should; she felt hurt, and was +glad of the chance to say something sharp to relieve her feelings. + +"Well, it is to be hoped that the future Mrs. Traverse is a little milder +in her manner than you are; he has endured a good deal from your sharp +tongue lately, and needs a change. Mr. Traverse seems to be waiting for +your congratulations, Dexie," she added, as she noticed how intently Guy +was regarding her. + +"I hope it is not needful for me to assure Mr. Traverse how glad I am to +hear of his approaching marriage," came the cool, stiff words from Dexie's +lips. "I hope that hereafter he will see fit to bestow his obnoxious +attentions exclusively on the lady of his choice." + +"Why, Dexie," said her mother in surprise, "you are forgetting yourself." + +"I stand adjudged!" and Guy smiled serenely, as he exchanged looks with Mr. +Sherwood. "But I regret to say that the lady in question has not cared to +monopolize my attentions so exclusively as I could wish, and they have +overflowed, as it were, upon others occasionally. I beg to hope, Miss +Dexie, that in the future you will have no cause to consider my attentions +obnoxious." + +"Well, give _me_ your attention just now, Mr. Traverse," said Gussie, +lifting up a skein of silk for him to hold, and beginning to wind it off. +"Does the future Mrs. Traverse indulge in this work?" + +"Well, now, I really don't know, Miss Gussie; but if the knowledge of it is +important I am sure she can do it, though I may never have seen her at it." + +Dexie was suffering agonies of mind. Who could it be that had won his +heart? It must be someone he had known before coming to Lennoxville, and +his visits away from town were not always on business matters. She sat +listening to every word with a beating heart, but those who were watching +her closely could read no word from that quiet, immovable face. + +"Do tell us something about this city girl of yours," Gussie said, +teasingly. "We have been so intimate that it is only fair to tell us +something about her. Is she tall or short, a blonde or brunette, and what +kind of work is she usually at when you go to see her? or is she a society +lady with nothing to do but dress up and look pretty? Perhaps she paints; +that is fashionable now." + +"Paints! No, never! 'Her cheeks are like the rose, that in the garden +blooms,' and so on, but for all that, I am sure she does not paint!" + +"Paint pictures, I mean! You know I did! Of course, I never meant her face! +But what sort of work is she fond of? What are her talents? I am sure you +must know that!" + +"Well, now, I really don't believe I ever asked her what she likes to do +best, and she is so unselfish that it would not be fair to judge her by +what she is actually doing when I happen to see her, for I am sure that +some of her self-imposed tasks are far from pleasant to her. I have heard +her called her mother's right hand. I suppose you know what that means, +Miss Gussie?" + +Dexie raised her eyes for one moment, but dropped them when she saw +Traverse looking at her intently. She was glad it was not a fashionable +belle he had chosen for his wife, for she knew what a position she must +hold if she was "her mother's right hand." That term told a long story to +one initiated into its duties. + +"But I am not going to let you off with such a general answer, Mr. +Traverse," was Gussie's persistent reply, "so tell me at least _one_ thing +that you have seen her engaged in when you called upon her." + +"Well, really, Miss Gussie, you fairly puzzle me, for I can't think of the +name of the work which I see her at most frequently," and he looked up as +if reflecting on the matter; then glancing over to Dexie, who sat by the +side table with a mending basket near, he added, "Oh! now I remember it. It +is 'family mending,' I believe you call it. You just put me in mind of it, +Miss Dexie," as Dexie raised an astonished pair of eyes to his face. + +A sudden thought struck her, though she instantly refuted the idea, and +despised herself for entertaining it for a fraction of a moment; but Guy +had witnessed the flush that spread over her face as he uttered the words. + +"Oh! how poetic!" and Gussie laughed heartily. "She must be, like Dexie, +also, the housekeeper of the family, or at least the eldest daughter in +it." + +"Why, I thought you were twins, Miss Gussie," said Mr. Traverse, in +surprise. + +"Well, so we are as to age, but Dexie is years older than I am in other +things. She has left the vanities and other worldly things behind her years +ago." + +"I wish you could see the fine affair that Dexie works at when she sits up +with me at night. Where is it, Dexie? Bring it out and let us all have a +look at it," said Mr. Sherwood, who had listened in silence to the +discussion, and did not wish Traverse to think that Dexie was ignorant of +this particularly feminine employment. + +"Oh! never mind it just now, papa; I would rather not show it," she +replied. But seeing that she had somehow disappointed him, she added, with +a smile, "Wait till it is done, papa. It is not easy to judge the looks of +an unfinished piece of work. Perhaps I will be able to finish it in time to +make it a wedding present to Mr. Traverse." Traverse looked at her with +such a happy smile on his face that she made some excuse to turn her chair +about, and her fingers trembled so she could scarcely guide the needle. + +"What is the matter with me, I wonder?" she thought. "Surely I am not so +foolish as to be disturbed by his looks, after what he has just told us! +Surely I am not so weak and foolish as that!" + +Although the day had been a pleasant one to Mr. Sherwood, it had also been +a trying one, and he began to feel the effects of it. He was getting uneasy +and restless, and Dexie soon observed it. + +"You are tired, papa. Shall I wheel you to your room?" + +"Yes, I think you had better, and call Jarvis at once," and he leaned back +white and weak against his pillows. + +Guy was on his feet in a moment, and rolled the chair into the next room +with a steady, firm hand; while Dexie hurried past him to summon Jarvis, +and to get the hot applications which were always kept in readiness for +these sudden attacks. + +"I fear you are worse than usual to-night. Has my extra visit to-day been +more than you were able to bear?" Guy asked, as, with the gentleness of a +woman, he lifted him across into his bed. + +"No, it is not that; I have been up too long, I guess, and my strength is +daily growing less. I ought not to be moved out of bed, perhaps, but it is +torment enough to be bolstered up in a chair without staying in bed all +day," he added savagely, as the pain began to grow fierce. "Oh! this is +awful!" + +Guy seemed helpless as he stood on one side to let Jarvis approach the bed. + +Dexie came in at that moment with several hot cushions, and with their help +they soon had the sufferer more at ease; but for the few minutes the sight +of his agony was terrible to witness. + +"Don't go, Traverse; sit down for awhile; I shall soon be better," he said, +as soon as he could speak. "There is more medicine in those hot bags than +in all the doctor's bottles--they ease the pain faster than anything else," +he presently added. + +"How is the pain now, papa?" and Dexie bent over him with anxious face. + +"Better, dear; much better, but it was fearful cutting for awhile. Did I +frighten you, dear? You must not mind it so. Jarvis might see to me alone, +if you would let her." + +"Oh! I must help you if I can. I could not bear it if I could not do +something to relieve you, dear papa," she whispered, as she bathed his +flushed face. + +Presently Mrs. Sherwood came in to see if her husband was better, and to +ask if there could be anything further done for his relief. + +"Nothing more, my dear; do not worry about me. You had better go and rest. +Dexie will bring me something hot to drink presently, and that is all I +shall want." + +"Then I will leave you now with Jarvis, and see about it, papa," and Dexie +left the room without saying a word to Mr. Traverse, who had taken a chair +and seated himself at the other side of the bed. She was too much taken up +with her father's sufferings to remember that her own heart had cause for +grief. + +She was some time away from the room, and naturally expected that Mr. +Traverse had left the house, as Mrs. Jarvis said nothing about his still +being in the room when she came out to speak to her. + +"It is my turn to sit up the first part of the night, Mrs. Jarvis," said +Dexie, "so you had better go at once to bed. I will call you if he should +be worse, so do not sleep with one eye open. I will be sure to let you know +if you are needed." + +"Well, Traverse, you astonished me to-night," said Mr. Sherwood, as soon as +they were alone in the room; "that was a strange way of beginning your +wooing," and there was a smile on his white face as he looked into the +manly one before him. + +"Yes, I astonished them all," and he laughed softly. "It was quite amusing +to see the effect of the announcement on the whole of you. I thought you +were going to jump out of your chair; Miss Gussie was evidently surprised, +but was not very much put out at the news; and Dexie--well, she hardly +expected it, but she seemed pleased to hear she was likely to get rid of +me," and he laughed again. + +Just then Dexie came into the room carrying a little alcohol lamp with +attachments for keeping hot her father's beef tea, and she stopped abruptly +as she saw Traverse, saying almost rudely: + +"You here! why I thought you had gone long ago!" + +"Come! never mind looking at Traverse; I want my tea. I hope it is strong +and hot." + +Dexie colored slightly as she poured it out and helped him to raise his +head as he drank it, knowing how a pair of eyes were watching her. + +"Shall I shake your pillows while you are up, papa?" + +"No; they are quite comfortable. Perhaps you don't care to believe that +Traverse is almost as handy a nurse as yourself; but there! he can never be +quite so good as my own little girl," and he drew her down to his side. + +"You look pale yet, papa. Are you sure the pain is gone? There are more hot +cushions outside if you would like them. I wish I could bear the pain for +you," she said, in a low tone. + +"You cannot do that, little woman, but you can do something else that would +make me feel better. Be a little less rude to Traverse here; he is my best +friend, and there is no need to snap his head off every time you speak to +him. I can't think what ails you lately, Dexie; you never used to be so +quarrelsome." + +Dexie flushed painfully and softly replied: + +"As _your_ friend, papa, I will try and give him less cause for complaint +in the future--if I can help it," she added, without lifting her eyes. + +"Well, it is something to have you promise that much itself, but he has not +been complaining, Dexie. I am the one who is finding fault, so don't begin +to scold him for that. Now, I am going to try and sleep, so go out of the +room, the both of you, and don't come disturbing me. I will pull the bell +if I want anything," and being thus dismissed, Dexie found herself alone +with Guy in the sitting-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + + +The house was silent and still. All had retired, and Dexie moved gently +about, placing the room in order, wishing that Traverse would make some +move to leave the house; but he seemed in no hurry to depart, as he stood +with his elbow on the low mantel, watching her. + +At last Dexie broke the silence by asking anxiously: + +"Do you think papa is any worse than usual to-night, Mr. Traverse?" + +"Well, I hope not, Miss Dexie. Does he take those bad turns very often?" +and his eyes were full of pity as he spoke. + +"Not often at this hour; the turn of the night is always his worst time. +Oh! I hope it will not be severe to-night. He seems so much weaker than +usual that I--I'm afraid for him," she said brokenly. + +"Let me stay with you to-night, Dexie; I cannot go away and leave you with +such a dread on your heart," and he came near to her side. "I can help you +if he is worse," he added, gently, "so let me share your watch to-night; +indeed I will not leave you like this," for his tender, sympathetic words +brought the tears, and she hid her face in her handkerchief. + +Presently she grew calmer, but her voice was very low as she answered: + +"You are very kind, Mr. Traverse, but I shall not need your help. I can +call Mrs. Jarvis if he should be worse. I thank you for your kind offer, +but your assistance will not be necessary." + +"That is not kind of you, Dexie," said Guy reproachfully. "Your father said +I was his best friend, and you ought not to send me away when I might be of +service to him; so let me stay, Dexie." + +"Well, I suppose it looks rude to refuse your help; but I am sure mamma and +Gussie would think it improper, if I allowed you to remain," she answered, +with downcast eyes. + +"Is that the reason you do not wish me to stay with you?" and he smiled +down at the bowed head. "Do you think conventionality should be considered +when your father's comfort is in question?" he asked. "You know your father +has often asked me to sit with him when he was restless and could not +sleep, but you did not seem willing," he added, seeing she had no reply, +"and I have been anxious to please you in all things, Dexie." + +"There was no need to consult me about it," she replied, feeling vexed at +the tone that implied so much more than he had a right to express under the +circumstances, and taking her work-basket to the far side of the table she +sat down to work. + +"Must I go or may I stay, Dexie? at least till the time of your father's +usual attack? Be kind this once and say I may stay." + +"As you please. There is a new book of poems, and a late New York paper," +said she presently, feeling that she must say something. "They will help to +pass away the time." + +But Guy Traverse had no intention of passing his time over reading-matter, +something of a more personal nature was in hand. Dexie was determined she +would not be the first to break the silence, and the ticking of the clock +was the only sound heard for some time. + +"And so my attentions are obnoxious, Miss Dexie? I was grieved to hear +that, when I wished them to be the opposite." + +The words, low and tender, brought painful heart-throbs to Dexie's bosom, +but she hastily answered: + +"You said they should not be so in the future; so please say no more on the +subject," and glad to escape from his earnest gaze, she rose and looked +into her father's room. + +Finding him quietly sleeping, she soon returned, and folding up her +finished work, laid aside the basket, then brought from a drawer a frame +containing the delicate piece of needlework her father referred to, and +began to pass the needle back and forth. Presently Guy came over to her +side, and stood looking down at the work in her hands; then said with a +smile: + +"Is this the fine wedding present you are going to give me, Dexie?" + +"I was not in earnest when I spoke, but I will not go back from my word, if +you think it will be acceptable," was the low reply. + +"If that is the only thing you will give me for a wedding present, I think +I won't accept it;" then bending over her, said tenderly, "My darling! I +want you to give me yourself!" + +Dexie was on her feet in a moment, her embroidery forgotten. + +"Mr. Traverse! do you wish to insult me? How little you must respect me, to +speak to me like that!" + +"My little girl, why will you misunderstand me? Don't you know that I love +you with my whole heart--will you not let me tell you?" as she shrank away +from him. + +"Those are strange words to say to me, Mr. Traverse, after telling us about +your approaching marriage; and papa thinks you are a gentleman." + +"And you do not!" smiling at her indignant look. "Dearest, you must let me +explain," and he came nearer. + +"No! I will hear no explanation! there can be none after what you have +said! Is it honorable to say such things to me while you are looking +forward to marriage with another?" and her eyes flashed angrily. + +"Dexie, you are mistaken. Surely you do not think me such a villain!" + +"What else do your words imply?" + +"That I am looking forward to my marriage with you, dearest; that was what +I meant to-night," taking a step nearer, and looking at her tenderly. + +"Do gentlemen usually announce their approaching marriage before saying a +word to the lady in question? I am not so easily deceived as you think, Mr. +Traverse." + +"But, Dexie, you would not let me say the word, though I have sought an +opportunity for weeks past. Dearest, I have loved you since I first knew +you, even during the time I thought you were promised to another. I hid it +then in my own breast; but lately, since I heard you were free, you have +given me no chance to tell you of my love. Sometimes I have felt that you +knew it, Dexie, and that you were not indifferent. To-day I asked your +father's permission to win you, and he gave his consent." + +"So I was bargained for and sold like a horse!" and her eyes flashed +indignantly, "and I have nothing to say in the matter whatever! How much +was I considered worth?" Then overcome by her feelings she sank down on the +sofa, and hiding her face in the cushion burst into tears. + +Guy was kneeling beside her in a moment, and with one arm thrown around her +said tenderly, + +"Dexie, you know better. You know your father loves you and would keep you +beside him always if he could. But he knows that I love you dearly, and he +would give me your hand if you gave me your heart. Do not try to hide it +from me any longer, love. Do you not love me already?" and he bent his head +beside her own. "Lift up your face and tell me, dearest." + +But Dexie could not raise her eyes; she was afraid to believe the sweet +words she heard. Did he really love her, after all! + +"Think how long I have loved you, Dexie," he added, tenderly, "and yet you +have never given me one word to encourage me, but have been so cruel--so +cruel! Dexie, have you nothing to say to me after all this waiting?" and he +lifted her head to his arm, saying softly, "If I wounded you to-night by my +abrupt announcement, it was unintentionally. I thought you would guess my +meaning; but you would not even look at me. You will believe me, Dexie, for +I did not mean to vex you," he pleaded earnestly. + +Still no answer; but Guy seemed to know intuitively what was in her +thoughts, and she no longer shrank from him when he stroked her soft hair +and drew her closer to his breast. + +"Uncover your face and look at me, dearest. Did you not know that I cared +for you? Tell me, Dexie." + +"I did think so sometimes," was the low reply. + +"Then what was the reason you were so cool with me?" smiling down into her +blushing face. "Tell me, or I shall believe I know the reason already." + +"If you know, why do you ask?" was the shy reply. + +"Because I would like to hear you say it yourself. Confess it, now, or must +I say it myself?" + +She endeavored to release herself from his encircling arm, but he held her +close as he whispered: + +"You love me already. You know you do; so own it now." + +A pair of eyes, glorious with the love-light that shone in them, were +raised to his, and as he read his answer in their depths, the happy lover +whispered, + +"Kiss me, Dexie." + +A blushing face was lifted to his, and an arm was raised till it encircled +his neck, as Dexie gave her first kiss of love to the man who had won her +heart. + +"How could you be so cool and short with me when you loved me all the +time?" he asked, as he held her in his arms. + +"I was not quite sure you cared for me," was the low reply. "But I am +forgetting papa. I must go and see if he is all right, Guy." + +It was the first time she had used his name, and he smiled fondly into the +dark eyes raised so shyly to meet his own. + +"I do not want to let you go from my arms for a minute, darling. I have +been longing for this hour for so long that I am afraid I shall find it all +a dream if I once let you go. Will you come back to me if all is +right--back to my arms, I mean?" + +"Perhaps--yes, then," and she stepped softly into her father's room. + +But it needed only a few minutes to assure her that he was sleeping soundly +and peacefully, so she returned to her waiting lover. + +"Not beside me, but here, where you promised!" and he held out his arms as +she endeavored to take a seat on the sofa beside him. "I wonder how long it +will be before you will make my heart glad by coming to my arms of your own +accord. It is hard to believe that this is the same little girl that used +to send me home with such an aching heart that I walked the floor for +hours, instead of going to bed." + +"Oh, Guy! I am so sorry. I never thought you cared for me like that," she +whispered, as she laid her head on his shoulder. + +"I wish I could tell you how much I _do_ care, my own darling! but words +give so little expression to one's feelings; yet I am longing to hear just +three little words from you. Don't you think it would be fair to take away +the memory of your unkind words by telling me that you love me?" + +"Dear Guy, you know I love you, or I would not be here! I have loved you +ever since papa was hurt, but I did not want you to know it. Will that +confession do?" + +"I knew you cared for me, my darling! yet it is sweet to hear the admission +from your own lips. And to think how long we have misunderstood each other! +If I had only taken you in my arms that first night I was present when your +father was so ill, and made you own to what I felt was true, these unhappy +weeks might have been spared us; but it is something to have this joy in +the end, my own little wife." + +Dexie gave a little start of surprise at this sweet epithet, and a rosy +blush spread over her face, at which Guy repeated lovingly: + +"My own little wife! Is it not so, Dexie?" + +"I had not thought of the future, so much has happened in such a short +time," she answered, in a low voice; "but I love you, Guy, and the future +shall be as you wish." + +"I am glad you have no rings on to-night, Dexie," said Guy, as he took a +little parcel from his pocket. "You have one that has troubled my peace of +mind for some time, but I have something to take its place," and as he took +her hand in his the flash of a ring told Dexie his intention. + +"Oh, Guy! wait! I cannot let you put that on yet. I am afraid to trust +myself that much to-night; it is all so sudden, Guy!" + +"My darling! what do you fear? You are not afraid to trust yourself to my +keeping when you know I love you?" and he drew her closer, as he looked +down into her eyes. + +"No, Guy, but it is all so new and strange that I hardly know myself. You +know I accepted a ring once before when I ought not to have done so, but I +wore it honestly lately, Guy; I did, truly." + +"Tell me about it, Dexie, and clear up the mystery. The ring has a story, +one that has given me much trouble of mind." + +"I think your trouble was imaginary, Guy," smiling. "The ring, in the first +place, did not signify an engagement, though it was the sign of a promise +which Lancy Gurney and I made to each other. He was to ask me again to +marry him at the end of a year, unless during that time we found there was +someone else we liked better. As you know, I did not wait for the year to +be up before I asked to be released. Oh, yes, I confessed that I had met +someone that had the first place in my heart," she blushingly admitted. + +"And you told him what you would not tell me! Oh, Dexie!" + +"Yes, for I promised him I would be honest with him. This led to +explanations on both sides, and to assure him I still felt kindly towards +him I agreed to keep and wear his ring. I wore it gladly, because it +reminded me I was free to love where I chose; besides it helped to keep you +from guessing that I had given my love without the asking. That is all, +Guy, so you see the words engraved inside are honest and true." + +"My dear little wife! but how could I guess that the ring meant so much +happiness to me. It did indeed deceive me, but this shall tell the truth +from the start." + +"I do wish you had not bought it--just yet. Everyone will make remarks +about it. Something plainer would not proclaim our secret to the world as +this will surely do." + +"Yet I thought it not good enough for the dear hand that was to wear it. +Let me put it on, Dexie. Think how many times I shall see you when there +will be no chance to say a word to you, but when I see the ring I can say, +'She is mine! mine!' How sweet to know that it is so!" and he kissed her +hand as he slipped the ring on her finger. + +"Mine now, dearest; yet you seemed so far away from me only a few hours +ago. How surprised your father will be! I wish he could see you here in my +arms." + +"Oh, hush! that would be dreadful! Was he surprised this afternoon at your +errand? I thought it was you who left those papers; but when you announced +your coming marriage this evening, then I began to doubt," and she laughed +softly. + +"It was a surprise at first, but he consented at last to give me his +treasure--if I could get her." + +"Poor papa, I will never leave him. No one else seems to have time to be +with him or amuse him as I can, and it is hard for him to feel so helpless +when he has such a restless and energetic disposition." + +"I promised not to take you away while he needed you; but, dearest--I do +not want to alarm you--I do not think he will have to bear his pain many +weeks longer. He is failing, I can see, and he told me to-day that he felt +his strength going fast." + +"I know it is so, though I have tried to put the thought aside. Dear papa, +how good he has been to me! What news this will be to him! But I hope no +one else will find it out--just yet. Everything must go on much as usual, +before others anyway," smiling into his happy face. + +"That will be very hard, don't you think, little wife? How shall I be able +to hide my love from Gussie?" + +"Oh! you will be coming here after this just to see papa, you know," +looking at him archly, "and I fancy she will find little to interest her in +the man that has so openly announced his approaching marriage to a lady who +is unknown. I'll not object, perhaps, to let you stay--with papa, you +know--on the nights that I take my turn to sit up with him. But there is +his bell, and oh! Guy, look at the clock!" + +Dexie's heart beat fast as she hurried to her father's room, but she was +needlessly alarmed. His unusual sleep had renewed his strength, but Dexie, +fearing the worst, asked anxiously: + +"Are you in much pain, dear papa?" + +"Oh! no, child; I feel first-rate. I guess that bad spell I had at bedtime +is going to do me for to-night; but I am thirsty, so when you get me fixed +up you can go to bed. You must be tired to death, my dear girl," he added, +as Dexie busied herself about him. "What time is it? Not past two, surely? +Why, I must be turning over a new leaf, eh, Dexie?" + +Guy Traverse stepped to the door as Dexie entered the room, fearing also +that Mr. Sherwood was worse, but hearing his cheerful voice he thought he +would surprise him by showing himself, and he stepped to the bedside, his +hands clasped behind him, and a curious smile played over his face as he +waited. + +"Bless my soul! Traverse, what are you doing here at this time of night?" +was the astonished remark as Mr. Sherwood turned and saw who was beside +him. + +Traverse laughed pleasantly and drew a chair to the bedside. + +"I have been waiting in the next room, fearing you might be ill again at +your usual hour and would need my services." + +"And a sorry night you have had of it, I expect. Well, you don't seem much +the worse of it, after all," and he turned and looked curiously towards +Dexie. + +"What mischief have you been up to now, Dexie, that you look so guilty? +Come here to me directly!" + +"Are you going to scold me, papa?" and she stooped over and kissed him. + +"I would like to find out first if you deserve it. I hope you have not been +quarrelling with Traverse, after what I said to you?" + +"Well, not all the time," she blushingly answered. "He would not go home at +the proper time, though I tried to turn him out of the house." + +"I see! Then it was the first part of the night you did not agree. And +what, may I ask, have you been doing since the row was settled? Out with it +now," holding her face between his two hands and looking into her eyes. + +"Dear papa, that is not fair," as she tried to hide her face in his arms. + +Mr. Sherwood felt sure that Guy had come to some understanding with her, +and wanted to make her own it, but Guy knew she would not care to be the +first to speak of it, so said in a happy voice: + +"Give me a chance to tell a part of the story, Mr. Sherwood. Dexie has made +me a happy man at last. You will not care to hear all the particulars just +now, but she has promised to be my wife." + +"Is this really true, Dexie?" looking with loving eyes at his daughter. + +Dexie raised her hand, saying softly: + +"See, papa," and the flashing ring answered the question. + +"Well, well; I can hardly believe it yet. Go and kiss him, Dexie, right +before me, if it is really true; seeing is believing, you know." + +Guy looked at her smilingly, saying, as he held out his hands, "Come, +Dexie." + +Dexie put one hand in his, and laying the other across his shoulder bent +over and kissed him; and she made no resistance when he put one arm around +her and drew her down on his knee. + +"Well, this is a pleasant surprise, I'm sure. You have made good use of the +time, Traverse," and Mr. Sherwood laughed softly. "You have been rather a +perverse young lady, Dexie, but you have fallen into good hands at last. +You must not leave me yet, dear child, for what should I do without my +little nurse? But, bless my heart! there's three o'clock. You will not get +into your hotel at this hour, Traverse, but I expect you would not sleep +much if you did, so go back into the sitting-room, the both of you, and +finish the night!" + +"Thank you, Mr. Sherwood; your liberty adds much to the pleasure. I hope we +have not tired you," he added, as he rose from his seat. + +"Not at all! Another drink, Dexie, and be off with you!" + +"Don't tell on us, papa," she whispered, as she prepared his drink. "Jarvis +is sure to sleep till I awaken her, and this is not likely to happen +again," laughing. + +"Well, better make the most of it, then; so be off with your lover," and he +waved her away from his side. + +"It was not so dreadful, after all, to come to my arms before your father, +was it?" Guy asked, a few minutes later. "I am sure it pleased him to see +it, and it was good of him to allow me a little longer bliss." + +But time passed swiftly, as it always does with happy lovers, and the grey +dawn of early morning warned them that they must separate. As they stood by +the window, watching the first rays of light in the east, Dexie said: + +"I will have to send you away soon, Guy, or you will be discovered; but I +am going to invite you to an early breakfast here with me before you go." + +"Never mind breakfast, dearest; I would rather have you here by my side +until the last minute. I expect some machinery by the early train, so I +think I will go down and see if it has arrived; that will give us forty +minutes more together," taking out his watch. + +"Then a part of the time will be well spent in preparing you a slight +refreshment--nothing elaborate, you know, or Eliza would pounce down on me +at the first sound," and she left him at the window, and hurried to the +kitchen. + +A few minutes later she appeared again, looking as fresh as the morning, +with a white ruffled apron clasped round her waist and a dainty muslin cap +perched on her head, from beneath which stray curls peeped bewitchingly +out, and passing her hand through Guy's arm, said laughingly: + +"Will you mind coming to the kitchen, Guy? I am afraid someone will hear us +if I take you anywhere else, and I don't want the rattle of dishes to +betray us." + +"Well, this is enough to make any fellow selfish," as he followed Dexie out +to the kitchen, and closed the door softly behind him. "You must be a +fairy, to conjure such a dainty breakfast in this short time. No one will +hear us here." + +The appetizing odor of coffee filled the air, and the most fastidious +person could have found no fault with the dainty little table and its +appointments, with plates laid for two. + +"Now, you really must be quiet, Guy," trying to escape from his arms. "Just +see how you have mussed my hair!" + +"And you haven't mussed mine at all, I suppose! I say, Dexie, what if +Gussie should catch us here?" "Which, fortunately, is not likely; but what +_would_ she say? The impropriety of our conduct would be shocking," and a +musical laugh sounded through the room. + +"I should plead extenuating circumstances, dearest. One does not have the +delightful experience of last night but once in a lifetime, and why should +we not make the most of our pleasures? However, I can thank your father for +this extended bliss." + +"The extended bliss of eating in the kitchen!" and she smiled +mischievously, as she handed him a cup of coffee. "Is this your first peep +into my domain?" + +"Yes, and I think it the pleasantest room in the house. Who planned it, and +invented such contrivances?" glancing approvingly at the adjustable shelves +which Dexie disclosed by shoving aside what appeared to be a panel in the +wall. "We must have our kitchen just like this." + +Ignoring his last remark, except by a blush, Dexie answered: + +"I have to thank papa for the liberty I enjoy in this room; but for him I +should have had the usual bare walls and no conveniences whatever. If you +had seen all the newspaper articles I read up, giving the experience of +practical housekeepers, you would not wonder at the change which, with the +help of a carpenter, I made in this room. I am monarch of all I survey in +this part of the house, as mamma does not care how many experiments go on +here as long as everything is satisfactory that comes out of it." + +All pleasant things come to an end, and the early breakfast in the kitchen +was no exception to the rule; but it remained a bright spot in the memory +of both, and in after-years was often referred to. + +A few minutes later Guy left the house, and, for the first time, he left it +contented and happy, the sweet "Good-bye" in the hall being in strong +contrast to the usual curt dismissal that had fallen to his lot hitherto +when Dexie showed him out. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + + +Dexie stood in the doorway until her lover was out of sight; then, +remembering that the little table in the kitchen would tell tales, she was +soon stepping briskly about, and quickly removed all traces of the early +meal. Going softly into her father's room, she found him awake and feeling +very well, and in the best of spirits. + +"I heard you in the hall," said he, pretending to scold. "A fine time for a +young man to be leaving the house, isn't it, now? I am astonished at you, +Dexie!" + +"Well, dear papa, I am astonished too!" and they both laughed. "I am sure +if anyone had told me such a thing was about to happen, I would have +thought him a fit subject for a lunatic asylum." + +"You look very happy over it, dear, or your face tells a story! But I +thought I smelt coffee when I woke up." + +"So you did! My young man stayed to breakfast. What do you think of that? +He says he is going to plead 'extenuating circumstances,' if he is brought +to the bar. But don't you think you would like a cup of coffee and a nice +piece of toast?" + +"Yes, I think I would; it is rather early for breakfast, but I feel ready +for it." + +Dexie was soon beside him with a small tray, and as he drank his coffee he +said, as he looked at her keenly: + +"I want to know one thing, Dexie, and then I won't question you any more. +What was the trouble between you and Traverse these few weeks back? +Something was wrong with you, at any rate, but you do not confide in me as +you used to do." + +"Well, you naughty papa! How could I tell you my little secrets when you +let them out the first thing?" she laughingly replied. + +Her father looked at her in surprise, and she added, + +"I told you not to tell that I broke the engagement with Lancy Gurney, and +you told Guy that very first evening." + +"Well, where was the harm? He seemed very anxious to know about it, and I +am sure you seemed to rejoice over your freedom." + +"Yes! but I didn't want Guy to know it, for it made it so much harder for +me to meet him." + +"Dexie, did you break your promise with Lancy on account of Traverse? Well, +well! I understand it now; but who would have thought that you cared for +him when you were so cool and short!" + +"You surely would not have me make the first advances, papa?" laughing. + +"No; but you might have allowed him a chance to make them himself. However, +all's well that ends well, and I wish someone would ask to be Gussie's +protector before I am gone--someone as trustworthy as Traverse. You are of +an age to find life rather hard without someone's sheltering care, and it +will not be long before you will both need it, for your mother is not able +to see after you as you need." + +The rattle of pans and dishes told that the kitchen had an occupant, and +with a parting word to her father "not to tell on her," she left the room. + +At this moment Jarvis appeared, looking positively frightened. + +"Oh! why did you not wake me, Dexie?" she cried. "I cannot see how I slept +so heavily. But I depended on you to rouse me, Dexie." + +"It is all right, Mrs. Jarvis. Papa passed a splendid night; so you were +not needed. But wait a minute, I have something to tell you. I did not want +you up, for I had company of my own, and I have news for you this morning." +Then with a blushing face she raised her hand to show her ring, adding, "I +am engaged to be married." + +"My dear, is it possible!" and the motherly creature took the fresh, happy +face between her hands and kissed both cheeks. "Is it Mr. Traverse that is +going to take you away from us?" + +"He will not take me away while papa needs me; but it is to be a secret for +the present, Mrs. Jarvis, for under the circumstances we can make no plans +for the future." + +"Yes, I understand you, dear. You can trust me; and I am well pleased to +hear of your good fortune. Mr. Traverse is thoughtful and tender beyond his +years, and I have learned to respect him highly. But you will go and lie +down now, won't you? I will see to everything, so go to your room and make +your mind easy about the work this morning." + +When Dexie appeared again in her father's room some hours later, he looked +at her with pleasure. Her face seemed to have grown beautiful; love had so +glorified it that her happiness seemed to speak from every feature. He did +not wonder that Guy Traverse had lost his heart to his little nurse. + +"Do you feel well enough to-day, papa, to dictate those unfinished +stories?" she asked, as she wheeled his couch over to the sunshine. "You +have left those three fishermen quarrelling about who caught the largest +fish, till by this time the fish must be spoiled, to say nothing of the +temper of the fishermen. And there is that city belle, who wished to become +a second Rosa Bonheur; you have left her in the pasture fleeing for her +life, with the vicious bull in full pursuit, her sketch-book flying in the +air. Now, surely by this time the brute has killed her, or she has died of +fright. Then there are several other characters all left in some dilemma +that must be settled by this time in some way or other," and gaily talking, +she brought out her writing tablet and set it across her knee. + +"Well, it seems to me, Dexie, that as soon as I get my characters into some +trouble I lose all interest in them; I wonder what trait that represents in +myself," he added, musingly. "Finish the stories yourself, Dexie. I am sick +and tired of them, so get them out of the fix they are in the best way you +can." + +"Well, how would you like to begin something new, papa?" her only idea +being to get his mind occupied, and this had been a wonderful means of +diversion ever since he was hurt. + +"Not to-day, Dexie. I think I am too full of your little romance to invent +anything new. Finish up those old things and let me see how you get on. +Give the smallest chap the biggest fish; he told the biggest lies, and +will claim it anyway. Let the girl jump the fence. If she can't do that, +let her crawl under it, or let the bull toss her over; no matter how she +gets out of the field, so long as she gets out alive. She will never want +to paint again, I feel sure; so let her escape with her life." + +Dexie laughed and began to write, knowing she would get her father +interested, and she soon found she had to move her fingers very nimbly in +order to keep up with the flow of words that fell from his lips. Page after +page fluttered to the floor till Dexie cried, "There, papa, that is enough +for to-day. The house party are happily paired off and are on the way to +the supper table; let us hope they will find enough to eat upon it, while +we go and see about our own supper." + +In the evening, much to Gussie's surprise, Mr. Traverse made his +appearance, and her smiles and good-humor rose to the surface at once; this +was the more remarkable by reason of their non-appearance throughout the +day. + +Dexie answered his ring at the door, and if they remained in the hall just +a little longer than usual, no one seemed to remark it; and if the blushes +which mantled her cheeks were observed, no one guessed the cause. + +During the evening Gussie noticed for the first time that Dexie wore a new +ring, and the volley of questions she poured forth regarding it was quite +astonishing. + +"Why, where did you get it, Dexie? It is just a beauty; mine look quite +common beside it! That is the second new ring you have worn lately, Dexie, +but I hope there is not so much mystery about this one as there was about +the other. Lend me your ring for this evening, will you, Dexie?" she added, +coming over to her sister's side. + +"No, thank you," and Dexie turned away. "You have half-a-dozen rings of +your own, and you know your own motto is 'What's mine is mine,' so I'll +neither borrow nor lend," laughing good-naturedly. + +"Keep your old ring, you stingy thing!" Then, fearing that Traverse might +have heard her, she said sweetly: + +"Have you noticed Dexie's new ring, Mr. Traverse? It is a mystery to me +where she gets them, for I am sure she would never buy them herself. +Perhaps Hugh McNeil sent it, eh, Dexie? It looks just like one he would +send," and she regarded her sister closely. + +Dexie colored painfully at this interrogation, and Guy, who was amused at +Gussie's inquisitiveness, said in feigned surprise: + +"Are you really guilty of wearing a new ring, Dexie?" the corners of his +mouth twitching suspiciously. "I hope you are as happy in possessing it as +the donor was in bestowing it." + +"Thank you, Mr. Traverse, I think I can truthfully say that I am." + +"Oh, Dexie! was it really given to you by a gentleman? Was it Lancy Gurney +who sent it?" + +"Hardly, Gussie, or some other young lady would have a right to complain," +smiling at Gussie's look of surprise. + +"Then it was Hugh McNeil, as I thought. I always said you would repent your +behavior to him. Then I suppose the affair is settled. Where _is_ Hugh, +Dexie?" + +Dexie did not answer at once, but clasped her hands, palms downward, in +that convulsive grasp that always told of some mental struggle. Something +of the old terror filled her heart at the very mention of Hugh's name, and +her answer was evidently uttered with much reluctance, not unmixed with +fear: + +"He is probably on his way to New York, Gussie. Is there anything else you +would like to know?" forcing a smile to her lips. + +Guy felt that something unusual had brought that look of alarm to Dexie's +face; he would ask the cause at the first opportunity. + +Gussie felt sure that she knew all about it now, so began to twit her +sister about "giving in at last." She had been in a bad humor all day, and +was glad of the chance to get rid of her ill-feelings by teasing Dexie in +the presence of Traverse. + +"So Hugh's money has bought you, after all! and your high and mighty airs +were just put on! I am glad you have come to your senses, for I suppose +that ring means a marriage in the future." + +"If the latter admission will keep you quiet and make your mind easy, then +you shall hear it. I did accept the ring with the understanding that it +meant marriage in the future, but Hugh McNeil is no more to me now than he +ever was. Now, if you are satisfied, Gussie, will you be kind enough to +leave my affairs alone for the rest of the evening?" + +"Hum--m, yes; I'm satisfied, since I know the whole of it! An invisible +lover! a ring! a promise of marriage! and Hugh coming back! Oh, yes, I'll +leave you alone for the rest of the evening, never fear!" and taking a book +from the table she drew an easy chair to the light, then turned her back to +the rest in the room. If Guy Traverse was soon to be married to his "city +girl," and Dexie was going to be Hugh's wife, they could entertain each +other, for she would have nothing to say to either of them! + +Queer, wasn't it, that neither of them resented this rudeness, but kept up +a low conversation at the farthest side of the room! + +When Guy was about to leave the house, and the "few" last words were being +said in the hall, he asked what had caused her alarm at the mention of her +supposed lover's name. + +"I forgot until that very minute that Elsie Gurney told me in her last +letter that this McNeil would leave England for New York on the coming +steamer, and for the moment my heart stopped beating from sheer fright." + +"But, dearest, he cannot harm you now. Do you think he is coming here?" + +"Indeed, I cannot tell, but I fear that is his intention; and if he should, +oh, Guy, I believe I should hide! I own to being rather afraid of him, +though, luckily for me, he never found it out." + +"But if he knows you are mine, surely, Dexie, he is enough of a gentleman +to leave you alone in the future." + +"Well, I may be needlessly alarmed, but I feel a presentiment of evil, and +should an ill wind blow him this way, you must be extra good to me while he +is here--come oftener--and I will feel safe, at least, while you are with +me." + +About two weeks later, when all thought of Hugh McNeil had been dispelled, +Dexie's presentiment of evil took shape. He arrived in Lennoxville on the +afternoon train, and a few inquiries soon brought him to Mr. Sherwood's +residence. + +Mrs. Sherwood and Gussie were out making calls that afternoon, and Dexie +was busy in the kitchen making some new dainty, and was much interested in +watching the result of her work, when Mrs. Jarvis came in search of her. + +"Dexie, there is a gentleman in the parlor asking to see you." + +"What a nuisance, when I want to see how this turns out! It is not Mr. +Traverse at this hour, of course," she added, carelessly. + +"No; it is a stranger. He is a large, dark-complexioned man, with a heavy +black moustache and beautiful black eyes--a perfect gentleman, Dexie!" + +The dish fell from Dexie's hand with a crash to the floor. + +"Heaven preserve me! what shall I do?" and she turned pale to her lips. "I +cannot see him, Jarvis; I really cannot! Here, I'll write a line to papa, +and you can take the gentleman to his room," and with trembling fingers she +wrote a few words and gave them to the nurse; then, throwing off her big +apron, she seized a hat, sayings to Eliza, who looked on in astonishment: + +"Tell Mrs. Jarvis that I have gone over to Ada Chester's, and I won't be +back till tea-time, when I hope that man will be gone; and oh, Eliza! do, +like a good girl, clean up that mess for me," pointing to the demolished +dish and the contents thereof, "and I'll do something for you sometime. I +dare not stop, for I am properly scared for once," and she flew out the +back-door, down through the kitchen garden and into a back street, out of +sight of the house, before she stopped to regain her breath. + +Mrs. Jarvis was thoroughly surprised at Dexie's behavior, but she carried +the little note to Mr. Sherwood and waited his direction. + +"Yes; show the gentleman here, and I will see him." + +"Well, Hugh, so you have found us out," as he appeared behind Mrs. Jarvis. +"You find me on my back. Get a chair for yourself." + +Hugh was surprised to learn of the seriousness of the accident that +rendered this position of his friend necessary, having supposed it a slight +affair from which he had long since recovered. + +The two men talked for some time on matters in general, when Hugh said: + +"I suppose you know what has brought me here, Mr. Sherwood. My feelings for +Dexie have not changed, unless they have become more intense. I heard +through the Gurneys that her engagement with Lancy was at an end, and +started from Australia at once, on purpose to try again to win her. I have +still your permission; have I not?" he eagerly asked. + +"I fear then you will be disappointed, Hugh; Dexie is already won." + +"Mr. Sherwood, you are not in earnest; you are saying this to try me," and +Hugh turned an appealing face to the one that lay back on the pillows. + +"Have pity, Mr. Sherwood; I have suffered enough." + +"Hugh, my dear fellow, I was hoping you had got over this, and not hearing +from you for so long I believed you had. But it is true. You are too late, +for Dexie is the promised wife of another." + +"She is not yet married, then?" and his face recovered from the despairing +look. + +"Not yet, but as much lost to you as though she were. How is it that you +did not take my last letter to heart and seek a wife abroad? I told you +that Dexie had not changed towards you, though I did all I could to +influence her in your favor. But she has won the heart of a good man, Hugh; +he is everything I could wish for, even in Dexie's husband." + +"But I love her so!" The words were low, but seemed wrung from his very +soul, and he turned away toward the window, but without seeing anything of +the prospect beyond. + +"Can I see her?" he asked, at last. "Let me hear from her own lips that she +loves another, and, if she really does, I will surely know it. If I find +it is so, I will go away and not trouble her any more. Give me this one +more chance, Mr. Sherwood." + +"It will be of no use, Hugh. I may as well tell you so at once; but I will +try and persuade her to see you, though she sent me word just now that she +would not come in while you were here. It is fair enough that you should +hear the truth from her own lips, but I know the interview will be painful +to you both," and Mr. Sherwood pulled the bell-cord that hung above him. + +"Tell Dexie I wish to see her here for a few minutes," he said, as Jarvis +answered the summons. + +"She has gone out, Mr. Sherwood, and she left word that she would not be +back till tea-time," and she glanced at the foreign-looking gentleman who +made himself so very much at home. + +"Very well, that will do," and Jarvis left the room. + +"You see how it is, Hugh; she has run out on purpose to get clear of you." + +"But that is no sign that I need despair," and there was a happier look in +his eyes than there had been since he heard she was lost to him. + +"Ask me to stay, Mr. Sherwood, for I cannot go away till I see her. I must +learn the truth from herself before I leave the house," and the +well-remembered impetuosity of old was visible in his words. + +"Certainly, Hugh; stay, of course, but I fear you will not find your +refusal as pleasantly spoken as if you had taken it at second-hand," and a +feeble smile parted his lips for a moment. "But you know Dexie's ways, +Hugh, so you must abide the consequences." + +"I have borne much for love of her, and I am still willing to suffer if I +may be rewarded in the end by seeing her once again," he answered +earnestly. "A sight of her face would have been more welcome than an +angel's visit during these long, weary months; to look back on them is like +looking into desolation," he added, in a low, serious tone. + +There was silence in the room for some moments. Hugh sat listening for the +first footfall that would announce Dexie's approach, while Mr. Sherwood +lay back, with closed eyes, thinking what an easy solution of the trouble +it would be if Hugh would turn to Gussie for the gift that Dexie denied +him. Then, rousing himself, he talked to Hugh of his travels and adventures +on sea and land. + +Meanwhile Dexie had rushed in haste to the house of her friend, and from +thence despatched a note that brought Guy Traverse to her side, and her +agitation and alarm were so great that Guy was almost unable to soothe her. + +"I cannot go home without you, Guy. There can be only one thing brought him +here, and I cannot face him unless you are with me." + +"I will go with you, certainly, dear, but I cannot understand why you are +so frightened, for by your own description of him he is a gentleman." + +A few hurried explanations of Hugh's past history in connection with +herself were given, and Guy grasped the headlines of it as it poured from +Dexie's lips. + +"As my promised wife, darling, you need fear no further annoyance from him. +I will see to that," he replied. "Give me a few minutes while I go to the +hotel and change my suit. I have been putting in shafting with the men, and +am hardly presentable in my present condition," he laughingly added. + +"I am putting you to great inconvenience, I fear, Guy; but I cannot help +it, for it will not do to send word that I will not go back till he is +gone." + +"No, certainly not. He would put a different construction on your absence. +Let me find a more smiling face on my return, darling, for I will take care +of you." + +Half an hour later Guy and Dexie had entered the house; and finding that +Hugh was still with her father, she left Guy in the parlor while she sought +Jarvis in the kitchen. + +"He is still here, then? Well, tell Eliza she can place _two_ extra plates +for to-night, as Mr. Traverse will be here also," and giving no time for +Jarvis to put the questions she was evidently anxious to have answered, she +returned to the parlor. + +"How I wish I could peep into the future and understand the programme of +the next few hours," she said to Guy, as she stood by his side in the +shadow of the window-curtain. "I hope it will be short, but I know by the +shiver in my bones that it will not be sweet. Your adversary's weak point +is his temper, as you will see at a glance; so, Guy, don't--whatever the +provocation--don't lose your own, dear." + +Mr. Sherwood's bell sounded through the house, but for the first time it +was unheeded by Dexie. She knew what was wanted, but feared to face it, +even with Guy at her side. But Mrs. Jarvis was in attendance, and she now +appeared in the doorway, saying: + +"Your father has found out you are home, and he wishes to see you at once." + +With one long look at Guy, Dexie followed her. The excitement had sent a +pretty color to her cheeks, and her eyes were brilliant with suppressed +feeling, but she crossed the room to her father's side without giving a +glance in any direction save on her father's face. Apparently she saw +nothing of the dark eyes that brightened so vividly at the sight of her. +Hugh was not expecting anyone to follow her, and coming more slowly into +the room Guy caught the look on Hugh's face, and his own heart rose up in a +protest against it. Guy had time for a good look at Dexie's unwelcome +admirer before his presence was discovered, and he wondered how it was that +Dexie had not lost her heart long ago to this bold, handsome lover who so +openly declared his passion, for the eager, longing gaze that followed +Dexie's movements was easily read. + +"Dexie, here is an old friend come to see you," and her father waved his +hand in Hugh's direction. + +Dexie turned herself about, her feelings well under control, and even Guy +was surprised at the easy, natural tone in which she replied: + +"How do you do, Mr. McNeil? You are like a bit of Halifax, and, as such, an +old friend." + +As she gave him her hand she turned instantly about, adding, + +"Guy, this is Mr. McNeil, a gentleman we used to know in Halifax. Mr. +McNeil, Mr. Traverse." + +Hugh had not noticed Guy's entrance till Dexie turned to introduce him; +consequently he felt slightly embarrassed, but Guy stepped forward with +outstretched hand, and greeted him frankly and heartily. + +"Any friend of yours, Dexie, is sure to meet a welcome from me. Glad to +know you, Mr. McNeil." + +It was impossible to resist the pleasant, affable manner in which Guy +spoke. There was a magnetism in his winning smile and in the cordial grasp +of the hand that attracted Hugh in spite of himself. + +As Guy continued speaking, Hugh regarded him intently. Was this the man who +had won Dexie from him? The looks interchanged when Dexie spoke said as +much, and there was an air of ownership in Guy's manner that sent an arrow +through Hugh's heart. + +Dexie followed her father's eyes and regarded the two men as they talked, +and the fear at her heart sank out of sight. Hugh's recent voyage from +Australia and to New York gave ample opportunity to confine the +conversation to questions and descriptions concerning the Island Continent +and other places he had visited, and there was an amused smile in Dexie's +eyes as she listened, for she knew Guy was keeping up the conversation in +order to gain time and study his rival. + +She contrasted the two men who sat reading each other's faces as they +talked. Hugh had regained all his former strength and vigor by his +Australian tour. He had also grown stouter and his shoulders broader; but +the same masterful manner, the same quick glance were present, that made +Dexie's heart beat fast when he turned his gaze upon her. + +Guy had more the figure of an athlete, and his quiet, easy manner gave the +impression that his passions were well under control. He looked a man to be +trusted; there was a firm, yet tender look in his eyes that was not unfelt +by the man who sat opposite him. Both were handsome men, though of a +different type, but Hugh's face lacked something that could be felt, if not +described in the one opposite. + +Gussie's shrill voice in the hall gave Dexie an opportunity to leave the +room, and she hastened to do so, as something had evidently gone wrong, and +Gussie was protesting and scolding in audible tones, though the words were +not intelligible. + +"Hush! Gussie! someone is with papa. What is the trouble?" + +"Who is it? Is it company of yours that Eliza is so flurried over that she +cannot attend to me?" + +"Mr. McNeil has arrived, Gussie; don't let him hear you talk like that." + +"Oh! he has come at last, has he? Well, it's high time! How long is he +going to stay, Dexie?" + +But her questions remained unanswered, for Dexie was talking to her mother +on domestic matters, and presently they all assembled in Mr. Sherwood's +room. + +Gussie soon noticed how intently Hugh was watching Guy Traverse, and she +made up her mind to "tell Hugh a thing or two" regarding Dexie's behavior, +for since the night Gussie had decided in her own mind about Dexie's ring +she saw there was an unexpected intimacy between her sister and this +engaged young man. She wondered how it happened that Guy was present at +that hour; it would complicate matters with Dexie, surely, but to her +surprise she found herself paired off with Hugh as they went to the supper +table. + +"You should have returned long ago, Hugh," she whispered. "Dexie has +developed into a desperate flirt! Just now it is Mr. Traverse, as you can +see for yourself, though she is aware he is engaged to a lady in the city." + +"Gussie, are you sure of what you are saying? Is this only a flirtation?" + +"Well, I don't see what else you can call it." + +"Do you think she has given me up? I have come on purpose to find out." + +"Oh! is that all you have come for? Why, I thought it was a settled thing +between you. Then she must be going to marry you just for your money! and +now that I think of it, she said as much," said Gussie bluntly. + +There was no chance for further conversation, but Gussie's words raised all +sorts of questions in Hugh's mind, and he watched the couple on the +opposite side of the table, his hopes and fears alternately rising. + +Dexie's manner bore out her father's statement, but how was it that Gussie +looked at the matter so differently. + +As they rose from the table Guy stood for a moment talking to Mrs. +Sherwood, but Hugh crossed over at once to the window where Dexie was +standing, bending over some flowers. + +In his quick, eager tone, Hugh asked: + +"Will you give me a few minutes alone, Dexie, when I have come so far on +purpose to see you?" + +"I am sorry to hear that request, Mr. McNeil, as it forces me to seem rude +when I would prefer to be cordial. Do not let us renew our old antagonism." + +"Dexie, I think, if it ever existed, it has given place to a better +feeling. My heart has been starving for a sight of your face, and you have +grown so beautiful that it is hard to resist the temptation to take you in +my arms." + +Dexie shrank away from him, and she gave a quick look at Guy, who was still +talking to her mother, but his smile reassured her. She knew he would soon +be at her side. + +"Don't leave me, Dexie," Hugh entreated. "I will not touch you, so do not +he afraid of me. Do you know I have come as fast as I could travel, just to +see you face to face as I do now. Yet I have a further hope in my heart, +Dexie, for Lancy is not between us now." + +Dexie's heart beat too fast to allow of a reply, and Hugh added: + +"You can guess how glad I was to hear that you and Lancy were friends only, +and from what Gussie tells me there is hope for me yet. Is it so, Dexie?" + +"You must not put any faith in Gussie's stories, Mr. McNeil," Dexie managed +to reply. "I am aware she is resting under a delusion, but I did not take +the trouble to convince her of the fact. I was hoping I should not have to +tell you what is surely plain to yourself," blushing as she gave a meaning +glance in Guy's direction. + +"Then your father was right! I have come too late! Is that what you wish me +to believe? Think a minute, Dexie, before you say what will rob me of all +hope!" and he bent his head in his eagerness to read her answer in her +truthful face. + +"If papa told you I was engaged to Mr. Traverse, he told you the truth," +Dexie said, in a low tone. + +"But do you love him, Dexie? Are you sure your heart is given with your +hand? I was right in Lancy's case, you know." + +As he spoke, Guy came over to her side, and she laid her hand on his arm, +and looked into his face with such trust upon her own that Hugh felt she +had answered his question. + +"Mr. McNeil, I am not naturally jealous," said Guy, pleasantly, "but if my +little wife is making love to you here, I'm afraid there is danger that I +shall grow that way," and he laid his arm across Dexie's shoulder, and +smiled at them both. + +Dexie looked over her shoulder at this declaration, and was surprised to +find there was no one in the room except themselves, but Guy had brought +this about in order to announce their engagement to Hugh. + +"Unfortunately for me, the love-making is only on my side," said Hugh, +bitterly. "I cannot win even one word of kindness from Dexie's lips; my +very presence seems unwelcome. She has just given me to understand that she +belongs to you, and I am expected, I suppose, to offer my congratulations; +but I cannot do it--I must get used to the thought first. I am not afraid +or ashamed to confess that I have loved Dexie Sherwood for years--loved her +madly, blindly, though she has given me nothing but hard words and scornful +looks through it all. Months of travel have failed to make me forget her. +She has been like a loadstone drawing me back to her, when in my pride I +would have rejoiced to feel myself free. I would have plucked her out of my +heart if I could, but my love seems a part of my life, and I cannot kill it +while I live myself. I believe you are a noble, generous man, or you never +would have won her heart. Be good to her, since you have taken her from me, +for if I thought there should ever be a time when you would cause a tear to +fall or grieve her heart by a word, I would kill you where you stand!" + +Dexie hid her face against Guy's breast as Hugh's hot words poured like a +torrent from his lips, but Guy drew her protectingly to his side, and his +firm, clear voice sounded low and distinct as he replied: + +"Have no fear for Dexie, Mr. McNeil! She shall always be my first thought +and care. I cannot blame you for loving her, though it is but natural that, +under the present circumstances, I should regret to hear you own it. Dexie +has given me her love willingly and freely, and I am sure she will be happy +as my wife, the present condition of her father being the only obstacle +that prevents our immediate marriage." + +"Forgive me, Traverse! my words were hasty!" and Hugh held out his hand, +"but my heart is sore at the disappointment. I have hastened forward with +all possible speed, hoping for something so different from this, that my +heart rebels. But I shall go back to Halifax, Dexie, and the day I hear of +your marriage I shall propose to Nina Gordon. I wish to my heart she was +dumb! I might persuade myself into thinking sometimes that I had you near +me, if only she would keep her mouth shut! If I cannot have your love, I +may be able to delude myself into thinking that I have your presence near +me occasionally." + +"Oh, Mr. McNeil! you cannot mean what you are saying! You surely would not +do such a thing as that!" said Dexie, in a horrified tone. "Your good sense +will prevent you from throwing your life away so needlessly. Oh! I cannot +think that you have a thought of such a thing. It would be dreadful!" and +the dark eyes met his with an eagerness that was questioning. + +"I heard you say once that if she were away from her mother one might make +anything they liked of her," said he, more quietly. "I shall make a second +Dexie of her if the thing is possible, for I'll see to it that she keeps +her tongue quiet till it suits her face!" + +This was uttered in such a tone that Dexie shuddered. His outbursts of +passion seemed less devilish than this quieter expressed determination, for +it was accompanied with a glint in his eyes that reminded her forcibly of +that memorable boat sail, and her voice was less firm as she replied: + +"I cannot think you are in earnest, Mr. McNeil; you would not wreck +another's life for merely an unfortunate resemblance! No! I cannot think it +of you; but it is wicked to say it, even in jest!" + +"Would you take even that small comfort from me?" he said, almost fiercely. +"Do you know what love is, and think that I can bear the burden of solitude +that you have laid upon my life; even the solace of your shadow denied me, +while you have everything!" + +"There! I think you two had better say no more," Guy firmly though +smilingly remarked. "You will be quarrelling in earnest the first thing I +know. Of course I do not understand what all this means, Mr. McNeil, but I +have such confidence in Dexie's judgment that I join her in the request +that you will do nothing hasty, and throw the best years of your life away +because of this disappointment. Come, shake hands, you two, and make it up, +and let us join Mr. Sherwood in his room, or he will think we have shared +the fate of the Kilkenny cats." + +Dexie held out her hand and Hugh clasped it in both his own, and, looking +tenderly into her eyes, said, in a voice so changed that it seemed to come +from other lips: + +"Forget my hasty words, Dexie, if they have hurt you, and try to think of +me kindly sometimes. We would have been better friends if I had loved you +less. I give you up, though most unwillingly, for I cannot say now as I did +before that your heart has not awakened, for I see that it has, beyond a +doubt," and like a courtier of old he stooped and kissed her hand. + +Gussie was full of curiosity concerning the interview; but when the little +group appeared in the room, their faces told no tales that she could +interpret. + +Hugh looked more sober than usual, and listened to the conversation rather +than joined in it. Guy looked cool and composed and, maybe, a trifle +triumphant. Dexie looked rather paler than usual, and remained almost as +silent as Hugh. This might mean much or little, but something in the manner +of each checked Gussie's light chatter. + +When Guy rose to go, Hugh rose also, and asked permission to accompany Guy +to his hotel. Then, promising to return the next day to see Mr. Sherwood, +Hugh followed Guy from the room. + +At a look from Guy, Dexie followed them into the hall, and while Hugh put +on his coat and gloves, Guy said, in a tender, reassuring tone, as he +smiled into her anxious face, "Do not be alarmed, dearest; there will be no +shooting, I promise. You can trust your friend with me, and I will see +after his comfort; so good-bye till to-morrow, love." + +He bent his head and kissed her, though he was aware that a pair of dark +eyes were watching his every movement. + +Hugh was very silent as he walked along. The kindly-spoken "Good-night, Mr. +McNeil," did not make him feel his disappointment less keenly. + +When the hotel was reached and his room engaged, Hugh turned to Guy, +saying: + +"May I go with you to your room for a little while? I shall go away +to-morrow, I think, and I would like to have a talk with you if you have no +objection." + +"Certainly! I shall be glad of your company," and Guy led the way to his +room. + +"It is no use, Traverse," he said, as Guy tried to draw him into a +conversation on matters in general. "I have no thoughts but for one thing, +and am no company for any man, least of all you; but I want to ask a favor +of you. Tell me of your plans for the future, and let me help you, even in +the smallest way, to bring them about. I coveted wealth at one time, +thinking if I had it all else would come easy; but I have found my money a +burden, because I could not put it to the one use for which I longed to +possess it. Do not be offended, Traverse," for Guy was looking at him +intently, and with a puzzled face; "what I want to say, I say with a good +heart towards you. In business matters, you know, money alone is power. Is +there anything that money could do for you--any position it could procure +for you, which would give Dexie pleasure to see you fill? I am sure you are +ambitious--in your position I would be myself; so tell me your hopes and +plans, and let me help you." "You are most kind, Mr. McNeil, and I thank +you for your generous offer," and he held out his hand, which Hugh clasped +heartily. "I was not prepared for this, but expected to hear reproaches +heaped upon me. I see I did not know you. I am deeply sensible of the kind +thought that suggested this; but I have no need of the help you so kindly +offer. I own to being ambitious, but it is the want of brains more than +money that hampers me at present. Yes," as Hugh looked up inquiringly, "I +am of an inventive turn of mind, and if I can work out the problems that +are hatching in my brain I will win fame as well as money. Your offer is +none the less kind because I cannot accept it. I am sure it will give Dexie +much pleasure to hear of your kindness." + +"You do not wish me to have any share in your happiness," Hugh said, with +downcast features. "Well, I daresay I would feel the same myself were I in +your place; but, be generous, Traverse. Think how long I have loved her, +before you ever saw her at all, and contrast the blank my life will be with +the happiness in store for you in the future. Let me do something for you, +Traverse." + +"Believe me, McNeil, if there was anything you could do for me I would +gladly accept it, if only by way of atonement--not that I think that I +alone stood in your way, but for the pleasure I know it would be to you to +serve her or hers. My position is better than most men of my age, and since +I have won Dexie's hand I have frequently thought there is nothing more I +require to make me contented and happy." + +There was a few minutes' silence, when Hugh asked, with a perceptible +paleness in his dark face, + +"When do you expect to be married?" + +"She will not leave home while her father lives; whether we shall be +married while he is so ill, I cannot say. Much depends on circumstances. +Her father is a very sick man, though owing to his cheerfulness the fact is +not apparent to everyone." + +The conversation was carried on until the clock struck the midnight hour. +Hugh seemed to lay bare his heart to his successful rival, and Guy listened +in surprise to the account of his many efforts to win Dexie's favor, even +so far as to tell of the unfortunate boat sail and its consequences. + +Guy's heart was full of pity as he listened. How much Hugh loved her when, +in spite of the rebuffs and scornful refusals, he could be so blinded by +passion as to dare attempt to win a promise by such rash and desperate +means! Dexie's love for himself seemed all the greater since it had stood +such a siege from this fierce, passionate man, and Guy wondered no longer +that Dexie was alarmed when she heard of his coming. + +When Hugh mentioned what Gussie had said of the "city girl," Guy could not +help smiling, and explaining the circumstances that gave rise to the story, +added: + +"I believe it was one of your letters that Gussie captured that night, Mr. +McNeil; but as I played the lover and claimed the letter, Gussie felt +obliged to believe me, and my imaginary city girl has kept her quiet ever +since." + +"I can well believe the distress Dexie felt when she heard the letter read +aloud. You did a kind act that not one in a hundred would have dared to do. +No wonder she loves you. But away so far from her, it seemed that I could +not bear my life if I did not tell her, even on paper, what was in my +heart. I am glad to know you, Traverse; if I cannot win her myself, it is a +comfort to know she is in such good keeping." + +At last Hugh rose to go, and the hands of the accepted and the rejected +lover met in a warm, friendly grasp. + +The next day when Hugh made his appearance at Mr. Sherwood's, and made +known the fact that he had spent the forenoon with Guy at his office, Dexie +looked her surprise, but she blushed with pleasure to hear his words of +praise when speaking of her lover. + +Hugh remained several days in Lennoxville, but he seldom made his +appearance at the house unless in company with Guy. + +Gussie could not understand this at all, but her spiteful remarks were so +wide of the mark that they were only amusing. + +She needed no one to tell her that Hugh was as much in love with Dexie as +ever, yet why he allowed Guy Traverse to monopolize her was a mystery that +was incomprehensible. + +Hugh spent the last evening of his stay at the Sherwoods', and, in spite of +Gussie's raillery, he was silent and sad; even Guy could not rouse him into +cheerfulness. + +During the evening he obtained a few minutes' conversation with Mr. +Sherwood, and his low, earnest words brought a mist to the eyes of the sick +man. + +"I am truly sorry for your disappointment, Hugh," was the low reply, "but +you prove beyond a doubt that her happiness is still dear to you when you +propose to do such a thing. But wait awhile, and think it over. You may +form other ties, and there may be others who will have a stronger claim on +you than the wife of Guy Traverse. Oh, yes! yes! I know the money is your +own, and you can do what you like with it, but Dexie would not approve of +this, neither would Traverse." + +A few minutes before it was time to leave for the train Guy came behind +Hugh and whispered a few words in his ear, words that sent a flash of light +and joy into his dark, sad face. + +"God bless you, Traverse, for this kindness; I was getting desperate; five +minutes will suffice," was the reply, and he slipped out of the room, +crossed the hall, and a moment more was standing by Dexie's side. + +"Traverse told me you were here, Dexie, and that I might come and say +good-bye to you alone," and taking her hands in his own, added: + +"Dexie, if there should come a time when you need a friend, or if you +should ever be in trouble, will you promise to let me know and let me be +the one to help you? You know how gladly I would serve you." + +"Thank you, Mr. McNeil, you are very kind; I will not forget your offered +help. I hope you will have a pleasant journey home," and she drew away her +hands and turned away. + +"Dexie, when we parted in Halifax you gave me angry looks, even at the +moment of parting, but there was a hope in my heart that helped me to bear +it. It is different now; do not add to my present misery the memory of your +cool, indifferent words. Lift up your face and say, 'Good-bye, Hugh.' Do, +Dexie." + +Dexie stood irresolute a moment, then, giving him her hand, she lifted her +eyes, and said in a low tone: + +"Good-bye, Hugh; I did not mean to be cool or indifferent, for you have +been kinder than I dared to expect." + +Something in her tone and words swept Hugh's self-control to the winds, and +he clasped her to his heart. + +"My darling! my darling! must I indeed say good-bye forever; it is like +parting with you at the grave," and his hot kisses touched cheek and brow. +"I cannot bear it, Dexie. Oh! if I could die now with you here in my arms; +my darling! my darling!" + +A soft knock at the door, and a moment later Guy entered. + +"Time is up, McNeil, if we want to catch the train." Then putting his arm +across Dexie's shoulders, as he noticed her pale face and quivering lips, +said: + +"Has it been too much for you, dearest? It was the last time, you know." + +"How could you, Guy! How _could_ you send him here to me alone!" came the +low, trembling words. + +"It was no use, Traverse; the first kind word unmanned me, and made me +forget that you trusted me. I have held her in my arms and kissed her face; +but forgive me, Traverse, if you can, it is the last time," and giving a +long, imploring look at Dexie, who stood with her face buried in her hands, +added, in a low voice: + +"I am ready, Traverse; let us go at once, and may God help me to get over +this," and with his arm drawn through Guy's they both walked out into the +night. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + + +One morning when Dexie was out in the back garden whistling like a bird, +and busy about some domestic matters, someone outside the high fence +called: + +"Georgie! I say, Georgie! come here a minute." + +No answer being received, a shower of small pebbles came over the fence, +and the call was repeated. + +Thinking it was Mark Perrin, a wild young lad with whom Georgie was +forbidden to associate, Dexie called out: + +"Go away from here at once, you torment, or you'll get your jacket dusted +for you," and hastening to the gate as if eager to perform the operation, +she found Guy Traverse awaiting the promised punishment. + +Astonishment rendered her silent for a moment, when she laughingly +exclaimed: + +"For pity sake, Guy! was it you threw the pebbles?" + +"Yes, and am I to believe that it was you who was whistling?" + +"Well, as you took me for Georgie, it must have been well done, so I'll own +to the whistling; but what brings you here so early in the morning? I am +not dressed for visitors at this hour," and she glanced down at her short +frock, that revealed a neat foot and well-turned ankle; then pulling +forward the sun-bonnet that had fallen back from her head, added: + +"This is the latest style. I hope you admire it." + +"I do, indeed," and his face filled the front of it for a moment. + +"Oh! do come in till I shut the gate; someone might see us. Now, what do +you want with Georgie, if I may ask?" and she lifted a saucy face to his. + +"I didn't want him particularly, but I thought it was he who was whistling, +and I was going to ask him to look for you, but as it is your own sweet +self, so much the better, for I want to speak to you here a minute." + +"But why here, at the back gate?" + +"I wanted to ask if you would drive into the country with me, as I have to +go on a matter of business." + +"Then why didn't you go to the front door and ask me properly, sir?" + +"Well, I am going to, just as soon as I find out if you can come or not. +You were up part of the night with your father, and I did not know but you +were resting or too busy to come with me. In that case, Gussie might feel +it her duty to accompany me." + +"Oh, I see! I shall be most happy to accept your invitation, Mr. Traverse; +so go around to the front door and ask me like a gentleman." + +Shutting the gate after him, she entered the house, intending to have a +little fun over the invitation. + +His ring at the door was answered by Gussie, and Mr. Sherwood, who was +dozing on his couch, brightened at once as he saw who was the visitor. + +"A splendid morning, Traverse," was his greeting. "You are early to-day." + +"Yes, I have called to see if you could spare Dexie for a drive with me +this morning." + +"Certainly. Gussie, hunt her up." + +"Dexie is very busy this morning, papa," Gussie replied, "but I am at +leisure, Mr. Traverse, if you are looking for company." + +"Busy, is she?" said Mr. Sherwood; "then go and relieve her, Gussie, for +she has been up half the night and needs a rest," and raising his voice, +called: + +"Dexie, Dexie; come here." + +Dexie was standing outside the door waiting for this summons, and she +entered the room, her head still enveloped in the enormous sun-bonnet, her +arms bare to the elbow, and her whole appearance proclaiming her a busy +little woman. + +"Did you call me, papa?" and she stepped to his side. + +The contrast between them was too painful, and Gussie blushed with +embarrassment, and hastily exclaimed: + +"Leave the room, Dexie, Mr. Traverse is here." + +"Where!" and the scoop-like bonnet was turned in his direction. + +"Oh, good morning, Mr. Traverse. Excuse my toilet, but we wash sometimes at +our house, and this is one of the times. Fine morning this for +washerwomen. Now, what do you want of me, papa?" and she turned leisurely +to her father again, much to Gussie's horror. + +"Well, Traverse called to take you for a drive, but I doubt if he will care +to ask you after seeing you in such a rig." + +"This is not my carriage dress, my dear papa, but my working suit; but +seeing that Mr. Traverse has been talking to me at the back gate in this +very _rig_ and survived the shock, I trust the second sight won't prove +disastrous. If you say you can spare me, I'll promise not to appear in this +costume in public. Thanks, papa. How soon do you wish to start, Mr. +Traverse?" + +"In half an hour, if possible," was the smiling answer. + +"You will find me waiting your appearance," and making a sweeping, +old-fashioned courtesy, she pulled her bonnet forward with a jerk and +danced out of the room. + +Traverse looked after her with a smile, and with a few pleasant words to +Mr. Sherwood, and a polite "good-morning" to Gussie, he bowed himself out. + +As soon as Guy was beyond hearing, Gussie's ill-humor found vent. She did +not see why Dexie should leave her work to go about the country with young +men, and Traverse must have regretted his invitation when he caught sight +of Dexie's ridiculous figure, her dress to the top of her boots and a +sun-bonnet that would disgrace a country-woman! But one never knew what +Dexie would do next. Awhile ago she could scarcely speak a civil word to +Mr. Traverse, but now that she knows he expects to be married, her manner +is just the reverse. Reproaches like these fell on Mr. Sherwood's ears +unheeded, but a kindly smile lit up his face when Dexie made her +appearance, looking as dainty as if right out of a band-box, and as she +drew on her gloves a handsome buggy drove up to the door. + +Giving her father a hasty kiss, she whispered: + +"I wish you were able to go in my place," then ran down the steps, and a +few minutes later the high-spirited horse carried them out of sight. + +They did not return for some hours, and Dexie enjoyed the little excursion +exceedingly; she was grieved to find on her return that her father had +spent a very sick day, and she regretted leaving him for her own pleasure. + +"You needed the change, my dear," her father assured her. "You are losing +your roses by waiting on me so constantly, and this hand is thinner than it +was six months ago," and he patted the hand that rested in his own. + +Mr. Sherwood was daily growing weaker, and had to keep his bed the greater +part of the time. The old pain returned oftener, and was so very severe +while it lasted that it kept them all in a constant state of alarm. This so +worked on Mrs. Sherwood's nerves that her fancied illness threatened to +develop into something not quite so imaginative, and she required almost as +much care as her husband. It became necessary for Gussie to spend a part of +her time in her mother's room, and this she disliked very much, for Mrs. +Sherwood was not a patient sufferer, and Gussie chaffed and fretted against +the restraint to her liberty. Her extreme selfishness was so apparent that +her mother received her half-hearted services with little thanks. + +The constant care and attention which divided Dexie's time between her +father's and her mother's room made it very hard to keep domestic matters +running smoothly, and Gussie's obstinate refusal to take any part of the +labor of the household or care of the children upon her own shoulders, gave +Dexie little chance to get the rest she needed. This was telling on her +health, and she was fast losing her rounded cheeks, and her eyes began to +look so large and black that it made Guy's heart ache to look at her. He +wished to tell Mrs. Sherwood of their engagement, and even attempted to +persuade Dexie into marrying him at once, so that he would have the right +to protect her against some of the needless burdens that were put upon her +young shoulders, but Dexie would not hear of it. + +"Mother is aware that I expect to be married by and by; if she is making a +mistake as to the man let it be for the present. Were the truth known, my +life would be unbearable. It is all I can do to keep the true state of +affairs from coming to papa's ears, and he has enough to bear without +family troubles being put upon him." + +"My dear little girl, do you think I am going to let you stay here and be +at the beck and call of everyone? Let me claim you at once; that will be +the best way to settle the difficulty, and your father would say the same +if he knew about it." + +"But he must not know it, Guy; think how unhappy it would make him. It +would never do, dear; but I have a good mind to write and ask Louie to come +home. Surely aunt would let her come for a few weeks. I have written to her +about it before, but she would not let her come unless she was positively +needed, and I do think she is now. She must be quite a young lady by this +time, and would be such a help and comfort. I believe I will write and ask +her again." + +That night, while Dexie sat up with her father, the letter was written, and +Guy dropped it in the letter-box on his way home, and in less than a week, +to Dexie's great joy, Louie came rushing into the house, as fresh and +strong as any little country lassie. + +Her coming did, indeed, make a great difference in the house, as Dexie +expected. She brought such a new atmosphere into it with her quick, +outspoken criticisms, that she worked quite a revolution. + +Then she had so much that was new to tell them all, and it was told in such +a breezy way, that her father brightened up as he listened. Her aunt had +not sent her empty-handed either, for she had a loving and tender heart +under a rather harsh exterior, the cold looks with which all sentiment was +frowned down seemed but the rough, hard shell which covered a noble and +generous disposition. But this rather severe aunt had refused Louie +permission to make many visits at her father's home, on account of the +displeasure with which she regarded her mother. She had never been pleased +at her brother's marriage, and when Louie had been given over to her care +she determined to cut off all connection with the mother's influence. +Dexie's letter had revealed more than she was aware to the keen, +sharp-sighted woman, and Louie was sent to help wait on her father, with +many admonitions as to her conduct at home. She was given a "month's leave +of absence," as Louie laughingly expressed it, but when alone with Dexie +she admitted that her aunt would extend the time if her father should seem +to be near the end. + +Louie was very practical in many things, wasting little sentiment on +trifles, and Mrs. Sherwood reaped the benefit of Louie's strict bringing +up, which she had received at the hands of her aunt. + +"Now, mother," she said one day, as she displayed some of the handsome +garments her aunt had provided her with, "do try and get well as quickly as +you can. I have only a month to stay, and I brought these dresses to wear, +and I cannot do that if I am to be a nurse for you. I will get everything, +and do everything for you, that you really need, but I cannot run up and +down stairs all the time on useless errands. I can't think how Dexie has a +foot left to stand on, the way she is called hither and thither. Of course, +she must have a rest, now that I am home, or she will be laid up, and that +would be a calamity for this house, I fancy. Now, you sit up, and I'll +brush your hair and fix you up so nice that you will long to get downstairs +to the rest of us, for I am going to spend the next hour with papa," and +she bustled about the room and set everything in order to her mother's +hand. + +To the surprise of the family, Mrs. Sherwood made her appearance downstairs +before Louie had been in the house a week; and as she continued to improve, +Louie quietly ordered an easy carriage to be at the door at a certain hour, +and when that hour arrived she made her appearance in such becoming attire +that she had little trouble to induce her mother to step into the carriage +with her, and as these outings became quite frequent they soon had a +beneficial effect on her mother's health and spirits. + +Louie's home-coming made a difference that was quite remarkable in Gussie +also. She took so much for granted that Gussie was constrained to exert +herself. It was rather amusing to watch Gussie's face when Louie would say, +as they rose from the breakfast table: + +"Now, Gussie, come on. I'm not going to be a mere visitor, you know; so +I'll help you set the rooms in order. You will be no time over them, with +my help;" and not wishing it to be known that all such things were left to +Dexie, she would follow Louie, and join in the task for very shame sake. + +But Dexie enjoyed Louie's visit more than anyone, for she not only kept +Gussie's hands employed, but her presence forbade the continual +fault-finding which she had hitherto freely indulged in; for Louie was a +person of some consequence, being the heiress of considerable property, as +well as possessor of a bank book that she was at liberty to use at her own +discretion, and this had much influence over Gussie. + +Louie soon remarked the frequent visits of Guy Traverse, but was puzzled at +first to account for them. Gussie had told her that he was engaged to a +young lady in the city, and was only a particular friend of her father's; +but this did not prevent Louie from forming her own opinion on the matter. + +She asked her mother one day, as she brushed out her hair, how it was that +her father had become so attached to such a young man, and if there were +not some other reason to account for his frequent visits. + +"He was with your father when he was hurt, and your father thinks he saved +his life at the risk of his own, so I daresay that may account for the +attachment. I did hope at one time that Gussie might be able to secure him; +they would make a nice-looking couple. I have thought sometimes that he +pays Dexie sufficient attention to warrant her in thinking he means +something serious, but Hugh McNeil has some claim on her; he has been to +see her lately. You remember he had quite a fortune left him. I expect she +will keep a fine establishment when she is married. But I know nothing +about her affairs; she was always close-mouthed, and she is sure to do +something entirely different from what you expect." + +"But, mamma, this Mr. Traverse seems to be more than just friendly to +Dexie. I am sure he is with her every chance he gets." + +"Oh! that is nothing; he is seldom in her company outside of her father's +room. Besides, he is going to be married to someone in the city. He said as +much before us all. I am sure Dexie does not care for him in that way. If +you had heard the way she used to talk to him, you would see at once that +his visits mean nothing to her." + +"Nevertheless, mother, I have my suspicions," said the quick-witted girl, +as she left the room. + +"I'll corner Dexie sometime, see if I don't," she said to herself. "If +there is any love-making going on in this house, it will be a funny thing +if I do not find it out!" + +But Dexie was well aware that there were a sharp pair of eyes about, and it +took considerable manoeuvring to get a word with Guy without having Louie +pounce in upon them at the most unexpected moment. + +"Seems to me, Dexie," she said one day, as they were in their chamber +dressing for the afternoon, "if I was Mr. Traverse's young lady in the +city," and she made a grimace, "I would not care to have my young man visit +so much in a house where there are marriageable young ladies. Do you think +she is aware of his frequent visits here?" + +"What lady do you refer to, Louie?" turning from the mirror, where a +blushing face was too freely reflected. + +"You know who I mean well enough! The lady that Gussie says he is going to +marry. I suppose you know that story as well as Gussie." + +"Oh, yes; it is quite an old thing now. I have had it dinned into my ears +till I am tired, both of the story and the lady as well," she carelessly +replied. + +"Oh, indeed!" said the laughing girl. "I suppose he has told you all about +her during one of your many interviews. When is the wedding to take place?" + +"The exact time was never mentioned, Louie. If you feel very curious about +it, why not ask Mr. Traverse yourself. He might give you an invitation to +the wedding, you know." + +"But, honestly, Dexie, does he ever talk to you about his future wife?" + +"Certainly! why shouldn't he? Didn't Gussie tell you that he announced his +approaching marriage before the whole family?" + +"Well, Dexie Sherwood, you can smile and smile and be--the young lady +yourself, after all," said Louie, not yet convinced, "and that ring looks +new, and I see no photograph of Hugh McNeil lying inside your favorite +book, so there!" + +"Well, you might have seen one in the album if you had looked for it, you +silly girl. And how many new rings has Gussie had since you were home, and +yet I hear no word of her engagement!" + +"That may be, my dear sister Dexie; but I have not seen any young man kiss +Gussie good-bye at the door, either; therefore I begin to think--" + +What her thoughts might be upon the matter, Dexie did not give her time to +express, but disappeared from the room as suddenly as if the cry of "Fire" +had been raised in the house. + +"Well, I may be mistaken; then, again, I may not," said Louie, +reflectively, as she found herself alone, "but appearances point to the +latter view. However, auntie says that 'circumstantial evidence is not +positive proof,' so I will wait for further developments. If it is so--all +right; if it is _not_ so, well--then I think they should not be _quite_ so +familiar when Dexie shows him out. He is quite a handsome young gentleman +and will make a distinguished-looking brother-in-law, and I am ready with +my approval and blessing as soon as they ask for it; but, by the way things +look to me, my approval and blessing have not been waited for." + +When Dexie entered her father's room, she found Mr. Hackett, the lawyer, +present, and she was about to withdraw when her father called her to his +side. + +"You will have to go over the papers in the desk with Mr. Hackett, Dexie," +he said. "There are one or two missing which I know I have put somewhere in +safety, so look carefully, dear; the loss of them would be rather serious +in a case that Mr. Hackett has yet to settle. In case I have not mentioned +it before, Mr. Hackett," and he turned towards the lawyer, "the old desk +with all its contents, excepting those bundles relating to business +matters, which you will take with you, belong to Dexie, here. There are +several unfinished manuscripts which you can easily finish yourself, Dexie, +and who knows but the beginning of your fame and fortune may be lying +there waiting for you in the old ink-stained desk. There, do not cry, +Dexie! It grieves me to see you fretting. You would not like to have your +poor father lying here suffering much longer, surely! Now, be my brave, +helpful little woman a little while longer, and help Mr. Hackett all you +can. I was speaking of the old desk, Dexie; do not part with it to anyone, +dear. Keep it as my last gift to you, and, if it ever needs repairing, have +it done under your own eyes. Do not forget this, Dexie." + +Dexie winked away her tears, and bent over to arrange his pillows more +comfortably, saying: + +"Do you want me to hunt up the papers now, papa? I will do so at once, if +Mr. Hackett will explain what they are about." + +"He will help you, then you can get through more quickly. You had better +explain to my daughter, Mr. Hackett, about the amount of income there will +be in the future. She is the housekeeper here, though I expect she will not +remain in that position very long after I am gone. I am glad I purchased +this property when we first moved here. It is increasing in value every +year, and, if they should ever find it necessary, they can sell it and be +comfortable in a smaller place, but this will not be needful for some +years, if things are properly managed. There is another thing, Mr. Hackett, +which I wish you would see about for them. Look around and find a +respectable middle-aged couple that will be capable of giving the necessary +help about the house and grounds. The place needs a man around it to keep +it in order, and if his wife looked after the work in the house they would +give better satisfaction than single people, I fancy. I cannot think what +they will do when Dexie has left the house," and he sighed heavily. + +When Mr. Hackett departed with the missing papers, Mr. Sherwood called her +to his side and explained many things which would have to be seen to after +his death, and Dexie sat and listened with quivering lips and hands +clasped, palms downwards, across her lap, in an agony of mind, until she +fell on her knees beside his couch, crying, "Oh! papa! dear papa! what +shall I do without you!" + +Her father stroked the ruffled hair and soothed her by his tender words +till her tears flowed less freely and her sobs were checked, when he added: + +"Now, I want to speak of yourself, Dexie. Do not keep Traverse waiting for +you after I am gone. He has been very patient, and it has been on my +account that he has waited so long for you. I am not blind to the trouble +which you have borne so bravely and quietly these few months back; you have +had little time to prepare anything for your new life, as most girls like +to do, but this shall be made up to you, my dear. I have thought sometimes +I would ask you to have your marriage performed here before me, but I will +not be so selfish; that should be the happiest hour of a woman's life, and +it would not be so to you under such circumstances. Louie has brightened +the house by her coming, but she will soon be returning to her aunt, and +then I am afraid you will find it harder than ever, my dear little Dexie." + +Mrs. Sherwood came into the room, and finding Dexie sobbing on her father's +pillow, was much alarmed. + +"What is it? Are you worse, Clarence?" she cried, hysterically. + +"No, no, dear wife, not that. But I have been giving Dexie some directions +regarding matters after I am gone, and it makes her feel badly, poor little +girl! She has been a good daughter to us, wife; so do not forget it when +she needs your help and sympathy, and that time may be nearer than you +think." + +Dexie could bear no more, but she must not grieve her father by her tears; +so rose hurriedly, and kissing his brow, left the room. She met Louie in +the hall, and alarmed her by her grief. + +"Is papa worse, Dexie?" + +"I do not think so, but he has been talking to me about things which must +be done when he is gone, and it breaks my heart! Poor papa! he is so kind +and thoughtful, he seems to remember the smallest thing that we shall need +to look after, and advises about them. I am afraid it will not be many +days, Louie, before it is all over, and I believe he thinks so himself," +and she went to her room to sob away her grief. + +It was evident to them all the next day that Mr. Sherwood was rapidly +sinking, and Dexie scarcely left his side for a moment. + +Once when he woke from a troubled sleep he smiled into her face, and said +faintly: + +"She sang it very well, didn't she, Dexie? the 'pastures green,' you know. +I never have forgotten it. Can you sing it now for me?" + +"Try to tell me a little more, dear papa. Where was it you heard it?" +trying in vain to think what had called forth this request. + +"At Dr. Grant's church that Sunday morning in Halifax. You know--the new +singer you wanted to hear. I know all about the 'pastures green' now, +Dexie, but sing about it." + +Instantly the Sunday morning so long ago flashed back to her mind, and with +one arm around her father's neck, as she kneeled by his side, she sang: + + "The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want. + He makes me down to lie + In pastures green; he leadeth me + The quiet waters by." + +Her voice trembled, but there was a happy ring to it withal, and presently +she saw that he slept again, his face looking happy and peaceful as it +rested on the pillows. + +When the doctor made his usual visit, he stayed a long time in the room, +and he looked very serious as he called Dexie to the door. + +"You realize how ill your father is, do you not, Miss Sherwood?" and he +looked earnestly into her face. "Ah! I see you do. I wished to prepare you +for the worst. I will come in later in the day and see if I can be of use." + +"You think there is immediate danger, Dr. Brown?" + +"He may live through the day--not much longer, I fear. You have been +expecting this, have you not?" + +"I was afraid of it," and she hid her face in her hands. + +"Is there anyone I can send for, for you? If I can be of use in any way, +Miss Sherwood, command me." + +"Someone must tell mamma; she does not believe the end is so very near. +Would you do it? Does papa know it himself, doctor?" she added, after a +pause. + +"Yes, and he wished me to make it known to the rest. Be brave a little +while longer. Now, go back to your father. You can rely on Jarvis; she +knows what to do, and has been through many trying scenes before to-day." + +"Shall we send for you if--" She could not say it, but the doctor knew what +she meant. + +"Yes, if you like. I can do little, if anything, more; but he will not +suffer any. Now I will see your mother," and he turned and left her to her +grief. + +It took some time for Mrs. Sherwood to fully realize the truth, for she +listened to the doctor as if dazed. It was the first trouble that had ever +really touched her, and at the suggestion of Jarvis she went to her room, +where by degrees she grew calmer, as the terrible truth came home to heart +that she was soon to be left a widow and her children fatherless. + +When Louie came into her father's room a few moments later, and learned the +truth, she threw her arms around Dexie's neck and wept with her. This was +the darkest hour they had ever known. But there was no time to indulge in +grief at present--that would come later--and Dexie whispered: + +"Take Gussie up to her room, Louie, and tell her there, and do not let her +come down till she is quiet. Warn Georgie not to go away from the house; +papa may ask for him any minute. I am so thankful the doctor has told +mamma! Watch the door, Louie, and when the minister calls to-day try and +persuade mamma to see him. She would not see him the last time he was here. +Oh, dear! I shall be so glad when Guy comes in!" + +"Give me one little bit of comfort to cheer my heart this sad day, Dexie. +Tell me, what is Guy Traverse to you--do, Dexie?" + +"Dear Louie, you _shall_ know, if you think it will comfort you any. He is +my promised husband." + +"I thought so all the time, and I am so glad!" and she turned away to +prepare Gussie for the dreaded hour. + +The time passed heavily and sadly, until the day drew near its close. Mrs. +Jarvis was sitting near the bed, watching, with the eyes of an experienced +nurse, for any change, and presently she bent over Dexie, who was kneeling +by the bedside, and whispered: + +"I think I had better bring back your mother. Do you think she can bear +it?" + +"She _must_ bear it!" Dexie answered, with a sob. + +As Jarvis left the room, Guy quietly entered it, and saw at a glance that +the end was near. Dexie gave him one appealing look as he came beside her. + +Bending over, he laid his arm across her shoulder, and whispered: + +"Is there anything I can do, darling?" + +Dexie shook her head, and the look on her face told of the anguish that was +wringing her heart. + +Seeing that her father had opened his eyes, she bent nearer. + +"Are you in pain, dear papa?" + +"No, dear child; and I shall soon be where that question is never asked." + +Lifting his eyes, he saw Guy, and his lips parted in a smile. + +"So glad you have come, my boy!" and he held out his hand. "You have indeed +been like a son to me from the very first. You will be good to my little +girl, and do not wait to claim her; take her very soon, and do not let her +fret for me. Raise me up, Traverse! Ah! that is easier," as Guy seated +himself on the bed, and raised his head and shoulders on a pillow with his +arm. + +Supported by Guy's arm, and with his head leaning against Guy's shoulder, +Mr. Sherwood embraced his wife, who was led to the bedside by Jarvis, and +Dexie bowed her head from the sight of the despair written on her mother's +face. + +The family were soon assembled around the bed. Mrs. Jarvis lifted Flossie +in her arms, and telling her to "kiss papa good-night," laid her on the bed +beside him a moment, then carried her from the room, and the few loving +words spoken to Georgie did much to make him grow up a true, good man. + +Gussie was overcome with grief when she realized that her father was dying, +but Louie's loving arm was thrown around her, and she restrained her sobs +to hear her father's last few words. + +It was a sad scene. The dying father, supported in the arms of Guy +Traverse, was looking for the last time on the faces of his family. Dexie, +kneeling close to where Guy sat, with one of her father's hands clasped in +both her own, was silently weeping. Mrs. Sherwood was kneeling on the +opposite side of the bed, her face hidden against her dying husband's +breast. Louie and Gussie stood near, their arms around each other's waists; +while Mrs. Jarvis stood behind them, her arms extended across their +shoulders, as if she would willingly protect them from this anguish if she +could. Poor Georgie sobbed at the foot of the bed, a picture of childish +woe. + +The minister's words of peace and comfort, spoken at this moment, were +sorely needed, for the prayer had scarcely ended when Mrs. Sherwood raised +her eyes to her husband's face and saw the change that passed over it. A +few murmured words fell from his lips as he looked into her face, then his +eyes closed and his spirit was gone to the God who gave it. + +Guy laid the form gently back on the bed, and something in his face must +have told the stricken wife that all was over, for her piercing shriek +chilled everyone to the heart. + +Guy was just in time to catch Dexie's fainting form and bear her from the +room, when the children round the bedside understood that they were +fatherless. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + + +Many changes took place in the household during the weeks following Mr. +Sherwood's death. It was a sorrowful time to live through, and a most +unpleasant memory to look back upon. + +These were days of trial to Dexie. There was no one in the house that she +could turn to for sympathy, for Louie had returned home the week after the +funeral, and the house seemed desolate. + +Mrs. Jarvis was called away by a case of sickness in another household, and +Gussie, finding herself free from all restraint, made so many unreasonable +demands on the patient and willing domestic that she refused to submit to +it longer, and left the house; consequently, the actual work of the +household, as well as the care and responsibility, rested on Dexie's +shoulders. + +Mrs. Sherwood had not left her room since the day her husband was buried, +and her frequent hysterical attacks were very alarming to the rest of the +family. She seemed as fretful and helpless as a child, and quite as +unreasonable, almost blaming her husband for dying and leaving her alone in +the world. + +When Dexie tried to draw her thoughts away from their sad bereavement, she +charged her daughter with being hard-hearted and unsympathizing in the +extreme, and it seemed as if she did not wish to be comforted. + +Lawyer Hackett attended the funeral, but as Mrs. Sherwood was not able to +discuss business matters at that unhappy time, he promised to return later +on and explain all things necessary. + +Dexie awaited his return with much anxiety, for the expenses of the +funeral, together with their necessary mourning, left little ready money to +meet the daily expenses, and it was only by the strictest economy that she +managed at all. Her "scrimping," as Gussie called it, met with no favor +from anyone; and though Mrs. Sherwood talked of "ordering" this and that +from the store, Dexie positively refused to be the mouthpiece of the order. +They could do very well till Mr. Hackett arrived, she said. + +Dexie missed her father sorely, and the one bright spot in the long, +toilsome day was when Guy came in the evening. Then they would walk out +together through the quiet streets to the country beyond, and she always +returned refreshed and strengthened to bear the burden of another day. + +As yet they had made no definite plans for their future. Dexie wished to +see the household matters settled in a more satisfactory state before +attempting anything that would benefit her own condition. + +When the lawyer had explained to her mother the business matters which she +had refused to discuss during her husband's lifetime, then it would be time +enough to lay her own plans before her. + +The appearance of the couple whom Mr. Hackett had secured to assist in the +house and garden was daily expected, and Dexie looked forward to more +freedom on their arrival. + +One day, as Gussie answered the summons to dinner, she surveyed the table +scornfully. + +"Is this all that you have for dinner? This is the third day, Dexie, that +you have given us no meat. _You_ may like a vegetable diet, but I am sure +no one else in the house does. We might as well dine at the poorhouse." + +"Well, Gussie, you know it is not my fault," Dexie said, sinking into a +chair with a tired sigh. "I cannot make things out of nothing, and my +housekeeping money has come to an end. If you had not insisted on those +extra dresses for yourself, the money would have lasted until Mr. Hackett +arrived. I am sure he was not aware how little ready money there was on +hand or he would have arranged for the expenses that were necessary. It is +no use to fret, Gussie; there is plenty in the house to keep us for weeks +yet, if we live plainly. It is a shame to worry and find fault because you +have not everything you want when we have such a comfortable home left to +us." + +"But we can't eat the house or the furniture in it," Gussie snappishly +replied, "and I am just tired and sick of the things you have given us to +eat lately. I haven't the least appetite for your 'plain dishes' that you +spend so much time over." + +"Very well, Gussie, if you can prepare something better out of what there +is to cook, I wish you would do it. I do not prepare your meals from +choice. I have work of my own to do, and would prefer to keep out of the +kitchen altogether, if it were possible." + +"Well, I guess you'll be pretty hungry before _I'll_ go in the kitchen to +cook!" said Gussie, with uplifted nose. "I have no intention of messing +myself up for other people." + +"You do not need to 'mess yourself up.' I don't; and you may have to do +more disagreeable things than that yet. I am going away for a rest as soon +as the woman comes and gets used to the house, and she will not be able to +see after everything without some help. Those starched clothes that you put +into the wash every week with so little thought of the extra work they +make--she will not be able to do them, if she has to see about everything +else. There is a whole basketful there now, waiting for you to iron." + +"Waiting for _me_ to iron, indeed! Why didn't you do them when you ironed +the rest of the clothes?" her temper rising at the bare suggestion that she +should do them herself. + +"I had too much else to do, Gussie, as you might know if you would give the +matter a thought. You must see after them yourself, Gussie--while we are +without a girl, anyway." + +"We will just see about that! I never had to iron my clothes yet, and I am +not going to begin now. I want my tucked skirts to-morrow, so see that you +have them ready for me," and she rose to leave the room as if the matter +settled. + +"You will find your clothes in the basket, Gussie, whenever you choose to +iron them," Dexie quietly replied, unmoved by Gussie's insolent manner, +"and remember, Gussie, I positively refuse to do them for you again--never +once again, remember!" + +Glancing out the window she saw Guy Traverse approaching the house, and not +wishing him to see Gussie in her present humor she took her hat, intending +to meet him at the door and take him to the garden; but her mother called +her just then, and when she came downstairs Guy was standing in the hall. + +"You are not going out, surely, Dexie?" said Gussie, coming out to see who +she was talking to. "Mamma would not let you go if she knew that you +refused to do what I told you. It would be better for you to go to the +kitchen and finish your work, instead of gadding about with the men." + +"My work is done for the day, Gussie; it is your work that is waiting in +the kitchen," and she hurried down the steps, with Guy closely following, +his face dark with anger at the insulting words he had heard used to his +promised wife. + +"And this is the way they treat you, my darling!" he said, as he reached +her side. "I understand why you never want me to come in and spend an hour +with you; you are afraid I shall hear how they talk to you. I have a good +mind to take you to the minister's this very afternoon, and make you my +wife, so I can look after you." + +"Do not mind it, Guy," trying to keep back the tears. "Gussie was vexed +because she did not find her clothes done up for her as usual." + +"And she is actually imposing on you to such an extent as that, is she? +That explains that pale, tired face! My dear little girl, I cannot allow +it! Do you love me well enough to come and live in a set of rooms until we +can get a decent house ready?" and he looked tenderly into her face. + +"I could live happy with you in one room, Guy, if I could leave home, but I +cannot do that just yet. I must stay until Mr. Hackett comes back. I know +they cannot do without me just now, dear. I would go with you willingly if +I could, for I feel so tired and discouraged. Mamma thinks I neglect her if +I am not constantly waiting upon her; but there are the children to see to. +They are good little things, but they take up the time, you know, and the +hours seem to more than fly." + +"But if you were not there, dear, perhaps your mother would rouse herself; +and I do think that would do her more good than all the doctoring she is +getting, and Gussie should be able to be of as much assistance as +yourself." + +"Perhaps you are right, Guy, but it does not seem right for me to leave +them now, and so soon after papa's death, too," and her eyes filled again. + +"But you know your father said we were not to let that delay our marriage, +dear. I feel quite sure he knew you would not have a happy life, so wished +you under my protection." + +"Don't tempt me anymore, Guy," said the quivering lips. "You do not know +how my heart cries out for the comfort and relief that you offer me. I know +very well I am only tolerated at home on account of my usefulness, but they +do not understand what it would be like if I were not there. Gussie has not +the necessary practice to make her the help she might be, and mamma would +be sure to suffer if I left them before the new help arrives. Besides, Guy, +I have not had time to prepare a thing for myself yet," she added, in a +low, shy voice. + +"You have not had time to get the rest you need, darling, and that is of +more account than anything else. You must not think I am going to let you +stay home and have Gussie abuse you while you make up a lot of finery. Be +my little wife in earnest, darling, and whatever you want you can get just +as easily after you are married as before. I never could see the sense in +women making up such a quantity of new clothes just before their marriage; +it always looks to me as if they were afraid their future husbands would +not give them what they required when they were married." + +"Let me speak to your mother to-day, Dexie, dear," he added, "and I will +tell her that it was your father's wish that we should not delay our +marriage; and I must insist that you be used with more consideration. I +really cannot let matters go on without some protest; it would not be right +for me to allow it, either." + +"Very well, Guy, do as you think best; they cannot make it much more +uncomfortable than it is at present." + +But in this Dexie found she was mistaken. + +Mrs. Sherwood listened to Guy's manly and straightforward declaration in +silence, though her raised eyebrows showed something of her surprise as +well as displeasure. She admitted she had no right to refuse her permission +for their marriage if her father approved of it, but it was "quite like +Dexie to keep her in ignorance of the true state of affairs." Of course, +the marriage must not take place for some months yet. The impropriety of it +so soon after her father's death was quite shocking, even to hear it +suggested; besides, Dexie could not be spared from home. When Guy reminded +her that Dexie should have the rest she evidently needed, her manner became +icy at once, though she kept her indignation well in check until Guy had +left the house. + +"So you have been complaining to Mr. Traverse, have you?" she said angrily +to Dexie. "We will see hereafter if you do not have something to complain +about! If you are thinking of getting married to Mr. Traverse on purpose to +shirk your duties at home, I will see to it that you _earn_ your wedding +while you _are_ home. As for being married in the near future, your +father's death will certainly forbid that, and I think Mr. Traverse will +find that you are still under my authority, and that I am not quite so fond +of him as your father was." + +"Do not have any fear, mamma, that I will ever ask for a wedding that would +be so grudgingly given," said Dexie, with quiet dignity; "but I think I +have already fairly _earned_ my wedding, if that is the way you choose to +put it. I hardly think anyone will ever hear you suggest that Gussie must +_earn_ her wedding before her marriage can take place, and I think I have +been as good a daughter to you as Gussie has--I have tried to be, anyway, +mamma." + +"Gussie will never have the low tastes and plebeian ways that have made you +such an eyesore to me. She is too much of a lady to delight in the domestic +economy that you always aspired to, and when her time comes I shall see +that she has a wedding that shall fill your heart with envy!" said the now +thoroughly angry woman. + +"I think that will not be possible, mamma," said the low, quiet tones, so +unlike the Dexie of old. "It is not to the wedding I am looking forward +with so much happiness, but to the loving husband I shall gain thereby, and +the future happy life I shall spend with him. I am thankful to say that I +do not need a grand wedding to make me perfectly happy," and Dexie left the +room, her face white and sad as the result of the interview. + +Gussie soon learned the true state of affairs, and Dexie had reason to be +thankful that Guy had not spoken at an earlier day. + +To most mothers, the few months or weeks previous to a daughter's marriage, +the heart is full of loving consideration for her; the new position which +her daughter is soon to fill arouses all her tenderness, and she is full of +love that is not unmixed with pity. But mothers are not all cast in the +same mould, and Mrs. Sherwood thought of Dexie's marriage only in the light +in which it affected herself. Dexie was a necessity in the household, and +she would see that Dexie had no spare moments; she must make herself doubly +useful, and prepare for _their_ future comfort; and as Gussie held to the +same opinion, only declared it more frequently, Dexie had anything but an +easy time of it. + +One day when Gussie was harping on the same string, yet found it impossible +to get Dexie to tell of her future plans, she retorted: + +"Well, I think you have acted shamefully! I wonder what Hugh McNeil will +say when he hears you have thrown him over again!--but I warned him! I told +him just how you had been flirting with Traverse, and I am quite sure Hugh +spoke to him about it, too! But you have been like the dog in the +manger--you would neither take Hugh yourself nor give anyone else the +chance of getting him. I might have had the benefit of his money if it had +not been for you! I suppose you think you are smart to 'cut out' Guy +Traverse's city girl, but it just shows how mean you are, though I can't +see for the life of me what any man sees in _you_ to admire!" + +Dexie looked at her sister with flashing eyes. She longed to tell her what +a ridiculous mess of mistakes she had got into. But what was the use! she +would not give way to her temper if she could help it, though it was a +temptation hard to resist. + +"Sometime, Gussie, you shall know all about Guy's city girl, if for no +other reason than to make you thoroughly ashamed of yourself; and if you +only knew how far from the truth all your surmises are, you would not be so +free to talk. You make yourself ridiculous, if you only knew it!" + +The next day, much to Dexie's delight, Mr. Hackett made his appearance, and +easily explained the cause of his delay; and as he wished to have a final +examination of all the papers in her father's desk, he asked Dexie's +assistance, giving as a reason that a certain Mr. Plaisted had put in his +claims for a large amount as soon as her father's death had been published. +After explaining the matter to Dexie, she knew at once where to look for +the proof needed to refute such claims, and placing the copy of the letter +she had brought home from Prince Edward Island into the hands of the +lawyer, she told him all the circumstances connected with it, and the break +in the business intercourse with her father in consequence of it. + +"Well, that Plaisted is a regular scamp!" said the lawyer. "I will take +this letter with me, and with the knowledge I have now of him and his +doings I fancy he will not care to face a judge and jury to enforce his +claims, as he so boldly announces his intention. If I had known of this, or +had taken this bundle of papers with me before, it would have saved me much +time and annoyance. However, this time I will leave nothing but what you +can claim as your father's gift, Miss Sherwood. The desk and its contents +are now yours." + +"Now, Miss Sherwood," said he, later, "I am ready to see your mother and +have a talk with her; and if you will bring along the bills, which I +daresay are rather heavy, I will see to their settlement." + +"There are no bills to settle, Mr. Hackett--none, at least, that I know of; +everything was paid for as it was ordered. I must confess we are about +penniless, though," she smilingly said, "and if you had delayed coming for +many more days we would have been like Mother Hubbard, with a bare +cupboard." + +"Why, you do not mean it, surely! Well, well! I never thought of such a +possibility! But, then, I never thought you would try to settle the bills +out of the money left for other purposes. Other things might have waited +till I came to look after them myself." + +"It has not hurt us to practise economy, and I did not want people to think +that papa did not leave us enough to pay our expenses, so I paid the bills +as long as the money held out. I had a little saved up, and that came in +very handy, but I shall be glad to get something on the housekeeping +account. They have all been protesting against the lack of variety on the +table, till my sister thinks she is boarding at the poorhouse." + +"Oh, not quite so bad as that! not quite so bad, I hope! But you should +have written to me, my dear Miss Sherwood, and told me about it. You have +managed wonderfully. I have come prepared to settle all accounts and +arrange about the future; but, by the way, I have something here for +yourself," taking a package from his breast-pocket, and handing it to her. +"Your father directed me to give you this. Oh, it is all right!" as Dexie +exposed a roll of bills. "Your father explained it to me the last time I +saw him, and I think myself it is only fair that the daughter who watched +over him and waited on him so faithfully should be especially remembered. +It is all right, and will come in very handy when the wedding comes off. +There! don't mind me! Your father told me all about it, and explained many +things which I need not have known if there had been any chance of his +recovery. But he knew someone must take an interest in you as a family, and +I am paid to do it, so it is all right, and the money is justly your own, +for you helped to earn it--yes, this was received from his publishers for +the work you helped him to do." + +"But I have a twin sister, Mr. Hackett," Dexie began, as she counted the +bills in her hand, "and I ought to share this with her." + +"Not at all! not at all, Miss Sherwood," was the decided answer. "Your +mother will supply your sister's wants willingly, which I fear would not be +the case with yourself, if you were left to her generosity. Pardon my +plain-speaking, Miss Sherwood; it is sometimes necessary, and I know what I +am talking about. It is your father's gift--a wedding present, if you like +to call it--and is intended for yourself alone, and in my opinion is not +half what you deserve, there! I am an old man, comparatively speaking, but +my eyes are young yet." + +Dexie led the way to Mrs. Sherwood's room, where her mother was anxiously +awaiting the appearance of the lawyer. She had become quite alarmed at the +want of money, and insisted that Dexie must have been wilfully extravagant. +But as Dexie produced all the accounts, and went over them before Mr. +Hackett, Mrs. Sherwood was obliged to confess that the blame was not all on +Dexie's shoulders, though she thought some of the bills extremely +exorbitant, and could not be convinced that the extras which Gussie had +ordered made such a difference. + +Mrs. Sherwood found the interview with the lawyer very satisfactory, and +she viewed with pleasure the roll of bills he left for their immediate use; +and, at the sight of it, Gussie made a mental list of various luxurious +articles she had long desired to possess. + +Dexie was putting the desk in order when Mr. Hackett returned through the +room, and he stopped for a few minutes' conversation with her while he drew +on his gloves. + +"I omitted to tell your mother, Miss Sherwood, that the woman to whom I +referred when I was here before, will be ready to engage with you in about +two weeks. Both she and her husband have excellent references, and I think +they will suit very well. I believe you will find them both very +trustworthy and worth waiting for. Do not hesitate to write to me if any +difficulty should arise," and bidding her a cordial "Good-bye" he left the +house. + +Gussie was not pleased over the fact that Dexie had to "waste all the +morning over those old papers," though she had not dared to remonstrate in +Mr. Hackett's hearing, for she stood very much in awe of the lynx-eyed +lawyer, who seemed to read her through and through with his keen grey eyes. + +"How much longer are you going to be over those papers, I'd like to know?" +she said, as she heard the front door close behind him. "The idea of you +sitting there, and the dishes not washed yet!" + +"Well, Gussie, you might have washed them before this; you have had plenty +of time. I must put away these papers while I have them sorted out; then I +will do what I can in the kitchen. Try to manage till I am done, Gussie; I +won't be long now," and she looked up with a smile, as she tied a package +of MSS. together and laid it away snugly in the drawer. + +"You can finish those papers after you see to your work," said Gussie +authoritatively. "You need not think you are going to be allowed to sit +here all the afternoon, for Mr. Hackett left mamma a lot of money, and I +guess we'll see who is going to run the house after this." + +"Well, Gussie, that last remark of yours suggests good news," said Dexie, +with a good-humored smile. "I will be delighted, indeed, if someone will +take my place, for I feel sadly in need of a rest." + +"Oh! I did not say you were to give up any part of the work! I guess you'll +have to do that, whether you want to or not; but mamma says that I am to be +the housekeeper and do the ordering after this," and there was a triumphant +ring in her tone. + +"Well, I was afraid that you would never care to do that, Gussie, and I am +glad to see you are willing to undertake the difficult task; but the woman +that Mr. Hackett is sending us cannot come for two weeks, so we must look +up someone to do the work until she comes. Janet Robinson goes out by the +day; I think we had better send for her." + +"Well, the idea! Hire a girl so you can sit in the parlor with Traverse, I +suppose! You managed well enough since Eliza left, and I guess you will get +no chance to play the lady in this house! The kitchen is your place, and +that is all you are fit for!" + +"Then I throw up the situation from this moment!" said Dexie, hotly, +thoroughly aroused at last. "It is quite time I turned my attention to +something higher--to the making of blue or green dogs on canvas, for +instance! Hire a servant to wait on you before night, for I will not step +my foot into the kitchen again! I'll find something to do in a more +congenial latitude," and Dexie thrust the remaining papers into the desk in +startling confusion, locking the several drawers with a snap. + +As Gussie left the room she rose to her feet, intending to send word to Guy +to come and take her away, but, as she turned about, he caught her in his +strong arms and held her close to him. + +"Oh, Guy! how long have you been here?" and she burst into tears. + +"Long enough to make up my mind that Gussie shall never get the chance to +insult you again as she has done in my hearing. Dexie! it makes my blood +boil to know that you are treated in this manner! You must come away with +me! I cannot leave you in the house after hearing those words said to you. +You must not refuse, darling!" and he wiped away her tears and kissed the +white face in his arms. + +"Oh, Guy! if you only _would_ take me," she sobbed. "I was just going to +send for you, and beg of you to take me at once." + +"I ran in to tell you that I am called to the city on business, and must go +on the 5.30 train, so come with me, darling. I have a married sister living +in Boston, who will make you right welcome, and we will be married as soon +as the ceremony can be performed. Will you agree to this plan, my darling?" + +"Yes, and bless you for the chance of getting away so quickly; but oh, Guy! +I seem to be all alone since papa died!" and the tears fell afresh. + +"You will not be able to say that in a few hours' time, dear; but I must +hasten--I have an appointment at my office this minute. I will be back for +you in less than an hour, and will see your mother then. Now, go and get +ready for your journey, my little wifie," and with a tender embrace he +hurried away, and Dexie flew upstairs to her room. + +She had barely time to lock the door when Gussie came towards it. + +"Open this door at once," she said, as she found it locked. "Mamma says you +are to go to the kitchen and finish the work, and if you make any more fuss +about it you will be sorry for it." + +No answer, for Dexie had swiftly turned the contents of her trunk out on +the floor, in one promiscuous heap, and was repacking it with a swift and +practised hand. + +"Do you hear what I say, Dexter, or shall I repeat it?" + +"I have resigned my place in the kitchen, Gussie," came the reply, "and do +not intend to enter it again; besides, I have accepted a better situation +since I saw you downstairs. I am packing my trunk to leave the house, so +you see I cannot be disturbed." + +Gussie stood dumb with astonishment at this unexpected announcement, but of +course it could not be true! + +"Oh! never mind your high tragedy airs just now; open the door at once." + +"I fancy that the tragedy part of this performance will be enacted by +yourself, Gussie," was the reply. "I shall not open the door till I get my +clothes packed; if you choose to wait till I am done, pray do so. I will +not be any longer than I can help, as I intend to take the first train for +the city." + +Gussie applied her eye to the keyhole, and the limited view she had of the +room was enough to convince her that Dexie was certainly packing her trunk, +and she flew to her mother's room with the news. + +Mrs. Sherwood could not believe it. Leave the house just when they needed +her the most! Impossible! She sent Gussie back to the door with a +peremptory message for Dexie to come to her room immediately. + +"Tell mamma I will be there in a few minutes. I am almost through packing, +and if I were you, Gussie, I would go at once and see if that Robinson girl +will come and stay with you till the new cook arrives; and do have a care +how you speak to her, for mamma's sake. Do not imagine that something will +happen to prevent me going away, for that is a settled fact!" + +Gussie hastened back to her mother in alarm. + +"She is really going, mamma, and says she won't come out of her room until +she gets her trunk packed. Oh! what shall we do with no one in the house to +do a thing for us! I did not mean to vex her when I spoke to her as I did," +bursting into tears. + +"So it is your fault that, she is going! Are my troubles not heavy enough +that you drive the only help I have away from me? What will become of us if +Dexie leaves us, for you are as useless as you are extravagant!" And the +mother scolded and complained as if Gussie alone were responsible for the +trouble. "Go at once and make some amends for your ill-tempered words," she +added, "and perhaps Dexie will overlook it, for my sake." + +Gussie returned to the closed door, and in contrite tones begged for +admittance. + +"Do let me come in, Dexie. I am sorry I vexed you, and you are not in +earnest about going away, surely, for you know we cannot spare you." + +Dexie threw open the door, saying: "Come in and judge for yourself, Gussie. +You see I really am going," she said, snapping the catch of her travelling +bag. "If my sudden departure puts the rest of the family to inconvenience, +you can blame yourself for it, Gussie; but you are just as strong as I am, +and should be able to fill my place. However, if you think yourself above +being useful, I hope you will not delay in getting someone else here, for +you know you could not have driven me out at a more inconvenient time, for +there is literally nothing cooked in the house." + +"But where are you going? Not to auntie's with Louie, surely?" + +"No. I should not like auntie to have a worse opinion of you than she has +already. In leaving home I am consulting my own happiness, and I am going +where I shall be kindly treated and warmly welcomed." + +"Well, I'm sorry now I said anything to vex you, Dexie; so you need not go, +after all." + +"Your repentance comes too late, Gussie, for my plans are made; but I do +not want to go away with any ill-feelings to any one, so here is my hand, +Gussie." + +"Oh, if you are really going, I'll not shake hands and make up with you! If +we only had some help in the house I would be glad to get rid of you. I +don't believe mamma will let you go, anyway," and with a toss of her head +she left the room, saying to herself: "She'll have to unpack her things +when mamma gets hold of her, so why need I humble myself to her." + +Dexie was soon in her mother's room, listening to the reproaches that were +heaped upon her without stint; but as no reply was given to them, Mrs. +Sherwood looked at her intently, and something in the mother's heart +brought to her attention the wan, white face of her daughter. She had not +noticed that Dexie looked so worn and thin, and for a moment her heart +smote her. + +"What is this I hear, Dexie?" she said at last. "Do you think I am going to +allow you to leave the house like this? You are forgetting that you are +still under my authority." + +"But you do not use your authority fairly, mamma. You have made my life +very hard and unhappy since papa died, and permit Gussie to be impudent to +me, even when I am doing everything for her comfort. I would have stayed a +few weeks longer, but Gussie has gone too far and made it impossible for me +to stay another day, so I am going away to be married." + +"Married! Dexie, are you crazy?" + +"No, I think no one else will think so, when they know that I am exchanging +my present life for one so much happier." + +"But, Dexie, I will not allow this! To be married in such haste, and away +from home, without any preparations whatever! I forbid you to leave the +house with such an absurd intention." + +"I am sorry to have to deliberately disobey you, mamma, but I have passed +my word and have no wish to take it back. I admit it would have given me +much happiness to have been married from home, but it is doubtful if I +could live long enough to _earn_ a wedding, so it is best as it is." + +"And you talk of being married, and your father not dead three months yet! +Oh! you heartless girl! And you pretended to care so much for him! You +shall not do this shameful thing! Fancy how people would talk!" + +Dexie burst into tears at the mention of her father, and turning to leave +the room, she heard Guy's voice in the hall below. + +"Are you nearly ready, my darling?" as she ran down the stairs to meet +him. + +"All ready, but mamma is not going to let me go without some trouble, Guy." + +"Take me to her at once, dear, and do not be alarmed. She will not forbid +our marriage, so dry those pretty eyes." + +Mrs. Sherwood found she could not talk to this stern-faced man as she did +to Dexie. She felt embarrassed at his replies to her many objections, and +the truths that Guy put so plainly she could neither deny nor refute. + +"It was Mr. Sherwood's wish that our marriage should not be delayed," was +his answer to this objection, "and according to Dexie's wishes it will be +strictly private. As to the unkind remarks which you fear will be made +about our rather hasty marriage, I will take it upon myself to silence +them, directly they reach my ears, by explaining Dexie's unpleasant +position at home since she has been without her father's protection." + +Mrs. Sherwood saw it was the best policy to give her sanction to the +marriage, seeing she had no power to prevent it; but when she offered, +after some hesitation, to give Dexie a sum of money to provide her with an +outfit, Guy refused to allow Dexie to accept it. + +"It is no matter, mamma," Dexie said through her tears, for the interview +had been most distressing. "Papa gave me the money he received from his +published sketches, so I will do very well." + +Mrs. Sherwood did not care to ask what the sum amounted to; but having a +poor opinion of her husband's literary efforts, she considered that it +could not be much. + +"I hope you will not regret this hasty step, Dexie," as Dexie came to her +side to wish her good-bye. "You cannot expect me to think kindly of you +when you leave me in such a way as this." + +"Well, mamma, you know I am obliged to seek the protection of a husband +that has been denied me as a daughter; I hope you will not miss me very +much. Will you not kiss me good-bye?" + +Her mother turned her cheek, but Dexie waited in vain for the kind parting +word she longed for. + +"I am sorry to leave you, mamma. Think kindly of me sometimes. Guy takes me +because he thinks I need his love and care." + +"Go to him, then! You have made your choice!" + +With this dismissal, Dexie hurried to the hall where Guy was awaiting her, +wiping her eyes as she went. + +"Well, for my part, I'm glad to see the last of you," said Gussie, +following slowly after her sister. "You have always stood in my way, and +your Puritanical notions have spoiled many pleasures for me; so whatever +tears _I_ shed will be tears of joy." + +"Thank you, Gussie; that speech is all that is needed to remove every +vestige of regret I may have felt at leaving home," was Dexie's reply, an +unusual light in her dark eyes. "Come, Guy, I am quite ready," and without +turning her head she passed out the door of her own home to the untried +future that she was to share with Guy Traverse. + +"My heart aches for you, my darling," and Guy pressed the hand that rested +on his arm. "Let Gussie shed her tears of joy while she can, for, if I am +not mistaken, they will flow for another cause before the week is out." + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + + +A kinder welcome could not be imagined than Dexie received from Guy's +sister when they arrived in Boston, for Mrs. Graham had heard so much of +Guy's "little girl" that she took Dexie to her heart at once. + +The mental disquietude and physical weariness that she had passed through +kept Dexie confined to her room for two days, but on the morning of her +third day in Boston she stepped out the church-door a willing, happy bride. + +"Really, I can hardly believe that I have been turned into a married woman +since I entered the church," she said softly, as Guy seated her in the +carriage. "Does it seem real to you, Guy?" + +"Well, hardly, dearest; but I am going to prove the reality of it, and use +the authority just granted to me, by insisting that you put aside the +thoughts that have made your face so sad. Let us think of the new, happy +life before us, and forget the trials we have passed through. We are going +to be very happy together, my little wife." + +"Yes, I am sure of that. I believe our quiet and unconventional wedding +will bring us quite as much happiness as if we had been married with all +the fuss that generally attends affairs of this kind." + +(They were driving back to Mrs. Graham's, where a few friends had been +invited to meet them before they left for a short trip.) + +"Yes, indeed," was the reply; "and I think we will enjoy it in a greater +degree than if we were surrounded by a crowd of distracting friends, though +I believe it is usually considered the one time in a person's life when +friends are most appreciated. Why it should be so I cannot see, if all love +is like ours. I have obtained my heart's desire at last. This happy day has +been long delayed, but is none the less dear for the waiting, and you can +never say again that you feel 'alone' in the world." + +Dexie gave him a grateful look, as there was no time for words before the +carriage stopped at Mrs. Graham's hospitable doorway, where smiling faces +awaited them. Kisses and congratulations were not wanting, and the few +friends who had accompanied them to church followed them into the house. A +few hours later the happy married pair left for New York, where they spent +a pleasant season viewing the sights of the metropolis. + +On returning to Boston, Guy was offered a position in a large +establishment, the headquarters of the firm, doing business in Lennoxville, +in which he was previously engaged. This arrangement proved agreeable to +all parties, and made it unnecessary for Dexie to return to the scene of +her former trials. + +Dexie soon found herself mistress of a charming little house, situated in +one of Boston's beautiful suburbs, where her windows looked out on a lovely +prospect. Here the time flew by so rapidly in caring for her dainty rooms +and blossoming borders that her thoughts seldom dwelt on the unhappy weeks +which preceded her marriage. + +It was a delightful surprise when the dear old piano came with the rest of +her belongings from home, but the grateful letter of thanks which Mrs. +Sherwood received was tossed aside without a word, though the letter had +not failed to touch the mother's heart. + +The piano had been a silent rebuke, and Mrs. Sherwood had been pleased to +remove it out of her sight, wishing in her heart that the memories which +troubled her could be as easily banished. + +But no other piano could have been half so dear to the heart of Dexie, and +when she sat down before her beloved instrument the first chords she struck +brought happy tears. It was like the greeting of a dear friend long absent. +Little wonder her fingers lingered lovingly over the keys as piece followed +piece. + +"Dexie," said Guy, coming over to her side and leaning one arm on the +piano, "do you remember playing for your father and me one evening and +refusing us a certain piece? I have often wondered at the reason of that +refusal. May I ask if you will play it for me now, darling?" + +Dexie dropped her hands into her lap and lifted a flushed face to her +husband's gaze. + +"Dear Guy, I wish you had not asked me, for I do not think I can." + +"What! not for me!" said he, laughing. "Not for your own husband! Come now, +Dexie, have I found a cause to be jealous already?" + +Dexie's arms were around his neck in a moment. + +"Do not say such words, dearest, not even in jest; you do not know how it +hurts me. Do you think I would have refused to play that piece for papa for +a slight reason, Guy?" + +"No, but tell me the reason, wifie. Come, no secrets from your hubby, +mind," looking into her eyes with a teasing glance. "You know you told me +you only played it when you were sentimentally inclined, and you must only +be 'sentimentally inclined' in my direction now, so what is the secret?" +kissing the lips so temptingly near. + +"You are welcome to the secret, dearest, if I can put it into words, but +not to the music, I fear, unless you will stand where I shall not see that +you are watching me. There are some things hard to explain, and the effect +of that piece of music upon me is one of them. Had I played it for papa, +it would have grieved instead of pleased him, for it generally makes me +cry; though why it has such power over me I do not quite understand. I have +only played it before one person, and he understood it; so I did not mind." + +"Now you have made me more curious than ever, little wife. You have played +it for one person, and that person a gentleman, and yet you cannot play it +for me. Now, Dexie, how could you break my heart by such a confession!" +said he, laughing. + +"It was only Lancy Gurney, so don't be foolish," leaning her head +confidingly on his shoulder. + +"_Only_ Lancy Gurney! Worse and worse!" laughing gaily, as he held up her +face to meet his gaze. "Don't tell me you are 'sentimentally inclined' in +_his_ direction yet, or I shall do something desperate." + +"How can I tell you about it, if you laugh? I am afraid you will not +understand it, if you look at it seriously!" + +"Well, try me, anyway," and he drew her on to his knee. + +"I fear it needs a musician's heart to understand it. I do not mean that +the piece is so very difficult, but it has such strange, peculiar chords, +which sound so exquisitely sweet, that it makes the tears come, no matter +how hard I try to repress them. It affected Lancy the same way, so I did +not mind playing it before him, but you see I could not give any reasonable +explanation for my tears had I played it for you at papa's request." + +"Say no more, little wife. I'll not tease you about it again; but let me +confess a little sin. I listened to you one night through the open window +when you were playing that piece, and I saw you in tears, too, but I did +not rightly guess the cause of them." + +"But I have not told you all yet! What will you say when I tell you that I +gave Lancy Gurney one promise which I have not been able to break! +Possibly, Lancy and I _were_ 'sentimentally inclined' when he exacted it of +me, but we agreed not to play that piece for other people, and I doubt if +he finds that promise any easier to break than I do, for he would not care +to let others see his emotion. I have often wondered what was in the heart +of the composer, for it touches my heart like no other piece of music has +power to do. I fear I have not made it very plain to you, dear, but I wish +you understood it as Lancy did." + +"Little wife, I believe you care for him yet," lifting her face and kissing +her lips. + +"Yes, of course I do, but not as I care for you. It is only the musical +corner of my heart that he has touched, for apart from music I never give +him a thought. My love for you is different; it seems to fill my life." + +"You shall not find me exacting, dearest. Lancy is quite welcome to that +musical corner, while I have such a heart full of love for my own. I would +not have spoken about that music had I known what it was to you. I will +remember after this," he added, smiling, "that it is 'sacred to the memory +of--Lancy Gurney,' and I am quite willing to have it so," and he drew her +close to his side. + +"It is kind of you, dear, to respect this, my one bit of private property. +I could never tell you what that music has been to me, for though it brings +tears to my eyes it has the power to comfort. It seems to soothe and +sympathize with me in my little troubles, and during that unhappy time +after papa died I do not know what I should have done without the piano to +talk to; it seemed the only bit of comfort left to me." + +Guy raised the drooping head, and gazing tenderly into her tear-filled eyes +said, gently: + +"Dearest love! I do not believe that I half know you yet! There seem depths +in your nature that I have never reached, and thoughts in your heart that I +have never shared; they are so far above me. Trust me as far as you will, +darling, and do not think that I wish you to break a promise that seems +more sacred than sentimental," and he drew her to his heart again. + +A few days later Guy brought home a thick letter to Dexie bearing the +postmark of Halifax, and as Dexie read it a troubled look spread over her +face, but she said nothing until the lamp had been lit and the curtains +drawn; then she drew close to her husband's side, saying: + +"Elsie has sent me very unpleasant news, dear." + +"Then I wish she had not written; I do not like to see my little wife look +sad over anything. May I know what it is, dear? but do not tell me if you +had rather not, Dexie," and he drew her down to his knee. + +"I do not think Elsie knew that her news would trouble me, for she seldom +sees beneath the surface of things. My marriage has given her mother a +great deal of trouble, and as she is the dearest little woman that I ever +knew, I feel very sorry." + +"For your marriage or the 'little woman'?" + +"What a tease you are!" joining in his laugh. "But there is a ludicrous +side to Elsie's story, too, though it is the unpleasant part of it that +strikes me first. Do you remember the threat that Hugh McNeil made when we +told him we were going to be married? Well, he has carried it out, and has +married Nina Gordon, my double, that I told you about. Oh, it is a shame! a +cruel shame! What a life she will lead with that passionate man, with no +love between them to soften his feelings! Hugh could never listen to her +patiently five minutes at a time; that is why he said he wished she was +dumb! Oh, Guy! I feel so grieved. She is so sensitive at heart, for all her +silliness, while Hugh is hasty and hot-tempered. How cruel of him to spoil +her life, if he only married her for the chance resemblance to me, and it +would be just like Hugh to tell her of it in one of his outbursts of +temper. It has made me feel so unhappy that I could not finish my letter; I +feel as if I were to blame in some way." + +"Do not feel so troubled about it, my little wife; perhaps she will so +improve under Hugh's tuition that she will be glad that her chance likeness +was the means of making her his wife. I have often wondered, Dexie, how you +refused him yourself. He seemed so persistent it is a wonder that he did +not take you from me," drawing her closer to his side. "He seemed to have +every quality that women most admire in a man." + +"Well, I did admire him--at a distance--a _long_ distance, you know," she +laughingly answered, "but directly we were near enough to talk to each +other, we were sure to disagree. What a charming married couple we would +have made!" and both laughed at the mental picture. "Poor Nina! she has not +the spirit to stand the first unkind word. I do hope Hugh will not be rough +with her." + +"I have a better opinion of Hugh McNeil than to think he will be rough with +his own wife. From what I saw of him I rather admired him, and I hope he +will be happy in his married life." + +"I hope so, too, but--I fear for Nina. Let me read Elsie's letter to you, +and you will understand the situation, for she is such an innocent little +kitten that she has disclosed more than she is aware of": + +"I cannot call you by your new name yet, but I hope you will not mind, for +you will always be just 'Dexie' to me. I know that I ought to begin my +letter with best wishes and congratulations, but I cannot do it honestly, +so it would not be honor bright. Your marriage has made such a disturbance +here that I do not know what to think, only that I am sure you are not to +blame for it; so I wish you to know the story, even though Cora often says, +'I hope Dexie will never hear about this.' + +"When I received the papers you sent me containing the announcement of your +marriage, I, very naturally, read it out for the benefit of the rest in the +room, never thinking I was doing anything out of the way; but that horrid +Hugh McNeil was present, and before I had quite finished reading it he +jumped to his feet and glared at me till I screamed with fright. Then he +snatched the paper from me, and tore it in a thousand pieces, and stamped +and stormed about the room till I felt sure he was crazy, then I ran from +the room in terror. Then, as if that were not enough, Cora followed me out +and said she had a good mind to box my ears for reading it out before Hugh, +and yet I am quite sure that she likes you as much as ever. Well, we had an +awful time with Hugh that night. He attempted to shoot himself, and mother +cried and father scolded, and Lancy had to come and watch him till +daylight. We were getting over our scare, and I was beginning to think it +was a 'temporary fit of insanity,' as Cora said, when we were startled by +another fit that is anything but 'temporary' this time, for Hugh asked papa +to rent him the other half of the house where you lived, stating that he +was going to be married immediately! Of course we wanted to know the name +of the lady, and you can imagine our surprise and dismay when he said it +was Nina Gordon. We all felt badly about it, for no one can imagine for a +minute that he cares for her. As soon as he had rented the house he started +off to Montreal, taking Mrs. Gordon and her daughter with him, and he +returned about a fortnight ago, bringing Nina as his wife. Mrs. Gordon is +to live in Montreal, and however Nina will manage without her mother at her +elbow, is what puzzles everybody. + +"I did not see Mrs. McNeil till a few days ago, for I was huffy at Hugh and +would not be friendly with his wife; but when I did call I got such a +surprise that for a few minutes I stood still in astonishment, for, if you +will believe me, Dexie, they have got the house fixed up just as it used to +look when you lived there--the same pattern of carpets and curtains, the +pictures on the wall seem to be the very same, even to 'George Washington' +that you used to make fun of. A piano occupies the same spot, and in the +midst of it all there sat Nina with one of your pretty dresses on. Well, I +suppose, the dress _was_ her own, but I cannot understand how she happened +to get it made so much like yours. Of course I made remarks, how could I +help it when everything was so much like old times! but, in the most +unexpected moment, in came Hugh, and the way he went on at me was something +fearful! I am sure I never hinted that he had not a right to furnish his +house to suit himself, but when I went home he followed me and had a long +talk to mother about me. Nasty thing, that he is! and now I am forbidden to +mention to anyone the astonishing resemblances that I see next door. They +have sent me to my room for an hour because I _looked_ surprised at a +remarkable thing, so I thought I would sit down and tell you how badly I am +treated, for I am snubbed at every turn, and no one likes to be continually +snubbed. + +"We like Lancy's wife very much, though she is different from what we +expected. It is quite plain that she is very much in love with Lancy, so he +ought to be pleased. I suppose it will not be 'the correct thing,' as Nina +says, if I tell you why we felt so disappointed over his marriage, but we +all expected his wife would be the dear girl we used to know and love. I +often think that Lancy misses her, for his wife is not a bit musical; but +everything is contrary here. There! I am called, and my hour is not yet up, +so that's odd, too." + +"That is only the first part of the letter, but it contains news enough for +a dozen," said Dexie, as she laid the closely-written sheets on the table +before her. "I am sure you see now what a trouble my marriage has been to +dear Mrs. Gurney." + +"Yet we imagined it was a very quiet affair, eh, Dexie?" regarding her with +an amused smile: "However, do not take it so seriously, darling. Things +have, no doubt, quieted down by now, and everyone will not see Hugh's wife +and home with Elsie's eyes." + +"But I have not finished the letter yet; wait till you hear the rest." + +"There is a postscript, I suppose, and like every other woman's letter, it +needs to be read first," was the smiling reply. "Well, let us hear the +conclusion of the matter." + +Taking up the remaining pages, Dexie read: + +"I was called downstairs to see Mrs. McNeil, who was in the parlor and had +asked to see me especially, and as my eyes rested upon her the word 'Dexie' +sprang to my lips. She had on your garnet velvet suit, and looked as well +in it as ever you did. I intended to treat her very coolly, for I had not +forgiven Hugh, though I have been to church twice since he offended me; but +she was so very friendly, and so anxious to make amends for Hugh's +behavior, that my coolness melted away. She begged me to try and like her +'for Dexie's sake,' and as Hugh had sent regrets for his hasty words and +wished me to run in as freely as I did in the old times, I feel as if I can +repeat the responses in church this evening without feeling so terribly +wicked over it. I fancy, from what Nina says, that Hugh is often quite +stern and cold in his way of speaking to her, and she admitted that he has +already made her cry. I feel very sorry for her, for I did not know when I +began this letter why Hugh was so put out at your marriage, but I do now, +and I think that since you would not have Lancy it is a good thing that you +are safely married; but take care that Hugh does not run away with you some +day. He is quite equal to it yet." + +"There is no danger of that," said Guy, referring to the concluding +passage. "I can read another story between the lines of Elsie's letter, and +I think, dear, that Hugh's wife will not blame you if her marriage should +not prove a happy one." + +"I hope you are right, Guy; but how could I bear it if I thought you +married me just because I resembled someone that you knew and loved, but +could not marry," and she put her arms around his neck and looked into his +eyes. + +"But you know that my heart has been yours since I first saw you, so why +need you borrow trouble, my little wife? There! lie still in my arms and +rest content," drawing her close to his breast with a tenderness that gave +a fresh assurance of his love. + +"Do you know, Dexie, dear," he added presently, "something in that letter +tells me that Hugh explained everything to Nina before he married her, and +she could have refused him if she objected to the conditions. Hugh's money +would overbalance many difficulties, and I have no doubt that Mrs. Gordon +urged her daughter to accept him, with a full knowledge of his reasons for +wishing to marry her. I feel sure that Nina is willing and anxious to +please Hugh, and he may yet find much happiness in the society of your +double. Few men would care to do such a thing, I admit, but if he finds any +solace in his disappointment in surrounding himself with things that are +dear to his memory and in making his wife a second Dexie, it is well." + + + + +POSTSCRIPT. + + +Having happily married my heroine and disposed of her lovers, it occurs to +me that I have reached the place where story-writers usually make a big +flourish, write "Finis," and then lay down the pen. + +But the story of a person's life does not end with marriage, as some would +have us think, for marriage generally brings out one's best qualities or +develops the worst, and is sure to make or mar the life of every woman; +consequently, this story is not yet finished. Yet why should I trouble +myself to write out the remainder of it until I have discovered if the +reading public are interested in Dexie's life so far as it has been already +told? It may be that no one cares to follow her fortunes any further, or +feels the least desire to know what the future has in store for her, to say +nothing of the friends who have been associated with her; and as I have no +wish to bore you, dear reader, gentle or otherwise, it rests with you to +say if their married lives shall be laid bare or not. + +I am aware that the marriage of my heroine lacked the _eclat_ which usually +attends events of that kind--in story books--but I fancy the average reader +is well acquainted with all the details of an elaborate wedding, and must +be surfeited with the various accounts of them by this time. However, if +that is the style of wedding you prefer, I can give the names of several +volumes which contain everything you can possibly desire in the way of +description of gorgeous wedding costumes and all the rest of the +paraphernalia that goes along with them, and you can read any account that +suits you better, then take up my story further along. See? + +Those that take objection to Dexie's home-life--particularly to that +immediately preceding her marriage--are reminded that such lives do exist. +When death visits a family, and removes the restraining head, the petty +faults of the remaining inmates are apt to grow apace, unless the Angel of +Death has touched their hearts with divine grace. Lacking this, the +development of character has a downward tendency. It does not make pleasant +reading, but I have not told an impossible tale. But who knows "how the +other half lives?" + +The question is--Do you care to know if Dexie has chosen her life as wisely +as she might have done? Would her married life have been happier if she had +married Lancy Gurney? The affection they had for each other was akin to +love; there was a sympathy between them which those who have an intense +love for music can alone understand, and which might have proved a source +of happiness, even during a life-long existence. They might not have +experienced the rapture of heartfelt love, but their lives might have been +more peaceful and contented without it, for deep love often means keen +sorrow. + +Or would it have been better if she had accepted the love as well as the +money which Hugh McNeil was so anxious to lay at her feet? She might have +learned to care for him in time, and to have found pleasure in a life +surrounded by all the joys that wealth can bestow. To have an abundance of +worldly goods, and to be exempt from the petty cares and economies which a +limited income necessitates, is a condition much to be desired, even where +no love exists to soften the heart of husband and wife, and in this case +Hugh McNeil could not be charged with possessing an unloving heart. + +Dexie thinks she has made the wisest choice in accepting Guy Traverse and +marrying for love, but she has yet to face the question--Is mutual love +alone essential to secure a happy married life? or in the language of the +world: + +"Does it pay to marry for love alone?" + + * * * * * + +ABOUT SHORTHAND! + +The need of a simpler and swifter mode of writing is felt by all who have +much writing to do--by newspaper men, by legal gentlemen, by clergymen, by +students in taking class lectures and making notes of many things valuable +for future "refreshment," authors and scientific men in recording important +facts. + +Amanuenses are in demand as corresponding clerks and secretaries in all +important mercantile and literary offices, at salaries much higher than is +paid in any similar employment. Indeed, many of the leading business and +professional men owe their prosperity to their knowledge of Shorthand and +Typewriting. + +If a young man or woman desires a business or profession, light, pleasant, +what is more congenial than stenography? Other occupations are crowded, and +the income for years is small. But stenography, on the other hand, is an +opening through which one can enter any business or profession with rewards +equal to ability and capacity. + +Which System? + +There are a dozen or more different systems of shorthand. Each one is best +to somebody. Which is best for you? Eleven are hard to learn, and harder to +practise; who will learn them? One is simple and easy--children learn it. +The one is + +Simple Shorthand + +best, because simplest, easiest, quickest learned, most legible of all, and +fully answers every purpose for which shorthand is desired. + +Shorthand must be learned quickly, or most people cannot afford the time. +There has never been a satisfactory system till now. Previous systems have +been too complicated, and people get an idea that shorthand is very +difficult--it is not. Simple Shorthand is not. + +Simple Shorthand excels the difficult systems in all their good points, and +seems to have none of their faults. Therefore I cannot be too exact in +describing it. The several advantages are: + +No shading, no positions, no arbitrary characters, and the vowels are +written in their natural order without lifting the pencil; as in longhand, +no depending upon "context." + +If you could learn the Pitman system (100 words a minute) in six months, +you could easier learn Simple Shorthand in three months. Our scholars learn +Simple Shorthand in a week, then use it writing up their book-keeping. It +saves more than half their time. + +You can learn shorthand by mail just as well. I guarantee success in every +case, or return the money. I send lessons, instructions, criticise and +correct all exercises, until you can write 100 words a minute, for $10, +payable at beginning. + +Lesson free, write for it. + +SNELL'S ACTUAL BUSINESS AND SHORTHAND COLLEGE, + +TRURO, N.S. + + * * * * * + +R.J. TURNER, + +VICTORIA SQUARE, TRURO, N.S., + +Direct Importer of + +Hardware, Crockery and Groceries. + +THREE SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS UNDER ONE ROOF. + +FRENCH, ENGLISH AND AUSTRIAN CHINA GOODS A SPECIALTY. + +Blanchard, Bentley & Co., + +IMPORTERS OF + + DRY GOODS, + + MILLINERY, + + CARPETS, Etc., + +WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. + +Large Assortment, Small Profits and Strictly One Price. + + TRURO AND NEW GLASGOW, + NOVA SCOTIA. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS DEXIE *** + +***** This file should be named 16993-8.txt or 16993-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/9/9/16993/ + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions (www.canadiana.org)) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + diff --git a/16993-8.zip b/16993-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..794e65e --- /dev/null +++ b/16993-8.zip diff --git a/16993-h.zip b/16993-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..05d6bbc --- /dev/null +++ b/16993-h.zip diff --git a/16993-h/16993-h.htm b/16993-h/16993-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..52ae0e8 --- /dev/null +++ b/16993-h/16993-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,17486 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .linenum {position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4%;} /* poetry number */ + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} /* page numbers */ + .sidenote {width: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; margin-left: 1em; + float: right; clear: right; margin-top: 1em; + font-size: smaller; background: #eeeeee; border: dashed 1px;} + + .bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + .bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + .bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + .br {border-right: solid 2px;} + .bbox {border: solid 2px;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Miss Dexie + A Romance of the Provinces + +Author: Stanford Eveleth + +Release Date: November 3, 2005 [EBook #16993] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS DEXIE *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions (www.canadiana.org)) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + +<p><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1"></a></p> +<h1>MISS DEXIE;</h1> + +<h2>A ROMANCE OF THE PROVINCES.</h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2><i>STANFORD EVELETH.</i></h2> + +<h4>TORONTO:</h4> + +<h4>WILLIAM BRIGGS,</h4> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Wesley Buildings.</span></h4> + +<h4>C.W. COATES, <span class="smcap">Montreal, Que.</span> S.F. HUESTIS, <span class="smcap">Halifax, N.S.</span></h4> + +<h4>1895.</h4> + +<p><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2"></a>Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one +thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, by <span class="smcap">William Briggs</span>, +Toronto, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa.</p> + +<p>Transcriber's Note: Minor typos have been corrected, and table of contents +created.</p> + + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> + +<h3>Contents</h3> +<p> +<a href="#INTRODUCTORY_1864_AND_WAR_TIME"><b>INTRODUCTORY—1864 AND WAR TIME.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI"><b>CHAPTER XXI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII"><b>CHAPTER XXII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXIV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV"><b>CHAPTER XXV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI"><b>CHAPTER XXVI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII"><b>CHAPTER XXVII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII"><b>CHAPTER XXVIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX"><b>CHAPTER XXIX.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX"><b>CHAPTER XXX.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI"><b>CHAPTER XXXI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII"><b>CHAPTER XXXII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII"><b>CHAPTER XXXIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV"><b>CHAPTER XXXIV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV"><b>CHAPTER XXXV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI"><b>CHAPTER XXXVI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII"><b>CHAPTER XXXVII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII"><b>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX"><b>CHAPTER XXXIX.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XL"><b>CHAPTER XL.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLI"><b>CHAPTER XLI.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLII"><b>CHAPTER XLII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII"><b>CHAPTER XLIII.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV"><b>CHAPTER XLIV.</b></a><br /> +<a href="#POSTSCRIPT"><b>POSTSCRIPT.</b></a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3"></a></p> +<h2><a name="MISS_DEXIE" id="MISS_DEXIE"></a>MISS DEXIE;</h2> + +<h3>A ROMANCE OF THE PROVINCES.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTORY_1864_AND_WAR_TIME" id="INTRODUCTORY_1864_AND_WAR_TIME"></a>INTRODUCTORY—1864 AND WAR TIME.</h2> + + +<p>The war between the North and South has sent a wail of grief into thousands +of homes throughout the land, and the dreadful death-roll is daily being +added to, for battle follows battle, and the slaughter is appalling, even +to those who have been hardened to the sight by months of action. No wonder +that the faces of wives and mothers are white with anguish—that fearful +death-list has carried desolation to their hearts, and others, just as +dear, are obeying the command, "Forward to Spotsylvania."</p> + +<p>Men stop to discuss the situation at street-corners, or hurry to the +telegraph or newspaper offices for the latest news, their anxious faces +telling how their lives have been touched by this outbreak of strife.</p> + +<p>Among those who pass along the streets of a New England town, is one whose +genial countenance attracts attention. He is above the average height, +strong and well proportioned, and his quick and energetic step and +wide-awake appearance proclaim him of New England birth.</p> + +<p>As he nears a house in the suburbs, a shout of welcome greets him, and he +lifts his eyes and smiles upon a group of young faces in an upper window; a +moment more and the door is thrown open, and childish forms hurl themselves +upon him.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4"></a>As soon as the children's noisy greeting was over, Mr. Sherwood entered +the room where his wife awaited his appearance, and drawing a chair near +the couch where she was reclining, related the news of the day.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am later than usual, but I received a despatch from mother, and +that detained me," said he, in answer to her remark. "I have arranged to +run down to the farm to-morrow, as mother says my immediate presence is +necessary."</p> + +<p>"And is there no word from Charley yet? His name is not in the list of +killed or wounded, but I fear the worst."</p> + +<p>"His wife was at the telegraph office while I was there," said Mr. +Sherwood, as they entered the dining-room. "She expected news every hour, +and will send you word directly she gets a message. I tried to persuade her +to return with me, but she was too anxious to leave the office until she +had some reply to her despatch."</p> + +<p>"This is a trying time for wives and sisters, and Charley was my favorite +brother. But what new trouble has happened at the farm, that you are needed +in such haste?" Mrs. Sherwood asked, as she poured out the tea.</p> + +<p>"It seems that mother has heard that I intend joining the new company, if +it is called out, and she has objections which she wishes to make +personally. You know mother is not a Unionist; her southern prejudices are +too strong for that, and the possibility of my joining the northern army +has embittered her mind. You might come with me to-morrow; the change would +do you good," he added.</p> + +<p>"My visits to the farm are doubtful pleasures," replied Mrs. Sherwood, who +had but little sympathy with her husband's people, "but any change will be +welcome while this uncertainty exists about my brother. Can I trust you all +to be good and obedient if I leave you in charge of Nurse Johnson?" she +asked, lifting her eyes to the young faces around the table.</p> + +<p>The best of behavior being readily promised, Mrs. Sherwood soon left the +room to make preparations for the unexpected journey, and early next +morning Mr. Sherwood and his wife were on the train bound for Crofton, the +nearest station to the old home farm.</p> + +<p><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5"></a>While they are on the way, a glance at the history of his parents will +explain how matters stand at the homestead.</p> + +<p>Squire Sherwood was a well-to-do farmer, who was well known outside of his +own village, having held several public offices at various times, but these +had been given up in order to superintend his fine farm, which years of +toil had brought into a high state of cultivation. Early in life, while +doing business in Louisiana, he had married a southern lady; but a few +years later he came into possession of the farm, and they moved North.</p> + +<p>His wife found the change very great, and often sighed for the luxurious +life of her southern home; but she fell into New England ways more readily +than might have been expected. When she moved north, she brought Dinah, who +was her particular property, with her; indeed, Dinah was so much attached +to her young mistress that she refused to be left behind, and life on the +farm was made more endurable by her services. When, in the course of time, +a son was born, he was placed in Dinah's care, and little Clarence was as +fond of his black nurse as was ever the southern-born child of its black +"mammy" of the southern plantation.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Sherwood did not lose her individuality by her marriage. The +peculiar institution of the South she would like to have seen extended to +the North as well, and when the disruption took place her sympathies were +with those of her old home; she was heart and soul a southerner. Up to this +time the same friendly feeling existed between mistress and maid as when +they had lived under a sunnier sky; but the sentiments engendered by the +hated Abolitionists, soon found vent in sharp words, and other abuses, that +hitherto the faithful creature had never known.</p> + +<p>Dinah felt keenly the change in her mistress, but bore it patiently, +thinking it would soon pass; but village gossip soon spread the report of +Mrs. Sherwood's treatment of her black servant, and the southern +sentiments, so openly expressed, caused the family to lose the estimation +of their neighbors, and gained instead their animosity. Party feeling ran +high, and the villagers declared that if there was <a name="Page_6" id="Page_6"></a>another draft made, the +son should be made to fight against the avowed principles of the mother, +and as the sentiments of both parties grew stronger as the war advanced, it +brought matters to a crisis.</p> + +<p>Hence the telegram requesting the son's presence at the farm.</p> + +<p>When the train arrived at Crofton, the carriage was waiting for the +travellers, in charge of the hired man, and they were soon driving along +the familiar road to the homestead.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter at home, Joe?" said Mr. Sherwood. "Are all well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, all well, sir," and Joe touched the horse lightly with the whip; "but +the war news is troubling them, and making your mother very anxious about +you."</p> + +<p>Joe was an old and trusted servant, having lived with the family for years, +and so much confidence was placed in him that he seemed like one of the +family. When they arrived at the farmhouse, the son wished to know at once +why he was sent for in such haste, but his father replied: "Plenty time, +Clarence, plenty time ahead of us to talk about the matter; let us have +dinner before we discuss troublesome questions."</p> + +<p>But the mother's heart was too full of anxiety to wait, and she asked: "Is +it true, Clarence, that you are going to join the Union army?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I am ready to do my duty, mother," he replied, in a conciliating +tone, "but I have not yet joined the company, so you need not be anxious +about me until you have cause."</p> + +<p>"But I have cause already! I hear that another draft is soon to be made, +and the people around here are determined that you shall be drawn into the +fight, if only to spite me, but if you enter the army at all it should not +be on the Unionists' side; that would be taking up arms against your kith +and kin, and no son of mine must do that!"</p> + +<p>A look of terror spread over the face of the son's wife. Was her husband to +be torn from her side, as the mother feared?</p> + +<p>"I cannot argue this question with you, mother, lest we <a name="Page_7" id="Page_7"></a>should not agree," +said the son, gently. "It is a pity that as a family our interests are so +divided; but others have placed their interests against kith and kin, and, +if duty called, I should have to do the same. I own that at present I +shrink from the call, as the forces seem concentrated near my sister +Annie's home. I wish she would come north, but that cannot be expected +while her husband is in danger. He has command of an important position, +but Sherman is sure to dislodge him, and I fear the result will be +disastrous. But I see you have something else in your mind at present, so +what is it that you wish me to do, mother?"</p> + +<p>"I want you to leave the country, Clarence. I cannot bear the thought of +you being drafted to fight against my home and people, and your own natural +affections should cry out against uniting with the slayers of your +kindred."</p> + +<p>"Oh! this cruel, cruel war!" cried the son's wife. "We are indeed a divided +family, for my brother is with Sherman near Atalanta, fighting against my +husband's people. Oh! Clarence, do as your mother wishes, and let us leave +the country, for my heart will break if you are drafted!"</p> + +<p>"You must leave at once, if at all," said the mother; "even a week's delay +may be too late, for the neighbors boast that before the month is out I +shall see my son march away to Washington! I would give every dollar we +possess to help the southern cause, if what they threaten should come to +pass!" she added, in an angry tone.</p> + +<p>"Well, mother," replied the son with a smile, "my patrimony is too precious +to run such a risk, and as I am not very anxious to shoot anyone, or be +shot at either, I will do as you wish, and let you live in peace. I feel +confident that a few months will end the struggle, or my decision would be +different; but where do you wish me to go?"</p> + +<p>"Go!" her countenance softening at once. "You can decide that for yourself; +as long as you are out of the reach of the Unionists, that is all I ask. +So, go to Halifax, if you like!"</p> + +<p>"Very well, mother, to Halifax I'll go, but you do not seem to have the +welfare of your only son very much to heart, after all, by the way you +speak."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8"></a>"Nonsense! Clarence, you know my heart better than that! I mean that it +matters little where you settle, so long as you are out of American +territory until the war is over."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Halifax will suit me very well, mother. Ever since I can remember you +have threatened to send me to Halifax; so now I'll go, and I do not believe +I shall find it a place of torment either. Nelson, who was in partnership +with me when I was in Augusta, has moved his family there, and I may join +him again in business. He is buying up horses and sending them to +headquarters. What! you surely would not object to me making some money out +of the Unionists?" he asked, in answer to his mother's quick look of +surprise.</p> + +<p>The discussion lasted some time, but to the relief of the son's wife they +decided to return home the following day, that her husband might have an +opportunity to settle his business in time to catch the first boat to +Halifax.</p> + +<p>Becoming aware of the hostility which prevailed among the neighbors, on +account of Dinah's presence at the farmhouse, Mr. Sherwood proposed to take +her with them to Halifax as their hired nurse. He had a kindly feeling for +the good, old woman, who was such a faithful and partial nurse to him in +his boyhood, and he could not help seeing that she was less kindly treated +than formerly, and to his surprise his mother consented to the plan. Dinah +made no objection when the matter was laid before her, for like many +colored women of her age she had an intense love for children. This love +had grown stronger during the years there had been no children at the +farmhouse to lavish it upon, and the short visits that the grandchildren +made at the farm were red-letter days to Aunt Dinah.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood found her cares much lessened with Dinah installed as nurse. +The care of children was always a wearisome burden to the rather indolent +mother, so the irksome duties were readily placed on the willing shoulders +of Dinah.</p> + +<p>While Mrs. Sherwood awaited her husband's directions, her brother's wife +appeared one day, bearing the sad announcement that Charley had fallen in +the last battle; and <a name="Page_9" id="Page_9"></a>though Mrs. Sherwood had been expecting this from the +first, her grief was more distressing to witness than that of the +afflicted, sad-faced wife.</p> + +<p>But there had been no hope in Mrs. Sherwood's heart since her brother had +bidden them farewell, and marched away with his comrades; and her fears +being realized, she was more anxious than ever to leave the country that +might yet claim her husband also, and when word came from Halifax that a +furnished house awaited the family, Mrs. Sherwood easily persuaded her +bereaved sister in-law to accompany them thither.</p> + +<p>A few weeks later, the family—consisting of Mrs. Sherwood and her +brother's childless widow; Gussie and Dexie, twin girls of sixteen; Louie, +aged thirteen, Georgie ten, Flossie three, and a year-old baby in the arms +of black Dinah—arrived in Halifax, where this story properly begins.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>The new home awaiting the family was situated in the south end of the city. +The house, which is still considered a desirable residence, was built in a +style very common in Halifax, for the accommodation of two tenants. The +owner, a Mr. Gurney, lived in one part of it; he was a native of England, +but at the solicitation of his brother, who was an officer in one of the +regiments, he had removed to Nova Scotia, and was doing a prosperous +business on Granville Street.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gurney had a large family. Cora, the eldest, was just out of her teens; +then came Launcelot or Lancy, as he was usually called; then Elsie, and so +on, till you came to an infant in arms. As the cabs containing the Sherwood +family drove up to the house, the nursery windows in the second story of +the Gurney household were filled with childish faces, anxious to see what +sort of playmates their new neighbors might be; and when the young +strangers alighted on the sidewalk they observed the happy faces and smiled +back in return, thus pleasantly intimating <a name="Page_10" id="Page_10"></a>that they hoped to be friends. +But when Dinah appeared with the baby, the faces in the window betrayed +their astonishment. "Oh! a black nurse! and the baby don't seem a bit +frightened of her!" they exclaimed in surprise.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if they love her when she is so <i>very</i> black," said little +Gracie. "I shouldn't love to kiss her, would you, Percy?" looking at their +own fair-faced nurse in loving approval.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood was surprised to find the house so neatly and comfortably +arranged, but she soon learned that she was indebted to Mrs. Gurney for +this pleasant state of affairs, for she had given Mr. Sherwood much +material assistance in making the rooms look home-like and cheerful.</p> + +<p>In the evening, when the family were assembled in the parlor, Mrs. Gurney +tapped lightly at the door, and her cordial greeting seemed more like that +of a friend than the first meeting of strangers, and when Mrs. Sherwood +began to thank her for the thoughtful attentions that had made their +home-coming so pleasant, she stopped her with a word.</p> + +<p>"Do not thank me, I beg of you, Mrs. Sherwood," she said, with a smile. "I +have only done for you what I wish someone had done for me when I first +came to Halifax. I know by experience," she added, as a smile lit up her +motherly face, "what it is to come into a strange place, among strange +people, with a hundred things needing to be done at once, and a family of +children to attend to besides. I felt sure you would like the place better +if you found it a bit home-like and settled, but I have come in to explain. +I was afraid you might think I was making myself too busy in your affairs. +Now, I do hope, Mrs. Sherwood, that you will not make strangers of us after +this." Her face beamed with kindness as she spoke, and after a short and +friendly conversation she withdrew.</p> + +<p>The next day was a busy one in the Sherwood household, but in the afternoon +the twin girls were invited to go for a walk with the young ladies next +door, while Louie was persuaded to go up to the nursery with the Gurney +children.</p> + +<p>Louie felt very shy when she found herself among so many little strangers, +but the kind, good-natured nurse, in <a name="Page_11" id="Page_11"></a>white cap and apron, who presided +over this restless brood, soon set her at ease by bidding the children show +Louie their toys. And what a store of them there were to be sure. There +were several miniature sets of dishes of various patterns, and whole +families of dolls, from the aged grandmother in a white frilled cap, to the +tiny china specimen that was too small to be dressed. There were Noah's +arks that held animals that would have astonished old Noah himself, and +rocking-horses in various stages of dilapidation, from the bright new one +with only a scratch on his leg, to the headless and tailless steed that +rocked in a melancholy way in the corner. Then there was a swing that hung +from the ceiling, and a springy teeter-board that could bounce the little +ones quite into the air. These and other treasures were duly inspected by +the shy Louie, who soon entered heartily into the games started for her +amusement.</p> + +<p>The twin girls were delighted with their walk. They had viewed the city +from Citadel Hill, and had extended their walk to other spots of interest, +but it seemed to them that they had moved nearer the seat of war, instead +of away from it, for the sword and gun-bearing officers and soldiers whom +they met in different parts of the city seemed more warlike than those who +had passed through the streets of their old home, as they journeyed toward +headquarters.</p> + +<p>In a short time the family settled down to the routine of home-life that +comes natural in all households, and having secured competent help, Mrs. +Sherwood was able to order her household without much exertion on her part; +in fact, she began to feel that she might now take life comparatively easy, +and, little by little, the duties of housekeeper were laid upon Aunt +Jennie.</p> + +<p>Dinah found the burden and exactions of her small charges quite bearable, +so the not-over-anxious mother was relieved from trouble in that quarter +also. But Dinah seemed well satisfied. Her love for the little ones placed +under her care had been strong enough to silence the superstitious dread +that had filled her heart when she first learned the destination of the +family; but in spite of her efforts to please everyone, Dinah could not +overcome the strong dislike which Biddy openly and emphatically <a name="Page_12" id="Page_12"></a>expressed +for all "nagers." Consequently, a wordy warfare spiced the day's doings +occasionally, but, thanks to Aunt Jennie's tact and kindness, even this +grew less and less, as occasion for them vanished.</p> + +<p>A few weeks later, Mr. Sherwood accompanied Mr. Nelson to Prince Edward +Island, on a horse-buying expedition, but we will not follow them, as our +story has to do with those in Halifax; it is sufficient to say that they +secured a number of valuable animals for the New York market, at a price +that surprised Mr. Sherwood until he understood that the Island farmers +were ready to dispose of all products "cheap for cash."</p> + +<p>As might be supposed, the friendly intercourse between the members of the +two families grew stronger as the taste of each became more apparent.</p> + +<p>Dexie and Elsie were "chums" at once, though each possessed an opposite +nature; one supplied what the other lacked, so they agreed charmingly.</p> + +<p>Gussie was older in appearance than her twin, Dexie, and preferred the +society of a "grown-up" young lady, and Cora Gurney found her a pleasant +companion.</p> + +<p>Launcelot Gurney, or Lancy, was the musical genius of the Gurney family, +and this soon caused a feeling of friendship to spring up between him and +Dexie Sherwood, and few days passed in which they did not spend +considerable time in each other's society. But the closest observer could +find no fault with this intimacy. It sprang from the similarity of tastes, +and the frank, straightforward manner which marked their intercourse denied +the existence of any foolish sentimentality. Though younger than Cora, +Lancy seemed by his steady ways and manly behavior to be the eldest of the +family. Perhaps the fact that his father talked so much with him, and +interested him in matters that seldom claim the attention of youths of his +age, had something to do with his manner, but behind his usual calm +exterior there was an amount of conceit not always apparent to others, a +conceit that placed himself above the ordinary High School boys who had +been his daily associates. This they had felt intuitively, and with his +precise habits and nicety of dress had caused him to be dubbed "the dandy."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13"></a>Another member of the Gurney household must also be mentioned, for Hugh +McNeil belonged to the family almost as much as Lancy himself, seeing that +he had been cared for by Mrs. Gurney before Lancy was born. He was the son +of a strange marriage, a marriage that had turned out disastrously. His +father had been valet to Mr. Gurney's eldest brother, and, while attending +his master in Paris, had fallen in love with a pretty French waitress, and +secretly married her. On returning to England with his master, the French +wife followed him and revealed the marriage, and this so enraged McNeil's +master that he discharged him on the spot. Whereupon McNeil, after securing +a comfortable lodging for his wife, left for Australia, intending to send +for her as soon as he obtained permanent employment. Before he had done so, +the French wife died in giving birth to little Hugh; and the matter coming +to the knowledge of Mrs. Gurney, she had pitied the motherless babe and had +him placed in a comfortable home. As he grew older, Mrs. Gurney became so +fond of her young protégé that he was taken into the family, and was given +an education that enabled him, in later years, to be of much service to his +benefactors.</p> + +<p>In looks he favored both parents, inheriting the strong, sturdy frame of +his Scotch father, with the dark features and piercing black eyes of his +mother. At present, he occupied the position of clerk or general factotum +to Mr. Gurney; his quickness and ability to grasp the requirements of +business, with the general activity of his movements, made him invaluable, +and Mr. Gurney trusted him like a son. Amongst other duties, Hugh +frequently attended auction sales, to watch for bargains in their line of +business, and it was at one of these sales that Mrs. Sherwood met him. She +had accompanied Mrs. Nelson to a sale of bankrupt stock, and wishing to +secure some desired articles she asked Hugh's assistance, and he served her +so well that he was asked to call, and he was received so graciously by +more than one member of the family that the call was often repeated, and he +soon had the "freedom of the house," as Dexie laughingly expressed it.</p> + +<p>The English custom of playing at charades or tableaux, <a name="Page_14" id="Page_14"></a>was much in vogue +in the Gurney household, and on rainy days the children were sure to be +found in the attic, where a mimic stage had been erected, and drop curtains +of a peculiar style and pattern added to the attractions of the place. The +young neighbors next door were soon initiated into the mysteries of the +"green room," and their added numbers made the audience seem immense, since +it took every available box and board to construct "opera chairs" for the +crowd; but every chair was sure to be filled when the new "star," Signora +Dexina, was announced to appear before the footlights, and if these latter +were but candles left from the last Christmas tree, what mattered it?</p> + +<p>One day while up in the attic rehearsing a new piece, the idea occurred to +them that a private entrance into each other's apartments, by way of the +attic, would be a great convenience, so they eagerly searched the partition +for a loose board. Finding one that was quite broad, they put forth every +exertion, and after much shoving and prying, during which their fingers +received many splinters and bruises, they succeeded in getting the board +loose from the floor. By shoving it aside, they could squeeze through the +opening into the opposite attic, then the board would swing back to its old +position.</p> + +<p>The "convenience" of this private entrance only children could explain, as +it seemed hardly worth the exertion to climb three pair of stairs for the +pleasure of entering the house of their next-door neighbor by this narrow +doorway, but the children were delighted with it. In after-years others, +long past childhood, did not scruple to use this doorway, and silently +bless the hands that formed it.</p> + +<p>The good old custom of family worship was daily practised in the Gurney +household, and appearing suddenly in the dining-room one morning, just as +the family were about to "take books," Dexie stayed to prayers, and was so +impressed with the charm and simplicity of the devotions, that she asked +permission to come again.</p> + +<p>The exercises consisted of reading, verse about, a portion of Scripture, +then a verse or two of some well-known hymn was sung, after which Mr. +Gurney made a short prayer, using simple words within the comprehension of +the <a name="Page_15" id="Page_15"></a>little ones. Special mention was made of the needs of the family. If +any of them were ill, they were mentioned by name, and it gave Dexie a +curious feeling the first time she knelt with the family to hear Mr. Gurney +ask for a "particular blessing to rest on our young neighbor, who worships +with us this morning." The charm of it all seemed to be in the feeling of +reality there was about it, the decorous behavior of the little ones +showing that it meant more than outside form to them. None of the Gurney +family was excused from this morning worship unless sickness made it +impossible to appear, and it soon became a regular thing for Dexie Sherwood +to make her appearance with her Bible when the bell rang for prayers. Dexie +thoroughly enjoyed these exercises, her religious education having been +limited to the little she had learned in Sunday School, for the Bible was +not a very well read book in the Sherwood household, and its treasures were +almost unknown, until they were opened to her eyes by the Gurneys.</p> + +<p>Aunt Jennie was much surprised when she learned the cause of Dexie's +frequent morning visits next door. The evident desire for instruction which +made her niece seek from others what should have been imparted to her at +home, came like a reproach to her heart. She had been reared in a Christian +home, where Bible truths had been imparted to her from her cradle up, so +she now endeavored to supply what was lacking in the religious education of +her young relatives. It was done quietly and without ostentation, but the +last half hour of the day was given to Dexie, and she spent it with her +aunt in the privacy of her chamber, where they studied the Book together. +Dexie tried to persuade Gussie to join these readings, but with no success, +for Gussie, like many others, "cared for none of these things."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>When Mr. Sherwood returned from New York, he was accompanied by a Mr. +Plaisted, a gentleman of a speculative turn of mind, who had attached +himself to Mr. Sherwood with a persistency that showed he had "the cheek of +a drummer," and he had invited himself to accompany Mr. Sherwood to his +home in Halifax. Although fond of horses, there was nothing about the +appearance of Mr. Plaisted to suggest the jockey: he was what would have +been termed in a later day a fair specimen of the genus dude. He was of +medium height, and was decidedly foppish in his manner, and with his +elaborate neck-ties and perfumed curls, he was, in his own estimation at +least, quite irresistible. His hands and feet were unusually small for a +man. The latter he was very proud of, always encasing them in boots of the +very latest style; and, no doubt, the "cold cream" and other cosmetics +which he nightly used helped to give his hands and face the fair appearance +that so delighted himself.</p> + +<p>His presence in the household seemed to have an opposite effect on the twin +girls. Gussie was delighted with his fine appearance and gallant speeches, +but Dexie seemed to see the ignoble nature behind and kept him at a +distance.</p> + +<p>A few evenings after his arrival, when the family were assembled in the +parlor, Mr. Plaisted, who was leaning back in his chair, in an attitude +peculiar to Americans, asked: "Have you a son living in Boston, Sherwood? I +met a young fellow in a broker's office bearing your name. Any relation of +yours?"</p> + +<p>"No, neither a son nor a relation; this is my only boy," Mr. Sherwood +replied, reaching for Georgie's ear in a playful manner.</p> + +<p>"Ah! that's a pity now! a grown-up son would have been some use to you. If +one of the twins had happened to be a boy, you would have had quite an +assistant by now."</p> + +<p>Dexie was sitting behind the window curtain, watching the passers-by. She +resented this speech, and the rude way it was uttered provoked her into +replying:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17"></a>"One does not need to be born a boy to be of use in this world, allow me +to tell you, Mr. Plaisted! for in all things that he needs help, I am my +father's boy—not ghost!" she laughingly added, as Plaisted, startled by +her sudden appearance, almost overbalanced in his chair.</p> + +<p>"Bless me! I didn't notice you were there, Miss Dexie," said he, regaining +his equilibrium with an effort. "Guess you've been studying Shakespeare for +my benefit, eh, Miss Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's just like Dexie," said Gussie, with a frown. "She always likes +to make a scene when she can. She will want to go on the stage, I expect, +by and by."</p> + +<p>"What nonsense! Gussie," said Dexie, smiling good-naturedly, "when all the +theatrical performances we are allowed to attend are those that take place +up in the attic."</p> + +<p>"Oh! come now, Miss Dexie. How often do you slip off to plays with that +young chap next door?" said Plaisted, with a sly wink at Gussie. "I often +see you down street together."</p> + +<p>"Your eyesight must be remarkably good, then," was the icy reply, "for I +think no one else can accuse me of 'slipping off' with any person."</p> + +<p>"By the way, Miss Dexie, I have been wondering what your name is, ever +since I came. Is it an abbreviation or a nick-name?" said Plaisted, anxious +to turn the conversation. "I have never met with a young lady bearing your +name before."</p> + +<p>"And you are not likely to meet one again," was the quick reply, as a flush +of anger covered her face.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood looked across at Dexie, knowing full well that Plaisted could +not have broached a more unfortunate subject. Dexie's full name was her +chief annoyance, so he answered in a quiet tone, "Her name is Dexter, but +she would like us all to forget the fact, and call her Dexie instead."</p> + +<p>"Since Mr. Plaisted is so inquisitive, it would be wise to gratify his +curiosity at once, and have done with it," and Dexie turned sharply around +and faced the rest. "He had better learn the whole of our names, and the +history of <a name="Page_18" id="Page_18"></a>them as well, and then, perhaps, he will be kind enough to drop +the subject forever. Here is the story: At the time father was married he +was doing business in Augusta, Maine; but it happened, unfortunately, that +mother was born and brought up in Dexter. For some reason, that I have +never been able to fathom, when we twins appeared we were honored by being +called after those respective places! Gussie was the smartest and +best-looking baby, I suppose, so she was selected to bear the name of the +capital city, while I had to bear the burden of Dexter! It is a wonder how +I managed to survive the christening, for the very name was enough to +finish one! Oh! I have wished a thousand times that the town of Dexter had +been visited by a conflagration, and wiped out of existence, before +mother's people ever went there! But there! I daresay they would have gone +to Skowhegan! Norrigewock! Mattawamkeg! or some other place with an +outlandish name, and, of course, I should have been named after it, just +the same! Dexie is bad enough, but Skowie, think of it!"</p> + +<p>A peal of laughter interrupted Dexter's hot-spoken words; but the mention +of her name always touched a tender spot, and she added, in an injured +tone, that made her father smile in spite of himself:</p> + +<p>"And there is Louie. Everybody thinks her name is Louisa, so she escapes +the questions of the curious; but her name is Louisiana, after the State +where grandma's old home is. We were there for a long visit when she was a +baby, and she is not likely to forget that fact all her life. Then papa has +a sister in Georgia; so of course we went to see her, too; but her +plantation was so lovely we were all delighted when papa consented to stay +there a year or two and help Uncle Edward set out some new groves, and get +everything in good running order. We were there when Georgie was born, so +he got off comparatively easy; but then! boys always do!"</p> + +<p>Plaisted's shouts of laughter forbade further expressions of displeasure, +and Dexie turned her back again and looked out the window, while she +regained her composure. Nothing so aroused her indignation as the mention +of her name <a name="Page_19" id="Page_19"></a>consequently few knew what it really was. Louie liked her +name, for by bearing it she became her grandmother's favorite, and Gussie +could look on the matter with indifference.</p> + +<p>"I quite sympathize with Dexie," said Mrs. Sherwood, "but her father has a +New Englander's love for novel names, and gives no thought to the +unnecessary burden that it puts upon the children, one which they have to +bear all their lives."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, Gussie can't complain, I'm sure," said Mr. Sherwood. "No one +will become inquisitive over her name," he laughingly added.</p> + +<p>"I have no doubt that Miss Gussie feels thankful she secured first choice," +said Plaisted, "and that her good looks entitled her to it," and he looked +over at Gussie with bold admiration in his glance.</p> + +<p>"I don't think looks had anything to do with it," said Mr. Sherwood, "else +this curly pate would have had first choice," reaching over to pass his +hand over the brown rings of hair.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me this conversation is much too personal," said Dexie, rising +from her seat. "I think a change would be welcome to one and all," and she +sat down before the piano.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood smiled his approval. He was very proud of his daughter's +musical ability, for she could sing and play to suit the taste of any +audience, and could arouse the inner emotions of those who had any feelings +that were capable of being stirred at all. One of her accomplishments, +which she seldom exhibited before strangers, was that of whistling. Few +people have heard the exquisite notes that can be produced by an adept in +the art, but there are whistlers and whistlers, whose notes differ as much +as those of the linnet and the crow. While accompanying herself on the +piano, Dexie could produce such wonderful trills and quavers, with such +purity of tone, that she could almost rival the very birds themselves, and +she never failed to surprise and charm all that heard her. Wishing to +please her father, as well as convince Mr. Plaisted that her name did not +make her a "ninny," she selected some of <a name="Page_20" id="Page_20"></a>her best pieces and sang her most +charming songs; then, after a few soft notes, she broke into a bird-song, +whistling the notes so faithfully true that Mr. Plaisted was startled as +well as delighted, and the conversation he had begun with Gussie came to an +abrupt end.</p> + +<p>"Well, Miss Dexie, I must confess that you have surprised me," said he, as +Dexie resumed her seat at the window. "I never heard the equal of that from +the boards of any concert-room in New York. No one would object to paying +'dear for his whistle,' if that quality was purchasable. You would make a +fortune on the stage."</p> + +<p>"I hope Dexie will never use her whistle as a money-making gift," said her +father; "but I think, myself, it is about as pretty music as one ever +hears."</p> + +<p>"You can bet your life, Sherwood, she would create such a furore in musical +circles that she would make something besides money for you. Bring her out, +Sherwood; it will pay you better than speculating with horses."</p> + +<p>"Heaven forbid!" replied Mr. Sherwood, extremely annoyed at the way +Plaisted spoke of his favorite daughter. "I fancy I can make a comfortable +living for my family, without turning my daughter into a public character."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, papa," came the clear-cut tones from the window; "but pray do +not waste any more sentiment on Mr. Plaisted. He happens to be one of that +kind of men who would sell their own mothers for profit! But he can't help +it, poor man, he was born that way!" and before Plaisted could recover from +his surprise, Dexie had left the room.</p> + +<p>"That was a pretty good slap, and no mistake," exclaimed Plaisted as he +drew out his handkerchief to wipe his hot face. "I meant no offence, +Sherwood, 'pon honor."</p> + +<p>"Well, as my daughter did not take it so, be kind enough to be more guarded +in your remarks in the future. However, in a battle of words, I fancy she +is able to hold her own, and come off victor every time, too."</p> + +<p>The matter was dismissed with a laugh, though memory lingered long over the +plain-spoken words; but in his secret heart Mr. Sherwood was glad that +Dexie had so answered <a name="Page_21" id="Page_21"></a>this New York gentleman. Dexie had won her position +in her father's heart by her prompt and willing service. She it was who +could be depended on to do the numberless little tasks, insignificant in +themselves, perhaps, but of the greatest moment when taken together, for +the joy and comfort of home-life very largely depends on the way these +little things are attended to. Her sister, Gussie, was too fond of pleasing +herself to be of much service to others; but Dexie was quick to see +another's need, and she found it a pleasure to wait on her dear papa, who, +however active and energetic he might be when about his business, dearly +loved to be waited on when once he was inside his own home. He always found +Dexie willing and ready to give all her time for his pleasure. She had even +changed the style of her handwriting so as to help her father with his +correspondence, and she proved herself such an able assistant that, on +giving her verbal instructions, she could write out his letters quite as +clearly and business-like as if his own hand held the pen. Once, in Dexie's +absence, he had pressed Gussie into service, but Mr. Sherwood never +repeated the request, for Gussie's writing resembled the "sprawls of a +many-legged spider that had fallen into the ink bottle, and then wiped his +legs on the writing-paper," according to Mr. Sherwood's description of it.</p> + +<p>But Gussie was pretty if she was not useful. She was a perfect blonde, with +a wealth of yellow hair, which she twisted round her head like a golden +coronet. Her eyes were as blue as fresh spring violets, and her slight, +willowy figure gave promise of much grace when fully developed. Her twin +sister, Dexie, was much unlike her in every way, having dark brown eyes, +while a mass of short, light-brown curls covered the well-poised head, +giving her something of a boyish air. She had a clear complexion, but was +not so fair as Gussie, and her figure was shorter and more rounded. She was +quick and alert in all her movements, and laughed when Gussie called her a +tomboy, but she was only thoroughly wide-awake, and enjoyed life with a +zest that was but natural in a girl of her years. She scorned the languid +air that Gussie affected, and looked with disdain on the one-legged storks +that her sister delighted to transfer <a name="Page_22" id="Page_22"></a>to canvas, and she wondered how it +was possible for anyone to sit for hours over a bit of fancywork the +usefulness of which was doubtful; but this was the only kind of <i>work</i> that +Gussie ever cared to do.</p> + +<p>Since Aunt Jennie had taken up her abode in the family, Dexie had found +great delight in solving some of the mysteries of cookery, and the +toothsome articles she evolved, under her aunt's direction, were exhibited +with as much pride as Gussie felt when she adorned the new sofa pillow with +such gorgeous butterflies that no one dared use it thereafter. But Dexie +was at her best when seated before the piano; then her face glowed with a +beauty far exceeding that of her sister's, for the soul shone in her face, +and she would make the instrument respond to her feelings like a human +being. However ruffled her state of mind might be—for, be it known, Dexie +was not blessed with a very even temper—she could pour out her troubles to +her beloved instrument, as she would to a dear friend, and she always found +peace and consolation there.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + + +<p>One evening, when Mr. Plaisted was still in Halifax, there was a small +party held at Mrs. Gurney's, to which the Sherwoods were invited. Although +the party was only for "grown-ups," as Elsie Gurney said, invitations were +given to Gussie and Dexie, as company for the young members of the party. +Among those present was Major Gurney, and several of his brother officers, +whose gaily-attired figures added much to the beauty of the rooms.</p> + +<p>During the evening music was introduced, and it need hardly be said that +most of the songs sung were thoroughly English, and of course much +applauded; but Dexie, in her loyalty to the land she called <i>home</i>, though +living out of its borders, could scarcely conceal her annoyance, and +turning to a table near, she picked up a book of views in order to hide her +vexation. Presently she became aware that the <a name="Page_23" id="Page_23"></a>book before her was composed +of views that were unmistakably English; and no sooner was their +nationality noted than she dropped the book as if it had burnt her fingers.</p> + +<p>"The idea of that little spot on the earth lording it over all creation!" +she said to herself, and her lip curled in scorn.</p> + +<p>Just then the young man at the piano struck up the notes of "Rule +Britannia," which was caught up at once by all the red-coated gentlemen +present, as if the very words were a sweet morsel under their tongues. It +ended at last with a crash, and Dexie gave a sigh of relief when she saw +the piano stool vacant.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Gurney was making his way towards her, and, bending over her, said +in a low voice:</p> + +<p>"Will you favor the company with some music, Miss Dexie? I have often +listened to some very enchanting strains from your fingers."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think I can play something that will be quite as enchanting as +that we have just listened to," Dexie replied. "I don't believe that piece +was ever meant to be sung inside four walls, and those officers shout as if +they intended to raise the roof. I am afraid my playing will seem very tame +after all that bluster," she laughingly added.</p> + +<p>"No fear of that," said Mr. Gurney, smiling. "Try and see if you cannot +beat them at their own game."</p> + +<p>Dexie looked up quickly, and caught his meaning, and as she crossed the +room her thoughts were flying through her brain, trying to bring to mind +some song that would answer those "red-coated braggarts." A smile came to +her lips, as memory served her. Yes, she could sing something that was +quite as musical as "Rule Britannia," anyway, and echo the praise of her +own land as well. So when she passed her father she whispered:</p> + +<p>"Give me the help of your best bass in the chorus;" and bending over +Gussie, who was listening to the remarks of a many-striped officer, who was +standing near her chair, she said in a low tone: "Give me your help this +once, Gussie, and let your alto be heard clear to the citadel."</p> + +<p>Seating herself at the piano, she struck a few chords, <a name="Page_24" id="Page_24"></a>and then her rich, +ringing voice, with every word clear and distinct, sounded through the +room:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Of all the mighty nations in the east or in the west,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our glorious Yankee nation is the brightest and the best;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">We have room for all creation, and our banner is unfurled</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With a cordial invitation to the people of the world.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So, come along, come along; make no delay;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Come from every nation; come from every way.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The land it is broad enough; you need not be alarmed,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For Uncle Sam has land enough to give you all a farm."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>An amused look passed over the faces of those present as the sentiments of +the singer reached their ears, and Plaisted said, half aloud:</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Miss Dexie; I back you there!" and when the chorus was +reached, his fine tenor was equal to any that had been heard during the +evening, his "Come along" ringing out like a bold challenge.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah for the Stars and Stripes!" cried Lieutenant Layton, as he joined +in the applause that arose as soon as the song had ended. "Your nationality +is quite apparent, Miss Sherwood. That's right; don't let your own broad +country be sung down."</p> + +<p>Dexie found herself immediately surrounded, and was overwhelmed with +entreaties to sing again, for the "back slap" had been as diverting as it +was unexpected, and she found it impossible to leave the piano without +singing again. But she thought that one song in that strain was enough, +though Mr. Gurney came over to her side, saying:</p> + +<p>"Give us another like the last, Miss Dexie. It is good for these red-coated +fellows to remember that they have not conquered all the people on the face +of the earth."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid it will offend someone," said Dexie, softly. "I couldn't +resist the temptation of letting them know that <i>I</i> don't think England is +supreme. I am a loyal American, even if I do reside in Halifax."</p> + +<p>"Oh! there is no danger of offending," Mr. Gurney replied. "The lion has +roared quite enough for one evening, so let the starry flag play awhile in +the breeze."</p> + +<p>But Dexie did not like to flaunt the flag too near the lion's face, and in +his own den, as it were; so remembering <a name="Page_25" id="Page_25"></a>some of the beautiful, pathetic +songs, that had been inspired by the war, she thought they would be quite +as much enjoyed.</p> + +<p>Lancy Gurney was seldom far from the piano, and as Dexie finished her song +she motioned him to her side. A few whispered words passed between them, +then Lancy sat down beside her, when there rang out a symphony that +delighted every ear.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes, Dexie took advantage of the movement she had brought +about on purpose to relieve herself, and rose from the piano, leaving Lancy +seated at the instrument.</p> + +<p>This musical treat brought Dexie into social prominence, as there were +several members of the "Song and Glee Club" present, and she was much +surprised to receive invitations for herself and sister to join the club.</p> + +<p>This club contained some of the best singers in the city, but had no +members so young as those now invited to join them. The invitation was +never regretted, however, for they soon acknowledged that the "Sherwood +twins" were quite an acquisition.</p> + +<p>The pleasant evening was over at last, and the twins had received +compliments enough to turn older heads than theirs; but Dexie did not dwell +on the flattering remarks as Gussie did. Her singing and playing came as +natural to her as it did to talk, and she was not puffed up by the praise +bestowed on her for it. But Gussie was always vain of her good looks, and +she magnified the remarks that her pretty face had elicited, and when they +were about to retire Gussie had quite the air of a society belle as she +said:</p> + +<p>"I have made quite an impression on Lieutenant Morton. I feel quite sure he +is almost in love with me already." But, receiving no answer to this +remark, she added:</p> + +<p>"I hope you are not jealous, Dexie, because I received so many compliments +from those fine-looking officers?"</p> + +<p>"Pooh! you silly thing! Jealous! Well, that's rich, I must say," replied +Dexie, in a tone of scorn. "You seem to think it is a fine thing to be +complimented by soldiers, <a name="Page_26" id="Page_26"></a>but not so I. Why, didn't Mrs. Gurney tell us +one time that it was not considered respectable to be seen talking to +soldiers on the street, and I can't see how it makes so much difference if +you talk to them behind closed doors."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but there was not one soldier invited to Mrs. Gurney's party; they +were all officers, every one of them," was Gussie's reply.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! what difference do a few ornaments on a man's coat make to the man +inside of it, I'd like to know? I expect that half of them, at least, were +common soldiers once themselves, and were bossed around like the very +meanest of them. I declare, I'd rather be a black on auntie's plantation +than be under some of those bawling officers we met to-night."</p> + +<p>But Gussie did not care to discuss the matter further, as it required some +time to think the matter out seriously, if she would discover why an +officer should be less open to objection than a common soldier, for it was +true enough that many who wore the stripes had stepped up from the ranks; +yet how few of the better class care to make friends with the common +soldier, be he ever so respectable as a private individual. Was it likely +that a cloak of uncommon respectability was put on with the officer's +uniform? Hardly; else some of them lost the cloak very shortly after it was +put on.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Sherwood, accompanied by Mr. Plaisted, made a trip to Prince Edward +Island before the winter set in, and though they did not make a very +extensive purchase, they travelled through the country and learned its +resources, visiting many farms where salable horses could be secured in the +spring. They took the horses they purchased direct to New York, where they +were disposed of to good advantage, after which Mr. Sherwood returned to +Halifax and settled down for the winter.</p> + +<p>Mr. Plaisted remained in New York, but promised to be in Halifax early in +the spring, and be ready for the first boat that crossed to the Island.</p><p><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27"></a></p> + +<p>The first winter in Halifax passed very pleasantly to the Sherwoods. The +winter sports were new, and keenly enjoyed, and the "Sherwood twins" soon +became as good skaters as those who had practised the art for years. Yet no +one must imagine that everything ran as smoothly as clockwork in the +Sherwood household, for there are few families who can boast of such +perfect regulations that there is <i>never</i> a jar.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood had been only too willing to throw off all responsibility and +place her duties on Aunt Jennie's shoulders, but there were many things +that must of necessity be left to Mrs. Sherwood herself, and when such +things were put off indefinitely they were apt to prove annoying; +consequently, when "patience ceased to be a virtue," the domestic +atmosphere was sometimes cleared by a small-sized storm.</p> + +<p>There are also times when domestic helps are apt to be exasperating in the +extreme, and a word of rebuke or remonstrance is like a match to a can of +gunpowder; the powder is apt to go off, and the girl just as likely, and +both leave an unpleasantness behind them. Queer, too, that both are apt to +go off at the most unexpected and inconvenient moment; but so it is.</p> + +<p>The Sherwood family were not exempt from this experience, for Biddy raised +a storm because Dinah seemed to be made more of than she was herself. No +explanations or smooth words would bridge over the difficulty. She refused +to stay in a house where "a big nager could stay in the room wid the missus +and hould the baby as long as she plased;" so she left the house, and quite +suddenly, too.</p> + +<p>This disarranged household matters somewhat for awhile, as it was some time +before a capable servant could be found, and Mrs. Sherwood was obliged to +exert herself a little and attend to the wants of the baby, while Dinah +filled the vacant place in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>But rheumatism had laid its torturing clutches on poor old Dinah's limbs, +and she could not be expected to get through the same amount of work that +Biddy accomplished, so the help of the twins was frequently necessary to +keep agoing the domestic machinery.</p><p><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28"></a></p> + +<p>This was no hardship to Dexie; but Gussie, oh dear! it was just horrible to +have to wash up the breakfast dishes, and to polish the silver. And the +rooms <i>never</i> needed to be dusted so often before, that she was sure! and +wherever the dusters went to after she was done with them was a daily +mystery. Dexie offered to solve this trying enigma, but Gussie's wrath +waxed hot when she read the words which Dexie printed in large letters on a +piece of wrapping-paper and stuck on the wall, for the moral was obvious—</p> + +<p>"<i>There is a place for everything</i>; <span class="smcap">therefore</span>, <i>put the dusters +back in their own place when you are done with them, and you will be sure +to find them again.</i></p> + +<p>"(<span class="smcap">no charge for this advice.</span>)"</p> + +<p>But things moved along somehow, as they always do, yet everyone was glad +when the new Biddy appeared, who answered to the name of Nancy, and the +ways of the household fell back into former grooves; while the sigh of +relief which Gussie gave as she took up her neglected fancywork again, +might have been heard—well, quite a distance away.</p> + +<p>As the weeks went by, the enforced idleness became irksome to Mr. Sherwood; +and having at one time been on the staff of a leading newspaper, he took up +his pen again—or rather Dexie did, as his amanuensis—while he brought +forth from memories' halls, things interesting, amusing or instructive. He +had travelled extensively, and always saw the ludicrous side of things, so +he was able to tell many amusing incidents that to others might have passed +as commonplace. His productions were eagerly accepted, and, what is better, +liberally paid for as well.</p> + +<p>The short winter days passed very quickly. Time pleasantly spent is sure to +fly fast, and skating and sleighing parties are always merry gatherings; +thus so many evenings were given to Glee Club practice, church socials and +other like entertainments, that an evening at home was a delightful change. +During the winter the Sherwoods had the opportunity of becoming well +acquainted with many of the military fraternity, but Dexie's reserved +<a name="Page_29" id="Page_29"></a>manner forbade the least familiarity. They were merely friends of her +friends, and her dislike to the red-coated gentlemen caused her much +good-natured chaffing; but it never annoyed her, for she always had an +answer ready for the keenest shaft. Lancy Gurney could always depend on +having Dexie Sherwood's company when these little pleasure-parties were +made up; and when he brought his sleigh out for a "spin" Elsie and Dexie +were sure to occupy the back seat, and the vacant place by Lancy's side was +never long empty, for the wit and vivacity of his companion made the seat +very desirable.</p> + +<p>Hugh McNeil always had a share in the pleasures of the rest of the family, +and no matter how many offered to fill his sleigh he always kept a seat for +Gussie Sherwood, for he had paid her much attention from the first. Gussie +found it very pleasant to have someone to take her here and there, and feed +her vanity with admiring looks and soft speeches; but if Gussie had a +chance to secure another escort more to her mind, she thought nothing of +snubbing Hugh unmercifully, yet was willing enough to smile him back to her +side when no other gentleman offered his company. But few men care to be +made the plaything of a young girl's caprice, and there came a time when +Gussie's smile lost its power to charm. Her pretty face had been the +attraction; but having ample opportunity of seeing Gussie under the +different light of home-life, he could not help seeing the shallow nature +that lay behind her outward sweetness, or that this sweetness was more +ready to come to the front when self was to be gratified.</p> + +<p>But Hugh's heart had been touched for the first time, and when his eyes +were opened he was loth to displace his idol, even though he knew that +common clay was its substance. For a long time he gave no sign of the +change that had taken place in his feelings; he was to all appearances as +devoted to Gussie as ever.</p> + +<p>One day, along the first of March, Lancy Gurney walked hastily home from +the store, and entering the Sherwood household, inquired for Dexie.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Lancy?" said Dexie, peeping over the stair rail at Lancy in +the hall below.</p><p><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30"></a></p> + +<p>"Come down, Dexie; I want to speak to you. Can you come for a drive with +me?" he asked, as Dexie reached his side. "Father wishes me to do a little +business for him a few miles out of town, and I want company. Will you +come?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you will take Elsie as well," was the reply. "How soon are you +going, Lancy?"</p> + +<p>"In about half an hour, if we can get ready; but I don't want to take +Elsie. We will take the single sleigh, and three in a seat will not be +comfortable."</p> + +<p>"It will be three in a seat or one, Sir Launcelot; so take your choice. Run +in and see if Elsie can go, then I will get ready also. No use coaxing; +your half an hour is rapidly passing," she added, smilingly, as Lancy +lingered, endeavoring to change her decision.</p> + +<p>But "three in a seat" was not so uncomfortable as Lancy had imagined, and +they were soon speeding over the road, and in due time reached their +destination.</p> + +<p>They were detained much longer than they expected, and so were late +starting for home, and the snow which had been falling in fine, light +particles, soon increased in volume, and it was quite apparent that a +severe storm was upon them.</p> + +<p>When they reached the open road, they found they were to suffer for the +delay, for the sharp wind cut their faces and almost blinded them with the +drifting snow.</p> + +<p>All landmarks were soon obliterated, and, though the way was familiar under +different circumstances, Lancy found it hard to distinguish the road from +the open field, as the snow fell so thick they could see only a short +distance beyond the horse's head.</p> + +<p>The girls were soon so benumbed with cold that they were glad to creep +beneath the sleigh robes, and the roads were becoming so blocked with +drifts that their progress was very slow indeed. Several times they stuck +fast, and Lancy had to get out and tramp down the snow, while, with +encouraging words, he urged the horse along; but in one of these heavy +drifts, snap! went the shaft.</p> + +<p>This was a misfortune indeed, for a thorough search in pockets and +sleigh-box failed to produce a string or strap of any kind.</p><p><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31"></a></p> + +<p>Elsie had been on the verge of crying for some time, and this new disaster +brought the tears in earnest.</p> + +<p>"We shall all freeze to death here!" she sobbed. "Whatever shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"You can stop crying, Elsie," said Lancy, who felt bewildered by this new +difficulty. "I am bothered enough already. I suppose it is no use to ask +you girls if you have any kind of string in your pockets," he added.</p> + +<p>"No, of course we haven't," replied Elsie, quite cross. "Girls don't fill +their pockets with trash!"</p> + +<p>"Here is my belt, Lancy," and Dexie held up a strap of Russian leather. "Do +you think you can bind up the shaft with that?"</p> + +<p>After some delay, the shaft was strapped together, and they slowly pressed +onward.</p> + +<p>"How far do you think we are from Halifax, Lancy?" Dexie asked, after they +had travelled some distance through the drifts.</p> + +<p>"I can hardly say, Dexie, we have come so slowly; but I fear we are not +more than halfway."</p> + +<p>This was indeed the truth, and the storm seemed increasing in violence; but +if a thought of danger passed through their minds, no voice was given to +it.</p> + +<p>Presently they passed a farmhouse, and they almost decided to stop and ask +shelter; but just here the road seemed better, so they pressed on, knowing +that their absence would make those at home very anxious. For some distance +the road was less drifted, owing to the shelter of a line of trees that +skirted it, but farther on they came to drifts that were high and hard +packed, through which the horse gave a plunge, breaking the other shaft, +and this brought matters to a crisis.</p> + +<p>"It is no use, girls; we can't get home to-night. It is a pity we did not +stop at that farmhouse," said Lancy, as he ascertained damages. "We will +have to get back somehow, I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>But how to get back was a question. They had passed the farmhouse such a +long time ago that it seemed as if it must be miles behind. Lancy was +almost in despair as he felt the broken shaft. How could they reach the +farmhouse <a name="Page_32" id="Page_32"></a>in this disabled condition? Although suffering intensely from +the cold, he thought little of it, but he began to have serious misgivings +as to the safety of the girls.</p> + +<p>"I am so sorry I asked either of you to come with me," he said, as he bent +his head to speak to the shivering girls. "I shall have to cut the reins +and tie up the shaft with them, but I fear it will be slow work retracing +our way."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lancy, you can't cut the reins! How are you going to drive if you do +that?" said Dexie, in alarm.</p> + +<p>"I can walk and lead the horse. There is nothing else to do."</p> + +<p>"Wait, Lancy! Here is my silk scarf; it is real long and strong," and Dexie +forced her cold fingers to untie from under her wraps, the pretty scarf +that encircled her neck, which Lancy found to answer his purpose very well.</p> + +<p>The sleigh had become so imbedded in the drift, that Lancy was afraid the +shafts would pull apart if the horse put forth sufficient strength to +extract it, so he decided to take the horse out and turn the sleigh +himself. But when the horse found himself free, he refused to stand still, +and Dexie insisted on getting out to hold him. Leading the horse around the +drift to regain the road, Lancy found there was a level stretch extending +in the same direction, and he concluded to follow it and thus regain the +farmhouse. He assisted Dexie through the drifts, and as she held the reins +he endeavored to turn the sleigh. But he had not quite accomplished his +task when a cry from Dexie came through the storm:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lancy! come quick! I cannot hold him, and I hear water running +somewhere! Oh, the horse is in!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + + +<p>What new calamity had overtaken them! Their only hope of safety seemed in +the horse, and he had disappeared from sight, leaving only his head showing +above the white mass around him. Lancy was soon at Dexie's side, and +understood the situation at once. The level stretch of snow was but the +covering of a frozen stream that here flowed parallel with the road. He had +led the horse near a weak spot, and the ice had given away beneath him. The +water might not be deep enough to drown him, but Lancy saw at once it would +be impossible to get the horse out without assistance. He helped Dexie back +to the sleigh, saying,</p> + +<p>"You and Elsie must cover yourselves up in the sleigh, and wait here till I +walk back to that house for help."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lancy! is there no other way?" Dexie cried, her courage giving way at +the thought of him leaving them. "You will get lost in the storm, and we +will surely freeze to death before help reaches us."</p> + +<p>But there seemed no other way out of the difficulty, and he hurriedly +tucked the robes around them, while he tried to quiet Elsie, who was almost +wild with terror when she learned her brother's intention.</p> + +<p>"Hush! Elsie, dear. If I stay with you we shall <i>all</i> freeze. You need not +be afraid. I will surely reach the house and send someone to you if I +cannot come back myself. Don't cry, dear. See how bravely Dexie bears it."</p> + +<p>"But you are not her brother," she sobbed; "she has only herself to think +of. Oh, what shall we do if you are lost in the storm! How I wish I had +never come!" and she buried her face in the seat before her.</p> + +<p>Lancy's heart ached for both of them. Yet to leave them seemed their only +chance of life, for it grew colder every moment. He must find help soon, or +they would not survive the night. Bending over Elsie, he kissed her +tenderly, saying, "Don't be afraid, Elsie. I will find someone to send to +you before I give up; so don't fret. We'll see mother again, never fear." +And bending over <a name="Page_34" id="Page_34"></a>to see that she was well covered with the robes, he +whispered, "Good-bye, Elsie; pray for help," and he kissed her again.</p> + +<p>Passing round to the other side of the sleigh, he secured the robes around +Dexie so that the wind could not displace them; then putting his face down +close to hers, said, "I am sorry to have brought you into such danger, +Dexie; but you know I did not mean to. Will you kiss me good-bye?"</p> + +<p>Dexie lifted her face at once, her heart strangely stirred by the tone in +which he spoke; but she realized their danger, and this might be, indeed, +good-bye.</p> + +<p>"Do not fret about us, Lancy," she said. "Think only of yourself, for I am +so afraid you will be lost in the storm."</p> + +<p>"Never fear, Dexie. But remember this, girls: Don't go to sleep; keep +awake, no matter how hard it may be to do so. Get up in the sleigh and jump +and scream rather than run the risk of falling asleep here in the cold. +Remember, now! Good-bye, girls; and may Heaven keep you both safe," and +Lancy disappeared in the storm, leaving a comforting feeling behind him +with his last words.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie! do you think we shall ever see Lancy again?" Elsie asked, in a +choking voice. "Just think how they will fret at home if anything happens +to us!"</p> + +<p>Dexie could not control her voice just then, so she made no reply.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if the poor horse will drown or freeze to death; but perhaps it +is warmer in the water than in the wind," and Elsie's thoughts turned again +to Lancy.</p> + +<p>Then they put their arms around each other, and talked in a weary, +desultory way. But it was hard to talk when there was nothing pleasant in +their thoughts, and they were so cold, so very cold.</p> + +<p>Presently Elsie's head fell over on Dexie's shoulder, and it aroused Dexie +to a sense of their danger. Was she really falling asleep, and allowing +Elsie to do so as well, after the caution Lancy had given? She lifted +Elsie's head gently, saying, "Sit up, Elsie, dear. I'm afraid you are +getting sleepy, and you must not go to sleep, you know."</p><p><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, do—leave me—alone! I'm—so tired."</p> + +<p>"But I can't leave you, Elsie; you are getting sleepy, and don't you +remember what Lancy said?" and Dexie lifted her up and gave her a gentle +shake.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do stop—just a moment."</p> + +<p>"No, not a moment!"</p> + +<p>Dexie was fully aroused now, and realized Elsie's danger.</p> + +<p>"Come, Elsie, you must sit up, for I do not intend to let you sleep;" and +she shook her roughly in her alarm, for Elsie had laid her head on the +seat, in spite of all her efforts to arouse her.</p> + +<p>"Here, if you don't lift up your head and wake up, I'll have to rub your +face with snow; so sit up at once. Oh! do, Elsie, dear."</p> + +<p>Elsie allowed herself to be lifted into another position, but she seemed +dazed, and Dexie was thoroughly frightened and shook her by the arm, as she +cried, "Oh, Elsie, can't you hear me? Don't you know that if you fall +asleep you will surely freeze to death?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie, I'm freezing now," was the low reply.</p> + +<p>Dexie seized her hands and clapped them between her own stiff angers, which +felt like lead, they seemed so heavy, but she succeeded in rousing Elsie so +that she would talk to her.</p> + +<p>"Let us try to sing," said Dexie at last; "perhaps it will be easier than +talking," and she began "Jesus, lover of my soul."</p> + +<p>But before the verse was finished she became aware that she was scarcely +murmuring the words herself, while Elsie had stopped altogether.</p> + +<p>"I'm <i>not</i> going to sleep; so, there!" she said aloud. "I <i>will</i> stay awake +somehow, and make Elsie, too."</p> + +<p>She found that the effort she had made to speak aloud had aroused herself. +The drowsy feeling was dispelled, and she bent over Elsie and shook her +until she received a faint answer.</p> + +<p>"Do you think Lancy has arrived at the house, Elsie?" she asked a few +minutes later. No answer, for Elsie's head had fallen back on the seat. She +was oblivious to all remarks.</p><p><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36"></a></p> + +<p>"Dear me, this will never do! However shall I keep her awake more than a +minute at a time? What if Lancy returns and finds her stiff and cold?"</p> + +<p>The thought was awful, and for the next few minutes there were some lively +movements under the sleigh robes; but the terror that filled Dexie's heart +gave way to a feeling of relief as Elsie sat up and reproached her friend +for being "so rough."</p> + +<p>"But I shall <i>have</i> to use you roughly, Elsie, if you don't stay awake," +Dexie answered, as she placed the robes around her; "so keep talking, then +I'll be sure of you."</p> + +<p>But the intense cold seemed to freeze the words on her lips, and soon an +unintelligible murmur was the only answer to Dexie's questions.</p> + +<p>"What shall I do? She will be asleep in another minute, if I don't look +out. If I could only get her cross she would give me less trouble."</p> + +<p>As a general thing Elsie was very easy-going, though she had quite a temper +when once it was aroused, but with the excellent training she received from +her mother, she seldom lost control of herself. When she did, she was cross +clear through, and it took her a long time to get over it. Dexie thought +that this was a time when a burst of temper might be justifiable; so she +determined to pick a quarrel with her, and hoped the end would justify the +means.</p> + +<p>Shaking her roughly to gain her attention, a few sarcastic remarks soon +started a wordy warfare, and sharp words went back and forth for some time. +Presently their situation occurred to Elsie, and she burst into tears of +repentance.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do forgive me, Dexie; to think I would say such things while we are in +such danger! I do not know what is the matter with me."</p> + +<p>"It is my fault," cried Dexie, unable to keep up the quarrel under such +contrite circumstances. "I have been provoking you on purpose to make you +scold me; but I didn't mean a word of the unkind things I said to you. I +only wanted to keep you awake;" and thus confessing to one another, they +calmed down into a state that was <a name="Page_37" id="Page_37"></a>almost too angelic for safety, but +before they had time to drop asleep again shouts were heard in the +distance, telling of relief close at hand.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + + +<p>Lancy had a hard struggle to break through the drifts, and began to fear he +would sink down with exhaustion before he had secured help, but he reached +the farmhouse at last, having walked back much faster than the horse had +travelled in going the same distance.</p> + +<p>A few words of explanation were enough to arouse the family, and even while +Lancy spoke, the two men in the room began to pull on their boots and get +into their outer garments in a way that showed that they "meant business."</p> + +<p>Mr. Taylor and his big son would gladly have gone alone to rescue the +girls, thinking Lancy was not in a fit state to return, but the possible +fate of those dear to him filled Lancy with dread; he must return and see +to their safety. He eagerly drank the hot mixture that Mrs. Taylor placed +in his hand, and when the men declared themselves ready, he felt able to +accompany them.</p> + +<p>"This is a terrible night to be out-of-doors," said Mr. Taylor, as he +pulled his coat collar around his ears. "This is the worst storm we have +had for years, and it will be a mercy if your sisters are not badly +frost-bitten, before we can get them to the house. Push on after Tom, and I +will be with you in a minute," and he turned toward the stables.</p> + +<p>Lancy found it easier to retrace his steps than when he struggled alone +through the blinding snow, and presently Mr. Taylor passed them on the back +of a horse, carrying a coil of rope and a bundle of rugs, and he was the +first to reach the snow-covered sleigh.</p> + +<p>"Are you all right?" he called in a cheery voice.</p> + +<p>"We are alive, and that's about all," Dexie answered.</p> + +<p>"Well, cheer up; your brother is just behind," and as he spoke Lancy joined +him.</p> + +<p>"Now, young man," said Mr. Taylor, "Tom and I will see after your horse, +while you pilot your sisters to the <a name="Page_38" id="Page_38"></a>house. They can both ride back on my +horse; he will carry them through the drifts better than they can walk. +Here are some rugs. Now, shall I help you to mount?" turning to Dexie.</p> + +<p>"We are so cold I fear we can't hold on," she replied, her teeth chattering +an accompaniment to her words. "I feel as if I had no feet at all," she +added, as they lifted her up and brushed the snow from her garments.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lancy! I can't ride a horse," said Elsie, who was being brushed and +rubbed back to life. "I never could sit on a rocking-horse itself. I'll be +sure to fall."</p> + +<p>"Well, you won't have far to fall, so let that comfort you," said Dexie, +who was settling herself to her unusual position. "Lift her up, Lancy. +There! now hold on tight, Elsie, for if you fall off we can't stop to dig +for you!" and the awkward riders moved slowly through the drifts, while Mr. +Taylor and his son disappeared down the bank, and very soon their shouts +told that the submerged horse was rescued.</p> + +<p>The poor animal was thoroughly chilled, but warm rugs were spread over him, +and when, in the shelter of the stable, he was rubbed and doctored, he +seemed none the worse for his cold bath. Meanwhile, the women in the +house—good Samaritans, if ever there were any—had everything prepared for +the comfort of the travellers. Rousing fires were blazing in different +rooms, and garments were being warmed before them, while a steaming kettle, +containing some stimulating beverage, was waiting on the hearth. When the +half-frozen girls entered the house they received a warm welcome—warm in +more than one sense of the word, for the quick-handed women soon divested +them of their wearing apparel and placed warm garments upon them—and +before they had time to realize the change, they found themselves seated +before the fire, wrapped in warm blankets, sipping hot negus, a delicious +sense of warmth seeming to pervade their whole being; but as Dexie +possessed the most vitality she was the first to respond to the efforts put +forth for their relief.</p> + +<p>Elsie did not rally so quickly. Her teeth chattered and her limbs trembled +long after she thought she was well warmed, but her heart was full of +gratitude as she said:</p><p><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39"></a></p> + +<p>"I did not know there were such good, kind people in the world. It was +almost worth while to be caught in the storm to be treated so well by +strangers."</p> + +<p>And Dexie, from the folds of her blanket, turned her large dark eyes on the +women who were kneeling beside them rubbing their feet, and said in a low +voice:</p> + +<p>"We could not expect our best friends to treat us more kindly. Everything +seemed prepared for our comfort before you ever saw us. I'm sure I can't +think of one more thing that could be done for us."</p> + +<p>"But there is one more thing to be done, my dears," and Mrs. Taylor smiled +kindly into their young faces. "We must put you to bed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! I feel too comfortable to move," and Dexie leaned back in her +big chair with a sigh of content.</p> + +<p>"Well, it <i>is</i> a pity to disturb you, but to bed you must go," and, much to +Dixie's surprise, a pair of strong arms lifted her as if she were a child, +and a moment later she found herself in the next room, where a comfortable +bed received her.</p> + +<p>"How do you like being a baby again, Elsie?" she laughingly asked, as Elsie +was placed beside her.</p> + +<p>"I think I rather like it, but we have made trouble enough for these good +women without letting them carry us to bed. How is it that you can be so +good to strangers?" and Elsie lifted her eyes to the motherly face.</p> + +<p>"My dear! have you never read the words, 'I was a stranger, and ye took Me +in.' You know there is such a thing as entertaining angels unawares."</p> + +<p>"I thought you were that kind of people," Elsie whispered, as Mrs. Taylor +bent to kiss her cheek.</p> + +<p>"Did you, dear? Then I need not remind you that your thanks are due +elsewhere, for I am sure you both have grateful hearts to-night."</p> + +<p>"Will you please tell us how Lancy is before you go? We have not heard his +voice since we came in," said Dexie.</p> + +<p>"To be sure! but you need not be anxious about him. Your brother is in the +kitchen, snug and warm, by this time. I must go and put him to bed; but I +don't think I shall offer to carry him there," and she laughed softly, +<a name="Page_40" id="Page_40"></a>adding, as she reached the door. "Do not get up in the morning till I give +you leave. You cannot get home until the roads are broken; so stay in bed +till the house is well warmed. Good-night, my dears."</p> + +<p>There was an interval of silence; then Elsie said softly, "I wonder if our +mothers will be frightened because we are not home. I am afraid mother +would cry if she knew we were out in the storm to-night."</p> + +<p>"Oh! they'll not fret, at least my mother will not. They know that Lancy +will look after us."</p> + +<p>"Lancy kissed you to-night, didn't he, Dexie? Do you know I believe he has +fallen in love with you," said Elsie, in a confidential tone.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Elsie! how can you say such a thing?" and Dexie blushed in the +darkness. "He kissed you good-bye, and, considering our danger, it was +natural enough to treat me the same; indeed he seems like a brother. Even +the people here think I am your sister."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you needn't mind me, Dexie. Our folks all like you and would have no +objections, for I heard mamma tell Cora that she was pleased at Lancy's +choice, and thought you would get on very well together."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! Elsie; you must have misunderstood what they were talking about. +Lancy and I have been much together on account of our music, and your +mother would rather he spent his time over the piano with me, than with the +wild young men about the city; that is what she meant. It is only the music +that Lancy thinks of; so don't get foolish notions into your head, Elsie."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps mamma did mean that, but I'm sure she didn't say it so. I +thought she meant—something else," and whatever suspicions had been +aroused in Elsie's innocent heart were lulled to rest for the time.</p> + +<p>But this revelation aroused various feelings in Dexie's heart. She never +thought that the friendship existing between Lancy and herself would be so +differently construed. She liked Lancy very much, and never hesitated to +affirm it, but it made the blood rush to her face when she thought of +Lancy's good-bye kiss in the way Elsie had spoken of it.</p><p><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41"></a></p> + +<p>"Such silliness! Our good times will all be spoiled if people begin to +imagine such nonsense about us. How shall I be able to meet him in the +morning? But there! it is only Elsie's foolish mistake; I will not think of +it any more," so, resolutely putting the subject from her mind, she fell +asleep.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + + +<p>It was quite late when the young people opened their eyes next morning, and +the unfamiliar surroundings made Dexie lift her head with a start; but the +sparkle that came from the glowing wood fire in the old-fashioned grate +spoke of friendly cheer, and she turned a bright face to her companion as +she asked after her welfare.</p> + +<p>"My head aches a little, and I feel stiff and sore, but I suppose you feel +the same," was the languid reply.</p> + +<p>"Not I. I never felt better in my life. I would like to get up and see what +the world looks like around here."</p> + +<p>Just then the door opened, and Mrs. Taylor stepped into the room.</p> + +<p>"So my snow-birds are awake at last; and how do they feel this cold +morning?" was the cheery question.</p> + +<p>"I am quite well, thank you; but Elsie feels rather tired, I fear," Dexie +replied. "May we get up, please?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll not punish you by making you stay in bed," was the smiling +reply, "but I think your sister would be the better of another hour's +rest," then adding a few sticks to the blazing logs, she left the room.</p> + +<p>Dexie was soon dressing before the fire, her lively tongue keeping up a +pleasant chattering as she glanced occasionally through the frosty +window-panes to the white world outside, and Elsie soon roused from her +lethargy and showed some inclination to bestir herself also.</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Taylor returned, bearing a dainty breakfast, she found them +standing before the fire, their arms around each other's shoulders, and she +thought them very loving sisters, though their looks betrayed no such +relationship.</p><p><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42"></a></p> + +<p>They were indeed a contrast as they stood together before the fire. Dexie +was all aglow, her cheeks dimpled and rosy, her merry brown eyes full of +life and her pretty hair falling in rings about her forehead, making her +look much younger than she really was; while poor Elsie's face looked all +the paler against the background of dark hair that grew low on her brow, +and hung in two long braids down her back. Her grey eyes looked dull and +heavy, and she lacked the sparkle that made Dexie so attractive.</p> + +<p>"Come now, and have your breakfast," and Mrs. Taylor drew the little table +nearer the fire. "I am going to let you enjoy it alone, but when you are +ready step into the room across the hall. Your brother is anxious to see +how you look after your adventure."</p> + +<p>Dexie was just going to explain that she was no relation to Elsie, when the +conversation of the night before came into her mind, and while she +hesitated Mrs. Taylor left the room. As the door opened they could hear +Lancy's voice as he conversed with the family, and for the first time it +brought a flush to Dexie's face. She shrank from the thought of meeting +him, but this diffidence was owing more to Elsie's remarks than to any +change in her own feelings.</p> + +<p>"Come," said Elsie, at last, "we don't want to sit here all day. Let us go +and find Lancy."</p> + +<p>She stepped at once to his side as they entered the room, and gave him a +sisterly embrace, making Dexie's quiet "good morning" seem a cool greeting +in comparison; there seemed a strange restraint between them that neither +had felt before, which forbade any show of feeling on either side. This was +noticed at once by Mrs. Taylor, who was brightening up the fire, and she +said:</p> + +<p>"Seems to me you haven't such a warm welcome for your brother as your +sister gives him, yet he has been inquiring very particularly after you."</p> + +<p>"He is not my brother, Mrs. Taylor. I do not know how the mistake has been +made, but we are no relation whatever."</p> + +<p>"Not your brother! Then who are you, my dear?" smiling at Dexie's blushing +face.</p> + +<p>"Lancy, introduce me properly," and Dexie rose to her feet.</p><p><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43"></a></p> + +<p>Catching the spirit of mischief that shone in her eyes, he stepped quickly +to her side, and with a flourish made the introduction.</p> + +<p>"Allow me to make you acquainted with our next-door neighbor, Miss Dexie +Sherwood."</p> + +<p>Dexie bowed graciously to the several occupants of the room, who rose to +their feet, and all embarrassment fled at once.</p> + +<p>"Next-door neighbors those two may be," was the whispered comment of the +young girls who were stepping back and forth as they prepared the mid-day +meal, "but there is every sign of a closer relationship in the future, if +their looks do not belie them."</p> + +<p>But the only sentiment in Dexie's heart was gratitude and love to a Higher +Power. As she turned the leaves of a music-book she had picked up from the +table she passed the book to Lancy, saying in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"If I were home, I would like to sit down to the piano and play that."</p> + +<p>Lancy glanced at the page, and his eyes told her that he understood, for +the words of the anthem to which Dexie referred began, "Out of the depths +cried I, and thou, O Lord, hast heard."</p> + +<p>"Does the owner of these books play?" and Lancy turned to address Mrs. +Taylor, a sudden thought like an inspiration coming to his mind.</p> + +<p>"Only a little. Our Susan is wild over music; but our little old piano is +all she has to practise on, and during the winter she can only go into +Halifax once a week for a lesson. Susan, show them into the sitting-room, +and perhaps Miss Sherwood will play something for us."</p> + +<p>As Dexie entered the room she took in at a glance the many pretty and +tasteful things which adorned the walls and brackets, and she wondered if +Susan's fingers had accomplished such marvels in autumn leaves and other +little adornments.</p> + +<p>The fireplace was a thing of beauty, with its polished andirons, and the +ruddy tongues of flame that leaped forth from the heaped-up wood made a +cheerful picture.</p> + +<p>Several big cushioned chairs were drawn near the hearth <a name="Page_44" id="Page_44"></a>and a basket of +knitting work was "handy" on a table, while in the old-fashioned rocker the +family cat peacefully reposed.</p> + +<p>Lancy had no eyes for anything but the piano, and as Susan opened it she +smilingly exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Confess, now, that you think there is little music to be got out of this +ancient-looking thing."</p> + +<p>"Well, it is an odd make, certainly, but some of these old pianos have a +fine tone. Sit down and play something for us, Miss Taylor," and he drew +the music-stool in place.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! I couldn't think of it!" she replied, smiling. "My playing is not +of an entertaining kind as yet, for even mother flies to the kitchen when I +try a new piece, but you will find me a good listener."</p> + +<p>Was that the same old piano? thought Susan, as she stood by the instrument +watching Lancy's fingers passing over the keys. Why, it seemed to be a +thing of life; and she moved away almost in awe at the sounds that came +forth from the hitherto despised keys.</p> + +<p>Presently Dexie began to sing, low and softly at first, then her expressive +voice swelled forth, thrilling the listeners that gathered at the door. +Susan slipped away, her eyes full of tears.</p> + +<p>"Oh! if I could only play and sing like that I would wish for nothing +more," said she to her sister. "That anthem means more than the mere words +and music."</p> + +<p>"Yes, it sounds like family prayers," replied her sister. "I declare I +don't know what I am crying for. I wonder if it would be a sin to mash +these potatoes while that singing is going on; they will be getting cold, +I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>But the closing words rang out joyously, "But Thou hast been merciful and +heard us; therefore Thy name will we praise all the day long."</p> + +<p>Not until she had finished did Dexie realize that she had so many +listeners, but she turned a bright face to the group at the door.</p> + +<p>"I did not know we had such an audience."</p> + +<p>"Don't stop, friends," said Mr. Taylor, coming into the room. "Such music +is quite a treat. I guess, Susan, there is more in that piano than you ever +dreamed of. Let us hear something else."</p><p><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45"></a></p> + +<p>Lancy rose from the music-stool, saying to Dexie:</p> + +<p>"Play 'The Mocking Bird,' and I'll sing to your whistle."</p> + +<p>A moment later Dexie's supple fingers were dancing over the keys in a +delightful prelude. Then Lancy's voice filled the room as he sang the +well-known song, accompanied by the exquisite notes of the southern mocking +bird, and the continuous warble that poured from Dexie's throat during the +chorus made her listeners start as if a veritable bird were concealed in +the room.</p> + +<p>"Well, that spoils the old proverb from this time forth," said Mr. Taylor, +as he leaned back against the wall and thrust his thumbs into the armholes +of his vest. "Whistling girls and crowing hens will hereafter have a chance +to be heard. Old saws ain't always true, eh, Miss Sherwood?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I never heard a hen crow yet, Mr. Taylor," and Dexie laughed softly, +"and I do not know what is their usual fate, but the proverb does not alarm +me in the least."</p> + +<p>"Do whistle another piece, Miss Sherwood," said Susan. "It will give us +great pleasure to hear you."</p> + +<p>Lancy turned over the leaves of a book, then placed it on the piano, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Try that, Dexie, and I'll whistle with you."</p> + +<p>It would be hard to express the pleasure that this exquisite bird-song gave +to those who listened. All the songsters in the woods seemed let loose in +the room, now singing together in full chorus, then singly or in pairs they +twittered and trilled as Dexie's soft whistle followed or joined Lancy's +stronger notes, while such bird-like notes came from the keys before her as +might have deceived the very birds themselves.</p> + +<p>"Nothing will surprise me after this," cried Susan, when the song had +ended. "I heard my music-teacher play that once, and I thought it the +tamest thing I had ever heard; of course he did not try to whistle it too, +but the music itself sounded quite different."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps your music-teacher never took the trouble to listen to the birds +themselves; that makes a difference, you know," said Dexie.</p> + +<p>Just then Mrs. Taylor came into the room, saying:</p><p><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46"></a></p> + +<p>"I think you must come to dinner, but you must give us some more music +afterwards. Really, Susan, that old piano is not such a poor affair, after +all; is it, now?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + + +<p>As was expected, they found there was much anxiety at home over their long +absence. Mr. Sherwood was on the watch when the sleigh drove up, and was +beside it in time to help the muffled figures alight, and anxious to hear +the particulars of their protracted drive.</p> + +<p>"Let me go into Mrs. Gurney's just a minute, papa," said Dexie, "and I will +tell you all about it when I come back."</p> + +<p>Then they found themselves pulled through the hall by the eager children, +who had been watching for their appearance for hours, and into the +sitting-room where Mrs. Gurney sat with a white, anxious face, waiting +their arrival.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the story of their detention was told, Lancy telling his +part and Elsie hers, Dexie finishing the story by confessing to the extreme +measures used to keep Elsie awake, not sparing herself in the least when +telling of the quarrel she had provoked, and there was a suspicious +moisture in Mr. Gurney's eyes as he listened to the story.</p> + +<p>"You have been in great peril," said he, as he drew the girls to his side. +"Let us all kneel a moment and return thanks for the safety of these dear +ones;" and all knelt, just as they were: Mr. Gurney with one arm around +Elsie, the other around Dexie; Lancy with his fur coat still on, and the +whip in his hand; the little ones, who had pressed into the room, dropped +to their knees, their arms full of toys; Mrs. Gurney with the baby in her +arms—all knelt, while a few earnest words went up from a father's grateful +heart.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gurney insisted that Elsie should go up to bed at once, and be +doctored for the cold she had evidently contracted, <a name="Page_47" id="Page_47"></a>and pressing a kiss on +Dexie's cheek, she followed her daughter upstairs.</p> + +<p>But for all their care Elsie was confined to her room for several weeks, +and her recovery was slow and tedious. They were all thankful, though, that +nothing more serious resulted from exposure to the storm, which was the +worst that had visited the country for several years.</p> + +<p>Dexie had to tell the story over again when she went home; but she made +light of it all, making much more fun out of their grand ride on horseback +than either she or Elsie had experienced while partaking of it. But the +whole story came out when Lancy came in during the evening, and Mr. +Sherwood's look of tender solicitude contrasted strangely with the mother's +apparent unconcern, as the story of their adventure was related at length.</p> + +<p>"I am forgetting that I was sent in here with a message," Lancy said, a few +minutes later. "Elsie has been asking to see you, Dexie, and mother wishes +to know if you are too tired to run in a few minutes."</p> + +<p>Dexie followed Lancy into his own door, and running swiftly up the stairs +was soon bending over Elsie, who was wrapped up like a mummy.</p> + +<p>"I did not want to see you for anything <i>very</i> particular," Elsie said, in +answer to Dexie's inquiry. "But I could not go to sleep for thinking of +last night. It seems so good to be in my own bed again, safe, after all my +fears, that I wanted to tell you once more how sorry I am for being so +cross with you; for I was <i>awful</i> cross, Dexie, when you talked so harshly +to me."</p> + +<p>"Now, Elsie! don't speak as if there were anything for <i>you</i> to be sorry +for, or I shall have such qualms of conscience as will surely make me ill," +was Dexie's laughing reply.</p> + +<p>After a few minutes' chat, Dexie left the room to return home, but Lancy +was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and he drew her into the parlor, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Stay with me a little while, Dexie, do; no one will disturb us here, and I +want to have a 'sing.' Your father or Gussie are sure to be in the parlor +if we go into your house."</p> + +<p>"Well, it will have to be a short 'sing,' Lancy, for the drive in the wind +has made me sleepy."</p><p><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48"></a></p> + +<p>When Mrs. Gurney passed the door a few minutes later, and peeped into the +dimly lighted room to listen to the soft strains that met her ears, she +smiled and softly withdrew, for Lancy was seated at the instrument, and +Dexie stood by his side, her hand resting carelessly on his shoulder, while +they sang what Mrs. Gurney knew was their private thanksgiving.</p> + +<p>As the last notes died away, Lancy turned on the music-stool and took her +hand; Dexie's thoughts had been so engrossed that, for the moment, she let +it rest there, when she heard the low-spoken words: "I want to tell you +something, Dexie."</p> + +<p>Instantly Elsie's words flashed into her mind, and she tried to break away +from the arm that encircled her waist.</p> + +<p>"Let me go, Lancy," was the startled cry. "It is time I was home."</p> + +<p>"I will take you home presently, Dexie; I want to talk to you a few minutes +first," and catching her hands in his he held her close.</p> + +<p>"But I do not want to be held here! Oh, Lancy! let go my hands. I must go +home."</p> + +<p>"Be quiet and listen to me a minute, Dexie; only a minute. I want to tell +you that, when I left you both in the sleigh last night, I felt far worse +about leaving you than my own sister. Do you know why, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"I don't want to know, Lancy. I don't want to hear another word."</p> + +<p>"You can't get away from me, Dexie; so don't try. I want to tell you," he +added, in a lower tone, "that before last night I never knew why it was +that I liked to spend all the time I could with you. I thought it was on +account of our music, but as I walked through the storm last night the +truth came to me. I love you, Dexie, and that is why my heart kept me up +till I found help. I was almost wild with fear that something would happen +to you before I could get you safely sheltered. Yes, darling, I love you; +and the thought has made me feel so light of heart that I could sing all +the time for very joy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lancy! how can you talk so. You have spoiled all our good times +together, for I'll never come in here again <a name="Page_49" id="Page_49"></a>when I know you are home," and +she turned her face away from his earnest gaze.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you will; you will not be so unkind as that. If you refuse to +come in here I will go into your house just twice as often; so you can't +get rid of me, Dexie," was the smiling reply.</p> + +<p>There was a moment's silence, when Dexie said: "It will be a pity for us to +quarrel, Lancy, but you must not talk to me like this any more. Really, I +did not think you could be so silly. Think how they would all tease us if +anyone should find us here; and you know Gussie would make my life a misery +if she guessed you had been talking such nonsense."</p> + +<p>"It is not 'nonsense' to tell you that I love you, but my love shall not be +a source of annoyance to you; no one need know it. Everything will be as +usual, only, Dexie, you will know that I love you, and I will know—well, +what, Dexie? You do not dislike me any more than you did two days ago, do +you?" he whispered.</p> + +<p>"I have not changed in the least, but I shall dislike you very much, Lancy, +if you do not try and forget what has been said here this evening."</p> + +<p>"I cannot forget it even if I wanted to, Dexie. Do not think that I want to +vex you, dear, but I want you to understand me. Now, there is only one +thing more, Dexie," and his voice grew tender; "that kiss you gave me last +night in the sleigh seems to be resting on my lips yet, and has been a +sweet memory all day long. But, Dexie," and he laughed softly, "you know it +was a very cold kiss, after all. Give me a warm one to take its place, and +I'll let you go."</p> + +<p>Dexie shook her head and tried to draw back from him. She felt so +distressed that the tears were on the point of falling. She had gone +through so much during the last few hours, and this unexpected interview +tried her more than Lancy was aware.</p> + +<p>"Only one kiss," he urged. "You gave it willingly last night, darling."</p> + +<p>"But things are not the same as they were last night."</p> + +<p>"No, I love you better, Dexie. May I?" But without <a name="Page_50" id="Page_50"></a>waiting for permission +he kissed the face so near him, and found it wet with tears.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, darling, I did not think you would care so much. Forgive me if I +vexed you; you kissed me last night without a word."</p> + +<p>"But you are not the same, and there was a reason last night. It is not +fair, Lancy. You have quite spoiled our good times for the future."</p> + +<p>"No, not spoiled them, only made them dearer. Dexie, you shan't be vexed +with me. Come over on the sofa and let me talk to you."</p> + +<p>"No; you said you would let me go home, and I want to go now, this very +minute."</p> + +<p>"Very well." He rose and pulled her shawl over her shoulders, then followed +her silently into the shelter of her own door. He would have followed her +into the house as well, forgetting that Dexie's face would tell tales, but +she stopped him at the door.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to see you any more to-night, Lancy; I really don't," she +said, as they stood a moment in the front hall.</p> + +<p>"You are displeased with me for telling you that I love you. Perhaps I +should have waited a little longer before speaking about it; but, Dexie, I +couldn't keep it to myself. I had to tell you."</p> + +<p>"I would not have been any more pleased to hear it, even if you <i>had</i> kept +it longer;" and, lifting her eyes to his face for a moment, added, "I am +not exactly vexed with you, Lancy, but I'm not pleased either. Now, go +home; do." Being thus summarily dismissed, there was no choice left him; +but before he turned to obey her command, he raised her hand to his lips, +and whispered a tender "Good-night, Dexie."</p> + +<p>She stood and watched him down the steps, then turned and went quickly to +her own room, and locking the door behind her threw herself face down on +the bed, and for a few minutes wept without restraint. She felt completely +unnerved; so much had happened during the last twenty-four hours that had +tried her strength and courage, that Lancy's declaration had filled up the +measure of her strength.</p><p><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51"></a></p> + +<p>But her thoughts, always rapid, soon worked out a semblance of order from +the confusion that filled her mind, and she dried her eyes and began to +review her conduct in the light that others probably judged her.</p> + +<p>She would not deny, even to herself, that she preferred Lancy's company to +that of any of her male friends; but they were both so young that it was +ridiculous to even imagine that their intimacy meant more than common +friendship. However, if Lancy chose to be silly, that was no reason that +she should become sentimental also. She was not obliged to fall in love +just because Lancy fancied himself in that condition. It would be horrid +not to see him or sing with him again when their voices chorded so well +together; and Lancy never misunderstood her, if everyone else did. Yes, it +would be very hard not to be friendly with him; but, there! surely one can +be friendly with a gentleman without being expected to fall in love with +him, and she felt positive that if there were a Prince Charming for her, +his name was not Lancy Gurney.</p> + +<p>Having thus decided the matter satisfactorily to herself, she rose and +quickly prepared herself for bed; for several days after she took good care +not to be left alone with Lancy, and she kept him at a distance by her +saucy speeches.</p> + +<p>But his manner to her was the same as usual. The tender look in his eyes, +when they met hers, was the only reminder of his words. The knowledge of +his love, too, ceased to annoy her, or it was crowded back by the many +incidents that filled her life at this time; but it was there, ready to +spring up at the slightest touch.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + + +<p>The first day of April dawned brightly. The warm rays of the sun seemed +doubly welcome after the cold, stormy weather of the previous month, and +the streets were filled with people, who were out enjoying the sunshine +regardless of the mud that covered their feet at every step.</p><p><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52"></a></p> + +<p>But Nova Scotians are a courageous people the whole country over, as +witness the intrepidity with which they walk to and fro, year after year, +through mud that seems in some places almost bottomless; for, strange +though it may seem to outsiders, who cannot expect to learn the secrets of +the learned road commissioners, the more time and money spent on a road the +softer and muddier it seems to become.</p> + +<p>It is a fact that can be vouched for by many responsible persons, that +once, while a poor man was walking along one of the country roads in early +spring, he sank so deep in the mire that, on putting forth his strength to +lift his leg, he pulled it apart above the knee, leaving the lower half +sticking in the mud! Fortunately he was carrying a strong cane, and by +leaning upon it he managed to keep upright until help arrived, when he was +rescued from his perilous position. After much difficulty, the imbedded +limb was extracted from the mud, and safely fastened again in its place—it +was made of wood!</p> + +<p>But, leaving facts for fiction, let us step into the Sherwood household, +and we will find Mr. Sherwood busy preparing for another trip to Prince +Edward Island.</p> + +<p>Mr. Plaisted had arrived from New York a few weeks previously, and was to +accompany him, though the departure of this gentleman would cause no +regrets in the household, for his true nature had been revealed during his +stay amongst them. His bland and courteous manner was not inborn—it had +but a surface character; and if "to know a man you must live in the house +with him," then it took but a short time to become thoroughly acquainted +with Mr. Plaisted. If he had not been so puffed up with conceit, he would +have felt the altered atmosphere around him; but he was not sensitive—not +in the least—and he could stand an unlimited amount of snubbing without +being touched. His familiarity had indeed "bred contempt," and the hope of +his speedy departure alone kept back the threatened storm. Even Nancy in +the kitchen had been heard to say that, "if the scented dandy didn't kape +out ov her kitchen wid his imperdent speeches, she would give him wan blow +wid her fist that <a name="Page_53" id="Page_53"></a>would spoil his beauty for him," and threatened to "give +warnin'" if the mistress did not keep him to his own quarters.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood was more than satisfied to leave all unpleasant things for +Aunt Jennie to settle. It was quite convenient to be an "invalid" when +there was trouble below stairs, and it required more than a hint to make +Plaisted see that he was transgressing all rules of hospitality. When Mr. +Sherwood announced that the Straits were opened, and they would leave at +once to catch the first boat, they were all willing to "speed the parting +guest," even though he would take Mr. Sherwood away with him also.</p> + +<p>Strange though it may seem, Gussie was the only one who saw no fault to +find in Mr. Plaisted. He was too free with his compliments to be anything +but pleasant company to her. She was willing enough to listen to his soft +speeches, for in her eyes he was a hero of romance, and the warning words +and admonitions of Aunt Jennie only served to exalt him higher in her +estimation.</p> + +<p>Dexie treated him with such frigid politeness that he did not care to meet +her cold stare more often than necessary; so, when he sought Gussie's +society, Mr. Sherwood or Aunt Jennie were the only ones likely to interrupt +the <i>tete-a-tete</i>.</p> + +<p>But things were not always to run so smoothly for Mr. Plaisted, and this +first day of April brought such discomfiture that his fastidious feelings +were very much upset. About noon, when the streets were thronged with +pedestrians returning from work or school to the mid-day meal, Dexie +noticed Mr. Plaisted sauntering toward the house, twirling his light cane +and looking as if he thought himself the pink of perfection. But what was +it that was fluttering in the breeze behind him? Some urchin—exasperated, +no doubt, by Plaisted's immaculate appearance—had fastened to his +coat-tails a bunch of dirty rags, and as Dexie watched him from the window, +she was convulsed with laughter as she saw him lift his hat and bow +profoundly to the two Desbrasy girls on the opposite sidewalk, who +immediately pulled out their handkerchiefs and <a name="Page_54" id="Page_54"></a>applied them to their +faces; but he walked on, unconscious of the diversion he was causing to the +passers-by. As he came into the house, Dexie struck an attitude, and +exclaimed, in a tragic voice, "I could a tale unfold!"</p> + +<p>Plaisted stood in the doorway, and looked at her in amazement.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, don't be a fool," said Gussie, looking up from her wools, and +frowning at her sister's strange behavior.</p> + +<p>"No, Gussie; I don't intend even to <i>try</i> and be one, for when Mr. Plaisted +assumes that character, no one else has a possible chance either as court +fool or April fool."</p> + +<p>Plaisted was too surprised to speak, and Dexie took no heed to his +darkening brow, but continued, "So <i>you</i> have been studying Shakespeare, +and this is a practical illustration, I presume; or possibly you are posing +as a disciple of Darwin, and, to prove his theory, have unfolded your tail +to the public gaze. I have often wondered what it was you needed to make +you a perfect specimen of what Nature intended you to be." Then, catching +his arm, she turned him about that Gussie might see, adding, "He is quite +complete now, Gussie—see! This is a specimen of the species known as the +'missing link.'"</p> + +<p>"For goodness' sake! how long have you been carrying that?" cried Gussie, +quite horrified at the sight.</p> + +<p>Plaisted turned his head, and understood at a glance the meaning of Dexie's +words. Then, angrily grasping the cause of offence, he endeavored to remove +it, till an ominous sound of tearing cloth caused him to desist.</p> + +<p>"Take it off! take it off! You, Dexter!" he cried, backing around to her. +"Take off that trash, I say!"</p> + +<p>But that word "Dexter" sealed all chance of help as far as Dexie was +concerned, for she put her hands behind her back and surveyed him +scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Not I! I wouldn't disfigure you for worlds; it quite completes your +appearance. It would be a sin to remove what Nature seems to have forgotten +in your make-up."</p><p><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55"></a></p> + +<p>"Do take it off for him, Dexie," said Gussie, coaxingly. I would myself, +only I don't want to dirty my hands."</p> + +<p>"And do you think that <i>Dexter</i> is going to soil her beautiful hands by +touching the dirty rags? No; Dexter is not! There might be smallpox on them +for all I know; I'm sure they're spotted enough."</p> + +<p>Plaisted turned and twisted himself this way and that, in vain endeavors to +reach the back of his coat, but could not manage it; and as he stood for a +minute, his hands held out in front of him, while he looked over his +shoulder at the unwelcome appendage, he did indeed present a woful figure.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you take your coat off?" Gussie said at last.</p> + +<p>"Oh! confound it; I never thought of that," as he twisted himself out of +his coat.</p> + +<p>"Why, of course you didn't think of it," retorted Dexie. "How could you be +expected to? Everybody knows that creatures with tails are not supposed to +think at all."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I'll tell papa if you won't stop; you are impudent," Gussie said, +sharply.</p> + +<p>"Do tell papa, Gussie. I only wish he were here to see the sight himself. +He does not know what he is missing by being late for dinner. It is too bad +that he must get the story second-hand, when he might have enjoyed the +edifying sight himself if he had only been on time."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to see the wretch that put that trash on my coat," said Plaisted, +as he flung the mass into the grate. "By George! I'd fix him."</p> + +<p>"I'd give a lot to see him myself," said Dexie, exultingly, from the other +side of the table; "and he should have at least a quarter for that piece of +work, though I'm sure it was worth a whole dollar to see you strutting up +the street with signals of distress waving in the breeze behind you. Ha, +ha!"</p> + +<p>"I believe you did it yourself before I went out," he said, white with +rage.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I do wish I had! How I do wish I had thought of it! How proud I should +feel if <i>I</i> had been the one to <a name="Page_56" id="Page_56"></a>give the citizens of Halifax such a grand +idea of what the lost species are like; and how generous of you, too, to +give a free exhibition of yourself, in your proper form, when you might +have gone to the dime museum and earned a fortune!"</p> + +<p>Plaisted felt too wrathy to reply, but he gave her a look that was meant to +annihilate her; then turning to Gussie, who seemed to sympathize with him, +said,</p> + +<p>"I met those Desbrasy girls as I was coming up the street, and I do believe +they saw it. Confound the thing! I remember now that they pulled out their +handkerchiefs directly I bowed. I daresay they were laughing at me!"</p> + +<p>"Laughing! not they!" put in Dexie. "They happened to see your feet, and +were weeping with envy because theirs were so much bigger! Don't fret, Mr. +Plaisted, you are not worth looking at without this finishing touch," and +with a scornful laugh she passed out of the room, slamming the door behind +her.</p> + +<p>Plaisted drew a sigh of relief when his tormentor vanished.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! what a tongue that girl has," and he wiped the perspiration +from his brow. "I hope she don't often let her temper loose like that."</p> + +<p>"Well, no; but you have only yourself to blame for it, and I was almost +going to say that it serves you right, too."</p> + +<p>"Why! how's that?" said Plaisted, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, you know very well that you have tormented Dexie about Lancy Gurney +till you have aroused her temper quite often; but you might have escaped if +you had not insulted her just now."</p> + +<p>"Insult her! How, pray? I'm sure I did not."</p> + +<p>"You called her 'Dexter,' and that is a name she can't stand from anybody. +I believe she would have taken off those rags for you if you had spoken to +her as 'Dexie,' for she really is obliging, you know, though she did enjoy +seeing you made an April fool."</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! I never noticed that I called her<a name="Page_57" id="Page_57"></a> Dexter; and so that was +the spark that caused the explosion? Well, I shall not forget it in a +hurry."</p> + +<p>"She generally succeeds in paying back, with double interest, anyone who +uses that name to her, as I know to my sorrow," said Gussie, with a shake +of her head. "Yet, after all, I don't blame her much, either; but it is the +one spot in her make-up that seems vulnerable."</p> + +<p>"Well, it is a good thing that I am going away so soon. I expect she will +make it hot for me while I am here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! I guess you are safe, Mr. Plaisted. The storm is over for this +time, unless you care to brew another like it; the one word will do it, you +know," and she looked up with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Thanks; I beg to be excused! That one experience is enough to last me for +one while. Ugh! I wonder if there was any disease on those dirty rags," +looking at his fingers and then on his coat, as if in doubt which would be +the first to break out with it.</p> + +<p>As he left the room to smooth out his ruffled plumage, holding his coat at +arm's length before him, the sounds of laughter in the next room greeted +his ears. As he listened a moment he heard Dexie relating the particulars +of the scene in the parlor, and he shook his fist in the direction of the +sound. This relieved his feelings somewhat, and he vowed a hasty vow that, +for the future, he would leave Dexie Sherwood and her doings alone. He +would have spared himself many unpleasant moments if he had kept his vow.</p> + +<p>During the time that Mr. Plaisted was staying with the Sherwoods, Gussie +had been very cool to Hugh McNeil. As the former was about to leave the +city, Gussie thought it time to recall her old "stand-by," and was +surprised to find that Hugh was less ready to return to her side than +formerly. A feeling of jealousy arose in her heart when she saw that Hugh's +attentions were transferred to Dexie.</p> + +<p>Hugh had not ceased to come in during the evenings, as usual, even though +Gussie was cool and abrupt with him. Not wishing Hugh to feel hurt by the +change in her sister, Dexie had talked to him, and had played and <a name="Page_58" id="Page_58"></a>whistled +for his amusement, till the little spark of kindly regard which had +formerly represented his feelings for Dexie was fast being fanned into a +flame of passion by these little attentions, which were bestowed in a +friendly way, and for her sister's sake.</p> + +<p>Dexie was not aware of the change in Hugh McNeil until Mr. Plaisted had +left the city, and she was surprised and displeased to see that Hugh now +ignored Gussie's presence almost as much as Gussie had his when Mr. +Plaisted was near, and turned to her instead.</p> + +<p>It was hard to define her true feelings, but when she understood that Hugh +had mistaken her friendliness, her whole being seemed to rise up in a +vigorous protest. As it is "an ill wind that blows nobody good," Lancy was +made happy again by Dexie's presence. She no longer sought to evade him, +and her soft, rippling laughter, mingling with the low tones of Lancy's +voice, was again heard as they lingered over the piano together.</p> + +<p>This made Hugh mad with jealousy, and the fact became so plain to Dexie +that her manner was even more gracious to Lancy when Hugh was by to observe +it.</p> + +<p>But Hugh's sturdy Scotch nature came to the front, and he made a mental +resolve to win her in spite of everything; even his master's son should not +take Dexie from him. He would wait, but would not vex her by pressing his +suit at present when it seemed so distasteful to her; she might smile on +someone else instead of Lancy, then he could watch her less easily. He +would not meddle with the existing state of things.</p> + +<p>Yet he had one bit of comfort given him. He it was who hastily appeared in +the Sherwood household one morning with the startling intelligence of the +assassination of President Lincoln.</p> + +<p>The events "at home" were closely watched by all the family, and this +unexpected calamity, just at this time, was as much of a blow to them as to +those nearer the scene of strife.</p> + +<p>Hugh had always been "Mr. McNeil" to Dexie. She had never used the more +familiar name, as the rest of the <a name="Page_59" id="Page_59"></a>family were in the habit of doing; but +when she heard him tell his news, she caught his arm, and exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Oh, Hugh! do you think it is true, or only a report? Tell us, quickly!" +and she looked eagerly into his face, as if to read the truth there.</p> + +<p>Hugh longed to clasp the hand that rested on his arm for a moment, for +during all their intercourse she had never called him "Hugh," and it +thrilled his heart as it fell from her lips. He wished that he might be the +bearer of any news, however unwelcome, if it would cause her to forget her +reserve and repeat again that little word "Hugh."</p> + +<p>But nothing happened, and matters went on about the same during the weeks +that followed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood did not return home for some time, for, after selling his +horses, he made a lengthy visit to his mother, who was not in the best of +spirits at this time. She was alarmed at his boldness in coming to see her, +though he assured her he had taken all precaution, her old enemies need not +hear of his presence. His visit so cheered her that he saw she needed +something to take her thoughts away from herself, and from the conflict +that engaged her mind.</p> + +<p>Having expressed a desire to have one of her granddaughters come and live +with her for a season, and having a preference for Louie, who seemed to be +a part of the dear old southern home whose name she bore, it was decided +that Mr. Sherwood should bring her to the old homestead for a long visit.</p> + +<p>Dinah had been sorely missed by her mistress, though she was slow to +acknowledge it; but, at Mr. Sherwood's suggestion, it was decided to bring +her back with Louie, that the faithful old nurse might spend her last days +with those she had known and loved all her life.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + + +<p>The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over +those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of +their next door neighbors. As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and +spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and +the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root +in her heart also. She did not realize this herself, but the signs were +apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that +governs all actions.</p> + +<p>Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents. To +them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, +perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have +expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to +compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when +they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in +themselves.</p> + +<p>Formerly it was the custom to spend the greater part of the Sabbath morning +in bed, and, after a late breakfast, Mr. Sherwood read the American papers +until dinner was served. In the evening a walk was indulged in, or, if a +popular preacher was announced to appear in any of the churches, he would +attend, taking some member of the family with him; but it was seldom that +Mrs. Sherwood attended public worship. As the head of the house passed the +Sabbaths in this careless fashion, the rest of the household felt free to +spend it as it pleased themselves also.</p> + +<p>No one seemed to hold the day any more sacred than the other six, except +Aunt Jennie; but as Dexie came to note the difference in the Sunday life of +her next-door neighbors, and mentally compared it with how the day was +spent at home, she inwardly resented the feelings that would intrude +themselves, for they pointed out the fact quite plainly that there was +something needed in their lives at home which was engrafted in the +household next door; and, though she scarcely knew what to do to <a name="Page_61" id="Page_61"></a>remedy a +difference she did not care to define even to herself, yet she silently +resolved that an outward form at least, similar to what she saw next door, +should yet be practised at home, for she could not bear the silent reproach +any longer.</p> + +<p>When Dexie opened her heart to Aunt Jennie about it, she found that the +same thing had troubled her quiet auntie for a long time; so together they +laid plans that eventually brought about a different Sunday life from that +the family had hitherto known. Yet the change began in a very commonplace +way, too; for instead of enjoying the extra sleep that the family usually +indulged in, they were aroused one Sunday morning by repeated calls to +breakfast—calls which were hard to resist when the opened doors let in +such appetizing odors from the kitchen, where Aunt Jennie was +superintending the morning meal. And if their olfactories were closed to +this appeal, their ears were not so easily shut to the sounds that Dexie +was bringing forth from the piano, as hymns, anthems and psalms followed in +succession, and made further sleep impossible.</p> + +<p>"What has got into you all this morning? Have you forgotten it is Sunday?" +said Mr. Sherwood, appearing at last. "How can anyone sleep with all this +racket going on, Dexie?" he added, stepping into the parlor. "What on earth +made you rout us out of bed at this hour? Why, it is not nine o'clock yet!"</p> + +<p>"Oh! you slept long enough papa. I am sure we don't need more sleep on +Sunday morning than we do any other day. You'll not be sorry you got up +when once you have tasted some of the good things auntie has made for +breakfast," and she raised her mouth for a kiss, then led him to the table.</p> + +<p>Gussie made her appearance in time to sit down with the rest, but she +looked cross at Dexie for having disturbed her.</p> + +<p>"This is the first Sunday morning we have all met at the breakfast table +for months, I do believe," said Mr. Sherwood, leaning back in his chair, as +he finished the meal. "But where are the papers this morning? What! still +in the office? However am I going to pass the day without <a name="Page_62" id="Page_62"></a>my papers? +Strange that no one thought of going for them last night."</p> + +<p>Someone had thought of it, but had purposely forgotten again, hoping that +he might be induced to attend some place of worship in the morning, if for +no better reason than to pass the time away.</p> + +<p>The Gurneys were members of the Episcopal Church and attended at St. +Paul's. Dexie had often accompanied them on Sundays, and had grown familiar +with the service that was, in after-life, so dear to her; but, knowing that +her father disliked that form of worship, she intended to persuade him to +attend St. Matthew's (Presbyterian), as she knew he had a great respect for +the officiating clergyman.</p> + +<p>"Well, papa, since the time will seem long to you with nothing particular +to do, why not come with Gussie and I to hear Dr. Grant? They have a fine +choir at St. Matthew's; so we will be sure to enjoy either the sermon or +the singing, if not both."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not going out this morning, Dexie, so speak for yourself," said +Gussie. "It is a horrid bother to dress up so early in the day. I have a +nice book to read, so, if you want to go out, you can go with the Gurneys, +as usual."</p> + +<p>"But I would rather go some place with papa," said Dexie; "and it will be +nicer to make a family party of it. Besides, I want to hear what the new +singer is like, and of course I can't go alone. You remember Cora Beverly +was talking about her, and says she has the sweetest voice she ever heard. +You will come with us, won't you, papa?" she asked, coaxingly, as she went +behind his chair and stroked his hair.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll see, by and by," Mr. Sherwood replied. "I may go with you this +evening, though."</p> + +<p>"Now, papa, what will prevent you from coming this morning? I do think you +will be most unkind if you refuse, for I have set my heart on hearing that +singer. Now, do say 'yes,' papa."</p> + +<p>"Well, you little torment, yes, then! Now, leave my hair alone, or you'll +have my head as bald as the back of my hand," holding her away at +arm's-length.</p><p><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63"></a></p> + +<p>Dexie bent over and gave him a final kiss; then, turning to Gussie, said:</p> + +<p>"Did you see how nicely I have done up your frills and laces, Gussie? That +pretty cream lace will look lovely with your new dress, if you frill it +around the neck."</p> + +<p>"New dress, indeed! Old made over thing, you'd better call it!" was the +scornful answer.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is too bad that it was not made up to suit you at first. Now that +it has been altered, it looks quite stylish, and becomes you splendidly, +and this is just the day to wear your new hat."</p> + +<p>This bit of flattery had the desired effect. Gussie decided that it really +was too fine to stay indoors, so she rose from the table to begin her +preparations for church.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me you have taken to psalm-singing very suddenly," said Gussie, +as Dexie accompanied her preparations with some song of David that was +unfamiliar to Gussie's ears.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! they sing psalms every Sunday at the Episcopal Church," and Dexie +hummed away with a light heart.</p> + +<p>"But not to such tunes as that! They go hopping along on one note, like a +hen with a sore foot, and then end up altogether differently from what you +expect. Chanting is not singing, and I think it sounds ridiculous."</p> + +<p>"Well, a hen with a sore foot would sing a mournful song, I fear; but if +you would come to St. Paul's some morning and hear them sing the <i>Te Deum</i>, +you would not think there was anything mournful about it. It sounds just +glorious! Everyone might not think so," she added, noting her sister's +scornful look; "but everyone does not admire psalm-singing after the +Presbyterian style, either. However, chant, psalm or hymn, it's all one to +me so long as I know the tunes, for I hate to stand as dumb as a post when +I go to a place of worship. Some people are content to have nothing more to +do in the service than say 'Amen' at the close of the benediction, but I +think a responsive service claims the attention of careless churchgoers, +and gives people something else to think of besides the style of the +garments of those around them."</p><p><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64"></a></p> + +<p>"Well, I enjoy looking at the styles when I go to church, and I hope people +will think my hat is becoming," said outspoken Gussie; "I believe other +people put on their fine feathers on Sunday with the same object. However, +I do believe that an ugly hat is as conspicuous as a handsome one."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose it is! I wonder if there is such a thing as a 'happy +medium' in trimming a hat. Dear me! what a lot of things a person has to +think of in this world!" and with a sigh she followed her sister +downstairs.</p> + +<p>Aunt Jennie watched them depart with a prayer in her heart that some +message might reach the heart of her careless brother-in-law, and she +seemed to have had her prayer answered, for he was willing enough to attend +the same church the following Sunday.</p> + +<p>But Gussie was not attracted either by the sermon or the singing. Something +else had to be the attraction to draw her out of a Sunday morning, unless +she was urged with a persistency that would have moved a mule in the +tantrums.</p> + +<p>But when Mrs. Sherwood announced, one Sunday morning, that she would +accompany the rest to church, Dexie felt that her happiness was complete. +She knew it was owing to Aunt Jennie's influence that her mother had put +forth this extra exertion, and though it was Sunday, Dexie felt like +dancing a jig around the floor, for her mother had become even more +indifferent than her easy-going father in matters pertaining to religion.</p> + +<p>In the Gurney household there was no day in the week so gladly welcomed as +the Sabbath, and of a family containing so many young children this is no +light thing to say.</p> + +<p>In the first place, the little ones were so anxious not to lose any of the +many extra treats that this glad day afforded them, that they put on their +best behavior with their Sunday garments—and where is the person, little +or big, that does not feel more important in his best clothes, and act +accordingly.</p> + +<p>Then instead of having breakfast in the nursery, with <a name="Page_65" id="Page_65"></a>nurse at the head of +the table, the family met around the one table, below stairs; and to the +little ones this was a treat indeed. Having the children around him only +one day in seven made it quite a change for Mr. Gurney also, though it +wearied while it delighted him; and each succeeding Sunday he more fully +realized the blessing he possessed in his good wife, for he had none of +that patience and tact that is required to keep such a family in order.</p> + +<p>Then on fine Sundays all the children went to church, except the two +youngest, and the advent of a new member in the family was hailed with +delight by one of the family at least; for of course a baby, however new, +counted one, and it was warmly welcomed by the one who was thus raised to +the dignity of a church-goer.</p> + +<p>We must not forget the treat that was reserved for Sunday afternoons, for +directly after Sunday-school there was sure to be in readiness for each +member of the family a plate containing what the children called "goodies." +This was a mixture of confectionery, dates or figs, apples, nuts, pears or +oranges, or other fruits as the season might be. As Dexie Sherwood was +expected to spend this part of the day with the family, her plate was +regularly prepared with the rest; and until the time that Lancy had made +known his feelings for her, Dexie had enjoyed the <i>tete-a-tete</i> which he +always managed to arrange in some quiet corner. Even now she was not always +able to avoid it, without being positively rude, for she could not make +Elsie see that her presence was necessary when Lancy managed to give his +sister the impression that it was otherwise; it was quite clear that Mother +Gurney saw nothing amiss in Lancy's desire to take Dexie "somewhere out of +the noise," for the little ones made much of their Sunday freedom.</p> + +<p>It was during one of these Sunday afternoon chats that a better +understanding was arrived at between Lancy and Dexie. They were sitting in +the parlor, with a screen drawn between them and any chance observer, their +plates on a small table near them, when Dexie playfully tossed over a piece +of confectionery bearing the words, "You look unhappy."</p><p><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66"></a></p> + +<p>Lancy looked up with such a tender look in his eyes that Dexie instantly +repented her action, but it was too late, and she dropped her eyes to read +the sweet messenger that fell in her lap, "You have my heart."</p> + +<p>Dexie had no answer except, "Do forgive me," and she tossed it over with a +look in her eyes that filled Lancy with an unutterable longing to take her +in his arms.</p> + +<p>"What shall I forgive you for?" he said, laying his hand on hers. "I am not +unhappy, only when I see how you try to avoid me. I have kept my promise, +and have not spoken a word that could annoy you. Why do you try never to be +alone with me? It is hard to forgive you for that," he said, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"I did not mean anything by those silly candies; I was only in fun."</p> + +<p>"Then you don't want to be forgiven, is that it? or do you mean that you +are going to be good to me in the future?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what 'being good' implies, so I won't promise," she replied, +smiling.</p> + +<p>"It means that you will not act as if you were afraid to be alone with me a +minute, and to talk to me as freely as you did before, well—before that +snowstorm. You have never put your hand on my shoulder, and asked me to +take you any place since then. You don't know how I miss the pleasant hours +we used to spend together, or the delight I felt in the pressure of the +hand that has never willingly touched mine since I spoke to you here in the +parlor. The Dexie I knew a few weeks ago seems to have gone away, and I +miss her very much, indeed."</p> + +<p>"I can't be the same as I used to be, Lancy. Something is different, and +I'm so afraid someone will make remarks about us if we are so much together +as we used to be."</p> + +<p>"What kind of remarks? tell me, Dexie. Something we would be ashamed to +hear?" and he smiled into her distressed face.</p> + +<p>"You know what I mean very well, Lancy, and I couldn't bear it."</p> + +<p>"Did you ever hear any remarks before—before that snowstorm?"</p><p><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67"></a></p> + +<p>"No! I never thought there was anything to make remarks about, but I have +been looking at things differently lately."</p> + +<p>"In what way, Dexie? Do tell me?" and he caught her hands in a firm clasp.</p> + +<p>"Don't, Lancy! Please stop! There has been enough said and done already to +make people talk if they knew about it."</p> + +<p>"Only a few words, and one little kiss, that was all, Dexie. If the thought +of what people might say keeps us apart, you are very foolish, for if we +were never to speak to each other again we would be accused of having had a +'lover's quarrel,' so don't keep me at a distance any longer on that +account. You are making us both miserable for nothing; for I don't believe +you are enjoying yourself a bit under the new rule that you have set up. +Confess now, are you? honor bright, Dexie?" and he looked eagerly into her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, no, Lancy," and she looked up with a smile. "It isn't quite so nice +as it used to be, and I have stayed home several times when I wanted to go +out. I am not shy, naturally, you know, and I would have asked for your +escort if there had not been reasons to prevent me. Hugh has been very +anxious to show his gallantry, but nothing would tempt me to go three steps +with that big Frenchman."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wish Hugh could hear you say that, Dexie, for I was beginning to +feel jealous. He talks so much about you I was afraid he had entered the +lists against me."</p> + +<p>"Lancy, what nonsense you talk! Hugh is Gussie's particular property. What +made you fancy that I had stepped into her shoes?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing that need vex you, Dexie, so don't frown; but he told me in +confidence, you know, that you were—but there; it was in confidence, so I +won't repeat what he said. I know he cares more for you than for Gussie, +and the fact don't please me very well."</p> + +<p>Dexie was silent for some minutes. The remembrance of certain looks and +speeches that Hugh had lately addressed to her were now explained; he +thought she had <a name="Page_68" id="Page_68"></a>quarrelled with Lancy, and he was anxious to take Lancy's +place. She lifted her eyes, saying:</p> + +<p>"Hugh shall have no chance to think any such a thing. But I know how it has +happened. Gussie had no eyes for anyone else while that Plaisted was here, +so I had to entertain Hugh occasionally; but dear me! how soft he must be, +if my foolish songs have turned his brain."</p> + +<p>And then, looking shyly into his eyes, she added, "I won't run away from +you any more, Lancy. We will go back to our old ways, but don't talk any +more nonsense to me, and we will be chums again. Is it a bargain, Lancy?"</p> + +<p>Lancy bent nearer to the curly head that was bent to hide her blushing +face, then, seizing her hands, held her close as he whispered, in a tender +voice:</p> + +<p>"That's my Dexie back again! I won't annoy you with words, but you know +what my feelings are for you all the same. Now, seal the bargain, Dexie," +and he turned her face to his.</p> + +<p>Well, the perversity of girls! is there anything equal to it? Must it +really be confessed that the girl who thought that one little stolen kiss +was worth crying over should raise her pretty mouth to receive a much +longer caress; yes, and enjoy it, too! But there! come to think of it, that +first kiss in the parlor was a one-sided affair, reluctantly received; and +a one-sided kiss is like—is like—well, whatever is it like? We give it +up!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + + +<p>Returning home by way of Eastport, Mr. Sherwood took passage in a vessel +bound for Londonderry, a small seaport on the Bay of Fundy, and from there +he travelled by stage to Truro, where he took the train for Halifax.</p> + +<p>While on the train an incident took place which, while affording amusement +for the passengers, led to after-results that were quite surprising to the +Sherwoods.</p> + +<p>It seems that a countryman, hailing from Prince Edward<a name="Page_69" id="Page_69"></a> Island, had +accompanied the vessel in which he had shipped the surplus oats and +potatoes that had grown on his farm, and the vessel had arrived in Halifax +a few days previously. This being his first trip "abroad," he had +determined to see all the sights which the city of Halifax afforded while +he waited for the vessel to discharge her cargo and prepare for the return +trip to Charlottetown.</p> + +<p>His innocent air soon attracted the attention of some sharpers, or +"confidence men," as they would have been termed in a later day, and +thinking he had met the "gentry for shure" in the well-dressed scamps that +were so friendly to him, the countryman willingly accompanied them to an +uptown resort, where he was treated to drugged liquor, and then robbed of +the tidy sum that the sale of his produce had brought him. Then, adding +insult to injury, they had taken him to the depot, and, placing a ticket +for Truro in his hatband, they put him on board the cars and left him to +his fate.</p> + +<p>He was put off the train at Truro in a dazed condition, and passed the +night in some out-of-the-way corner of the freight house, where he slept +off the effect of the liquor.</p> + +<p>His alarm and astonishment when he came to himself and found he was alone +and in a strange place, and with empty pockets, was both painful and +ludicrous to witness. His distress seemed all the greater in that he had +not the faintest idea where he was or how to get back to his vessel waiting +alongside the wharf in Halifax.</p> + +<p>It took some time to make his story understood, but when it became known to +the men about the depot they gave him a good breakfast, and determined to +get him "dead-headed" to the city, as the farmer felt sure he could easily +find the thieves and recover his money if he once got back to Halifax. He +had never seen a train of cars in his life, being too drunk the night +before to know how he was travelling; so when the train steamed into the +depot next morning, after announcing its approach by ear-splitting shrieks, +he dropped out of sight behind a pile of boxes, thinking that some wild +creature was let loose upon the streets. Before he could collect his +scattered senses he was seized by strong hands and stowed away <a name="Page_70" id="Page_70"></a>in a corner +of a freight car, where, upon bags of potatoes, he was told to "sit down +and keep out of sight." For the first few miles he literally obeyed the +injunction, for he shook and trembled with fright, and with every shriek of +the engine he ducked his head, thinking his very life was in danger; but as +time went by and he still found himself whole and uninjured, he took +courage, and sat up and looked about him as well as the dim and close car +would permit. By and by the motion of the car caused the door to slide open +a few inches, for, fortunately or unfortunately, the door had been left +unlocked, so he crawled cautiously forward and peered through the opening, +wondering greatly at the frightful speed of the "animal" that was drawing +them along, but he concluded that it was "michty encouragin'," for at the +pace they were going he would soon be within reach of the rascals who had +emptied his pockets.</p> + +<p>Not content to let well enough alone, he disregarded the injunction given +him to "stay there," and when the train stopped for a few minutes at +Shubenacadie, a station on the line, he stepped out on the platform to have +a look about him; but not being quick or daring enough to step back on the +moving train, he came very near losing his ride.</p> + +<p>Fortunately, one of the train hands who had befriended him at first, saw +him as the train moved along, and pulled him aboard the second-class car as +it passed them.</p> + +<p>Having previously been stowed away among the freight, he had no idea of the +accommodation for travellers behind him, and the sight of so many people, +sitting quietly on the seats, filled him with awe.</p> + +<p>But the good-natured brakeman now drew him inside the car, intending to +place his wandering friend back into his former quarters as soon as the +train stopped at the next station.</p> + +<p>When the eyes of the countryman had taken in the scene, the thought +immediately suggested itself that this must be some sort of a meeting-house +or chapel that was travelling along.</p><p><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71"></a></p> + +<p>He stood for a few minutes regarding the people before him; then turning a +solemn face to the brakeman asked, in a properly subdued voice, as became +the situation:</p> + +<p>"Is there preachin' here the day?"</p> + +<p>Not comprehending the meaning of this question, but thinking the countryman +meditated a religious attack on those who were present, the brakeman +replied:</p> + +<p>"Not to-day; these are good Catholics."</p> + +<p>"Ye dinna tell me!" and his eyes and mouth expanded in surprise. "An' are +they repeatin' their prayers?" he innocently asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, everyone of them," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Then let me oot o' this!" he cried, reaching for the door. "It's to +Halifax I want to go, so open the door an' let me oot o' this."</p> + +<p>"There! sit down and be quiet, or you'll get put out fast enough," replied +the brakeman, giving the man a shove into the seat. "You sit still where +you are, mind, or you'll get into trouble," he added, as he turned to +attend to his duties outside.</p> + +<p>Here was his chance. Our friend from the country felt that he was in +trouble already. He had no intention of joining the worshippers, for he was +a member of the good old Scotch Kirk; so he opened the car-door, and +stepped out to the platform outside.</p> + +<p>The swift, sidelong jerks almost took him off his feet. Grasping the +hand-rail, and looking around for some means of escape, he cautiously +stepped across into the better furnished first-class car behind.</p> + +<p>"Bless me, but I'm in luck!" was his inward comment, as he beheld the +comfortable seats. Taking the first empty one, he sank down on the cushions +with evident delight shining from his eyes at his blissful surroundings.</p> + +<p>But the argus-eyed conductor soon spied him, and not recognizing him as a +ticket-holder, swooped down upon him at once.</p> + +<p>"Your ticket, sir."</p> + +<p>"The same to yersel', ma frien'!" was the courteous reply, thinking this +some new form of salutation.</p><p><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72"></a></p> + +<p>"Here! no nonsense! where's your ticket? let's see where you're going."</p> + +<p>"Weel, sir, I'm hopin' to get to Halifax some time 'fore long. We seem to +be gaun as the craws flee, so nae doot we'll soon get there. Does +this—er—buildin'—stop there for victuals or—or onythin'?"</p> + +<p>The conductor, thinking him out of his mind, said more mildly:</p> + +<p>"Who came with you? Who is looking after you aboard the cars?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! a nice young chiel yonder; but he left me alane there, so I stepped +oot withoot his kennin' an' popped in here."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes; just so. I've no doubt there is a spare room in one of the public +institutions awaiting you. What sort of a looking man has you in charge?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! he's a clever young chiel, wi' a door-plate on his bonnet; the sexton, +I tak' it."</p> + +<p>Not making much out of this information, the conductor left him to make +inquiries ahead, tapping his forehead significantly to some passengers +near, who had overheard the conversation, and who, as soon as the conductor +was out of sight, began to question the "harmless lunatic."</p> + +<p>His answers to their inquiries were not more clear than those the conductor +had elicited, and Mr. Sherwood, who sat a few seats behind, becoming +indignant at the rude jokes that were being made at the expense of the +unfortunate man, stepped forward to interfere.</p> + +<p>Surely he had seen the man before. He gazed at the man's distressed face, +but could not place him.</p> + +<p>"What's the trouble, my friend?" he asked, sitting down in the seat behind +and leaning over to speak to him.</p> + +<p>"I'm shure I dinna ken, sir, at a', at a'. There's a mistak' afloat +somewhere. I never was in sic a fix afore. This is a queer kintry, I tak' +it."</p> + +<p>"Where are you from?"</p> + +<p>That question set him on the right track at once. He could tell his story +if once he started at the beginning, <a name="Page_73" id="Page_73"></a>though he found it impossible to make +these strangers comprehend his present dilemma; so beginning from the time +he left his own dooryard with the last cartload of potatoes, he gave them a +detailed account of his wanderings up to the time when he met the fine +young gentlemen in Halifax. But he had no idea how he got to Truro; that +was all a blank to him. When Mr. Sherwood explained that the train on which +he was riding was a public conveyance which went back and forth daily to +carry passengers and freight, he could scarcely believe it. His own +explanation seemed the more plausible, for did it not agree with what the +young sexton told him? He had been befooled once too often to listen to the +many explanations of those around him.</p> + +<p>But the conductor now appeared, having found out all there was to tell +about the man, and feeling annoyed at his mistake, now demanded of the +countryman either his ticket or his fare, and threatened to put him off the +train at the next station if he did not produce either the one or the +other.</p> + +<p>"But, ma guid man, I haena a copper aboot me, or it's wullin' enough I'd be +to gie ye a shullin' or so for this fine drive."</p> + +<p>"Well, off you get then the next time we stop."</p> + +<p>"But shurely ye wadna be pittin' a puir man oot o' yer waggon, or chapel, +or whatever ye ca' it, whan there's sae mony empty pews? I'm no croodin' +onyane, an' I'm wullin' enough to sit onywhere."</p> + +<p>"We don't take people on the cars for nothing," said the conductor, +decidedly. "If you can't pay, you can't ride."</p> + +<p>"Weel, it's the rich anes that's aye the stingiest, shure enough," replied +the man, more to himself than to the brass-buttoned figure before him. "But +ye widna fin' the like o' yersel' owre in ma kintry, let me tell ye! The +puirest farmer widna refuse to gie a stranger a lift if he was gaun the +same way as himsel', even if it was only a kairt that he had, an' it loaded +to the brim."</p><p><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74"></a></p> + +<p>"Can't help it," replied he of the buttons, with a grin. "Off you get at +the next station, or we'll put you off without ceremony."</p> + +<p>"But I'll no gang aff, if I may be sae bold as to tell ye!" said the now +angry farmer. "Ye took me to Truro against ma wull, for why did I want to +gang to a place that I never heard o' afore; so, then, ye'll tak' me back +to Halifax again, wullin' or no, an' whan I get my money back I'll sen' ye +the price o' the drive. If ye think I'm croodin' the gentlemen, I'll gang +oot an' sit on the steps o' yer backdoor, but, guidness only kens! there +seems room enough in these empty pews for a dizzen o' ma size."</p> + +<p>"Here, conductor, I'll pay the man's fare," said Mr. Sherwood, who had +listened to the conversation with ill-concealed amusement.</p> + +<p>This being satisfactory to the conductor, the man was allowed to keep his +seat in peace, and, engaging him in conversation, Mr. Sherwood discovered +that he had been the guest of the man's brother during one of his trips to +Prince Edward Island. His home was on the north side of the island, and the +farm of Roderick McDonald was well known as one of the best-paying places +on the "Garden of the St. Lawrence."</p> + +<p>On finding that the man beside him was the Yankee horse-buyer, Mr. McDonald +rose and shook his hand with a warmth that showed his pleasure at the +meeting.</p> + +<p>This unexpected kindness from one whom he had learned to consider as a man +of unlimited means and unusual smartness, quite set him up in his own +estimation.</p> + +<p>He began to feel quite elated at his present position, and felt himself a +hero as he related to the attentive strangers the many strange things he +had seen since he left home, quite ignoring the fact that some of his +listeners might have been "abroad" as well as himself.</p> + +<p>But it was impossible to put a damper on this loquacious countryman, even +though he loudly set forth his own ignorance.</p> + +<p>"Oh! but I'm a great traveller!" said he. "There's nae kennin' hoo mony +miles I've travelled since I left <a name="Page_75" id="Page_75"></a>ma hame on the north side o' the Islan'! +Let's see; it's thirty miles frae there to the toon, an' it tak's a hale +day to cover the distance wi' a loaded kairt o' tawties, let me tell ye! +Then, whan we were snug aboard the vessel, guidness only kens hoo mony +miles we went afore we cam' fornenst the city o' Halifax, for we were three +days on the michty ocean, at the mercy o' ony storm that micht come alang +unawares. Yes, indeed, an' we travelled alang through the dark nicht as +weel, they tell me, though that I'm no prepared to say, seem' that I was +fast asleep in the hold," and he looked around to see if any of his hearers +doubted his word. "Then, whan we got to the wharf in Halifax, an' I selt ma +tawties an' oats, I cam' ashore an' tramped the streets o' Halifax, up hill +an' doon dale, till ma new buits are a' worn oot behin', as ye can see for +yersel's," and he lifted up his feet, one after the other, that the truth +of his words might be verified; then continuing: "It was whan the thiefin' +scoon'rels met me an' made ma acquaintance that I gaed wrang; but I never +suspected they'd start me on ma travels again, an' withoot ma kennin', +tae—ay, an' sen' me aff withoot as muckle as a copper in ma pocket, at a', +at a'! no even as muckle as wad buy me a bit o' breakfast, which the guid +folk at Truro gied me for naethin', an', if it hadna been for them, I don't +think I wad ever hae been able to fin' ma way back to ma hame on the farm. +But here I am, richt amang the gentlemen an' ladies, travellin' alang like +the Queen hersel' micht be prood to dae. Ay, but it's a long story I'll hae +to tell them at hame whan ainst I get back to ma ain kintry again, an' it's +themsel's that'll be dum'foon'ert to hear me tell aboot the mony kinds o' +folk ain meets whan they gang abroad!"</p> + +<p>"Have you met any naked savages since you left your distant country?" asked +one of the sports, with a wink at his comrade.</p> + +<p>"Naked savages, is't, you mean? Ay, that I hae, or nearly naked anes," was +the quick reply. "On the streets o' Halifax, sir, near the wharves, sir, +that's whaur ye'll <a name="Page_76" id="Page_76"></a>come across them, but, dae ye ken noo, I aye thocht +that savages were black, made sae I mean whan they were born into this +worl'. But, dae ye min', it's masel' thinks that some o' them could be made +white, if only ane had soap an' water enough to dae't. No that I didna see +ony black savages roamin' roon' as weel; but maist o' them had some +claithes on, like decent Christian folk. Some hadna come to that knowledge +yet; but the nakedness o' black skinned savages isna sae noticin' as that +o' white savages, I tak' it."</p> + +<p>A hearty laugh followed this last remark, and the conversation became +general, until the train arrived in Halifax.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood took the countryman to the police headquarters at once, where +the story of the theft was told at length, and as he could give a good +description of the men who had robbed him it was thought that they might be +captured.</p> + +<p>As Mr. Sherwood had received such kind treatment from the man's relations +in Prince Edward Island, he thought it but fair to repay it by looking +after the farmer during the rest of his stay in the city.</p> + +<p>To satisfy the man that the vessel had not sailed during his absence he +took him down to the wharf, and, after explaining to the captain the cause +of his detention, Mr. Sherwood insisted on taking him up to visit his own +family.</p> + +<p>The farmer demurred at this, saying that his clothes were not in a fit +state to visit anywhere.</p> + +<p>This fact was evident, but Mr. Sherwood intended to visit a ready-made +clothing store on his way up town, and make his friend presentable.</p> + +<p>This was rather a delicate matter to accomplish without wounding the man's +feelings; but the native tact of the Yankee served him well here, and when +the farmer stepped before the large mirror in the back shop of Silver's +clothing store and saw his own reflection, he hardly knew himself.</p> + +<p>"But hoo am I ever gaun to repay ye?" he asked. "If I shouldna get ma money +back I'll be in a bad fix."</p><p><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77"></a></p> + +<p>"Not at all, Mr. McDonald. I'll buy the best horse you have got, if you +will sell him to me, and we can settle this little matter then; but I made +enough on the big black horse I bought from your brother to give you this +suit and still have a good profit besides."</p> + +<p>"Weel, ye're an honest man, for ye paid a guid price for the beast, an' +paid it in cash tae."</p> + +<p>"Thank you for your good opinion; but in case the police should not find +those rascals before the vessel sails, it will be rather hard on you to +return home with empty pockets, so let me pay you in advance for that +horse."</p> + +<p>It was quite a different-looking man that came out of the store a few +minutes later, for he had been refitted from hat to boots, and he looked +the well-to-do farmer to the life, even the well-filled purse was not +lacking, for Mr. Sherwood had given him the horse's value instead of the +modest sum the farmer stated as the selling price of his animal.</p> + +<p>The polite store-keeper promised to send the farmer's cast-off garments to +the vessel, and Mr. Sherwood was soon introducing his friend to the members +of his household.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood's unexpected arrival made a joyful excitement, and the farmer +mentally resolved that an account of the happy meeting between the Yankee +horse-buyer and his family should be added to the rest of the story he had +to tell when once he arrived home.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Sherwood had privately explained to the family the present +position of his new friend, together with the respectability of the family +and the kind treatment he had received from their hands, he was treated as +an honored guest, and Dexie had never been so gracious to the fastidious +Plaisted or treated him with half the courtesy as she now bestowed on the +honest, kind-hearted, though ignorant countryman.</p> + +<p>That this kindness was appreciated was quite evident from the satisfaction +that beamed from every wrinkle on his honest face; and when he found +himself seated in the most comfortable chair in the parlor, listening to +the music <a name="Page_78" id="Page_78"></a>that Dexie was bringing forth from the piano for his pleasure, +he doubted in his mind if even the Governor himself was as happy and +fortunate as he.</p> + +<p>As the vessel was to sail the next day for Charlottetown, he had to leave +the pleasant rooms for closer quarters on board the vessel; but before he +said farewell he exacted a promise that, should any of them ever go to the +Island, they would visit his home on the north shore.</p> + +<p>As the vessel was about to leave the wharf Mr. Sherwood appeared, +accompanied by a member of the police force, who gave over to the hand of +the farmer about half the sum which had been stolen from him, and the man +actually felt richer than when the whole amount had lain in his pocket. He +pressed Mr. Sherwood to accept payment for the drive on the train and for +his new suit, but Mr. Sherwood reminded him of the horse he had purchased, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Look well after my horse, McDonald, and if you will find out where I can +get some more good animals I will be glad to pay you for the time and +trouble expended in doing so," and with a hearty hand-clasp Mr. Sherwood +stepped ashore.</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the vessel's cable was shipped and she slowly passed down +the harbor, bearing on her deck one who had a heart full of gratitude for +kindness shown a stranger in a strange land.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Sherwood's presence at home seemed to infuse new life into the +household, and the following weeks passed very pleasantly to Dexie, for her +father needed her services again, and for that reason she was excused from +much of the endless sewing that seemed necessary in making up Louie's +outfit.</p> + +<p>Sewing machines were not so common at that time as to be considered a +necessary household article, and Mrs.<a name="Page_79" id="Page_79"></a> Sherwood was slow to take advantage +of the new invention, preferring the use of fingers instead of feet for +articles that required a needle and thread to fashion them; consequently +Louie's wardrobe took some time to set in order.</p> + +<p>Dexie was willing enough to change the needle for the more congenial pen +and ink, and Mr. Sherwood insisted that Gussie should put her needle to +more practical use. Now, while Gussie liked well enough to handle a needle +and thread when something showy and fanciful was to be evolved thereby, she +almost rebelled against the plain sewing, it was such dull, uninteresting +work; it made so much difference if the sharp little instrument held Berlin +wool, floss, etc., or the common cotton thread, which, though so useful, +was too prosaic to suit Gussie.</p> + +<p>Do not let this convey the idea that the time was all spent indoors, at +some employment or other, for never were outings so frequently enjoyed. +There were excursions down the coast to Cow Bay, and picnics to various +points of interest, which, in the vicinity of Halifax, are innumerable and +within easy-reaching distance to dwellers in the city.</p> + +<p>Mr. Gurney owned a small boat which carried a sail, but there were plenty +of willing hands to row it when the wind failed, and before the summer was +over, Dexie could handle an oar with the dexterity that only practice can +give.</p> + +<p>It was very pleasant of a warm summer evening to glide along the waters of +Bedford Basin, through which the boat cut her way as if through molten +silver, and there was many a time when the little craft held but two +persons, one being Lancy Gurney, and the curly head of his companion was +very like to that of Dexie Sherwood's!</p> + +<p>The early days of October were marked by the departure of Louie and the +kind old nurse Dinah.</p> + +<p>Poor Louie! her heart was rent with conflicting feelings. She had been wild +with delight to think that she had been the one chosen to spend the winter +with her grandma, and, though the journey thither was a pleasure she had +long <a name="Page_80" id="Page_80"></a>looked forward to, the final leave-takings were so much harder than +she had anticipated that she felt almost tempted, at the last moment, to +give it up, and stay with those she had never loved so much as she did now, +when prepared to leave them.</p> + +<p>We must not stop to tell of all the changes which took place in the old +homestead when it was decided that Louie was to spend the winter there. The +eyesight of the grandparents became so much better as they thought of her +coming, that they noticed with startling clearness how dingy the old +farmhouse had grown. Their brightened vision regarded the faded carpets +with aversion, and when they had given place to new ones the curtains +looked positively shabby, and they were astonished to find how much +difference a little paint on the house and out-buildings made in the look +of the place.</p> + +<p>Without chasing away the <i>homey</i> took of the low, comfortable rooms, they +were made brighter and more cheerful, as if rejoicing with the grandparents +in their joy, and joining in the attempt to make the little grand-daughter +feel at home.</p> + +<p>Unconsciously, the old folks grew brighter themselves, and Grandma Sherwood +even went so far as to lay aside the cap she had worn so long that it +seemed to belong to her head quite as much as the beautiful grey hair +beneath it; and after putting it away reverently in the bottom drawer of +the bureau, she took out instead her "best cap," and wore it daily, in +anticipation of her grand-daughter's arrival.</p> + +<p>The pretty room that had been fitted up for Louie's use lacked nothing to +make it perfect except its occupant, and if Louie needed anything to +reconcile her to a winter's stay in the quiet farmhouse, this pretty room +contained it.</p> + +<p>Neither were its treasures revealed in a day, for, weeks after she arrived, +grandma would bid her search for some secret drawer which contained +something that she would like; and Louie's curiosity would be stimulated by +this admission, so that many a stormy day flew rapidly away while she +searched with the ardor of an Arctic explorer for the secret spring or knob +which, pressed at last, revealed delights that only a young girl's heart +can fully enjoy.</p><p><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81"></a></p> + +<p>Occasionally mysterious packages from the city arrived at the farmhouse +bearing Louie's name in full, and the delightful excitement of untying the +string and removing the wrappings, was entered into by the grandparents +with as much ardor as by Louie herself.</p> + +<p>But grandma's heart seemed to grow young again. She knew what would please +her little favorite, and she spared no expense if pleasure and happiness +were procured with the purchases, and thus passed away the pleasant winter, +bringing only that which seemed good into the storehouse of Louie's life +and heart.</p> + +<p>Louie was destined to see but little of her own family hereafter, for +during the following summer the grandmother's health became feeble, and she +would not listen to the suggestions that Louie should return home. A few +months later Dinah had the melancholy satisfaction of hearing the last +words of her dying mistress, who passed away in her arms.</p> + +<p>Louie was willing to listen to the entreaties of her grief-stricken +grandfather, to remain his little companion a while longer.</p> + +<p>The charge of the farmhouse now fell into the hands of Mr. Sherwood's +widowed daughter. She had possessed a fine estate in Georgia, and had lived +a life of ease until Sherman's march to the sea, when her plantation was +devastated, and her well-kept slaves had joined in the destruction of her +property. When her husband's body was brought home for burial, the result +of a distressing accident, there seemed nothing else left to do but to +return to the home of her childhood, reaching it in time to hear her +mother's last request with respect to Louie's future.</p> + +<p>Aunt Annie promised to consider the child as her own if she could get the +parents' sanction as well as Louie's free consent. The latter was freely +gained, as Louie was far happier in her present home.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood saw no obstacle in the way when the matter was laid before +her, and she gave up her rights with so little manifestation of regret that +even those who knew her best were astonished, and from that time Louie +ceased to be a member of her father's family.</p><p><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82"></a></p> + +<p>The second winter in Halifax was even more pleasant than the first had +been, for the Sherwoods had extended their acquaintances, and there seemed +always some new pleasure to look forward to.</p> + +<p>The Song and Glee Club started up afresh as the winter evenings set in, and +with a concert in the perspective the rehearsals were frequent and well +attended.</p> + +<p>Dexie's fine voice caused her to be given a more prominent part than she +thought was her just due. She had no wish to be thrust forward into notice +when there were older members of the club who were better entitled to her +place, but she had no objection to being accompanist, for in that position +she felt at home. But she was destined to come before the public in a more +conspicuous manner.</p> + +<p>One evening a member of the club brought in some new music, and the few who +had heard it were so delighted with its melody, that they eagerly urged its +performance at the approaching concert. A copy of the music being handed to +Dexie by Lancy, she began to hum it softly to herself, but becoming +enraptured with the bewitching strains of the composition, she +unconsciously changed the low hum to a soft whistle, which grew louder as +she proceeded. Sense of time and place disappeared, and she was unaware of +the delight of the little group around her, until the unusual silence +caused her to lift her eyes and understand the meaning of the sudden hush +that had fallen on those present. A burning blush covered her face as she +stammered out:</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, ladies and gentlemen; I forgot where I was," and then +sank on a seat near and hid her burning cheeks behind her book.</p> + +<p>Lancy was at her side in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Dexie. You can't think how well it sounded. They were +delighted."</p> + +<p>"Oh, how <i>could</i> you let me go on, Lancy? You might have stopped me, I'm +sure," she said, indignantly.</p> + +<p>But she was immediately surrounded, and praises and interrogations poured +forth from every side, making Gussie, who stood apart, turn pale with +jealousy.</p> + +<p>"Why did you not tell us that you could imitate the birds?"</p><p><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83"></a></p> + +<p>"I never heard anything so perfectly sweet," said a lady member, pressing +forward to speak to the blushing girl.</p> + +<p>Dexie wished the floor would open and let her drop out of sight, but she +gradually regained her composure and listened with displeasure to the +general conversation, during which this new element of music was discussed +at length.</p> + +<p>"Miss Sherwood, do come to the piano and try that again with the +accompaniment," said the leader, Mr. Ross. "You really must give us the +benefit of that flute-like whistle; it is perfectly irresistible."</p> + +<p>"Please excuse me, Mr. Ross; I really cannot," replied Dexie.</p> + +<p>"But we can take no excuse. After hearing you once, nothing but a +repetition will satisfy us. Mr. Gurney will play for you," was the eager +reply.</p> + +<p>But Lancy kindly came to her aid, and by a few whispered words succeeded in +drawing off the attention from Dexie, by suggesting that if they would try +the opening piece first and give Miss Sherwood time to reconsider her +refusal, she might whistle later on; and Lancy was rewarded for this short +respite by a grateful look as he passed her the open book.</p> + +<p>Dexie felt angry for bringing this embarrassing position upon herself, and +she was wondering if it would be possible for her to slip away unperceived, +when Gussie leaned over her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Well, you did make a show of yourself, you great tomboy! It is a pity that +you can't keep your bad manners out of sight, before strangers, anyway!"</p> + +<p>This taunt acted like the prick of a goad, and made Dexie determine to stay +and show Miss Gussie whether her "bad manners" had placed her lower or +higher in the estimation of her friends. When the piece was rehearsed in +which she sang the solo, she put forth her best efforts, and rendered it +with such pathos and feeling that when it was ended, one and all, with the +exception of Gussie, were loud in its praise.</p> + +<p>As she lingered a moment beside the piano talking with <a name="Page_84" id="Page_84"></a>a member, Mr. Ross +stepped over to her side and begged her to try the new piece, and she +silently bowed in answer; but the hunted look in the dark eyes might have +told how hard it was to nerve herself for this ordeal.</p> + +<p>The memory of Gussie's sneering remarks filled her with the needed courage, +and when Lancy sat down and passed his fingers over the keys her heart +ceased to throb; the very chords had a soothing power, and when Lancy +lifted his eyes to her face she replied with a look that she was ready.</p> + +<p>The first notes of the piece sounded from the piano, but brought no +response from Dexie's lips. Lancy looked up quickly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie, don't disappoint me!" he whispered.</p> + +<p>Softly the bird-like notes ascended, fluttered and quivered, then slowly +gained strength, then the clear, full notes rang through the room, charming +every ear.</p> + +<p>Those present listened in breathless silence. It was so faultlessly +rendered that it was hard to believe that weeks of practice had not been +given to bring such perfection of tone; but Dexie whistled for an object, +and that was respect and honor from those present in the face of her +"tomboy accomplishment."</p> + +<p>It is not everyone who can whistle for a thing and get their wishes +gratified; but, to the honor and respect which Dexie desired, was added the +praise and approval of the delighted listeners. She felt proud to receive +it, for it would forever silence Gussie as to how her "bad manners" were +regarded.</p> + +<p>Dexie was satisfied with her victory, and would not be persuaded into +repeating the piece, though, at the close of the rehearsal, she consented +to accompany Lancy in giving an exhibition of a bird-song.</p> + +<p>It was the same chorus that had delighted the listeners the morning after +the adventure in the snow-drifts, and the rendering of it was greatly +enhanced by the better instrument before them.</p> + +<p>Lancy played the accompaniment and whistled with her, and their voices +seemed transformed into veritable song-birds, as they joined or answered +each other's call.</p><p><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85"></a></p> + +<p>"We must have that at our concert, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross. "We +cannot afford to miss it. How is it that I never had the pleasure of +listening to this sort of music before, Mr. Gurney? You should have told us +of this new accomplishment, Miss Sherwood."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! you never would have heard it at all, if I had not forgotten +myself so completely," said Dexie, smiling; "but as to whistling at the +concert, that is out of the question. It is distressing enough to show my +tomboyism before the members here."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! there is nothing of the 'tomboy' about that kind of whistling," +said one of the members. "It is an accomplishment few possess."</p> + +<p>"Well, it is fortunate for us that you made us aware of this talent of +yours, even though it was unintentional on your part, Miss Sherwood," said +Mr. Ross. "We must persuade you to give others the pleasure of hearing you. +It would add much to the attraction of our concert."</p> + +<p>"You are most kind, and your remarks most flattering, but I must be +excused," said Dexie, turning with a smile to those who had addressed her. +"I do not forget that 'whistling girls' are generally frowned down."</p> + +<p>"But there is no comparison between the usual tomboy whistle of girls, and +those bobolink, canary-bird notes that come from your lips," said an +enthusiastic member.</p> + +<p>"Miss Sherwood, I am going to place that piece third on the programme, and +will call around to-morrow and see you and arrange for these extra pieces. +We can leave out some of the songs rather than miss the treat you can give +to those who will be eager to hear you," said the leader, persuasively.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Mr. Ross, I could not think of whistling before the audience we +hope to have, so I will excuse you from calling upon me, if that is to be +your errand," said Dexie, hurriedly. "I am doing my share as it is."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you think it will be too much for you, someone else might take +your solo; but that seems a pity, when you are so well prepared. Do you +find it tiresome to whistle?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is not that; it would not tire me if I whistled all day. But I +cannot face a hall full of people and whistle to them. It would be +dreadful!"</p><p><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86"></a></p> + +<p>"I would not urge the matter if I did not feel positive of your success. I +am sure the members of the club have the average intelligence, and, seeing +that you have charmed us all by your unique performance, you need have no +hesitancy in trying your powers before a Halifax audience," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Don't think of it. Oh, I never could do it, Mr. Ross. I should be hissed +off the stage."</p> + +<p>"No danger of that, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Markman, the best tenor of the +club. "I'll answer for it that you will so electrify the audience that they +will demand an encore. Don't hide your talent from those who would be so +sure to appreciate it."</p> + +<p>"Give the matter serious consideration," said Mr. Ross. "I will run in +to-morrow and see you, even though I may run the risk of a cool reception. +What time shall I call?" he added, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, if you must call and see me, I hope it will be on some other errand; +I will be at leisure any time in the afternoon, say three o'clock." Then, +looking up with a smile, added: "Don't imagine I shall reconsider the +matter; I simply could not do it."</p> + +<p>"I'll hope to find you in a better frame of mind to-morrow, Miss Sherwood," +he replied, giving her hand a cordial grasp. "May I ask permission for Mr. +Gurney to be present at the interview?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, certainly. I think you can safely venture to do so, seeing that he +will probably come in of his own accord, if you don't ask him," and Lancy +joined in the laugh raised at his expense.</p> + +<p>"Well, that settles it, Mr. Gurney, I shall depend on your support in this +difficult matter. Now, before we separate, I think I am voicing the +sentiments of the members here when I ask for one more song. Now, Miss +Sherwood, you have acknowledged that it does not tire you to whistle, so +you will send us home in the best of spirits if you will favor us once +more."</p> + +<p>Dexie placed her hands over her ears at the applause that greeted these +words, and amidst the general laughter Lancy drew her to the piano.</p><p><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87"></a></p> + +<p>"I am going to sing 'The Mocking-Bird,' so you must whistle," he said. +"Come, Dexie, there is no backing out," as she tried to escape him.</p> + +<p>"Well, get Gussie to sing with you, and I will; perhaps it will help her +good-nature a little—it needs help," she whispered, laughing.</p> + +<p>On being sufficiently urged, Gussie stepped over to the piano beside them, +and joined her alto to the chorus.</p> + +<p>Dexie played and whistled, and, as the members listened, all joined Mr. +Ross in thinking that their programme should hold this song also.</p> + +<p>"Well, Miss Sherwood, I think you have kept the best to the last. I have +heard that song several times, but never 'listened to the mocking-bird' +after all. The song in itself is beautiful, but, after hearing you whistle, +I see that it is imperfect with the mocking-bird left out. This is rather a +cold climate for that species of bird, Miss Sherwood, but I shall give a +Halifax audience the pleasure of hearing one, if I have to import one from +the South on purpose for the occasion. To-morrow at three o'clock, +remember, Mr. Gurney, and may the fates be propitious!"</p> + +<p>When Mr. Sherwood learned of Dexie's refusal to whistle, he was as eager to +change her decision as any member of the club.</p> + +<p>For once Gussie sided with Dexie, and said all she could to influence her +against it, but her motive was so apparent that her father reproved her +sharply.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Ross and Lancy made their appearance, Dexie had to listen to the +expostulations of three very urgent gentlemen; and though she held to her +refusal for some time, she was obliged to capitulate at last, stipulating +that she should only be asked to whistle one piece. Mr. Ross was obliged to +be content with this, but he found it hard to decide which of the pieces he +would put upon the programme.</p> + +<p>But a thought occurred to him, and he smiled as he considered it. Yes, he +would set down the new piece; and if he knew a Halifax audience, and he +thought he did, one piece would not content them. The others would do +nicely for the "encore" which he knew would be demanded.</p><p><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88"></a></p> + +<p>He smiled with pleasure as he rose to depart.</p> + +<p>"I will set you down for the new piece you were running over last evening, +Miss Sherwood," said he, "and Mr. Gurney will play your accompaniment. If +you do as well at the concert as you did last night when you first saw the +music, I shall be well satisfied."</p> + +<p>"But what if I should fail, papa?" said Dexie, when she found herself alone +with her father. "How can I stand before so many strange people and +whistle? Oh! I'm sure I cannot. No young lady whistles in public, and I +feel sure they will hiss me off the stage!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + + +<p>The time slipped by bringing the eventful evening. In many homes nimble +fingers had been busy for days fashioning certain garments that were to +make the wearers quite fascinating to beholders. But Dexie declared that as +her best gown was very becoming, she had no intention of getting a new one +on purpose for the occasion, a few extra touches would make it quite +presentable. On the morning of the concert, she found there were still some +minor things needed to complete her toilet, so she went down-town to do a +little shopping.</p> + +<p>As she stood in a store waiting for her parcel, her eyes rested on a +handbill lying near, and as she read it her face flushed angrily, then +turned pale to the lips, for those great, staring letters announced the +evening's performance, and she was referred to as one of the chief +attractions, but in terms that aroused her temper to its highest pitch.</p> + +<p>Who could have worded that awful handbill? She longed to stamp her foot, or +scream, or give vent to her angry feelings in some way. How dared they +single her out by such a nickname? She snatched the parcel from the hands +of the astonished clerk and left the store with more speed than grace.</p> + +<p>While she is flying homeward, her angry eyes shining like stars from her +pale, set face, let us read the cause of her displeasure.</p><p><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89"></a></p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Temperance Hall. Temperance Hall.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">To-night.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The Halifax Song and Glee Club will give their</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Annual Concert</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">In Temperance Hall To-night.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Full Opening Chorus by the Members.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">First Appearance of</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;"><span class="smcap">The American Warbler</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The only songster ever known to whistle popular airs to</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">piano accompaniment.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 7em;">Don't Miss It.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Programme to consist of Solos, Duets, Quartettes</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9.5em;">and</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 7em;">Full Choruses.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">God Save the Queen."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>When Dexie reached home she flung open the door and rushed up the stairs to +her own room in a perfect fury.</p> + +<p>Gussie had watched her swift approach from the window, and fearing that +some awful calamity must have happened, followed her sister upstairs, and +found her walking the floor like a caged tiger, her eyes positively fierce +as they looked straight before her, though seeing nothing.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Dexie?" she asked in alarm.</p> + +<p>Dexie turned and motioned imperiously for her to leave the room, then shut +the door with a slam that shook the house. Gussie hurried to her father, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Oh, papa! do go and see Dexie. I believe she is going to have a fit, for +she looks awful."</p> + +<p>"What's that?" and Mr. Sherwood looked up from his paper. "Did you say +something the matter with Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, do go and see what it is, for she turned me out of the room."</p> + +<p>"Have you been teasing her again about whistling?" he <a name="Page_90" id="Page_90"></a>asked, looking at +her sharply. "I told you to let your sister alone."</p> + +<p>"Oh! it isn't that, papa. I have not offended her. She has only just +returned from the store, but there's something the matter with her, for her +very looks frightened me."</p> + +<p>Being thus admonished Mr. Sherwood was soon in Dexie's room, and he was +startled at the intense expression of his daughter's face.</p> + +<p>"My dear girl! what has happened to you?" he tenderly asked, as he took her +hands and drew her to his side. "Try and tell me." He stroked her ruffled +hair, and spoke in soothing tones, but it was several minutes before she +could utter a word.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, my dear, calm yourself, and tell me what is the matter; you will +make yourself ill. What is it all about, my dear?"</p> + +<p>Dexie pointed to the crumpled handbill that she had tossed under the table +as she threw off her wraps, and her father stooped and picked it up, then +smoothing it across his knee read the cause of offence.</p> + +<p>"Why, you foolish girl! surely it is not this that has put you into such a +passion?"</p> + +<p>"I won't have it! How dared they! The 'American Warbler,' indeed! Do they +think I will overlook such insolence and go to their old concert after that +public insult! No, I won't put up with it, so there!" and a flood of tears +brought relief to the overcharged heart.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, they never intended to hurt your feelings; it is only a mistake on +your part to think so for a moment. Why, it is quite a joke, one that the +audience will not be slow in appreciating, I'll warrant. Come, dry your +eyes, and never mind this announcement."</p> + +<p>But Dexie flung herself on the bed, sobbing through her tears: "Oh, papa, +what made you make me say I would whistle when I did not want to from the +first. I did not think they would treat me so meanly, or I never would have +consented. But I won't go near the old hall to-night; no, not a step!"</p> + +<p>Her father sat down on the bed beside her, and pushed <a name="Page_91" id="Page_91"></a>away the hair from +her hot face, saying: "You are quite mistaken, dear, in thinking they meant +anything but praise in announcing your part of the programme. If you will +just think a moment, you will see it yourself."</p> + +<p>"Praise, indeed! They have insulted me in a most public manner. How dared +they take such liberties with my name, when it was only as a special favor +I consented to whistle at all! Oh, it was such a mean, shabby trick!" and +the tears fell in showers.</p> + +<p>"Come, Dexie, I can't let you cry like this," and he lifted her gently and +placed her beside him. "You will surely be sick if you do not control +yourself, my dear. It was too bad to vex you when there is so much +depending on you; but it was done unintentionally, I know, and they will +soon apologize when they know that the announcement has annoyed you."</p> + +<p>"But what will be the good of that? An apology will not recall those +handbills, which, I daresay, are all over the city. But I'll make them +repent it; they'll find that even a worm will turn if trampled on."</p> + +<p>"Tut, tut, what nonsense! You are not a worm nor the kind of bird that eats +the worm either—but here's Aunt Jennie. Auntie, can't you help me put a +grain of sense into this silly girl's pate? She imagines she has been +insulted by this bit of flattery, hence these tears," and he held out the +handbill for inspection.</p> + +<p>"Why, Dexie, this will never do. You will spoil your eyes for to-night, +dear. Nothing so very dreadful has happened, after all. I was quite alarmed +at Gussie's account, and feared something serious had occurred. Don't be so +foolish as to mind this bit of paper."</p> + +<p>But Dexie buried her face in her father's shoulder and cried the more.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is too bad of you, auntie. I thought you would care if I was +abused, but nobody does, not even papa; but I'll make somebody sorry, for I +won't go near their old concert," and she jerked away from her father's +arms, and threw herself back on the bed.</p> + +<p>Aunt Jennie motioned for Mr. Sherwood and Gussie to leave the room, +thinking she might manage Dexie better <a name="Page_92" id="Page_92"></a>alone, for this hysterical crying +needed to be checked at once. She sat down beside her and stroked the hot +face until Dexie's sobs had somewhat ceased. Her gentle voice did much to +soothe the tempest in Dexie's breast, but she seemed to have lost her +persuasive power for the time.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood went at once to his wife's room to explain the cause of the +disturbance.</p> + +<p>"How inconsiderate of Dexie to cause so much annoyance!" was her fretful +comment. "I am quite sure I shall have the headache, for the way she +slammed that door was enough to upset the strongest nerves. I thought of +going to the concert myself if I finished my book in time, but it seems my +fate to be robbed of all pleasure. Why don't you use your authority, +Clarence, and make her behave herself?"</p> + +<p>"You must make some allowance for her, wife, for she feels much hurt over +that announcement. But the trouble is, what's to be done if she persists in +her determination not to appear? I might insist on her going to the hall, +but I doubt if I could make her whistle after she got there."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you do not use your authority you need not ask me to interfere. +She has quite upset me as it is."</p> + +<p>"It is not very often that she gets worked up like this. I believe she +controls her temper about as well as any of us. She seldom lets her tongue +loose as she used to do when things went wrong, but flies to her room and +fights it out alone. I expect those Gurneys have a good influence over our +wilful Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose she does not see those mild, quiet girls fly into a +passion very often, and this tiresome concert is to blame for this +disturbance. I fear if she has made up her mind not to go, you may as well +leave her alone; so let the matter rest, it disturbs me," and Mrs. Sherwood +closed her eyes as if the subject had passed completely from her mind.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Sherwood could not let the matter rest so easily, and his wife's +indifference annoyed him exceedingly.</p> + +<p>"Confound their stupidity!" he exclaimed at last, beginning to see it with +Dexie's eyes. "They might have known that she would object to such an +announcement, but it will be an awkward thing if she does not appear after +all. I hope Aunt Jennie will bring her to reason."</p><p><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93"></a></p> + +<p>"I hope so too, I'm sure," answered the wife with a sigh; "but Lancy Gurney +is as much interested in the matter as herself, and I believe he would make +her change her mind if anyone could."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think I will run in and see if he is at home, but I'm afraid it +will make a bad matter worse."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Mr. Sherwood was standing in the parlor next door, +shaking hands with Mrs. Gurney.</p> + +<p>"We don't seem to meet very often, do we, though we are such near +neighbors," she said, with a smile, when the usual greetings had been +exchanged, "but you look worried. Are all well at home this morning?"</p> + +<p>"We are all well disturbed, certainly," he answered, with a short laugh. "I +have just come in to see if I could get someone to help me about Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Why? what has happened her? She is not hurt, I hope!"</p> + +<p>"Well, her feelings are, tremendously, I can tell you;" and pulling out the +objectionable handbill from his pocket, added, "she came upon this down in +some store, and has come home as mad as a hatter, declaring she has been +insulted, and she vows she won't whistle or go near the concert at all +to-night."</p> + +<p>"Well, that <i>would</i> be rather serious, wouldn't it?" was the mild reply. +"Poor girlie, so she don't like to be called the 'American warbler.' It is +the publicity of it, I expect, that has hurt her. Where is she now?"</p> + +<p>"Up in her room, crying her eyes out. The more we try to reason with her, +the worse she is; even Aunt Jennie has failed to quiet her."</p> + +<p>"Now if you will let me advise—you know I have more experience with +rebellious children than most women," and she smiled up into the anxious +face above her, "let her have her cry out, and say no more to her about it +just now, and, if you care to turn her over to us, I think I can promise +you she will be all right by and by."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that you are willing to take her off our hands for the day?" +and he looked eagerly into her face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if we may. I will send one of the children in to ask her to dinner, +and we will not let her suspect that we <a name="Page_94" id="Page_94"></a>know anything about it until she +speaks of the matter herself. We will find something pleasant to take up +her attention until Lancy comes home, and by that time she will have had +time to think of the matter in a different light."</p> + +<p>"But do you think she will consent to whistle after all, Mrs. Gurney? That +is the main thing."</p> + +<p>"Certainly; I have no fear. If the matter is put before her in a serious +light, she will be sure to do what is honorable. Of course, I quite +understand that until her temper cools off she will be immovable; those +determined natures always are. I have brought up one hot-headed person, and +I think I know the weak spot; and Hugh McNeil was never <i>quite</i> +unmanageable. Do not fret about Dexie, I feel sure she will fulfil her part +to-night, and do us all credit."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, Mrs. Gurney. You cannot think what a relief it is to hear you +speak so confidently about it. I should feel very much aggrieved if she +persisted in her refusal, for I urged her to whistle, much against her +will, and I feel responsible for her appearance. I think, myself, that it +was not just the fair thing to send those handbills broadcast without +making her acquainted with the contents beforehand."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they might have consulted her; but, of course, it never occurred to +them that she would feel offended, and really I wonder that she is myself. +Still, I can quite understand it when I consider how uncertain she must +feel about her reception as a whistler."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is the trouble, but she went out on purpose to buy some little +things to wear to-night, and I would like to know if she has everything +ready. But I daresay it will not be wise to refer to the matter while she +is of the same mind. Yet I want her to look as well as the rest of them," +said Mr. Sherwood, in an anxious tone.</p> + +<p>"To be sure. Well, her dress must be prepared for her. It would be a great +disappointment to Lancy if anything should happen to prevent her going; so +we must unite our efforts and carry the day, in spite of this little freak +of Dexie's. Now, I expect my girls know what Dexie's plans <a name="Page_95" id="Page_95"></a>were for +to-night; and as my dressmaker is here finishing Cora's dress, I will have +her attend to Dexie's also; so let Gussie bring in what materials she +purchased while out this morning, and we will hold a consultation on the +matter. Now, do not be alarmed, Mr. Sherwood," she added, seeing his look +of concern. "I will promise to send her to the concert in good trim, and in +good temper too," and she smiled pleasantly as she bade him "Good morning," +as if it were an everyday affair to bring refractory girls to terms.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Sherwood returned home feeling much relieved, and meeting Aunt Jennie +on the stairs, asked after Dexie's present condition.</p> + +<p>"She is crying still, though not so violently. I fear she has fully +determined not to take part in the concert to-night. I have done my best, +but I cannot shake her determination, so I have left her to herself to +think it over."</p> + +<p>"That's right. I have just been in to Mrs. Gurney's, and she has offered to +settle the difficulty and be responsible for her appearance to-night."</p> + +<p>"That is good news, indeed. I have perfect trust in Mrs. Gurney's ability +to succeed where the rest of us all fail; but the next trouble is, I +haven't the least idea what Dexie intended to do with the yards of lace she +brought home this morning, unless she intends to drape it over her dress in +some way."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Gurney has promised to relieve us of that trouble also. She is quite +as anxious as we are that Dexie shall make a good appearance, and if you +will collect the fixings and take them in, Mrs. Gurney says her dressmaker +will do what is necessary."</p> + +<p>"Then the trouble may be considered over," said she, with a relieved sigh.</p> + +<p>"I will run into Mrs. Gurney's myself, and see what I can do for the +general good. How nice it is to have <i>real</i><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96"></a> friends so near!" she added, +as she followed Mr. Sherwood into the sitting-room.</p> + +<p>In about half an hour, Elsie Gurney came running into the house, and as she +came through the hall called, "Dexie, Dexie, where are you?"</p> + +<p>Aunt Jennie opened the door, saying: "She is up in her room, Elsie; run +right up."</p> + +<p>Dexie heard the call, and, hastily rising, poured some cold water into the +basin, and began to bathe her face. Her head was bent over the basin when +Elsie entered the room.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here you are! What on earth are you poking up here for at this time of +day?" was the matter-of-fact greeting. "You are to hurry up and come into +our house and stay to dinner. Mother said you are allowed, so you needn't +stop to ask permission; and, just think, the box that grandma sent from +England has arrived, and it is full of all kinds of finery. You know we +always have a box sent us at Christmas time, but this one was delayed +somehow," and she looked curiously at the flushed face that was buried in +the brimming hands. "There is always something for everyone of us in the +box; but do hurry, Dexie, your face isn't so dirty that it needs soaking, I +hope."</p> + +<p>"Well, hardly," was the reply, thankful enough to be given so much time to +recover her composure; "but I may as well tell you before you find it out +yourself that I have had a bad attack of the pouts, and the effect is not +so easy to get rid of. Now, you needn't ask what's up, for I don't intend +to tell you."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! who cares about your pouts? Not I, anyway," was the reply, in a +high and mighty tone. "Come along, if you're coming, and if you're not, +then stay home. I can't wait, for I want to see what is in the box for me."</p> + +<p>This unceremonious manner of treatment made Dexie come down somewhat from +the pedestal of injured greatness, and she forced herself to talk to Elsie +to keep her waiting, while she made a fresh toilet.</p> + +<p>"Now, do I look a fright?" Dexie asked, as she prepared to follow Elsie +downstairs.</p><p><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97"></a></p> + +<p>"Well, I can't say that you look much worse than usual, but you certainly +don't look any better. Your nose looks swelled. Shouldn't wonder if you had +it tweaked; but, then, what odds how it looks? Hurry up, and come along. We +have apple dumplings for dinner to-day. Do you like milk or sauce on them +best?"</p> + +<p>Dexie did not answer; something of more consequence than dumplings was +troubling her just then, and as she followed Elsie into the front hall, she +was tenderly feeling her nose and mentally comparing it with its usual +proportions, inwardly calling herself all sorts of hard names for being so +silly.</p> + +<p>"But I won't whistle to-night, so there!" she kept saying to herself, as if +she needed to keep her determination constantly before herself in order to +back it up.</p> + +<p>Elsie rushed up the stairs at once, eager to enjoy the delights that an +English box always contained; but for once Dexie's interest was centred in +herself. Her nose could not be forgotten; in fact, she was trying to reduce +its proportions by pressing it between her thumb and finger. She wondered +if the rest of the family would notice it and make remarks thereon. Lancy +would be sure to know at once that something was wrong; but she would keep +out of sight, for she would <i>not</i> whistle; no, indeed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie, how you do poke along!" Elsie remarked from the top of the +stairs. "I declare, you are enough to try the patience of a Job. Come +along, or I'll rush into the room first, manners or no manners; then mother +will be displeased."</p> + +<p>Dexie was up the few remaining steps before Elsie had finished speaking. +She was just as anxious to see the English presents as if half of them were +meant for herself. Her swelled nose was instantly forgotten, and she passed +through the door that Elsie held open for her, and was soon bending over +the treasures with the rest. The room was soon in confusion, as dress +patterns, laces, ribbons, gloves and fans, and trinkets in endless variety +were strewn over bed, table and chairs. The swelled nose could not hide the +beautiful things laid out for her admiring eyes, and she watched with +smiling face as Elsie adorned herself with finery without regard to number +or suitability.</p><p><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, what a fine Indian brave am I!" sang Elsie as she danced before the +mirror, her arms adorned with three sets of bracelets, and her neck +encircled with ribbons and lace, while several lockets and charms attached +to velvet bands added to her glory. "Now, with a few of those ostrich tips +in my hair, I shall be ready to start for the Governor's ball," she added, +dancing around the room, sending the ribbons and laces gaily fluttering +behind her.</p> + +<p>"You'll bawl at home, my lady, if you spoil anything with your capers," +said Cora. "Take off those things at once, Elsie; some of them are mine, I +know. Oh! here is a note, mother. The coral set belongs to Elsie, and is +presented by her godmother, and this bangled set is mine. Do you think they +would be too showy to wear to-night, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! what is this beautiful thing?" Dexie exclaimed, as she lifted a +handsome lace bertha. "My! isn't it lovely? How do I look in borrowed +feathers—or laces, to be more exact?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, fine!" Elsie replied. "I wonder who it was sent to—not me, I hope; it +would make me look like a fright, while it makes you look like a fairy," +and Elsie turned to examine another parcel.</p> + +<p>But Cora had decided in her own mind who it was that should be the first to +wear the pretty lace affair, for as she looked at Dexie with the fluffy +thing around her neck and throat, she seemed to suggest the very character +she was to fill in the evening, and, as she removed it and laid it gently +aside, Cora whispered to her mother:</p> + +<p>"It will suit her nicely, don't you think? What else would do to go with +it?"</p> + +<p>"Those ribbons and gloves match it perfectly; they were meant to go +together, I expect, for an evening costume. Just see what she takes a fancy +to, and lay it aside; then use your own judgment."</p> + +<p>A little scream of delight from Elsie betokened another pleasant discovery.</p> + +<p>"Gloves! boxes of gloves, and handkerchiefs by the set, and all hemmed, +too! Oh! and marked; see, these are my initials. Blessings on the +thoughtful person who sent me <a name="Page_99" id="Page_99"></a>those, for my handkerchiefs disappear as +mysteriously as ghosts. Now, if I only unearth a box of shoe-laces, I'll +think my cup of joy quite full."</p> + +<p>"Shoe-laces! and they so cheap!" Dexie exclaimed in surprise.</p> + +<p>"But I have to buy mine with my pocket-money. I break so many of the +tiresome things, that mother thinks it will make me more careful if I have +to replace them myself. But they are always in knots, and when I have to +keep them neat and tidy at my own expense it leaves me little enough for +chocolate creams. Dear me! I think they might have sent me a few dozen, so +that I might get a chance to have one good 'tuck in' for once, as the +street arabs say."</p> + +<p>"Why, Elsie, I am surprised at you," was the mother's mild rebuke. "Surely +you can feel grateful, without requiring shoe-laces to 'fill up your cup +with joy,'" and there was a faint smile around the mouth that reproved in +such quiet tones.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I know what ails me, mother dear. 'From all selfishness, envy, +uncharitableness,—and all the rest of it, good Lord, deliver me.' I'll say +it next Sunday with a different meaning to it, particularly if I get the +shoe-laces."</p> + +<p>"Why, Elsie Gurney! how dare you speak those words so flippantly!" said +Cora severely, looking at her sister in surprise and displeasure.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't <i>thinking</i> flippantly, if I did speak so. I wasn't, truly, +mamma," said Elsie, in a contrite tone. "I never thought I was selfish +and—and all the other things when I said it over in church, but I do +believe I am—some—anyway. After this I will say 'deliver me' instead of +'us.'"</p> + +<p>"Hasty speeches often lead to thoughtful acts. I will be very glad if the +missing shoe-laces make my daughter a little more thoughtful about things +of greater moment. Do not look so shocked, Cora; it did not <i>sound</i> well, I +know, but she did not mean it irreverently, I'm sure. I remember when I was +a child at home we all had to learn the fifty-first Psalm as a Lenten +lesson, and once my <a name="Page_100" id="Page_100"></a>little brother came through the rooms, singing it to +the most rollicking tune that was ever danced by; but the very contrast +between words and tune made the words sink into my heart as nothing else +could have done, for I did not learn very readily. Of course, dear, I do +not approve of it; but children are children, and the longer they remain so +the better, I think," and with a little sigh Mrs. Gurney left the room, +laying her hand lovingly on Elsie's head as she passed her.</p> + +<p>More than an hour passed before the contents of the box had been examined, +then with Dexie's assistance the wrappings which covered the floor were +picked up, tables were tidied, and the room put in order.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gurney drew Lancy aside as soon as he entered the house, to explain +the difficulty about Dexie.</p> + +<p>"What! Not whistle or go near us!" he cried. "Why, she'll have to! +Everybody is talking about the concert, and inquiring about our 'warbler.' +Those handbills were the greatest success. Not whistle, indeed, when the +crowd will be there on purpose to hear her. Why, mother, she is the chief +attraction! Where is she? I'll show her very soon that she <i>can't</i> back +out. They would mob us if she failed to appear. Why, I couldn't go either +if she did not."</p> + +<p>"Softly, softly, my son," laying her hand on his arm. "Wait a moment till I +explain further. Dexie is not one to be forced into doing a thing she does +not like, and if you talk to her in that strain you will only strengthen +her determination to stay at home. She must be treated differently if we +would gain her full consent, and nothing short of that will do. I have +watched her face, and I know that unless quiet measures are used she will +resist to the last. My boy, I am quite as anxious as you are about it, so +do not look so wild. Listen to my plan."</p> + +<p>Lancy's excitement cooled down as he listened to his mother's advice, and +he promised to do his part if sufficient self-control were granted him.</p><p><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + + +<p>When they met around the dinner-table Lancy was strangely silent, though +his eyes shone with suppressed feeling, and Dexie began to hope that the +subject of the concert would not be broached; but her hopes were rudely +shattered as Mr. Gurney turned his smiling face and said:</p> + +<p>"So you have honored us with your company to-day, Miss Dexie. Are you +aware, wife, that our young neighbor has found a place in the hearts of the +public, though her identity is hidden as yet under the sweet sounding title +of 'American Warbler?' Every one is asking, 'Who is it?'"</p> + +<p>Some commonplace remark from Mrs. Gurney, followed by a warning look, +caused the subject to be suddenly changed, and in the conversation that +followed, the angry flush faded from Dexie's cheeks, the firm shut mouth +relaxed; but the workings of her mind were not quite hidden from the +motherly eyes that watched her so closely.</p> + +<p>Dexie was fully determined not to go to the concert, yet she would not have +cared to confess it to those around her, knowing how shocked they would be +at such a resolution. Somehow the matter looked different while she was +among them as one of the family. She was sure that the high sense of honor +that prevailed among the Gurneys would be sufficient to make any of them +fulfil a promise once made, even at a great sacrifice to themselves.</p> + +<p>But she would not. No! not if they despised her for it! She would not put +up with that impudent advertisement, and she laid down her knife and fork +quite suddenly, and clasped her hands in her lap in that close grasp that +always told when her feelings were stirred.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gurney watched the expressive face, and returned Lancy's look with one +of sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Lancy is going to drive to the Four-Mile House this afternoon, Dexie," +said Mrs. Gurney. "Would you like to go with him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, indeed," was the quick reply, delighted to escape further +questioning.</p> + +<p>"Then he will have the sleigh ready as soon as you are.<a name="Page_102" id="Page_102"></a> Be sure and wrap +up your mouth and throat. It never do to catch cold, you know."</p> + +<p>Dexie lifted her eyes for one brief moment to the smiling face of the +little mother. The reference to her throat brought back the troublesome +resolution that would not stay resolved, try as she would. She longed to +throw herself at her feet and confess the whole hateful story, but she +dared not. That resolution would fall to pieces like a house of cards, if +once the story were told to Mrs. Gurney. But she hated herself for the +deceit she was practising. How would it end?</p> + +<p>As Lancy drove round to the front door Cora ran out and whispered:</p> + +<p>"Don't speak hastily to her, Lancy. Remember how much depends on the way +you put it. But be sure and get her full consent."</p> + +<p>"What time am I to bring her home?"</p> + +<p>"As early as possible; if she has not consented by four o'clock, bring her +home to mother. You know we have to dress and have tea."</p> + +<p>"And what about Dexie's fine feathers?"</p> + +<p>"Only get her consent to go, and we will make a perfect fairy of her. +Grandma's box just came in time."</p> + +<p>Just then Dexie appeared, and was quickly tucked under the robes.</p> + +<p>"Wish us good luck, or fling a slipper, do, Cora, for we are going to +elope!" Dexie laughingly exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"Good luck, then, and with all my heart I wish it; but slippers are costly, +and mine are new," was the laughing reply.</p> + +<p>"What happy fortune takes you out of town this afternoon, Lancy?" said +Dexie, a few minutes later. "Make it forty miles, instead of four, if you +wish to earn my everlasting gratitude."</p> + +<p>"Any other day, Dexie, I would feel like taking you at your word," and a +look full of meaning flashed from his eyes, which she understood.</p> + +<p>By and by they passed a fence that was covered with posters, and in the +most conspicuous place Dexie saw the obnoxious handbills with their great, +staring letters.</p><p><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103"></a></p> + +<p>"Did you see that?" and Dexie flushed angrily, as she pointed at the +announcement.</p> + +<p>"Why, yes! and everybody is coming to the hall to hear you to-night."</p> + +<p>"Are they, indeed!" drawing her head back stiffly. "Then they might save +themselves the trouble, for they won't hear me."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, you are not in earnest!" and Lancy tried to repress the hot words +that rose to his lips. "You surely would not refuse to whistle after giving +your word, and the posters all over the city?"</p> + +<p>"Why was I not consulted about the announcement, if I am of so much +importance? Who was it that dared to use my name in such a manner? If you +know, you can go and tell them that I resent the insult, and will not +appear before an audience under such a nickname!"</p> + +<p>"Some people would think the title very complimentary, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Those who do can earn the title and enjoy the compliment, then, for it +won't be me," was the firm and angry reply.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I can't think you mean all your words imply. If you knew how highly +Mr. Ross speaks of your whistling, you would know that he would be the last +one to offend you. Indeed, he is so assured that your performance will be +the chief part of the concert that he gave it the special mention that has +offended you, and he has gone to the expense of fitting up the hall away +beyond anything ever seen in Halifax. He is so lifted up you would think he +was walking on air."</p> + +<p>"He will find solid ground under his feet about eight o'clock this evening, +I fancy! for he will find that his 'warbler' has flown to parts unknown."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible, Dexie, that you have it in your heart to so disappoint the +members of the club, and the public as well? As for the name he has given +you, what matters it? I have been called 'The Dandy' for years, but I have +as much respect from my friends as if the term were complimentary. Dexie, I +can't think you intend to go back on your word."</p><p><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104"></a></p> + +<p>"Dexie felt the reproach, but would not relent.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ross had no right to announce my part of the performance at all; it +was only as a favor I consented to whistle. If I am his 'drawing-card,' it +was only fair to consult me about publishing the fact. I feel positive +that, after such an announcement, I will be hissed off the stage before I +utter a dozen notes. Who ever heard of a girl whistling in public before? +It is considered vulgar enough if she is caught at it in private! I cannot +face them, Lancy; I truly cannot."</p> + +<p>"If it is your reception you are afraid of, Dexie, then set your mind at +rest. Even the rougher element would as soon think of hissing a canary."</p> + +<p>"But you forget, Lancy, that to be the first to appear in a part so unusual +is of itself a risky thing. Had it not been announced I would not mind it +so much, as it would be unexpected by the audience, and the very audacity +of it would have won to my side the rougher element. As it is, the audience +will expect something beyond my power to give them."</p> + +<p>"Looking at it in that way, I admit that the announcement was a mistake, +Dexie, since it has made you apprehensive of your power to charm; but no +one else doubts it, dear, and I feel sure that my Dexie will not put her +friends in the embarrassing position that would arise if she purposely +stayed away from the concert to-night. I grant that the announcement was a +mistake, as you look at it, and that it was very thoughtless of those who +got it up to send it to press without submitting it to your inspection; but +having done so, and sold hundreds of tickets on the strength of the +announcement, common honesty should make you fulfil your part. If your +absence only affected the members of the club, it would not matter so much, +but hundreds of outsiders would blame the club for obtaining money under +false pretences; so you see, Dexie, you really cannot stay home. Do be +reasonable, darling."</p> + +<p>A deep blush tinged Dexie's cheeks, brought there by something else than +the frosty air, and for a few minutes there was silence between them.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Sherwood had started out for a walk in <a name="Page_105" id="Page_105"></a>order to quiet the +anxiety that filled his mind, and meeting Mr. Ross down by the Grand Parade +he astonished the man by telling him of Dexie's determination.</p> + +<p>"But, Mr. Sherwood, she <i>must</i> come," he cried aghast. "Her performance has +been announced and is the talk of the city."</p> + +<p>"Can't help it, Mr. Ross. I am extremely sorry, but it was that very +announcement that has caused the trouble. She says you have insulted her, +and she has cried and scolded ever since she set eyes on it."</p> + +<p>"Yet I expected the reverse. What's to be done?"</p> + +<p>The question was as helpless as the man's face was hopeless.</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't say. I can use my authority and insist on her going to the +hall, but you know the old saying, 'You can drive a horse to water, but you +can't make him drink.' It was only this morning that she came across a +handbill, and she flew home in such a temper that it put the whole house in +an uproar. I can truly say it has quite upset me, for I was anxious to have +her do her best to-night."</p> + +<p>"But if I go and apologize, and assure her of my unwillingness to cause her +a moment's annoyance, surely I might make amends for my unintentional +mistake. I will do anything, everything, Mr. Sherwood, that you can +suggest."</p> + +<p>"Believe me, Mr. Ross, everything possible has been already done to make +her see that you had no intention of 'insulting' her, and we have had to +pass her over to our next-door neighbors. If they fail, you can try your +persuasive powers. She is out driving with young Gurney just now, and we +are simply living on our hopes."</p> + +<p>"I trust he will succeed. I would hardly dare to face the people to-night +without her. Come and see how well the hall looks while we await her +return; then I must see her and explain."</p> + +<p>"Better not, Mr. Ross, unless you have some other excuse for calling. If +young Gurney gets her to change her mind, you had better make your peace +with her after the concert is over, instead of risking it beforehand."</p><p><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106"></a></p> + +<p>"Very true; but I might call with a bouquet for both of your daughters, and +I need not refer to the matter if her consent has been already secured."</p> + +<p>"Such an errand would seem natural and should do much towards earning +forgiveness," was the smiling reply.</p> + +<p>A revolution was going on in Dexie's mind as the sleigh flew over the level +road, and Lancy watched the varying expressions, for he had learned to read +her face like an open book. Checking the speed of his horse, he turned to +her and asked if she felt the least cold.</p> + +<p>"Not at all, Lancy; the air is just frosty enough to make it enjoyable."</p> + +<p>"The roads are somewhat better than they were last winter when I took you +out in the storm. Will you ever forget it, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"I am never allowed to, it seems; but I wish I could drop that twenty-four +hours out of my memory,"—annoyed that Lancy referred to the time that was +associated with his declaration of love. "I wish you would forget that +unfortunate drive and all connected with it. It is no pleasure to remember +how near we came to freezing to death," she added.</p> + +<p>"Well, Dexie, if you will only look at that side of it, why not repay me +for the trouble I took for you that night, and do me a favor in return?"</p> + +<p>"If any favor I can do will forever relieve me of any obligation I may be +under, you have only to name it," said she coolly, "providing the favor is +within reason, though."</p> + +<p>"No, I'll not ask it, nor put it that way; not for all the concerts that +will ever be held!" he hotly answered. "But, Dexie," and his voice grew +tender again, "if the same motive would move you to grant me this favor +that impelled me to save you that night, you would make me very happy."</p> + +<p>"And this favor, Lancy?"</p> + +<p>"Remove the anxiety you have caused us all, and overlook what has vexed +you, and come with me to the concert. You know I can't go without you, and +our absence will spoil it. My wilful Dexie, don't you think you were rather +hasty in your judgment this morning?"</p><p><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107"></a></p> + +<p>"My judgment don't amount to much when once my temper is up, as you know +very well, Lancy; but I'll acknowledge that I do feel rather ashamed of +myself, for making such a fuss, though I still think it was a shabby trick +to advertise me that way."</p> + +<p>"So it was, Dexie; but will you make one shabby trick the excuse for a +second? You will take back your refusal, my Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Lancy, perhaps I would, if it were not too late; but it is too late +to repent now, for my dress isn't ready, and there are endless other +matters to see to that would have kept me busy the whole day, so my +repentance will do no good. In fact I haven't the faintest idea what I did +with the purchases I made this morning, unless I flung them into the street +as I rushed along. What a fright I must have looked! But I don't believe I +met a soul that knew me; that's one comfort, anyway."</p> + +<p>"Then you would whistle to-night if only your dress were ready?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I hate awfully to say it, Lancy, but I do believe I would, for I did +not think that my absence would spoil your part of the performance when I +spoke so decidedly."</p> + +<p>"Then we will consider the matter settled, for your dress will be ready +when it is time to put it on," and a look of relief spread over his face. +"Mother said she would see about it if you would only go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! Does your mother know how silly I have been? Who could have told +her?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Dexie. She knows you won't come back as naughty as you went +out. She felt sure of that."</p> + +<p>"Lancelot Gurney! Did you take me out on purpose—on purpose to make me +change my mind? Well, well! how eagerly I ran into the trap that was set to +catch me," and a smothered laugh rang out on the frosty air.</p> + +<p>"All's well that ends well, you know. Your father was in despair when your +Aunt Jennie could not manage you, so he turned you over to us. Since I have +proved myself so capable, that ought to speak well for me in the future, +eh, Dexie?" and he smiled mischievously into her eyes. "But I'm not quite +sure of you yet, Dexie. Give me your word that you will whistle +to-night—honor bright, mind."</p><p><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108"></a></p> + +<p>"Yes, <i>honor bright</i>, Lancy. I'll whistle, or try to, if they don't hiss me +when I begin. Now, turn back, and let us get home as quickly as possible; +there will be a lot of humble pie waiting for me. I may as well eat it and +have it done with. I feel worse to meet your mother than all the rest."</p> + +<p>"You forget that I have an errand at the Four-Mile House. That will give us +a chance to get warmed, and then for a wild drive home."</p> + +<p>When they arrived at the hotel they were glad to find the parlor vacant, +for they could monopolize the fire that burned so brightly in the grate, +besides enjoying the liberty of free speech.</p> + +<p>"You may as well lay aside your wraps, Dexie, as we will not start for home +for half an hour," said Lancy, as he returned from an interview with the +landlord.</p> + +<p>When the sleigh was again brought to the door, there was a triumphant look +in Lancy's face that contrasted well with the rosy cheeks of his companion.</p> + +<p>"We will have the wind in our faces going home, Dexie, so be sure and wrap +up your mouth and throat. It will never do to spoil your whistle after all. +I tell you what, Dexie," he added, as he helped her adjust the fleecy +scarf, "I feel myself quite a diplomatist, and I shall claim remuneration +for this afternoon's work. Do you know what will square the bill?"</p> + +<p>"Possibly I may guess your terms, sir, but I shall claim the usual three +months' credit," and a saucy face was lifted to his.</p> + +<p>"Not three hours shall I wait," he laughingly replied, as he followed the +figure that passed so swiftly from his arms. "I have a good notion to claim +'cash on delivery,'" helping her into the sleigh.</p> + +<p>"I fancy you would not find it easy to enforce your claim, sir."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure of that, my Dexie. I have had too hard an afternoon's +work to do it for nothing, and 'kiss number two' would settle the account."</p> + +<p>There was no chance for further conversation, for Lancy needed to give his +attention to the spirited animal before <a name="Page_109" id="Page_109"></a>him. It was generally a "wild +drive" when Bob wore the harness, unless he were kept well in check, and to +those who hastily took the side of the road as the sleigh flew by, it did +indeed look like a "wild drive," for the pace never slacked until the house +was reached.</p> + +<p>There were many anxious eyes on the lookout for their arrival, as Dexie +noted with shame, but she determined to face the matter boldly, and if +possible make some amends for the trouble and anxiety she had caused.</p> + +<p>The front door of both houses opened simultaneously as the sleigh drove up, +Mr. Sherwood appearing at one and Cora at the other, and a hundred +questions could not have asked more than the one word which fell from the +lips of both—</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>Dexie sprang out on the sidewalk, and with a wave of her hand in Lancy's +direction, answered the question in dramatic tones:</p> + +<p>"See! the conquering hero comes!"</p> + +<p>That was enough; they all understood her, and Elsie, who was standing on +the doorstep, flew into the house where the busy needles were flying, +shouting as she ran:</p> + +<p>"Yes! she is going! Lancy has managed her! She is all right again!"</p> + +<p>"There, save that little comedy till by and by, and come in here," said Mr. +Sherwood, smiling, in spite of himself at the way Dexie had announced her +surrender.</p> + +<p>"Come into our house as soon as you can, Dexie," Cora called after her +retreating figure. "We want you for something."</p> + +<p>What a feeling of relief her arrival caused! They had scarcely realized how +great was the tension until their anxiety was removed. But all seemed to +breathe more freely, and the preparations for the concert went briskly on.</p> + +<p>Dexie threw off her wraps in the hall, and followed her father into the +sitting-room, where Aunt Jennie sat waiting.</p> + +<p>"You are back, my dear," was the aunt's quiet greeting.</p> + +<p>"Yes, auntie, and ready to eat all the humble pie you have prepared for +me."</p><p><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110"></a></p> + +<p>"I have prepared none, my dear, but I am pleased to see that you are ready +and willing to eat some. Your father has passed a miserable time waiting +for your appearance."</p> + +<p>"Poor papa!" and Dexie threw her arms around his neck. "How horrid I have +been, to be sure. Now, lay on the stripes easy, and I'll promise not to do +so any more," and she playfully held out her hand.</p> + +<p>"You had better not, you little tyrant," drawing her to him. "I believe my +hair has turned grey with the anxiety you have caused me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so it has! here is one hair quite grey; yes, actually two of them! +I'll show you," and a couple of hairs were withdrawn with a jerk.</p> + +<p>"Stop! you torment," catching her by both arms. "Isn't it enough that my +hair has turned grey? Must you make me bald as well? I thought Lancy was +going to sober you down before he brought you back. I'll have to call him +in to finish his job."</p> + +<p>"No, I'm going to be good, I really am; so say you are not cross with me +any more, then I must run off and see about my dress."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll forgive you this time; but if you cut up any more such capers, +I'll hand you over to young Gurney for good."</p> + +<p>"But I won't be handed over, you dear old papa," giving him a squeeze that +almost choked him. "I will not exchange my papa for the best-looking young +gentleman you can find in the city. But, papa! do persuade Gussie to leave +my shortcomings alone, for the next few hours at least," she added, in a +low tone.</p> + +<p>"I will see that she does not annoy you. Now, don't you think you had +better go and practise awhile?"</p> + +<p>"Couldn't think of it, papa mine!" Then, taking her father's face between +her two hands, she looked earnestly into his eyes, saying: "Do you think +there is the <i>least</i> danger of me breaking down to-night? Do you? Confess +the truth, sir!" she laughingly demanded.</p> + +<p>"Well, no; I don't think there is."</p> + +<p>"Neither do I. Trust your naughty tomboy; she is <a name="Page_111" id="Page_111"></a>going to 'eclipse all her +former efforts and cover herself with glory.' But, wait you till I see Mr. +Ross," and she shook her head. "I will forgive him for <i>this</i> night only, +and then—well, never mind! How is mamma? Is she very angry with me?" she +added, presently.</p> + +<p>"Not so much as might be expected. You must let her see you when you are +dressed."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Aunt Jennie, <i>did</i> you see anything of a stray parcel, with some lace +and other things inside of it? or have I really tossed it into the street?"</p> + +<p>"It is in at Mrs. Gurney's with the rest of your apparel for to-night. I +have just finished Gussie's suit, and she is all ready to dress. Gloves and +all are waiting upstairs."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! what shall I do, auntie? I completely forgot the gloves. That +abominable handbill turned my brain, I do believe; and I thought I was +learning to control my temper! Oh, dear!"</p> + +<p>"Don't fret, my dear! The best of us are put out sometimes. But everything +has been prepared for you in at Mrs. Gurney's; for Lancy's success rests on +your appearance, and they were all anxious on his account as well as your +own."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose I must go in next door and apologize; but I would rather +get a switching than see Mrs. Gurney."</p> + +<p>Dexie's appearance was heralded by a number of little voices, as she made +her way to the sewing-room with heightened color and eyes bright with +unshed tears.</p> + +<p>"I beg pardon of each one of you, separately and collectively," Dexie +began. "I never dreamed that my fit of temper was going to affect both +households. You are more than kind, and I have no words to thank you."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't do it, then," said Elsie; "save your breath, and run upstairs +and see your dress, instead. Come, let me show you the finery."</p> + +<p>"Where is your mother? I must see her a moment. How does my nose look now, +Elsie?" she added, as they went through the hall.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if it ought to be tweaked again, you bad girl! But oh, Dexie! +your dress is lovely."</p> + +<p>And so thought Dexie herself as she stood by the bed<a name="Page_112" id="Page_112"></a> whereon it lay, and +she bitterly reproached herself for the anxiety her waywardness had caused.</p> + +<p>Tears were in her eyes as Mrs. Gurney came quietly into the room.</p> + +<p>"Dear Mrs. Gurney—" She could say no more, but the eloquent eyes told the +story quite as well as if it had been spoken by the quivering lips.</p> + +<p>"There, my dear! There! never mind. It was only a mistake, and we all make +mistakes sometimes; so don't fret any more. See how nicely we have managed. +Do you like it, my dear?"</p> + +<p>"So very much that I feel I shall never be able to repay you for the +trouble"—her eyes still full of tears.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, you will, I expect payment this very night," and the firm, cool +hand was laid lovingly across Dexie's shoulder. "When I hear that you have +overlooked the cause of the trouble, and have sung and whistled your very +best, and to Lancy's satisfaction—when I have heard this, I will consider +the debt well paid," and she bent over and kissed the wet cheeks. "You had +better try on the gloves, dear; then see if we have forgotten any one +thing."</p> + +<p>The face was soon wreathed in smiles. The many things made ready for her +use by her dear friends made her realize how much they cared for her, and +her girlish heart beat fast as she thought of the triumph she was +determined to win, if only to please them.</p> + +<p>"We are going to have an early tea, and then we will begin to dress," said +Cora, making her appearance in the room. "You must put yourself into my +hands to-night, Dexie, so be passive and obedient. We have all set our +hearts on your success, Dexie, dear."</p> + +<p>"And I will not disappoint you, I promise. I would be a monster of iniquity +if I did not do my best, after making so much extra trouble for everybody +to-day."</p> + +<p>"Ask Gussie to come in with you for tea, Dexie," said Mrs. Gurney, "and if +she will bring in her dress, one can help the other get ready."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that will be splendid! But I don't want any tea; we had a nice lunch +at the Four-Mile House, and I won't eat anything more till after the +concert. So you can leave my share till then," she said with a smile. +<a name="Page_113" id="Page_113"></a>"What new whim possesses you now, Dexie?" asked Elsie.</p> + +<p>"It is not a whim. I am going to put forth my best efforts to-night, and I +can whistle better if I do not eat."</p> + +<p>"What nonsense! did you ever try it?"</p> + +<p>"Not purposely, but I know I can."</p> + +<p>"That is right, Dexie; use every means to enable you to appear at your +best."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Ross had lingered near the house ever since he had parted from Mr. +Sherwood, so anxious was he to hear the decision of his erratic "warbler," +and he was much relieved when he saw the sleigh drive up to the door at a +much earlier hour than he had dared to hope.</p> + +<p>Feeling quite sure that she had reversed her hasty decision, he turned his +steps to the nearest conservatory, from which he emerged later on bearing a +box which contained what he hoped would prove his "peace-offering."</p> + +<p>He was received by Mr. Sherwood, who had observed his approach from the +window, and his smiling face told the story before there was time to +exchange words thereon.</p> + +<p>"Can I see her?" asked Mr. Ross, as he heard of Lancy's success.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm afraid not; she is engaged, I believe. I suppose you wish to +hear her rehearse?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm afraid you will have to be content with the promise that she +gave to me, that 'she would do her best.' Depend on it, she will not +disappoint any of us to-night. I'll answer for that."</p> + +<p>"But I should like so much to see her. I would like to apologize for my +unintentional mistake. Will you take this bouquet to her with my +compliments, and ask if I may see her for a few moments?"</p> + +<p>"She is in Mrs. Gurney's at present," said Mr. Sherwood, "but if you will +wait here I will step in and see her; but I do not think it will be wise to +insist on an<a name="Page_114" id="Page_114"></a> interview. My daughter has a temper of her own, and that +announcement has provoked her in a way I never saw equalled, so unless she +seems perfectly willing to see you, she should be let alone, until after +the concert any way."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood was soon in the next hall inquiring for his daughter, and she +came down the stairs behind Mrs. Gurney, who also stopped to speak to her +next-door neighbor.</p> + +<p>"Dexie," said Mr. Sherwood, "Mr. Ross sends his compliments with this +bouquet, and wishes to know if you will see him and allow him to explain, +or apologize, whichever you choose to call it," and he handed her the +fragrant flowers.</p> + +<p>Instantly they were flung to the end of the hall, and an angry flush rose +in her cheeks as she exclaimed, hotly:</p> + +<p>"Tell Mr. Ross that I—"</p> + +<p>"Dexie, my dear, your promise," came the quiet words from Mrs. Gurney.</p> + +<p>"Oh! do forgive me, this once more, Mrs. Gurney," and Dexie rushed after +the ill-used flowers; then, in a changed voice, gave the message:</p> + +<p>"Tell Mr. Ross that I appreciate his compliments—oh! highly," and she made +a grimace, "also his flowers. They smell nice—what is left of them; but +I—oh, papa!—I can't see him. Must I go and hear him talk when the very +thought of him makes me angry? Make him go away and leave me. I have +promised to do the best I can to-night. What more can he ask?"</p> + +<p>"You need not see him unless you choose; I will take him your excuses," and +he left the house, and returned to Mr. Ross.</p> + +<p>"I have brought her excuses in place of herself, and you must rest content +with that, Mr. Ross. I think it will not be best to risk the chance of a +second refusal, and but for Mrs. Gurney's interference I would have had to +bring it, I fear. Let it pass till some other time and take no notice of +any coolness she may show to-night, for that public announcement has cut +her deeply."</p> + +<p>"I am grieved to hear it, Mr. Sherwood; I will endeavor to atone for it at +some future time," and with a few parting words he left the house. <a name="Page_115" id="Page_115"></a>Very +pretty was the picture that the young girls made, as they fluttered about +the rooms helping each other to put the finishing touches to their toilets. +Gussie's pink and white complexion looked lovelier than ever when set off +with a suit in which pale blue and white lace formed the chief parts. Dexie +seemed like a gleam of summer sunshine as she fluttered here and there; her +pretty suit had been draped with some gauzy material, that glistened and +sparkled as the light fell through its folds. The long sleeves had been +replaced by short lace ones, trimmed to match the pretty lace bertha, and +the long handsome gloves quite completed her costume.</p> + +<p>"There, I believe we are all ready at last," said Dexie, as she picked up +her neglected flowers. "Let me fasten this cluster of rosebuds in your +belt, Cora, as the finishing touch; then I will make a <i>boutonniere</i> for +Lancy's coat."</p> + +<p>"Why, Dexie, you are spoiling your bouquet!" and Cora seized her hand. "I +cannot rob you of your flowers."</p> + +<p>"But you will take them as a gift, Cora, since they are so beautiful. It +would be a pity not to use them. I do not intend to carry them, for I want +no flowers from Mr. Ross."</p> + +<p>"But perhaps Mr. Ross will not be pleased if you give your flowers away," +said Gussie, holding her own bouquet daintily to her nose.</p> + +<p>"I fancy that his pleasure or displeasure will not affect me," and an angry +gleam brightened her eyes. "I merely accepted them as a peace-offering +which binds me for this night only. If the flowers help to make someone +else entrancing, they will fulfil their mission as well as if I carried +them."</p> + +<p>"Well, if we are all ready let us go down and show ourselves to our private +families before we try to charm the eyes and ears of the public," said +Cora. "Your parents are in the parlor, Dexie; go and make your best bow, +before you put on your wraps; Gussie, do likewise," and Cora gave a +sweeping look over their figures. "Why, Dexie!" she added, "are you not +going to wear any jewelry after all?" and she pointed to the case she had +opened for Dexie's selection.</p><p><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116"></a></p> + +<p>"Please, if you don't mind, I would rather not. I feel dressed enough."</p> + +<p>"So you are, Dexie," Lancy exclaimed, coming to the door at this moment. +"Flashing jewels could not improve you, for you look stunning already. But +the horses are waiting in the cold, while you girls are admiring +yourselves."</p> + +<p>With that they ran down the stairs, all except Dexie, who turned to the +dressing-table in search of a pin, and as they left the room Lancy came +hastily towards her.</p> + +<p>"Oh! is it you, Lancy? I have saved some flowers for you. Shall I pin them +on?"</p> + +<p>As she did so, Lancy slipped his arm around her, and his admiring eyes +confirmed the words that fell from his lips. "You are beautiful to-night, +Dexie. You need not fear any audience with those brilliant eyes and cherry +lips. You will win all hearts, as you have mine."</p> + +<p>Dexie lifted her eyes in surprise, and saw a lover's face very near her +own, and before she could retreat he had pressed her to his heart, and +kissed her on both cheeks.</p> + +<p>"For shame! look!" and she pointed to a mirror where their images were +reflected. "What would your mother say to such rudeness, sir?"</p> + +<p>"I think she would say, 'Dexie, give Lancy one kiss for his trouble this +afternoon.' Don't you think I deserve one, my Dexie?"</p> + +<p>But Dexie flew past him and downstairs to the parlor, where her parents and +Aunt Jennie were awaiting her.</p> + +<p>"How do you like my looks, mamma? Am I not pretty, for once?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"If you had behaved as well as you look I would see no cause for +complaint," said her mother coolly; "but a 'daw in borrowed feathers' is +never a pretty sight."</p> + +<p>"But, mamma, I am going to be just as good as I look, for this evening +anyway; and I am sure, if my eyesight does not deceive me and my friends do +not flatter, that I never looked better, so I'm content," and she left the +room to put on her outside garments.</p> + +<p>She meekly submitted to the extra wraps that Lancy insisted on placing +round her face, and she felt, as she stood <a name="Page_117" id="Page_117"></a>beside him, that Lancy's +tenderness and love added not a little to her daily happiness, even though +she had not just the same regard for him as he professed to have for her.</p> + +<p>"I think I'll drive down with Hugh," she said teasingly, as they came down +the steps to the street, where both sleighs were waiting.</p> + +<p>"But I won't let you," said Lancy quickly. "You are mine for this evening. +I have earned that much, surely. I can't spare you to anyone else, my +Dexie," and he lifted her in beside himself.</p> + +<p>They drove quickly to the hall, and were soon in the dressing-room, among +the bevy of young ladies who were to take part in the concert. Gussie's +heart was pierced with envy as she noticed how much attention was bestowed +on her sister, and she heartily wished that Dexie had kept to her refusal +of the morning.</p> + +<p>Mr. Ross noticed that his peace-offering was not appreciated, and wisely +refrained from further remarks, giving the necessary directions in as few +words as possible.</p> + +<p>Very gay did the Temperance Hall look that evening, with its walls draped +with bunting and its stage decorated with palms and other ornamental +plants; and it never held a larger audience than now awaited the opening +chorus, while the applause that filled the house at its close seemed to +make the rafters ring.</p> + +<p>The first selections were admirably performed, and were fully enjoyed by +those present, but when that part of the programme was reached in which the +"American Warbler" made her first appearance, the enthusiasm reached its +height, and found vent in round after round of applause.</p> + +<p>Lancy made his appearance first, taking his seat at the piano. This +intimated that he was not the "Warbler," and the audience looked around in +doubt, as if asking each other what next to expect.</p> + +<p>A moment later Dexie appeared, and the sea of expectant faces made her +tremble. What if she should fail?</p> + +<p>The appearance of this bright young girl, bowing before them, caused a +moment's hush to fall upon the people. Was she the "warbler," and what was +the character of the performance that was rated so highly? After an +exquisitely<a name="Page_118" id="Page_118"></a> rendered interlude, Dexie's clear whistle joined the +accompaniment, and seemed to hold the listeners spell-bound. At its close a +moment of silence followed, but when Lancy rose from the instrument the +applause began, and grew louder and more deafening, and Mr. Ross hurried to +Dexie's side as she left the stage.</p> + +<p>"You must come forward again, Miss Sherwood; that encore is not to be +resisted," as the thunderous applause grew in volume.</p> + +<p>She took Lancy's arm at last, and stepped forward and bowed her +acknowledgement. But that was not enough; nothing but a repetition would +satisfy the enthusiastic audience, and when Mr. Ross asked her to give "The +Mocking Bird" she felt obliged to consent. Mr. Ross had rightly judged a +Halifax audience when he said it would not be content with one performance, +and not till the strains from the piano rang through the building, followed +by the appearance of Dexie, did the uproar cease.</p> + +<p>Lancy played a long interlude to give Dexie time to compose herself, then +the first strains of the familiar song floated softly through the hall, and +very tender and touching did the words sound as they fell from Lancy's +lips, for genuine feeling was behind them. It was like a passage in a +love-story, and where is the person that does not enjoy the repetition of +some passages, even though they may, at the same time, pronounce them silly +and sentimental in the extreme?</p> + +<p>Dexie stood near the piano. Her soft, low whistle seemed to come from a +distance, then floated nearer and nearer, gaining strength and volume as +the song progressed; and when Lancy sang "Listen to the Mocking Bird," the +joyous, bewildering notes of the birds she was imitating seemed floating +directly overhead, then receded as the next verse was sung, returning +fuller and sweeter to accompany the chorus, each verse seeming to grow more +tender and beautiful, and, when it ended, the enraptured audience showed +their appreciation by applauding with all their strength.</p> + +<p>"No; I cannot go out again," Dexie said, as Mr. Ross urged her to appear +once more in answer to the call. <a name="Page_119" id="Page_119"></a>"It is not fair to the rest, for there +are other things on the programme much nicer."</p> + +<p>"Just this once more," Lancy pleaded, his eyes shining with satisfaction.</p> + +<p>"Come on to the stage, at least, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross, "or they +will have the house down over our ears. May I announce that you will +whistle again at the conclusion of the programme?" and Dexie had to +consent. Mr. Ross led her to the front of the stage, and the audience, +expecting another repetition, subsided into silence; but it was soon broken +when the announcement was made that they should have another selection +later on.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood found his way to the dressing-rooms, and received Dexie with +open arms, while numbers gathered around to congratulate her on her +success.</p> + +<p>"I am proud of you, Dexie," her father said, as they stepped aside. "I was +down among the audience while you were whistling, and on every side I heard +words of warmest praise. Your fear of being hissed was a foolish fear, +after all. I am sure you are not sorry that you came here to-night."</p> + +<p>"No, papa; but I do hope that Mrs. Gurney will be pleased. I whistled for +her and Lancy to-night, and if they are satisfied, that is enough. But, +listen! That is Gussie's voice; that is the duet between her and Miss +Burns. Oh, I do hope they will applaud her heartily!"</p> + +<p>But no such feeling had dwelt in Gussie's heart when Dexie was before the +audience. If she had failed, had completely broken down or been hissed off +the stage, as Dexie herself feared, Gussie would have exulted in her +failure; yet if Gussie had faltered in the least, none would have felt it +so keenly as her twin sister Dexie.</p> + +<p>"Did you see Hugh among the audience?" Lancy whispered from behind her +chair.</p> + +<p>"Yes; how savage he looked! Such a scowl does not improve his handsome +face, if he only knew it. I never saw him look more fierce."</p> + +<p>"I expect that he did not like to see you leaning on my arm before them +all," he whispered. "He is fearfully jealous, Dexie, so do not flirt with +him any more when he<a name="Page_120" id="Page_120"></a> goes in to see Gussie," he added, as he stroked his +growing moustache.</p> + +<p>"I am not likely to flirt with Hugh McNeil or anyone else," she said, with +some spirit; "but judging by the looks cast in this direction, I am under +suspicion already, so please leave me, Lancy."</p> + +<p>The several selections on the programme were performed to everyone's +satisfaction, but every time that Dexie appeared, either as a singer or +accompanist, she was received with such marked favor that it was plainly to +be seen who was the favorite.</p> + +<p>"Now, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross, as the last piece ended and cries for +"the warbler" arose in the hall, "send them home so well pleased with our +entertainment that they will all be eager to attend our next."</p> + +<p>"There is to be no repetition this time, Mr. Ross," said Dexie, decidedly. +"Let Mr. Gurney play the National Anthem directly the piece is ended."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I will direct the members of the club to be ready to step +forward the moment your piece is finished, and we will dismiss them with +'God Save the Queen.'"</p> + +<p>As Lancy and Dexie made their appearance the clapping of hands arose again, +and, under cover of the noise, Dexie whispered a few words to Lancy, who +immediately secured another piano stool. Then they both sat down before the +instrument and waited for the signal to begin.</p> + +<p>A moment later and the outburst of melody that filled the hall seemed to +come from a multitude of song-birds, and the peculiar, bird-like whistle +never sounded sweeter or clearer as it rang out in answer to Lancy's more +powerful notes, their fingers meanwhile flying over the keys in delightful +harmony. Dexie forgot the hundreds of eager listeners. She seemed to have +partaken of the free, joyous nature of the birds she was so cleverly +imitating, and when the last notes had died away the applause that greeted +their ears seemed to shake the building.</p> + +<p>It was a decided relief when the notes from the piano overruled the uproar. +A moment later and the stage was peopled by the members of the club, the +notes of the <a name="Page_121" id="Page_121"></a>National Anthem sounded through the hall, and the audience +below rose to their feet at this the closing signal.</p> + +<p>As the crowd passed out the door, Hugh McNeil made his way to the front; +and as he went at once to help Cora Gurney, and gave Gussie the assistance +she asked for, Dexie thought nothing of his sudden appearance amongst them +until he bent over her and hissed in her ear:</p> + +<p>"I could have killed the both of you as you stood there making love to each +other before them all, as if you belonged to him already! You shall be +mine, not his! I swear it! so take care how you trifle with me!"</p> + +<p>Dexie, terrified by his angry looks, hurried away, and Lancy, noticing her +white face, asked anxiously:</p> + +<p>"What has happened to you, Dexie? You are as white as a ghost."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that big Frenchman has frightened me. Didn't you see him talking to me +just now?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I supposed he was congratulating you on your success."</p> + +<p>"It is a pity you could not have heard his congratulations, Lancy. I fancy +you would not consider them complimentary," and they hurried homeward.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gurney had arranged a little supper for those of the household who +attended the concert, and if anyone noticed Hugh's absence, no one dreamed +of the cause thereof.</p> + +<p>The skill that was required to keep out of Hugh's way during the weeks that +followed, might have raised Dexie to an eminent position if it could have +been turned into another channel. Such a sharp lookout lest Hugh might find +her alone, such a dodging through doors when his strategy had almost +succeeded in bringing her face to face—really it was a marvel how +skilfully she avoided him. Yet the fact that she did avoid him gave him a +false hope, and he thought if he could once lay his heart before her the +battle would be his.</p><p><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + + +<p>Winter changed into spring slowly yet surely, and the almanac declared that +summer was nigh long before people were prepared to accept the assurance.</p> + +<p>To Elsie Gurney the spring had been particularly trying, and her mother +began to feel anxious as day after day found her lying on a couch, listless +and weary. The doctor advised change of scene as the best means to recover +health and spirits, and Mrs. Gurney decided at last to accept the kind and +repeated invitation of a dear friend living in Charlottetown, and send +Elsie thither under Lancy's escort. Mrs. Gurney wrote to her friend +explaining Elsie's condition, and the kind letter that came in reply caused +preparations to be made at once for the visit.</p> + +<p>"My guest chambers are all vacant," wrote Mrs. Fremont, "and my girls are +delighted with the prospect of having someone new to the place to show +around and gossip with. But, with your houseful, surely you can spare more +than two of your family. Remember, I have not seen any of you since we came +to Charlottetown, so be generous. Launcelot must not think of returning for +some weeks, and he must come prepared to see a deal of service, for my +girls have already planned drives and picnics that he must lead to success, +for Huburt has not yet returned from abroad, and an elder brother is sadly +missed in these little pleasure-parties. Elsie shall have the best of care, +and I feel safe in promising that when she returns home all trace of her +illness will be dispelled."</p> + +<p>But Elsie shrank from this visit and begged to be allowed to stay at home. +She was naturally shy and reserved, and to go among new faces, and into +strange places, and be expected to take part in the pleasures that were +being prepared, oh! this was worse than being ill at home, for then her own +dear ones would be near her.</p> + +<p>But the visit, like the big doses of medicine that the doctor ordered, had +to be taken, whether she liked it or not, and the preparations went on, +though it grieved her mother to see how Elsie shrank from the visit.</p><p><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123"></a></p> + +<p>One day when Elsie was crying about her "banishment from home," Dexie +Sherwood came into the room, and learning the cause of Elsie's tears she +frankly stated her mind as follows:</p> + +<p>"Well, if you are not a baby, then I never saw one! The idea of you lying +there crying until your eyes are red and swollen because you are going off +on a fine cruise! I declare! if I thought I should be treated half so well, +I'd fall sick this very day, and you may be sure I would select some +complaint that required a change of scene to restore me," and, assuming an +expression of extreme woe, she added:</p> + +<p>"Your kind friend in Charlottetown didn't say that any sick neighbor might +join you, I suppose? for, ah me! I am beginning to feel awfully bad +already. Where, oh! where can I go to regain my shattered health?"</p> + +<p>Elsie's tears of grief changed to tears of laughter, and she replied,</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose it does look silly for me to be fretting because I have to +go away, but I hate to go among strange people. If Cora could come with me +I would not mind it at all."</p> + +<p>"But Lancy is going with you," said Dexie, "so you cannot come to any great +harm. The people over there are quite civilized, I'm told, so they won't +likely eat you; not till you get a little more flesh on your bones, +anyway."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gurney, who was in the room, lifted her eyes to Dexie's animated face, +and said in her gentle, motherly tone,</p> + +<p>"Dexie, my dear, why couldn't <i>you</i> go with Elsie? I was stupid not to have +thought of it before."</p> + +<p>"For my health, do you mean, Mother Gurney? But I am afraid I have +recovered it already. I have made Elsie laugh, and the unusual sound has +cured me like a charm."</p> + +<p>"Well, not exactly for <i>your</i> health, my dear, but for Elsie's," she +replied, as she looked into the laughing face before her. "When I think of +the double benefit your companionship would be to her, I wonder that the +thought did not occur to me before."</p><p><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh! Mrs. Gurney, I feel so ashamed," and Dexie covered her hot cheeks for +a moment with her hands. "I never intended to suggest such a thing when I +made such a thoughtless remark. Oh! what can you think of me! Indeed I only +said it to make Elsie laugh."</p> + +<p>"There, there; of course I understood your bit of fun," and Mrs. Gurney +patted the blushing girl on her shoulder, "but when a suggestion made in +sport brings such a change in Elsie's looks, how much good would result if +the jest were turned to earnest."</p> + +<p>"But imagine me going to Mrs. Fremont's when she is not aware of my +existence! I couldn't pass myself off as Cora, for I am too unlike any of +the family. Indeed, I fear my wickedness would soon betray me," her +embarrassment giving place to a mischievous air.</p> + +<p>"If I write and introduce you, you can feel as sure of as hearty a welcome +as if you were one of my family. But we must not make plans till we consult +your parents," said Mrs. Gurney, turning to leave the room.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Dexie, if you only <i>would</i> come with me, it would make all the +difference in the world," said Elsie. "A weight seems lifted off my heart +at the thought."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but look at all the nice dresses you are getting made. You would find +me a very shabby companion, for I never dare ask mamma for a new dress +unless Gussie is in need of one also; but now that papa is home I might +manage that difficulty, and I am quite sure of Aunt Jennie's help."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gurney was soon discussing the matter with the parents next door, +making much of the great favor it would be to herself if they would spare +Dexie to accompany Elsie to Charlottetown. Consent was readily granted, +though Mrs. Sherwood could not refrain from expressing a fear that the +necessary preparations would be rather troublesome, as she did not feel +able to make any extra exertion herself.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood was quite an invalid, or at least she thought she was, which +amounted to about the same thing. Necessity did not compel her to bestir +herself very much, so she began to think she <i>could</i> not, and she was +generally found lying on a sofa with a book as companion.</p><p><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125"></a></p> + +<p>Dexie's absence from home would be rather a pleasant relief than otherwise, +as she had an unpleasant way of finding unfinished work and laying it in a +work-basket by her mother's side for completion. Dexie's brisk ways and +ceaseless activity were extremely annoying, as it seemed a continual +reproach to Mrs. Sherwood, who preferred the easy, languid movements of her +twin sister.</p> + +<p>No one raised any objections to Mrs. Gurney's plans except Gussie, and her +objections were many and loudly expressed.</p> + +<p>It was shameful of Dexie to thrust herself into the Gurney family as she +was doing. Anyone could see that it was more on Lancy's account than +Elsie's that Dexie was so delighted to accompany them. Why didn't she go +and live with them at once? She might as well, seeing that so much of her +sewing was being prepared in Mrs. Gurney's sewing-room.</p> + +<p>This, and pages more, was reiterated daily, till Dexie would snatch up her +work and run to her aunt's room, and she was heartily glad when the time +came to leave Gussie and her unkind words behind her.</p> + +<p>Yet it was not only on Gussie's account that she felt so glad to be off, +for, when Hugh McNeil heard of her intended departure, he added his +persecutions also. At first, when he learned that Lancy was to accompany +Elsie, his heart beat high with hope. Dexie would be free from Lancy's +influence, and he hoped much from a few weeks of uninterrupted intercourse. +His passion for Dexie had grown as the weeks went by, and when the one +obstacle, Lancy, was removed, all would be well. His visits to the +Sherwoods were more frequent than ever, and he openly showed his preference +for Dexie's society.</p> + +<p>But Gussie had no other admirer just then, and she accepted the attentions +meant for her sister as if they were her own just due. This was so +exasperating to Hugh that, when Dexie turned away from him, he would take +his hat and leave abruptly. This strange behavior Gussie set down to +everything except the true cause, for she did not dream that Hugh's +affections had been transferred to her sister, for Dexie openly snubbed +him.</p><p><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126"></a></p> + +<p>But, when Hugh learned that Dexie was preparing to accompany the others, he +was almost beside himself with rage. He refused at first to believe it—the +idea was too preposterous! Well it was that the announcement was not made +to him before the assembled household, for his face revealed the fierce +conflict within, and he had quite as many objections to make as Gussie, +though they were not so openly and freely expressed. Chancing to meet Dexie +in the hall, after repeated efforts to catch her alone, his bitter +disappointment was so touchingly expressed that, for the first time, Dexie +felt a sort of pity for the man, though she could not understand the +intense feeling that seemed to possess him.</p> + +<p>"Promise me five minutes alone! only five minutes!" he begged, as Dexie +tried to pass him. "You will surely grant me that small favor before you +go! I must speak to you, Dexie, even if you refuse me a private interview."</p> + +<p>"I have no right to grant even 'five minutes' interview' to my sister's +lover," was the cool reply. "You can have nothing to say to me that might +not be said before the whole family."</p> + +<p>"Am I your sister's lover? You know better, Dexie! I have been blinded by +her pretty face, but my eyesight has returned to me. I want something more +than beauty in my future wife," and he tried to catch her hand.</p> + +<p>But Dexie was too quick for this movement, and she hotly replied:</p> + +<p>"And I hope you may get it! May she be blessed with a temper hot enough to +make even a Frenchman tire of dancing to the music of her tongue!" and with +this retort she flew past him, and the door slammed behind her.</p> + +<p>Hugh stood for a moment and gazed after her; then, turning on his heel, +pulled the ends of his long moustache into his mouth as he muttered to +himself:</p> + +<p>"Not so bad, my little girl! The hot temper is there fast enough, but it +won't make me dance, unless it will be for joy at getting the owner of it."</p> + +<p>This happened just the day before they started on their journey, and, +through the hours of that busy day, Dexie kept wondering what Hugh wished +to tell her. Should <a name="Page_127" id="Page_127"></a>she see him and be done with it? No; for his earnest +looks and half-spoken words told all too plainly the nature of the +interview. Dexie never could explain, even to herself, why she disliked +Hugh so much; but his very presence seemed to raise up all the opposition +there was within her. To a stranger, he would have seemed more attractive +than Lancy Gurney. His figure had attained to manly proportions, and his +manner had a charm that was quite pleasing. His dark, handsome face and +brilliant black eyes seemed to tell of southern birth; and the heavy, +upward-curling moustache added much to his attractions. Dexie had looked +upon him with favorable eyes when she first came to Halifax. He had formed +a striking contrast to Gussie's fair beauty, but the memory of his handsome +face was far from pleasant as Dexie thought of the words he had spoken to +her in the hall.</p> + +<p>Yet Hugh succeeded after all, and the five minutes he asked for thrice +repeated themselves before Dexie could escape from his presence.</p> + +<p>The back of the house, or ell, which formed the kitchen, was a story less +in height than the main building, and its flat roof was often utilized by +both families as a drying-ground for small articles of clothing, and Dexie +had stepped out of the window that overlooked this roof to bring in some +forgotten articles that hung on the line.</p> + +<p>It had been very warm all day, and as Dexie stood a minute, enjoying the +cool breeze that blew in from the harbor, her figure was distinctly +outlined to observers from the rear of the house; but her presence might +have escaped notice, had she not been softly whistling some little song.</p> + +<p>Hugh had just returned from the depot, where he had taken the luggage which +was to accompany the young travellers in the morning, and his heart was +full of bitter feelings as he thought of his master's son filling the place +he coveted so dearly.</p> + +<p>As he passed into the yard, Dexie's soft whistle reached his ears. He was +too well acquainted with the sound not to recognize the source of it, and, +glancing up, he saw her there in the twilight, the breeze gently lifting +her wavy hair and fluttering the ribbons around her neck, as if<a name="Page_128" id="Page_128"></a> +endeavoring to attract his attention. One glance was enough, and before +Dexie knew he had returned from the depot, she was startled by his +appearance beside her.</p> + +<p>She turned to enter the house, but Hugh had not gained this opportunity +merely to let it slip by, so he boldly stepped before her and shut the +window, and his exultant face was a strong contrast to the expression +depicted on Dexie's.</p> + +<p>They stood thus face to face for several moments, silently regarding each +other—Hugh flushed with triumph, his eyes glowing with a feeling of +victory; Dexie, her heart beating fast in her anger, white and defiant as +she regarded her audacious companion.</p> + +<p>It was Dexie who broke the silence. In a tone of the utmost contempt she +said, as she waved him aside:</p> + +<p>"Stand back out of my way and let me pass," and she moved towards the +window.</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Dexie, just hear me for a moment. I want to speak to you."</p> + +<p>"Not a word, sir, let me pass at once! How dare you keep me here against my +will!"</p> + +<p>His tone of entreaty changed to command.</p> + +<p>"Because it is my will that you shall hear me," and his face grew paler as +he spoke. "For once you shall listen to what I have to say. I can be silent +no longer."</p> + +<p>"Well, if you must unburden your mind, talk to the chimney there; it will +care quite as much for what you have to say as I. It is quite in keeping +with the estimate I had formed for you, to keep me here a prisoner on the +house-top. Stand aside at once and let me enter the house."</p> + +<p>"Dexie," he said more firmly, "I am not going to let you pass until I tell +you what I came here to say. Is it not enough that I am to lose the sight +of your bright face for such long, weary weeks, that I must be refused +these few moments—moments that I must perforce steal from you if I am to +get them at all? Do I need to tell you what a blank my life will be while +you are away; and not only a blank, but a fearful dream of blasted hopes +and weary longing? Oh, Dexie, take away some of the bitterness <a name="Page_129" id="Page_129"></a>that your +absence will cause, by giving me, at least, the promise that you will not +forget me while you are away."</p> + +<p>"Not forget you, indeed!" she said in a rising voice. "I may forgive you +this insult, but you may be sure that I will do my best to forget you, just +as quickly as I can. I am not given to remembering unpleasant things."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, do not talk so bitterly; you do not mean it; say you do not, +Dexie?" he said, entreatingly. "You are vexed at being kept here against +your will; come, then, let us go inside and talk it over quietly," he +added, persuasively, and he reached for her hand.</p> + +<p>"But I <i>do</i> mean every word of it," and she stepped back out of his reach, +"and if you do not wish to hear me express myself more plainly, I'd advise +you to open the window at once."</p> + +<p>"Hear me a moment, Dexie. I know you are prejudiced against me on account +of Gussie; but give me time to prove that I am in earnest when I say that +it is you that I love," and her hands were instantly imprisoned in his +strong clasp, "and I love you, Dexie, with the intense love that a strong +man feels for the one woman who is all the world to him, a love that is not +to be compared with the boyish feeling that Lancy Gurney has for you. Give +me some hope, Dexie, that sometime in the future, when you have rightly +considered the matter, you will look on me with a more kindly feeling in +your heart than you are willing to own to to-night."</p> + +<p>Dexie freed her hands by a great effort. His words had flowed like a +torrent from his lips, and she took a step back from him, as she replied,</p> + +<p>"Mr. McNeil, I will <i>never</i> regard you in the light you are thinking of, so +all this talk is worse than folly."</p> + +<p>"Have I spoken too late?" he almost hissed.</p> + +<p>His eyes seemed to burn as he looked into her face.</p> + +<p>"Have you already promised yourself to Lancy? Tell me!"</p> + +<p>"I will not!" came the defiant answer. "You have no right to ask such a +question, and I will not answer it!"</p><p><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130"></a></p> + +<p>Her defiant air and scornful words angered him. He had buoyed himself up +with the hope that if he once declared his love she would be touched with +the declaration, and, if she did refuse him, would do it in a kindly way +that would bid him hope for better luck by and by; but to have his love +flung back in his teeth, as it were, was more than his passionate nature +could bear.</p> + +<p>"Oh! so you love him, do you, and spurn me. Tell me, is it so?"</p> + +<p>Again she stepped back from him as he was speaking, and was unaware how +very near she was to the edge of the roof; but Hugh observed it, and +thinking he could force a confession from her lips through fear, if by no +other means, he quickly grasped her arm, saying in a voice trembling with +passion:</p> + +<p>"Do you love him? Tell me, or I'll throw you over!"</p> + +<p>Dexie turned her head, and for one awful moment, as she realized her peril, +her face blanched to her very lips; but instead of the answer Hugh +expected, she raised her eyes to his, and he quailed beneath their terrible +glance, as she cried:</p> + +<p>"Throw me over then, you coward, for I'll never tell you!"</p> + +<p>An instant they stood thus face to face, on the very edge of the roof, when +Hugh's better nature asserted itself, and he quickly drew her back to +safety, exclaiming hoarsely:</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Dexie, I never meant to do it, indeed I did not; I would not +harm a hair of your dear head for a thousand worlds!"</p> + +<p>He felt weak and small before the girl whom he had thought to bend to his +will, and made no effort now to keep her from entering the house, but +stepped to the window beside her and raised it, endeavoring all the while +to get a word of forgiveness from her close-shut lips. She never even +turned her head in his direction, but entered the house and into her own +room, and Hugh was obliged to descend with a more uncomfortable feeling in +his breast than he had felt there when he sought Dexie's presence on the +roof. <a name="Page_131" id="Page_131"></a>"Baffled, after all," was his silent comment; "a coward, she called +me; yes, it was a cowardly thing to do, and I might have known she would +resent it. But how handsome she looked as she defied me on the very edge of +the roof! I believe she would not have opened her lips and answered that +question, even to save her life, after she had once refused to speak! But +I'll win her yet, and she will be doubly dear when conquered at last, my +brave Dexie!" and with feelings that were only intensified by this +interview, he returned to the yard to prepare the carriage for the drive to +the depot next morning.</p> + +<p>It was some satisfaction to be able to see that everything possible was +done for the comfort of his darling, though it was bitterness itself to +think of her going away under the escort of Lancy Gurney.</p> + +<p>When he re-entered the house, his unusual pallor was quickly noticed by +Mrs. Gurney, and she kindly asked:</p> + +<p>"Are you very tired, Hugh?"</p> + +<p>Without lifting his eyes, he replied:</p> + +<p>"No, not tired, but heart-sick."</p> + +<p>"What is it, Hugh? What is the trouble?" she asked, in her kind, motherly +tone.</p> + +<p>"Do not ask me, please! it is nothing that can be remedied, believe me," +and he raised his eyes a moment and met her inquiring gaze.</p> + +<p>"Well, my boy, you, like the rest of us, I suppose, have just so much pain +and trouble to bear in this world. Do not let it bear too heavily on your +young heart; all is for the best in the end, you know," and her hand was +laid on his shoulder with a sympathetic pressure, as she passed on.</p> + +<p>All for the best! when in all the hasty preparations that are of necessity +left till the last few hours before a journey, no one even thought of the +fierce heart-struggle that was his, or would have cared about it had they +known it! There seemed to be no kind word of remembrance for him, amidst +the bustle and confusion that reigned around him. He felt as if he stood +apart from those who, up to this time, seemed as near to him as kith and +kin.</p><p><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + + +<p>Both families were early astir the next morning, but the hour soon arrived +that the last "good-byes" must be said, and Mrs. Gurney had reason to be +thankful that Dexie was one of the party, otherwise it would have been +impossible to have started Elsie on her journey without seeming to be +harsh. As it was, Elsie clung to each of the family in turn, as if her +journey were to extend to the Cape of Good Hope, and the length of her stay +to be indefinite. She was lifted into the carriage at last, her hat pulled +back on her head, and her disordered apparel otherwise smoothed out by +Dexie, and Hugh was bidden by Mr. Gurney to "drive on quickly," amidst the +shrill choruses of "good-byes" from the little ones of the family who had +gathered on the steps to see them off. Seeing that Elsie still kept looking +back and waving her handkerchief in token of farewell, Mrs. Gurney drew the +children into the house, and then went away to her own room, where, for a +short time, she remained. When she appeared among them again, her face had +regained its usual calm and placid expression. She had left her burden with +the Great Burden-bearer, and though her heart would go after her daughter +in loving solicitude, she felt that Elsie was in safe-keeping, and so could +rest content.</p> + +<p>During the drive to the depot, Dexie was all life and animation. She plied +Lancy with questions which she gave little chance to answer, until she +succeeded in getting Elsie's attention turned to outward things, and as +they drove rapidly along the road, they began to speculate whether any of +the occupants of the cabs that were going in the same direction were to be +fellow-travellers.</p> + +<p>Hugh was unusually silent—perhaps it was just as well that he was—but the +rest of the party kept up such a stream of talk that his want of speech was +not remarked.</p> + +<p>His heart was too sore for speech, for Dexie's cold, indifferent look cut +deeper than she knew. He had not been able to get a word with her since the +unfortunate interview on the roof, but he felt that he <i>must</i> have one<a name="Page_133" id="Page_133"></a> +parting word, and he kept revolving in his mind what he could say that +would likely win for him one word of forgiveness for his unguarded words.</p> + +<p>But it was not easy to obtain even the smallest speech amidst the bustle +and distraction of the moving crowd at the depot. Lancy hurried the girls +into the car that they might have a choice of seats, then, leaving them +comfortably seated, he left the car to secure their tickets and checks.</p> + +<p>Had it not been for the fact that amidst the hurry of gathering up the +wraps, etc., from the carriage, they had forgotten that ever-welcome +addition to one's travelling paraphernalia, the lunch-basket, Hugh might +have been unable to get a word from Dexie beyond the curt "good-bye" that +she had already cut and dried, as it were, and ready to fling out the +window at him at the last moment.</p> + +<p>But Hugh's keen eyes observed the forgotten basket, that had been packed +with such care, and seizing it he entered the car, just as Lancy was +leaving it at the opposite door.</p> + +<p>Lancy had wisely chosen the centre seats as being the most comfortable, and +Dexie sat chatting gaily to Elsie lest the home-parting should again come +before her mental vision, when she saw Hugh enter the car.</p> + +<p>She had just time to compose her face into a look of solemn indifference, +when Hugh reached her side.</p> + +<p>"You forgot the lunch-basket, Elsie," he said, looking across at Dexie who +sat facing her. "You left it in the carriage."</p> + +<p>"Oh! so we did," said Elsie. "Whatever should we have done if you had not +seen it in time! Wasn't it lucky, Dexie, that he noticed it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! I suppose so," was her indifferent reply, "but we could easily have +bought something when we felt hungry. I hope, Elsie, that you do not think +we are going into a wilderness where people live on grass roots!" and she +coolly leaned back in her seat, rearranged the pretty tie at her throat, +then pulled a book from the strap, as if ready for the perusal of it when +Hugh would be kind enough to relieve them of his presence.</p> + +<p>But Hugh was not to be dismissed by hints. Taking the seat by Elsie's side, +and opposite Dexie, he said: <a name="Page_134" id="Page_134"></a>"Still, I am sure you would have felt sorry +to have forgotten it; you know it is the last home-cooking you will eat for +some time, Elsie."</p> + +<p>Whereupon Elsie's lip began to quiver, and a suspicion of moisture to +appear in her eyes; a word more of home matters would cause the drops to +fall into the handkerchief that Elsie was already pulling out of her +pocket, in readiness to catch the coming shower. Dexie could have boxed +Hugh's ears with a good grace, but she refrained.</p> + +<p>"Don't be a goose, Elsie," was her flattering remark. "Just as if no one +else in the country could make a decent cake but your Susan! Don't, for +goodness' sake, get sentimental over eatables just because Mr. McNeil +happens to be struck that way."</p> + +<p>The tears forgot to fall, the handkerchief was left in a crumpled heap, +hanging half out of her pocket; and as soon as the lump that was in her +throat could be disposed of, Elsie ventured meekly to remark that she "was +sure Lancy would be late if he did not hurry in."</p> + +<p>This recalled Hugh to the fact that unless he made good use of the few +remaining minutes, his words to Dexie would be left unsaid; and as Elsie +leaned out the window in hopes of seeing Lancy, he bent forward to Dexie, +saying in a low voice,</p> + +<p>"Say that you forgive me, Dexie, before you go. I was wild with pain at the +thought of you leaving me so long with nothing to hope for. I cannot let +you go without a word of forgiveness for my hasty words; you know I never +meant to do it, Dexie, for I would die to save you from harm."</p> + +<p>"Very kind of you, I am sure! but pray do not have any funeral on my +account. I feel quite capable of looking after myself, and I hope you will +not make it necessary for me to repeat this assertion in the future. Say no +more about forgiveness; the occurrence is too recent for that, but I will +try to forget it."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, do not speak so cruelly. How can I prove that I love you, and that +it was the thought of losing you that drove me to madness! You can't +believe that I meant to carry out my murderous threat—no! I cannot think +it,<a name="Page_135" id="Page_135"></a> when my own heart aches with love and longing for you. If I write to +you, Dexie, and lay my heart open before you, surely you will believe me!"</p> + +<p>"Do not trouble yourself to write, Mr. McNeil," was the scornful reply. "If +you have any heart-trouble, you will find me a poor physician, for I have +not the slightest interest in your condition."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, are you going to leave me with no kinder remembrance of you than +those cruel words? I <i>must</i> write, Dexie; say that you will answer my +letter," and a look of entreaty beamed from the dark eyes raised to her +face.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't think of it! I am going away to enjoy myself, and am not going to +bother writing to every Tom, Dick and Harry, so I'll have to <i>throw you +over</i>!" and a pair of defiant eyes met his gaze.</p> + +<p>Hugh's passionate nature was raised to the utmost, but he choked back the +words that rose to his lips, and giving her one long, earnest look, said in +a hoarse voice:</p> + +<p>"You repeat my words! May you never have a happy moment until you are as +sorry for saying them as I am!" and he rose and left the car, meeting Lancy +on the steps.</p> + +<p>"Well, Hugh, we are away at last," said Lancy, gaily. "Good-bye, old +fellow!"</p> + +<p>But Hugh merely raised his eyes and hurried past, and before Elsie knew he +had left the car she saw him driving furiously down the road, past cabs and +trucks, escaping collision as if by a miracle, and the speed never slacked +until he had covered more ground than was necessary to take him home.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with Hugh?" said Lancy, as he seated himself beside his +sister. "I do think he might keep his temper occasionally. What has gone +wrong, now?" and he looked over at Dexie for his answer.</p> + +<p>"I fear I am the wicked person that has gone wrong and as his eloquence +prevailed not in turning me from my evil ways he feels heart-sick."</p> + +<p>"Heart-sick!" cried Elsie, in surprise; "that would not put him in a +temper, surely."</p> + +<p>"Love-sick, then," said Dexie, with a smile; "that might account for it." +<a name="Page_136" id="Page_136"></a>"Well," said Elsie, in a tone of disgust, "he must be awfully in love with +your Gussie, if he can't leave her long enough to drive us to the depot +without pining for her," whereupon Dexie forgot her surroundings and burst +into such a rippling laugh that Lancy felt forced to join her. The +infection spread to their fellow-travellers, and caused a smile to pass +around, although the cause of the merriment was unknown beyond the little +group from which it started.</p> + +<p>"I fancy I can guess the cause of the trouble," said Lancy. "I daresay Hugh +found the parting painful. Am I right?"</p> + +<p>Just then the starting-signal sounded, and the train sped away across the +country, and our travellers settled down to whatever comfort there is to be +obtained in a railroad car.</p> + +<p>As soon as Lancy could get a word with Dexie, he asked her again what Hugh +had said to her, and she, willing to put his mind at ease, replied:</p> + +<p>"He wanted me to promise that I would answer a letter he wished to write to +me, and I gave him to understand that I wanted no correspondence with my +sister's lover, so we had a few words over it and then parted—<i>not</i> +friends, I fear!"</p> + +<p>Lancy knew that Hugh was only waiting his opportunity to oust him from his +favored position, and it delighted him to hear Dexie speak of him in that +strain.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Dexie; I guess Hugh can hear all he needs to know of you +second-hand."</p> + +<p>Dexie smiled, and she did not pull away her hand when, for a moment, Lancy +laid his own shapely one across it. Lancy was her good friend; why should +he not feel sure of it? And a warm pressure of the hand goes a great way +towards proving friendship, to say nothing of a stronger feeling.</p> + +<p>We must go back to Hugh, whom we left driving furiously along the road, his +heart full of bitter, angry feelings. He reproached Dexie for her cold, +heartless words, and himself for his ungovernable temper. He would give +worlds to recall those hasty words spoken on the roof, but it was too late; +he doubted if ever Dexie would forgive <a name="Page_137" id="Page_137"></a>them. He felt that he could not +meet Mrs. Gurney's searching glance while in such a mood, so he kept on, +seeing nothing and hearing nothing of what was passing around him, his only +thought being to get away from human sight until the heat of the battle had +somewhat passed away.</p> + +<p>It was not until some hours later that he made his appearance at Mrs. +Gurney's. She was becoming quite anxious at his long absence, as she wished +to hear the latest news of Elsie. Even when Hugh did return, he lingered so +long in the stable that she had to send a message to him before he made his +appearance.</p> + +<p>He felt glad to find her alone in the room; he could not hide his feelings +from her, but others need not know of his weakness.</p> + +<p>"How did she keep up, Hugh? Is she all right?"</p> + +<p>"Elsie, you mean? Oh, yes. I think she is all right. She did not get a +chance to fret after she left the house."</p> + +<p>"But what detained you? I suppose you stayed to see them off, but the train +must have gone hours ago."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know it, Mrs. Gurney; but I—I didn't stay to see them off—I +couldn't," he added, seeing her look of surprise. "I'm a fool, I suppose, +but I couldn't stand there and see her go away without giving me one kind +word, so I drove off down the road until I could hide my folly from others' +eyes. I have driven Bob pretty hard, I'm afraid, but I have rubbed him down +well, and he will be the first to recover from this day's work."</p> + +<p>He spoke bitterly, but openly, as any loved son might speak to a tender, +sympathizing mother, and he had found her all that during the long years he +had lived with them; and though her own son had gained, as he thought, the +one thing he longed for, he knew she would feel for his disappointment.</p> + +<p>"It is Dexie you mean. You do not like her to be going away with Lancy. Is +that it, Hugh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but that is not all. She has treated me so scornfully, while +Lancy—." He broke off abruptly, with a gesture that finished the sentence +for him.</p> + +<p>"But, Hugh, think a minute! Lancy's tastes are similar <a name="Page_138" id="Page_138"></a>to her own. How can +she help showing the preference, when their very music seems to draw them +together? I would not have thought, Hugh, that you would be so willing to +give up Gussie as you seem to be. You are not trifling with both girls, I +hope, Hugh?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! You do not understand, and I cannot explain; but Gussie is not +what I thought her at first, and Dexie—well, she is so much more. It does +not make it easier to bear to know that I have placed a barrier between us +with my own hands. Oh, my temper! my hateful temper! it has done me more +harm during the last twenty-four hours than during all my life long," and +he laid his arms across the table and bent his head upon them.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is not so, after all; the last burst of temper always looks the +worst. Don't you think so, my boy? Forget it for a few moments, and tell me +about Elsie. Has she gone off in good spirits?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I believe so, but to tell the truth I had no thought for anyone but +Dexie. Elsie will not get a chance to fret, I feel sure, but I wish Dexie +felt half as bad about leaving home as <i>she</i> does. It would be a comfort to +think about."</p> + +<p>"I am quite surprised, Hugh! Surely you can see that Dexie's feelings for +you are far from encouraging, and how can you think that two such +firebrands—yes, you must excuse the term, if you do not like it, but it +suits you both—do you think you two <i>could</i> be happy together? Have you +thought of this matter seriously, Hugh? I am afraid not. Yet one should +study well the character of the one whom we would choose to walk with along +life's road. We all know something of Dexie's temper, for she has not tried +to hide even her worst faults from us. With your own high temper, Hugh, it +would be a great risk to link your life with hers. There is nothing so +beautiful and complete as a happy married life, but there can be nothing so +unutterably miserable as an unhappy marriage."</p> + +<p>"Well, it may be as you say, and Dexie may not be suitable in some ways for +me, but I can never care for anyone else as I care for her. If I could only +win her, I would make her so happy that there would never be any cause for +her to get angry with me."</p><p><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139"></a></p> + +<p>But the memory of the words he had spoken on the roof a few short hours +before stung him at this moment, and sharply reminded him of his inability +to control himself as her lover. Would he be more likely to govern himself +as her husband?</p> + +<p>Seeing that Mrs. Gurney was regarding him closely, he hastily rose to his +feet, saying:</p> + +<p>"You are right, Mrs. Gurney, as you always are. I should not succeed in +controlling my temper in the future any better than I have done in the +past. I will try to overcome this foolishness. I love Dexie Sherwood too +well to wish to bring one moment of sorrow into her life."</p> + +<p>He left the room and sought his own chamber, and during the hour he sat +there in silence he fancied he had buried forever every thought of tender +regard for Dexie Sherwood. He even imagined that he could look with favor +on Lancy, or anyone else, who would make her as happy as she deserved to +be.</p> + +<p>His magnanimous feelings were even puffed up to that degree that he was +mentally witnessing her marriage ceremony, with Lancy as chief actor, when +the sound of the dinner-bell recalled him to his senses. Yet, when he sat +down to the table and beheld Lancy's empty seat, he ground his heel into +the rug under the table, as if it were his enemy, for the thought occurred +that Lancy, at this present moment, might be bending over the head so +precious to him, or whispering words in her ears which he never wished her +to hear, unless spoken by himself. Truly he did not know himself, and as +the nature of his thoughts occurred to him he almost despised himself for +his weakness. Surely he needed another grave than that he had dug while in +the privacy of his own room; a grave that would keep entombed that which he +wished to put forever out of his memory! It was only by bringing up to his +mind his own imperfections that he could keep Dexie out of his thoughts.</p> + +<p>But as days went by, and other matters of importance intervened, he was +kept so busy, mentally as well as bodily, that his love was put back out of +sight; he felt her absence less keenly, and his love for Dexie was thought +of as a thing of the past.</p><p><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + + +<p>We must now return to the young travellers, whom we left in the car, +expecting to reach their destination by nightfall. In this they were +disappointed, for when the train was within a few miles of Truro it came to +a sudden standstill, throwing some of the passengers out of their seats, +but seriously injuring no one.</p> + +<p>"Something wrong with the engine!" was the explanation, when heads were +thrust from the windows to inquire the cause of the trouble.</p> + +<p>This explanation was received with due submission by those accustomed to +railway travelling, but Elsie, her nerves unstrung by other causes, sat +crying hysterically, and would give no heed to Lancy's repeated declaration +that nothing serious was the matter.</p> + +<p>"We will be detained here for a while, Elsie, but that is all," he added.</p> + +<p>Elsie, though, seemed unable to control her sobs, and Dexie began to feel +anxious, for these crying fits invariably brought on a nervous headache, +and when at last the train started, Elsie was hardly in a fit state to +continue the journey.</p> + +<p>Under the circumstances Lancy deemed it best to stop over at Truro until +the next trip of the Island boat. This would give Elsie time to recover, +and they would have an opportunity to see something of the pretty town they +had heard so highly praised.</p> + +<p>Elsie felt relieved at this decision. She was unused to travelling, and +found the short journey tiresome in the extreme; indeed her throbbing +temples called imperatively for quietness and rest.</p> + +<p>The train steamed into the dark, tunnel-like depot, and stepping out on the +platform, they found, after some difficulty, the little room that was +designated "The Waiting-Room," where Lancy left the girls to inquire for +hotel accommodations.</p> + +<p>While in semi-darkness they waited his return, Dexie tried to ascertain if +there was not a pleasanter outlook than could be obtained from the door, +but the one dust-encrusted window gave a dim and indistinct view from that +quarter.</p><p><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141"></a></p> + +<p>As if in answer to their wishes, Lancy speedily returned, and as they +gathered up their wraps Dexie asked:</p> + +<p>"Do you know why they call this room the 'waiting-room,' Lancy? Give a +guess."</p> + +<p>"Can't! I give it up," giving a glance around him.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll just tell you. This room has been 'waiting' for years for +someone to clean it, and that is how it has earned its name. Even the rusty +old stove has taken on the look of dejection that seems to haunt the +place."</p> + +<p>Lancy was beginning to think that the little town had been very much +overpraised, as unfortunately the worst-looking part of it was situated +near the depot, and he felt disappointed and vexed that they had not been +able to continue their journey. His annoyance was increased when he learned +that there had been an excursion to the town the day before, crowding the +hotels, which had not yet recovered from the effects of the many +disturbances that had taken place inside their doors.</p> + +<p>It was a new experience to the girls, this seeking a temporary home at a +public hotel, and the unpleasant features of hotel life, to which older +travellers shut their eyes, were to them unbearable.</p> + +<p>Entering the parlor of the hotel to which he had been directed, Lancy told +the girls to be seated while he saw the proprietor; but the expression on +the faces of both girls gave Lancy some uneasy feelings, and Dexie's +uplifted nose told the cause of her disapproval.</p> + +<p>"It will be no use for you to engage rooms here, Lancy," said she, "for if +all smells like this we won't stay."</p> + +<p>"Well, I will just order a lunch, and we can decide about rooms later on."</p> + +<p>This was found to have been a wise precaution, as the disgusting fumes of +stale tobacco-smoke and liquor, seemed to pervade every corner.</p> + +<p>"It's no use being too particular, girls," said Lancy, as they rose from +the table, and re-entered the parlor, "we will not be here but a day or +two, you know."</p> + +<p>"Well, but surely we can find some other place to stay in while we are +here. We don't want to appear at Mrs. Fremont's with our clothes smelling +like a bar-room!" said Dexie, rather sharply.</p><p><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142"></a></p> + +<p>"Well, no doubt the next hotel will suit us better," and a few minutes +later they entered its door.</p> + +<p>But it was quite evident, even to Lancy, that they had not bettered their +condition by going farther. The house had probably been very popular the +day before, and there was an air of confusion about the place that added +its unpleasantness to the atmosphere that must be breathed by those that +sought the hospitality of the house. Elsie looked timidly around the parlor +as she entered, as if expecting to see the ghosts of those who had offered +up so much incense; but the room was vacant, all having departed, leaving +behind a disagreeable reminder of their presence.</p> + +<p>"We are just as badly off as ever," Elsie whispered timidly to Dexie. "It +is not very much better, is it, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"No, I should say not. The very curtains are full of it. How can people +bear it! Tobacco-smoke and rum! Do let us get out of here, Lancy, before +anyone comes in!"</p> + +<p>"Hush, Dexie! Someone will hear you."</p> + +<p>"No danger! but do let us run before they see us here."</p> + +<p>"But we must stay somewhere, Dexie," said Lancy. "What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>Dexie felt provoked at their unpleasant position, and she replied in no +gentle tone.</p> + +<p>"Do! Well, I think if nothing better is to be obtained in the town, we will +do as some of our ancient ancestors have done before us, we will 'lodge +without, in the streets,'" and gathering up the wraps she walked out of the +house, closely followed by Elsie, and more uncertainly by Lancy.</p> + +<p>The case was becoming serious, but it had its ludicrous side as well, which +reached its height when Dexie stood on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. +Throwing the wraps over her left arm, she raised her right hand high toward +heaven, and exclaimed in dramatic tones:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Tell me, ye wingèd winds, that round my pathway roam,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Is there no hotel in Truro where the landlord sells no rum?"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>And the answer came, not from the winds she had apostrophized, but from an +open window that she had not observed; and the answer was:</p><p><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143"></a></p> + +<p>"Fair lady, there is none."</p> + +<p>"There! I told you that someone would hear you, Dexie," said Lancy, vexed, +yet amused at her behavior.</p> + +<p>But Dexie stood as if unable to move, and gazed at the open window in +astonishment.</p> + +<p>But the owner of the voice now appeared at the door, and Dexie drew a sigh +of relief as she saw what a good-natured, smiling face it was that looked +into her own. He never belonged to that house, she felt sure, though it was +nothing to his credit to be lounging inside its doors. However, it was not +likely he would consider her remarks as personal, so she slowly regained +her composure.</p> + +<p>With a profound bow, the gentleman at the window said:</p> + +<p>"There are no hotels such as you speak of in the town, but there are +several private boarding-houses where travellers can be made comfortable. +May I have the pleasure of directing you to one?" This to Lancy.</p> + +<p>"If it would not be too much trouble, we would be very much obliged," and +Lancy's natural state of mind slowly returned.</p> + +<p>"Oh! no trouble at all," said the affable stranger; then turning to Dexie +he relieved her of her armful of wraps, with a simple "Allow me, please," +and started away with Lancy, who was carrying the so far unused +lunch-basket, leaving the girls to follow at their own pace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie! weren't you startled when that man spoke from the window?" said +Elsie. "I thought I should faint away with fright."</p> + +<p>"It is a good thing that you thought better of it, then, for they would +have carried you right back into the hotel, and there would have been no +escaping after that."</p> + +<p>"Where do you suppose he will take us?" Elsie asked as they turned a +corner.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't say," was the unconcerned reply; "but as the place looks nicer +the farther we go, there is no need to be alarmed. I hope we will be +fortunate enough to secure lodgings on this pretty, tree-shaded street, for +flower-gardens are as thick as houses. Oh, see! he is going into that house +with the nice lawn in front of it."</p> + +<p>A moment later they stepped through the gate that<a name="Page_144" id="Page_144"></a> Lancy held open for +them, while their new friend went briskly up the walk and entered the house +in a manner that showed he was quite familiar with the place.</p> + +<p>He had told Lancy as they walked along that he could recommend the house +where he boarded, and as he gave such a good account of the place, Lancy +determined to seek accommodation there.</p> + +<p>"But there is one thing I must tell you," said the smiling stranger. "Mrs. +Morris is pretty sharp of tongue, and may make very strict inquiries as to +who was your grandmother, and what calling your great-grandfather followed, +before she will allow you to engage rooms. But do not mind it. I fancy you +can satisfy her on those points. She is as clean as a new pin and an +excellent cook—two good recommendations, you will allow."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope my ancestors will please her, for my sister is much in need +of rest. Is her husband of the same turn of mind as herself?" Lancy +smilingly asked.</p> + +<p>"She is a widow, as is also her sister, who lives with her. It is the +latter who owns the place, but it is the younger and sharper one who keeps +it in running order. But here we are. I'll go ahead and prepare the way for +you," and he left Lancy to follow with the girls.</p> + +<p>As they appeared at the door, Mrs. Morris was just coming towards it, +saying in no gentle tone:</p> + +<p>"Don't you know any better, sir, than to rush into the house like that, +leaving all the doors wide open behind you! Do you suppose people will want +rooms here if they are swarming with flies?"</p> + +<p>"On my honor, madam, there were only two that ventured through the door! I +counted them!" was the positive reply.</p> + +<p>"Come in quickly, sir," to Lancy; "and you women—girls, I mean," taking a +second look, and shutting the door the moment they were inside of it. "You +want rooms and board," she added sharply, looking them well over. "And how +comes it that young people like you are travelling around without your +parents? Not running away, are you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, madam!" replied Lancy, keeping a straight <a name="Page_145" id="Page_145"></a>face by a great effort. +"We were on our way to Charlottetown, but the train was delayed by an +accident, so we thought we would stay over in Truro and wait for the next +boat."</p> + +<p>"Didn't get hurt by the accident, did you? for this ain't no hospital, no +way; only a plain boarding house for respectable people."</p> + +<p>"We are not hurt in the least, madam, but we are very tired, and hope you +will allow us to stay here for a day or two," Lancy hastened to explain, +for her many objections began to alarm him.</p> + +<p>"You come from Halifax, do you? Bad place that. Thieves and robbers thrive +there, I'm told. How long have you lived there?"</p> + +<p>This was addressed to Dexie, but she dared not open her mouth to answer +lest she should laugh outright; and Elsie, fearing she might make some +unfortunate speech that would send them to the right-about, hastened to +reply: "For some years, ma'am; we used to live in England before we moved +to Halifax."</p> + +<p>"Oh! English, are you? I was afraid you were Irish. You resemble some I +have seen. What trade does your father work at?"</p> + +<p>"He has a store on Granville Street; but do let us stay here, please," +Elsie replied, fearing that this catechising would result disastrously.</p> + +<p>"Well, you seem proper enough. I guess you can stay." Then turning suddenly +around to where their guide stood, biting his moustache, "This is Mr. +Maxwell."</p> + +<p>The two girls bowed, and Mr. Maxwell replied: "And I believe this +gentleman's name is Gurney. Mr. Gurney, Mrs. Morris."</p> + +<p>And Lancy, not to be outdone by all this formality, added: "Allow me to +introduce my sister, Miss Gurney, and her friend, Miss Sherwood."</p> + +<p>"What! you are not sisters! I thought you were, though you don't look it, +sure enough," said Mrs. Morris.</p> + +<p>"I hope it don't matter, Mrs. Morris," said Dexie, who actually thought the +woman might refuse to keep her. "We are very dear friends, Miss Gurney and +I, and will gladly occupy the one room while we are here."</p><p><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146"></a></p> + +<p>"Very well. Step into the parlor. I will bring my sister to see you," and +she disappeared in a twinkling, but returned a few moments later in a +quiet, dignified manner with her sister, saying:</p> + +<p>"These young people want to stay here a few days. Shall we keep them?"</p> + +<p>"Why, to be sure, Matilda. Take off your hats, my dears; you look warm. So +you are only going to make a short visit, my sister tells me."</p> + +<p>"Yes; we are going on to Charlottetown in a day or two," Dexie replied.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you would like to go to your room at once? Matilda, let them have +the pink room; it will be the most pleasant. I will try and entertain the +young man while they are gone," said Mrs. Gleason, whose manner was as +quiet and pleasant as her sister's was sharp and abrupt.</p> + +<p>But Maxwell had decided to see to the young man himself—long enough, at +least, to find out something about his companion; so, as soon as Mrs. +Morris left the room, he turned to the good-natured sister, saying:</p> + +<p>"Let me take him to my room for awhile, Mrs. Gleason; then you will not be +bothered with either of us," and, reading permission in her smiling face, +he led the way upstairs.</p> + +<p>The room Maxwell occupied was really worth visiting, and it told at a +glance the character of the owner. Its walls were decorated with articles +that would not have been allowed inside the doors had Mrs. Morris beheld +them in time to utter a protest, for she was as timid about some things as +she was sharp in others. For instance, there was a fine breech-loading +rifle, dear to the heart of Maxwell, that hung on the wall above a brace of +handsome revolvers. These were the cause of constant terror and alarm to +Mrs. Morris, for she never entered the room without a look of fear in their +direction. She fully expected them to "blaze away at her," notwithstanding +the fact that Maxwell had repeatedly assured her that they were not loaded.</p> + +<p>Then there were several stuffed animals that had been deprived of life by +these very weapons, and Maxwell had their forms preserved in as natural an +attitude as possible. While these added to the adornment of the room, they +<a name="Page_147" id="Page_147"></a>likewise served to increase Mrs. Morris' terror, and she could not get +over the idea that they might "jump at her, for they always looked just +ready to do it."</p> + +<p>These, among other things, gave Mrs. Morris a particular aversion to the +owner of the articles, for it was no trifling thing to keep this room well +dusted and in proper order, with one's body in a quiver of fright all the +time, not knowing from what direction she might be assailed.</p> + +<p>But the treasure that took Lancy's eyes directly he entered the room was +the display of fishing-rods that hung on the opposite wall, and he stepped +up at once to examine them.</p> + +<p>"That is a fine rod you have there," he remarked to Maxwell.</p> + +<p>"Yes, rather; fishing is my favorite sport. I have caught a five-pounder +with this light one," and in the discussion of flies, reels, etc., they +were fast forgetting that they were utter strangers but two short hours +ago.</p> + +<p>Presently Maxwell asked, as if it had just occurred to him:</p> + +<p>"Who is this young friend of yours, this Miss Sherwood? She is very +amusing; quite an original, is she not?"</p> + +<p>"Well, she is something different from the average young lady, if that is +what you mean. She is an American."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I thought as much; and your <i>sister's</i> particular friend, is she?" +giving a sly look at Lancy.</p> + +<p>"Yes," not heeding the look, but aware of the hint conveyed in the words. +"My sister's health is not good, and Miss Sherwood accompanies her to +Charlottetown, as she was not willing to go alone. They have been very +intimate ever since Miss Sherwood moved to Halifax. I am sure they are both +well pleased that we did not stay at the hotel, seeing that through your +kindness we have secured such comfortable quarters here."</p> + +<p>"Don't mention it! that appeal to the winds would have moved the hardest +heart. I guess she got a start when I spoke from the window. Ha, ha! I +fancy I see her yet. She would make a fine actress."</p> + +<p>"You had better not make that remark to the lady in question. She would not +consider it a compliment, I can tell you," said Lancy.</p><p><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148"></a></p> + +<p>"No? Then what sort of a speech would your Miss Sherwood call +complimentary?"</p> + +<p>"Better try and find out for yourself," said Lancy, smiling. "It has been +too hard a thing for me to discover for myself to give it away."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, hearing the voices of the young ladies in conversation +with Mrs. Gleason downstairs, the young men joined them.</p> + +<p>But the entrance of the gentlemen seemed to put a bridle on the tongues of +the little party, for Dexie was not slow in perceiving that Maxwell was +trying to quiz her, and it was very hard to withstand the good-humored +banter of this young gentleman. She stood the teasing as long as she +thought necessary, then her ready tongue made Maxwell confess that for once +he had met his match, and the laughable occurrence of their first meeting +was allowed to drop. Dexie was well aware that her snubbing was not +relished, for Maxwell sat regarding her silently as she conversed in low +tones to Elsie, pulling at his moustache with a restless movement that was +quite annoying, if he only knew it.</p> + +<p>Why is it that gentlemen who possess this ornamental appendage to their +upper lip persist in using it so unkindly? You see it at all times and in +all places, at home by their own fireside, in church, when the sermon is +supposed to be occupying their attention, on the streets, in fact +everywhere you will see the moustache undergoing torture at the hands of +its possessor. Some merely smooth it out, or daintily curl the ends of it, +if it happens to be long enough; some lick at it, like an animal at a lump +of salt: some chew it savagely, till you wonder there is a hair of it left; +in fact it is badly misused by the majority of men, for few leave it to +serve its legitimate purpose.</p> + +<p>After tea, at Mr. Maxwell's suggestion, the party went out for a walk. They +strolled up and down the principal streets until twilight was almost over, +and their first impression of the place was happily dispelled. They were +willing to accord the same praise to the town as did others who had visited +it. Cleanliness and thrift seemed the characteristics of the majority of +the inhabitants, and the <a name="Page_149" id="Page_149"></a>beautiful grounds and gardens that surrounded +most of the houses spoke well for the taste of the owners.</p> + +<p>When the time came for them to continue their journey, more than one member +of the family regretted their departure, for their presence had quite +brightened the household, and Dexie had won the approval of Mrs. Morris +herself by her quick movements and practical remarks, and for the decided +manner that refused all attentions from Maxwell.</p> + +<p>"If you ever pass this way again you must come and see us," said Mrs. +Morris at parting, "and if any of your friends ever visit the town we will +be happy to accommodate them."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Morris," said Dexie; "I will not forget it. We could +hardly advise anyone to make an extended stay in your pretty town if they +were obliged to patronize your hotels," looking up with a smile at Mr. +Maxwell, who was waiting to accompany them to the depot.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid our hotels have given you a poor opinion of the place, Miss +Sherwood," said Mr. Maxwell, as he fingered his moustache; "but you must +remember that they are not intended for fastidious young ladies, but for +the accommodation of the general travelling public."</p> + +<p>"Then it does not speak well for the tastes of the 'general travelling +public,'" replied Dexie, as they turned towards the depot, "and it is a +pity that the one blot on your pretty town is just where it falls under the +notice of strangers who enter it by the railway."</p> + +<p>Years after, when Dexie made her next visit to the town, she was surprised +to see the change that had taken place in the vicinity of the railway +station. The gloomy, dingy depot had given place to one that was light, +airy and commodious, and the unsightly buildings in the neighborhood were +replaced by better and worthier structures.</p> + +<p>The hotels she had so justly condemned were either obliterated or so +improved upon as to be unrecognizable; and if the objectionable bar-rooms +were not suppressed, public opinion had caused them to be placed in a more +obscure corner of the building, and the respectable stranger was no longer +insulted by their immediate presence. But of this more anon.</p><p><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + + +<p>The rest of the journey was made without mishap, and when the travellers +arrived at the wharf at Charlottetown, they found Mrs. Fremont waiting to +receive them, Lancy having informed her by telegraph of their detention.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fremont's residence was situated in the suburbs of the city, amidst a +park-like grove that gave it a very English look in Lancy's eyes. The house +was large and roomy, and furnished in a solid, comfortable style, that +would make modern parlors look frivolous in comparison.</p> + +<p>Dexie had no fault to find with her reception, for the whole party were so +warmly welcomed that they felt "at home" at once. Mrs. Fremont's two +daughters proved very pleasant companions. Beatrice, the eldest, was of a +gentle, quiet disposition, and her very presence held in check her +frolicsome younger sister; for Gertrude, who was fat, fair and seventeen, +saw too much of the bright side of life to be anything else than +good-natured and jolly, and finding her counterpart in Dexie Sherwood the +days flew by on gladsome wings.</p> + +<p>An enjoyable garden party was held a few days after the young people +arrived, and by that means they became acquainted with a number of the +young people in the city, and Elsie forgot her shyness in the pleasant +bustle that made the days pass so swiftly. The daily drives in the low, +comfortable carriage soon began to tell favorably on her health, and she +did not find it at all hard to enter into the amusements planned for her +benefit; but among all the pleasures that were attainable, one alone stood +out above all others, one that neither Elsie nor Dexie ever cared to miss, +and that was—to go marketing.</p> + +<p>Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, the country people for miles around +drove into Charlottetown, bringing with them whatever farm produce they had +to dispose of. Great carts bearing vegetables, eggs, butter, berries and +"garden truck" beyond mentioning, might be seen wending their way along the +roads leading to the city in the early mornings on market days, and the +products of the <a name="Page_151" id="Page_151"></a>field, garden, poultry yard, etc., were offered for sale +in and around the large market-house that was situated in the centre of the +city. Here the people of the city came by hundreds to purchase whatever +fancy dictated or needs demanded, making a scene that was worth coming far +to see.</p> + +<p>To educate her daughters into the difficult part of household management, +Mrs. Fremont had given over to them the task of buying the supplies for the +family. A sum, ample for a week, was given them, and at the end of the week +the accounts were made up under the mother's supervision. If the daughters +had planned wisely there was always a surplus, which was added to their +pocket-money.</p> + +<p>When Dexie learned of this, and realized the responsibility which these +young girls took upon themselves as a part of their education, she was +anxious to acquire the same accomplishment, and it became quite amusing to +hear the prices of different articles discussed in such business-like +tones, for Dexie and Elsie were often drawn into these discussions before +they were aware of it.</p> + +<p>In consequence of this, when market days came round, there was quite an +important air about the four young ladies who drove towards the +market-house, and there seemed to be a good deal of fun as well as business +going on, if one might judge by their eager, happy faces, and the way the +task was often unnecessarily prolonged.</p> + +<p>One evening, when a party of young people were visiting at Mrs. Fremont's, +a remark was made that brought about a discussion of a sect which are known +in Prince Edward Island as McDonaldites or "Jerkers;" and after a +description of the remarkable character of their meetings, there was much +curiosity raised concerning them.</p> + +<p>"You ought not to go home without attending a meeting, Mr. Gurney," said +Mr. Holbrook, "for I do not think the like is to be seen anywhere else in +the world. One visit is generally enough to satisfy most people, but to +those who have good nerves one visit only whets the curiosity. For my part, +I like to go and watch them whenever I find the opportunity."</p> + +<p>"Well, I went once," said Gertrude Fremont, "and that<a name="Page_152" id="Page_152"></a> was quite enough for +me, and I do not call myself nervous or timid either. Still I would not +have missed seeing them <i>once</i> for anything, but that experience is enough +to last me a lifetime."</p> + +<p>"I used to think that the people exaggerated when talking about the actions +of the Jerkers," said Beatrice, "but I had to believe my own eyesight; it +certainly is a very strange thing."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if it is anything like what the slaves down South used to be +affected with," said Dexie. "I have heard my grandma tell of prayer +meetings in the negro quarters, where some of the slaves would act in the +same way you describe, but I suppose it is not the same thing except in +name. I should like very much to attend a meeting."</p> + +<p>After much persuasion, Mrs. Fremont consented to allow the young people +under her charge to attend a meeting of this peculiar sect, under the +escort of Mr. Holbrook, but the consent was given reluctantly.</p> + +<p>"I quite understand the curiosity you have to witness such a mode of +worship," she said, smiling kindly at Dexie, "but I fear the result for +Elsie. I am afraid it would quite unnerve her."</p> + +<p>"But if she is the least frightened she need not stay in the church to +watch them," said Lancy, who was eager to visit a McDonaldite church. "It +must be a wonderful sight indeed, if the people go through such contortions +as Mr. Holbrook speaks of."</p> + +<p>A few days later the little party drove off in the comfortable covered +carriage on a visit to Uigg. As they crossed the river to Southport they +found several other carriages going in the same direction, so they followed +on, journeying by the beautiful Vernon River road towards their +destination.</p> + +<p>There was but one thing that marred the enjoyment of the drive to Elsie, +and that was that the day was Sunday; but her conscientious scruples were +overpowered by those who voted that it was "no harm, surely, to drive to +church on Sunday."</p> + +<p>But Elsie felt that they were not going to church for a worthy motive, but +only as sightseers, and, judging by the<a name="Page_153" id="Page_153"></a> accounts they had heard, a visit +to a McDonaldite or Jerkers' church was similar to going to a play or +circus. Still her scruples were not strong enough to allow Lancy and Dexie +to go without her, but the beautiful scenery through which they passed had +for her no charm, for she felt, for the first time in her life, that she +was a Sabbath-breaker.</p> + +<p>Dexie had no such pangs of conscience, but enjoyed the drive to the utmost, +and Elsie's oft-repeated remark that they "ought not to have come" found no +response in the hearts of the rest. Happily for Elsie, a Sunday feeling +soon possessed her, for Dexie, in the fulness of her heart, could not be +silent, and as ordinary talk seemed out of place in the Sabbath stillness, +she began to sing.</p> + +<p>Elsie's voice soon joined the rest, and the sound of harmony rolled along +with the carriage, and before they reached the church of the Jerkers, Elsie +felt more at ease with herself and her surroundings.</p> + +<p>It seems passing strange that while the Shakers, Quakers and other peculiar +sects have all come in for a share of newspaper discussion, this most +peculiar sect called McDonaldites, or Jerkers, have escaped the pen of the +reporter. This may be due to the fact that, during the life of the great +McDonald, Prince Edward Island was considered by travellers to be rather an +out-of-the-way place and not worth visiting. But year by year the army of +tourists is increasing, as the Garden of the St. Lawrence becomes better +known, and a visit to a McDonaldite church may yet be one of the sights in +store for my reader, for it is doubtful if such a sight can be witnessed in +any other civilized community.</p> + +<p>McDonald, the leader of the sect, has been dead many years. He was a man of +powerful physique, and his mind must have corresponded to his large and +vigorous body, for the power or influence which he had over his followers +was something extraordinary, if not alarming. As his presence was not +necessary to set the members of his Church in motion, and the "jerks" are +kept up even to the present day, there may be some other explanation for +the singular behavior of his followers; but the memory of their leader <a name="Page_154" id="Page_154"></a>is +held in reverence, and by many the "jerks" are still attributed to his +power.</p> + +<p>The writer has attended but one meeting where the great McDonald presided, +and, being then young in years, the dress, or rather the undress, of the +man was itself awe-inspiring. It was something unusual to see a man in the +pulpit with his coat and vest laid aside and his shirt open, laying bare +his brawny neck. The man himself was enough to create fear, but when the +activity of the members began, discretion seemed the better part of valor, +and we escaped without ceremony. It would be impossible to convey to the +reader an idea of the awful excitement that always prevailed among his +followers, when under the direct leadership of McDonald himself. Even the +attempt to do so would be called exaggerated and untrue; but after +witnessing through the open window the surprising actions of the +congregation, we turned away, feeling that the half <i>could</i> not be told, +for words would fail to portray the scene. The reader must be content with +a meagre description of a visit to the church made many years after the +death of the leader, when the excitement was less intense, to which meeting +Lancy Gurney and his party are hastening.</p> + +<p>There are several churches of this sect in different parts of the Island, +but the principal church is in a country place called Uigg. The yearly +sacrament is held at this church, and on these occasions the multitudes of +worshippers who come from a long distance to attend this ceremony are +almost doubled by the number of sightseers who flock to witness the sight. +At such times the adjacent fences are lined with vehicles of every +description, giving the place the appearance of a fair or horse market. +These yearly meetings cannot begin to compare with those held during the +lifetime of the leader, but those who never witnessed a meeting conducted +by the Rev. Mr. McDonald could scarcely believe they were ever more +startling than those held in later years.</p> + +<p>With this digression we will return to our young travellers, who, having +secured their horse under the sheltering trees by the roadside, and +fortified their courage by doing justice to the lunch Mrs. Fremont had +prepared for them, <a name="Page_155" id="Page_155"></a>now entered the crowded church and stood among the +number of observers in the aisle.</p> + +<p>The inside of the edifice had an unfinished look, and the arrangement of +the seats was uncommon, but to most people the seats themselves formed a +most unusual sight, for they were all without backs, the reason of which +soon became apparent.</p> + +<p>The meeting had commenced, and the minister was preaching, but it must be +confessed that there was little heed given to his words, for the attention +of the people was attracted to the centre of the church, where a number of +people were already under the peculiar influence; but our little party, +being at a distance, watched the proceedings with a feeling of safety, yet +not unmixed with fear and dread.</p> + +<p>Presently a young girl about seventeen or twenty, who sat in a seat quite +near, began to be affected, and all eyes were turned in her direction. She +was dressed in what was probably called in her neighborhood the "height of +style." On her head was a saucer-like bonnet of the "gypsy style," covered +with large artificial flowers, which drooped over a chignon of such +remarkable dimensions that it must have required a multitude of hairpins to +keep it together; but her bonnet helped to keep it in place, as strings of +ribbon were placed at the back, then brought forward under her chin in a +flaring knot.</p> + +<p>The peculiar actions of these people are well named "the jerks." In this +instance the hands seemed to be the first part affected; a slight twitching +was soon followed by a quicker movement, then her feet jerked about as if +she were dancing a jig; a moment more and she flung her arms around wildly, +while her head began to shake in quick time to the movements of the hands +and feet. This soon loosened her chignon, the ingredients of which flew in +as many directions, and her hair swept wildly about her face. Her bonnet +fell at the back of her neck, but being held by the strings it bobbed up +and down her back like an animated nosegay. She accompanied her movements +with shrieks and screams that were better suited to a madhouse than a place +of worship, and when exhausted nature finally succumbed, <a name="Page_156" id="Page_156"></a>she fell back +against those seated behind, who, very good-naturedly, it must be +confessed, for she weighed more than a trifle, helped her to regain her +senses and her seat. When she was able to sit up, her neighbors on either +side handed back the articles of wearing apparel and pieces of headgear +that she had scattered about, and the girl made a fresh toilet, as well as +the limited stock of hairpins allowed.</p> + +<p>A number of other cases equally startling were taking place in different +parts of the church, and the backless seats were explained. It certainly +was less dangerous for the "jerkers" to throw themselves back into the laps +of those behind them than against the hard back of a seat. But the feelings +of those who received the form of the exhausted enthusiast we do not +profess to explain. It is probable, however, that those in the near +vicinity of one who had the "jerks" would prepare themselves for the +backward throw that so many execute at the last moment of their paroxysm. +But to those who looked on, it seemed like a game of "give-and-take," as if +each did not know what moment he might be under the same obligation to +someone else.</p> + +<p>While standing in the aisle Dexie passed her arm around Elsie's waist, lest +they should be separated in the crowd. Dexie had become so engrossed in +watching the worshippers that she had forgotten how the sight might affect +her friend, but glancing into her face she saw that this was no place for +one of Elsie's temperament. But the aisles were blocked; they seemed +standing in a vice, with no power to move front or backwards. The +<i>enthusiasm</i> seemed increasing every moment, and as almost every seat held +an active member, the excitement in the church was appalling.</p> + +<p>One young girl, quite near where Dexie stood, sprang to her feet with a +shriek that caused Elsie to scream with fright, and Dexie bade her hide her +face from the sight. But Elsie felt she must watch what was going on or +else scream again, so great was her terror. The sight was indeed alarming, +for the girl beat the air with her hands while she jumped up and down, +until her movements appeared actually dangerous to those near her. Her head +<a name="Page_157" id="Page_157"></a>was thrown backward and forward with such violence and rapidity that it +seemed a marvel how she escaped dislocation, and her whole body was in +violent motion. At last she fell to the floor with a final shriek, where +she struggled about for several minutes, much to the alarm of those in her +immediate vicinity.</p> + +<p>On all sides shrieks and cries mingled with the quick movements of those +who had the "jerks," and Elsie could bear it no longer.</p> + +<p>"Take me out, Dexie; I can't stay here another minute!" she cried.</p> + +<p>Lancy was some distance away, but he pressed to her side, regardless of the +bruised toes and sides he left behind him, and lifting Elsie in his arms +pressed to the door, with Dexie closely following. They hurried away to +where the noise of the worshippers was not quite so audible, and by degrees +Elsie grew quiet and calm. Leaving them seated on the grass by the +roadside, Lancy re-entered the church, the strange doings having a certain +fascination which he could neither explain nor resist.</p> + +<p>In a short time Elsie recovered sufficiently to walk around, but curiosity +drew her again to the church, and they watched through the windows the +peculiar actions of the people. But the excitement had now somewhat +subsided, and Elsie urged that they enter the church again. Dexie was +afraid of the effect which another such scene might have upon her friend, +so she tried to persuade Elsie to stay and watch at a safe distance. Elsie +felt sure she would not be alarmed again, so they entered the church and +obtained a seat that had just been made vacant.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, the movements of an old woman attracted notice. They +had watched her as she entered the church a short time before, and had +pitied the poor, feeble creature, as she dragged herself up the aisle by +the aid of a pair of crutches; but all pity left Dexie's heart as she saw +the crippled creature thump the floor with her crutches, and bring them +together over her head with a crash that rivalled the noise made by many of +the hard-handed sons of toil, who had taken the "jerks" during the service.</p> + +<p>"What makes them do it, Dexie?" said Elsie, in a whisper. <a name="Page_158" id="Page_158"></a>"'And there was +in the synagogue many people possessed of the devil;' that is the only +solution of the mystery that I can see," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie! do you really think that is what ails them? How awful!"</p> + +<p>"'And there was one woman among them who had seven devils,' and that is she +with the crutches, I think. Are you afraid? Shall we go out, Elsie?"</p> + +<p>"It does scare me, but I cannot help looking at them," was the answer.</p> + +<p>But the "jerks" now spread from one to the other, until pandemonium let +loose could not be much more alarming. Elsie turned white with fear, but it +was impossible to get out at the moment, as the aisles were blocked by +terrified sightseers, their screams of fright mingling with the shrieks of +those who had the "jerks." It is safe to say that no madhouse ever held a +more excited crowd.</p> + +<p>At this moment a heavy woman, who sat on the same seat that held Dexie and +Elsie, began to be affected, and as the seats were only supported at each +end, this one began to spring up and down, setting all those who were upon +it in motion.</p> + +<p>The two girls were on their feet in an instant, feeling for one awful +moment that they were taking the "jerks" themselves; but finding the floor +steady under her feet, Dexie soon regained her composure, and endeavored to +quiet Elsie, who was now sobbing without restraint.</p> + +<p>Out of this they must get at any hazard, and, drawing Elsie after her, she +crossed to the door by stepping on the knees of the people who intervened, +giving no thought to the outraged feelings of those she had used as +stepping-stones to freedom.</p> + +<p>As they reached the doorstep, they saw Mr. Holbrook at a distance, and were +soon at his side.</p> + +<p>"How soon can we get away from this awful place?" Dexie hurriedly asked.</p> + +<p>"Well, I do not know, Miss Sherwood. Are you in a hurry to go?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that I am; I have had enough of this kind of <a name="Page_159" id="Page_159"></a>worship, and Elsie must +not go near the church again. Where is Lancy?"</p> + +<p>"I believe he is inside the church; I saw him there a short time ago. He is +much interested, I believe. I hope, Miss Gurney, that these excitable +people have not seriously alarmed you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't want to see them any more!" cried Elsie. "I wish we could find +Lancy, so we could start for Charlottetown."</p> + +<p>"Do you know, I believe he wants you to stay overnight at some place near, +so that he can stay to the evening service. Could you agree to that plan, +do you think?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Certainly; if the place we have to stay is a good piece away from this +church, out of sight and hearing of these people," replied Dexie, feeling +that a drive back to town would be very tiresome after the exciting day +they had spent.</p> + +<p>"Well, suppose we start now? The drive will do you good," said Mr. +Holbrook, as he turned towards their carriage; and as he led the horse on +the road, he proposed that they start for Montague Bridge at once, +describing it as a pretty hamlet about two miles from the church.</p> + +<p>"But if Lancy should come and find the carriage gone, he would be anxious," +said Dexie.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'll pin a note to the tree, so if he comes here it will explain our +absence; but I will be back before the service is ended; and I fancy he +will not leave the church till then. You are quite sure you have no +objections to leaving him behind you, Miss Gurney?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! But are you quite sure you can get us a nice place to stay? I +suppose you know the place around here very well," she added.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; I have spent my life on the Island, Miss Gurney, and I know +my fellow Islanders pretty well. I will leave you quite comfortable, never +fear."</p> + +<p>They were soon driving along at a rapid pace, and Dexie hoped that the +scene in the church had passed from Elsie's mind, till her question to Mr. +Holbrook proved the contrary. <a name="Page_160" id="Page_160"></a>"Do tell us, Mr. Holbrook, what <i>is</i> it +makes those people act so? Is it the talk of the minister that does it? I'm +sure I could only hear a word now and then, though his lips kept moving +even when the noise was the worst."</p> + +<p>"That is a hard question to answer, Miss Gurney," was the reply. "Some say +it is the Heavenly Spirit working within them; others think the spirit is +not of a heavenly origin; others, again, say they are getting relief from +the bondage of sin."</p> + +<p>"Well, if that is the way they show their relief, I think it would be +better to stay in bondage," said Dexie. "I wonder if it can be the same +craze that used to affect the colored people down South. Grandma's people +kept slaves, and I have heard of such actions amongst them, but if I ever +heard the explanation of them I have completely forgotten it. Still one +would hardly think that a superstitious negro craze would affect the +clear-headed Scotch people in the same manner. It is a mystery to me how +they live through it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Holbrook laid back his head and laughed.</p> + +<p>"But they are human, like other people, Mr. Holbrook," she urged; "and how +is it that they do not hurt themselves? There was a man with a shock of red +hair, sitting near the chimney, who took the 'jerks.' I daresay you noticed +him. Now, unless his head is made of something different than ours, it must +be smashed in on one side, for he struck the chimney with such rapidity and +force that it sounded quite sickening from where we sat. Really, I should +not have been surprised had he fallen dead to the floor."</p> + +<p>"I daresay he never felt it," said Mr. Holbrook, smiling. "I do not believe +that any of them know what they are about when they take the 'jerks,' or +else some of the women are very careless of appearances."</p> + +<p>"Oh! well, don't let us talk about them any more," said Elsie. "Papa often +says that everyone has a right to his own belief, and these people seem to +believe <i>something</i>, and they really <i>must</i> believe it without merely +saying so, as so many of us do, or else they could not act out their belief +in such a dreadful manner; but whatever their belief is, it must be +awful!"</p><p><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161"></a></p> + +<p>In a short time they entered the village, which was situated on both sides +of a river, connected by the bridge that gave the place its name. Mr. +Holbrook drove at once to a house where he knew the girls would have every +attention, and the pleasant face of the woman who welcomed them at the door +seemed to speak of rest and security to be found beneath her roof.</p> + +<p>With a few words of explanation Mr. Holbrook left them, promising to be +back in good season with Lancy. He then returned with all speed to the +church of the McDonalds, where he found the energetic members still in +active motion.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + + +<p>"What a relief to find ourselves safe and quiet once more!" said Elsie, as +she leaned back in her chair with a sigh of content. "I did not know I was +so tired."</p> + +<p>"A visit to the McDonaldite church is apt to fatigue both body and mind," +said their hostess, Mrs. Gardner. "It does not seem right, does it, for +people to leave their own church to witness such doings?" she added +seriously. There was a mild rebuke in her words, and Elsie remembered with +a pang that it was Sunday. She had given little thought to the fact during +the last few hours.</p> + +<p>"No, I am sure it can't be right, Mrs. Gardner," said Elsie, "but we were +so interested when we heard about these 'Jerkers' that we wished to see +them before we went home."</p> + +<p>"Then you do not belong on the Island. Where is your home, my dears?" she +asked, as she stepped briskly about preparing the tea.</p> + +<p>"We are from Halifax," Dexie answered.</p> + +<p>"And is it possible that you are the daughter of Mr. Sherwood, who buys +horses on the Island? Why, we know him well. He always stays here when he +comes this way. Well, well; many's the time he has told us about his twin +girls, but I never expected to see one of them here. Are you the beauty or +the singer?" she smilingly asked.</p><p><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162"></a></p> + +<p>"Now, Mrs. Gardner," said Dexie, laughing, "I am sure you can see for +yourself that I am not the beauty."</p> + +<p>"Then you are the singer; but your looks will do very well. Uncommon beauty +is often a snare to its possessor, and the ability to sing God's praises is +worth far more. Are you too tired to do so to-night?"</p> + +<p>Dexie looked up with a question in her eyes, and Mrs. Gardner added,</p> + +<p>"There is a service in our meeting-house to-night. Would you like to attend +it with me?" turning to Elsie.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; I would love to go. The day will not seem all lost if we +spend a short time of it properly. But do tell us, Mrs. Gardner, what makes +those people take the 'jerks'? It seems such a queer kind of religion."</p> + +<p>"My dear, I have lived in these parts for more than twelve years, and I am +acquainted with several families of McDonaldites, but I never yet learned +why they take the 'jerks,' or what they signify, but I know that there are +many good religious people belonging to the sect."</p> + +<p>"But they might be good people on <i>account</i> of their religion or in <i>spite</i> +of it," said Dexie.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gardner looked over at Dexie with a serious face.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if you can repeat the first verse of the first Psalm. Try it, my +dear," she said.</p> + +<p>"I do not think I can say it word for word, Mrs. Gardner," said Dexie, +presently; "but it is something like this, 'Blessed is the person who never +goes where he knows he ought not to be, and who never sits down in the seat +of the scornful.' Thank you, Mrs. Gardner, I see the application," she +added, smiling. "I fear I have been on that seat to-day, and I have no +right to be scornful when I am such a heathen myself. Yet I never attend an +impressive service that I do not wish I were a good member of that +particular church, no matter what denomination it happens to be. But +to-day, although I have witnessed the most impressive service of my life, I +never wished I was a good McDonaldite; no, not once. Now, you needn't +laugh, Elsie, for you know yourself I can jump around just as lively as +most people, and I am sure I could go through <a name="Page_163" id="Page_163"></a>some of the most surprising +movements if I tried, but I never once felt the least desire to emulate the +members of that church, so I conclude that I have not been benefited by +attending that wonderful gathering; yet I have always thought that any +religious service that does not inspire you with a desire to join heart and +soul in it, is a miserable failure. I am afraid if I had to choose between +the two, I would rather be a dancing dervish than a McDonaldite. However, +perhaps if I understood the doctrines of each I might choose the other way. +But that brings me back to the beginning again, and makes me wonder how it +is that no one seems to really know why they take the 'jerks,'" turning to +Mrs. Gardner.</p> + +<p>"Well, since none of us <i>do</i> know, let us try to forget about them for the +rest of the evening," said she. "It is a comfort to know that there is a +religion which the simplest can understand, and a service in which we can +all unite without committing any impropriety."</p> + +<p>A few preparations followed, and they were soon on their way to the +Methodist chapel, where the reverential feeling that always filled Elsie's +heart when inside a place of worship was not now wanting, as it had been +while inside the church of the McDonalds, and she followed the example of +Mrs. Gardner and bowed her head in silent prayer.</p> + +<p>The service was opened by singing a hymn—one of those good old-fashioned, +heartfelt songs that are dear to the hearts of all Christian people, +whatever may be their Church or creed—and a feeling of strong emotion +filled Dexie's heart as it rolled from the throats of the people around +her, then her own clear, full notes rose above the assembled voices.</p> + +<p>The minister lifted his eyes, and rested them a moment on the owner of the +voice; but, thinking that he supposed she was just singing for effect, +Dexie remained silent while the next verse was sung. A look of +disappointment was reflected on the faces of those around her; but Dexie +was not prepared for the pointed rebuke that was given as the minister read +out the next verse.</p> + +<p>"When the Lord gives a good voice, He expects the<a name="Page_164" id="Page_164"></a> owner to use it for His +glory; so let all sing who can sing, and do not be afraid to praise God in +His own house."</p> + +<p>Dexie felt that the words were directed to her, and wisely obeyed, fearing +a more open command might be given her from the pulpit, and she detected +the nod of approval that was given as she lifted her eyes to the preacher.</p> + +<p>When the service was over, Mrs. Gardner introduced her young charges to +those near her, and as the minister came down among his congregation he was +presented to the strangers also.</p> + +<p>A few pleasant words followed the introduction; then, drawing Dexie aside, +he said:</p> + +<p>"I felt sorry to have to reprove you before the whole congregation, seeing +that you were a stranger here; but after showing us that you <i>could</i> sing, +it was very wrong and unkind to be silent. You know, the verse says, 'Let +those refuse to sing who never knew our Lord,' and I would be sorry to +place you on the left hand when you are so well able to sing God's +praises."</p> + +<p>Dexie did not know whether to be amused, hurt or vexed. The words uttered +were words of rebuke, but the odd manner in which they were said and the +humorous twinkle in the minister's eyes did not well agree. He waited a +moment for her answer, still holding her hand and looking down into her +face with a serio-comic expression quite unlike a clergyman, until Dexie +answered, in a low tone,</p> + +<p>"I will remember what you said, and will always sing when I can, though I +should not like to be spoken to right out in church very often."</p> + +<p>"That's right," said Mr. Barkly. "I am glad to know that I have made an +impression on one of my congregation, at least, and that your sin of +omission will not be repeated. There is nothing like a personal remark to +bring people to a sense of their shortcomings; so let this be a warning to +you, Miss Sherwood," and he walked down the aisle at her side. "I hope, +Miss Sherwood," he added, "that your stay amongst us will allow us the +privilege of hearing your voice again. With a good <a name="Page_165" id="Page_165"></a>preacher and a fine +singer as inducements, we ought to bring out a large congregation, eh?"</p> + +<p>Dexie looked up quickly, but the ministerial air could not hide the rich +vein of humor in the man, and she smilingly replied,</p> + +<p>"I should not like to be reproved before a larger audience than was here +this evening, Mr. Barkly, and I might unintentionally do something that +would bring it upon me; so I think the preacher must depend on himself, as +we expect to return to Charlottetown to-morrow."</p> + +<p>A few parting words, and the group separated, and Dexie found herself by +Elsie's side, walking towards their temporary home.</p> + +<p>As they were very tired, they decided not to await Lancy's arrival, so at +an early hour they asked to be shown to their room, and its spotless purity +spoke well for the housekeeper.</p> + +<p>"However shall we get into that bed, Dexie?" said Elsie, as the footsteps +of Mrs. Gardner were no longer audible.</p> + +<p>"That is just what I was wondering myself," and Dexie stood regarding the +high, old-fashioned four-poster. "Do you suppose they use a step-ladder, or +jump into it from the table? Why," lifting up the counterpane and sheets, +"it's just a mountain of feathers; we must spring into it from this chair." +A little later her smothered laughter camp from its depths, and the laugh +was repeated when Elsie sank beside her.</p> + +<p>When they came downstairs next morning they found Lancy waiting for them, +and a few minutes later Mr. Holbrook put in an appearance, making a merry +little party as they sat round the cosy breakfast table.</p> + +<p>At the earnest solicitation of Mrs. Gardner, they consented to stay a few +days longer at Montague Bridge, and visit the places of interest in the +vicinity.</p> + +<p>"I will leave the horse and carriage, and return to town with a friend, and +report to Mrs. Fremont," said Mr. Holbrook, "so you can drive around the +country here; and when you are ready for home just follow the telegraph +poles, and you'll not miss your road. You have made a good thing of it by +visiting Montague Bridge."</p><p><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166"></a></p> + +<p>A few days later the new friends they had made were left behind, and they +were again in sight of Charlottetown.</p> + +<p>When they arrived at Mrs. Fremont's they were received with delight, as +there had been a picnic planned, and they were waiting the return of the +little party from Montague, in order to announce the day.</p> + +<p>After the pleasant bustle of preparation had resulted in hampers of +delicacies, a lively procession of vehicles, filled with happy people, +started for Stanhope Bay, a lovely spot on the north shore of the Island.</p> + +<p>The high sandbanks that here border the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence +were a source of wonder and amusement to those of the party who were +strangers to the place, but woe to the one who stepped unwittingly near the +edge of the bank! for the yielding sand gave no foothold, and an awkward +slide down the face of the bank was always the result. But the shore below +was as firm and smooth as a sanded floor, and soon every member of the +party had thrown dignity aside and let themselves down through the warm dry +sand to the beach, where they sought for treasures of the deep in the shape +of pretty shells and other sea beauties, that were thrown up by the mighty +waves that here dash on the shore in thundering tones when tempests rule +the waters of the Gulf.</p> + +<p>It was only when a sense of hunger brought to mind the full baskets +awaiting them in the grove at the top of the bank, that they turned their +backs on the restless waves, and essayed to climb the steep sandbanks.</p> + +<p>But a complete knowledge of mountain-climbing was of little use here; it +was each one for himself in the scramble for the top, for there could be +little help given either in front or rear.</p> + +<p>A mad rush up the bank, at an angle that offered some slight foothold, +brought Dexie, hot and panting, to the top, and she turned to give a word +of instruction to Elsie, who was trying to climb the steep face of the bank +only to find that she slipped back almost as fast as she ascended.</p> + +<p>"Go back to the bottom, Elsie, and make a run for that bunch of grass where +I came up; you will never get up there; watch Gertrude Fremont. Now, Elsie, +run for it!"</p><p><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167"></a></p> + +<p>After a few minutes' hard climbing, Elsie reached the top, and the next few +minutes were spent in shaking their skirts, and emptying their shoes from +the accumulation of sand that filled every crevice. A smooth spot was then +found to do duty as a table, and the snowy cloths were spread, when the +contents of the heavy baskets revealed themselves, and all the delights of +a picnic in the woods were present in abundance.</p> + +<p>Even the long-legged spiders, who invariably invite themselves to such +gatherings, and persist in walking over and around the various viands, were +here represented by members of the family who seemed to be great +grandfathers of their tribe, judging by their size; and the dexterity shown +by some of the young gentlemen in picking up these wandering vagrants and +sending them back into oblivion, called forth much praise from the female +portion of the party.</p> + +<p>After a day of delightful enjoyment, the hour arrived for them to return +home, and having so much less to pack up than there was at starting, they +were soon on the journey homeward.</p> + +<p>Before the picnickers separated, there was a driving party arranged to go +to Rustico Beach, Brackly Point or Cove Head, for another day's outing, and +the day was set for the drive.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + + +<p>The next morning, when the mail was opened, Dexie received a letter from +home, in which, beside the commonplace news, there were pages devoted to a +startling and amusing announcement.</p> + +<p>"Just think," Gussie wrote, "there is a man at the Gurney's who has come +all the way from Australia to find Hugh, and to tell him about the fortune +left him by his father. It amounts to a very large sum, and will make Hugh +one of the wealthiest men in the Province, so, of course, he is now quite a +different person in my eyes than <a name="Page_168" id="Page_168"></a>when he was a mere clerk. Unfortunately +for me, he is not so agreeable and friendly as he used to be, and he does +not come in to see me nearly so often as formerly, but I manage to meet him +frequently, and treat him with so much favor that I am quite sure I will +have no difficulty in securing him. I have been teasing mamma to buy me +some more new dresses, for I feel quite shabby now that there is a prospect +of possessing so much wealth. I am sure we will be a fine-looking couple, +for Hugh looks particularly handsome lately, but rich men always look well +in the eyes of a young lady. If you are asked to stay for a long visit, I +would advise you to do so, as it is much more convenient for me to have you +away just now."</p> + +<p>Dexie smiled at this, but turned over the page and read on: "I shall send +you word as soon as I am engaged, for then I shall want your help on my +trousseau. As you are visiting among fashionable people, I wish you would +keep in mind whatever dressy garments you see that would suit my style. +Hugh wished to be remembered to you, and was anxious to know when you would +return, but I do not see that your movements concern him."</p> + +<p>There were more pages in the same strain, and Dexie smiled at the many +things Gussie had disclosed without being aware of it. She could read +between the lines, and the reason of Hugh's inquiries on her behalf were +not hard to guess. But Dexie knew it would be a great disappointment to +Gussie if she failed in her schemes, and she was willing enough to prolong +her visit if it favored Gussie's future prospects, but she knew that Hugh's +pocket-book was far dearer to Gussie than Hugh himself.</p> + +<p>Lancy had received a letter also, and Hugh's unexpected good fortune was +told at length. Hugh's father had not died during the journey to the +Australian gold diggings, as had been reported, but he had changed his +name, and so was lost sight of, until he had accumulated the fortune that +now fell to his son. Lancy wondered if Hugh's better prospects would have +any influence on Dexie; he knew well that Hugh would use his money as a +stepping-stone to Dexie's favor. Perhaps Dexie surmised what was going on +in his mind, for she passed him her letter with permission <a name="Page_169" id="Page_169"></a>to read it. +After they retired from the breakfast room, they discussed the news +together. Lancy felt ashamed to think he could not feel as pleased about it +as he ought, and Dexie listened with heightened color as he told his fear +of being set aside for Hugh.</p> + +<p>"Lancy, you must remember I am free to do as I like with my future," she +said, with flushed cheeks, "for I have not given you the least word of a +promise; but let me tell you once and for all, that Hugh cannot buy my +favor, and he has not been able to obtain it by coaxing, or brute force +either."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, what do you mean?" was the quick reply. "What has he said or done +that you speak like this?"</p> + +<p>"Let us go to the summer-house, Lancy, and I think I can satisfy your mind +on one point, and that is, if I fail to appreciate your attentions as you +think they deserve, you need not lay the blame on Hugh McNeil," and, +standing under the shadow of the swinging vines, Dexie related the +substance of the interview on the kitchen roof the evening before they left +Halifax.</p> + +<p>"The scoundrel! and he dared to threaten you, and was actually going to +throw you from the roof! Why did you not tell me, Dexie, and I would have +horsewhipped him if it had cost me my life!" And he dug his heel into the +gravel, as if he had his enemy beneath it.</p> + +<p>"Don't, Lancy; it is all over, so try to forget it. I know that Hugh felt +sorry for his burst of temper the moment after, but he could not unsay the +words, and I would not forgive them—that is why he felt so badly when we +parted on the train. I did not intend to tell you of it, Lancy; so do not +look so vexed."</p> + +<p>"Oh! if I only could lay my hands on him, I would pay him for his impudence +and brutality! but, Dexie, were you not very frightened?" and he clasped +her hands in his own, and looked earnestly into her face.</p> + +<p>"For the moment, when I turned my head and saw the stones beneath me, I was +almost sick with fear, but I think my temper saved my life just then, for I +turned on him and dared him! Oh! I could have torn him limb from limb, I +was that angry! I broke the commandment a dozen times <a name="Page_170" id="Page_170"></a>as I stood there +before him—I mean the one that says 'Thou shalt do no murder.' I killed +him in my heart, I mean. However, I feel real pleased to hear of his good +fortune, so I think I must have repented; but I'm not quite sure," she +laughingly added.</p> + +<p>"My brave Dexie! that is no easy matter to forgive!" said Lancy earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well! I am going to forgive everything, and be as amiable as possible +to my future brother-in-law. You see, Gussie has claimed him already. Now, +you must keep this to yourself, Lancy, or I will never tell you anything +again; but you see how foolish it is to hold up Hugh as my possible lover. +Are you satisfied now?"</p> + +<p>"No, not quite, Dexie, but if you will tell me what you refused to tell +Hugh, then I will be," and he drew nearer her side.</p> + +<p>"Then I guess you can remain unsatisfied, Sir Launcelot, for I will not +confess to a feeling I am not sure of possessing."</p> + +<p>"But you will confess that no one else holds the first place—that you love +no one else? You will tell me that much, surely, Dexie?" and he tried to +read the answer in her dark eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, yes, Lancy. I can safely concede that much without committing +myself, but you need not begin to build air castles on that!"</p> + +<p>A step sounded on the gravel walk, and Elsie's head appeared through the +swinging vines at the door.</p> + +<p>"Here I have been searching for you for half an hour! Whatever have you two +been doing here, all by yourselves? Not love-making, surely; but your face +looks guilty, Dexie," and she looked keenly at her brother, to see what his +earnest tones might have meant.</p> + +<p>"Well! you little Paul Pry! we were love-making and love-breaking, both. +You came just in time to hear that my engagement to Lancy is—not a settled +thing," and she laughed at the surprise in Elsie's eyes. "So please unsay +what you told Mrs. Fremont in the parlor last evening. But what are your +wishes, Miss Gurney?"</p> + +<p>Elsie returned her bow with great formality and replied <a name="Page_171" id="Page_171"></a>"Miss Beatrice +Fremont sends her compliments, and will Mr. Gurney be kind enough to drive +us to the market this morning, as Miss Gertrude is otherwise engaged."</p> + +<p>"With pleasure, but such dignity ill becomes your youthful brow, sister +mine. Did mother tell you the news about Hugh?"</p> + +<p>"No! She said you would tell me the news your letter contained."</p> + +<p>"Well, just think! Hugh's father has been alive for years, long enough to +lay by a big fortune for Hugh. But he took a fever and died, just when he +was almost ready to return to England. He managed to get a trusty man to +see after his business, who has arrived in Halifax, and Hugh is rich enough +to buy us all out if he wants to. Mother says he has made no plans for the +future yet, but frequently asks when we are expected home, though why he is +anxious about us, I can't see."</p> + +<p>Something caused him to glance at Dexie, and the peculiar smile on her face +made Lancy understand at once the reason of the frequent inquiries. Hugh +did not care to make plans for the future until Dexie had returned, when +her acceptance or refusal of his suit would have something to do with his +future plans. But after hearing Dexie's story, Hugh's anxiety on their +account did not trouble him further.</p> + +<p>As they walked towards the house, Elsie expressed a hope "that Hugh and +Gussie would soon get married, and would give them a good party to +celebrate the event," and Dexie heartily seconded her wish.</p> + +<p>But even Hugh's good fortune was set aside, for this was market day, and on +no account would they miss the drive to the crowded mart. They were soon +speeding along the level road, past cartloads of farm products of every +kind, which were slowly making their way towards the same goal. While +Beatrice was making her purchases the two girls wandered about to view the +busy scene, but they soon became aware that the attention of a +broad-shouldered countryman was directed to themselves. Dexie wondered +where she had seen the man before, as his face looked familiar, but her +memory was refreshed by the outspoken and hearty greeting that met her +ears.</p><p><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172"></a></p> + +<p>"Bless yer bonnie face! If this aren't Mr. Sherrud's dochter, I'm mista'en! +What! dinna ye ken the auld farmer McDonald, that was seein' ye in Halifax? +Oh, I thocht ye'd ken me! An' whan did ye come owre?" and her hand was +grasped and given a hearty shake as she tried to answer his many questions, +for the pleasure of the meeting was easily read in the open countenance +before her.</p> + +<p>"Weel, weel! but it's pleased I am to hae met ye the day, an' is yer +faither as smart as ever?" and seeing him glance towards Elsie she +remembered herself and introduced her friend.</p> + +<p>"She is our next-door neighbor in Halifax," Dexie explained.</p> + +<p>"An' ye are both owre for a visit? Weel, weel, an' ye never telt me ye were +comin' at a', at a'. But whaur are ye stayin', if I may ask?"</p> + +<p>"At Mrs. Fremont's. I am here at Miss Gurney's invitation, and her friends +have been very kind to me. We have been here a little more than three +weeks."</p> + +<p>"An' ye never sent me word! If I had kent ye were here, I wad hae sent doon +for ye afore."</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, indeed, Mr. McDonald, but I am here with friends this +time, and I am afraid I cannot leave them."</p> + +<p>"Hoot, noo! ye needna leave them; there's room at the farm for ye a'. Hoo +mony is there besides this ane?"</p> + +<p>"One young man."</p> + +<p>And catching sight of Lancy, a short distance away, she called his name and +he stepped at once to her side.</p> + +<p>"This is Mr. Gurney, a brother to my friend here."</p> + +<p>"Ay, ay; I remember him," greeting Lancy heartily. "An' hoo dae ye like the +look o' the Islan'?"</p> + +<p>"Very much, indeed!" Lancy replied. "It is a fine place, and we have been +enjoying ourselves immensely."</p> + +<p>"But ye haena been up oor way yet! If I'd only kent ye were here I wad hae +had ye up afore this," he repeated.</p> + +<p>"Thank you kindly, Mr. McDonald, but we could hardly impose on your +good-nature as far as that."</p> + +<p>"Impose, is't? Ma dear sir, it's prood an' happy we wad <a name="Page_173" id="Page_173"></a>be to hae ye come +to see us. You maun gie me yer promise to come afore ye gang back to +Halifax. The gran'mother wad be sair hurt at no seein' ye. Whan could ye +come, noo?" turning to Dexie.</p> + +<p>Just then Beatrice Fremont came towards them, and her smile of recognition +told Dexie that the farmer was well known to her.</p> + +<p>"I did not know you were acquainted with my friends, Mr. McDonald," and she +extended her hand.</p> + +<p>"I ken her faither weel, an' I met the dochter whan I was abroad," he +replied with a smile, "but I never expected to meet ony Halifax folk the +day. It's her faither that did me the kindness whan I was in Halifax that +I'll never forget, an' it's weel pleased I am to meet them. Is't at your +place they are staying, Miss Fremont?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Beatrice, smiling, "but I think I heard you trying to coax +them away from us, Mr. McDonald."</p> + +<p>He looked up into the bright face and replied:</p> + +<p>"Ay, I want to show them that I dinna forget their kindness to me whan I +was a stranger in a strange land, an' no wishin' to rob ye o' yer visitors +at a', I was tryin' to hae them say whan they wad come up to the farm, for +it's masel' that'll come efter them, whanever they say the word."</p> + +<p>"You need not be afraid to accept the invitation, girls," said Beatrice, as +the farmer turned to say a few words to Lancy. "Your presence would cause +no trouble; they are always so glad to have visitors that it is a pleasure +to go. I spent several weeks there last summer, and I know they would all +be glad to see you."</p> + +<p>"It is well enough for Dexie to go," said Elsie, "but it would be very rude +for me to go on such short acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"There, Elsie, I stand condemned. Behold me, a visitor at Mrs. Fremont's, +and we never knew of each other's existence before the visit was planned," +said Dexie.</p> + +<p>"But this is different, Dexie," Elsie hurried to explain.</p> + +<p>"The difference is in your favor, Elsie."</p> + +<p>"I think I can promise that they will be as glad to see you both at the +farm as we were to have you here,<a name="Page_174" id="Page_174"></a> and you know your being no relation does +not matter to us."</p> + +<p>"Well, I would dearly love to go," Dexie said. "It will be such a chance to +see that part of the country, and by the way papa speaks of the McDonald +homestead we would like it very much."</p> + +<p>"Then you cannot do better than spend a few days at the seaside with him. +There is a fine beach near, and chances for sea-bathing and all the rest of +the delights of a seaside farm. If you like, Gertrude will go with you and +stay for the first day or two."</p> + +<p>"Is there a beach and sandhills like Stanhope Bay?" Dexie asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, only better, I think; and they have boats and go fishing sometimes. I +am sure you would enjoy yourselves."</p> + +<p>Lancy had been talking to Mr. McDonald during this conversation, but he now +turned to them, saying:</p> + +<p>"What do you say, girls, to accepting this kind invitation? Shall we go in +a body?"</p> + +<p>"They would all like to go, Mr. McDonald, but they are afraid they will +crowd you," said Beatrice, smiling; "but I know so much better than that, +that I am going to send Gertrude along with them. You will give her +house-room, I know."</p> + +<p>"Hoose-room, is't; there's plenty o' that; but hoo shune can ye a' come +up?" he anxiously inquired.</p> + +<p>"Well, not till next week, Mr. McDonald. We have planned to go for a picnic +to Brackly Point, but you can tell the girls at home to look out for them +next Wednesday; you need not take the trouble to come in for them, Mr. +McDonald; I know how busy you are on the farm, and Gertrude knows the road. +You must not let them run wild," she laughingly said, "but keep them well +in order. But I must hurry home or I shall not be in time to give cook +these vegetables for dinner. You must call in and see us on your way out of +town, Mr. McDonald," and promising to do so he walked with them to where +the carriage was waiting, and they drove home discussing the proposed visit +as they went. <a name="Page_175" id="Page_175"></a>Dexie then explained how she became acquainted with the +farmer, and gave them a short account of the troubles he had experienced +while visiting Nova Scotia.</p> + +<p>"He shows to better advantage when he is at home on his own farm," said +Beatrice. "He told us how he fell among thieves when he was in Halifax, and +how a kind gentleman befriended him, but I did not expect I would ever know +any of the family that he praised so highly when he told us the story. He +supplies us with winter vegetables, and we are quite friendly, I assure +you."</p> + +<p>"How strange things do happen! I never expected to set eyes on the man +again, and here we are planning to visit his home. A chain of +circumstances, linked together, stretches a long way, even though the links +are small and insignificant in themselves."</p> + +<p>"Yes; it would have been a great disappointment to him had you refused his +invitation. He loves to have visitors in the house. I can speak from +experience, for I have been there with Gertrude. I expect Mr. McDonald did +not impress you favorably when he was in Halifax, but in his own place you +will not find a finer man anywhere."</p> + +<p>"I can well believe it, but—oh! Beatrice, what is that?"</p> + +<p>As they turned a corner they came upon a man standing in the centre of the +street ringing a bell which he held in his hand, and instantly the doors +and windows in the neighborhood were peopled, and pedestrians within +earshot all stopped at the sound.</p> + +<p>"Oh! who is it? What is he saying?" cried the girls.</p> + +<p>"Listen," and she checked the horse. "It is old Hatch, the town-crier; +something is lost."</p> + +<p>The bell stopped, and in a loud voice the man read from a paper:</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Lost, lost! On market square, a tin box, containing +papers. The finder will be rewarded by leaving it with the city marshal at +the court-house. Oh, yes! Oh, yes!"</p> + +<p>The bell rang again at the conclusion of the proclamation, and the man +hurried on to the next street-crossing, where the loss was again set forth, +his voice coming back in waves of sound as the carriage rolled farther +away.</p><p><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176"></a></p> + +<p>"The 'town-crier,'—that means a crier hired by the town, does it?" said +Lancy. "I thought there was not such a thing this side the Atlantic. Why do +not people advertise their losses?"</p> + +<p>"That is the way they do it," said Beatrice, smiling, "and it pays better, +particularly on market days, than to put it in all the city papers. It is +the quickest way to make a loss known, or to advertise a sale, for +everybody listens to old Hatch, or Mr. Hatch, I should say. It is very +old-fashioned to have a town-crier, I suppose, but we should miss him very +much, though I daresay the office will die with the present crier."</p> + +<p>"I think it is an old English custom," said Lancy. "I have read of criers +going through the streets to announce great events, such as battles and +other public matters, but I thought they were out of date long ago."</p> + +<p>The events of the morning were duly discussed with Mrs. Fremont when they +arrived at the house, and she assured them that no thought of inconvenience +need cause them to shrink from accepting Mr. McDonald's invitation. Their +visit would bring pleasure to all the members of the family.</p> + +<p>"You will not find the family rude and rough, as some country people are. +The girls are bright and intelligent, though full of fun and frolic," she +added. "You will be sure to enjoy yourselves, and should there come a rainy +day you will find plenty to amuse you in their quaint though comfortable +farmhouse."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + + +<p>The same comfortable carriage that carried them to Montague Bridge was now +travelling in an opposite direction, and the young strangers viewed with +pleasure the luxuriant fields that surrounded the many farmhouses, and +which promise such abundant harvest to their owners. The drive proved a +very delightful one indeed. In consequence of the many stoppings they made +to regale<a name="Page_177" id="Page_177"></a> themselves with the sweet wild berries that grew in abundance by +the roadside, the afternoon was drawing to a close when the little party +reached the McDonald farmhouse.</p> + +<p>The hardy pioneer who had first settled on the land that was owned and +tilled by his descendants, must have selected the site on which he built +his first log-house with an eye to the picturesque and beautiful, for no +other spot for miles around had such a far reaching and delightful +prospect. As time went by, and the land gave forth its increase, the +log-house was supplemented by a more pretentious structure, that was "built +on," the original apartments serving for kitchens, outhouses and other +necessary buildings; and as this process of erection went on at later +periods, the farmhouse was large and many sided, and possessed many +conveniences that farmers are apt to consider unnecessary. But the honest +pride that the present owner had in the well-tilled acres extended to the +buildings upon it, and neatness and thrift were everywhere present. No +hingeless gates propped with sticks met the eye; no broken-down doors were +to be seen on his barns; a master hand ruled the land, and his rule brought +prosperity and happiness.</p> + +<p>The inmates of the farmhouse were such as you would expect to find amidst +such surroundings—active and intelligent, and not wholly given up to the +pursuit of the things which perish with the using, for the young people, at +least, found time for intellectual pleasures that would have been +considered in some farmhouses a wilful waste of time and means.</p> + +<p>The family consisted of two young girls well up in their teens; Tom, a +lively boy of twelve, and Dora, a plump little miss of six; and coming +after these, in her own estimation, was the mother, a model of neatness and +good-nature, a fine dairy woman, whose interests were, of course, centred +in her cows and poultry yard, and she was generally found somewhere near +the vicinity of her particular treasures.</p> + +<p>Then there was Phebe, the strong-armed. A very important member of the +family was she, as you would soon<a name="Page_178" id="Page_178"></a> learn if you made any stay in the +farmhouse. She it was who solved problems by the aid of washboard and +scrubbing-brush, and the tempting meals she sent out of the kitchen would +have delighted the heart of an epicure. But to see Phebe at her best, one +should be at the farm during the busy haying season. It was her pride and +delight to be considered "as good as any man," and she could "pitch a load" +with a dexterity that even the two farm hands could not equal. These latter +were brothers, and lived in a snug cottage a few rods away, said cottage +being kept, like everything else on the farm, as "neat as a new pin," by +Joe's wife, a brisk little woman, whose head scarcely reached to her +husband's shoulder.</p> + +<p>Another inmate of the farmhouse should have a paragraph all to herself, for +"the grandmother" cannot be described in one brief line. Although she had +long since passed the allotted span of life, yet age had not dimmed the +lustre of her keen grey eyes nor dulled her faculties; and though she could +no longer take an active part in the management of the household, yet from +her corner in the pleasant room a potent spell reached out and overshadowed +the members of the household. No crowned monarch on his throne ever ruled +over such deferential and loyal subjects as those that here yielded to her +benign sway. Not that she required it of them—it was graciously accorded +her as to the patriarchs of old, and she seemed to belong to a holier age. +Her soft white hair fell over her brow, and was drawn back under a large +white frilled cap that surrounded her head like a halo, and the placid +countenance that beamed beneath it inspired a feeling of reverence. She was +called by all the household "the grandmother," and was dearly loved by them +all; but the filial love of her son was far above that usually accorded to +aged mothers, and it was easy to see how it warmed her heart.</p> + +<p>Such was the household into which our young travellers were ushered about +five o'clock on a beautiful summer day.</p> + +<p>Mr. McDonald had been watching for their appearance for some hours, and his +hearty greetings were repeated by <a name="Page_179" id="Page_179"></a>the rest of the family. The farmer's +daughters, Maggie and Lizzie, received Gertrude with the cordiality of an +old friend, and though at first they seemed a little shy with the strangers +from "abroad" this soon wore away, and they found their visitors quite as +amiable as if they had been born on the same soil as themselves.</p> + +<p>As soon as they had been refreshed, outwardly and inwardly, they were taken +into the room where "the grandmother" sat in her large, comfortable chair, +and were introduced to her with much solemnity; but they only waited for +the few words of welcome to each, and then passed into the pleasant +sitting-room adjoining.</p> + +<p>"You must go in to-morrow and see the grandmother, one at a time," said +Lizzie, as she drew a chair near the rest. "She does not see many +strangers, and more than one confuses her. It seemed necessary to introduce +you in a body, but she will be better pleased to become acquainted with you +separately."</p> + +<p>"I have something for her," said Gertrude. "She seems to remember me as +well as if I were here only last week."</p> + +<p>"I have something for her, too," said Dexie, smiling, "but it is only a +soft foot-rest, and I see she has one now."</p> + +<p>"That is kind of you to think of her," said Maggie. "Let me know when you +are going to give it to her, and I will slip in beforehand and pull away +her old one. She will be so delighted to think that you remembered her."</p> + +<p>But the beautiful prospect from the windows claimed a closer inspection, +and they went for their hats and started for the beach.</p> + +<p>Lancy followed Mr. McDonald to inspect the premises with the happy owner, +promising to join the rest later on. The girls walked along the path that +led across a waving field of grain, and then stood for a few minutes +looking off at the white-topped waves that extended as far as the eye could +reach. The high sandbanks here raised their barriers against the waters of +the Gulf, and shrill screams of laughter, such as only come from girlish +throats, accompanied their descent through the dry, yielding sand to the +beach below. <a name="Page_180" id="Page_180"></a>The little white-washed building that served the double +purpose of bathing and boat-house was duly inspected; and when Dexie +admitted her ability to handle an oar, it raised her very much in the +estimation of the bright country lasses, as they were under the impression +that her soft hands were not put to much energetic labor, but one who had +sufficient muscle to handle an oar could surely do other things as well. +While they were on the beach Lancy joined them, and after he had inspected +the boat-house, under Dexie's enthusiastic guidance, they agreed that on +the morrow they would sail across to the distant point, and view the +prospect from that quarter.</p> + +<p>"We will take a lunch and have a private picnic," said Lizzie. "I hope the +day will be fine. You have no idea how rough it is here when the wind is +high; the breakers come rolling in so high and grand that it is quite +fascinating to watch them, but dangerous in the extreme to be on the shore. +Vessels have to keep out to sea when there is a storm, for this is +considered a dangerous coast, but there have not been any wrecks along here +for some years."</p> + +<p>They returned by a different route, entering the house by a side-door, and +the visitors were surprised to see the display of flowers that bloomed in +the outer porch, making it, indeed, a bower of beauty.</p> + +<p>"Why! you have made quite an addition to the house since I was here last," +said Gertrude, as she stood to admire the blossoms.</p> + +<p>"No, not an addition, only a little alteration," said Maggie. "Don't you +remember this old porch where father used to smoke his pipe of an evening? +Well, in the spring, when Joe was making the glass frames to force the +early vegetables for market, we got him to put a glass frame on each side +of the porch. They are not very neatly done, I admit, but they answer the +purpose very well. Then these few shelves were easily fitted up, and this +is the result," she added.</p> + +<p>"I missed your flowers, from the window seats, and wondered if you had +found them too much trouble," said Gertrude, fingering some sweet-smelling +leaves near her. <a name="Page_181" id="Page_181"></a>"Well, you see, there were so many of them that it was +quite a task to look after them when they were spread over the house. In +the winter we don't mind the trouble so much, as there is so little left of +'green things growing' to rest the eyes upon that we find them quite a +pleasure. In the bright days of spring there is so much to see and do +out-of doors that we thought we would collect them here. Of course, we +still keep the grandmother's window full of blossoms, for she loves them so +dearly."</p> + +<p>"It is a pity that the porch is not on the south side of the house," said +Dexie. "I should think it would be quite chilly here when the wind blows."</p> + +<p>"So it is," said Lizzie, with a smile, "and I suppose you think we might +have chosen a better situation for our little conservatory when this +many-sided house has better spots to select from, but it was not the +flowers alone we were thinking of."</p> + +<p>"Well, what else were you thinking of, if I may ask?" said Gertrude.</p> + +<p>Lizzie blushed slightly as she replied:</p> + +<p>"This is the door that mother uses to go in and out when about her dairy +work—that is the dairy under the trees at the end of the path—and father +likes to sit here and watch her about her work of an evening while he +smokes his pipe; and when she has done her work she will often sit here and +rest a few minutes with him; but there is not much of a prospect from this +door, except the waters of the Gulf, so we thought we would put our flowers +here and she could see and smell them when she went in and out. She might +be too busy to stop and notice them particularly, but they are something +pleasant to rest her eyes on when she is through with the milk. I always +thought that the restless waves made her think of my brother who was lost +at sea, but now I fancy that the flowers rest her, though perhaps it is +only fancy, after all."</p> + +<p>Dexie's thoughts flew back to her own mother lying listlessly on her sofa +so much of the time. How much had she ever done to change the current of +her mother's thought? She made a mental memorandum to try the effect <a name="Page_182" id="Page_182"></a>of a +few bright blooms in her mother's window as soon as she returned home.</p> + +<p>As they talked, Maggie had taken up her father's pipe that had lain on a +shelf near, and emptying its contents she took from a pouch hanging on the +wall a piece of tobacco and a jack-knife, and, with a practised hand, she +refilled the pipe afresh, then laid it gently on a little shelf within easy +reach of the cosy seat that her father occupied during the warm summer +evenings. It was done so quietly that it was almost unnoticed, but Dexie +saw it and understood the kindly act. She wondered if she loved her own +father enough to perform such an act for him. She felt glad that her father +did not use tobacco, for she would not care to be outdone by these Prince +Edward Island girls; yet in her case she felt that even lovingkindness had +its limit, and that she would have to draw the line <i>this</i> side of the +tobacco pipe.</p> + +<p>Maggie felt, rather than saw, that Dexie was watching her, and as she laid +the pipe in readiness for her father's evening smoke she looked up and said +with a smile:</p> + +<p>"You never saw a girl do that before, confess now? Well, I don't care for +it, but father likes to find his pipe all ready for him, so I try to +overcome my dislike, and his tobacco-smoke helps to keep my flowers free +from vermin, you know."</p> + +<p>As twilight deepened into evening the members of the family all assembled +in the grandmother's room, and a home-like feeling came over Elsie as she +saw Mr. McDonald open the big Bible that rested on a small table near the +grandmother's chair, and read, in his rich Scotch accents, the evening +psalms. Then they quietly knelt, all except the grandmother, who, rising +slowly to her feet and leaning on her staff, offered up the evening prayer. +It made Dexie think of the patriarchs of old, who blessed their families +"leaning on their staffs for very age." Then the family said good-night to +the grandmother, and the polished candlesticks that decorated the mantle +shelf were taken down by the farmer's wife and a lighted candle set in +each; these were then handed to the different members of the family, who +passed out of the room in single file, <a name="Page_183" id="Page_183"></a>very much after the manner of a +diminutive torch-light procession.</p> + +<p>The family were supposed to retire to their own rooms at once, as "early to +bed" was the rule of the farmhouse, but the laughing group of girls all +assembled in one room for a friendly chat before retiring.</p> + +<p>As Lancy sat by his open window enjoying the quiet scene without, the sound +of their voices reached his ears. He would have preferred a walk, or a +short <i>tete-a-tete</i> with Dexie, instead of this early-to-bed arrangement, +but he respected the rule of the house and blew out his candle at an early +hour. He was rewarded for his good behavior by a long refreshing sleep, and +Dexie appearing to him in his dreams was more gracious than ever she had +been during his waking hours.</p> + +<p>But, as everyone knows, when young ladies get talking together of an +evening, sleep "comes slowly up that way," and the shortness of their +candles alone warned them that it was time they sought the pillow. But the +short candles were unheeded, for Gertrude was relating reminiscences of a +former visit, and the fun and frolic that prevailed at the farm during +their stay. At last, when one of the candles flared up, then subsided in +smoke, the girls rose to leave the room, but Gertrude turned at the door, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Take good care, girls, and sleep well over to the back of the bed, or you +may repeat the performance that took place the first night that Beatrice +and I slept in the house."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do tell them about it, Gertrude," said Maggie, laughing. "Our candles +will hold out that long, I think."</p> + +<p>Gertrude seated herself on the foot of the bed, while the rest waited for +the story.</p> + +<p>"Well, we slept that night in the room that Lancy occupies, at the head of +the stairs, and, do you know, I never enter it but I feel cold shivers +running up my back as I think of that night. You see, Mrs. McDonald's +feather-beds are wonderful for size; they are her pride and joy; but we +were not used to them, so, during the night, we rolled over too near the +front of the bed, when suddenly out we both went, and the feather-bed fell +out on top of us! I thought there had been an earthquake, and so laid quiet +<a name="Page_184" id="Page_184"></a>for the next shock. By and by Beatrice crawled out from under the ruins +and tried to lift the feather-bed back on the mattress, but instead of +doing so she fell back on the floor with it in her arms. Over went the +table, and this upset the whole contents of the water-pitcher over my back. +Good gracious! how it scared me! It was pitch dark and I could not tell +what had happened, so I screamed—screamed as if I was being murdered. +Imagine our feelings when the door opened, and in walked Mr. and Mrs. +McDonald, carrying a candle and a poker. Oh! I thought I should die with +shame. They thought that robbers had broken into the house and were +carrying us off, so they ran with the poker to our rescue. It took them +some time to comprehend the true state of affairs, then Mr. McDonald +disappeared in a twinkling. The girls here came running up to see what was +the matter, and they soon tossed the bed and bed-clothes out of the way, +and got some dry garments for poor shivering me. Beatrice escaped with a +lump on her head as big as an egg. I had no outward bruises to speak of, +but I felt bad enough without any; but the water-pitcher had the handle +broken off, and the bed-clothes and feather-bed had to be dried +out-of-doors for days after. Oh, dear! I did feel so ashamed; such a scrape +I never got into before or since. So take my story to heart, and do not +lose your senses if you do fall out of bed," and Gertrude laughed as she +took up her candle and followed the rest from the room, leaving Dexie and +Elsie to the mercy or comfort of their big feather-bed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + + +<p>There was a full breakfast table the next morning, for the young visitors +determined to fall into the ways of the family as much as possible, so +decided to be "early birds" along with the rest.</p> + +<p>During the meal, Mr. McDonald suggested the various ways they might pass +the day enjoyably; but when he had <a name="Page_185" id="Page_185"></a>exhausted the resources of pleasure +that occurred to his mind, Dexie smilingly said,</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, Mr. McDonald, to place so many pleasures within our +reach, but it would not be right to spend the whole day in that way."</p> + +<p>"What way would you prefer to pass the day?" said Lizzie, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, first, I should like to help wash the dishes, then I should like to +be set to work at anything else that I can do in a passable manner."</p> + +<p>"Dear me! is that what you call enjoying yourself, Miss Dexie?" said +Maggie. "I fancy you would not like dish-washing, if you had to do it all +the time."</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps a full day's task of dish-washing would be rather tedious," +said Dexie, laughing; "but I was only bidding for the breakfast dishes, you +know."</p> + +<p>"But there is no need to trouble yourselves about anything," said Mrs. +McDonald. "Enjoy yourselves all you can while you are here; Phebe can +manage the work nicely. Put on your hats, and have a walk through the +fields; it will give you a fine appetite for your dinner."</p> + +<p>"But I have a remarkable appetite already, Mrs. McDonald; I shall be +alarmed if it increases much more," was the smiling reply, "and you know +the Bible says, 'If one will not work, neither should he eat,' or words to +that effect, so you must have pity on me, and not keep me idle. Lancy, your +appetite is wonderful too, for that is your second cup of coffee; you had +better hunt up some work also," she laughingly added.</p> + +<p>"I will give him some now," said Lizzie. "Before the tide comes in he can +go down to the boat-house and get out the boat. We want to be off by ten +o'clock; the tide will be about right then, and since you are so anxious +for work, Miss Dexie, you may help Maggie pack the baskets. I hope, +Gertrude, you won't ask for something to do, for I want you to take Miss +Gurney around, and show her the poultry yard. Mother will be too busy to +protect her from our feathered enemies."</p> + +<p>"Enemies! are they very savage?" Elsie asked in alarm.</p><p><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186"></a></p> + +<p>"No; the trouble is in the opposite direction," said Maggie. "The creatures +are that tame they are quite a nuisance; you can scarcely step for them. +The greedy things look for something to eat from everybody who ventures +inside the yard, and will fly on your shoulders for the first chance at the +pan. Gertrude knows how to protect herself, so you can put yourself under +her care with safety."</p> + +<p>How pleasant it is when one goes visiting to feel as if you are one of the +family; but the expression "Making yourself at home" is more often made +than really experienced. While at the farmhouse our young people did truly +realize the feeling.</p> + +<p>It would take too long to tell of the many excursions by water, and drives +by land, that were enjoyed daily, but the vicinity for miles around was +thoroughly explored. Every night Gertrude would say she ought to return +home, but the next day would seem so full of pleasure that it seemed a pity +to miss it.</p> + +<p>One evening, when they were seated and idly swinging among the boughs of a +low-limbed tree that stood near the house—a favorite spot with the +girls—Dexie suddenly remarked,</p> + +<p>"Lancy, I am just hungry for a 'sing;' do start up something."</p> + +<p>"Bless you for the thought," Lancy replied, from a distant limb. "I have +been wondering these few days back what it was I was missing. Take the +first choice yourself, and start away."</p> + +<p>But they found it was easier to start the singing than it was to end it, +for they soon had all the household within hearing distance, and "just one +more" was asked for from so many different quarters that their song-hunger +was fully satisfied before they were allowed to stop.</p> + +<p>They seemed to sing like the birds, from "lightness of heart, and very joy +of living." After a few moments' silence, a bird-song was whistled by the +"mates in the tree," eliciting strong words of praise, as well as surprise, +from the delighted listeners.</p><p><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, that's nothing to what we have to endure at home," said Elsie. "Those +two are always hooting away like a pair of owls. It is a wonder their +throats are not split before this. I almost hope that the piano at home +will be mouldy when we get back."</p> + +<p>"We will soon knock the mould out of it, hey, Dexie?" Lancy laughingly +replied, as he lifted his mate down from her perch.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how I should love to have a piano, and be able to play on it," said +Maggie, with a long-drawn sigh. "Perhaps we will have one sometime."</p> + +<p>"Why, Maggie, how can you say such a thing? A deep sorrow comes before that +joy; and how can you wish for it?" was the stern reproof of her sister.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! what have I said! I forgot that for the moment!" and there was +such a tone of regret in her words that Dexie's eyes asked an explanation.</p> + +<p>"We can't have a piano while the grandmother is alive. She thinks that all +music, except the bagpipes, perhaps, is positively wicked; so we try not to +think about it. We spoke about it to father once, and he felt so badly that +he could not please us and the grandmother too. Of course she comes first; +but he has put the money in the bank to buy an instrument—sometime. I hate +to think about it, though I long for it more than I can tell. It makes me +feel as if I was such a wicked creature; for just think of wishing for a +thing that can only be had over the grandmother's coffin! Oh, dear! I wish +I had never heard the sound of music!" and to the surprise and dismay of +the little group she burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do forgive me! I am to blame for this, I fear," said Dexie, her face +showing her distress. "I did not know—"</p> + +<p>"Don't think of such a thing, Miss Dexie," said Lizzie, putting her arm +around her. "It was not your fault; Maggie has her cry over this same thing +every few weeks, and feels the better for it, too, I believe. We have many +pleasures that few girls on a farm ever think of, and we ought to be +content. But I really do believe that if the grandmother could walk around +the house, and should <a name="Page_188" id="Page_188"></a>come across the books and other things that we girls +have brought into it since she was confined to her room, she would die with +the shock. She thinks that everything remains about the same as it was in +her day, and we are careful not to disturb her opinion; for in this case a +little deceit seems wise, or, at least, necessary."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the sunshine again appeared on Maggie's face; but the +feeling that was brought out by the sudden tears seemed to draw Dexie +nearer to this young girl who had such a love of music, yet could not give +it expression until the shadow of death had first walked before her.</p> + +<p>The next morning brought a letter from home, and by its tone Lancy felt he +must be needed; so it was decided they should return to Charlottetown, +finish their visit at Mrs. Fremont's, and then return home.</p> + +<p>When Mr. McDonald learned that the young people were preparing to leave for +the city, he called Dexie to his side, and turning to a small cupboard +brought out a tin box, saying:</p> + +<p>"Someane left this box in ma kairt that day I saw ye in the toon. I jaloose +the owner was buyin' somethin' an' laid it there an' forgot aboot it, but I +never saw it till I got hame. I opened it to see if I could fin' the name +o' the owner, an' I found some papers wi' yer faither's name on them. Can +ye mak' oot whit it means, ma lassie? Somethin' is no richt, I tak' it."</p> + +<p>Dexie sat down beside him and read several of the letters and papers, and +their contents filled her with surprise. She was well acquainted with her +father's business, as she wrote many of his letters, and she saw at once +that something was indeed wrong.</p> + +<p>"How strange that I should come across this!" she said. "This letter is +written by a man named Plaisted; he does business with papa. He has been on +the Island with him, and knows the people that have had dealings with papa, +before he joined him. What are you going to do with the box, Mr. McDonald?"</p> + +<p>"I was gaun to ask Mr. Gurney to return it to the lawyer whase name is on +the inside o' the cover. He's<a name="Page_189" id="Page_189"></a> considered an honest man, though he is a +lawyer. Maybe if ye wad tell him aboot this man Plaisted, it micht keep him +frae daein' yer faither ony mischief. It wad dae nae harm, ony way."</p> + +<p>"May I copy this letter written by Plaisted? I would like to show papa what +kind of a man this Plaisted is, for I think he trusts him too much."</p> + +<p>"Weel, it canna be ony harm, shurely, jist to <i>copy</i> the letter, but ye +needna mention the maitter to onyane; there's nae kennin' whit they wad +mak' o't."</p> + +<p>Dexie soon had a copy of the letter and a general knowledge of a few others +in Plaisted's peculiar handwriting, and this proved of much value in +establishing certain facts that came up at a future time, the copied letter +proving the missing link in a chain of evidence that brought Plaisted's +misdoings to judgment.</p> + +<p>Lancy was consulted about the box, and promised to see it safe into the +hands of the owner. Soon after they learned that this was the very box that +they had heard the town-crier proclaim as <i>lost</i> when driving home from the +market-house.</p> + +<p>With many regrets at leave-taking, both on the part of visitors and +entertainers, the little party drove away, unconscious of the fact that +under the seat of the carriage there were several substantial tokens of +regard, which were, however, discovered, when they arrived at Mrs. +Fremont's.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fremont congratulated them all on the benefit they had undoubtedly +received from their visit, particularly Elsie, who seemed to be a new +creature. Her pale cheeks had been painted by the sun a warm brown, and the +pure sea-air had created an appetite that told its story in rounded limbs +and wide-awake appearance that contrasted greatly with the languid +movements she had brought with her from Halifax.</p> + +<p>Lancy sent word to his parents that they would return the following week, +and promised to telegraph the day of starting.</p> + +<p>This was glad news to Hugh, who was present when the letter was read, and +heard its contents discussed.</p> + +<p>Ever since Hugh had come into possession of his fortune<a name="Page_190" id="Page_190"></a> he had looked +forward to the return of the party with much impatience. There were times +when he felt almost tempted to seek Dexie's presence, and try again to win +a word that would give him some hope. All his future plans seemed to depend +on the way Dexie treated him, and he waited her coming, uplifted sometimes +by hope, but more often depressed by fear, and with a restlessness that +made him almost irritable at times. He insisted on filling his usual place +in the store, glad enough to keep his mind occupied and his thoughts away +from himself.</p> + +<p>At last one morning the telegraph messenger knocked at the door, and +brought the welcome message.</p> + +<p>A broad smile passed over Mr. Gurney's face as he read the telegram, and he +handed it to his wife, saying:</p> + +<p>"Dexie sent that telegram or wrote it, or I'm very much mistaken."</p> + +<p>Whereupon Hugh was very anxious to read it, and to his great delight Mrs. +Gurney passed it over to him, and this is what he read:</p> + +<p>"Kill the prodigal; the fatted calves are on the way."</p> + +<p>For the first time in many weeks, Hugh burst into a hearty laugh, and he +read the words over until he could almost fancy he heard Dexie's laughing +voice beside him.</p> + +<p>"Well, that message may have seemed incomprehensible to the transmitter of +it, but it tells us a long story," said Mrs. Gurney, a smile lighting up +her face. "It says they are well and in good spirits, that they are glad to +be coming home again, but will be very hungry when they get here, so I had +better bestir myself and 'kill the prodigal,'" and she rose to visit the +kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Well, she has told the story within the limit of ten words, too," said +Hugh, making some excuse for keeping the bit of paper so long before him.</p> + +<p>"What prodigal are you going to kill, mamma?" said Gracie, following her +mother into the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that is what we will call the big fat chicken that eats so much oats, +and picks the little ones on the back when they try to get a mouthful. He +will do for a prodigal, so we will have him cooked for Elsie's supper."</p> + +<p>Gracie sat down on a low stool, her face wearing a <a name="Page_191" id="Page_191"></a>puzzled expression, and +she began to repeat to herself the parable of the prodigal son. Suddenly a +bright look came over her face, for she had solved the troublesome riddle, +and she joyfully exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma! Dexie didn't learn it right; they didn't kill the prodigal, it +was the fatted calf that was cooked! Oh, dear! how funny to make such a +mistake, and she such a big girl! Say, Hugh," as he passed through the +room, "Dexie is the prodigal, and not the fatted calf, isn't she?"</p> + +<p>And with more earnestness than the subject demanded he replied: "I hope +so."</p> + +<p>It was Mr. Gurney who drove to the depot in the evening to meet the +travellers, much to the disappointment of Hugh, who hoped to be the first +to receive Dexie's greetings; but the excitement of their arrival had +somewhat subsided by the time he made his appearance in the house.</p> + +<p>It is needless to say there was great rejoicing in the Gurney household +that evening. Elsie was petted and caressed to her heart's content, and she +listened with a smiling face to the oft-repeated remark that she "looked so +much better."</p> + +<p>Hugh's unexpected good fortune came in for a share of the discussion which +took place round the tea-table, and the well-cooked <i>prodigal</i> was the butt +of many jokes. Dexie was asked to come in and get her share of the "fatted +calf," as Gracie persisted in calling it, but she begged to be excused, +feeling that she would prefer to spend her first evening at home.</p> + +<p>Gussie lost no time in telling Dexie all her hopes and plans, and she gave +the impression that everything was settled. She could talk of nothing but +the splendid time she expected to have in the future.</p> + +<p>"Hugh does not say much to me, but I know I can do just as I like with him +after we are married, so I don't mind if he is rather cool and short +occasionally. Of course he means to marry me, or why did he talk so long to +papa about it?" said Gussie, as she followed Dexie downstairs.</p> + +<p>"Did papa tell you about it?" a suspicion of the true state of affairs +entering her mind for a moment.</p><p><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192"></a></p> + +<p>"No—but—well, to tell the truth, I was listening at the door, but I heard +enough to let me know the nature of the interview, for I heard papa say +quite distinctly, 'I don't think she cares enough for you, and she must +marry to suit herself,' so what else could he have meant? Now, I do not +care so very much about Hugh, I must confess—or I did not, I mean, when he +was merely Mr. Gurney's clerk, but with a fortune in his pocket who could +refuse such a fine-looking man?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I could, for one," said Dexie, trying to hide a laugh. "He would +need something more than riches to be attractive to me, for all his fine +looks; but I congratulate you, Gussie. I hope you will be happy."</p> + +<p>"Of course I will be happy, so long as the money holds out, anyway," said +she, with a laugh that grated harshly on her sister's ears. "Did you see +any brides when you were away, Dexie, and how were they dressed?"</p> + +<p>"I wasn't searching for brides, Gussie. I confined my attention to +pollywogs, crabs, and things of that ilk."</p> + +<p>Gussie's remarks jarred on her feelings, in spite of her efforts to seem +careless, but she smiled, as Gussie scornfully replied:</p> + +<p>"Well, did I ever! I guess if you searched for a sunburnt face and a +blistered nose, you found <i>them</i> fast enough."</p> + +<p>"Yes, unfortunately, one can find those sort of things without searching +for them; they are thrown in with the pollywogs for good measure; but my +nose is not half so ornamental as Lancy's. Don't be cross, Gussie. Let us +go into the parlor and wait for the trunks. I have a lot of nice new +patterns in fancywork for you."</p> + +<p>They entered the parlor together, where Aunt Jennie followed them, and they +talked about the many events that had transpired during Dexie's absence. +The room was almost dark. It seemed pleasanter to talk in the twilight, but +a bar of light shone from the sitting-room door, and relieved it from any +sombre appearance. Dexie kept wondering why the expressman did not appear; +she was anxious to see if the little treasures she had collected for +distribution had borne the journey safely. She rose at<a name="Page_193" id="Page_193"></a> last and went to +the window to see if there was anyone in sight, but she was disappointed. +Not so Hugh, who was just entering the house, and caught sight of her +outline against the window-pane, and, thinking the unlighted parlor vacant +but for Dexie's presence, he softly opened the door and stepped to her +side. All her cold repulses were forgotten, her curt words of dismissal +faded from his memory, his heart was yearning for her presence, she was +there before him, and in a moment he had her in his arms.</p> + +<p>"My darling! my love! do I see you at last. How I have longed for this +moment!"</p> + +<p>It was so sudden that for a moment Dexie was powerless to move, but she +freed herself quickly, saying, as she stepped back:</p> + +<p>"How dare you! How <i>dare</i> you touch me! It is I; not Gussie," she added, +thinking he might have mistaken the person, though his words belied the +thought. "I was watching for the expressman, and did not notice you had +come in; you made a mistake," came the quick-spoken words.</p> + +<p>"Well, I should say it was a mistake, and an odd one too," said Gussie, +coming forward. "How could you mistake that mop of a head for mine, Hugh?"</p> + +<p>She had seen the embrace, but the whispered words had not reached her. +Naturally, Hugh was much taken back when he realized that Dexie was not +alone, but he anathematized Gussie in his heart, and bit his lips to keep +back the words that sprang up in reply. If Gussie had known how precious +that "mop of a head" was to her quondam lover, she would not have been so +ready to "give herself away," as the trite saying has it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + + +<p>The embarrassing silence that followed Hugh's entrance was broken at last +by Aunt Jennie, who made some commonplace remark that allowed free speech +to resume itself again. She saw at once the position of affairs; the reason +of Hugh's coolness when in Gussie's society was no longer<a name="Page_194" id="Page_194"></a> any secret. She +thought he had lacked the lover-like eagerness that one might expect, +judging the matter from the standpoint of Gussie's frequent remarks.</p> + +<p>But believing that Lancy Gurney had more than a friendly feeling for Dexie, +she felt uneasy for the result of the struggle between the rivals. Dexie +would surely suffer between them.</p> + +<p>It was impossible for Dexie to feel at ease after Hugh's extraordinary +greeting. She felt vexed at the thought of the spectacle she must have +presented to those who had witnessed it. Did Hugh really know her, or were +his words meant for Gussie alone? The hope that it was the latter made her +decide that it must be; but if she had noticed how carelessly he replied to +Gussie's entertaining chatter, or observed his eager looks in her own +direction, she might have guessed that his heart was not in Gussie's +keeping.</p> + +<p>The arrival of the trunks brought a grateful respite to all, and Dexie +disappeared the moment the expressman arrived, but with the excuse of +helping to lift the trunks into the hall, Hugh followed her. Gussie, +however, was close behind; not for a moment would she leave those two +together. After what she had seen in the parlor there should be no chance +of further <i>mistakes</i>, if her vigilance could prevent it.</p> + +<p>Dexie was so anxious to show her treasures that she opened her trunk as +soon as Hugh deposited it in the hall.</p> + +<p>"Here, Georgie," as her brother came running down the stairs, "take this +parcel to mamma, carefully, mind, and ask her if she is too tired to see me +again to-night. When you come back I will give you the box of something +that I heard you wishing for," and looking up to her sister, who was +bending over to watch her, she added, "Here is your parcel, Gussie, and +this is for auntie. Where is she, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! do let me see what you brought for auntie?" and Gussie caught the +parcel from Dexie's hands and began to inspect the contents.</p> + +<p>Hugh was for the moment forgotten, but he still lingered near the door, +hoping that some chance would favor him. He had so much to say, so much +that had been crowded back into his heart during her long absence, that he +felt he <a name="Page_195" id="Page_195"></a>must seize the first opportunity to speak of his hopes, and he +wished to assure her that there had been no mistake on his part when he met +her in the parlor. Just then Gussie stepped over to the lamp for a closer +inspection of some fancy patterns, and Hugh turned to Dexie, saying:</p> + +<p>"You seem to have remembered everyone but me, Dexie. You have not even a +kind word to give me."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have not an <i>unkind</i> word either, Mr. McNeil, so that ought to +count for something, I think," and she stooped to pick up some paper from +the floor, "but I think you deserve a good many for the ridiculous mistake +you made when you came in."</p> + +<p>"I made no mistake, except that of thinking the room held no one but +yourself. Give me a chance to prove it, Dexie."</p> + +<p>Dexie pretended not to hear, but turned the conversation by saying:</p> + +<p>"I have not congratulated you on the good fortune you have met while we +were away."</p> + +<p>"Well! I think it is time you did," Gussie answered, awake to the fact that +a low conversation was being held near her. "I am sure it is no everyday +affair to fall heir to a fortune. Weren't you surprised when I wrote to you +about it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, very," and the memory of the letter brought a smile with it. "And if +the possession of money means happiness, I presume Mr. McNeil feels raised +to the seventh heaven of bliss."</p> + +<p>"Not yet, Dexie, but I am looking forward to the 'seventh heaven' you speak +of."</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Gurney mentioned that you thought of going abroad. I hope Lancy's +absence has not interfered with your plans, Mr. McNeil?" and she made a +move to ascend the stairs.</p> + +<p>"Would you like to go abroad, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>There was an eagerness in his tone that Dexie did not understand, so she +answered:</p> + +<p>"Well, if going <i>abroad</i> means a visit to Great Britain, I say no, most +decidedly! What do I care for the English, Scotch or Irish—as a race, I +mean? My definition of the <a name="Page_196" id="Page_196"></a>term abroad is, a tour through Europe, ending +with Egypt and the Holy Land, and farther still if the pocket-book held +out."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, will you go abroad with me?"</p> + +<p>Gussie looked from Hugh to Dexie in open-eyed surprise. This invitation +might mean much or little.</p> + +<p>"Why, Hugh, it would be improper for Dexie to accept such an invitation," +she hastily said.</p> + +<p>"There would be nothing improper about it, if she went as my wife."</p> + +<p>"You are carrying your jokes too far, Mr. McNeil," said Dexie, coldly. "If +you want to turn Mormon you had better 'go West, young man,' for when I go +on <i>my</i> wedding tour I want a husband who will be content with <i>one</i> wife, +and, when he and I go abroad, we will go alone. No offence meant; but two +is company, while three is a crowd. So good-night to you both," and she +turned and ran up the stairs, leaving Hugh looking after her with a beating +heart.</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope I have been plain enough this time," was her inward comment. +"Can he really care for Gussie and expect to marry her, as she thinks, or +does he want to turn Mormon and marry the both of us? But whatever he has +said to Gussie don't count, so long as he makes eyes at me. I'm willing to +be pleasant and agreeable, if he is to be my brother-in-law; but he shall +not call me 'his darling' and 'his love,' as if it were me he was engaged +to. I wish I had slapped his face for him."</p> + +<p>But, figuratively speaking, she had just done so, and if she had seen the +grieved look on Hugh's face as he groped his way out the front door, she +would have realized that her slap had struck home.</p> + +<p>Gussie felt indignant, as she stood in the hall recalling the scene just +passed. Hugh had left her without a word, but she could plainly see that +the blame was not on Dexie's shoulders this time.</p> + +<p>"I do believe he cares for Dexie, after all; what else could his words +imply? But she does not care for him, that is plain; and it will be a +strange thing if I cannot arrange matters so that he cannot help but offer +himself. <a name="Page_197" id="Page_197"></a>After what he said to papa, I know he wants to marry one of us, +and I will see that it shall be myself."</p> + +<p>The next day Dexie had a long talk with her father. She had called him +aside to give him the letter she had copied from the one in Plaisted's +handwriting, and when she had explained the circumstances Mr. Sherwood was +much astonished, and praised her for her thoughtfulness in securing an +exact copy.</p> + +<p>"I will write to the parties in question and forbid the payment of any +money to him, but I will say nothing to Plaisted about the matter at +present. I will keep a sharp lookout, and directly he tries to put his +plans into execution I will bring him up short. Thank you, my little woman, +you have done a lucky stroke of business for me; but stay a minute," as +Dexie rose to leave the room, "I want to ask you something. How much do you +care for Hugh McNeil?" said he, as she came over to his side.</p> + +<p>"Why, papa, what makes you ask such a question? Didn't you make a mistake +in the name?" she said, archly. "Didn't you mean to say—Lancy Gurney?"</p> + +<p>"No; I have a guess that way. But how about Hugh? Come, I have a reason for +asking," and he drew her down to his knee. "Think a minute, and tell me."</p> + +<p>"But, papa, I don't need to think a moment in order to answer that +question. I don't like him at all. You should ask Gussie that question."</p> + +<p>"I need not, for I think I know what her answer would be; but I have a +little story to tell you, and I want you to give it serious consideration. +As soon as Hugh McNeil knew about the money coming to him, he asked me for +a private interview. From what Gussie said, I expected that he intended to +ask for her. But Hugh was very straightforward, and made the whole matter +plain, and, Dexie, he asked for the liberty of making you his wife. He said +he was willing to wait any reasonable time for you, if only he had the +promise of your hand in the end."</p> + +<p>"Papa! you never told him <i>yes</i>! say you did not!" cried Dexie, springing +to her feet and regarding him with beseeching eyes. <a name="Page_198" id="Page_198"></a>"My dear, I could not; +so do not look so frightened about it," and he drew her back to his side +again. "I am not willing to give my little girl to anyone yet, but I am not +insensible to the fact that a man who loves my daughter as Hugh professes +to love you, and can provide for her so handsomely, is worthy of some +consideration."</p> + +<p>"Why couldn't he take Gussie? She wants him and I don't," she answered with +a frown. "I am sure Gussie told me she was all but engaged to him. He +doesn't want the both of us, I hope."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I am sorry to say that Gussie has not acted so well about this +matter as I could wish. She makes no secret of the fact that she would +gladly accept the position he offers you, and it annoys him. Hugh confessed +to me that at one time he did think he cared for Gussie, but found his +mistake, and he has been so open with me about it that I cannot blame him +for the change. Think it well over, Dexie, before he talks to you himself. +A handsome man like Hugh, with a good bank account, will not come in your +way very often. He offered to make a handsome settlement on you, directly +you promised him your hand."</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, would you like your poor Dexie to be unhappy for life?" +throwing her arms around his neck. "I am sure you would not," as he drew +her closer to him. "I could never marry Hugh; his very presence makes me +feel pugnacious, and I feel like picking a quarrel with him every time I +speak to him, and I enjoy doing it, too."</p> + +<p>"Well, in that case it would not be pleasant to live your life with him, +would it? but still it seems a pity to lose the money when he seems so +anxious to put it into your hands. Your life would be so different with +money at your command. If it were only Gussie, now."</p> + +<p>"Yes, if it were only Gussie everything would go smoothly while the money +lasted; but you did not tell me the result of the interview, papa."</p> + +<p>"I told him I would leave the matter for you to settle, but I gave my +consent, if he gained yours. I think he would be good to you, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Well! I guess he would have to, if he once got me, or <a name="Page_199" id="Page_199"></a>I would know the +reason why! What does mamma say about it, for I suppose she knows?"</p> + +<p>"She seems much put out that it is not Gussie he asks for, but she hopes +you will not be so foolish as to throw the chance away. That is the opinion +of the both of us, you see, so do not decide hastily, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Dear me, how provoking it is! Mamma will be vexed, and I cannot help it, +for I really cannot <i>say</i> I consent when I feel such a dislike to the man. +Some young ladies would see nothing but his fortune; but think, papa, we +might live for fifty years! and I can't look forward to fifty years of life +spent with Hugh McNeil. So tell him for me, papa, that it cannot be."</p> + +<p>"Take time to think it over, Dexie, before he gets <i>any</i> answer, for Hugh +will be much disappointed if you refuse him. I promised to plead his cause +for him, but I cannot do so against your inclinations, since it will be you +alone who must live your life with him. But, Dexie, many people live +happily together without loving each other overmuch, so do not think it +impossible for you to do the same. Do you care so very much for Lancy +Gurney?" he asked, after a pause.</p> + +<p>Dexie did not feel so embarrassed over this question as her father +expected. She was pleased to have her father take such an interest in her +little affairs of the heart, and show his sympathy in things that are +usually left to the mother and daughter to talk over together.</p> + +<p>"I do not know if I can explain it to you, papa," she replied with a smile. +"I don't think I should care to marry Lancy—indeed, I am quite sure I +never shall, but I like him very much for all that; but you need not tell +anyone I said so, will you, papa?" she added, seeing a smile in her +father's eyes. "Lancy has been very kind to me ever since we came to +Halifax. You know yourself he has added very much to my pleasure by his +thoughtful attentions, but I do not think it will end as Lancy expects," +and a pretty blush spread over her face.</p> + +<p>"Then you have not given him any promise!" smiling at her red cheeks.</p> + +<p>"No, but he seems to think everything will be as he <a name="Page_200" id="Page_200"></a>hopes, and is so +pleasant over it that it is a pity to undeceive him. I'll promise not to +allow any love-making, for he knows very well it is useless to become +sentimental with me. Please don't tell my little secrets, not even to +mamma, for she is sure to tell Gussie."</p> + +<p>"Do not be afraid to trust me with your little affairs, Dexie," he said, +kissing her cheek. "I am only too glad to be your confidant and adviser. I +am sorry that your mother feels so little inclined to take the same +interest in your affairs; you need her more now than when you were a +child."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood watched his daughter with loving eyes as she tripped away from +his side, and he wished for the power to look into the future and see how +matters would end. He sighed as he realized how much depended on her own +judgment; but his daughters must each settle for herself the question that +would make or mar their future lives.</p> + +<p>A change took place in the Sherwood household a few weeks later, for Aunt +Jennie was obliged to return to her old home in Vermont, which was such an +unlooked for event to Mrs. Sherwood that it quite upset her. They had all +become so used to looking to Aunt Jennie for everything, that the house +would seem to be without its head if she were gone.</p> + +<p>When Dexie told her aunt how the Fremont girls managed the household +expenditure and took the oversight of much of the housekeeping +arrangements, Aunt Jennie replied that she thought her niece quite as +capable as the Fremont girls, and asked Dexie if she could not undertake to +fill her place after she was gone, as she knew Mrs. Sherwood would be glad +to be relieved of the charge. When Dexie broached the matter to her mother, +she found her quite willing to let anyone step into the gap, so Dexie +determined to learn as much as she could while her aunt was present to +advise her.</p> + +<p>The little account books were brought out and studied, until Dexie felt +sure she understood what ought to be done, though she doubted her ability +to put the knowledge into practice. But her doubts soon gave way to a +feeling of <a name="Page_201" id="Page_201"></a>confidence in herself as, day by day, she mastered new +difficulties.</p> + +<p>"I think I will make a wonderful housekeeper, by and by, mamma," Dexie +said, as they were all seated in her mother's room, and Mrs. Sherwood was +regretting Aunt Jennie's approaching departure. "I am learning fast. Even +Nancy gives me encouragement. The only thing that troubles me is the fact +that Nancy thinks I am playing at housekeeping, and I am afraid she will +resent my authority after auntie goes away. I shall have to wear a cap and +spectacles to add dignity to my new position," she laughingly added.</p> + +<p>"How absurd you are, Dexie," said her mother, with a frown. "If you intend +to act as housekeeper I hope you will try and be less childish; and to go +through the house whistling like a boy, as you did to-day, is far from +lady-like. Will you ever learn to be genteel like your sister Gussie?"</p> + +<p>"I think Dexie should be given her full name in the future," Gussie added, +"if she intends to rush through the house like her namesake round the race +course."</p> + +<p>"But I will not be called after Bonner's trotting-horse! I will not!" said +Dexie, angrily. "I fancy this would soon be a queer house if there was no +one in it with more energy about them than you possess! However, let us +return to the matter under discussion," said she, more mildly. "I want to +know, in case I make any savings from the month's allowance, if I can +pocket the remainder."</p> + +<p>"I am afraid, Dexie, that you will not find much left over, for the first +few months," her aunt said smilingly. "You must allow something for your +inexperience, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I know that, auntie. But can I have it, mamma, much or little? Make +the bargain with me, mamma."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Dexie; but you cannot expect to save much out of the usual +month's allowance unless you scrimp us."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll promise not to scrimp," was the laughing reply. "But I am going +to begin my reign while auntie is here; then my inexperience will not cost +me so much. I kept my eyes and ears open when I was at Mrs. Fremont's, and +I didn't peep and listen either; but I learned a few <a name="Page_202" id="Page_202"></a>things that I think +will be a great help to me in my future sphere."</p> + +<p>"I think Gussie had better join you in this branch of study," said Mr. +Sherwood, laying down his paper. "It will be as much benefit to her as to +you."</p> + +<p>"Thanks, papa. I beg to decline the honor! I have no wish to shine as a +domestic; it is not in my line," said Gussie, in a lofty tone.</p> + +<p>"Well, I do not expect to run the house as smoothly as Aunt Jennie—I am +sure you will not expect it of me, mamma—but I will do my best, and it +will be nice to learn just how to do things."</p> + +<p>"That is right, Dexie. Every girl should learn how, even though she may +never have to put her own hands to the work itself. But do not be too +particular about keeping within the monthly allowance; I am quite as +willing to pay for housekeeping lessons as for music lessons."</p> + +<p>How Dexie prized the weeks that followed! In after years she looked back to +them with a thankful heart, for Aunt Jennie did not confine her teaching to +the art of housekeeping alone. The inward culture of the heart was not +forgotten. The good seed was sown with no sparing hand, and though some lay +weeks, months and even years without bearing fruit, yet few were altogether +lost.</p> + +<p>What a blank her absence caused in the household! She had filled a mother's +place among them, for the loving tact that bridged over the little jars +that are apt to occur in every household was not one of Mrs. Sherwood's +accomplishments.</p> + +<p>The first few weeks after her aunt's departure were very trying ones to +Dexie. There seemed much fault-finding that was really unnecessary, but +Dexie honestly tried to do her best. She could see her own failures as well +as her successes, and when she found that much of Nancy's ill-temper was +due to Gussie's interference in the kitchen, she laid the matter before her +father, and that put an end to many petty annoyances.</p> + +<p>Dexie had much to bear from her mother also, for Mrs. Sherwood felt +aggrieved that Dexie did not appreciate <a name="Page_203" id="Page_203"></a>Hugh McNeil's attentions as she +thought they deserved. His visits were a daily occurrence, and it was +vexing to see Dexie refuse what would have been so acceptable to Gussie.</p> + +<p>"If you do not intend to marry him, why do you not tell him so plainly?" +she said one day, when Dexie had shut herself up in her room to avoid +meeting Hugh. "What is the use of keeping out of his way, when you know +what he wants to see you for?"</p> + +<p>"Why should I put myself in his way, when I do not want what he has to +offer? He shall not talk to me about it, either, unless he does so before a +third party. I will not see him alone! I sent him a decided answer through +papa, so why can he not be satisfied with that? I declare, I almost hate +the man!"</p> + +<p>"Tell him so, plainly; then, and give Gussie a chance. She is not so +foolish as to allow any sentimentality to come between her and a fortune."</p> + +<p>"I have already told him so, as plainly as I can, mamma. But if you think I +am standing in Gussie's way, just give Hugh McNeil this message from me. +Tell him that I will <i>never</i> marry him; that I hate the very sound of his +footsteps; that if his fortune were four times multiplied, I would not have +him; that I want him to cease persecuting me with his hateful attentions, +and leave me alone! Now, is that plain enough for any sensible man to +understand, do you think?"</p> + +<p>"Dexie! take care! See that you do not repent those words, for I shall see +that they are repeated to him, word for word."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, mamma, and if you can make the words sound any stronger, I hope +you will do so. I will be well pleased to see Gussie occupy the position +she craves. When she does, my congratulations will be most sincere and you +will not know me—it will make me so wonderfully good-tempered," and she +put her arm across her mother's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Dear mamma, +do not be vexed with me; but if I cannot endure Hugh for one hour, how can +I think of spending my whole life with him?"</p><p><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204"></a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood gave Hugh the message at her earliest opportunity, but it did +not have the same effect on Hugh as she expected.</p> + +<p>Hugh had no intention of accepting Dexie's refusal at second-hand; he would +hear it from her own lips before he would give up hope. It might be an easy +matter to remove the cause of her dislike, if he once found out what it +was.</p> + +<p>But Dexie knew her message had been delivered, and so felt herself free; +and as Gussie was in excellent spirits, there seemed no reason why she +should be glum when Hugh was near. She no longer slipped out of the room as +Hugh appeared, though she was just as careful not to allow him to find her +alone; but as Lancy's visits were as frequent as ever, Hugh was supposed to +have given up the fight.</p> + +<p>But Hugh had discovered that there was one way left him in which he could +win a smile from Dexie, and he did not scruple to use it, though he was +well aware that by doing so he was giving Gussie a false hope.</p> + +<p>He had only to take a seat by Gussie's side, and say a few words to her, +even the most commonplace, and Dexie's reserve would melt at once, so he +spent many pleasant evenings in the parlor by this little scheme. He knew +very well that Gussie was spreading her net, but if he found Dexie +entangled in the meshes instead, Gussie's injured feelings would not +trouble him. All stratagems are fair in love and war, so he smiled to +himself and took courage.</p> + +<p>Good fortune did not spoil Hugh. It made his good qualities shine out all +the more brightly, and his friends admired as well as envied him. Dexie +heard his praises sung from so many different quarters that her dislike to +him was fast melting away, and seated by Gussie's side she could look on +him with favor. But Hugh was merely biding his time, and was constantly on +the watch for a favorable opportunity to press his suit personally and +alone, in spite of the fact that Dexie considered the matter forever +settled between them.</p><p><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + + +<p>The auction rooms on Barrington Street were full to overflowing. A stock of +goods was going under the hammer at ridiculously low prices, and among the +bidders Hugh McNeil was conspicuous. As he turned to speak to a friend, he +was much surprised to see Dexie Sherwood among the crowd. She was alone and +not a little frightened at finding herself jostled about, and she welcomed +Hugh with a smile as he made his way to her side.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad to see you, Mr. McNeil. I was just wondering if I should be +able to get out of this alive."</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to come here at all; curiosity, I suppose?" and he +smiled down into her face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, indeed; I came on business, but I did not know what a hard time I +was going to have of it. I heard Mr. Gurney talking about this sale last +night, so I thought I might take advantage of it as well as the rest. I am +Commissary-General now, you know, so I am on the lookout for bargains in my +line," and she laughed softly.</p> + +<p>"You want to bid for something, then; come and show me. Take my arm, so we +will not get separated in the crowd," and for the first time in her life +she placed her hand on Hugh's arm and followed his leading, and this +thought came to Dexie with added force as Hugh pressed the hand in token of +the pleasure granted him.</p> + +<p>More than one person noted the bright young face that eagerly watched the +several assortments fall under the hammer, and the light that shone in +Hugh's dark eyes was not all caused by the excitement of the sale.</p> + +<p>"I feel quite proud of my bargains," said Dexie, as they left the building +and turned towards home. "I am ever so much obliged for your help; it will +make such a difference in my accounts. Oh, you can't think how economical I +am getting to be," said she, with a rippling laugh.</p> + +<p>Then Dexie found herself telling her companion how she had gone with the +Fremont girls to purchase household supplies, how they all enjoyed the +excitement of the sales, and how sometimes no one would bid against them, +much <a name="Page_206" id="Page_206"></a>to the auctioneer's chagrin; how she was profiting by the Fremont +girls' experience, and was accumulating such a nice little sum, to buy +something very nice for her mother by and by.</p> + +<p>Hugh listened with a beating heart. He had known for a long time what a +busy life she led. It had formed the foundation of many excuses when he had +asked her to accompany him to places of amusement; but just now all her +former coolness was forgotten in her present kindness. She had never talked +to him so freely before, and Hugh was lifted up with hope at this +unexpected friendliness.</p> + +<p>When they reached home, Hugh detained her at the door.</p> + +<p>"Will you grant me a favor, Dexie?" he asked. "Do not go into an auction +room alone again; without me, I mean. You know I am always at your service, +and will only be too happy to help you at any time. You will grant me this, +Dexie?" and he looked earnestly into her face for an answer.</p> + +<p>A number of expressions passed over Dexie's face as he spoke. Had she done +a bold, imprudent thing in attending the sale without an escort? She had +not given it a thought. Surely one might go about a matter of business +without a gentleman's escort? The Fremont girls did so. That it might be +improper had not occurred to her, and it vexed her to be reminded of it by +Hugh, so his well-meant offer failed to soften her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and no," Dexie coldly replied. "I will promise not to go again alone, +but I won't promise to go in your company again," and she turned and +entered the house.</p> + +<p>Why had he spoken and lifted again the barrier of reserve that had broken +down during their morning's intercourse? was Hugh's thought as he entered +his own door. Might he not have brought about his wishes without exacting a +promise?</p> + +<p>The next evening, several young ladies, with their gentlemen friends, met +in the Sherwood parlor to discuss a proposed family picnic, and Hugh came +in during the discussion, and was pressed to join them.</p> + +<p>"Where is the picnic to be?" he asked.</p><p><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, down the coast towards Cow Bay; we'll pick out a place when we come to +it. The trouble is, to find out how many teams we can get up," said George +Desbrasy.</p> + +<p>"Well, the Gurneys are all going, but they cannot take any but their own +crowd, and there are several ladies we must find room for amongst us +somehow," said Fred Beverly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have to drive mother and sis, but I have one spare seat. Will you +accept the seat beside me, Miss Gussie?" said young Desbrasy.</p> + +<p>Gussie wished he had not made the offer, as she hoped Hugh would ask her to +drive with him, for Hugh had a fine team of his own now.</p> + +<p>But as Gussie hesitated about accepting, she saw Hugh turn to Dexie, and +with the air of a Chesterfield ask, "May I have the pleasure of your +company for the drive down, Miss Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. McNeil, but I daresay I am already engaged."</p> + +<p>"No chance for you there, McNeil," said Fred Beverly, with a laugh; "Miss +Dexie is spoken for already."</p> + +<p>"Did I understand you to say that you were <i>already</i> engaged for the drive, +Miss Dexie?" said Hugh, persistently.</p> + +<p>"Well, Lancy has not asked me yet, but since he has promised to go, my +invitation will come all in good time."</p> + +<p>"But his team will be full. You had better take your chance with Hugh," +said Fred.</p> + +<p>"There will be room enough for me, never fear," said Dexie, smiling, "so +Mr. McNeil is free to offer his services to some other forlorn damsel."</p> + +<p>"First come, first served, Miss Dexie," said Hugh. "I asked you first; come +with me," he added, bending over her chair.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't think of it. We would be sure to quarrel all the way, and when I +go to a picnic I want to enjoy every minute."</p> + +<p>"It takes two to make a quarrel, and I'll not be one of the pair," +persisted Hugh. "Come with me, and let me prove to you how much I can add +to your pleasure, when you will let me."</p><p><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208"></a></p> + +<p>"Prove it now by asking Fanny Beverly or Maud Seeton to drive with you, for +I decline the honor."</p> + +<p>"Are you so wrapped up, heart and soul, in Lancy Gurney, that you cannot +spare a moment to anybody else?" said Hugh, angrily.</p> + +<p>"Certainly!" Dexie replied, with flashing eyes, "and since you are going to +be so disagreeable, Mr. McNeil, I guess I will leave you," and she joined a +group near the table.</p> + +<p>"Where is Lancy, that he is not here to arrange about this picnic, said +Fred Beverly to Cora Gurney, who was sitting by the table.</p> + +<p>"Couldn't say. He promised to come in to-night."</p> + +<p>"Listen! isn't that Lancy at the piano?" said Maud Harrington, as a sound +of music in staccato style reached their ears. "How plainly you can hear it +through the walls!"</p> + +<p>There was a hush for a minute, when Dexie said as naturally as if it were +the most ordinary thing in the world,</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is Lancy's call; he wants me for something. Will you excuse me, +friends, for a little while, till I see what is wanted?"</p> + +<p>Looks were interchanged amongst some of the young people, and, hoping to +make Dexie feel vexed, Gussie said, "Lancy Gurney has only to whistle, and +Dexie will run like a dog at a call."</p> + +<p>But Dexie took it all in good part, saying, with a smile: "Well, even a +faithful dog is not a despised creature, you know, and it is something to +know that Lancy will not whistle for anyone else while I am around," and +turning at the door she added, "In case I do not come back, let me say you +can count on me for anything I can do towards the success of the picnic. +Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," and, as Hugh lifted his eyes, she +swept him an elaborate courtesy.</p> + +<p>Hugh was too vexed to take any further part in the discussion, and he soon +withdrew, intending to find out what it was that drew Dexie away from the +pleasant gathering.</p><p><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209"></a></p> + +<p>When Dexie entered the parlor next door, she found Lancy seated at the +piano, looking quite unlike himself.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Lancy?" going over to his side. "Why did you not come into our +house to-night?"</p> + +<p>"I have come across something unusual, Dexie, and I could not leave the +piano until I mastered it. Sit here and listen."</p> + +<p>Lancy's hands moved across the keys, drawing forth such thrilling chords +that her heart was stirred to its lowest depths.</p> + +<p>"Stop, Lancy, I cannot bear it," said she at last, laying her hand on +Lancy's arm before he had finished a page.</p> + +<p>Lancy looked up into the agitated face so near him, saying in a tremulous +voice:</p> + +<p>"Then I am not mistaken about it, since it affects you the same as myself. +What is there about those chords that thrills our hearts so painfully? It +is the only piece of music that has ever so affected me. I have not been +able to play it through yet without a break. Sit down and try how far you +can play, Dexie."</p> + +<p>Dexie took the offered seat, and her hands swept the keys; but her firm +touch seemed wanting. Wherein was that peculiar power that thrilled her +with such exquisite pain; her hands fluttered, tears rose unbidden to her +eyes, then, with a sudden break in the chords, she bowed her face in her +hands.</p> + +<p>Lancy was bending over her in a moment, and drawing her hands gently down, +held them in a firm clasp.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with that music?" she said, at last, in a low tone. "I +do not think I am nervous, but it sets my heart throbbing so that I cannot +bear it."</p> + +<p>"I think it is the keynote of our hearts that is struck by those chords, +and gives back such answering thrills. I never came across anything before +that affected me like it."</p> + +<p>"Well, whatever it is, it is painfully sweet. I will try it again, but +don't stand looking at me, there's a good fellow, but go away by the window +and look out at—nothing."</p> + +<p>Again those wondrous chords filled the room, but the masterful touch that +usually accompanied Dexie's fingering<a name="Page_210" id="Page_210"></a> was now wanting, for it was a +trembling hand that followed the printed notes. More the once she faltered, +but after a period of waiting she would repeat the passage and go on. But +presently a longer silence occurred, and Lancy turned from the window to +look at her. Tears were standing in her eyes, and she sat with her hands +clasped tightly before her. Drawing her away from the piano, he led her to +the sofa, and the silent sympathy in his manner was more eloquent than any +flow of words could have been.</p> + +<p>"It seems foolish, does it not, Lancy?" she said at last, "but it is no +common piece of music, and I shall never be able to play it before +strangers."</p> + +<p>"No; neither shall I, Dexie. That music speaks to your heart and mine +alike. Let it be for ourselves alone, will you, Dexie?" and the grey eyes +looked very dark in their earnestness.</p> + +<p>"Well, have it so, Lancy. I will be able to play it properly by and by, I +expect. But I never noticed the name of it."</p> + +<p>"It is simply called 'A Song Without Words.' Let us name it again to suit +ourselves."</p> + +<p>"Very well. I came in to ask you into our side of the house. The picnic is +being discussed; but I don't feel a bit like going back myself now—that +music has almost upset me."</p> + +<p>"Well, stay with me and let us have a quiet 'sing' by ourselves here; that +will be pleasanter than discussing a picnic—shall we?"</p> + +<p>When Hugh looked into the door a short time afterwards, he saw nothing that +need have caused such a frown to wrinkle up his manly brow, for Lancy was +only playing a simple ballad, and Dexie was seated in a low rocker some +distance from the piano, her hands clasped behind her head, singing softly, +her whole appearance seeming to suggest rest and contentment. Perhaps that +very suggestion goaded him to bitterness, for why couldn't Dexie be as +contented and happy in his society as in Lancy's?</p> + +<p>The picnic came off as planned, and was enjoyed by all excepting Hugh, who, +finding he could not have the companion <a name="Page_211" id="Page_211"></a>of his choice, coaxed little +Gracie and Ruth Gurney to go with him, and they willingly consented. But +Gussie looked with angry eyes on the fine turnout, "just wasted on those +little torments," as the light buggy flew past the more sober-going horses +that were bringing up the rear.</p> + +<p>She forgot her anger, however, when she returned home and found that Mr. +Plaisted had arrived during their absence.</p> + +<p>Bless us! how very amiable we can be when we want to make a deep impression +on someone's soft heart!</p> + +<p>Gussie's face was now all smiles. Her words were all sweet when Mr. +Plaisted was by anyway, and as it is an ill wind that blows nobody good, +Dexie felt grateful enough for anything that would cause Gussie to be a +little better-natured than she had been during the last few weeks, and +Gussie's very unexpected offer, to "keep the parlor dusted while Plaisted +is here," touched Dexie to the heart.</p> + +<p>But his presence made Dexie's task much harder than usual. Such a +"lie-a-bed" as he was in the mornings, and he expected to be served with a +hot breakfast whatever might be the hour of his appearance.</p> + +<p>Nancy remembered him of old, and resented the added work, and Dexie tried +almost in vain to pour oil on the troubled waters.</p> + +<p>One evening, when Plaisted was about to retire, Dexie handed him his lamp, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Our breakfast hour is eight o'clock, Mr. Plaisted, and if you will rise at +the first bell you will have plenty of time to curl your hair before the +breakfast bell rings."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, don't let your tongue run away with you," her father said, +reprovingly. "Plaisted will surely be up in good time to-morrow, as we have +much work ahead of us if we intend to catch the train."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'll be up to-morrow morning without fail," he replied. "I don't see +how it is that I oversleep myself so often when I am here; I fully intended +to get up to breakfast this morning, but missed it. However, you will see +me to-morrow morning at the breakfast table, Miss Dexie, if I am alive," he +added jokingly, as he waved a good-night to Gussie.</p><p><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212"></a></p> + +<p>"Very well; but if you are not up in time we shan't wait for you," said +Dexie, smiling, "for dead men need no breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you'll see, Miss Dexie, I'll be up to-morrow in time, without fail," +and he laughed as he disappeared up the stairs.</p> + +<p>But when eight o'clock came next morning, it brought no Plaisted with it, +and Dexie horrified them by asking if they had better go up and view the +remains.</p> + +<p>Breakfast was eaten in silence. Mr. Sherwood was vexed at Plaisted's +laziness when there was so much need of energetic work to make up for time +lost and wasted.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he did not hear the bell," said Gussie, as the clock struck nine. +"I'll ring it again," which she did, vigorously.</p> + +<p>But another hour slipped by, and still he did not appear, much to Dexie's +disgust and annoyance.</p> + +<p>While standing by the window waiting his appearance, she became aware of a +great event that was taking place in the backyard. It happened that a pet +cat had met with some accident that had deprived it of life, and the +children were indulging in a funeral. A grave had been dug at the back +corner of the yard, and the procession of mourners was marching back and +forth across the yard with many twists and turns, to make it last longer, +until it at last reached the open grave. Georgie Sherwood, who marched in +the front of the procession, with the remains in a raisin-box, now +deposited it in its last resting-place, while the little Gurneys, who were +sedately following, wailed aloud.</p> + +<p>When the grave was covered to their satisfaction, Frankie Gurney came into +the house with Georgie, holding a piece of smooth, white marble, and asked +Dexie if she would write something on it, for it was to be the cat's +tombstone.</p> + +<p>"Say that she was the prettiest and best-behaved cat in Halifax, and that +she left a large family of sorrowing kittens behind her."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and children, too. Be sure and say that, Dexie," added Georgie.</p> + +<p>The inscription was soon written in Dexie's largest and <a name="Page_213" id="Page_213"></a>clearest hand, and +it delighted the eyes of the little ones, who could easily read every word.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get such a nice stone, Frankie?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Oh, down in the grave-stone shop. The man told me I could have it."</p> + +<p>A sudden thought came into her mind, and she smiled as she asked:</p> + +<p>"Could you get another piece as big as that, do you think?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; there is another piece like this. Someone broke a foot-stone, and +it is no good, the man said. I'll go and get it, if you want it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, will you? then run quickly. I'll make you a new kite, if you will +hurry."</p> + +<p>In a very short time Frankie was back with the stone, Georgie, meanwhile, +being engaged in setting up the cat's monument.</p> + +<p>"What do you want with the stone, Dexie?" he asked, as he regarded her +attentively.</p> + +<p>"Come with me, Frankie, and I will show you," and she led him upstairs to +the upper hall.</p> + +<p>"I want to play a trick on Mr. Plaisted; but I can't, unless you will help +me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll do anything you tell me," his eyes eager for any fun.</p> + +<p>"You see, he is a fearful hand to sleep in the mornings. He is not up yet, +and the morning is half gone. He said last night that he would be up in +time for breakfast, if he was alive. Well, you can hear him snoring in the +next room; but, since he is not up, I am going to consider him dead, and I +want you to put up his tombstone. Now, do you think that you can go +carefully and put this at the head of his bed without waking him?"</p> + +<p>Laying the stone on her knee, she soon had it written over in large, plain +letters, and hoping that Plaisted might sleep till noon, as he often did, +she slipped downstairs to await results.</p> + +<p>It is not often that a man is roused from sleep by his own tombstone +falling on him, but that is how <a name="Page_214" id="Page_214"></a>was at last awakened. Quite likely +Frankie, fearing to awaken him, did not place it very securely. However, as +Plaisted was about to turn over for another snooze, down came the marble +slab on his papered head! It almost stunned him for a moment, but curiosity +roused him enough to find out what had struck him.</p> + +<p>Lifting his arms above his head, he grasped the object, but not calculating +on its weight, it slipped out of his hands and bruised his head in another +spot. Raising on his elbow, he gazed in bewilderment on the thing, but +turning it over he quickly grasped its meaning, for the words thereon were +plain enough for the dullest man to understand, and read as follows:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 8em;">"Sacred to the memory of</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10.5em;"><span class="smcap">D.S. Plaisted</span>,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">who departed this life while in full health and curl papers.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">His death was sudden,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9.5em;">but quite expected.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">This monument was erected by one who fully realized his</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;">WORTH-LESS-NESS.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9.5em;">Peace to his ashes."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>A few moments of awful silence followed the reading of this inscription, +then curses both loud and deep were heard in the room. With a bound he was +out of bed, and opening the door he flung his tombstone over the baluster +to the bottom of the stairs, with a crash that startled the family from +their seats as if a thunderbolt had shaken the house.</p> + +<p>Dexie disappeared instantly, knowing what the noise meant, but feeling +thankful that there was no one near the stairs when the crash came, or she +would have had to seriously repent her joke. As it was, the stairs were +dinged and marred, and the fragments of the tombstone were strewn over the +hall.</p> + +<p>It did not take Plaisted long to dress that morning, and <a name="Page_215" id="Page_215"></a>he soon appeared +before the assembled family, his brow dark and his eyes flashing.</p> + +<p>"Who did that?" he demanded as he made his appearance.</p> + +<p>"That is just what we have been trying to find out," replied Mr. Sherwood, +who thought he was referring to the noise.</p> + +<p>"I mean, who put that stone in my room?"</p> + +<p>"What stone? I hardly think you are awake yet, Plaisted," and he regarded +him severely. "Do you know what time it is?"</p> + +<p>Plaisted glanced at the clock, and his angry feelings were swallowed up in +the feeling of shame that spread a flush over his face.</p> + +<p>"Heavens! I never thought it was so late as that! So we have lost the train +again by my carelessness. Too bad, Sherwood. But that joke was no light +one. Did you put up that stone?"</p> + +<p>"What stone? I don't understand," replied Sherwood, angrily.</p> + +<p>Plaisted turned back into the hall, and gathered up the pieces he had flung +down in his anger, then piecing it together on the table pointed to the +inscription.</p> + +<p>A roar of laughter came from Mr. Sherwood's throat, as he took in the joke. +Dexie, hearing the laughter and knowing its cause, came boldly into the +room, ready enough to confess her share of it, now that she knew her father +would not scold very much about it.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, did you do that?" he asked, as she appeared. "That writing looks +very familiar."</p> + +<p>"Well, I wrote the inscription," her face never changing expression, "but I +hired another person to set the stone up. Has there been a miracle that you +have come to life again?" she added, turning to Plaisted.</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll have to own that you have got the best of me this time, Miss +Dexie; but I'll pay you for that tombstone yet, see if I don't," and he +seated himself to his late breakfast.</p> + +<p>There was no need to set up a monument to Plaisted's memory the next +morning, as he was down before the <a name="Page_216" id="Page_216"></a>breakfast bell rang, and as Mr. +Sherwood kept him confined to the business they had before them, he found +no time to pay Dexie back for the trick she had played him.</p> + +<p>During the day something occurred that referred to business matters in +Prince Edward Island; and becoming annoyed at Plaisted's equivocal answers, +Mr. Sherwood took the copy of the letter Dexie had brought home with her, +and laid it before his eyes. Plaisted read it with a puzzled brow and +shamefaced cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get this?" he asked, in embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"No matter; but can you deny it is yours?"</p> + +<p>"By thunder! I guess I can! that is not my handwriting," he replied, trying +to bluff it off.</p> + +<p>"No, the handwriting is not yours, I know. But dare you say that that is +not an exact copy of a letter that was written by your hand?"</p> + +<p>"Well, you have me there, Sherwood, so I may as well own up. I was going to +do a bit of shrewd business for myself, but someone seems to have got ahead +of me. Now I look at this writing, it is singularly like the writing on my +tombstone," he added, as he studied the letter before him; "but, of course, +it isn't possible."</p> + +<p>Receiving no answer, he looked up at Mr. Sherwood and seemed to read the +truth in his face.</p> + +<p>"You don't mean to say that my conjecture is right?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dexie's thoughtfulness and quick perception have saved me a good +thousand. Your doings on Prince Edward Island were made known to her in a +singular manner, and she was sharp enough to see the advantage that an +exact copy of your letter would be to me; and as your letter was placed in +her hands quite unexpectedly, she copied it. You and I must part. I'll have +no schemer like you for a partner any longer. I'll not have my name mixed +up with such doubtful dealings."</p> + +<p>High words followed, but as Mr. Sherwood had the upper hand, Plaisted was +obliged to submit to his decision, and he soon left the room to collect his +belongings, having received a peremptory dismissal.</p> + +<p>"There is one satisfaction that I wish you would grant me, Sherwood," he +said, turning as he reached the door, "Tell me how your daughter chanced +upon that letter." <a name="Page_217" id="Page_217"></a>"No, that you need not know; but it was by the merest +accident, and was as great a surprise to her as it has been to me. But she +was sharp enough to see how important her information was, and knew that a +copy of your letter was the best guarantee she could bring me of your +craftiness."</p> + +<p>"Sharp! yes, that is just the word for her. She is like a bunch of nettles, +stinging you if you but touch her. She has contrived to give me an +unpleasant memory of her every time I have been here. And so it is to her I +owe this break in our business intercourse;" and with flushed face and +flashing eyes he left the room, and before night he was journeying toward +the "land of the free," a sadder, and, let us hope, a wiser man.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + + +<p>"Hope long deferred maketh the heart sick," and Hugh became dull and +morose; the happiness he hoped for seemed as far off as ever, and the +continued disappointment was making his life bitter. Mrs. Gurney saw the +change, and tried to persuade Hugh to go abroad. This he longed to do, but +waited; he might yet go abroad with Dexie as his travelling companion. He +would not take the message sent him as final; surely if he could see her +alone, face to face, he would compel her to give her reasons for refusing +him, and he might explain away her objections.</p> + +<p>But Dexie considered the matter settled, and feeling herself free she +thought it right to drop her stiff, reserved manner, and be once more +friendly. This change made Hugh think that there was still hope for him, +and he determined to take a lover's privilege, and press his suit face to +face.</p> + +<p>With this end in view, he called on the Sherwoods one afternoon, and +finding Mr. Sherwood alone, he asked permission to take Dexie out for a +sail, adding that there seemed no other way of seeing her alone.</p><p><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218"></a></p> + +<p>"I doubt if she will go with you, Mr. McNeil," said Mr. Sherwood. "Why not +let the matter rest as it is? I don't think you are making much headway; +better not press it any further."</p> + +<p>"She has not given me fair play," was the reply. "If I am to be refused, +why must I take it from another's lips? Give me the chance to open my heart +to her, and I will be satisfied."</p> + +<p>"Well, Mr. McNeil, I wish you well; but she must choose as she likes. What +is the water like to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Smooth as a mill-pond; scarcely a ripple," was the reply, as he followed +Mr. Sherwood into the next room.</p> + +<p>"I have called to see if you will go for a sail, Miss Dexie," said Mr. +McNeil, as he entered the room and seated himself beside her. "You have not +been on the water for some time; it is a pity to miss this fine afternoon."</p> + +<p>Gussie knew very well that she was not included in the invitation; but she +had no intention of being left out, so she eagerly answered:</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, of course we will go; it will be lovely and cool on the water +this hot afternoon."</p> + +<p>Hugh knew it would be useless to hint that it was Dexie alone he wanted, +but he meant to get rid of her society somehow.</p> + +<p>"You have not said if you would go, Dexie," said Hugh, looking intently +into her face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! certainly. I shall be delighted to go, if Gussie thinks she will +not get sick."</p> + +<p>"I don't think Gussie was included in the invitation," said Mr. Sherwood, +looking up from his paper as he became aware of the situation.</p> + +<p>"But of course it was understood; I would not go without her," said Dexie. +"What time shall we be ready?"</p> + +<p>"I will call in half an hour," and Hugh left the room with his heavy brow +drawn into a decided frown.</p> + +<p>During the walk to the wharf Hugh was so silent that Gussie began to banter +him on his gloomy countenance.</p> + +<p>"You don't look as if you enjoyed the prospect of an afternoon on the +water, after all!" she said, laughing.</p><p><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219"></a></p> + +<p>Hugh took no notice of her remarks, but handed the girls into the boat, +threw the shawls on a seat, and shoved off.</p> + +<p>"I hope the wind will rise a little," said Dexie, as they seated +themselves. "You will find it rather tiresome to row all the time."</p> + +<p>"We will catch a slight breeze after we get out a bit," replied Hugh.</p> + +<p>But Gussie no sooner felt the motion of the boat than she repented her +decision in coming. She was a veritable coward on the water; the least +ripple made her shrink with fear, and nothing but her anxiety to keep Hugh +and Dexie apart would have allowed her to overcome her dread. But once on +the water, fear and sickness overmastered all else.</p> + +<p>"Oh! do be careful!" she cried in alarm, as Hugh stepped forward to adjust +the sail, causing the little craft to dip slightly on one side.</p> + +<p>"No danger, Gussie," said Dexie; "the boat will not tip as easily as you +suppose."</p> + +<p>"But do you not think it is getting rough?" she asked, as a slight ripple +came towards them. "Oh! I wish I had not come. Do let us go back."</p> + +<p>"The idea! Why, we have not been out ten minutes," said Dexie, who +thoroughly enjoyed the motion that sent the color from Gussie's face. +"Gussie, are you frightened, or sick?" she added, looking into her sister's +face.</p> + +<p>"Both. Do ask Hugh to return; I am in misery."</p> + +<p>Hugh lost no time in doing as he was requested, and they soon reached the +wharf. Gussie stepped ashore at once, glad to reach <i>terra firma</i> again; +but as Dexie stepped forward to join her, Hugh turned sharply:</p> + +<p>"Are you frightened, too? I thought you were made of something better."</p> + +<p>The taunt aroused Dexie, and she replied:</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not afraid. It was not I that asked to return."</p> + +<p>Instantly Hugh stepped into the boat and, gave it a shove that sent it +several rods, saying:</p> + +<p>"Then we'll not lose our sail on Gussie's account," and he <a name="Page_220" id="Page_220"></a>bent to the +oars, sending the little boat far out into the stream.</p> + +<p>Gussie stood on the wharf until she saw that they really meant to leave her +there, and then walked thoughtfully home.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what this means?" was Dexie's inward comment when she found +herself alone with Hugh. "There is some method in this madness, for I see +it in his eyes."</p> + +<p>She did not offer to begin the conversation until she saw Hugh hoist the +sail and turn towards Point Pleasant.</p> + +<p>"Where are you going, Mr. McNeil? I thought we were going up the Basin."</p> + +<p>"I think we will try the Arm; there will not be so many crafts about."</p> + +<p>"Why this wish for seclusion?" said Dexie, forcing a smile. "Surely there +will be room for us as well."</p> + +<p>Hugh paid no attention to this remark until they had turned up the Arm; +then dropping the sail and changing his seat to one opposite Dexie, he let +the boat drift with the tide.</p> + +<p>Looking at her earnestly he said,</p> + +<p>"It was a lucky thought that made me bring you out on the water. I thought +Gussie would soon get enough of it. We are not likely to be interrupted +here, and you cannot run away from me. Now, do you want me to tell you why +I have brought you here?"</p> + +<p>"No; I have not the least curiosity about it," was the seemingly +indifferent reply.</p> + +<p>"You know what I wish to say, Dexie, though you do not care to acknowledge +it," he said, in a low tone. "Believe me, Dexie, I have not been playing at +love-making all this time. I never was more in earnest in anything than I +am in this. Tell me, what is it that you have against me?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. McNeil, I thought this matter was settled. You received the message I +sent you. Why bring up the subject again? I do not wish to hear another +word."</p> + +<p>"You cannot help yourself, Dexie. You have had your own way in this all +along, and have not allowed me to say a word. Now it is my turn, and I will +not be put off. Remember all is fair in love and war."</p><p><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221"></a></p> + +<p>Dexie was silent. She was a little afraid of Hugh in this mood, but no sign +of her fear appeared outwardly.</p> + +<p>"I have reached the limit of torture that I can bear," said Hugh, after a +pause. "I have had harsh words and cold looks for a long time, and you have +slighted me on every possible occasion; but it has made no difference in my +love for you. It has grown until it has taken possession of me, and my life +seems to hold nothing worth living for with you left out of my future. +Dexie, have pity! Is my life of no account to you that you can toss it +aside without a thought?"</p> + +<p>Dexie raised her eyes to the earnest face before her as she replied:</p> + +<p>"I must think of my own self. Why should I make my life unhappy to please a +passing fancy of yours?"</p> + +<p>"A passing fancy! I understand that remark; you mean it as a sneer. It was +a passing fancy with Gussie, I will admit. But, Dexie, it is a strong man's +love that now burns in my heart. Think of all that it is in my power to +give you, if you will only receive it. But the fact that I possess a +fortune gives me no pleasure unless I can share it with you. Say the word, +Dexie, and your every wish shall be gratified, if it is in the power of a +man or money to do so, and my whole life shall be spent in making you +happy. You need never have a care. What more could you ask of me, Dexie?" +His eager eyes seemed to burn into her very soul as he waited her reply.</p> + +<p>"I ask you for nothing; but if you will take all this and lay it before +someone who could and would gladly accept it, you would be far happier in +the end. It is a waste of time to try and persuade me to do what my whole +soul refuses to consider, even for a moment."</p> + +<p>"But why? Tell me why, Dexie? What have you against me? Is it on Gussie's +account, or is it Lancy Gurney that comes between us?"</p> + +<p>"What matters the reason? Call it what you like, it stands between us, and +always will," she answered with rising color.</p> + +<p>"You will not say! Can it be possible that you are so much in love with +Lancy Gurney that there is no room for<a name="Page_222" id="Page_222"></a> a thought of me? He will never make +you happy; he knows nothing of love as I feel it—a schoolboy attachment, +that will soon be forgotten!"</p> + +<p>"Be kind enough to leave Lancy's name out of this discussion altogether," +said Dexie coldly, "and as there is nothing to be gained by prolonging this +unpleasant interview, we had better return home."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken if you think I am going to end this little excursion +without gaining my end. Do you remember the time Lancy took you to drive, +on purpose to gain your consent to whistle at the concert? Well, he kept +you out until you gave him your promise, and I intend to profit by that +idea of his, and keep you here until you give me a promise also."</p> + +<p>"Why! Mr. McNeil, are you crazy?" said Dexie, in alarm. "What parallel do +you see in the case? What good would a promise do you which you know I +would break the moment I reached the shore?"</p> + +<p>"You will not break any promise you make. I am not afraid of that. I think +I know you better than you do yourself, Dexie."</p> + +<p>Dexie flushed angrily, and turned her eyes to see the position of their +boat. They had been drifting at the will of the tide, and she had given +little thought to it in her excitement. But now, understanding what might +be in store for her, it was necessary to think of some way of escape.</p> + +<p>Could she keep Hugh from regarding her movements, and draw his attention +from their boat's course?</p> + +<p>After a few minutes' silence she asked, a smile twitching the corners of +her mouth:</p> + +<p>"I suppose there is not a piece of paper anywhere about," and she looked +into her pocket and beneath the seat in a vain search; and there was a +gleam of mischief in her eyes as she added: "I suppose you could not +accommodate me with a piece of paper, could you, Mr. McNeil? Oh, thanks. +And a pencil? Much obliged. Now, if there is only an empty bottle around +some place, with a tight cork, I'll not despise the shipwrecked mariner's +post office." <a name="Page_223" id="Page_223"></a>"What are you going to do?" said Hugh, looking at her in +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, if I am to be detained here indefinitely, I would like to send a few +parting words to Lancy. I am sure it would be <i>such</i> a comfort to him, in +case the letter ever reached him, to know that I cared enough for him to +remain true under such trying circumstances."</p> + +<p>Was she making fun of him or not? Hugh could not tell, but he snatched the +piece of paper from her hand and flung it over the side of the boat.</p> + +<p>"Poor Lancy! how he will grieve for me!" she added in a commiserating tone, +as she watched the receding scrap of paper. "You might have allowed me that +one bit of consolation, I am sure, Mr. McNeil."</p> + +<p>"Do you really love Lancy so much? I cannot believe it, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"You might, nevertheless; for believe me, Mr. McNeil, if I had but one last +wish granted me, it would be that I might be transported to his side. Ah +me! I do not think I ever cared for him so much as I do at this present +moment," and Dexie began to sing in a minor tone and in the high, cracked +voice of an old woman:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Why—do—we—mourn—departed—friends</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or—"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"Dexie, stop that!" and Hugh's' voice was sharp with pain and annoyance. "I +do believe you are the most vexatious creature that ever lived."</p> + +<p>"It makes me happy to hear you acknowledge that, Mr. McNeil; and I think +you are far too sensible to want to spend your whole life with such a +vexatious creature as you know me to be. Put a stop to all this nonsense, +and let us return home."</p> + +<p>"Never! You are trifling with a matter that is more than life and death to +me, and you make jokes while I suffer. Do you think I cannot see through +all this professed love for Lancy? Do girls in love confess it to a third +party so freely and openly? No! Lancy has no place in your heart at all. I +have watched you too closely to be mistaken,"<a name="Page_224" id="Page_224"></a> and before she was aware of +his intention her hands were seized in his strong grasp as he poured out +his heart in a torrent of passionate words.</p> + +<p>Dexie was moved in spite of herself. She looked into the face so near her, +and asked herself the question, "Why could she not love him?" He surely +loved her truly, or he would not speak so earnestly. A future such as he +could give her would be eagerly grasped by many young girls. She had never +thought his face half so expressive as it now appeared to her. Yes, he was +very handsome after all; his very soul seemed shining through his eyes, and +as he talked she dropped hers before his earnest gaze.</p> + +<p>"It is no use," she said at last, in a low tone. "I cannot, I cannot—</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">'I do not love you, Dr. Fell,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The reason why I cannot tell.'"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>But, low as the words were, Hugh heard them.</p> + +<p>"Never mind the love, Dexie; marry me, and the love will come afterwards."</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. McNeil, I will not risk it," was her low reply, as she pulled her +hands from his close grasp. "I am quite sure we could not live a week in +peace and happiness. There is something in your very presence that raises +up the worst feelings in me, and why should I knowingly spoil all my life?"</p> + +<p>"It is no risk, Dexie; you shall never have any reason to be vexed with me. +Your father is quite ready to accept me as a son-in-law; he trusts me, why +cannot you? My darling, you have had time to think it over. Give me your +promise; it need not be fulfilled until you wish it."</p> + +<p>"I cannot give a promise I have no wish or intention of keeping, and how +can you ask such a thing? How can you want an unwilling bride?"</p> + +<p>"Never mind me, Dexie. Say you will be my wife sometime, and that will be +enough. You will never regret it."</p> + +<p>Dexie covered her face with her hands, and thought it over. The few +minutes' silence was broken by Hugh, who hoarsely asked:</p> + +<p>"Will you give me your promise, Dexie?"</p><p><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225"></a></p> + +<p>"No, I will not!"</p> + +<p>"But you shall! I swear it! Do you think I am not in earnest?" and the +love-light in his eyes was dimmed by a harder and fiercer look. "You will +return home my promised wife, or not at all!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + + +<p>They had drifted on and on.</p> + +<p>A little to the left a vessel was riding at anchor, and Dexie felt sure +there must be someone on board who would help her. If she could only alter +the course of the boat and get into the current, it might bring them near +enough to attract attention, then she would shout for help.</p> + +<p>There was a long silence between them. Hugh regarded her earnestly, feeling +sure she would give in at last. Dexie had no thought of doing so, but was +striving to think of some way to escape him. As she sat, her hands folded +in her lap, she studied well the position of the vessel; noting also the +ladders that hung over the side, and a daring thought entered her mind.</p> + +<p>"Dear me!" she said at last, "this is getting very monotonous. I am tired +doing nothing. I think I might learn how to use an oar, even though I may +never have the chance to put my knowledge into practice."</p> + +<p>She reached forward and grasped a light oar, handling it rather awkwardly, +as a novice might, but succeeded at last in getting the blade over the +side, more by chance than good management, apparently.</p> + +<p>"I thought you knew how to use an oar already," said Hugh, his mind turned +a moment from the subject that had been absorbing him. He watched the +spasmodic dabs that Dexie was making, not thinking there was any purpose in +the seemingly awkward efforts at rowing.</p> + +<p>"Well, no—I'm not much of a hand at it—I must confess, but I think—I +could learn—in time," and she glanced up to see if they were nearing the +vessel; but Hugh followed her look and instantly surmised her intention.</p><p><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226"></a></p> + +<p>"Ha! I see your scheme! Let me warn you not to make any outcry in hope of +getting assistance from that vessel, for I tell you it would come too +late."</p> + +<p>"I am not afraid of your threats, sir, as you might know by this time," +said Dexie, in a firm voice. "I do not forget the time you were going to +throw me from the roof, if I did not say the words you wished to hear. I am +a good swimmer, let me tell you, so you will not find me so easy to drown +as you may imagine; however, accidents will happen, and I would fain die a +dry death, so take up the oars and turn back to the city, or I shall jump +overboard, and try and make for that vessel."</p> + +<p>"Sit down, Dexie," said Hugh, fiercely. "Do you think I am such a fool as +to let you escape me, after all? Let me tell you, I planned for all +emergencies before I asked you to come out with me, and yesterday I made my +will and settled up my affairs by writing a letter for your father, in case +we do not return. So take care, it remains with you if there shall be a +tragedy. There shall be no risk of a separation, for if you make any effort +to escape, it will be stopped by this," and a bright revolver gleamed in +the rays of the setting sun.</p> + +<p>Dexie shuddered in spite of herself. The dread of firearms was as strong in +her as in most of her sex, and she shrank back in her seat with a horrified +look.</p> + +<p>"A fine proof of your regard, I must say, to carry a loaded revolver on +purpose to shoot me!" was the scornful reply.</p> + +<p>"I prepared it for myself alone. Don't drive me to use it against either of +us. Will you promise not to call for help?"</p> + +<p>And looking at the murderous toy she gave the promise; and Hugh, knowing +she would keep it, laid it on the seat beside him.</p> + +<p>"Alone, and with a madman! Heaven help me!" was Dexie's thought. Her heart +beat wildly. She dared not take her eyes from his face. But there was +something in her glance that had power to subdue him, and, feeling this, +she met his gaze unflinchingly. The oar still lay across her lap. Gently, +with an almost imperceptible motion, <a name="Page_227" id="Page_227"></a>its blade reached the water, and +slowly, very slowly, the distance between the boat and vessel was +shortened. She sat back in her seat so still that the slight movement of +her wrists was not observed, for Hugh's eyes seemed riveted to her face; +there seemed a mesmeric power in the depths of her eyes that held him, and +obliterated all else from his mind.</p> + +<p>Dexie's heart gave a great throb as the shadow of the vessel fell across +the boat; but still he saw nothing till Dexie bent forward to give the +strong pull to the oar that would give her freedom or death. The boat +answered the touch and gave a sideward lurch that sent it broadside against +the vessel, and Hugh woke as from a trance. One upward glance, and he +sprang forward to thrust the boat aside and keep her off. But as he turned +his back Dexie sprang up, and it was but the work of an instant to slip the +revolver into her pocket, and as the boat swept past she grasped the rope +ladder that hung from the vessel's side.</p> + +<p>Terror seemed to lend her wings, for she found herself on the vessel's deck +before she had time to draw a breath, where half fainting she lay for some +moments, thanking Heaven for her safety.</p> + +<p>But was she yet safe? No sign of life appeared on deck; but might there not +be a number of sailors, drunk, below? Would she be any safer in their +company than with Hugh? She shut her teeth hard at the thought, and +slipping her hand into her pocket, with fear and trembling, she pulled out +the revolver, and laid it at her side. How had she dared to touch it? Yet, +while facing Hugh, the possession of that revolver seemed the one thing to +be desired; but now that she had it she dreaded to touch it, though it was +her only protector in this, her awful position.</p> + +<p>When the boat slipped clear of the vessel, and Hugh turned about and +realized that he was alone, he sank down on the seat as if powerless to +move.</p> + +<p>Where was Dexie? How had she escaped? No cry had reached his ears, no sound +of splashing water warned him that she had gone over the side. Yet he was +alone, Alone!</p><p><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228"></a></p> + +<p>His terrified glance swept the water around him, as if he expected to see +her upturned face in the waves that mocked his misery by their ceaseless +motion.</p> + +<p>Merciful Heaven, had he lost her, after all; lost the life that was dearer +to him than his own? It could not be. A few rapid strokes, and he was again +at the vessel's side, intending to summon assistance from those on board to +aid him in his search. Had either of them known that the two men on board +the vessel were hopelessly drunk in their berths below, and that the rest +of the crew were about returning from Halifax charged with hell-fire in the +shape of Water Street whiskey, it might have made some difference in the +actions of both.</p> + +<p>Dexie watched Hugh's movements with interest, but when she saw him +approaching the vessel her fear of him again increased, and she rose and +confronted him.</p> + +<p>"Don't come any nearer, I warn you!" she cried. "I hold the revolver now, +and I shall not scruple to use it for my own safety."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, how did you get there?" was the relieved reply. "Put down that +revolver before you do harm with it. You must come back in the boat! Do you +think you are safe among a lot of sailors!"</p> + +<p>Hugh seemed perfectly sane how, whatever may have been the condition of his +mind previously, and he shuddered as her unprotected condition flashed over +him.</p> + +<p>"Keep off, McNeil! don't come any nearer at your own peril! I will trust +myself among a shipload of drunken sailors before I will put myself in your +power again."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I'll give you my word of honor to take you home at once, if you +will leave the vessel. Come, you need not fear me any more; I think I must +have been mad."</p> + +<p>"Keep off, I tell you! I am not so foolish as you think! I don't forget you +prepared that revolver in your sober senses, whatever may have been your +state of mind awhile ago. Keep back, or you shall have the bullet you +prepared for me!"</p> + +<p>What could he do? She seemed terribly in earnest, <a name="Page_229" id="Page_229"></a>yet, if she did not come +back with him, how should she be able to return at all? Should he make a +dash and rescue her against her will? She seemed to define his thoughts, +for she leaned over the side, saying:</p> + +<p>"Go at once, and send someone for me, for if I ever reach Halifax again it +won't be under your care! Go, I say! I hate you! I <i>hate</i> you! You need not +try to reach me," as Hugh rowed nearer. "You just touch that ladder, and +you will find my bleeding body here, not a living person!"</p> + +<p>Hugh sat in the boat irresolute, not knowing what to do.</p> + +<p>"I cannot leave you there, Dexie; you <i>must</i> come back to me, and come +quickly before you are discovered. I swear I will row you home at once, and +not trouble you with a word," and the boat almost touched the vessel's +side. It was heavily laden, and sat low in the water, and Dexie felt the +distance between them was very short indeed. If Hugh insisted on reaching +her, the struggle would be short and soon over, for nothing would persuade +her to go back in the boat with Hugh again. She raised her arm; and the +sound of a shot was sent over the water, followed simultaneously with a +sharp, splintering sound, as the little leaden missile tore its way along +the stern of the little boat.</p> + +<p>Dexie look around, expecting the sound would surely bring someone from +below, and if that someone was not sober, Hugh was still near enough to +help her. But no one appeared; she seemed the only living person on board. +She looked back at Hugh. She had not hurt him, nor had she intended to do +so, but she struck much nearer than she knew, and Hugh went back a stroke +or two.</p> + +<p>"Do you believe I am in earnest now?" she asked, as she still held the +revolver in her hand. "Go and bring someone for me while there is time, for +I will never go back with you!"</p> + +<p>But as Hugh bent to the oars, sending the little craft so swiftly to do her +bidding, the courage that had hitherto sustained her suddenly vanished. +Alone and unprotected, what might not happen to her? But it was too late to +call<a name="Page_230" id="Page_230"></a> Hugh back now, so she must face whatever fate there was in store for +her. What if Hugh had no intention of sending help to her, and should leave +her there? Oh, for some chance to get away!</p> + +<p>Dexie had almost given up in despair when the muffled sound of oars was +borne on her ears. She sprang quickly to the other side of the vessel and +looked anxiously in the direction of the sound. Soon the rower came in +sight, and by the stripes and epaulets of the wearer she recognized him as +a military officer, whose strong, rapid strokes were rapidly taking him +citywards. Oh, if he would only take her with him! Dare she ask him? The +hitherto-despised soldier seemed an angel of mercy, as the hope of rescue +sprang up again in her heart. But he is coming near, and she must not let +the chance slip. How should she hail him? In what words make known her +peril? She felt stupid, just when she needed her readiest wit. He was +almost abreast the vessel before Dexie found her voice, and then in +frightened tones came the cry:</p> + +<p>"Help, soldier! Help!"</p> + +<p>The soldier turned his head, and rested on his oars as he listened.</p> + +<p>"Help, soldier! Save me, I beg of you!"</p> + +<p>The pleading tones told that the cry was from someone in trouble, and a few +strokes brought him to the vessel's side.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter, miss? What's wrong that you are calling for help? What +can I do for you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, take me away from this vessel! You are going to the city, are you +not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but perhaps I shall get myself into some scrape if I take you away," +and a smile lit up his face for a moment. "How came you here? Are you here +against your will?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and no. Take me off quickly, and I'll explain," she replied, +hurriedly, for a movement below reached her ears.</p> + +<p>She was soon seated opposite her deliverer, who looked at her curiously, +but said nothing till they were quite a distance from the vessel; then, +resting on his oars, he said:</p><p><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231"></a></p> + +<p>"Now, tell me how you came to be on that vessel; but, first, will you tell +me your name?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! must I—" and Dexie dropped her head.</p> + +<p>"Well, you need not if you do not wish to. I know you, all the same, though +I have not heard your name. You are the 'American Warbler.' Now, tell me +your story."</p> + +<p>"I hardly know how to tell it, though I don't mind you knowing about it. +There is so much to tell before you will understand how I came to be on the +vessel."</p> + +<p>"Well, if it is all a secret, I'll promise not to tell anyone except my +wife. She might hear that I have been on the harbor with a young lady, so I +had better tell her myself," and he smilingly waited Dexie's explanation.</p> + +<p>"Oh! since you are married, it will not be so hard to tell."</p> + +<p>There was quite a pause. Where would she begin?</p> + +<p>"Come, now, how did you come to be aboard the vessel?" he repeated.</p> + +<p>"But I can't tell you <i>how</i> until I have told you <i>why</i>," said she, trying +to control her voice, "so I must tell you all that happened this +afternoon," and, beginning from the time that Hugh prevented her from +joining her sister on the wharf, she told the story of the afternoon, +though not without skilful questionings that made the matter clear, though +hardly comprehensible. She gave no names, but mentioned Hugh as "the young +gentleman."</p> + +<p>"You have had quite an adventure, Miss—," and he looked up thinking she +would supply the name, but she smiled and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"Miss Jonathan, then; you must have some name for my wife to know you by," +he added, smilingly. "Now, I don't think you did a very wise thing when you +got on a strange craft for safety. It was all right as it happened, but it +might not have happened all right. However, you are safely out of the +scrape; still, if I am not mistaken in the young man, he thinks too much of +you to really harm you."</p> + +<p>"Do you think you know who it was?" and she looked up with a flushed face.</p><p><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232"></a></p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose it was the same chap that whistled with you at the +concert, wasn't it!"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! I suppose I must tell you more, after all. You don't +understand the half of it yet. It was one who was, at one time, my sister's +lover, or so I thought, but he—"</p> + +<p>"He changed his mind, I see," and there was a twinkle of fun in the eyes +that watched the face before him. "I begin to see the point now. That is +why he did not want your sister with you. May I hazard a guess and say that +perhaps it was the dark young man who was glowering at you the night of the +concert? Oh, I saw it all," as she looked up in surprise. "So it was he?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he was out of temper that night, I remember."</p> + +<p>"Well, he did not look very amiable, I must say; but, for all that, you +were safer with him than on the vessel, for, if I am not mistaken, that is +the crew going aboard now," and the shouts and songs of the sailors reached +their ears as they rowed towards the vessel.</p> + +<p>"Oh! thank you, thank you a thousand times, for coming along just when you +did! What should I have done? But I had this," and she drew forth the +revolver from her pocket.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott! have you got that yet? What were you going to do with it?"</p> + +<p>"I would have turned it on myself if there was no other way. Would you mind +accepting it? McNeil shall never have it back," and she laid it by his +side.</p> + +<p>The oars were poised in the air as he caught the name. "McNeil, you said! +Not the McNeil that has had the fortune left him lately, and is considered +such a great catch?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he has had a fortune left him; as for being a great catch"—and the +shrug of her shoulders finished her answer.</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't think he will have to force his attentions on the rest of +the young ladies around Halifax by the aid of a revolver anyway, if all +they say of the young man is true. He is well liked, I hear, by all who +know him. And so you won't have him?"</p> + +<p>"No, I won't promise to marry any man, however rich <a name="Page_233" id="Page_233"></a>he is, who would ask +it with a revolver in his possession to enforce it. I should hate him for +it."</p> + +<p>"There spoke the woman's heart; a loaded revolver is hardly a lover's +weapon, I'll admit. What a bit of romance this will be for my wife! Have I +your permission to tell it?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you like; but please do not tell anyone else—your soldier +friends, I mean."</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, if you wish it; but young ladies usually like to boast of +their conquests."</p> + +<p>"Well, on all other points McNeil is sensible, and, as he will probably +marry someone else some day, it will not be pleasant to have this affair +become known."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + + +<p>It was quite dark when they reached the wharf, and Dexie was wondering if +Lancy knew of her absence when she saw his well-known figure outlined +against the sky.</p> + +<p>He did not know that the object of his anxious thoughts was so near, as he +stood looking seaward, with a dark frown upon his face.</p> + +<p>As the soldier moored the little boat, and prepared to help Dexie ashore, +she suddenly said: "I gave you the revolver, but will you mind giving me +the rest of the bullets in it?"</p> + +<p>He looked at her in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," he replied, and he laid them in her hand, "but I think you +will find them unpleasant reminders of an incident you would do well to +forget. A man in love is often a desperate individual, without realizing +his condition; and I have no doubt that, by this time, McNeil would do much +to recall what passed this afternoon. So let me ask you, for him, to +forgive it."</p> + +<p>"I could forgive all but the <i>revolver</i> part of it. That was premeditated, +and I shall not forget it. Let me thank you again for your kind assistance. +I shall always think better of the soldiers for your kindness to me."</p><p><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234"></a></p> + +<p>"I am amply repaid, my fair warbler," replied the soldier, as they stood at +last on the wharf, "and if your excitable lover ever asks for his revolver, +here is my address," and he handed her a card; "but, if I mistake not, a +friend is waiting for you," and he waved his hand towards Lancy.</p> + +<p>At that moment Lancy turned, and seeing the object of his thoughts so near, +and in company with a soldier, his face underwent a series of expressions. +But it was really Dexie, though he could scarcely believe his own eyesight, +and he was at her side in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Why, Dexie! where have you been? We were afraid there had been an +accident."</p> + +<p>A hundred questions were on his lips, but the presence of the soldier kept +them back.</p> + +<p>"I have been in danger, but there has been no accident, Lancy; and you must +thank this gentleman for bringing me safely home."</p> + +<p>As the memory of it all passed before her, her self-control gave way, and +covering her face with her hands she burst into tears.</p> + +<p>This was rather embarrassing to Lancy, who was all in the dark in regard to +Dexie's movements. He was told that she had gone off with Hugh, and here +she was in company with a soldier, and in tears.</p> + +<p>"She will be all right in a few minutes," the officer replied, in answer to +Lancy's surprised looks. "She has gone through enough to try a strong +woman's nerves. Wait here; I'll get that cab, if it is empty, and you can +take her home at once," and he darted up the wharf at a rapid pace.</p> + +<p>"Where is Hugh?" said Lancy hurriedly; "not drowned, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"No; not that I know of," she said, choking back her tears.</p> + +<p>"Then, what does all this mean? How came you to be out with the soldier, +Dexie? I don't know what to think."</p> + +<p>"I will tell you presently, but that soldier saved my life. Thank him for +me, Lancy, for I cannot say enough."</p><p><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235"></a></p> + +<p>The arrival of the cab prevented further explanation, and Dexie allowed +herself to be seated in it without a word.</p> + +<p>"I do not yet know what has happened," said Lancy, holding out his hand to +the soldier, "but I thank you very heartily for your kindness. Jump into +the cab with us, as far as your way lies, and tell me what this is all +about."</p> + +<p>As they took their seats, Lancy turned to Dexie, who had almost recovered +her composure, saying:</p> + +<p>"You have not yet introduced me to your friend. How shall I call him?"</p> + +<p>Dexie held up the card she had in her hand, saying: "I do not know myself, +and it is too dark to read."</p> + +<p>"I am Lieutenant Wilbur, at your service, and I feel happy in being the +means of rescuing the 'American Warbler' from a very unpleasant situation."</p> + +<p>"I am Launcelot Gurney. Now, will one of you tell me what has happened? You +have not been capsized, Dexie, for your clothes are not wet; but you have +been gone since early afternoon, and return in unexpected company. I am +bewildered by the thoughts and suggestions that crowd into my mind."</p> + +<p>"Let me tell the story briefly, and she can relate the details later on. +Here it is: Your fair warbler finds herself afloat, and unintentionally +alone with a desperate lover, who demands her heart and hand at the point +of a revolver, with the alternative of a death in his arms. Choosing +neither, said American warbler skilfully guides the boat to a vessel +anchored near, hoping to find a rescuer. This failing her, she takes +advantage of a moment when the aforesaid lover's back is turned, and +escapes to the vessel by aid of a rope ladder, and effectually keeps at bay +the aforesaid lover by a judicious use of the revolver, which had +previously been turned against herself. Then finding himself worsted, the +afore-mentioned desperate lover hies himself away, and your humble servant +turns up in the nick of time, and rescues the almost despairing warbler, +and returns her to the arms of—well—a waiting friend; quite a romance, my +wife will say."</p><p><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236"></a></p> + +<p>Lancy listened to the story with amazement.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, is this possible? or is the lieutenant only joking?"</p> + +<p>"It has been no joke to me, Lancy; I can say that," was the reply in a +quivering voice. "I was not off the vessel ten minutes, before we met the +vessel's crew going towards her. I can't bear to think of it."</p> + +<p>"But the revolver; surely that is an exaggeration!"</p> + +<p>"It is here," and the lieutenant held it towards Lancy, who drew back with +a shudder.</p> + +<p>"Heavens! is it possible? I can hardly realize how Hugh was capable of such +an act."</p> + +<p>"You had better take this Mr. Gurney, and give it to the owner," said the +lieutenant, still holding out the weapon.</p> + +<p>"No!" said Dexie quickly, "he shall not have it back! If you will not keep +it, Lieutenant Wilbur, I will throw it into the harbor the first chance I +get!"</p> + +<p>"I will keep it then, fair warbler," and he replaced it in his pocket.</p> + +<p>"Does he not know your name?" said Lancy, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"No, but he saw us both in the hall, and remembers me."</p> + +<p>"Well, it is but fair, lieutenant," said Lancy aloud, "that you should know +the name of the lady you rescued. This is Miss Dexie Sherwood."</p> + +<p>"Ah! happy to know you at last, Miss Sherwood," was the laughing reply, as +he bent over her a moment; "but I must bid you good-bye, as I get off +here," and signalling the driver he lifted his cap, and was soon out of +sight.</p> + +<p>They reached home in a few minutes, and Lancy followed Dexie into the +house, saying:</p> + +<p>"I must have the story from your lips before I leave you to-night, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Very well; but remember it is long past tea-time, and I am almost +famished."</p> + +<p>The family had become very much alarmed at Dexie's prolonged absence, and +Mr. Sherwood had gone out to inquire if any accident had been reported on +the water. As Dexie entered the sitting-room, Gussie looked up in +<a name="Page_237" id="Page_237"></a>surprise, as she saw who was Dexie's companion; she expected it would be +Hugh, and it was easy to see that she was not in the best of tempers.</p> + +<p>"It is time you were home, miss," was her caustic remark. "It is a wonder +you are not ashamed of yourself to stay out till this hour! Just you wait +till papa comes home—he has been almost wild with fright; and you have +given mamma one of her nervous headaches, and she is quite ill; so you know +just what you may expect from her."</p> + +<p>Dexie made no answer, but moved briskly from sideboard to closet, +collecting her supper.</p> + +<p>"It would have been better for you if you had come home at the proper time +to your supper, instead of keeping us waiting for you, as you did," and a +torrent of complaints and reproaches were poured out, regardless of Lancy's +presence, till he was moved to reply:</p> + +<p>"I think, Gussie, if you knew the cause of her detention, and how much she +has borne because of it, you would not say another unkind word to her +to-night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind her, Lancy," said Dexie; "honestly, I rather enjoy it. I +was so afraid this afternoon that I should never hear her scold me again +that I can bear all she has to say as meekly as a lamb."</p> + +<p>Gussie looked up in astonishment, then dropped her eyes for very shame.</p> + +<p>"What has happened? Were you capsized? Is Hugh drowned?" she asked in +alarm, noticing for the first time how sober they looked.</p> + +<p>Her unceremonious exit from the boat had put her out of temper. She felt +angry and mortified when she remembered how glad Hugh seemed to be to get +rid of her. Was the day to end in a tragedy?</p> + +<p>Where was Hugh, sure enough?</p> + +<p>After leaving Dexie, he rowed across the harbor to some small fishing-boats +that were riding at anchor, and tried to hire the occupants of one of them +to accompany him to the vessel. But the story he told them seemed so +improbable they would pay no attention to him for some time. Hugh was +almost beside himself with fear on Dexie's account; but he at last +succeeded in persuading a crafty old fellow <a name="Page_238" id="Page_238"></a>to accompany him, by promising +him more money for his services than the fisherman had ever, at one time, +seen in his life, and finally he accompanied Hugh back to the vessel.</p> + +<p>But, by the time they arrived, Dexie had disappeared past George's Island +with the soldier, and Hugh found the vessel's deck alive with a set of men +capable of the darkest deeds that drunken sailors ever perpetrated. Hugh's +inquiries were not understood, of course; but believing the worst, he +demanded to be allowed on board the vessel. This the captain, who now +appeared, and who was about as drunk as his crew, refused to allow. Hugh +urged and argued in vain, the idea of a young lady being aboard the vessel +being hailed with uproarious shrieks of merriment by the vessel's crew. +Hugh was at last obliged to give up in despair, and he rowed back with all +speed towards the city, to secure the aid of the police in his search.</p> + +<p>This was the darkest hour Hugh had ever known. The strain on his nerves, +coupled with the anxiety of the previous weeks, was more than he could +bear, and when, with the assistance of two men armed with authority, he +searched the vessel for any trace of Dexie's presence, and found none, his +brain seemed to collapse, and the brass-buttoned officers carried him back +in their boat to Halifax in a state of unconsciousness.</p> + +<p>About midnight, with a doctor in attendance, he was carefully carried to +Mr. Gurney's in a state of delirium.</p> + +<p>The next morning the startling news was brought into the Sherwood household +that Hugh McNeil was down with brain fever, and that the doctor had not +left the house since midnight.</p> + +<p>Why did they all look at Dexie in such a horrified manner? Was she to +blame? Their looks implied as much. She fought against the implication +inwardly, but made no remark whatever as the news was being discussed.</p> + +<p>But, as the day wore on, the unnatural stillness of the house seemed to +weigh her down with its oppressiveness, and she caught herself listening to +every sound with strained ears and every nerve on the alert.</p><p><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239"></a></p> + +<p>She did not dare venture into the next door to make inquiries, not knowing +how much they might be blaming her for Hugh's sudden illness; and the added +trouble and anxiety his sickness necessarily caused, left no time for the +Gurney girls to run in with a report of his condition. Consequently, when +Lancy appeared about nine o'clock in the evening, Dexie's eyes asked the +question her lips had not power to form.</p> + +<p>"Hugh is no better—worse, if possible," and Lancy's face was as white as +Dexie's own. "He keeps calling for you in his delirium; he seems to think +you are drowned or worse, and reaches out to catch you. It takes two to +hold him sometimes."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Lancy! am I to blame?" she said, bursting into tears. "I have had such +a horrible day with my thoughts. I don't see how I could help it; yet it +was my fault, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Well, under the circumstances, I don't see how you could have done +differently, Dexie; but don't fret about it. It is an uncomfortable affair +all round, to be sure. I can't help feeling proud of you the way you braved +it out rather than give your promise; but, of course, it was hard on Hugh."</p> + +<p>"Does your mother know anything about my part of the affair?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! I told her all about it. Hugh raved so, I had to explain what I +knew about the trouble. She guessed quickly enough that something had +happened between you."</p> + +<p>"And the doctor?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! he knows about it too, and he wants to know if you will come in, if +they find they cannot quiet him. Oh, Hugh will not know you," he added, +looking into her frightened face; "but the doctor thinks you might get him +to sleep if you would be willing to try it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! I don't want to go near him; but I suppose I must, if there is +any chance of convincing him that I am safe, after all."</p> + +<p>The doctor looked up in surprise when Dexie appeared in the room with Mrs. +Gurney a short time after. Was it this slip of a girl that had wrought such +mischief?</p><p><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240"></a></p> + +<p>"So this is <i>your</i> work," and he waved his hand towards the bed.</p> + +<p>Dexie flashed an angry look at him, saying in a low voice:</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, sir, I think Mr. McNeil can blame himself and no one +else. What can I do, Mrs. Gurney?"</p> + +<p>Hugh was tossing about in restless delirium, muttering broken sentences; +and the piteous cry of "Dexie! oh, Dexie!" rang through the room.</p> + +<p>"Speak to him; perhaps he will realize you are here," said Mrs. Gurney.</p> + +<p>The doctor placed a chair by the bedside for her, then stood by the foot of +the bed, watching.</p> + +<p>"I never meant it, Dexie; I would not throw you over for worlds; forgive +me."</p> + +<p>Dexie knew that the memory of the scene on the roof was troubling his mind, +and the anguish depicted on Hugh's face brought such a lump into her throat +that she could not speak a word.</p> + +<p>"Come back into the boat with me; I'll promise to take you home," he cried.</p> + +<p>The doctor eyed Dexie sternly.</p> + +<p>"Speak to him," he said, sharply.</p> + +<p>"I am here, Mr. McNeil. I have come back safe and well. Try to sleep."</p> + +<p>Her voice seemed to pierce the troubled brain, and his face lost much of +its troubled look.</p> + +<p>"Sing something, Dexie," said Mrs. Gurney, "and perhaps he will sleep. He +has not been quiet since they brought him home," and, bending down, said +softly, "Try, Dexie. I know it is hard for you, but if he will sleep it +will be almost the saving of him. You will do this for me, I know."</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer to Thee."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>It was almost a whisper, but it soon had a visible effect on Hugh, and in +half an hour the doctor's curt words, "You may go now," were more welcome +than the sweetest praise.</p> + +<p>As the fever ran its course, Dexie was frequently called <a name="Page_241" id="Page_241"></a>to Hugh's +bedside. How she dreaded those visits, yet stern duty forbade her to +refuse, as her heart often prompted.</p> + +<p>Dexie soon saw that she was not in the doctor's good graces, for as Hugh +revealed the past, in broken and disjointed sentences, it gave him the +impression that she had been trifling with Hugh's affections, and she +resented the tone he assumed when speaking to her. However, as the days +passed, and the doctor learned the real truth of the matter, he began to +look at Dexie with less disfavor; but the inquisitive manner with which he +now regarded her was not less objectionable.</p> + +<p>"You will marry him yet," the doctor said one night as he watched his +patient through his wildest hours.</p> + +<p>Dexie, who was sitting near the window, turned in surprise at the +unlooked-for remark.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my word for it, Miss Sherwood, you will marry him yet, after all the +fuss you have made over your refusal."</p> + +<p>"Never!" The reply was low, but intense. "I know my own mind, I guess! I +would not stay in the same room with him, though he is unconscious of my +presence, only Mrs. Gurney imagines he is less restless when I am near, and +she is anxious about his recovery."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you need not tell <i>me</i>! I have heard of such cases before now. I have +seen your eyes full of pity as you have watched beside him with Mrs. +Gurney."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps so; but not with the 'pity that is akin to love,' by any means," +and as Mrs. Gurney returned to the room, she bowed a stiff good-night to +the doctor and went home.</p> + +<p>After days of anxiety the fever reached its height, and there was not a +more anxious heart in the house that day than Dexie's own.</p> + +<p>As she went about her daily household duties, she mentally pictured to +herself what might happen in case of the worst. Would she be blamed for his +death? and what would become of all Hugh's money?</p> + +<p>She speculated as to how he had willed it, and wondered what were the +contents of the letter Hugh had written to <a name="Page_242" id="Page_242"></a>her father before that +afternoon's sail. She hoped she would not be summoned again to the +sick-room. But she was not to have that wish, for late in the evening Lancy +came in to bring her over at once.</p> + +<p>"The doctor says the next hour will decide whether he lives or not, and he +wants you to be near in case you are needed in a hurry."</p> + +<p>Towards midnight Hugh opened his eyes and recognized Mrs. Gurney, who was +bending over him; and as he turned his face and saw the doctor also, he +said, in a faint voice:</p> + +<p>"What is the matter? Why am I here?"</p> + +<p>"You have been sick, Hugh," said Mrs. Gurney, taking his hand; "do not +talk."</p> + +<p>"But I thought—I thought—I was in a boat," he said, faintly, and a +puzzled look came over his face. "I was looking—for someone—or I was +dreaming."</p> + +<p>"You must not talk; try not to think itself," said the doctor, as he held +some medicine to his lips. "You have been dreaming, no doubt; but try not +to think about it any more."</p> + +<p>Hugh was quiet for some minutes; memory was slowly returning; but at last +the past all came back, and, casting an imploring glance into the doctor's +face, said:</p> + +<p>"Tell me! I remember it all now—I was searching for Dexie—is she safe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, safe and well, so make your mind easy."</p> + +<p>"If I could—only feel—sure—"</p> + +<p>"Will you bring me that pitcher of water, Miss Sherwood?"</p> + +<p>The doctor's voice was low, but distinct, and an eager light came into +Hugh's face as he heard the name.</p> + +<p>"Pour a little into this glass," the doctor added.</p> + +<p>As Dexie came near at the doctor's direction, Hugh looked up, and for one +short moment their eyes met.</p> + +<p>But that moment assured Hugh that Dexie was safe; that was all he could +comprehend at present, for he was too weak to ask any more questions. Dexie +could not bear the strain much longer, so, bending over Mrs. Gurney, she +whispered:</p><p><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243"></a></p> + +<p>"Tell me I may go, if only into the next room. I cannot bear it."</p> + +<p>"Just a moment more, Miss Sherwood," the doctor whispered, overhearing the +request "Help me a moment here," he said aloud, "and then you may retire."</p> + +<p>She came towards the bed, and complied with his directions, knowing full +well that Hugh's eyes were devouring her face.</p> + +<p>"Is it you, Dexie, or your spirit?" the words were low and tremulous, but, +in the stillness of the room, sounded clear and distinct.</p> + +<p>"It is I, Mr. McNeil, alive, and well as ever I was."</p> + +<p>"Thank God!"</p> + +<p>His eyes closed, and with a gesture the doctor dismissed her; then taking +his seat beside the bed, he watched until he was assured that Hugh had +fallen into a natural sleep.</p> + +<p>As Dexie left the room, she mentally said a final good-bye to it, feeling +thankful enough that her services would not be needed again to hush the +despairing cries or still the grasping hands that had clutched at space. It +was the last time her eyes rested on Hugh for weeks. She knew he was +recovering, and that was enough.</p> + +<p>During his convalescence, Dexie never entered the Gurney household, lest by +some chance she might come face to face with her enemy.</p> + +<p>The occurrence on the boat was tacitly dropped by all parties concerned, +and only when Hugh accidentally heard that the Sherwoods were preparing to +return to the States did his reserve break down, and it was to Mrs. Gurney +alone he expressed his regrets and intentions.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + + +<p>"Here's news, girls; we are going back to Maine!" and Georgie rushed into +the sitting-room where his sisters and their girl friends were chatting +together. "Papa says we are going back <i>for sure</i>, in just a few weeks, +too! Isn't that jolly?" and he manifested his delight in a series of +<a name="Page_244" id="Page_244"></a>handsprings that would have charmed the heart of an acrobat.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I heard something of it, but hoped it would not come to pass," said +Dexie.</p> + +<p>"It is the best news I've heard for a long time, the sooner we leave this +horrid place the better I'll be pleased," was Gussie's comment.</p> + +<p>Elsie was quite depressed at the thought of parting from her friends; but +the intervening weeks were full of pleasure and excitement, and drives and +parties seemed to follow one another in quick succession.</p> + +<p>One day Dexie came in from a shopping expedition in great excitement, +saying:</p> + +<p>"Oh, girls, I have met my double; met her down in a store on Granville +Street, and I actually followed her until she entered a house on Spring +Garden Road. If she had worn one of my suits, I should have expected her to +walk home instead of me. I began to think 'this could not be I.' Whom do +you think she can be?"</p> + +<p>Nobody knew; but a few days after, Lancy related the fact that he had +hurried after a lady, supposing her to be Dexie, and found he had been +following a stranger.</p> + +<p>"I am going to find out who this young person is," said Dexie, laughing. +"Who knows, perhaps it is my only chance to 'see myself as others see me.'"</p> + +<p>After a few inquiries, it was found that Dexie's double was a Nina Gordon, +only daughter of a widow lately arrived in Halifax, and residing with a +bachelor brother who was travelling for a city firm.</p> + +<p>Cora Gurney happened to meet both mother and daughter while making a round +of calls with a friend, and she ran in to tell Dexie of the meeting.</p> + +<p>"Your double is not very much like you after all, Dexie," she said. "Her +figure and style of walking are remarkably like yours, even to the poise of +her head; her hair, too, is almost the same shade; the eyes and upper part +of the face are similar: but the mouth and chin are her own—they have no +resemblance whatever to the true Dexie. It is the first sight that strikes +one. When you look for the resemblance, it really seems slight enough, <a name="Page_245" id="Page_245"></a>and +when she begins to talk, my! the illusion vanishes at once, for really I do +not think I ever met a person who irritated me as she did. She is a girl +after the 'china doll' pattern, and can only use her brains at the +direction of her mother. I do not think she ventured a remark of her own +all the time I was there."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps she did not have the chance," said Dexie, eager to champion the +cause of her double. "Some girls are not allowed to have an opinion apart +from the maternal idea of the fitness of things, and are kept down."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! If you had heard her talking, Dexie, I'm sure you would have +felt like shaking her. It is only when her face is in repose that she +resembles you in the least, for the moment she begins to talk, or even +listen—or try to listen, one might say—she has the most senseless +expression I ever saw on a woman's face."</p> + +<p>"Goodness sake! bring me a looking-glass, quick! do, till I see what I look +like when I talk. Does my face assume an idiotic expression when I am +conversing? Be honest and tell me, for sweet charity's sake."</p> + +<p>"Ease your mind, Dexie," said Cora, laughing. "Did I not say that there the +resemblance ends? It is only when her face is at rest that the likeness can +be seen at all. If you ask her the simplest question, she must refer to her +mother for advice before she replies. For instance, I asked her if she +liked Halifax. 'Do I like Halifax, mamma, do you think?' and she turned to +her mother with such an affected simper. Really, I almost disliked her the +moment she opened her mouth."</p> + +<p>"I hope I shall get a chance to see her before we leave Halifax," said +Dexie.</p> + +<p>"Well, I asked her and her mother to call on mamma next week, almost on +purpose for your benefit. Hugh is getting along so well I think mamma can +receive some friends. I will let you know when they come."</p> + +<p>A further acquaintance corroborated Cora's idea of Nina Gordon's brains. +She seemed to have no mind of her own; a good thing, perhaps, in some +cases, but a more spiritless person to talk to never vexed the heart of man +or woman either. She had no answer for the simplest question without <a name="Page_246" id="Page_246"></a>first +asking it from her mother, and away from her mother's side she was uneasy +and almost dumb.</p> + +<p>The mother's idiosyncrasy was always to do "the correct thing." The fear of +not doing it, or the dread of having done it unknowingly, was constantly +before her—the bugbear that troubled her daily. Perhaps the daughter +inherited the mother's dread, and her fear of doing or saying something +that was not just "the correct thing" made her put all the responsibility +of conversation on her mother's shoulder. Dexie was amused, as well as +provoked, as she listened to the efforts at conversation which Cora vainly +endeavored to sustain with her double, and it was evident that Mrs. Gurney +also was surprised as well as amused at Mrs. Gordon's remarks.</p> + +<p>"However do you manage with such a large family, Mrs. Gurney?" she was +saying. "Why, with only Nina I am wearied to death; for from the time she +wakes up I must see to everything for her until she goes to bed again at +night. How you manage it for so many, I can't see, I am sure. I should die +of fatigue."</p> + +<p>"Oh! the children soon get big enough to help themselves, and the younger +ones, too," Mrs. Gurney replied, with a smile. "I seldom see my girls in +the morning until I meet them at the breakfast table."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible! Do you not have to superintend their dressing?" she asked, +in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Why, no, Mrs. Gordon! Girls of that age," waving her hand toward the group +by the window, "are supposed to have judgment of their own in such things, +and with some to spare for the little ones."</p> + +<p>"Dear me! I should be so afraid they would not do the correct thing if I +was not by."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are by when she ought to rely on herself," was the smiling +answer. "My girls are relieving me of much of the burden of household +cares."</p> + +<p>"Well, well!" and Mrs. Gordon looked across at the girls in surprise. "I +wonder you are not in constant dread that some of them might not do the +correct thing when you are not near with your instructions. How wonderful +that you can trust them alone so much! Nina seems a child in comparison."</p><p><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247"></a></p> + +<p>Dexie was mentally comparing Nina to a big, useless doll; for she had to +conclude that Nina cared for nothing but "to be dressed up and wait in the +parlor for callers."</p> + +<p>The girls coaxed Nina away from her mother's side while the latter was +talking to Mrs. Gurney; but directly she was asked a question she wanted to +rush back to her mother, and see how she should answer it.</p> + +<p>"But don't you know yourself whether you like music or not?" Dexie asked +her, as Nina vainly endeavored to catch her mother's eye. "Do you not play +or sing, Miss Gordon?"</p> + +<p>Nina picked at her gloves in embarrassment as she replied, with a simper:</p> + +<p>"Well, I play scales on the piano sometimes."</p> + +<p>"Then you <i>are</i> fond of music, I suppose," said Cora, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Well, I think I am. I will ask mamma; she knows if I like it. Is it quite +correct to like music, do you think?"</p> + +<p>The silly look which accompanied this speech made Dexie almost disgusted +with her, but she turned to Cora and smiled significantly.</p> + +<p>"Well," said Dexie, when her double had taken her departure, "she has tired +me out; but with that chin what can anyone expect? It tells her character +at a glance."</p> + +<p>"Tell us your opinion of her," said Cora. "Do <i>you</i> see the great +difference there is between you?"</p> + +<p>"Why, she is different every way. First in importance is temper; there she +has the best of me, for she is as mild as milk-and-water, and I own it +certainly is not the 'correct thing' to get into such rages as I do. She +gives the impression that she is never determined about anything, and +anyone can persuade her that this, or that is right, as she has no mind to +solve the matter for herself. She will go through life depending on +another's conscience to keep her straight; but with that chin what else +could she do?"</p> + +<p>"What does her chin say?" said Cora, smiling.</p> + +<p>"'Unstable as water; unstable as water.' I saw the words every time I +glanced at her."</p><p><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248"></a></p> + +<p>For the next few days Dexie endured much teasing about her intelligent +<i>double</i>; but she bore it all so good-naturedly that it soon died away.</p> + +<p>Much to everyone's surprise, Dexie endeavored to see Nina frequently, and +tried to induce her to visit them often; and Dexie laughingly gave as her +reason that she would like to knock a little common-sense into her <i>double</i> +before she left Halifax, for fear people might think that Nina was her +exact counterpart in everything.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + + +<p>One day, as Dexie was going to the post office, she met Miss Taylor, and +the memory of the adventure in the snowstorm with Lancy and Elsie rose +vividly before her mind as she grasped the outstretched hand in friendly +greeting.</p> + +<p>"I am in such a dilemma, Miss Sherwood!" she exclaimed. "I drove into +Halifax with a neighbor, and he was to meet me an hour ago; but I have +discovered that his usual absent-mindedness has caused him to forget all +about me. I am at my wit's end, for mother will be alarmed at my absence."</p> + +<p>"Come home with me, Miss Taylor. Oh! you must," as a refusal rose to her +lips, "and if you really <i>must</i> return home to-night, it can easily be +managed, I know."</p> + +<p>After much persuasion, Miss Taylor accompanied Dexie home; and as she +explained the necessity of returning that night, Mrs. Gurney told Lancy to +order the horse and buggy and drive her out.</p> + +<p>Lancy seconded Miss Taylor's request that Dexie should drive out with them, +and the gay little party reached the Taylor homestead about sundown, +greatly to the surprise and relief of Mrs. Taylor, who feared that Susan +might try and walk the distance rather than miss the evening's festivities; +for there was to be a marriage in the family that night, and Susan had been +obliged to hasten to the city <a name="Page_249" id="Page_249"></a>for some necessary trifles that had been +forgotten until the last moment. Lancy and Dexie stayed until after the +ceremony, but, having a long drive before them, declined the kind +invitation to linger.</p> + +<p>As they drove homewards the conversation turned on the intending departure +of the family from Halifax.</p> + +<p>"I have been waiting for a chance to have a good talk with you, Dexie, ever +since I heard you were going away; but there has been so much going on that +I never seem to see you alone a minute. Are you sorry to go, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed I am. I have found Halifax so pleasant that I shall always +regret leaving it."</p> + +<p>"But you are coming back sometime, you know, Dexie? I am sure you know I am +constantly looking forward to the time when you will be my wife. We +understand each other, do we not?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I am not sure that we do, Lancy. I doubt if we look at things in the +same light," and she gave a quick glance into the face that was regarding +her so earnestly.</p> + +<p>"But you know how much I care for you—that I love you, Dexie?" he said, +taking her hand. "You have never told me you cared for me in so many words, +Dexie, but I am sure you do. They are all pleased with the idea at home, +and father has promised to take me into partnership the first of the year. +Until then I shall not know just how much of an income I shall have, but I +know it will be enough for us to live on quite comfortably; and we could +live in the part of the house that you occupy now. But you have not said +the word yet that will bind us. Will you be my wife, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Lancy, I will be honest and plain-spoken; then there will be no +misunderstanding. Of course, I care a good deal for you, but I really do +not believe I love you as a woman should love the man she marries; and you +may meet the one who will give you that love some day, then you will be +sorry you put that question to me. Honestly, Lancy, although we have cared +very much for each other's society, I don't believe we would be half as +happy together as man and wife as we are now. I can't imagine myself living +with you day after day, and performing the little daily <a name="Page_250" id="Page_250"></a>services for you +that come so naturally from your mother, and which goes to make your +father's life so comfortable and happy."</p> + +<p>"Why need you pattern your future life after that of my mother; your mother +does not—" Lancy paused in embarrassment.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you need not mind saying it to me; it is only between ourselves. You +want to say that my mother does not put herself out to do much for the +happiness of the rest of us."</p> + +<p>"No, I was not intending to go so far as that, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope when I get married that I shall care enough for my husband to +feel like exerting myself a little towards making the house comfortable. I +want a happier married life than I see at home. I suppose we all have our +ideals, but I would sooner take your mother for an example of what a wife +should be, rather than mine."</p> + +<p>"I believe you and I would live very happily together, Dexie; if you cared +for me as much as I care for you, there would be no trouble," and he +pressed the hand he held in his.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I daresay we might get along quite <i>passably</i>, Lancy; but that doesn't +seem to me enough, and I do not want to be bound by a promise which, in the +future, we might both wish was never made."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I never thought you would put me off like this," said Lancy, in a +wounded tone "You have known all this time how much I care for you, and how +it was to end, and yet you think I may fall in love with someone else when +you have gone away. How can you think such a thing?"</p> + +<p>"I have no cause to think so, Lancy, for indeed you have been most kind to +me all along; but I cannot help thinking that you may meet someone else who +would suit you better, and yet you would feel bound to me if a promise was +made between us. Let me go away free, Lancy, and if by the time you are +ready to take a wife you find your feelings the same as they are now, ask +me your question again; perhaps I will know my own mind by that time, for I +must confess I hardly do at present."</p><p><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251"></a></p> + +<p>"I will never change; but you—you want to leave the way open for yourself, +and I thought you cared for me, Dexie."</p> + +<p>Dexie felt hurt at his reproachful tone, but she put her hand across his, +saying: "Lancy, don't be silly, for I do care for you. I do not know any +other person, outside my own family, that I like so well as I do you. Now, +will that admission satisfy you? But do not ask a promise from me for a +year; give me even six months; by that time we will know whether we are +necessary to each other's happiness or not."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Dexie, but I shall feel that you are mine, even though you have +not given me your promise; so do not let any romantic notions run away with +you when I am not near to watch you."</p> + +<p>"But, Lancy," said she, laughing, "supposing I should happen to meet some +person who inspired me with love such as one reads of in story books, would +you care to have me for a wife if my heart were not in the bargain?"</p> + +<p>"No, Dexie, I hope you are supposing impossible things. Would you break my +heart?"</p> + +<p>"Hearts don't break, Lancy," she said, smiling; "they may ache, but I doubt +if they ever break."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, you make my heart ache already. I have planned and hoped so much, +and you give me so little to build on, after all. Is it fair to trifle with +me like this?"</p> + +<p>There was a few minutes' silence, then Dexie said:</p> + +<p>"Lancy, think a minute. Have I ever been guilty of trifling with anyone's +feelings? Have I not been open and outspoken to you in everything? I am +afraid, Lancy, this very fact has made you think that I care for you more +than I really do, but I think that too many young girls jump into matrimony +with their eyes blindfolded, and I do not intend to add to the number. +There is plenty of time to settle the question, when I know that I really +love you. It would not be honest to deceive you in this, Lancy."</p> + +<p>"My Dexie, you could not deceive me if you tried. I am perfectly content +with the love you have for me already, <a name="Page_252" id="Page_252"></a>without waiting for the romantic +passion which some story-writers consider necessary before a marriage +should take place. But your answer has disappointed me, Dexie, for I +expected to present you to mother, on our return, as my promised wife. +Indeed I was so sure you would not refuse me, I prepared myself with this," +and he took from his pocket a little casket containing a handsome +engagement ring.</p> + +<p>"Lancy, how could you?" The words seemed to come from the depths of her +heart.</p> + +<p>"Do let me put it on your finger, Dexie. Think what happiness you will give +me by wearing it."</p> + +<p>"Lancy, I want to please you, really I do, but don't ask me to put it on. I +always think a ring binds the person receiving it the same as it binds the +finger, and, once on, is almost a sacred thing; and feeling as I do, I +don't want to wear it lightly. Lancy, can't you trust me for six months +without a reminder?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I wish you would wear it as a 'sign between me and thee'; do not +refuse me this, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Let me wear it on my chain, then, and I will take it," and she drew from +her neck a fine gold chain with a pretty charm attached. Detaching the +latter, she held it to him, saying:</p> + +<p>"This is my one treasure, Lancy, take it in exchange; if ever you care for +another more than for me, send it back to me. I will wear your ring in its +place on the same conditions," and she clasped the chain around her neck +again, hiding the ring in her bosom.</p> + +<p>Lancy placed the precious token in an inside pocket containing some other +treasures, and Dexie blushed as she recognized them as some trifles of her +own.</p> + +<p>"I think I can claim that glove," said she, laughing as Lancy tucked the +little parcel in his pocket. "I have missed it for some time."</p> + +<p>"You shall have it when the hand is mine that fits it," said he with a +bright smile, as he raised her hand to his lips. "I wonder if you realize +how much I shall miss you, Dexie. The only ray of comfort I can see is the +thought of the pleasure your letters will give me; only for that I would go +melancholy, like Hugh."</p><p><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253"></a></p> + +<p>"Lancy, don't joke about Hugh; I can't bear it. I was so startled when I +saw him out last Sunday. He looked so pale and thin I could hardly believe +it was he. Does he ever mention my name, Lancy?"</p> + +<p>"Never; but if anyone happens to bring it up in connection with anything, +he seems that eager to hear every word, that I can't help feeling sorry for +him. Be careful and don't make me your second victim."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe I am responsible for Hugh's condition, and it is not fair +for you to speak as if I was; but now he is able to be about, I am in +constant terror lest he will corner me sometime and renew his attack. That +is the only thing that makes me feel glad that I am leaving Halifax. I am +afraid I could not bear such another scare as he gave me that day in the +boat."</p> + +<p>"I will make it known to him in some way that you are to be my wife; and +when he hears it, I am sure he will never trouble you again. When +everything is settled, I will go and claim you; and I fancy Hugh will not +stay in Halifax when we are married. How soon do you think you will be +going away?"</p> + +<p>"Sometime within a month. Papa is weatherwise, and thinks the winter will +set in early, so is anxious to hasten our departure."</p> + +<p>A few evenings later, there was a small family party at Mrs. Beverly's, to +which Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood and the twin girls were invited. Cora and Elsie +Gurney were also going with Lancy and Hugh. This being the first time Hugh +was able to appear at such a gathering, he was building many air-castles in +connection with it, for he would there meet Dexie for the first time since +his illness. He had made inquiries as to whether Dexie would be present, +and being assured that she intended going, he looked forward to the meeting +with a pleasure that was not unmixed with pain.</p> + +<p>But when Dexie heard that Hugh intended going, and had been asking about +her intentions also, she thought she would give it up; yet considering that +she must of necessity meet him sooner or later, she thought it would be +wiser to do so among a number of people.</p><p><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254"></a></p> + +<p>Everything seemed to go wrong with Gussie that day. She had heard by some +chance that Dexie and Lancy were really engaged, and as Dexie would neither +admit nor deny the fact, she felt exasperated almost to madness.</p> + +<p>As the day wore on, Gussie's incessant bickerings became unbearable, and +among other things she charged Dexie with the most heartless behavior in +regard to Hugh, until she could not bear the thought of meeting him, so she +silently decided to remain at home, but to say nothing about her decision +until the last moment; consequently, no one had a chance to tell Hugh that +Dexie had changed her mind.</p> + +<p>When the guests were assembled in the commodious parlors, Hugh searched in +vain among the different groups for a trace of the face he was so anxious +to see. Once he gave a start as a face turned towards him—a face that +seemed to belong to the form he was seeking—but when the sound of the +voice reached his ears he turned in disgust, for it was only Nina Gordon.</p> + +<p>Later on he learned from Gussie that Dexie had turned "sulky" at the last +moment and refused to come. His face lighted up at the information, and +Gussie never knew that her news sent him to make excuses and adieus to his +hostess, and drove him homeward at a pace that seemed unnecessary, seeing +that he had so much leisure time at his command.</p> + +<p>Dexie had gone to the parlor to get a book, and stepping to the bow window +to draw the curtains, saw his well-known figure hurrying down the street.</p> + +<p>"Goodness! here is Hugh coming back! What has happened, I wonder?"</p> + +<p>It took her but a moment to fasten the hall-door, and running to the +kitchen, said:</p> + +<p>"Nancy, if anyone calls, do not admit them to-night. You can say the family +are out. I am going to the upper hall to finish my book." Then, laying her +hand on Nancy's arm, she said in a low tone: "Don't let Hugh McNeil come in +to-night, Nancy. I have fastened the front door, so he can't come in unless +you let him."</p> + +<p>"Rest easy, missie; you shan't be troubled if you don't like. But I mind he +is off to the party with the rest."</p><p><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255"></a></p> + +<p>"I have seen him coming back, so I wanted to warn you."</p> + +<p>"All right, then. Ye have had a hard day, missie; run off with yer book. +It's meself that will see ye are not troubled the night by anybody."</p> + +<p>Nancy had been in the family long enough to know something of their +affairs, and she took quite an interest in the doings of her favorite. She +saw more than she let anyone suppose, and her apparent stupidity was often +put on as a "blind."</p> + +<p>With a book as a companion, Dexie was soon in her favorite retreat, for she +had one cosy little corner which no one cared to dispute with her. The +recess at the end of the upper hall she had curtained off, and besides the +few blooming plants on the wide window-sill it held an old-fashioned but +comfortable sofa, a big chair and a tiny table. It was here Dexie made up +her housekeeping accounts, and performed such other duties as she could +bring to her snug little corner. It was the one spot in the house which she +claimed as her own.</p> + +<p>She had no sooner seated herself to read than the sound of the door-bell +echoed through the house. It was several times repeated before Nancy +appeared to answer the summons, and Dexie's heart seemed to leap up in her +throat as she recognized Hugh's voice. But Nancy remembered the injunctions +given her, and refused admittance, saying decidedly that the family were +out; and when Hugh reminded her that Miss Dexie was at home, Nancy boldly +said that Miss Dexie was not going to be disturbed by anybody. Dexie gave a +sigh of relief as she heard the door shut and Hugh's step on the pavement +below. She turned to her book and was soon lost to all outside influences +in her sympathy for the heroine of the story, when a slight movement of the +curtain caused her to look up. The book dropped from her fingers and she +staggered to her feet, her face white, even to her lips. Terror seemed to +rob her of all power to move or speak, as she gazed into the face before +her that was almost as colorless as her own.</p> + +<p>With a quick movement Hugh dropped the curtain behind him and came forward +with outstretched hands.</p><p><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256"></a></p> + +<p>"You cannot keep me away, Dexie. You refused to let me in at the door, but +you forgot the secret passage in the attic. My darling! I did not intend to +frighten you!" noticing for the first time how terrified she looked. "I +only came to ask your forgiveness."</p> + +<p>He reached out his hands to catch her, but he was too late, for, as he +spoke, she fell in a heap on the floor in a dead faint. With trembling +hands Hugh lifted the unconscious form to the little sofa, and kneeling +beside her bent over her, chaffing her hands and calling her by all the +tender names which he had only dared to give her in his heart; and the +pent-up emotions of weeks found relief in a shower of kisses, which rained +on the upturned face and ruffled hair that framed it like a glory. It was +very wrong of him, to be sure; but the man who is famishing, and who steals +the loaf that will put life into his starving body, should not be severely +dealt with, and Hugh's hungry heart was sadly in need of some satisfying +food.</p> + +<p>Dexie's faint lasted so long that Hugh began to feel alarmed, yet he could +not think of calling to Nancy for help. Not for anything would he have her +know that he had dared to enter the house in this clandestine manner, and +he knew Dexie would feel vexed enough if anyone should find him there with +her; so he hastily opened the nearest chamber door, and securing the +water-pitcher on the stand, he bathed the white face until the quivering +eyelids told that consciousness was returning. A few minutes later Dexie +opened her eyes, and seeing Hugh still beside her she tried to raise +herself, but sank back again on the sofa.</p> + +<p>"Leave me at once!" she said, faintly. "Oh! I feel so sick! Go, I say."</p> + +<p>"I cannot leave you until I see you better, Dexie. I will not touch you +again, so do not be afraid of me."</p> + +<p>Dexie felt too helpless even to object, so she laid back with closed eyes, +wondering what had come over her just when she needed to be strong and +bold. At last, when the silence was beginning to be unbearable to both of +them, she opened her eyes, and Hugh, seeing her efforts to rise, gently +helped her to a sitting posture, then seated himself in the chair beside +her.</p><p><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257"></a></p> + +<p>"Why did you come here, Mr. McNeil?" looking at him with offended eyes. "It +is unfair to persecute me in this way."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me for coming, then, but I had no thought of persecuting you. I +heard news to-day that troubled me, and I was not strong enough to resist +the temptation of coming to see you once more, when I found you were not at +the party."</p> + +<p>Dexie sat with tight-clasped hands, but said not a word, and Hugh saw no +relenting look in the dark eyes that looked almost black in their +intensity.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, you are displeased with me, and justly so, for my mad behavior in +the boat, but I have longed for the chance to ask your forgiveness, and I +went to Mrs. Beverly's to-night solely to ask it of you. Dexie, your heart +is not as hard as you would have me think, for I know whose kind hands +helped Mrs. Gurney during my illness, and how you watched beside me when +others were too terrified to be of service."</p> + +<p>Still no response from the white lips, for Dexie's heart was throbbing too +fast to allow of speech.</p> + +<p>"I am going away, Dexie—somewhere—it matters little where—so bear with +me, for this is the last time I shall see you alone. I cannot stay here, +knowing that others have obtained the happiness I longed for," and looking +into her face, he added: "Is it really true, Dexie, that you are going to +marry Lancy? I heard it to-day as a fact."</p> + +<p>A deep flush spread over the face that before was so deathly white, and not +wishing Hugh to think there was any doubt about the matter she drew from +her neck the gold chain, and, as she held up the ring, said in a low tone: +"Is that enough to convince you?"</p> + +<p>"No, Dexie, it is not, for you would not hesitate to wear the ring in its +proper place if you felt sure of your own heart."</p> + +<p>"If I was not sure before, I am now!" and in an instant the ring was +flashing on her finger, and her eyes were lit up by an angry gleam. She +wondered how it was that Hugh always seemed to bring up her worst feelings. +She was angry, and she did not attempt to hide it.</p><p><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258"></a></p> + +<p>"You have no right to speak to me like that! You have no right even to seek +me here against my will! I have plenty of unpleasant memories of you +already, so be kind enough to go home! When I remember that boat sail, your +very presence seems an insult."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I did not mean to vex you again, but it is not my fault that your +memory is full of unpleasant happenings in connection with me. Fate seems +against me," said he, with a sigh, "but, Dexie, let us part friends," and +he rose from his seat and stood beside her.</p> + +<p>But the firm, closed mouth gave no promise of yielding until Hugh dropped +beside her on the sofa, and in a voice choking with emotion made one +further appeal.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, if you could but picture the anguish of my heart when I returned +that day to the vessel with other help than mine, and found no trace of +you, I think that even you would admit that I suffered enough for my +madness and folly; and since I have been sick, memory has given me many a +weary hour and adds many a thrust to wounds that are almost unbearable. It +is hard to give up all hope and face the dreary future without you, for you +have robbed my life of all happiness. If I must be sent hopeless away, tell +me, at least, that the unfortunate past is forgiven; it would make it +easier to bear."</p> + +<p>His voice had grown soft, and his eager, pleading tone was hard to resist.</p> + +<p>Dexie felt her anger giving place to a feeling of pity.</p> + +<p>"I do not forgive easily, I fear, Mr. McNeil," said she, in a low tone, +"but I will try and think less bitterly of that unpleasant affair in the +future. I would be sorry to think that I had, even unintentionally, spoiled +your life; but you will not feel so low-spirited when you get stronger. The +best years of your life are yet before you, and I will soon drop out of +your memory as entirely as if you had never known me. Forget me as soon as +you can; that is the best wish I can give you."</p> + +<p>"Ah! Dexie, that proves that you do not know what true love really is! When +your heart awakens, as it surely will sometime, you will know how cruel you +have been to me. Well, you have told me to go, and I suppose I must; <a name="Page_259" id="Page_259"></a>but +it is hard—hard to leave you so! Do we part friends?" and he held out his +hand as he rose to his feet again.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so," and she gave him her hand, "but I hope you will not come +here any more; it is unpleasant for both of us."</p> + +<p>"And this is to be our good-bye! It is hard to give you up, my darling!" +and he held her hand as if he would never let it go. "I wonder if I shall +ever see you again!"</p> + +<p>"Mr. McNeil, I have not troubled you with many favors, so I think you might +grant me one. Please do not leave the Gurneys just now; on my account, I +mean. We are going away from Halifax so soon ourselves, and I know it will +be a disappointment to them if you leave just now. I am sure they do not +wish you to go away until you are stronger. They have all been so kind to +me, I wish you would not make any change until we are gone."</p> + +<p>"That is a great temptation, Dexie, coming from you; but a few weeks of +your presence, even though I may not see you, will be heaven itself, +compared to the life I must spend without you. I may, perhaps, see you +again."</p> + +<p>"No! Not alone, at least! Let this be good-bye, Mr. McNeil," and she tried +to draw away her hands.</p> + +<p>But he drew her close to him, and giving one long, earnest look into her +eyes, he lifted her hands to his lips and pressed a burning kiss upon them; +then the curtain dropped behind him.</p> + +<p>Dexie stood where Hugh had left her for some minutes, listening to his +retreating footsteps as he disappeared up the attic stairs, then sank down +in the chair Hugh had occupied, and buried her face in her hands. There was +a tumult in her heart that required some deep thinking before she would +feel like herself again. Thoughts had arisen that had disquieted her. Hugh +had told her that her heart had not yet awakened; was it so? Why, then, was +she wearing Lancy's ring? She blushed as she pulled it hastily off, hiding +it on her chain like a guilty thing.</p> + +<p>The story she had been reading, and which she had thought so overdrawn, +came into her mind; it had pleased her because she had thought it so +delightfully unreal. But<a name="Page_260" id="Page_260"></a> had there not been passages in her own life quite +as romantic in their nature as that which seemed so interesting when read +out of a story-book.</p> + +<p>Her heart had not yet awakened! How those words seemed to repeat themselves +over and over as she sat.</p> + +<p>Had she awakened Hugh's heart only to disappoint him? Well, she had not +intended nor wished to do it; but he was very much in earnest, and she was +sorry. She sighed as she rose from her chair and picked up the book that +still lay on the floor, but she had lost all interest in the story; so she +threw it carelessly on the table and went downstairs to await the coming of +the rest, her thoughts still busy over the problems that Hugh's unexpected +visit had aroused.</p> + +<p>Dexie found that the party had not improved Gussie's temper, for she came +home with many complaints as to how she had been neglected.</p> + +<p>"I wish you had gone," she said spitefully to Dexie. "I was sick and tired +of hearing people ask where you were, and why you had not come, and there +was not a soul there that I cared to talk to, even Mr. McNeil disappeared, +no one knows where."</p> + +<p>Dexie colored slightly as her father regarded her curiously; no further +mention was made of the matter at the time. Mr. Sherwood, however, was not +surprised when, a short time after, someone came behind him, and, with arms +around his neck, confessed in his ear that "Mr. McNeil had been in to see +her, but had come in through the attic, because he was not allowed in by +the door, and that they had quarrelled a little, but parted friends," and +ended by asking him "not to tell mamma, for fear Gussie might get hold of +it."</p> + +<p>"Poor little girl, she has quite a time of it among them," her father said +as she left him; "yet I think I can safely leave it all with herself."</p><p><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + + +<p>"Only one week more and we must say good-bye to dear old Halifax," said +Dexie one morning, as she hurriedly made her toilet.</p> + +<p>"Well, I am glad of it, for it is cold enough here this morning to freeze a +bear," replied Gussie from among the blankets.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Gussie, the ground is covered with snow, and it is still snowing," +said Dexie, joyfully, as she raised the window curtain. "Oh, I do hope it +will last until we can have one more sleigh drive," and she ran downstairs +singing like a lark.</p> + +<p>All day the snow kept falling in large heavy flakes, but towards evening +the weather turned clear and frosty. Then the merry jingle of sleigh-bells +could be heard on every side, for everyone who could was taking advantage +of this, the first sleighing of the season.</p> + +<p>Lancy had no trouble in getting Dexie to promise him her company for a +sleigh drive, but he was planning for a private little drive in a single +sleigh, with only room for two; while Dexie, not quite so sentimentally +inclined, was hoping to make it a jolly sleighing party, in which a number +should participate. She had watched Lancy as he drove away to the store in +the large open sleigh which was termed "the delivery team," and a few +whispered words to Elsie were hint enough.</p> + +<p>A short time before Lancy could be expected home, Dexie and Elsie, well +wrapped in furs, were making their way towards Mr. Gurney's store on +Granville Street; but meeting Maud Harrington and Fanny Beverly, they +stopped a moment to speak to them.</p> + +<p>"Which way are you going, girls?" Dexie asked, her eyes sparkling with +mischief.</p> + +<p>"We are on our way home, just now," said Fanny, "but it is a wonder that +you girls are not taking advantage of the sleighing, when it will last only +a day or two at the most."</p> + +<p>"Oh! we expect to have a drive later on," said Elsie.<a name="Page_262" id="Page_262"></a> "Be on the lookout +for us, and if you are not over-fastidious as to the style of the turnout, +there will be a chance for you to have a drive as well."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I'll not refuse a sleigh-drive; I would accept a seat on a bob-sled +rather than miss the first sleighing," said Fanny, with a laugh.</p> + +<p>Lancy was surprised when Dexie and his sister made their appearance in the +store; but as Dexie carried some parcels with her, he supposed she had been +out to do some shopping.</p> + +<p>"I am almost ready to go home, girls, so sit down and wait for me," he +said, as he brought forward some seats, "and if you will accept a drive in +the delivery, it will save you the walk home."</p> + +<p>Of course they would wait and drive back with him; so Lancy went out and +placed some temporary seats in the big sleigh, making them soft and +comfortable by the aid of rugs and robes.</p> + +<p>"Are you coming back with us, Hugh?" as Hugh made his appearance from the +booking-room.</p> + +<p>"Well—yes—if I may," and he looked over to the window where Dexie was +standing, as if to ask her permission.</p> + +<p>"Well, there is plenty of room, Mr. McNeil," she said, with a smile, "so +you won't crowd us."</p> + +<p>Lancy helped Dexie into the seat beside himself, so Hugh and Elsie took the +seat behind.</p> + +<p>"Really, this is very comfortable, Lancy," said Dexie, as they flew along +the street. "I don't see what better accommodation one could ask than this. +Don't drive straight home; let us have our drive without changing the +sleigh," she added, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"No, I want you alone; there is too much room here to please me," he +replied, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Oh! stop a minute, Lancy," cried Elsie, a moment later. "There is Maud +Harrington and Fanny Beverly; I want to speak to them. Do ask them to come +for a drive."</p> + +<p>"Elsie, are you crazy?—in this sleigh? Good evening, ladies" (this to the +laughing girls on the sidewalk). "I am delivering some lively freight, you +see. Don't you admire my turnout?"</p><p><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263"></a></p> + +<p>"Yes; it is superb. May we get on board?"</p> + +<p>"Well, if you would care to—I don't mind," was the hesitating reply; "but +I have nothing but boards for seats, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh! no matter. The first sleigh-drive of the season is always the most +enjoyable, no matter what sort of a sleigh carries you along."</p> + +<p>Lancy soon had them seated as comfortably as circumstances would permit, +and they drove off with many expressions of delight.</p> + +<p>"Turn up Spring Garden Road, Lancy," said Hugh, entering into the spirit of +the fun; "perhaps we will meet another friend or two who would enjoy a +spin."</p> + +<p>Presently they came up with Fred Beverly and May Deblois, as they were +stepping briskly along the sidewalk, who started in surprise as the sleigh +drove up and they recognized the occupants.</p> + +<p>"Will you have a drive?" was Lancy's greeting.</p> + +<p>"Most willingly," replied Fred, laughing. "Really, this is kind of you, +Gurney, to give your friends a drive on the first snow."</p> + +<p>"Oh! you need not give <i>me</i> any credit, for you had better believe I never +intended to form a sleighing party when I started out with <i>this</i> team."</p> + +<p>"Unexpected blessings thankfully received," said Fred, laughing. "The going +is fine, but it won't last long, unfortunately."</p> + +<p>On they went, their merry laughter chiming with the jingling of the sleigh +bells, and more than one person turned to look after them with a feeling of +envy.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that was Mrs. Gordon we just passed at the corner," said Elsie, in a +whisper. "How horrified she would be if she knew who we were!"</p> + +<p>"Do let us call for Nina," said Dexie; "there is room for one more, and I'm +sure she would enjoy it."</p> + +<p>"But she would not consider it 'the correct thing,'" said Fred, with a +laugh, "so you would have your trouble for nothing."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am sure she would <i>love</i> to come! do let me run in and ask her!" she +urged, as they neared the house. <a name="Page_264" id="Page_264"></a>"Ten to one she will not come until her +mamma comes home to tell her if it is 'the correct thing' or not," said +Fred, teasingly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that will be just it; she will not know what to wear for this special +occasion, and it is a pity to lose a moment of this beautiful evening," +said Fanny.</p> + +<p>"I'll run the risk, and stand responsible for 'the correct thing' this +time," said Dexie; "so do let me out, Lancy. Give me three minutes, and I +will return with or without her."</p> + +<p>Dexie had noticed Nina's wistful face in the window as they drove up, so +she ran into the house without ceremony.</p> + +<p>"Come, Nina, can you get ready to go for a drive in three minutes? Say, +quick!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I would <i>love</i> to go, but mamma is out, and I could not get ready so +soon without her. Oh, I am so sorry!" and she looked her disappointment.</p> + +<p>"Come along; I'll dress you in a jiffy," and she pulled her out into the +hall, and from among the clothing which hung in the cloak closet she soon +had her muffled to the ears, in spite of Nina's repeated protests that +<i>none</i> of those articles of clothing belonged to herself, but to her uncle.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I am so afraid; indeed, I feel <i>sure</i> mamma would say that it is not +the correct thing to go like this."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no matter; hurry, or they won't wait for us. It won't hurt to be +dressed in this rig for a short time," and Dexie hurriedly buttoned the big +coat around her, and pulled a fur cap down over her ears, completely +concealing her identity.</p> + +<p>"My muff and furs are upstairs somewhere. Mamma put them away."</p> + +<p>"This will keep your neck warm," and Dexie snatched a fancy woollen afagan +from the back of a chair, and wrapped it around Nina's neck. "Put your +hands up your sleeves, and you will never miss your muff," and she hurried +her <i>double</i> out on the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>"Time is just up," said Fred, "but you have done it complete. Let me help +you in, Miss Gordon," and Nina was soon tucked in among the rest.</p><p><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265"></a></p> + +<p>"Now, drive on as fast as you like; we must not keep her out long, for fear +her mother should see her. I expect she would never hear the last of it. +For once the correct thing has been set aside. What do you say, Elsie?" +Dexie whispered; "I am sure Nina will enjoy the drive, even though she may +be tormented with the thought of her novel wrappings."</p> + +<p>Nina did indeed enjoy the drive. It was so seldom that any girlish +pleasures came her way that for once she forgot to worry about her +appearance.</p> + +<p>Dexie's self-reliant manner was doing much to inspire Nina with courage to +act on her own responsibility occasionally, and the few weeks' acquaintance +with girls of her own age made quite an improvement in her manner, so that +she could now laugh with the rest at the harmless jokes which passed back +and forth, without waiting to consult her mamma about the propriety of it.</p> + +<p>They were driving along pretty fast, for the streets had become hard and +smooth by the continual passing of so many teams; but the speed only added +to their pleasure, and no one had a thought of a possible mishap. As they +turned a corner the sleigh gave a sudden slew, and instantly all hands +found themselves on the ground in one grand, promiscuous heap, the shrill +screams of the girls adding to the general confusion. Lancy landed on his +feet, and quickly brought the horses to a standstill, and it took but an +instant to right the sleigh on its runners again. With quick movements Hugh +and Fred picked up their scattered belongings, and helped the girls back +into their seats, making many anxious inquiries as to whether any of them +were hurt, and they drove rapidly away before a crowd had time to gather. +The girls were breathless with laughter and excitement; it had all happened +so suddenly they had not time to realize their awkward predicament before +they were back into their places again. Lancy was the only one who did not +laugh over their tumble, and his frequent apologies made them feel that he +blamed himself for the catastrophe.</p> + +<p>"Lancy," said Fred, at last, "it was not your fault that we spilled over; +that corner was as smooth as glass, and <a name="Page_266" id="Page_266"></a>we <i>had</i> to go, but we are not +hurt a bit, so don't take it to heart. Man alive! it was the crowning event +of the evening to see Hugh sliding off on his ear! Did you have time to +make an observation of my remarkable somersault, Hugh? It was cleverly +done; a professional tumbler could not have done it better!" and Lancy was +obliged to join in the laugh that followed.</p> + +<p>"Well, I have picked up quite an assortment," said Dexie, whose lap was +full of articles she had hastily swept from the ground when she rose to her +feet. "This is your muff, Maud, and this fur glove must be yours, Mr. +McNeil. Now, who claims this silk handkerchief and handbag?"</p> + +<p>The handkerchief proved to have come from Nina's pocket, but no one claimed +the handbag.</p> + +<p>"I have still a fur-lined driving-glove, with a crown on the buttons, a +bunch of keys, and a—something in a jewel case. Will the owners please +prove property and pay expenses?"</p> + +<p>Fred put in a claim for the bunch of keys, but an owner was still wanted +for the handbag, driving-glove and jewel case, which, on examination, +proved to contain a handsome gold watch.</p> + +<p>"Someone else must have been spilled out at the corner besides ourselves, I +expect," said Lancy, "and they must have lost these articles. Perhaps we +will find some trace of the owner if we search the handbag when we get +home. Here we are, Miss Gordon, none the worse for your tumble, I hope," he +added, as he drew up to the curb-stone, and Hugh helped her up the steps to +the door. The rest of the party were then left at their respective +door-steps, as they drove along towards home.</p> + +<p>At Elsie's request, Dexie followed her into the house, and they were soon +searching the contents of the handbag for some clue to its owner, but with +little success. Not so, however, with the watch, for as Lancy touched the +spring and caused the case to fly open his exclamation of surprise caused +Dexie to look up, and a flush of crimson spread over her face as she read +the words that revealed its owner, for engraved on the inside of the case +were these words:</p><p><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267"></a></p> + +<p>"Presented to Lieutenant Wilbur by his brother officers, in token of +distinguished bravery."</p> + +<p>Hugh could not understand the meaning of Dexie's flushed face, even though +he stepped forward and read the inscription over Lancy's shoulder, for he +had never learned just how Dexie had escaped from the vessel, but supposed +that Lancy had in some way brought it about.</p> + +<p>"One good turn deserves another, and—gets it this time," said Lancy, with +a meaning smile. "I fancy that Lieutenant Wilbur would not care to lose +this particular watch."</p> + +<p>"Will you send it back to him, Lancy?" said Dexie.</p> + +<p>"No, not I; but I will send him word where he will find it. Do you remember +his address?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I think I have his card somewhere; but I don't want to see him, +Lancy," she said, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>Hugh heard the whispered conversation, and wondered what connection there +could be between Dexie and the lieutenant that caused such a look on her +face at the sight of his name.</p> + +<p>Dexie left the watch in Lancy's care and went home, but she was present +next evening when the lieutenant called to claim his property; and as he +brought with him a letter of introduction from Major Gurney, he was well +received, and his pleasant and affable manner won golden opinions from all.</p> + +<p>Yet not from all, either, for Hugh McNeil watched him with frowning brows, +and he scowled darkly as he observed Dexie and the lieutenant in close +conversation in a corner by themselves.</p> + +<p>When Hugh met the lieutenant in the hall on his way out, he did not +hesitate to put the question that had been troubling him all day:</p> + +<p>"You seem to have met Miss Sherwood before, Lieutenant Wilbur. May I ask +where?"</p> + +<p>The lieutenant looked at him steadily for a moment before replying:</p> + +<p>"I am not at liberty to tell you that, at present, Mr. McNeil, for that is +Miss Sherwood's secret, not mine. She tells me that she will be leaving +Halifax in a few days; if you will call on me at this address, one week +after she<a name="Page_268" id="Page_268"></a> has gone," and he handed Hugh his card, "I will be at liberty to +place in your hands a <i>souvenir</i> which Miss Sherwood leaves in my care for +you. Until that time, I wish you good evening;" and, lifting his hat, the +lieutenant departed, leaving Hugh much puzzled over his words.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + + +<p>The last day in Halifax—Dexie never forgot it. It was engraved so +indelibly on her memory that time had no power to obliterate it. It had +been a busy day as well as a sad one, and Elsie Gurney spent the most of it +by the side of her friend, helping, as well as hindering her, as the +household goods were being packed for removal. Lancy claimed one hour in +the evening for himself; and as the rooms in the Sherwood household were +almost dismantled, the greater part of the time was spent over the piano in +the Gurneys' parlor, and their heart's good-bye was spoken through the one +piece of music which they called their own.</p> + +<p>"Remember, Dexie," and Lancy turned on the piano-stool and took her hands +in his own, "you must not play that piece for anyone; it is yours and mine. +When you are alone and think of me, let your thoughts be expressed through +our own sweet music. Do you know, my Dexie, I believe I shall know when you +are playing to me; that invisible power which we have both felt, but cannot +express, much less give it a name, will still be between us, and when my +heart goes out to you, my darling, it shall be through the same medium. +That piece of music shall be sacred to you alone, and I shall play it for +no one else until I see your dear face again. Do you agree, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I feel as if I shall never have the heart to play anything again, +Lancy," for this parting from her friend hurt her more than she expected.</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes, you will;" and he drew her over to the window within the shadow +of the curtains. "The time will soon<a name="Page_269" id="Page_269"></a> slip by, and when I go to claim you +it will seem to you like coming back home again. I shall always be looking +forward to that time, Dexie, so remember your promise."</p> + +<p>"You must not forget the conditions, Lancy, and if you find your love grows +less, instead of more, be honest with your own heart, and do not, in your +pride, hide it from me. Absence may not 'make the heart grow fonder' in our +case," she added, with a sad smile.</p> + +<p>"Do not prophesy evil, but think of the happy present. Are you afraid or +ashamed to own the fact to others, that you care for me at the present +time?"</p> + +<p>"No, I do not think any one who knows us will accuse either of us of +bashfulness; the opposite has been laid to my charge until it has become an +old story," she replied.</p> + +<p>"Well, seeing that we understand each other, why not wear your ring? I +particularly want Hugh to see it on your finger; I don't believe he has +given you up yet, Dexie. Will you wear it to please me?"</p> + +<p>Dexie unclasped the chain from her neck, and Lancy slipped the ring in its +place on her finger.</p> + +<p>"I think you need not mind what Hugh says or thinks," she said in a low +tone. "I did not intend to tell you, Lancy, but I will confess now that +Hugh saw that ring on my finger once before," and she told him the +substance of the stolen interview in the upper hall.</p> + +<p>"That is how it happens that we are on speaking terms again," she added, +"but when Hugh gets well enough to travel, and begins to realize that he is +a rich man, he will smile at all this foolishness; but if I live a hundred +years, I will never forget that dreadful afternoon in the boat. Lieutenant +Wilbur is going to give him his revolver after I am gone; that will be a +reminder of it which he won't like, I am thinking!"</p> + +<p>The next morning the last article was removed from the house, and the last +good-bye given to the friends they must leave behind them. The two families +met for the last time in Mrs. Gurney's parlor, and as they lingered over +the last words, Dexie seated herself at the piano, and there was no quiver +in her voice, though there were tears in her eyes, as she sang:</p><p><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270"></a></p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Farewell, farewell, is a lonely sound,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">And always brings a sigh;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then give to me, when loved ones part,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">That good old word, 'Good-bye.'"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Hugh and Lancy, as well as Elsie and Cora, accompanied the family to the +boat, which was to sail about noon. Hugh lingered near the group on the +steamer, hoping that Dexie would give him some kind word at parting, and at +last Lancy, very generously, took her over to his side, saying:</p> + +<p>"Don't look so blue, old fellow; Dexie is not taking a final leave of +Halifax. Time is most up, I expect," he added hastily, as he took out his +watch, then turned aside as he saw Hugh's agitated face.</p> + +<p>"It is really settled, then," said Hugh, in a low voice, as he took Dexie's +hand. "I wish you had left something that I could do for you, so that my +life will not feel quite so empty."</p> + +<p>"I have no favor to ask of you, Mr. McNeil, yet if I hear that you have +been kind to Nina Gordon it will please me very much. Mind, I do not ask it +of you. If someone would have the goodness of heart to save her from her +mother, she would make a sensible woman yet. If Cora Gurney would only take +a friendly interest in her, I would not be afraid of the future of my +<i>double</i>. Good-bye, Mr. McNeil, that is the warning-signal, I believe."</p> + +<p>Hugh seemed in no hurry to heed the warning, but stood aside where he could +watch Dexie's face as she parted from Lancy. He heeded not the few hurried +words so earnestly spoken, nor the fervent clasp of their hands, for there +was no answering light in Dexie's eyes as they rested on Lancy's face. +Friends were hurrying across the gang plank, but Hugh waited till Lancy had +disappeared; then stepping to Dexie's side, he hurriedly whispered:</p> + +<p>"I was not mistaken! your heart has not yet awakened, as I said! and +Lancy's ring binds no heart but his own. All is fair in love and war, and +my chance is as good as his, after all! <i>Au revoir</i>, my little wife!" and +he raised his hat and hurried ashore.</p> + +<p>His heart beat rapidly, and though he carried away the memory of Dexie's +indignant look, he stepped across<a name="Page_271" id="Page_271"></a> the plank with a firm, light step. Lancy +wondered at the transformation which seemed to have taken place in Hugh +since he had seen him on deck, a few short minutes ago; but they stood +together and watched the receding steamer, until the one that was so dear +to them both was lost to view.</p> + +<p>While Dexie was on deck taking her last look of "dear old Halifax," Gussie +hurried below to secure the best accommodation for herself, and she was so +long in deciding the matter that she appeared only in time to wave her +farewell from the deck.</p> + +<p>After the bustle of departure had subsided, the steward came forward +bringing a moss-lined basket, filled with choice hothouse flowers, saying:</p> + +<p>"A gentleman left this in my care, to be delivered to Miss Dexie Sherwood. +I believe it belongs to one of you ladies."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie, they can't <i>all</i> be for you," said Gussie, eagerly, as she +reached out her hand and took the basket from the steward's hands.</p> + +<p>"Here is a note directed to me; wait till I see who it is from," and Dexie +picked a tiny roll of paper from among the blossoms. One hasty glance over +the written lines, and Dexie curled her lip in a disdainful smile.</p> + +<p>"You may have everyone of them, Gussie, for I don't want them," and she +drew herself away, as if the very touch of the basket were odious to her, +at which Gussie looked up in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Hugh McNeil sent them, so you are welcome to everyone of them," she said +in a low voice, as the steward withdrew. "He is very particular to state +that they are for me alone," and her lip curled. "I wish they had been +brought to me while he was by, I would have tossed them overboard before +his eyes! Thank fortune, I have seen the last of him!"</p> + +<p>"You will live to be sorry for your treatment of Hugh McNeil, mark my +words! He would not have found me so hard to please," and Gussie placed the +flowers tenderly beside her.</p> + +<p>Strange, but the first thing that Dexie did when she<a name="Page_272" id="Page_272"></a> reached the privacy +of her stateroom was to snatch Lancy's ring from her finger, almost +angrily, and slipping it again on the chain about her neck she snapped the +catch with no easy hand; and her face was far from being tender and loving +as she put out of sight the pledge of Lancy's love and fidelity, for she +was saying in her heart:</p> + +<p>"I will never be so foolish as to put that on my finger again; it was wrong +to wear it at all. Hugh is right; it binds no heart but Lancy's, and I +doubt if I can truly say that much itself, three months from now."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>If we look in upon the Sherwood household a few weeks later, we will find +them comfortably settled in the busy town of Lennoxville, a town which is +noted throughout New England for its manufacturing industries. The house is +pleasantly situated a short distance back from the street, allowing room +for a neat lawn in front of the house, which is made more attractive by a +few flower-beds set near the front entrance, and beneath the windows.</p> + +<p>The former owner had taken much pleasure in designing the house and its +surroundings, and everything about the premises was neat, convenient and +attractive, but financial difficulties had obliged him to relinquish the +property just when he might naturally expect to reap the benefit of his +labors. Mr. Sherwood had purchased it at a very reasonable figure, +considering the advantages it possessed, and having obtained a permanent +and remunerative position in the office of a large manufacturing firm, the +family had reason to hope that this was their last move for some years.</p> + +<p>Dexie was delighted at the possibilities which the well-laid-out kitchen +garden at the rear of the house promised to afford. Everything at present +was bare and sere, but when the spring opened it would require but little +labor, and that of a pleasant description, to prepare a garden that should +delight the heart of any housekeeper; and the flower-beds in the front of +the house, which were now covered and protected by branches of fir, would +in due season blossom into spots of beauty.</p> + +<p>The family-life at this time was very pleasant. Gussie<a name="Page_273" id="Page_273"></a> seemed to have +forgotten, for the time, all her former jealous and unkind feelings, which +had made her so often, while in Halifax, an unpleasant member of the +household.</p> + +<p>Society in Lennoxville was pleasant and attractive, and the Sherwoods were +made right welcome among a choice circle of friends. Invitations to social +gatherings were showered upon the twin girls until their popularity was so +firmly established that no one thought of questioning it.</p> + +<p>Dexie missed her Halifax friends very much. She met with no one in her new +home who could fill the place that the Gurney family had held in her heart, +and among all her many friends there was none she could make such an +intimate companion of as Elsie Gurney. In musical circles, Dexie soon +filled an envious position; but so far she had met no one whose sympathies +were like Lancy's. Oh, yes, she missed Lancy very much, indeed—she never +hesitated to confess it when the matter was alluded to; and very often, +when alone in the parlor, the piece of music which had such a strange power +over each of them filled the air with unmistakable longing, and seemed to +speak of loneliness and sorrow. But her bright face expressed no such sad +feeling to others; it seemed only the musical side of her nature that +mourned the loss of a kind and sympathetic friend.</p> + +<p>She heard quite frequently from Elsie, and Lancy's weekly letters were +always bright and chatty; but they left Dexie with a certain uneasy feeling +that should have had no place in her heart, if Lancy's expressed regards +met with the reciprocation which he had some right to expect.</p> + +<p>She would not have cared to confess to the relief she experienced when, +some weeks later, Lancy wrote to her of his intended visit to England, +where he meant to spend a few months among his relatives in Devonshire; and +the thought that the wide ocean would be between them, did not cause the +same regretful feeling in her heart as it did in Lancy's. Once since they +had left Halifax, Dexie, to her surprise, received a letter from Hugh +McNeil, that had come enclosed in one to her father. Mr. Sherwood said +little as to the contents of his letter; but the earnest, passionate<a name="Page_274" id="Page_274"></a> words +in Dexie's left no doubt in her mind that Hugh had small intention of +giving up his suit, though for the present he would leave her in peace.</p> + +<p>He told her of his intention of making a journey to Australia, to visit the +last resting-place of his father; and after an extended journey, he hoped +to come back and find all the unpleasantness in the past forgiven and +forgotten.</p> + +<p>For some time after the letter was received, Dexie fancied that her father +regarded her with more attention than was necessary; but it soon passed +from her mind without giving her the slightest suspicion that Hugh had +placed in her father's hands a substantial and unmistakable proof of the +genuineness of his regard.</p> + +<p>This was to be unknown to her until such a time as circumstances rendered +it necessary to communicate the facts. But if he survived the dangers of +the passage, and returned safely and found her still free, he would again +endeavor to gain her consent to a closer relationship.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for Dexie's peace of mind, Mr. Sherwood kept the matter to +himself; but the fact that both Hugh and Lancy intended to put the ocean +between them and herself, even for a short time, gave her a sense of relief +and security which she would have found it difficult to explain.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + + +<p>One day, a few weeks later, as Mr. Sherwood was returning from his office, +he was much surprised to meet Mr. Plaisted on the street, and he stopped +and spoke to him cordially.</p> + +<p>"Why, Sherwood! is it you? I never expected to meet you here," and Mr. +Plaisted shook hands with his former partner.</p> + +<p>"I am settled here now," replied Mr. Sherwood. "What are you doing in this +part of the country?"</p> + +<p>"I am travelling for a New York firm; just arrived in<a name="Page_275" id="Page_275"></a> town this morning. +Did I understand you to say you were living here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; we removed from Halifax some time ago. Here is the address; drop in +and see us before you leave town, if you are not pressed for time," and he +handed him a card.</p> + +<p>"Thanks! I shall be pleased to call this evening, my kind regards to the +family," and raising their hats the men separated, with but a passing +thought of their former differences.</p> + +<p>The presence of Plaisted in the town was a great surprise to the Sherwood +family, and Dexie heard of his intended visit with a frown.</p> + +<p>"I am astonished, papa, that you could ask him to call after all that has +happened; but it is like his impudence to accept the invitation, which he +might know was more an act of courtesy than a desire to renew his +acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"Let bygones be forgotten, Dexie; it is poor policy to remember old scores +too long. It is enough that there will never be any more business relations +between us. His stay in town is likely to be short, so there is no fear +that he will trouble any of us long."</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope you will be careful, and not say anything that he can +misconstrue into an invitation to remain with us overnight. But it will be +just like him to stay, and stay, and stay, till it is too late to go back +to the hotel," said Dexie. "But if he manages, after all, to foist himself +upon us, I'll take a cook's privilege and leave the house—until he is out +of it in the morning, anyway. So remember, papa, I have 'given warning,'" +and she shook her finger at him as she turned to leave the room.</p> + +<p>But there was no frown on Gussie's face when she heard of Plaisted's +expected visit. She was only anxious to appear at her best, so she retired +to her chamber and spent the intervening time over a toilet that was meant +to impress Mr. Plaisted afresh. She was ready as ever to turn a listening +ear to his flattery, though she had ample opportunity to realize how empty +and meaningless were his words.</p> + +<p>The family were assembled in the parlor when Mr.<a name="Page_276" id="Page_276"></a> Plaisted was announced, +and he found no cause to complain of his reception, for even Dexie's cool +bow and formal greeting were so much like her former treatment of him that +when she ignored his offered hand he did not resent it openly. But in his +heart he vowed to "get even" with her. The frigid stare with which she +regarded him when he attempted to draw her into conversation reminded him +of past discomfitures, and, forgetting that he seldom came off victor when +crossing swords with Dexie, he determined to pay off old scores with +interest. As his business kept him in town for several days, his calls were +quite frequent, but he found no chance of annoying Dexie, save by the one +small and spiteful way of addressing her as "Miss Dexter," and the quick, +angry glance that was flashed at him as he said it told that she resented +it.</p> + +<p>One afternoon, when he was in the parlor chatting with Gussie, Dexie came +into the room on some errand, and her slight bow of recognition gave him an +opportunity to ask, in his sneering manner, if she was "keeping her smiles +for the disconsolate lovers she had left behind her in Halifax?"</p> + +<p>A sharp retort rose to her lips, but she repressed it, and her lip curled +with scorn as she answered his sallies in the coolest terms that common +civility allowed. He might as well have tried his cutting speeches on an +iceberg for all the satisfaction he received, so he dropped back to the +only source of annoyance at his command.</p> + +<p>"Can I trouble you for a drink of water, Miss <i>Dexter</i>?" he said, with a +malicious grin.</p> + +<p>Dexie took no notice of this request, knowing it was made only for the +purpose of using her detested name.</p> + +<p>He repeated his request a second time, and even Gussie flushed at his +offensive tone, though she called Dexie's attention to the request.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, Mr. Plaisted asks for a drink. Where are your manners?"</p> + +<p>"I have sent them away for repairs, Gussie dear," Dexie replied, in her +sweetest tone, "and I fear they will not be returned to me until after Mr. +Plaisted has taken his departure. Very sorry, but they have experienced +<a name="Page_277" id="Page_277"></a>such a strain these few days past that they were about worn out."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I am ashamed of you! Bring a drink of water for Mr. Plaisted +directly!"</p> + +<p>"My dearest Gussie, if Mr. Plaisted wants a drink, pray get it for him +yourself," was the soft and sweet reply, "for he will surely die of thirst +before Dexter brings him a drop. Allow me to suggest that, as an +alternative, you can ring for the servant to wait on him, or lead him to +the pump like any other—beast," and unmoved by the looks cast upon her she +passed into the next room.</p> + +<p>"You brought that upon yourself, Mr. Plaisted, but I am very, very sorry," +said Gussie, who felt all the insolence of the words that were spoken with +such suavity. "Why will you call her <i>Dexter</i> when you know that it makes +her throw aside all civility?"</p> + +<p>"Well, it <i>is</i> too bad, I will allow," replied Plaisted, "but I own that I +have only myself to blame when I provoke her into making such stinging +retorts; but the temptation to tease her is irresistible, and I owe her for +a good many tricks she has played on me."</p> + +<p>"Well, were I in your place, I would not call her 'Dexter' any more; though +if your experience of her is not warning enough, I need say nothing more."</p> + +<p>"Well, I must admit that she has always had the best of it so far; but I +will take good care she has no chance to repeat any of her former +tactics—though, if I am not mistaken, I have good cause to remember every +visit I ever made to your house, thanks to her. However, I ought to take +the old proverb to heart, 'Those that live in glass houses should not throw +stones,' for I should feel vexed enough if my second name were thrown at me +in the same manner. It is quite as odious to me as 'Dexter' is to her."</p> + +<p>"What is your second name? 'D.S.' are your initials, are they not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but you would never guess what the 'S.' stands for. When I was a +little shaver my father was particularly interested in the history of the +Prophet Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and +I<a name="Page_278" id="Page_278"></a> believe he fully intended to name me after the four of them; but at my +christening mother drew the line at Shadrach. I am just as close regarding +my second name as Dexie is about her own—so close, in fact, that not one +of my schoolmates ever found it out."</p> + +<p>"But did they never ask what the 'S.' stood for?" Gussie asked.</p> + +<p>"Of course! but Dan<i>u</i>el gave it as Samuel, and had to answer to the name +of 'Dan<i>u</i>el Sam<i>u</i>el'; but that was better than the changes they would +have rung on my right name."</p> + +<p>Dexie was an unintentional listener to this explanation, and it did not +raise Mr. Plaisted in her estimation. It was so like him to treat another +in a way he would object to himself; but after awhile the name came back to +her, "Shadrach." Where had she seen or heard that name before? "Shadrach; +Shadrach," she mused. "I have it!" she said at last; "the 'Widow Bedott'!" +and with the thought she flew up the stairs like a whirlwind.</p> + +<p>Dexie was soon in the attic kneeling beside an old box filled with books +and papers. All housekeepers are apt to know by experience the state and +condition of this box, and to possess its counterpart in some out +of-the-way corner of the house. After a diligent search Dexie was rewarded +by finding a package of loose leaves which once formed a much-loved volume. +The very leaf she wanted seemed lost; but to her great joy a leaf, crumpled +and torn, proved to be the object of her search. She smoothed it out +carefully, glanced over it, and then laughed softly to herself.</p> + +<p>"Now it is my turn, 'dear Shadrach, my Shad.' With the help of 'Widow +Bedott,' I fancy I can impress this visit upon your mind quite as indelibly +as your unwelcome visits in Halifax," and she slipped the loose leaves into +her pocket.</p> + +<p>Still, as yet she had no definite plan in her mind as to how she would play +her game of retaliation; but during the evening she heard her father +inquire how long Mr. Plaisted intended to remain in the town.</p> + +<p>"I leave the day after to-morrow," Plaisted replied. "I have an appointment +in H—— on the fifteenth."</p><p><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, to-morrow is St. Valentine's day!" cried Gussie. "I really had +forgotten it. You must send me a valentine to remember you by"—this to +Plaisted, who had seated himself beside her on the sofa.</p> + +<p>"Am I likely to be forgotten without some reminder?" was the low-spoken +reply. "I was hoping something quite different."</p> + +<p>The mention of valentines gave Dexie an idea, and during the evening she +visited several stores where these tokens of sentiment were kept for sale, +but found nothing in the shape of a picture that would suit the verses of +tender sentiment so touchingly expressed for her beloved Shadrach by the +fair widow.</p> + +<p>As she was returning home she passed a little shop, the windows of which +were decorated with valentines of the one and two cent variety, and one of +these caught her attention. It was one of the most common sort, and showed +in variegated colors a large fish with two tails for legs, two elongated +fins for arms, on one of which was a basket containing some smaller +specimens of its own species, while the other held to its mouth the +melodious fish-horn that delights our ears every morning.</p> + +<p>Purchasing this caricature of a shad, she pasted below it a version of the +affectionate lines of Widow Bedott; then enclosing it in an elaborate +envelope, she addressed it with many flourishes to:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"<span class="smcap">Mr. Danuel Shadrach Plaisted</span>,"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>and carried it herself to the post office.</p> + +<p>As she passed the fish market her attention was attracted by some very fine +shad displayed for sale, and they immediately suggested a further means of +accomplishing her revenge, so she ordered a supply.</p> + +<p>Dexie sought her mother directly she arrived home.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think we might ask Mr. Plaisted to dinner to-morrow, mamma?" she +asked.</p> + +<p>"Please yourself, Dexie; but if he is asked, you must see about the dinner +yourself. It will not do to trust Eliza to get up anything extra, you +know."</p><p><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280"></a></p> + +<p>"The dinner shall be well served, but I have a favor to ask, mamma. If Mr. +Plaisted is present, will you praise or condemn the fish course—at the +table, I mean; praise it highly, or condemn it heartily."</p> + +<p>"Well, I cannot see your object in making such a request, Dexie," said her +mother in surprise, "but I will not be indifferent, if that is what you +mean."</p> + +<p>The next morning, when Mr. Sherwood was drawing on his gloves to go to his +office, Dexie followed him out to the hall, and as she brushed a few specks +from his coat, asked:</p> + +<p>"If you see Mr. Plaisted this morning, will you send or bring him up to +dinner; but don't say that I told you to ask him?"</p> + +<p>"Well, what's in the wind now? I thought you did not care for Mr. +Plaisted's society," regarding her intently.</p> + +<p>"An invitation to dinner does not mean that I have changed my opinion of +him, does it? He has been quite unbearable, so I'm going to 'heap coals of +fire on his head.'"</p> + +<p>The roguish gleam in her eyes, and the smile she could not conceal, made +her father think that there was more in the invitation than he understood, +and he surmised that the "coals of fire" were not absolutely figurative.</p> + +<p>"All right! I'll see that he gets the invitation. What shall I order for +dinner?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing, papa; I have everything ready for our expected guest, so don't +let him disappoint me."</p> + +<p>"Hum-m! there's something up, sure enough; though I can't see through it +yet," he said to himself as he walked thoughtfully away.</p> + +<p>"So far, so good," said Dexie, <i>sotto voce</i>. "How I wish I could have seen +Shadrach when he opened his valentine this morning!"</p> + +<p>Dexie would have felt satisfied that her shaft had struck home had she seen +Plaisted when he had "taken in" the contents of his valentine.</p> + +<p>He had stepped into the office to mail Gussie's valentine, and was much +surprised when a beautiful envelope was <a name="Page_281" id="Page_281"></a>placed in his hands. It held +something very sweet and delicate, no doubt, and as he turned aside he +pressed it to his lips.</p> + +<p>Observing the name of Shadrach, he felt sure it must have come from Gussie; +no one else knew his second name, so she must have sent this sweet +love-token. It was hardly fair to write out his name in full; but, of +course, it was only done to make known the identity of the sender. He +thrust it into his pocket and hastened to his hotel, where in the privacy +of his own room he could enjoy it without interruption. The loving words he +expected to find were certainly there, yet as he read them a dark frown +gathered on his brow:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Dear Danuel Shadrach! thy valentine speaks,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While the rosy red blushes surmantle her cheeks;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And the joys of requital brings tears to her eye.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now, Shadrach! my Shadrach! I'm yours till I die.</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"The heart that was scornful and cold as a stone,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Rejoices to hear the sweet sound of your name;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Farewell to the miseries and griefs I have had,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But I cannot forget them! dear Shadrach! my Shad!</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Dear Shadrach! my Shadrach! my troubles are o'er,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">My name in its fulness you'll whisper no more;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Or your own sweet cognomen will make you feel sad,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For I hold the whip-handle! Oh Shadrach! my Shad!"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Mr. Plaisted read the lines over several times before he comprehended their +meaning, or understood what connection the absurd picture had with them; +but when the whole force of the matter struck him, his rage was +uncontrollable. He crumpled the valentine in his hands and threw it with +all his force towards the fire, but in his anger he aimed too high, and it +struck against the wall and bounced back at him, as if those hateful words +were hurling themselves at him.</p> + +<p>"Ha! if I only knew who sent that, I'd—"</p> + +<p>Words failed to express the punishment awaiting the author of those +insulting verses. But wait! did he know the handwriting? at thought of +Dexie Sherwood's previous productions coming to his mind. Ah! that last +verse <a name="Page_282" id="Page_282"></a>seemed to throw out a hint! He looked at his tormentor closely, and +doubted. That envelope, yes, Gussie must have sent it, for she had spelled +his name "Danuel." He never would have thought that Gussie would be guilty +of such a thing. He would go away on the next train and never look on her +face again. Yes, he would go at once, and forget the whole cursed +stuff—said "cursed stuff" being the affectionate lines which continued to +haunt him after the manner of the mind-destroying craze which Mark Twain +inflicted on a later generation, "Punch, brothers, punch with care;" for as +he walked down the street the words kept time to his feet, the train bells +echoed them, and it was those very words that pealed a warning at the +crossing. So intent were his thoughts on the affectionate lines that he was +oblivious to everything around him, and Mr. Sherwood spoke his name twice +before Plaisted awoke from his reverie.</p> + +<p>He felt inclined to refuse the kindly-worded invitation to dinner which Mr. +Sherwood extended to him, but, on second thoughts, accepted it; he would +satisfy himself as to whether Gussie sent the valentine or not. But it took +only a few questions to assure him that Gussie was innocent, after all, and +she seemed so offended when he asked if she had told his name to anyone +that he felt compelled to believe she knew nothing of the matter. Gussie +was too much enraptured with her own valentine to take much note of +Plaisted's abstracted manner, for even the sight of Gussie's pretty face +did not put aside the memory of those tormenting lines.</p> + +<p>But his torture was only begun. Dexie was determined to crowd into a few +hours the annoyance he had spread over several days in her case. Her plans +were well laid, and she had even studied a book of statistics for his +benefit. A few minutes before dinner was announced, while Gussie was adding +a few touches to her toilet, Dexie came into her room, and, after a few +general remarks, said: "Mr. Plaisted has come to dinner, has he not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa sent him up. I hope you have something nice for dinner, Dexie."</p> + +<p>This was the very question that Dexie hoped to hear, so she replied: <a name="Page_283" id="Page_283"></a>"Oh! +yes, I think it will pass. There is some nicely-cooked shad for the fish +course; but if that does not suit Mr. Plaisted's fancy, there is sufficient +besides. Say, Gussie, I don't often ask a favor, but I wish to-day you +would praise the shad."</p> + +<p>"Praise the shad! Why on earth should I praise the shad! If it is cooked +nice, isn't that enough?"</p> + +<p>"No, Gussie, not for this occasion; I'm afraid Mr. Plaisted will not be +partial to shad, but if the rest of us seem to like it, of course he cannot +refuse it."</p> + +<p>"Oh! all right. I'll not only praise the shad, but I'll make Mr. Plaisted +think there is nothing I like better."</p> + +<p>Gussie hastened down to the parlor, where Mr. Plaisted was waiting, while +Dexie threw herself into a chair in muffled shrieks of laughter.</p> + +<p>"There, now, I guess I can keep a straight face till the time arrives;" and +a few minutes later she followed the family to the dining-room.</p> + +<p>There was certainly nothing amiss in the manner of the cooking or serving +of the shad, and the presence of this particular fish at the table did not +strike Plaisted as unusual, until Mr. Sherwood asked if he would be "helped +to shad."</p> + +<p>His mind by this time had become almost normal, but that one word threw him +back into his former state, and brought again that tormenting refrain, +"Dear Shadrach! my Shad!" He glared at the dish containing the fish as if +he would annihilate it; but, hastily collecting his scattering senses, he +took the plate Mr. Sherwood passed him, thinking it a strange coincidence +that the never-till-now hated fish should be thrust before him at this +moment. He tried to be his natural self, but those haunting lines had full +possession of him, and every mouthful seemed to choke him.</p> + +<p>Dexie was watching him closely, and felt sure that his abstraction was due +to the one cause, and she silently enjoyed his discomfiture.</p> + +<p>Gussie, who sat opposite, also noticed it, and remembering her promise to +Dexie, began:</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mr. Plaisted, I'm afraid you do not care for shad! <a name="Page_284" id="Page_284"></a>How unfortunate +that we happen to have it for dinner to-day! We are all very fond of shad, +myself especially, and this is very nicely cooked, just to my liking," and +she gave Dexie a sideward look.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we <i>all</i> like shad, even to the cat," said the irrepressible Georgie. +"I found her with her nose in the basket the first thing."</p> + +<p>"Be quiet, sir!" said the father sternly, and Georgie obediently subsided, +while Dexie could hardly repress a giggle.</p> + +<p>"Let me help you to another piece, Plaisted," said Mr. Sherwood. "What! not +any more? It is not often we get such good shad in an inland town. Halifax +is the place for fine shad! In the season, when the catch is fair, you can +get your pick for a song almost, but here, I expect, their scarcity makes +them of more value."</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Dexie, "they are rather dear, <i>dear shad</i>," and she looked +intently at her plate, well knowing how Plaisted was glaring at her. "Yes," +she added, "I call them dear shad when one has to pick over such a quantity +of bones before getting a satisfactory mouthful, don't you, Mr. Plaisted?" +But Mr. Plaisted laid down his knife and fork, and returned her look with +interest.</p> + +<p>"I fear you are not making a dinner at all, Mr. Plaisted," Mrs. Sherwood +put in. "You do not seem to care for shad."</p> + +<p>"No! I detest them, though I was not aware of the fact till to-day," he +replied.</p> + +<p>"They are not cooked to your liking, I fear! I wish, Dexie, you had looked +after them a little better. How do you prefer your shad cooked, Mr. +Plaisted?" she added, in a concerned voice.</p> + +<p>"I do not care for shad in any shape or form," he said, rather shortly, +which caused everyone to look up in dismay, all except Dexie, and she +seemed intent on finding the minutest bone.</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry! You should have spoken about it sooner. Eliza, remove Mr. +Plaisted's plate. I hope we have something else you can relish."</p> + +<p>He made a show at eating what was set before him, but <a name="Page_285" id="Page_285"></a>it was hard work. +Could his entertainers talk of nothing else but shad? It appeared not, for +when the conversation seemed about to turn to other things a skilfully put +question, or a bit of information, brought the fish back to be discussed in +another light; consequently, the shad question was pretty well sifted. The +method of catching them, the amount caught during the last season, the +catch of the previous year compared with other years; in fact, Dexie seemed +to have the fishing reports at her finger-ends, or at the end of her +tongue, to speak literally, and Mr. Sherwood seemed delighted with the +chance to air the knowledge he possessed to such an attentive listener. But +Mr. Plaisted's thoughts were elsewhere; he was repeating to himself the +lines he had no power to forget, and when dinner was over he was almost a +mental wreck.</p> + +<p>Dexie was exulting in his misery, and was longing to let him know she was +the author of it.</p> + +<p>When they entered the parlor, Mr. Sherwood turned to Dexie, saying: "Give +us some music, Dexie; something to cheer us up and drive away the blues," +and he nodded at Plaisted, who had thrown himself into a chair.</p> + +<p>But seated at the piano, Dexie still kept up the torture of the dinner +table by selecting songs that suggested fishing, or fishermen's daughters, +until Plaisted rose and walked the floor in ill-concealed distress.</p> + +<p>Feeling the crisis near at hand, she tried to think of something that would +"cap the climax," but as nothing occurred to her, she added a verse +impromptu to what she was singing:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Oh! father dear, I've caught a fish; I'm sure it is a shad;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pray help me take him off the hook; you see he's hurt so bad!"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>This was too much for Plaisted. Taking a sudden turn he faced his +tormentor, but she heeded not his angry looks.</p> + +<p>"I tell you what, Sherwood!" and he wheeled around angrily, "if I had a +daughter who would play such stuff as that, I'd—I'd smash the piano to +atoms!" and he brought his fist down on the table with a crash.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean, sir!" and Mr. Sherwood was on his feet in a moment. +"Your words and actions are insulting!" <a name="Page_286" id="Page_286"></a>By this time Dexie was by her +father's side, ready to give the finishing stroke to her enemy, and gently +pressing her father's arm, said:</p> + +<p>"Let me settle this affair, papa. I think, Mr. Plaisted, we can cry quits +from to-day. You have found great delight in calling me 'Dexter.' I hope +you are equally delighted to hear your own name repeated in its most +obnoxious form. I find there is nothing more effective for a man of your +stamp than to treat him as he delights to treat others. It is through my +exertions that you have <i>enjoyed</i> yourself so much to-day, and if you ever +wish to have the pleasure repeated, just call me 'Dexter,' and I'll do my +best to repeat the entertainment."</p> + +<p>Everyone looked at Dexie in surprise, and fearing that Plaisted might still +have doubts as to her meaning, she swept him an elaborate courtesy, as she +said:</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, my dear Shadrach! don't forget in the future that 'I hold the +whip-handle, dear Shadrach, my Shad!'" and before the family realized what +this scene meant, Dexie had left the room and her voice was heard in the +hall singing:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"Farewell to thee, oh Shadrach! my dearest Shad, adieu;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But Dexter has hereafter the upper hand of you."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Plaisted was about to spring after her when Mr. Sherwood caught his arm.</p> + +<p>"What does all this mean, Plaisted? Explain yourself, sir!"</p> + +<p>"It means that I am the victim of the most diabolical practical joke that +was ever perpetrated on an individual, and it appears that Miss Dexie is at +the bottom of it, though you have all assisted her in carrying it out."</p> + +<p>"If there is any joke afloat I am entirely ignorant of it, Plaisted, I +assure you," said Mr. Sherwood. "I see that something is amiss, but I have +no idea what it is, though apparently Dexie is not so innocent."</p> + +<p>"Let me explain," cried Mr. Plaisted. "Miss Dexie has, in some way, found +out what my second name is, and that it is as hateful to me as 'Dexter' is +to her, and she has made it the subject of a very cruel joke. As I supposed +<a name="Page_287" id="Page_287"></a>that nobody knew my full name, you can judge of my surprise when I +received this from the office," and he held forth the valentine.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that's only a valentine, Plaisted. You surely did not allow such a +little thing to disturb you?" said Mr. Sherwood.</p> + +<p>"But see what the envelope contains," he urged, bringing out the bedecked +fish.</p> + +<p>But if he expected any sympathy, he was disappointed, for when Mr. +Sherwood's eyes rested on the figure and read the lines beneath, shout +after shout of laughter rang through the room, and when Gussie stepped over +to see what the paper contained her shrill laughter joined the chorus.</p> + +<p>"Well, it serves you just right, Mr. Plaisted," said she. "I told you she +would make you repent it if you used her name so freely. But I wonder how +she found out your name? Could she have been in the back parlor while we +were talking?"</p> + +<p>"I believe she was!" Plaisted replied. "But the shad for dinner? Need you +have added that? The valentine was punishment enough!"</p> + +<p>Another shout of laughter from Mr. Sherwood, and Gussie's perplexed looks +gave place to an amused smile.</p> + +<p>"Dexie planned it herself! Ha! ha! ha! I see it all!" and Mr. Sherwood +roared again. "She marked this out as a day of punishment for you, +Plaisted, and she has carried it out pretty well! Ha! ha! It was she +herself who told me to ask you to dinner, saying she had everything ready +for you, and was going to 'heap coals of fire' on your head because you had +been treating her badly. Ha! ha! Guess you are pretty well scorched, sure +enough!" and he leaned back in his chair and wiped his hot face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she <i>has</i> scorched me! Those verses are burnt into my memory and +repeat themselves in spite of me. But you seemed to have studied up the +whole business of shad-fishing just for the occasion."</p> + +<p>"But, on my honor, Plaisted, I was entirely ignorant that my talk was +annoying you. Come to think of it, Dexie herself kept me at it. How she +must have enjoyed it!" and he laughed again. <a name="Page_288" id="Page_288"></a>"I thought it strange that +she ordered shad for dinner," said Mrs. Sherwood. "Yet she actually asked +me to scold her before you all if they were not cooked satisfactorily."</p> + +<p>"You will not have a chance to call her 'Dexter' again," said Gussie, +"unless you want to be addressed as Shadrach or Shad. Whichever you dislike +the most, you will be sure to get. Now I understand what she meant when she +asked me before dinner if I would praise the shad," and she joined her +father's laugh; it was so contagious.</p> + +<p>"Well, I will be compelled to cry quits, sure enough," said Plaisted; "but +I never suspected that she could make such comical verses."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that is second-hand poetry, Plaisted. She has been misquoting the +'Widow Bedott' for your benefit," said Mr. Sherwood.</p> + +<p>"And who is the 'Widow Bedott'?"</p> + +<p>"She is a character in a most amusing book. Let me advise you to take her +as a travelling companion with you to-morrow. After you have read about her +Shadrach, the poetry won't trouble you as being too personal."</p> + +<p>A short time later Mr. Plaisted left the house, but his day's experience +still rankled, and he could truthfully say it was the most unpleasant day +he had ever spent. He mentally resolved that should he ever spend another +hour in the society of Dexie Sherwood he would treat her with the greatest +respect, for his day's punishment would be a lasting reminder of her power +of retaliation.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + + +<p>Among the many social gatherings which the "Sherwood twins" attended were +the weekly meetings of the Temperance and Benevolent Society, or the "T. +and B.," as it was usually styled.</p> + +<p>This society included among its members most of the young people connected +with the best families in the town.</p> + +<p>It was not so aggressive in the temperance cause as some <a name="Page_289" id="Page_289"></a>of the other +existing societies, but it had its place, as its ever-increasing membership +clearly showed. It accepted no one as a member who had at any time been +addicted to the use of liquor, and it kept many young men from falling into +the pernicious habit of using intoxicants.</p> + +<p>Among the number who had lately signed their names to the constitution of +the society was Guy Traverse, the young manager of a large furniture +establishment in the town. He had but recently been appointed to the +position, but his pleasant, affable manners won him friends from all +quarters.</p> + +<p>He was quite an acquisition to the T. and B. Society: a fine reader, a good +declaimer, witty and quick at repartee, the Social Committee of the society +soon learned his value, and a smile of welcome greeted him wherever he made +his appearance.</p> + +<p>Being on the Social Committee, Dexie Sherwood was frequently thrown into +his society, but by some mistake or unintentional oversight they had never +been introduced, and there was something in Dexie's manner that forbade him +to make any advances without this formal introduction.</p> + +<p>As it was taken for granted that all the members had been duly presented to +each other, no one gave the matter a thought, and though the committee held +several meetings, at which both were present, no one noticed the fact that +these two were the only ones who did not exchange ideas on the matters +before them.</p> + +<p>One evening after the usual business matters were disposed of, the society +proceeded to elect new officers for the ensuing quarter, and Guy Traverse's +popularity was sufficient to place him in the highest office in the gift of +the society. When asked if he would like to name his own assistant, he +turned to the speaker and smilingly replied:</p> + +<p>"I would be happy to have the assistance of the society's organist, but as +we have not yet been introduced, perhaps she would prefer that I did not +give her name."</p> + +<p>"What! do you mean to say that you have never been presented to Miss +Sherwood! How did that happen? Come with me at once." <a name="Page_290" id="Page_290"></a>There was much +merriment over the long delayed introduction, and Dexie smilingly consented +to accept the office of assistant, in addition to that of organist. This +gave Guy Traverse the chance he had long been looking for, and at the close +of the meeting he offered himself as her escort home.</p> + +<p>This Dexie politely declined, adding in her kindest tone,</p> + +<p>"Our house is just at the corner, Mr. Traverse, so I will not trouble you," +and she slipped away.</p> + +<p>The distance was short, for as Guy stood at the outer entrance of the T. +and B. rooms he could hear the front gate shut after her, yet he would have +enjoyed even that short walk with his fair assistant.</p> + +<p>"She is not inclined to be friendly, it seems," he soliloquized, as he +stroked his long silken moustache. "I must find out the reason."</p> + +<p>The next time opportunity offered he again asked permission to escort her +home, but again his offer was so pleasantly declined that he could not feel +offended, though it put him upon his mettle. He determined to overcome her +prejudice, or whatever it was that made her treat him with so much reserve. +As he turned to go home, Gussie came down the steps, and with his hand to +his hat he said, smilingly,</p> + +<p>"I almost fear to risk a second refusal to-night, Miss Sherwood, but will +you accept the escort that your sister has declined?"</p> + +<p>It was a blow to her pride that Dexie had been asked first, but such an +eligible young man could not be snubbed on that account, so Gussie smiled +her sweetest as she walked by his side.</p> + +<p>"Have I done anything to displease your sister?" he asked, as they stood a +few moments at the gate. "I find her very hard to get acquainted with, +though I can readily see that it is not her nature to be unfriendly."</p> + +<p>"You have not offended her, of that I am sure," Gussie replied.</p> + +<p>"Then you think she had no particular reason for refusing my company +to-night?"</p> + +<p>"She may have some objection to any company, but not yours in particular." +<a name="Page_291" id="Page_291"></a>"Has someone else a prior claim?" he smilingly asked. "Believe me, Miss +Sherwood," he added, in an apologetic tone, "I am not asking out of +curiosity alone."</p> + +<p>Gussie believed there was someone else, for Dexie had a gentleman +correspondent.</p> + +<p>"Then she is engaged, I suppose, but if the fortunate man is absent she +might allow others the pleasure of her company occasionally."</p> + +<p>But the opportunity of meeting Dexie at his own pleasure came with an +introduction to Mr. Sherwood, and on learning that Mr. Traverse was a good +hand at chess (Mr. Sherwood's one weakness) he was made right welcome and +became a frequent visitor.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood's residence was so centrally situated that the young people of +both sexes found it very convenient to drop in for a few minutes on their +way up or down town. Mr. Sherwood loved to see the rooms filled with +laughing faces, and encouraged this free-and-easy intercourse, and he +looked forward to the evening's pleasure with the ardor of a young man. +When Guy Traverse made his appearance he was sure of a hearty greeting, and +the weeks flew by very pleasantly until summer was ushered in, and still +there was little seeming difference in Dexie's attitude toward her father's +friend.</p> + +<p>One evening as a number of young ladies were assembled in the pleasant +rooms of the T. and B. Society, discussing a coming convention, the +society's Vice-President, Miss Edith Wolcott, said in decided tones:</p> + +<p>"Before this convention meets, we ought to make some new badges; these are +positively disgraceful! Will someone suggest something, or must I take the +responsibility of seeing that this society has decent and respectable +tokens of membership?"</p> + +<p>"There can be but one opinion where the badges are concerned," said Ada +Chester, smiling, "so let us draw from the funds of the society sufficient +money to purchase the material for new ones, then we can meet somewhere and +make them up."</p> + +<p>"Capital legislation! Now announce the place of meeting and the matter is +settled," and Frank Fenerty joined <a name="Page_292" id="Page_292"></a>the group around the table. "Better set +the time and place of meeting without delay, for when you ladies begin to +realize the amount of work which the making of these badges involves, you +will each and all remember that you have a pressing engagement somewhere +else."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said George Linton, as he drew a chair beside his friend; "but +where's Traverse? As President of this society he ought to take the ladies +at their word, and set them to work before their ardor has time to cool."</p> + +<p>"There is not a house in town so convenient for all as the Sherwoods," said +Ada Chester; then turning to Gussie she asked:</p> + +<p>"Could we go to your house to make up the badges, Miss Sherwood?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly; that is, I think so. Dexie is the acting manager at home, so +you had better consult with her," replied Gussie, pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Come here, Dexie," and Edith turned to where Dexie was evoking sweet music +from the organ. "May we go to your house to make the badges?"</p> + +<p>"That depends on what night you wish to come. If to-morrow evening is too +soon to appoint for the meeting, you could come Saturday. You know I have +to be at the church on Friday evening."</p> + +<p>"To be sure! I forgot about the meeting, and there is to be choir practice +afterwards, so I'm engaged for Friday evening as well. How shall we arrange +it?" and Edith looked inquiringly around the group.</p> + +<p>"Put it to vote," and Frank Fenerty rose to his feet. "Hands up now for +to-morrow night at Miss Sherwood's—or not there at all, is that it?"</p> + +<p>"No," Dexie laughingly replied; "our latch-string is out every night, but +neither Gussie nor I would be at home Friday evening."</p> + +<p>"What is to prevent us from accepting Miss Sherwood's invitation for +Thursday. I would rather go there than any other place in town," said the +truthful fellow, having long admired Gussie from afar.</p> + +<p>"We have to buy the material before we can meet to make it up," Edith +replied. <a name="Page_293" id="Page_293"></a>"Great Scott! how much material do you want to buy anyhow," said +Fenerty. "I could buy out a store while you ladies were selecting the +ribbons for your neck."</p> + +<p>While they were speaking, Mr. Traverse made his appearance, and learning +the cause of the discussion, presented a cheque for the amount needed to +renew the badges, and volunteered his services as "needle-threader" for the +evening.</p> + +<p>"Come now, Traverse, you can't thread needles for the crowd," said Fred +Foster, "but if the ladies will only invite the male members, we will +promise to keep them supplied with threaded needles, <i>ad infinitum</i>."</p> + +<p>"Have you decided to come to our house Thursday? If so, all members of the +T. and B. are invited, but we will keep you gentlemen up to your promise in +regard to the needle-threading, so let no one imagine he can come and shirk +his duty," and the group separated.</p> + +<p>The next evening the parlor of the Sherwoods presented a busy scene. +Several small tables placed about the room were surrounded by groups, whose +nimble fingers cut and sewed the bunches of ribbon that were provided; and +as there were several "needle-threaders" for every group, there seemed no +reason why the work should not progress with the greatest of despatch. The +ever-increasing pile of finished badges which appeared on the several +tables gave evidence that their fingers were as nimble as their tongues, +and amusement and work were intermingled.</p> + +<p>Amidst the fun and merriment that was taking place in the room, Dexie's +abstracted and absent-minded manner was not noticed, except by one pair of +eyes—and very little that concerned Dexie Sherwood escaped the notice of +Guy Traverse.</p> + +<p>He was finding it hard to check the feelings with which he had long +regarded her, for he had become attached to her from the very first, and +his eyes were keen to note her varying moods. His frequent visits to the +house gave him opportunity to study her character, and the more he saw of +her, the higher grew his respect. A more tender feeling also was growing +within his breast, that gave him secret pleasure, though he kept well in +check any sign of its <a name="Page_294" id="Page_294"></a>existence. He never had found the opportunity of +asking the truth of her engagement; but being assured that she had a +gentleman correspondent, he felt he had little cause to hope. He had been +present on more than one occasion when Dexie had discussed with the rest of +the family various extracts from letters which had come from over the sea. +To be sure, these extracts were mostly descriptions of places that the +writer had visited, or accounts of amusing episodes met with while +travelling; but there lingered an undefined impression on Guy Traverse's +mind that these letters were not so sacred as one would naturally suppose +they should be if the writer were dear to the heart of the recipient.</p> + +<p>"Something is troubling Dexie to-night," he said to himself, as he noticed +how unusually silent and preoccupied she remained, even when the merriment +seemed at its height. "I must be on the alert and see that she is not +troubled unnecessarily," for being a frequent visitor, he was aware that +Gussie was not always the pleasant person she appeared to be, and he, +somehow, connected her with Dexie's present mood.</p> + +<p>But in this case he was mistaken. The evening mail had brought Dexie a +letter from Hugh McNeil. She had heard so little of him for some time that +she began to hope (when she thought of him at all) that he had forgotten +her or had found other attractions that had effaced her from his memory. +But this unlooked-for letter told a different story, and his half-expressed +determination to seek her presence and renew his suit filled her with +dismay.</p> + +<p>She had thrust the letter hastily into her pocket with but a rapid glance +at its contents, just as her numerous guests were ushered in; and her time +had been so engrossed that the letter itself was forgotten, though the +memory of the eager, passionate words therein was bringing up all the +unpleasant scenes that had happened in Halifax in connection with Hugh.</p> + +<p>During the evening she had, with the help of the cook, set out a dainty +repast in the dining-room, and as she made her way into the parlor again to +invite the guests to come and partake of it, she wondered at the sound that +reached <a name="Page_295" id="Page_295"></a>her ears, for instead of the hum of many voices one voice alone +was heard, and that was Gussie's.</p> + +<p>Now, for some time back the frequent visits of Guy Traverse had aroused +suspicions in Gussie's mind. They certainly were not always intended for +her father, and he never offered himself as her escort unless Dexie was in +her company. She had repeatedly hinted that Dexie was "already spoken for," +but the hint was not acted on in the way Gussie expected. Remembering all +this, Gussie's conduct this particular evening is seen in its true light, +but it brought its own punishment.</p> + +<p>In some unaccountable way, Hugh's letter had dropped from Dexie's pocket +while she sat sewing at the badges with the rest, and in searching for a +spool of thread, it fell into Gussie's hands. She glanced over the letter, +but did not notice the signature. Hugh had been thinking more of touching +Dexie's heart than of giving his letter the usual appearance, and had left +place, date and all tell-tale marks to find room at the bottom of the +closely-written sheet. Gussie guessed at once it was Dexie's letter, and +thought it would be "fun" to read it before those assembled; it would let +Guy Traverse know that he was wasting his time over Dexie. No one in the +room had the least idea what she meant when she rose from her chair and +said:</p> + +<p>"Oh! friends, listen! here is a specimen of true love for you!"</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"My dearest love, my heart's one treasure:</p> + +<p>"It is no longer any use to try and put you out of my heart. I +have tried to do it as you wished, but I cannot. I love you, my +darling, and my love will not die, try as I may to kill it. You +thought I could forget you if I went among fresh scenes and new +faces; but it is not so—your dear face is ever before me. +Sleeping or waking, it is the same. I cannot live without you, my +dearest—"</p></div> + +<p>"Augusta! Augusta! what are you doing? Is that your own letter you are +making public?"</p> + +<p>The words cut the air like a flash of steel.</p> + +<p>That word "Augusta" was reproof in itself, and Gussie <a name="Page_296" id="Page_296"></a>felt it instantly, +and she shivered as she looked up and met the flashing eyes of her sister.</p> + +<p>"No," she replied, her cheeks aflame, but angry spite dies hard, and she +smiled scornfully, as she added, "I was amusing the company with a specimen +of love-making that is rare outside of novels. It is your letter, I +believe."</p> + +<p>Before Dexie could reply, Guy Traverse had risen to his feet, and coming +towards the table so that his form partly shielded Dexie from view, said:</p> + +<p>"If you have read all you wish of my letter, Miss Gussie, I beg you will +return it to me," and he took it from her hand and thrust it into his +breast-pocket; then turning a woeful face to the astonished guests, he +said:</p> + +<p>"Friends, have mercy on a fellow when he is down, and forget what you heard +just now. It was too bad of you, Miss Gussie, to expose a poor fellow's +feelings in that way. I ought to have posted my broken-hearted appeal +before I came in here, but I thought I might be able to think of some +stronger language that would touch the hard heart of my lady-love. I am not +in luck, as you can guess; but do not, I beg of you, let it go any farther. +I appeal to you, as members of T. and B., to keep this matter quiet and not +let it be talked about. Boys, you know how it is yourselves," and in +seeming embarrassment he turned to the window and remained in the shadow of +the curtain.</p> + +<p>"Oh! I beg your pardon, Mr. Traverse," Gussie gasped out, properly ashamed +for once. "I never imagined the letter was yours," and hiding her burning +cheeks in her hands she hurriedly left the room and flew to her chamber, +wondering how she could ever look those people again in the face.</p> + +<p>Traverse had given Dexie time to recover herself, and in a steadier voice +than she could have commanded a few moments before, she asked the friends +to drop their work, and come into the next room for refreshments.</p> + +<p>This was a welcome interruption to all; everyone felt glad to hide the +uncomfortable feeling that Gussie's act had thrown over them, and merry +groups formed in the dining-room as Dexie passed among them. The +uncomfortable scene in the parlor was put out of sight, if not <a name="Page_297" id="Page_297"></a>out of +mind, and no one wondered that Guy Traverse did not make his appearance +amongst them.</p> + +<p>As soon as Dexie saw she would not be missed for a few moments, she ran up +to Gussie's room.</p> + +<p>"Come down at once, Gussie. You cannot stay away from our guests without +making yourself look worse in their eyes. The sooner you make amends for +your unpardonable act, the better it will be for yourself."</p> + +<p>"Oh! Dexie, I was never so ashamed in my life! I never dreamt it was his +letter; I thought it was yours."</p> + +<p>"And what business would you have to read out anybody's letter to a company +of people? I am glad to hear that you feel ashamed, for well you may! Come +downstairs at once, unless you want everyone to cut you forever."</p> + +<p>Gussie followed her sister into the dining-room, and she set about her +duties as well as she could, but finding that Traverse was not in the room +she soon felt more at ease.</p> + +<p>Dexie felt that she must see Mr. Traverse before the rest entered the +parlor. She had been so astonished at his bold claim of ownership that for +a moment she could not understand it, but the truth flashed on her mind +that he had done it to shield her, and she blessed him for it.</p> + +<p>Guy looked round as the door opened, and coming forward he took the tray +she carried in her hands and set it on a small table near, saying:</p> + +<p>"Is this for both of us, Miss Dexie? Sit here," and he placed a screen to +hide them from the gaze of intruders; then coming over to her side, drew +the letter from his pocket, saying: "Forgive me, Miss Dexie, for claiming +your property; it is yours, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately, yes; and you were more than kind to shield me as you did," +and she put the cause of the trouble in the deepest corner of her pocket. +"I did not know what to do when I heard Gussie reading it aloud."</p> + +<p>"I knew at once it was yours by the way you looked; but I thought I would +play the vanquished lover, and crave your pardon for my audacity +afterwards," and he looked intently into Dexie's flushed face.</p> + +<p>"Believe me, Mr. Traverse, the writer of that letter is <a name="Page_298" id="Page_298"></a>not the silly man +one would expect, judging by his foolish words. In everything else he is +worthy of respect."</p> + +<p>"Do you think it foolish for a man to love a woman with such love as he +speaks of in the letter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; when the man knows it is useless, he should try and forget her."</p> + +<p>"He should try—hum!—well, it seems one does not always succeed in +forgetting, even with much trying. Miss Dexie, you owe me a favor; tell me +honestly how you stand with this lover from over the sea. Are you engaged +to be married to him, yet give him cause to write in such a strain?"</p> + +<p>"No, certainly not; I am aware that this letter has given you the +impression that I have been corresponding with the writer, but it is not +so. This is only the second time I have had a letter from him, though I +believe papa hears from him occasionally; but I have never sent him a +line."</p> + +<p>"How does it happen that he writes to you so appealingly? Have you jilted +him, Miss Dexie?" and he looked eagerly into her face, to read her answer. +"Will you not tell me?" he added, as he waited some moments for her reply.</p> + +<p>"There is very little to tell, Mr. Traverse. I think the part of the letter +that you heard tells the story well enough," and she gave a quick look into +his face, "but I think I understand what you mean. This is not the one that +Gussie refers to so often."</p> + +<p>"Miss Dexie, if I have spared your feelings to-night, spare mine now, and +tell me what I ask: Is there more than one lover across the sea? Do tell me +the truth, Miss Dexie."</p> + +<p>His low, earnest tones thrilled her strangely, and she dropped her eyes, as +she replied in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Let me first explain about the writer of the letter. I never gave him +cause to write to me like that, for I have always disliked him. He has +persecuted me shamefully, even so far as to threaten to shoot me if I did +not promise to marry him, and the strongest wish that was ever born in my +heart is that I may never see his face again." <a name="Page_299" id="Page_299"></a>The words ended in a +whisper, but so intense were the tones that Guy felt she told the truth, +and he asked: "What sort of a young man is he, if I may ask?"</p> + +<p>"If he had not made himself an object of dislike to me, I could give you a +very favorable account of him," she answered, lifting her eyes an instant, +then turning aside as she met his earnest looks. "He is well educated and +very good-looking, if you admire the kind of beauty that goes with olive +skin, eyes like midnight, and hair to correspond. He has a good bank +account also, and would be a good match—for someone else," she added, +laughing softly.</p> + +<p>"Did your father favor his suit, that they correspond yet?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! yes; and everything was arranged, settlements, and all. Nothing was +lacking—except my consent."</p> + +<p>"Then there was never a promise between you? Forgive me, Miss Dexie, if I +seem inquisitive, but I wish very much to know."</p> + +<p>"Nothing like a promise! indeed, nothing could be so distasteful as the +thought of such a thing; not even from the first. I never liked him."</p> + +<p>"But there is someone else, Miss Dexie. Is there not a promise given to +someone else?" came the eager tones.</p> + +<p>"Not exactly a promise, Mr. Traverse; but there is a mutual understanding +that may lead to one. I think you would like my friend, particularly if you +heard him once at the piano," she replied, as her cheeks grew pink.</p> + +<p>"Then you are not really engaged, Miss Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Traverse, I think I have told you enough," she replied, beginning +to feel embarrassed. "Some things are not easy to tell, even though one may +not care if the facts are known."</p> + +<p>"But I have not got down to facts yet, Miss Dexie, and I should like to +know the truth. 'For favors received, be truly grateful.' I think it is +only fair to let me know how matters stand with you and this lover over the +sea."</p> + +<p>He waited a moment for her answer, then added, in an eager tone:</p><p><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300"></a></p> + +<p>"Your sister told me several times about your engagement to this young +gentleman that writes to you from England. If it is so, why deny it?"</p> + +<p>"There is a promise between us to wait a year," came the low-spoken reply. +"Then, if we are both of the same mind as when we saw each other last, I +expect I shall spend the rest of my days in Halifax; but a year is a long +time, and much may happen before then."</p> + +<p>What strange power was there in his looks or words that drew this admission +from her? She regretted the words the moment after she uttered them, but +she did not know that she had removed the barrier that kept Guy from trying +to win her himself.</p> + +<p>"Do you think he may learn to care for someone else, or that you—"</p> + +<p>"I have never met anyone yet that I like better," and she lifted her eyes +to his as she said this, but she dropped them at once, and a strange, +uneasy feeling possessed her that she could not understand.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Miss Dexie, for your confidence. Now, let the understanding be +mutual. Will you give me the privilege you have so long denied me of being +your friend and protector <i>pro tem.</i>, as it were? Neither you nor I have +anyone here to claim our society, and I get very tired of my own company; I +would like to have one special lady friend. Will you not hereafter accept +my company without that inward protest which I always feel you have for +me?"</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, Mr. Traverse, but I would prefer matters as they are. I +do not mind going about alone in the least."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I know that, Miss Independence, but I mind it; so say that I may +occupy the place of the absent friend, to some extent at least. I'll write +to him and demand permission, if you object," and he laughed pleasantly as +he took her hand a moment in his own.</p> + +<p>Just then the sound of footsteps warned them that their interview was over, +and Guy rose to his feet and stood by the window as the rest entered the +room.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Traverse! we missed you in the supper-room,"<a name="Page_301" id="Page_301"></a> and Fenerty came over +to his side. "Have you found all your persuasions in vain, Miss Dexie?" +pointing to the untasted repast on the tray.</p> + +<p>"Man alive! do you think a man's appetite can survive everything?" said +Traverse, with a frown.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Traverse! I did not mean to add to your feelings. I don't +wonder you feel cut up," said Fenerty, whispering his apologies.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Fenerty, take him out in the dining-room. My presence has prevented +him from partaking of the refreshments I brought him. Try and make him +forget the unpleasantness that has occurred," and Dexie looked up with a +smile at Traverse, as he followed his friend from the room, and then turned +to her other guests.</p> + +<p>She was glad to see that Gussie was doing all she could to win her way back +into favor, for she passed from group to group with a pleasant word and a +smile for all. Fingers and needles were soon busy again, and the unfinished +badges were attacked with renewed vigor.</p> + +<p>"That was a nasty trick of Miss Gussie's, Traverse," young Fenerty was +saying, as he waited upon his friend in the dining-room, "but I am sure she +never suspected that the letter belonged to you."</p> + +<p>"What difference did that make? The act was unpardonable when she knew it +was not her own property. I suppose I will never hear the last of it."</p> + +<p>"'Pon honor, Traverse, I hope you do not think any of us are mean enough to +refer to the matter again. But come away to the rest, if you are through; +they are at work again, I believe."</p> + +<p>"It is all right, Miss Dexie," nodding to her as she appeared in the door. +"He will soon get over it. Is there any objection to a little carpet dance +to finish the evening? That will make Traverse forget to be melancholy if +anything will," he added, in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Very well; as soon as they finish the badges you can help clear the room."</p> + +<p>Dexie cast a backward look at Traverse and saw his amused smile, and it was +hard to control her features when his face assumed such a mournful +expression directly Fenerty addressed him.</p><p><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302"></a></p> + +<p>Half an hour later, tables and chairs were set aside, and the sound that +came forth from the piano, at Dexie's bidding, set agoing the feet of the +dancers. She had played through several dances when Guy came up to her side +with Ada Chester.</p> + +<p>"I have brought someone to take your place, Miss Dexie. Play a waltz for +us, Miss Chester," and Guy took Dexie from her seat.</p> + +<p>The couple made the circuit of the room several times before anyone joined +them; it was a pleasure to watch the well-matched pair swaying to the +delightful music.</p> + +<p>"We seem to have the floor to ourselves," Dexie said with a smile.</p> + +<p>"If they knew the bliss of a perfect waltz, we would be crowded out, Miss +Dexie. I begin to think I never waltzed before; your step is perfect—what, +you are not tired?" as Dexie stopped and led the way back to the piano.</p> + +<p>"No, but I will relieve Miss Chester; she is very fond of dancing."</p> + +<p>Dexie did not care to confess how much she had enjoyed the little dance, +but she was beginning to think that there was some strange spell in the +voice and manner of her partner that drew her very thoughts from her. She +must get away from his presence, so turned to Miss Chester, saying:</p> + +<p>"I can recommend Mr. Traverse as a superb waltzer, Ada, so let me give you +the pleasure of a few turns around the room with him to the same music. Mr. +Traverse, do let Miss Chester know for once what waltzing really is," and +she struck the keys and sent them floating from her side.</p> + +<p>The evening's pleasure closed all too quickly, and as the last good-byes +were spoken Guy lingered to whisper:</p> + +<p>"I shall call and take you to choir practice in good season, so do not run +away before I come for you. Good-night, Miss Dexie."</p> + +<p>The warm clasp of the hand, and the earnest look in his dark grey eyes, +lingered in Dexie's memory until sleep had put all thoughts aside and mixed +the real with the unreal in troubled dreams.</p><p><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + + +<p>One bright summer morning, while the dew still glistened like diamonds on +grass blades and flower petals, Dexie and her father were to be seen +walking quickly in the direction of the depot, and, on arriving there, were +surprised to see Mr. Traverse waiting on the platform.</p> + +<p>"What, Traverse, are you off this morning too?" said Mr. Sherwood.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have business in Boston; some machinery to order. And you, Miss +Dexie, are you going on a journey as well?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; I have come to see papa safely on board the train, and to jog his +memory about a few trifles I want him to bring me home from the Hub."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha; a few trifles, indeed! If you expect me to bring back half the +things you have mentioned, you had better come along with me, for I've +forgotten them already," her father laughingly replied.</p> + +<p>"I thought that would be the way," Dexie replied with a smile, "but you +will not get off so easily as you think. Here is my book, and the list is +on the last pages, so you have no excuse to forget one of the articles, +papa," and she slipped the little book inside his vest-pocket.</p> + +<p>"Glad to have your company, Traverse. How long do you stay?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I am not particular to a day or two. I expect to be ready to return +on Friday."</p> + +<p>"And this is Monday; well, we can arrange to return together, so, Dexie, +you can make your mind easy. Your old dad will have someone to look after +him both ways."</p> + +<p>"That is very nice. Take good care of him, Mr. Traverse," and she gave him +her hand as he said good-bye.</p> + +<p>Her father bent his head and kissed her, saying playfully:</p> + +<p>"Now, don't run off with the gardener, or do any other dreadful thing while +I am gone, and I will try and get your commissions filled, even to the box +of chocolates."</p> + +<p>They stepped on the cars, and with the usual ear-splitting shriek the train +moved away, leaving Dexie <a name="Page_304" id="Page_304"></a>on the platform looking after them. The two men +stood at the rear door and waved a farewell, and Dexie returned home, never +thinking that she had seen her father well and strong for the last time.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood had not been away from home since they had moved to +Lennoxville, and Dexie planned to have a dainty repast awaiting his return, +and she was in the kitchen when a telegraph messenger appeared at the door.</p> + +<p>"A telegram for Mrs. Sherwood, and one for Miss Dexie Sherwood."</p> + +<p>Dexie tore hers open, and her heart seemed to stop beating as she read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There has been an accident, and your father is hurt, but not +fatally. He cannot be moved at present. Can you come at once?</p></div> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 19em;">"<span class="smcap">Guy Traverse</span>."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Dexie rushed up the stairs, her white face telling of trouble, and as soon +as her mother saw her she asked in alarm:</p> + +<p>"What is it, Dexie? What has happened?"</p> + +<p>"Dear mamma, come back into the room, and I will tell you. There has been +an accident, and papa is hurt. Oh, mamma, do not scream so! No, he is not +killed; do not say it. Oh, hush! let me open your message. Mine is from Mr. +Traverse, and he says papa is hurt and cannot be moved. Oh, mamma! do not +scream so. You will terrify the children and make yourself ill."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is dead! My husband is killed!" she cried. "Why has this dreadful +calamity come upon me?" and she wrung her hands and wept aloud.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma, you <i>must</i> stop! Listen: this is what your message says, and it +is signed by a railroad official:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>'There has been a collision, and your husband is injured. It is +impossible to move him in his present condition, but everything +possible shall be done for his comfort and relief.'"</p></div> + +<p>"Oh, mamma! let us go to him at once."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, do you want to kill me? I could not survive the journey in the +present state of my nerves; and does not the message say that everything +shall be done for him? What could I do more?"</p><p><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305"></a></p> + +<p>Another peal of the bell, and Dexie flew down to the door, where a +brass-buttoned youth presented himself.</p> + +<p>"I am sent to say that there is a train starting for the scene of the +collision in fifteen minutes. If there is anyone here going down, they will +have to hurry."</p> + +<p>Dexie rushed back to her mother's side.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma, I must go to him! Can you go, too? Say quickly, mamma!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I shall die! I shall die!" and Mrs. Sherwood fell back on the sofa in +violent hysterics.</p> + +<p>This was answer enough, and Dexie rushed to her own room, calling loudly +for Eliza.</p> + +<p>Gussie ran up the stairs at that moment, saying wildly: "Oh, Dexie, is it +true? Is papa hurt?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Gussie, and I am going to him. Run to mamma; I cannot delay a moment. +Here, Eliza," as the frightened domestic appeared, "put those things into +this travelling-bag while I tell you what you are to do. Papa is hurt, and +I have barely time to catch the train. You must run for Mrs. Jarvis as soon +as I am done with you, and tell her to come and stay with mamma; then hurry +along for the doctor—he will give mamma something to quiet her. Tell Mrs. +Jarvis I leave everything in her care till I return, and say that she must +fix up the back parlor all ready for papa, in case he can be brought home. +She will know what to do. Now, I must go. I am sure I can trust you to do +your best, Eliza, till I get back. I do not know when that will be."</p> + +<p>She arrived at the depot hot and breathless, but in time to take her place +among the number who, with white, sad faces and tear-dimmed eyes, were on +their way to claim the forms of loved ones, or to comfort and relieve those +whose lives had been spared them. The first tears she shed were those that +fell when she recognized Edith Wolcott and her brother among the +passengers.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, you here, and alone!" was Edith's greeting, and the answer was a +flood of relief-giving tears.</p> + +<p>"Papa is hurt," she sobbed, as Edith inquired why she was on the train.</p> + +<p>"I am so sorry; but perhaps it is not as bad as you fear.<a name="Page_306" id="Page_306"></a> We expected Aunt +Eunice would arrive by that train. We do not know that she really was a +passenger, but I could not rest at home till I knew the truth!" Edith +exclaimed. "Mr. Traverse was to have returned to-day," she added. "Did you +hear if he was hurt?"</p> + +<p>Dexie did not know, but thought not, as he had sent her the message +concerning her father.</p> + +<p>They relapsed into silence, except when someone would voice the sentiments +in the heart of each and say, with a sigh, "How slowly the train moves +along!" Yet they were travelling very rapidly, and in due time they arrived +at the scene of the wreck.</p> + +<p>Such a spectacle Dexie had never seen. Cars were piled upon one another in +a confused mass, and she wondered how anyone had escaped alive from the +broken timbers that had formed the cars.</p> + +<p>She seemed to know instinctively which way to turn in search of her father, +but she had only made a few steps when she met Mr. Traverse looking for +her.</p> + +<p>"Do not be alarmed, Miss Dexie; I am not so bad as I look," he said, +reassuringly, as Dexie started at the sight of his bandaged head and +splintered arm. "I have an ugly scalp wound, and that makes the bandages +necessary, and my broken arm is nothing. Now, be brave," he said, as they +stopped before the door of the house where her father had been taken. "He +has been suffering great pain and looks badly, and he will not be able to +see you unless you are calm. The doctor is with him now. I will go and see +if you can come in."</p> + +<p>"Do not keep me waiting, Mr. Traverse. I will be quiet. Indeed, you can +trust me," and she lifted a white face, full of entreaty, to his gaze.</p> + +<p>"My brave little girl!" was Guy's inward comment. "It is just as well that +she came alone, for no one else in the family has self-control enough to +bear this."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes Guy returned and conducted her to her father's side, and +she bent over him and kissed his white face tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, I have come to stay with you. What can I do to help you?" and +she laid her hand in his. "Mamma feels too badly to come just now, dear +papa."</p><p><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307"></a></p> + +<p>The quiet manner in which she removed her hat and cloak and then returned +to the bedside to await the doctor's orders impressed the latter favorably, +and with a few words of instruction to Mr. Traverse he departed to see his +other waiting charges.</p> + +<p>They were sad and anxious days that followed, for it was feared that Mr. +Sherwood might not, after all, survive the shock; but Dexie never lost +heart, and was rewarded, after many days, by hearing the welcome news that +her father could safely be moved to his home.</p> + +<p>Traverse had proved himself a helpful and faithful friend, and more than +one broken-hearted person blessed him for his ready help and sympathy, for +the accident had been attended with much loss of life and had spread +mourning into many homes.</p> + +<p>Dexie had written twice daily to her mother; but having once mentioned the +fact that the few houses in the vicinity of the accident were filled with +maimed and wounded who were too ill to be sent to their homes, Mrs. +Sherwood considered it impossible for her to witness the sight, and Dexie +advised her to stay at home. She was well aware that the distressing sights +and sounds which were to be witnessed hourly in every house would have such +an effect on her mother that her presence would be more hurtful than +beneficial to her father in his present condition.</p> + +<p>Dexie was very anxious to know if everything was in readiness for her +father's arrival, and Mr. Traverse relieved her anxiety by offering to go +to the house with the family doctor and make everything sure, and then +return and accompany them home.</p> + +<p>It was with a feeling of shame that she gave her last message to him as he +was about to leave her.</p> + +<p>"Will you be kind enough to tell Dr. Brown how necessary it will be for +papa to come home to a quiet house; and if mamma is not able to bear the +sight of his arrival, will he see that she is not at home just at the time? +He will understand and can manage it, I am sure."</p> + +<p>Traverse looked at her in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Mamma is apt to be hysterical, and papa will be too tired with the journey +to bear any unusual excitement. I<a name="Page_308" id="Page_308"></a> dread the time of his arrival at the +house more than I do the rest of the journey; but it must be managed +quietly, somehow. It would take so little to set him back when he is so +weak."</p> + +<p>"It shall be managed quietly, Miss Dexie, so do not be anxious; I will see +that your father has every chance," and he turned away, wondering at the +care and tact that could see and overrule the want of thought in others, +when age and experience should have given others the self-control that was +so wonderful to see in a girl of her years.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood bore the journey much better than they expected, and they +carried him to the room which, by Dexie's forethought, had been provided +with everything that could add to his comfort. The house was quiet and +still, and a good hour's rest fortified him for the visit that his wife +must soon make to his room.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood had been persuaded into taking a drive with the doctor's wife +about the time the train was expected, and she had been kept away long +enough for Mr. Sherwood to rally from the fatigue of the journey. Gussie, +with the rest of the family, had witnessed his arrival from an upper +window, and wept sorely at seeing her father carried into the house on a +bed, remembering how well and strong he had walked out of it a few short +weeks before.</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Sherwood arrived, and found that her husband had been brought +home in her absence, she felt very much hurt, and she entered the room +subdued and quiet; but when she beheld the change that had taken place in +her strong, robust husband since she had last seen him, nothing but the +doctor's presence prevented her from throwing herself across the bed. She +dropped to her knees by the bedside, with a wail of despair, and Gussie's +sobs were added to the moans that came from the lips of the kneeling wife. +Dexie bent over her sister, saying firmly:</p> + +<p>"You must either control yourself or leave the room. Can't you see how it +distresses papa?"</p> + +<p>Guy Traverse led the sobbing girl out of the room at last, and his kind +words of comfort did much to help Gussie <a name="Page_309" id="Page_309"></a>overcome her violent grief. He +was fast recovering from his own wounds, and he made himself very useful in +spite of his one-armed condition—for he still wore his broken arm in a +sling. Dexie was not blind to the excellent traits of character he had +displayed during the trying weeks past, but when she endeavored to express +her thanks he stopped her with a word.</p> + +<p>Weeks passed, and Mr. Sherwood's progress was so slow as to damp all hopes +as to his ultimate recovery.</p> + +<p>"I must know the truth," he said one morning, when the doctor made his +usual visit; "it is no kindness to keep me in ignorance of my true +condition. If I am not likely to rise from this bed a well man, then it is +time I settled my business; so tell me what you think, Dr. Brown."</p> + +<p>But it is not easy to get a doctor's opinion, and at last it was decided to +send for the famous Dr. Jacobs, and have a consultation.</p> + +<p>"Well, have the consultation as soon as possible, for this uncertainty is +harder to bear than the knowledge of a speedy death," said Mr. Sherwood.</p> + +<p>Oh, the agony of that hour, when Dexie waited, with the rest of the family, +the verdict of the assembled doctors. As she knelt by her bed, her face +buried in the pillows, she felt as if the worst could not be much harder to +bear than this dreadful suspense. She dreaded the sound that would summon +her to her father's bedside, yet, when it came, she rose to obey with a +firm step, though the white face, from which her eyes shone almost black in +their intensity, was proof of the anxiety that filled her heart.</p> + +<p>"My dear little girl," and her father pressed the hand she laid in his, "it +is not so bad as we feared, after all. Dr. Brown, will you go and tell my +wife? Dexie, do you think you will get tired waiting on me if I have to lie +here a few more months?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, papa!" She could not restrain the tears that sprang to her eyes, so +she laid her head on the pillow beside him until she could lift a quiet +face.</p> + +<p>"Don't fret, Dexie, dear!" and he fondly stroked the head so near him.</p> + +<p>"I am likely to live for months, and you are such a <a name="Page_310" id="Page_310"></a>capital little nurse +that it will not be such a hardship to spend the rest of my life on my +back."</p> + +<p>Yes, that was the verdict. Mr. Sherwood could never hope to walk again or +be a well man; but he would probably live for some time, his splendid +constitution being in his favor.</p> + +<p>This was hard news for the family; but they had feared the worst, and so +felt thankful for the extended time that might intervene before the end +would come.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood engaged the assistance of Mrs. Jarvis, an excellent nurse, to +attend on her husband; and as Dexie shared the nursing and relieved Mrs. +Jarvis, Mrs. Sherwood considered she had done her duty well and faithfully. +She did not feel strong enough to do very much of the laborious part of +nursing, but she was willing to make her appearance in the sick-room when +the patient was at his best. She had been present once when her husband had +been seized with a paroxysm of pain, and was so terrified and overcome that +she felt more than willing to leave her husband to the care of those who +were "so hard-hearted that they could witness such suffering," and still be +able to administer the necessary relief.</p> + +<p>As the weeks passed by and Mr. Sherwood grew no worse, it seemed impossible +to think that the "grim messenger" was really lurking in the shadow, for he +bore his illness with such patience and cheerfulness that only those who +were constantly about him realized how he really suffered.</p> + +<p>Mr. Traverse was always a welcome visitor, for Mr. Sherwood could never +forget that awful moment when death stared them both in the face, and how +Traverse had kept the flying timbers from crashing into his pinioned body, +receiving on his own head and arm the blows he might have escaped.</p> + +<p>Dexie had listened with averted face and tear-dimmed eyes to the story as +it fell from her father's lips, and she found it hard to meet her hero +without betraying something of the feeling which his noble conduct had +awakened in her heart.</p> + +<p>His frequent visits were both a joy and a pain to her, <a name="Page_311" id="Page_311"></a>though why she felt +glad to hear his step, yet dreaded to meet his glance, she could not have +explained.</p> + +<p>Gussie was able now to meet Mr. Traverse without that feeling of +mortification which she experienced after she had read his love-letter +before her guests. His manner to her was as kind and respectful as ever, +and she hoped he had almost forgotten the circumstance. How often that +thoughtless act had been regretted no one knew but herself. There was no +chance of adding his name to her list of admirers, for he kept her at a +distance, even when his manner was most kind. She often wondered if his +<i>city girl</i>, as she styled her, had yet relented, or if he had given up all +hope of winning her. How he must have cared for her to write such a letter!</p> + +<p>If she had learned the true facts of the case, and found out that the +letter was really Dexie's, as she at first supposed, she would have put +aside the fact that her conduct was none the less reprehensible, and would +have used all her arts to win him to her side. As it was, she was more +willing to sit by her father's side during the time Mr. Traverse was +present than at any other time during the day.</p> + +<p>One evening when Mr. Traverse was sitting by Mr. Sherwood's bedside, Gussie +also being in the room, one of those sudden attacks that always came on +without a moment's warning seized upon Mr. Sherwood, and Mr. Traverse was +so alarmed that for a moment he lost his presence of mind; but Gussie's +shrill screams, as she rushed out of the room, aroused him. Something +should be done for the sufferer, he knew not what, and reaching for the +bell-cord that hung over the head of the bed he gave it a hasty pull, and +as he did so Dexie was beside him.</p> + +<p>She took in the situation at a glance, her rapid movements relieving Mr. +Traverse from the fear and apprehension that had seized him, and the means +of relief were soon at hand.</p> + +<p>"Raise his head on your arm a moment," she said, coming quickly to the +bedside. "Not quite so much; there. I must get this into his mouth somehow. +Thank you. Now, lay him down very carefully." <a name="Page_312" id="Page_312"></a>A practical knowledge of +what was required made her movements swift, though quiet, and she worked +about him with a firm, steady hand. She was able to witness her father's +agony and still keep her wits about her; but this was positive proof to her +mother that Dexie had "no feelings."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood was soon able to look the thanks he could not express, and +Dexie took a fan that lay near at hand and began, with a gentle motion, to +fan her father's flushed face. Guy noticed for the first time that the +tears were flowing down her cheeks, though she gave no sign of her +distress, nor made any movement to wipe them away lest that act should +betray them.</p> + +<p>"Let me do that much, Dexie?" was the low, whispered words, as he took the +fan from Dexie's fingers.</p> + +<p>He drew a chair softly to the bedside, and kept up the gentle motion until +Guy felt assured that the sufferer was asleep.</p> + +<p>Dexie was kneeling by the bedside, intently watching her father's face +through her tears, and she started when Guy laid his hand across her +clasped palms, and whispered, "Come away, Dexie; he is sleeping."</p> + +<p>She rose at his bidding, and he drew her to the window.</p> + +<p>"This has been very hard on you, Dexie, and you have borne it bravely," he +whispered softly, holding her trembling hands in his own. "Do not try to +hide the tears from me. Am I not your friend?"</p> + +<p>The touch of his hand and the tenderness of his voice touched a chord in +Dexie's heart and sent a thrill through every nerve, and she raised her +eyes to his for one brief moment; but in that short time she read a story +that might have filled a volume, and no one could now say of her that "her +heart had not yet awakened," for she knew the truth at last.</p> + +<p>The appearance of Mrs. Jarvis at this moment was a welcome relief to Dexie, +and giving a hasty account of her father's late attack she hurried from the +room. She felt she must get away from everyone and face this new thing that +had come upon her.</p><p><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313"></a></p> + +<p>As she passed into the hall she found Guy Traverse waiting for her.</p> + +<p>"May I ask for a few minutes, Miss Dexie?" he asked, in a low voice. "I +have something I would like to say to you to-night."</p> + +<p>"Please excuse me to-night, Mr. Traverse," she replied, without lifting her +eyes. "I do not feel able to see anyone just now."</p> + +<p>"Some other time, Dexie, then. Good-night," and he held her hand one moment +in his, and turned to leave the house.</p> + +<p>He did not seem particularly pleased to find Gussie waiting at the parlor +door for him; but he intended to pass on and go home.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mr. Traverse you are not going home so soon, surely!" she cried. "I +wanted your opinion of a new book that was sent to me to-day. Is papa not +better?" seeing the altered expression on his face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is better now, I believe, but you must excuse me to-night, Miss +Sherwood; your book must wait for some future time. Good evening," and the +door closed softly behind him.</p> + +<p>As Guy turned the corner of the house, intending to take a short cut to his +hotel through the back garden, there issued from an open window such music +as Guy had never heard before—so soft, so sad, yet so exquisitely sweet +that he stopped for a moment to listen. He had often listened to Dexie's +playing; but he never had heard her play a piece like that, and he drew +nearer the window.</p> + +<p>He could see her through the thin curtain that hid him from view; and as he +stood and watched her, he wondered what it was that had the power to call +up such an expression to her face. But as he looked the music suddenly +ceased, and Dexie's face was buried in her hands, and he could hear the +sobs that shook her frame. He longed to speak to her, yet dared not. He +knew he had no right even to witness her emotion, and he turned silently +and sadly away. Could he have been mistaken, after all? That one brief +moment when Dexie had looked into his eyes he felt sure of her love, and +his heart had throbbed<a name="Page_314" id="Page_314"></a> with joy; and but for that interruption he might +even now be holding her against his breast, while he poured into her ears +the story of his love.</p> + +<p>But her tears and grief seemed a denial of his hopes. Had thoughts of her +absent lover given her that glorified look on which he had based his hopes?</p> + +<p>If Guy Traverse had been permitted to read a part of the letter which Dexie +penned that evening before retiring, he would not have waited so long +before testing the value of his hopes, for he would have guessed the +meaning of the words sent to "the lover over the sea."</p> + +<p>"I have thought several times lately that you are not so open and frank +with me as you used to be. Are you keeping something from me, Lancy? I +wonder if you have found out the truth of the words I said to you in +Halifax. Do not forget that it was to be 'honor bright' between us. I am +beginning to hope that my surmises are correct, but I know it is hardly +fair to force a confession from you that I shrink from making myself. It +may be true that 'open confession is good for the soul,' but I find it is +particularly mortifying to the body.</p> + +<p>"But I have been talking to you through the piano to-night, Lancy, and I +must set down in writing a little of what is in my mind, for I have to +confess to you, Lancy, that I can no longer <i>honestly</i> keep the ring that +has stood 'for a sign between me and thee.' Now, do not mistake me, dear +Lancy. I have heard no word of love from any man's lips since I left you, +but for all that I have met someone that will always stand between you and +me, and I really have little to tell you, only that under the conditions I +cannot keep the ring any longer. Will you release me from any promise I may +have given you, and tell me truly if you are not pleased that I asked for +the release? You must not think that I have ceased to care for you, for +there are times, when I am at the piano, that I would give all I ever +possessed to have you beside me, and I have missed you more than I can +tell. I see now that more than one kind of love can find room in the heart +at one and the same time. Now, Lancy, if I have made a mistake in thinking<a name="Page_315" id="Page_315"></a> +that you may have had the same experience as myself, and this confession of +mine grieves you, I will keep my promise still, <i>if you wish it</i>. I shall +look anxiously for your answer."</p> + +<p>But if Guy Traverse had no knowledge of this letter he was present when +Gussie held out the answer across the table, with the words:</p> + +<p>"Here is an extra heavy letter from over the sea, Dexie, and that bold +handwriting tells the identity of the writer at a glance, so there is no +use to deny that it is from Lancy Gurney."</p> + +<p>Guy saw no hope for him in the flushed face, and Dexie hurried from the +room as soon as she had grasped the letter from Gussie's hand.</p> + +<p>But Guy Traverse had no need to be so cast down, if he had only known it, +for the letter said:</p> + +<p>"I begin to fear that you are gifted with second-sight, and it is with +shame I confess that I have not kept 'honor bright' with you. I was afraid +you would not understand if I began to explain the matter, but your own +confession has made it easier. I can hardly tell you what has happened, +Dexie—it has all come about so suddenly that I hardly realize it myself; +but I was thrown from a vicious horse while visiting at a country-seat, and +was taken up insensible, and when I opened my eyes I found a sweet heart +bending over me; but believe me, Dexie, I did not know it was so until her +own lips confessed it, and she has become very dear to me since. But I have +been in misery when I thought how you would despise me, and I feared your +scorn. I shall always care for you, Dexie, as you care for me, and I am +glad to know that the music still holds us together. I have a request to +make, and if you will grant it I shall know that the admission in this +letter has not wounded you. Do not send back the ring, but keep it and wear +it occasionally. I have had a counterpart made of the little charm which I +enclose in this, and I shall always keep it in memory of the happy hours we +have spent together."</p> + +<p>Dexie read this letter over a good many times before she <a name="Page_316" id="Page_316"></a>laid it away +under lock and key; but when she did so she took from its hiding-place the +ring she had not looked at for months, and slipped it upon her finger.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will keep it and wear it, now that it means only friendship; of +course he does not wish to have it back. I am so glad he has found someone +else. He will never forget me, I am sure—I know that by my own feelings +for him; but if he had kept me to my promise I—" but she finished the +sentence in the innermost recesses of her heart.</p> + +<p>Dexie's reply gave Lancy a feeling of relief. He must explain to his +parents the change in his feelings, and he feared they would consider that +he had wronged Dexie Sherwood; but her letters would prove the contrary, +for did she not say:</p> + +<p>"Your ring is on my finger as I write, and I never wore it with more +willingness and pleasure than I do now, when it tells only of freedom and +friendship. I have had those words engraved on the inside of the ring. Will +you do the same with the token of friendship which you say you possess? I +was sorry to hear you had taken the trouble to get one made after the same +pattern, and I have a little scold all ready for you. Do not hide from your +ladylove till after your marriage the little romance 'between me and thee.' +Believe me, it will sound much better if told beforehand. I am pleased to +hear that your prospects are so bright, but you did not tell me half enough +about your pretty English lassie, or in what direction her talents lie, but +I can well believe that I am far in the shade so far as music goes. I +cannot tell you what you ask, Lancy, for my love has not been asked for in +words; but I am very happy, and if my future holds nothing brighter than my +present life, it will be well worth living, for the only shadow is the +thought of poor papa's sufferings. And now, dear Lancy, good-bye. This is +my last letter to you, but if we ever meet again I think you will find that +I am the same old Dexie."</p> + +<p>The letter had such a kind, honest ring to it that it quite relieved +Lancy's mind, and he wondered what Dexie <a name="Page_317" id="Page_317"></a>would say if she knew that his +ladylove was only a passable singer, and had no talent for music at all. +Truly, he had fallen in love with his opposite.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + + +<p>"I say, Traverse! I believe you are getting melancholy," said Mr. Fenerty, +as, seated in Guy Traverse's office, he watched Guy bend over the papers on +the desk before him, yet seeming to accomplish nothing.</p> + +<p>Getting no response to his repeated sallies, he added:</p> + +<p>"What's up! out with it! If that pile of papers is in a tangle, say the +word, and I'll bring my mighty brain to bear on them, and set them in order +for you in no time! No? Are the men going out on a strike, then? or is your +great-grandma down with the measles? Then, for Heaven's sake, why such a +doleful expression? It is enough to give one the blues to look at you!" and +he re-crossed his legs and looked searchingly at his friend.</p> + +<p>"That's all your nonsense, Fenerty! I'm all right! What's the news?" and +Traverse leaned back in his chair as if to resign himself to the +inevitable.</p> + +<p>"News! he asks for news, when I have come here expecting to find him +boiling over with anxiety to impart news to someone!" and Fenerty rolled up +his eyes in astonishment. "However, now that I have looked at you, and seen +the settled melancholy of those features, I am obliged to own that you do +not look like a man to be congratulated."</p> + +<p>"Why should I be congratulated, and for what? What joke are you struggling +to get rid of, Fenerty?"</p> + +<p>"'Pon honor, Traverse, I believe you are right! The congratulations are due +in some other quarter, yet who is he?"</p> + +<p>"I am as much in the dark as yourself, Fenerty. I own that I hoped to win +her myself, and I feel the disappointment—keenly."</p> + +<p>"Traverse, I hope you will not think me a meddling <a name="Page_318" id="Page_318"></a>fool; but I would like +to know if it is all up with the other one—she of the letter, I mean. You +might tell a fellow that much."</p> + +<p>Traverse looked at him keenly. He knew that Fenerty had a good heart, with +all his bantering, and it was plain enough to all that his attentions to +Dexie Sherwood could have but one significance. Yet there must be a feeling +in the mind of Fenerty, as well as others, that in the light of that letter +he was not "off with the old love before he was on with the new." Should he +trust Fenerty with the secret of the letter, and have at least one friend +who would not think him dishonorable in the matter?</p> + +<p>"Fenerty, how are you at keeping secrets?" he said at last. "I never hear +you parting with any, but whether that is owing to the fact that you have +none to impart, or whether your secrets really are secrets, I am not able +to guess. I would like to tell you about that letter. What are the +prospects of it becoming public property?"</p> + +<p>"'Pon honor, Traverse, you are a brute! Do you think I would speak of it to +my bosom friend, if I had one? and Heaven knows I haven't! But I have often +thought of your possible death from unrequited love. You must have been in +a desperate way about the time that letter was written, hey, Traverse?"</p> + +<p>"Fenerty, you are a great goose, and let me prove my words. But first, +while I think of it, never offer yourself as a detective, for the +requirements needed are not included in your make-up. Well, I never wrote +that letter at all. Miss Gussie was right in thinking the letter was her +sister's, but I guessed the truth before anyone had time to catch the +horrified look that came into Miss Dexie's face as she heard her letter +read out to the crowd. I felt I owed Miss Gussie one for the hateful trick, +so claimed it as mine; and I piled on the agony pretty thick, if I remember +rightly. How does that solution of the mystery strike you, Fenerty, hey?"</p> + +<p>"Traverse, you are right!" and he fell over against the wall, as if the +news had been too much for him. "You are right! 'Pon honor, but that was a +bright trick of <a name="Page_319" id="Page_319"></a>yours to claim that letter! I hope you appreciated the +sympathy I expressed for you on that trying occasion. Ha! ha! But the +fellow that wrote that letter had it pretty bad, eh, Traverse? By George! +I'll bet a hat she has given in at last. That is where the ring came from!"</p> + +<p>This referred to a little scene that had taken place in the T. and B. +rooms.</p> + +<p>Dexie had taken her place at the organ as usual, and in so doing had +displayed a ring that was new to the eyes of those standing near. Dexie +blushed painfully when attention was called to the ring by her teasing +friends; but she would acknowledge nothing when they tried to draw the +truth from her lips. When Guy Traverse joined the circle, to see what all +the fun and laughter meant, Dexie rose to her feet and slipped away, unable +to meet his eyes. But, with the knowledge he had of Dexie's affairs, he +thought there could be only one explanation of the ring's appearance; her +engagement to the lover over the sea must be a settled fact. But Guy's +frequent visits to the Sherwoods made the rest believe there was an +engagement between him and Dexie.</p> + +<p>Dexie's ring aroused considerable discussion among her friends, and it only +made it seem more complicated when Gussie declared to a friend that she +believed "Dexie had that ring before she left Halifax, but never wore it."</p> + +<p>But it was her sign of freedom, and its glitter and sparkle was like the +light of her own eyes when they rested upon it. She was afraid that her +secret, that sweet secret of her own, might be surprised from her. Not for +worlds would she have <i>that</i> person know that her heart had awakened at +last. With that ring on her finger, who could charge her with caring for +anyone but the giver?</p> + +<p>Guy Traverse thought he had every reason to feel sad and gloomy. How was it +that he ever supposed she cared for him, for now she was as reserved and +cool when in his society as she had before been frank and pleasant, and, of +course, that ring was responsible for the change.</p> + +<p>Gussie took the opportunity of relating to Guy, as well as to others, many +an interesting story concerning Dexie and her Halifax lover, but she +neglected to add that most of her stories were creations of her own brain. +<a name="Page_320" id="Page_320"></a>Guy felt little interest in these stories. He felt that there was +something going on that he did not understand, but he intended to ask an +explanation from Dexie at his first opportunity, feeling quite sure she +would own the truth to him.</p> + +<p>But the opportunity did not present itself readily, and even Mr. Sherwood +felt the change and wondered what had come between Dexie and his friend. He +tried to seek into the trouble, but could find no explanation of it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood was able now to be lifted to a wheeled chair or couch, and as +he could be gently wheeled from room to room, he found the change quite +agreeable. The time did not seem so long as when he was confined within +four walls.</p> + +<p>There were times when Dexie thought her father might be spared for years +instead of months, but when one of his attacks of pain seized him such +hopes as suddenly sank away. His mind was more free from care, since his +lawyer, Mr. Hackett, had brought his business matters to a satisfactory +state; but his visits to the house were always times of trial. Mrs. +Sherwood would listen to no explanations that would bring to her mind the +thought of her husband's decease. But someone had to stand in the gap, and, +as usual, it was Dexie; she it was to whom Mr. Hackett explained the many +papers and the various transactions to which their contents related.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter between you and Traverse, Dexie?" said Mr. Sherwood one +day, as Dexie sat by his side, writing at his dictation. "Never mind about +that story now; I have forgotten how I intended to end the matter. Tell me +what has happened between you two."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, papa, there is nothing. Mr. Traverse has probably something else +to take up his attention, and he has been away to New York, I hear, so I +daresay he is too busy to drop in as often as he used to do. Never mind +him; it is a pity not to complete this story when it is so nearly finished. +Let me read what I have written down, then perhaps you will remember what +you were going to do with this singular young lady."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! Put the thing out of sight! I'm sick and <a name="Page_321" id="Page_321"></a>tired of her already. I +miss Traverse, Dexie, and if you have had a quarrel, make it up for my +sake. He brings a world of sunshine with him when he comes."</p> + +<p>"We have not quarrelled, papa; that is not the reason he has not been in. +But I will tell Gussie to ask him to come in to-night; she will see him at +the T. and B. rooms."</p> + +<p>"Why can't you ask him yourself, Dexie? Queer that he has not been in +lately! There was never a day but he would run in for a few minutes during +some part of it; so ask him yourself to come in and see me."</p> + +<p>"I am not going out to-night, papa dear, but I will write him a note, if +you say so," and she drew some tiny sheets from among the scattered MS. +that filled the desk.</p> + +<p>"Do so, then, and tell him to come in as early as he can."</p> + +<p>"There, how will that do, papa?" and she passed the few lines for his +inspection.</p> + +<p>"Well, it couldn't be said in fewer words; that's a fact," he said, looking +at her curiously. "Look here, Dexie, out with it. What has happened to you? +Don't try to hide it; for I'm not stone-blind yet," and he pinched her pink +ear, and pulled her face around to look into it. "What has come over you +lately? Some new experience, I am quite sure. Matters are not as they used +to be. I have noticed the change in you for some time. You go whistling +through the house as happy as a bird, and your face is as bright as a new +button. Surely it cannot be because Traverse does not visit us so often? +Yet, I notice if anyone speaks to you about him, you get as 'mum' as you +please. Come, you used to tell me all your little secrets, you know. What's +up, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, I don't know what to tell you," and she stooped and kissed his +cheek. "You may look at things differently than I do, and news which may be +pleasant to me may seem very strange to you."</p> + +<p>"Then there is news of some kind, after all? Well, let us have it. I want +to hear the news, good, bad or indifferent. I will try to believe it is +<i>good</i> news, since it has such a happy effect on yourself," and he looked +up at the bright face that was bending over his chair. <a name="Page_322" id="Page_322"></a>"Well, you know, +there was a sort of promise between Lancy and me; but I am free from it. +Our last letters have been sent and received, and by and by he is going to +take an English lassie home as his wife."</p> + +<p>"You don't say so, and you find it a source of rejoicing! Well, you are a +queer girl, sure enough. Gussie would say you have been jilted."</p> + +<p>"But I have not, because it was I who asked to be released from the +promise. If you knew what good friends Lancy and I still remain, you would +not fancy I feel jilted."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm blest if I see the point yet," and he looked at Dexie keenly.</p> + +<p>"Please, papa, do not look for it," was the laughing reply; "for if there +be any point to this story, it is not visible to the naked eye, and I doubt +if you could discern it with a microscope itself. But, papa, I do not want +this spoken about yet—Lancy's approaching marriage, I mean. I would never +hear the last of it if Gussie got hold of it, and there is a reason why I +want everyone to suppose that everything is as it used to be."</p> + +<p>"Well, you can trust me, little girl; but I say again, I cannot see the +point."</p> + +<p>"And I hope you will not get particularly sharp-sighted all at once, +either, papa," she replied, shaking her finger at him; "so don't you go +spying into my little affairs, until I give you liberty. Dear papa, there +is nothing to tell; when there is, you shall hear it the first thing," and +she stooped again and kissed his cheek.</p> + +<p>"But why does not Traverse come here as usual, Dexie?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he will tell you if you ask him, papa," and hearing her mother +call, she left the room.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon, a little note found its way into Guy Traverse's hand; +but the smallest word from the hand that penned those lines was very dear, +and he raised it to his lips, then put it in a hidden corner of his +pocket-book.</p> + +<p>Guy felt that he was indeed welcome when he made his appearance in Mr. +Sherwood's room that evening, for Mr.<a name="Page_323" id="Page_323"></a> Sherwood received him with such +expressions of pleasure that it needed but the quick, bright glance that +Dexie gave him to assure him that his presence was welcome to both.</p> + +<p>"You have been busy, Traverse. What is going on at your establishment these +days?" Mr. Sherwood asked, as Dexie left the room to fetch the chess-board.</p> + +<p>"Oh! nothing more than usual. We have a good many orders in, and I have +been away to New York on business for the firm; but I was only away a week. +Your old firm has a new manager. Quite a step up for Rushton, isn't it? I +am pleased at his promotion, for he deserved it."</p> + +<p>"Yes; he was not expecting it either. He called to see me, and I was well +pleased to hear he had stepped into my place. Now, Traverse, play your +best, and see if you can beat me to-night," as Dexie laid the board and +chess men in order by her father's side.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood soon became so engrossed in his favorite pastime, that he +failed to notice that the poor play of his opponent was due to the fact +that his attention was so taken up with watching Dexie that only a part of +his thoughts were given to the game.</p> + +<p>"Traverse, I don't believe you are half playing," said Mr. Sherwood, as he +removed a captured knight from the board.</p> + +<p>"Well, you 'most always beat me, you know, Mr. Sherwood, though not often +so badly, I confess," was the smiling reply.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't be so easily conquered this time, Traverse, or I shall begin +to think you have something on your mind."</p> + +<p>Guy laughed and promised better play in the future, and as Dexie was called +from the room he redeemed his character and won the next game, and during +the few minutes' chat that followed Guy sought for information concerning +Dexie's supposed engagement.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood did not see the drift of his remarks until Guy asked:</p> + +<p>"There is a rumor that Miss Dexie expects to be<a name="Page_324" id="Page_324"></a> married shortly. You will +miss her very much if the rumor is correct."</p> + +<p>"Oh! rumor has it that way, has it? Well, this time Dame Rumor is just a +little astray. Strange how things do get twisted round!"</p> + +<p>"Are you quite sure there is no foundation for the rumor, Mr. Sherwood?" +and Guy held his chessman poised in the air while he waited the answer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, there are some facts to start from, certainly; yet I do not see +how the news could have got abroad. I feel quite sure Dexie never told +anyone about it, and the matter is not known to anyone else in the house, +except myself. She does not care to have the matter spoken of just at +present, lest it be misconstrued."</p> + +<p>"Then where is rumor wrong, if I may ask?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Traverse, I promised not to speak of it, but I do not think she will +mind if I tell you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood did not notice how eagerly Guy waited for the next words, for +he was studying his next move and seemed to have forgotten what he was +about to communicate.</p> + +<p>"If Miss Dexie does not wish the matter spoken of, you may rely on my +discretion," Guy remarked, as a reminder.</p> + +<p>"To be sure; well, the fact is, she has broken off the engagement, if there +was any, between herself and that young Englishman. I daresay you may have +heard us speaking of him, and he is soon to be married to a lady from his +own country; that leaves her free, contrary to Dame Rumor."</p> + +<p>"Is it possible! And Miss Dexie—"</p> + +<p>"Is as happy as a lark; do not extend your sympathy, Traverse, or you will +find it much misplaced."</p> + +<p>If Dexie had guessed that the very one she had hoped to keep in ignorance +was the first one to be told the facts of the case, she would never have +parted with her <i>news</i>, even to her father.</p> + +<p>Guy's heart bounded with hope and joy as he heard it, yet his happiness was +still overshadowed by the thought of that ring. There was something more +yet to learn.</p> + +<p>"I expect the rumor of her engagement is due to the <a name="Page_325" id="Page_325"></a>fact that she wears a +beautiful ring lately, the ring and the rumor go together, I expect," and +he looked keenly into Mr. Sherwood's face, as if to read any unexpressed +thoughts on the matter.</p> + +<p>"Oh! she wears a new ring, does she? That's nothing, Traverse; most young +ladies are fond of jewelry, you know. There is nothing in it, depend upon +it, for if the ring had come from the other one I would have known it at +once—there! lost again, Traverse; I don't believe you are in a playing +humor to-night."</p> + +<p>"Is there anyone likely to come between Miss Dexie and this young +Englishman, anyone who may have sent her the ring, Mr. Sherwood? You spoke +just now as if there was."</p> + +<p>"Well, there <i>is</i> one who would like to bestow his hand and fortune on her, +but she will have none of it; surely it can't be that she has changed her +mind, after all," and Mr. Sherwood laid down his chessman to consider this +new phase of the question. Could it be that the ring was from Hugh, and she +not tell of it? The game lost its interest with this new thought, and +hearing the sound of the piano through the walls, he said:</p> + +<p>"Suppose you wheel me into the sitting-room; I hear Dexie at the piano."</p> + +<p>The music suddenly ceased as the door opened, and Guy pushed Mr. Sherwood's +couch into the room.</p> + +<p>"It is too bad to waste that sweet music on bare walls, Miss Dexie," said +Guy smiling, "so I have brought an audience. Go on with what you were +playing; the little I heard was very beautiful, so do not let us interrupt +you. I am told that I am not a very good judge of music, but I know that +the piece you were just playing was something finer than most piano +pieces," for he had recognized it as the same piece she had played when he +had listened through the window, and it had ended in tears.</p> + +<p>Guy came over to the piano, and leaning his elbow on the cover, watched her +hands as they flew over the keys, and there was a puzzled look in his eyes +as he asked as she finished:</p> + +<p>"Is that what you were playing just before we came in, Miss Dexie?"</p><p><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326"></a></p> + +<p>"No; but do you not think it is a very pretty thing?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, very nice; but—"</p> + +<p>"Well, here is a new song just out, and if you do not think it is beautiful +I will agree at once with the one who told you that you were not a good +judge of music," and her clear voice sounded through the room.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is very fine, Miss Dexie. The words are almost too pathetic, or +else you make them sound that way. But let us have the first piece; there +is something peculiar in it, I fancy," and he picked up some sheet music +from the stand and began to look it over.</p> + +<p>"Hand it over, if you think you have found it, Mr. Traverse. I will play +anything you choose from that untidy mass," and there was an amused look in +her eyes as she watched the search. He was not likely to find what he +wanted amongst those promiscuous sheets.</p> + +<p>"But I do not know it when I see it, Miss Dexie," he replied. "I am sure +you know what piece it is I refer to."</p> + +<p>Dexie laughed at his bewildered expression; but as he looked at her, she +said in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know what you mean, Mr. Traverse, but I do not play that piece for +everybody."</p> + +<p>"Not for me, Miss Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>"What's all this about a piece of music, Dexie? I didn't come here to hear +you two quarrelling," and her father smiled over at them. "Let us have the +piece you were playing first, Dexie. It sounded fairly well, the little I +heard of it."</p> + +<p>"Choose something else, papa. Shall I play your favorite?" and she struck a +few chords.</p> + +<p>"No, not that! What is the reason you can't play the one I ask for?"</p> + +<p>"That piece of music is only for one pair of ears, and they are not yours, +papa, nor do they belong to Mr. Traverse. Name something else."</p> + +<p>Her father, looked at her in surprise, and then laughed.</p> + +<p>"You have raised my curiosity, Dexie. You will surely play it for me when I +ask you?" <a name="Page_327" id="Page_327"></a>"No, papa; it is sacred to the memory of someone else."</p> + +<p>"But what if I command you to do so?"</p> + +<p>"You will not do that, papa dear, I know," and she looked over with a world +of entreaty in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, well, has it come to this!" he said, with a soft laugh. "Did I ever +expect to hear Dexie say such a thing to me! See how badly I am used, +Traverse; she actually refuses to obey me, knowing very well I cannot +punish her for disobedience. Well, well! who would think it of Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it is one of her own compositions that she is trying to keep +hidden under a bushel, as it were," said Guy, with a sudden inspiration.</p> + +<p>"Oh, now you are wrong! and, to prove it, you shall be made to listen to +one of my very own pieces as a punishment," and she turned again to the +piano.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, is that your own?" when the last chords had died away.</p> + +<p>"Yes, papa, all mine, and I have a verse or two composed to suit the music; +so be careful, or I'll inflict them upon you as well."</p> + +<p>"Now, gentlemen," she added, "what else shall I favor you +with—instrumental music, or songs, ballads, whistling choruses, or what? I +await your orders. I have an extensive repertoire from which you may +select," and her fingers passed softly over the keys as she smilingly +waited.</p> + +<p>"Then it is no use to ask for that one piece, Miss Dexie?" Guy said, in a +low voice.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, not at all! I only play that when—well, when I am sentimentally +inclined, you know. Did I not say it was sacred to someone else?" and she +lifted a saucy face to Guy's gaze.</p> + +<p>Then without a moment's pause Dexie began to sing, and she soon charmed +away the frown that had gathered over Guy's face on hearing her frank +admission. He stood and watched her as she sang, feeling that she had the +power to make or mar his life.</p> + +<p>"Now, papa, you have heard quite enough, I am sure," she said, at last, +going over to his side. "You are looking tired."</p><p><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328"></a></p> + +<p>"There! that is just the way I am served. Directly I am beginning to enjoy +myself, my pleasures are nipped in the bud;" then changing his tone, he +added, "Yes, dear child, I do feel a little weary. If Traverse will be kind +enough to wheel me back to my room, I guess I will let Jarvis put me to +bed; I hear her rummaging about looking for me now," and he smiled as he +drew her face down and kissed it.</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, I wish it was in your power to escape her search."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood understood the wish, and pressed her hand in reply.</p> + +<p>Mr. Traverse was soon back by Dexie's side, watching the hands that were +evoking such sweet strains, but she seemed hardly aware of his presence +until he said, in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Remembering what you told me, Miss Dexie, I was not surprised to hear that +you were shortly to be married. May I know the truth from your own lips, +Miss Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know why the report, true or otherwise, should trouble any +person, Mr. Traverse," and she stooped to pick up some scattered music, and +hide her face at the same time.</p> + +<p>"It is more to me than you think, Miss Dexie. If you will admit that the +report is true, I will not trouble you with further questions; but I +understand, from what your father said, that the rumor is not correct."</p> + +<p>"Papa had no right to tell you anything, Mr. Traverse, but I fancy you are +not much the wiser for any information he may have given you."</p> + +<p>Her blushing cheeks and downcast eyes did certainly convey the impression +that her father was not aware how matters stood, so he replied:</p> + +<p>"No, I am not much wiser, I must admit, for I cannot make what he told me +agree with that engagement ring."</p> + +<p>"Do all rings have that significance? Gussie frequently wears several +without implicating any gentleman," smiling.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, you do not know how much this means to me, and I do not know if I +have a right to explain. When I remember how much you told me the night +that Gussie read your letter, I do not see why you should hesitate to tell +me the rest now."</p><p><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329"></a></p> + +<p>"What was it that papa told you, Mr. Traverse?" Dexie asked, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Only that you were free. Yet how can I believe that, with this ring on +your finger denying the fact, and that music has some connection with the +past, that touches your heart, or why is it sacred to one person alone. I +do not understand it, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"And I do not expect or desire you to understand it, Mr. Traverse," came +the hesitating reply, as Guy awaited her answer. "I could not explain about +the music, even to papa, but the ring does not tell the story you are +thinking of."</p> + +<p>"Well, if I may not hear the music, may I know the story of this?" and he +took the hand that wore the ring in his own.</p> + +<p>Dexie slipped the ring from her finger and held it towards him. "Oh! what a +great fire a little ring has kindled!" said she, smiling.</p> + +<p>Guy took the ring in his hand, and noticed the words engraved inside, +"Freedom and friendship," with the letters L. and D. in monogram.</p> + +<p>"That may mean more than the words imply, and be but a part of what the +music signifies after all. I am only too willing to believe in the motto +engraved here, but I hope the word 'friendship' is called by its right +name. Perhaps the writer of that letter has touched your heart at last, +Dexie?" he added, looking intently into her blushing face.</p> + +<p>"No! oh, no! The ring did not come from him, Mr. Traverse."</p> + +<p>"My thoughts have not been pleasant to me since my eyes rested upon this, +and heard the rumor connected with it. Dexie, be honest with me and tell me +what it means."</p> + +<p>Dexie slipped the ring back on her finger, and shook her head.</p> + +<p>"It has been discussed enough, Mr. Traverse, please say no more about it," +she said, shrinking away from the eager, searching looks that made every +moment more embarrassing to her.</p> + +<p>"Just a moment, Dexie! Your father said that you <a name="Page_330" id="Page_330"></a>asked Mr. Gurney to +release you from any promise between you. When speaking of him that +evening, you told me that you never had met anyone that you liked better. +Tell me, Dexie, have you met anyone <i>since</i> then, that you asked to be +free?" and he bent nearer and looked intently into her face.</p> + +<p>Why had he put such a question to her? If she said "No," it would imply +that she still cared for one that was betrothed to another; but she could +not say "Yes," for that might betray her secret.</p> + +<p>Guy's face was very near her own, as she answered with a beating heart:</p> + +<p>"You have no right to put such a question to me, Mr. Traverse, and please +to remember that I am 'Dexie' to no man but papa," and there was a touch of +anger in her tone, to which, however, Guy gave no heed.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Miss Dexie, if I have offended you," and a bright smile lit up +his face. "I <i>had</i> no right to ask that question, but I shall endeavor to +find it out all the same," a glow of satisfaction filling his heart.</p> + +<p>Gussie entered at this moment and Dexie escaped to her room, but Guy did +not think his case quite hopeless as he walked home, thinking it over.</p> + +<p>"I believe she does care for me; but shall I ever be able to make her +confess it? She must know how I love her. However, I feel free to go to the +house as usual, and I may not, after all, repeat the moth-and-candle story, +as I feared."</p> + +<p>But try as he would, he could not break through the reserve that now +surrounded Dexie like a mantle. She welcomed him with the fewest possible +words when he called on Mr. Sherwood, and she seemed so cool and stiff that +he felt chilled to the heart. It was seldom, indeed, that she addressed a +remark to him during an evening. Yet there were times when, suddenly +turning his eyes in her direction, he would find her looking at him so +intently that his heart would throb with hope and gladness, only to be +chilled again at the first word that fell from her lips. For weeks this +battle with hope and fear went on, and their friendly intercourse seemed to +have come to an<a name="Page_331" id="Page_331"></a> end. Her visits to the T. and B. rooms were fewer than +ever, and the hour for choir practice was so often changed that he found it +almost impossible to see her a moment alone. His visits to the house gave +him little pleasure. Mr. Sherwood always brightened up when he arrived, and +but for the pleasure these visits gave to the sick man Guy would have +hesitated about making them at all.</p> + +<p>One evening as he entered the parlor he found the family assembled and busy +over various trifles: Gussie, with a basket of colored wools, was picking +out some needed shade; Mrs. Sherwood was by the fire with some fleecy +knitting work in her hands, while Flossie sat at her feet intent on fitting +a brilliant dress on her newest doll.</p> + +<p>Traverse stood in the doorway looking at the family group for some moments +until Dexie, who was reading the evening paper to her father, lifted her +eyes and acknowledged his presence with a bow. She perused the paper +silently, while her father and Mr. Traverse entered into a discussion +concerning certain charges made in it against one of the public officers of +the State, and at her father's request Dexie read again the article that +had called forth the discussion.</p> + +<p>When she had finished she lifted her eyes, and a wave of color spread to +her very brow as she met Guy's earnest gaze. If there was more animation in +the remarks that followed, Mr. Sherwood did not guess the cause of the +change.</p> + +<p>Wishing for a certain volume that had reference to the matter, Dexie rose +to get it from the bookcase, but not finding it readily Traverse came over +to assist her. The search went on in silence for some time, when Guy said +in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Is there any quarrel between us, Miss Dexie, that we so seldom speak to +each other?"</p> + +<p>"Not that I know of, Mr. Traverse," Dexie replied, dropping her eyes to the +lowest shelf.</p> + +<p>"Then, why are you so silent when I am near? We used to be good friends, +but now you cut me to the heart by your cold looks and cruel speeches. What +has come between us?"</p><p><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332"></a></p> + +<p>"Nothing that I know of, Mr. Traverse, and if my words and looks do not +please you there is a way to keep out of the reach of both."</p> + +<p>"You are an enigma hard to solve, Miss Dexie," was the smiling reply; "but +I intend to find the solution, and until then you will not find it easy to +drive me away."</p> + +<p>"As you please," and catching sight of the book she was looking for, she +turned hastily from him and seated herself by her father's side.</p> + +<p>Guy felt in little humor to continue the discussion. He felt that Dexie's +manner was but a cloak to hide her true feelings from him, and finding it +impossible to draw her into further conversation he rose to leave the room.</p> + +<p>"May I speak to you a few moments in the hall?" he quietly asked, as he +bent over her chair.</p> + +<p>But Dexie shrank from such an interview, and replied:</p> + +<p>"Please excuse me; papa needs me just now."</p> + +<p>"No, I don't," came the unexpected reply from her father, who had heard the +request as well as the refusal.</p> + +<p>Dexie rose slowly to her feet, a look of indecision on her face.</p> + +<p>"Go at once," said her father; "Mr. Traverse is waiting for you, Dexie," +then she followed him out of the room.</p> + +<p>Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment as she waited in silence for Mr. +Traverse to speak, and her heart beat wildly as he regarded her with +earnest eyes.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, tell me honestly, do you wish me to cease visiting here?"</p> + +<p>"No, Mr. Traverse;" then after a pause, "papa would miss you."</p> + +<p>"But I do not come here on purpose to see your father; you know that very +well, Dexie," and the tender, reproachful tone made Dexie droop her head +still lower.</p> + +<p>"Have I offended you, Dexie, that you are so cool and distant with me?"</p> + +<p>"No, you have not."</p> + +<p>"Then is it because you dislike me that you will not speak a word to me? Is +that why you are so silent, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>No answer came from Dexie's lips, but she shook her head in reply. <a name="Page_333" id="Page_333"></a>"What +is it, Dexie that has come between us—there is something, is there not?"</p> + +<p>"Did you ask me here on purpose to catechise me?" recovering her voice at +last. "Then I wish you 'good evening,'" and she turned to leave him.</p> + +<p>But Guy stepped quickly before her and seized the hand that reached for the +door.</p> + +<p>"Do not dismiss me so curtly, Dexie, but shake hands when you bid me +'good-bye' to-night."</p> + +<p>Dexie laid her hand in his, and he held it close, while for one brief +moment her eyes were raised to his, then as quickly averted; but that was +all Guy needed—the secret was his at last.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + + +<p>The next afternoon, while "the twins" were out with their mother on a +shopping expedition, Mr. Traverse called at the house, and tapped lightly +at the door of Mr. Sherwood's room.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Traverse, is that you? Glad to see you," said Mr. Sherwood. "I was +just wishing that someone would come in. The girls are out, and Jarvis is +outside rattling among the dishes, and there is not a soul to speak to. +Take a seat and be comfortable; the girls will soon be home, I expect."</p> + +<p>"I did not come to see the girls this time, Mr. Sherwood," said Guy, +smiling. "I knew they were out, met them in a store down town, so came upon +purpose to catch you alone."</p> + +<p>"Well, that is good of you, Traverse; it is intolerably slow to be cooped +up here all day, not sick enough to stay in bed, and not well enough to be +moved about. Any news?"</p> + +<p>"I have not read the day's papers yet," and he pulled them out of his +pocket, and tossed them on a table near. "You can look up the news yourself +by and by. I have come to have a talk with you this afternoon, Mr. +Sherwood, and to ask a favor. I hope you are sufficiently acquainted <a name="Page_334" id="Page_334"></a>with +me by this time to grant me this favor, without taking much time to +consider the matter. I presume you have guessed that my frequent visits +here are due to something more than the friendship I feel for yourself," +and he smiled down at Mr. Sherwood, adding: "I have come to ask for the +hand of your daughter."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that is what you are after, is it?" and Mr. Sherwood leaned back in +his couch and smiled. "I had not given the matter a thought, though I might +have known there were other attractions than a sick man in the house. Well, +Traverse, I am pleased to hear your request, for I have always had a +personal liking for you, and I do not wonder that you have reached my +daughter's susceptible heart. My life is not going to last much longer; the +doctor may bolster me up for a little while, but the end is coming fast. I +feel my strength going daily, and I shall feel relieved to see her settled +in a home of her own before I am gone. Gussie is young and inexperienced, +but you will make her a good, kind husband, I feel sure."</p> + +<p>"Oh! but you mistake me, Mr. Sherwood," said Guy, speaking quickly; "it is +not Miss Gussie I am asking for. I admire her beauty and respect her +highly, but it is Miss Dexie I want for a wife."</p> + +<p>"Dexie! Man alive! what nonsense is this! You don't mean to tell me that it +is Dexie you have been making love to all this time?" said he, in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, I haven't made much love to her yet, I must confess," he replied, +laughing at Mr. Sherwood's astonished face; "but that is because she won't +let me. She will not give me the chance! indeed, I can hardly get a word +from her at all lately. Does it look to you as if I should be asking for +Miss Gussie, Mr. Sherwood? Believe me, I have never said a word to her more +than has been said in your presence, that would lead to the inference that +I had serious intentions in regard to her. I hope you will not refuse to +give me the one I want."</p> + +<p>"Well, well, I don't know what to say, Traverse; it is so sudden. I never +thought of you in connection with Dexie, and upon my word, Traverse, she +doesn't appear to be very much in love with you either, if I am any +judge!"<a name="Page_335" id="Page_335"></a> and Mr. Sherwood looked up at Traverse, who was standing by his +couch, his hands clasped behind his back in a waiting attitude. "Now, with +Gussie it would be an easy matter."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sherwood, I am happy to know that you are not indifferent to me, apart +from the fact that I aspire to be your son-in-law. I am sure you will +understand that I mean no offence when I say that while I admire Miss +Gussie I should not care to make her my wife; Miss Dexie is different."</p> + +<p>"Well, it strikes me, Traverse, that the difference is not in your favor," +and Mr. Sherwood smiled as he watched Guy's restless movements, for he was +now walking up and down the room.</p> + +<p>"Love-making must be done in a different way than when I was a young man, I +fancy."</p> + +<p>"Give your consent to the wooing, Mr. Sherwood, and I'll do the winning. I +will frankly admit that at present she appears to dislike me heartily, but +I have grounds to hope that there will be a change very soon. The signs may +not be visible to others, but I am not in despair, by any means," and he +stopped by the couch and smiled down at Mr. Sherwood's face.</p> + +<p>"Well, Traverse, though I ought not to say it, she will make you the better +wife of the two. You are not blind, and if a daughter is loving, unselfish +and sympathetic to her old father, she will make a good wife. Success to +your wooing, though it looks to me as if it might be a tough job. If you +win her, you shall have my blessing with her; but do not take her away from +me, Traverse. You will not have long to wait, and I should miss her sadly."</p> + +<p>"Well, there seems to be no sign of a speedy marriage at present," was the +smiling reply, as he took a seat by the window, "but I hope your life will +be spared for a long while yet. Do not say anything about my calling here +this afternoon. Dexie does not seem in the humor to hear a proposal yet; +but I am going to take advantage of the first chance, so you may expect +news at any time."</p> + +<p>"Well, Traverse, I shall watch the progress you make, <i>sub rosa</i>. It will +add quite an interest to the monotonous life I spend here on my back."</p><p><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336"></a></p> + +<p>"You may not have long to wait, for I am going to press the matter at the +earliest opportunity, even though I may get a positive refusal for my +answer," was the laughing reply. "I have bought the ring, so you see I have +some hope."</p> + +<p>"Well, upon my word, Traverse! that is taking time by the forelock, sure +enough. I must be even blinder than I thought, if there are enough signs +for you to go that far already. She wears a ring now that has given rise to +much gossip, but I cannot get at the truth of the matter. She will not tell +me her secrets as she used to do; so take care, Traverse, the giver of that +ring may be in your way, after all."</p> + +<p>"I'll risk it, Mr. Sherwood," he said, smiling. "But the young ladies have +just turned the corner; I shall have to escape by the side-door. Good +afternoon, Mr. Sherwood, you have made me very happy," and after a cordial +hand-clasp Guy left the house.</p> + +<p>"Strange that I never mistrusted that it was Dexie he was after all this +time," thought Mr. Sherwood. "Yet I might have guessed, if I had given it a +thought, for he never asks after Gussie when he calls, and it is always +Dexie he brings home when the girls are out—when she will let him," and he +laughed softly, as he remembered the playful account that Traverse had +given him of the trouble he had in keeping Dexie in sight, and how she had +escaped him sometimes by changing hats with one of her friends at the last +moment, and so bewildering him by her changed appearance that it was hard +to catch her until she was almost home.</p> + +<p>"I must find out if she has anything against him; perhaps I can speed the +wooing. She will need a protector soon, brave, independent little woman +though she is."</p> + +<p>The entrance of his daughters at this moment put an end to his thoughts, +and led him to notice once more the difference between the twins. Gussie +rushed to her rooms at once to view the purchases afresh, but Dexie quietly +slipped to his chair to see if he was asleep.</p> + +<p>"Have we been very long, papa? I hope you have not been lonesome or wanted +anything. They kept us so long<a name="Page_337" id="Page_337"></a> looking at the things in the store that I +was getting anxious, fearing Jarvis would be too busy to see after you," +and she smoothed back his hair and stooped to kiss his forehead. "What +shall I do for you before I go to change my dress?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing at all." But noticing that Dexie was regarding the daily papers on +the table, added, "Oh, yes! just hand me those papers; I was wishing I +could reach them. There, that is all! be off! be off with you and change +your gown, if you want to!" playfully shoving her at arm's-length, for he +was afraid she was going to ask who had left the papers there.</p> + +<p>"They were to-day's papers," she said to herself, as she went to her room. +"Who could have left them? Surely <i>he</i> was not here, for we met him down +street. Papa would have mentioned it at once if he had called, yet those +papers were left here by someone since we went out."</p> + +<p>Thus reasoning to herself, Dexie put on her house-dress, intending to +return to her father's room and ask who had called during the afternoon, +but second thoughts prevented her, and she turned to the kitchen to see +what had been provided for her father's supper, or to prepare, if need be, +some little extra dainty to tempt his failing appetite.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood unfolded the papers Dexie had laid before him, but they failed +to claim his attention; the events of the afternoon still had possession of +his thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Traverse has told on himself by leaving these here, but perhaps she did +not notice the date, and there are always papers lying around the room. I +will not let her question me about them."</p> + +<p>But Dexie acted as if the matter had passed from her mind. She was as gay +as a lark, giving him bits of news she had heard while she was out, telling +him of the things she had seen during her walk that she thought might +interest him, even trifles which seemed hardly worth speaking about; but +when one is confined indoors, the veriest trifle of outside life is +welcome, so Gussie need not have curled her lip so scornfully when Dexie +was relating the sights of the afternoon.</p><p><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338"></a></p> + +<p>"Just think, papa," Dexie added, taking no heed to these silent objections +so plainly visible, "they have put new steps before the door of your old +office, and a new 'No admittance' card is tacked on the inside door, and +the place is being all spruced up. The painters have got to work at the old +Baptist church; it is to be repaired inside and out—quite time, too, for +it looks as if it had been exposed to the weather ever since the Flood! +Mitchell's tailor shop has two new figures in the window, and, judging by +the styles displayed, the latest style of coat is much cut away and would +suit you exactly. But if you want to dress in the very latest style, you +must also have a gorgeous plaid necktie. Shall I buy you one, papa?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Dexie; how silly you talk," said her mother severely. "What does your +father need with new neck-ties while he is lying there on his back?"</p> + +<p>The tears sprang to Dexie's eyes at once. Why could not her mother let him +believe for one half-minute that he was <i>not</i> "lying there on his back" +with no need of fashionable attire? It made Dexie's heart ache to see the +changed expression come over her father's face at the thoughtless words, +and she turned from the room to hide her tears.</p> + +<p>But Dexie had many little devices to amuse her father, who was quick to +catch the passing moods of those around him. One little diversion in +particular always brought a spice of frolic with it, while it caused Mrs. +Sherwood to frown in displeasure. Dexie would set her father's table before +him, but bring in his food covered over, and he must guess at the contents +of the dishes by sundry whiffs which she would allow him from the corner of +the raised napkin, and his many absurd guesses, in response to her efforts, +often caused much merriment between them. He always found some little +surprise on the table, if nothing more than a new cup to drink his tea +from, or a pretty device on the little pat of butter; there was sure to be +something to make remarks about. But this "foolishness," as Mrs. Sherwood +called it, was kept up, and the harmless sport did much to induce the sick +man to eat, and thus kept up his strength. <a name="Page_339" id="Page_339"></a>Dexie was glad to find that her +mother had left the room when she returned with a covered tray. Setting it +on one side, she raised her father and settled his pillows, placed the +invalid's table across the couch, set the tray thereon, then whipped off +the napkin that covered the dishes.</p> + +<p>"Now, papa, what do you think of that for a cup and saucer?"</p> + +<p>"Is that a cup and saucer, Dexie? Well, you might call it anything else and +not be far astray, I fancy. I'll have to ask, like the little nigger in +'Dred,' 'Which be de handle, and which am de spout?'" and he looked at the +cup with interest.</p> + +<p>"Why, that is the beauty of it. You can't make a mistake! If you take it +this way, why, <i>this</i> is the handle and <i>that</i> the spout. If you prefer it +end for end, why—there, you have it! I saw it down in the store, and +thought it would be just the thing to drink out of. Try and see how nice it +is. Not a drop spills out, you see, even when you are lying down. When you +get tired of it as a cup, then I'll call it a fancy vase, and set it on the +mantel for flowers. Handy thing, isn't it? useful or ornamental, just as +you like."</p> + +<p>Her father set the cup on the table and laughed pleasantly.</p> + +<p>"Now, papa," she added, "you will need your Yankee guessing cap to-night, +for I have something very nice. What is it?" holding up a dish.</p> + +<p>"Well, sure enough, what can it be? It smells like chicken, but there is +also a suggestion of oysters. There!—I give it up, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"That's right, for I do not know the name of it myself. I saw how to +prepare it in a book, but the name is beyond me. There is no English word +to express how nice this tastes, so you must eat in French to-night, papa," +sitting beside him to assist. "The little book tells how to prepare some +lovely little stews and dishes, and I am going to make some of them for +you. But don't be alarmed, papa! I'll try all the new inventions on myself +first—to see if they are safe, you know! But, between you and me, papa, +the author of the little cook book is a fraud! Some of the <a name="Page_340" id="Page_340"></a>dishes are +quite plebeian. He goes on to say how to prepare some toast, so-and-so, +some milk and butter, or cream, so-and-so, put this and that in it, then +you dish it up and call it—oh! I can't say <i>what</i> he calls it; but, if you +will believe me, it is just 'cream toast,' and nothing else, disguised +under a high-sounding name to deceive innocent people, and make them +believe they are eating something very high-toned. Just a little more tea, +papa. But I am up to their tricks and I'll not palm off any old-fashioned +dishes on you, under a Frenchified name," and she chatted on, helping him +and preparing what was before him, till she had beguiled him into making +quite a hearty meal.</p> + +<p>That evening Mr. Traverse made his appearance as usual, bringing with him a +pretty basket of fruit, and his inquiries after Mr. Sherwood's health were +made so earnestly that Dexie felt sure he could not have been in during the +afternoon; someone else must have left the papers.</p> + +<p>As may be supposed, Traverse was in excellent humor. He seemed bubbling +over with good-natured fun, and even Dexie thawed out sufficiently to +answer his repartees less caustically than usual.</p> + +<p>"Something very pleasant must have happened to you to-day," said Gussie, +looking at him archly, "or else you have been studying a joke-book for our +amusement."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have good reason to be jolly to-night," he replied, changing his +seat so as to watch Dexie's face. "I am going to be married! That fact +alone ought to make any reasonable man happy, don't you think?"</p> + +<p>This announcement was so unexpected by everyone, that even Mr. Sherwood +looked up in surprise, and wondered "what next," and Dexie's eyes flashed +in indignation as she said to herself:</p> + +<p>"Then he was only trying to get up a flirtation with me, after all, and his +tender looks and gallant speeches were only intended to draw me out! How +glad I am I never gave him the smallest encouragement! What should I have +done if he had guessed my secret? Yet he looked so true—who would believe +he was so deceitful? Oh, dear!"</p><p><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341"></a></p> + +<p>She bent her head lower over her work, and said not a word. No one should +ever know how her heart ached at that announcement.</p> + +<p>Gussie had always feared that if ever Guy Traverse gave up his "city girl" +he would turn to Dexie for consolation, and she was glad to hear this +announcement. Dexie was not going to get him, after all. She hoped Dexie +would feel disappointed, but she smiled sweetly as she said:</p> + +<p>"Ah! you sly thing! How you have deceived us? How long have you been +engaged, and when is the event to come off? Do tell us about it."</p> + +<p>"Well, I only received her father's permission to-day—something I was +afraid I would never get, so the time has not been set."</p> + +<p>"Come, Dexie!" looking up to see how her sister took the news, "you have +not congratulated Mr. Traverse yet on his approaching marriage."</p> + +<p>"I have not heard your congratulations, either, Gussie; but I believe Mr. +Traverse will not doubt the sincerity of mine as I fear he may yours."</p> + +<p>The retort struck home, as Dexie intended it should; she felt hurt, and was +glad of the chance to say something sharp to relieve her feelings.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is to be hoped that the future Mrs. Traverse is a little milder +in her manner than you are; he has endured a good deal from your sharp +tongue lately, and needs a change. Mr. Traverse seems to be waiting for +your congratulations, Dexie," she added, as she noticed how intently Guy +was regarding her.</p> + +<p>"I hope it is not needful for me to assure Mr. Traverse how glad I am to +hear of his approaching marriage," came the cool, stiff words from Dexie's +lips. "I hope that hereafter he will see fit to bestow his obnoxious +attentions exclusively on the lady of his choice."</p> + +<p>"Why, Dexie," said her mother in surprise, "you are forgetting yourself."</p> + +<p>"I stand adjudged!" and Guy smiled serenely, as he exchanged looks with Mr. +Sherwood. "But I regret to say that the lady in question has not cared to +monopolize <a name="Page_342" id="Page_342"></a>my attentions so exclusively as I could wish, and they have +overflowed, as it were, upon others occasionally. I beg to hope, Miss +Dexie, that in the future you will have no cause to consider my attentions +obnoxious."</p> + +<p>"Well, give <i>me</i> your attention just now, Mr. Traverse," said Gussie, +lifting up a skein of silk for him to hold, and beginning to wind it off. +"Does the future Mrs. Traverse indulge in this work?"</p> + +<p>"Well, now, I really don't know, Miss Gussie; but if the knowledge of it is +important I am sure she can do it, though I may never have seen her at it."</p> + +<p>Dexie was suffering agonies of mind. Who could it be that had won his +heart? It must be someone he had known before coming to Lennoxville, and +his visits away from town were not always on business matters. She sat +listening to every word with a beating heart, but those who were watching +her closely could read no word from that quiet, immovable face.</p> + +<p>"Do tell us something about this city girl of yours," Gussie said, +teasingly. "We have been so intimate that it is only fair to tell us +something about her. Is she tall or short, a blonde or brunette, and what +kind of work is she usually at when you go to see her? or is she a society +lady with nothing to do but dress up and look pretty? Perhaps she paints; +that is fashionable now."</p> + +<p>"Paints! No, never! 'Her cheeks are like the rose, that in the garden +blooms,' and so on, but for all that, I am sure she does not paint!"</p> + +<p>"Paint pictures, I mean! You know I did! Of course, I never meant her face! +But what sort of work is she fond of? What are her talents? I am sure you +must know that!"</p> + +<p>"Well, now, I really don't believe I ever asked her what she likes to do +best, and she is so unselfish that it would not be fair to judge her by +what she is actually doing when I happen to see her, for I am sure that +some of her self-imposed tasks are far from pleasant to her. I have heard +her called her mother's right hand. I suppose you know what that means, +Miss Gussie?"</p> + +<p>Dexie raised her eyes for one moment, but dropped them<a name="Page_343" id="Page_343"></a> when she saw +Traverse looking at her intently. She was glad it was not a fashionable +belle he had chosen for his wife, for she knew what a position she must +hold if she was "her mother's right hand." That term told a long story to +one initiated into its duties.</p> + +<p>"But I am not going to let you off with such a general answer, Mr. +Traverse," was Gussie's persistent reply, "so tell me at least <i>one</i> thing +that you have seen her engaged in when you called upon her."</p> + +<p>"Well, really, Miss Gussie, you fairly puzzle me, for I can't think of the +name of the work which I see her at most frequently," and he looked up as +if reflecting on the matter; then glancing over to Dexie, who sat by the +side table with a mending basket near, he added, "Oh! now I remember it. It +is 'family mending,' I believe you call it. You just put me in mind of it, +Miss Dexie," as Dexie raised an astonished pair of eyes to his face.</p> + +<p>A sudden thought struck her, though she instantly refuted the idea, and +despised herself for entertaining it for a fraction of a moment; but Guy +had witnessed the flush that spread over her face as he uttered the words.</p> + +<p>"Oh! how poetic!" and Gussie laughed heartily. "She must be, like Dexie, +also, the housekeeper of the family, or at least the eldest daughter in +it."</p> + +<p>"Why, I thought you were twins, Miss Gussie," said Mr. Traverse, in +surprise.</p> + +<p>"Well, so we are as to age, but Dexie is years older than I am in other +things. She has left the vanities and other worldly things behind her years +ago."</p> + +<p>"I wish you could see the fine affair that Dexie works at when she sits up +with me at night. Where is it, Dexie? Bring it out and let us all have a +look at it," said Mr. Sherwood, who had listened in silence to the +discussion, and did not wish Traverse to think that Dexie was ignorant of +this particularly feminine employment.</p> + +<p>"Oh! never mind it just now, papa; I would rather not show it," she +replied. But seeing that she had somehow disappointed him, she added, with +a smile, "Wait till it is done, papa. It is not easy to judge the looks of +an unfinished piece of work. Perhaps I will be able to finish it in time to +make it a wedding present to Mr. Traverse." <a name="Page_344" id="Page_344"></a>Traverse looked at her with +such a happy smile on his face that she made some excuse to turn her chair +about, and her fingers trembled so she could scarcely guide the needle.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with me, I wonder?" she thought. "Surely I am not so +foolish as to be disturbed by his looks, after what he has just told us! +Surely I am not so weak and foolish as that!"</p> + +<p>Although the day had been a pleasant one to Mr. Sherwood, it had also been +a trying one, and he began to feel the effects of it. He was getting uneasy +and restless, and Dexie soon observed it.</p> + +<p>"You are tired, papa. Shall I wheel you to your room?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think you had better, and call Jarvis at once," and he leaned back +white and weak against his pillows.</p> + +<p>Guy was on his feet in a moment, and rolled the chair into the next room +with a steady, firm hand; while Dexie hurried past him to summon Jarvis, +and to get the hot applications which were always kept in readiness for +these sudden attacks.</p> + +<p>"I fear you are worse than usual to-night. Has my extra visit to-day been +more than you were able to bear?" Guy asked, as, with the gentleness of a +woman, he lifted him across into his bed.</p> + +<p>"No, it is not that; I have been up too long, I guess, and my strength is +daily growing less. I ought not to be moved out of bed, perhaps, but it is +torment enough to be bolstered up in a chair without staying in bed all +day," he added savagely, as the pain began to grow fierce. "Oh! this is +awful!"</p> + +<p>Guy seemed helpless as he stood on one side to let Jarvis approach the bed.</p> + +<p>Dexie came in at that moment with several hot cushions, and with their help +they soon had the sufferer more at ease; but for the few minutes the sight +of his agony was terrible to witness.</p> + +<p>"Don't go, Traverse; sit down for awhile; I shall soon be better," he said, +as soon as he could speak. "There is more medicine in those hot bags than +in all the doctor's bottles—they ease the pain faster than anything else," +he presently added.</p><p><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345"></a></p> + +<p>"How is the pain now, papa?" and Dexie bent over him with anxious face.</p> + +<p>"Better, dear; much better, but it was fearful cutting for awhile. Did I +frighten you, dear? You must not mind it so. Jarvis might see to me alone, +if you would let her."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I must help you if I can. I could not bear it if I could not do +something to relieve you, dear papa," she whispered, as she bathed his +flushed face.</p> + +<p>Presently Mrs. Sherwood came in to see if her husband was better, and to +ask if there could be anything further done for his relief.</p> + +<p>"Nothing more, my dear; do not worry about me. You had better go and rest. +Dexie will bring me something hot to drink presently, and that is all I +shall want."</p> + +<p>"Then I will leave you now with Jarvis, and see about it, papa," and Dexie +left the room without saying a word to Mr. Traverse, who had taken a chair +and seated himself at the other side of the bed. She was too much taken up +with her father's sufferings to remember that her own heart had cause for +grief.</p> + +<p>She was some time away from the room, and naturally expected that Mr. +Traverse had left the house, as Mrs. Jarvis said nothing about his still +being in the room when she came out to speak to her.</p> + +<p>"It is my turn to sit up the first part of the night, Mrs. Jarvis," said +Dexie, "so you had better go at once to bed. I will call you if he should +be worse, so do not sleep with one eye open. I will be sure to let you know +if you are needed."</p> + +<p>"Well, Traverse, you astonished me to-night," said Mr. Sherwood, as soon as +they were alone in the room; "that was a strange way of beginning your +wooing," and there was a smile on his white face as he looked into the +manly one before him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I astonished them all," and he laughed softly. "It was quite amusing +to see the effect of the announcement on the whole of you. I thought you +were going to jump out of your chair; Miss Gussie was evidently surprised, +but was not very much put out at the news; <a name="Page_346" id="Page_346"></a>and Dexie—well, she hardly +expected it, but she seemed pleased to hear she was likely to get rid of +me," and he laughed again.</p> + +<p>Just then Dexie came into the room carrying a little alcohol lamp with +attachments for keeping hot her father's beef tea, and she stopped abruptly +as she saw Traverse, saying almost rudely:</p> + +<p>"You here! why I thought you had gone long ago!"</p> + +<p>"Come! never mind looking at Traverse; I want my tea. I hope it is strong +and hot."</p> + +<p>Dexie colored slightly as she poured it out and helped him to raise his +head as he drank it, knowing how a pair of eyes were watching her.</p> + +<p>"Shall I shake your pillows while you are up, papa?"</p> + +<p>"No; they are quite comfortable. Perhaps you don't care to believe that +Traverse is almost as handy a nurse as yourself; but there! he can never be +quite so good as my own little girl," and he drew her down to his side.</p> + +<p>"You look pale yet, papa. Are you sure the pain is gone? There are more hot +cushions outside if you would like them. I wish I could bear the pain for +you," she said, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"You cannot do that, little woman, but you can do something else that would +make me feel better. Be a little less rude to Traverse here; he is my best +friend, and there is no need to snap his head off every time you speak to +him. I can't think what ails you lately, Dexie; you never used to be so +quarrelsome."</p> + +<p>Dexie flushed painfully and softly replied:</p> + +<p>"As <i>your</i> friend, papa, I will try and give him less cause for complaint +in the future—if I can help it," she added, without lifting her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, it is something to have you promise that much itself, but he has not +been complaining, Dexie. I am the one who is finding fault, so don't begin +to scold him for that. Now, I am going to try and sleep, so go out of the +room, the both of you, and don't come disturbing me. I will pull the bell +if I want anything," and being thus dismissed, Dexie found herself alone +with Guy in the sitting-room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL.</h2> + + +<p>The house was silent and still. All had retired, and Dexie moved gently +about, placing the room in order, wishing that Traverse would make some +move to leave the house; but he seemed in no hurry to depart, as he stood +with his elbow on the low mantel, watching her.</p> + +<p>At last Dexie broke the silence by asking anxiously:</p> + +<p>"Do you think papa is any worse than usual to-night, Mr. Traverse?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I hope not, Miss Dexie. Does he take those bad turns very often?" +and his eyes were full of pity as he spoke.</p> + +<p>"Not often at this hour; the turn of the night is always his worst time. +Oh! I hope it will not be severe to-night. He seems so much weaker than +usual that I—I'm afraid for him," she said brokenly.</p> + +<p>"Let me stay with you to-night, Dexie; I cannot go away and leave you with +such a dread on your heart," and he came near to her side. "I can help you +if he is worse," he added, gently, "so let me share your watch to-night; +indeed I will not leave you like this," for his tender, sympathetic words +brought the tears, and she hid her face in her handkerchief.</p> + +<p>Presently she grew calmer, but her voice was very low as she answered:</p> + +<p>"You are very kind, Mr. Traverse, but I shall not need your help. I can +call Mrs. Jarvis if he should be worse. I thank you for your kind offer, +but your assistance will not be necessary."</p> + +<p>"That is not kind of you, Dexie," said Guy reproachfully. "Your father said +I was his best friend, and you ought not to send me away when I might be of +service to him; so let me stay, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"Well, I suppose it looks rude to refuse your help; but I am sure mamma and +Gussie would think it improper, if I allowed you to remain," she answered, +with downcast eyes.</p> + +<p>"Is that the reason you do not wish me to stay with you?" and he smiled +down at the bowed head. "Do you <a name="Page_348" id="Page_348"></a>think conventionality should be considered +when your father's comfort is in question?" he asked. "You know your father +has often asked me to sit with him when he was restless and could not +sleep, but you did not seem willing," he added, seeing she had no reply, +"and I have been anxious to please you in all things, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"There was no need to consult me about it," she replied, feeling vexed at +the tone that implied so much more than he had a right to express under the +circumstances, and taking her work-basket to the far side of the table she +sat down to work.</p> + +<p>"Must I go or may I stay, Dexie? at least till the time of your father's +usual attack? Be kind this once and say I may stay."</p> + +<p>"As you please. There is a new book of poems, and a late New York paper," +said she presently, feeling that she must say something. "They will help to +pass away the time."</p> + +<p>But Guy Traverse had no intention of passing his time over reading-matter, +something of a more personal nature was in hand. Dexie was determined she +would not be the first to break the silence, and the ticking of the clock +was the only sound heard for some time.</p> + +<p>"And so my attentions are obnoxious, Miss Dexie? I was grieved to hear +that, when I wished them to be the opposite."</p> + +<p>The words, low and tender, brought painful heart-throbs to Dexie's bosom, +but she hastily answered:</p> + +<p>"You said they should not be so in the future; so please say no more on the +subject," and glad to escape from his earnest gaze, she rose and looked +into her father's room.</p> + +<p>Finding him quietly sleeping, she soon returned, and folding up her +finished work, laid aside the basket, then brought from a drawer a frame +containing the delicate piece of needlework her father referred to, and +began to pass the needle back and forth. Presently Guy came over to her +side, and stood looking down at the work in her hands; then said with a +smile:</p> + +<p>"Is this the fine wedding present you are going to give me, Dexie?"</p><p><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349"></a></p> + +<p>"I was not in earnest when I spoke, but I will not go back from my word, if +you think it will be acceptable," was the low reply.</p> + +<p>"If that is the only thing you will give me for a wedding present, I think +I won't accept it;" then bending over her, said tenderly, "My darling! I +want you to give me yourself!"</p> + +<p>Dexie was on her feet in a moment, her embroidery forgotten.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Traverse! do you wish to insult me? How little you must respect me, to +speak to me like that!"</p> + +<p>"My little girl, why will you misunderstand me? Don't you know that I love +you with my whole heart—will you not let me tell you?" as she shrank away +from him.</p> + +<p>"Those are strange words to say to me, Mr. Traverse, after telling us about +your approaching marriage; and papa thinks you are a gentleman."</p> + +<p>"And you do not!" smiling at her indignant look. "Dearest, you must let me +explain," and he came nearer.</p> + +<p>"No! I will hear no explanation! there can be none after what you have +said! Is it honorable to say such things to me while you are looking +forward to marriage with another?" and her eyes flashed angrily.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, you are mistaken. Surely you do not think me such a villain!"</p> + +<p>"What else do your words imply?"</p> + +<p>"That I am looking forward to my marriage with you, dearest; that was what +I meant to-night," taking a step nearer, and looking at her tenderly.</p> + +<p>"Do gentlemen usually announce their approaching marriage before saying a +word to the lady in question? I am not so easily deceived as you think, Mr. +Traverse."</p> + +<p>"But, Dexie, you would not let me say the word, though I have sought an +opportunity for weeks past. Dearest, I have loved you since I first knew +you, even during the time I thought you were promised to another. I hid it +then in my own breast; but lately, since I heard you were free, you have +given me no chance to tell you of my love. Sometimes I have felt that you +knew it, Dexie, and that you <a name="Page_350" id="Page_350"></a>were not indifferent. To-day I asked your +father's permission to win you, and he gave his consent."</p> + +<p>"So I was bargained for and sold like a horse!" and her eyes flashed +indignantly, "and I have nothing to say in the matter whatever! How much +was I considered worth?" Then overcome by her feelings she sank down on the +sofa, and hiding her face in the cushion burst into tears.</p> + +<p>Guy was kneeling beside her in a moment, and with one arm thrown around her +said tenderly,</p> + +<p>"Dexie, you know better. You know your father loves you and would keep you +beside him always if he could. But he knows that I love you dearly, and he +would give me your hand if you gave me your heart. Do not try to hide it +from me any longer, love. Do you not love me already?" and he bent his head +beside her own. "Lift up your face and tell me, dearest."</p> + +<p>But Dexie could not raise her eyes; she was afraid to believe the sweet +words she heard. Did he really love her, after all!</p> + +<p>"Think how long I have loved you, Dexie," he added, tenderly, "and yet you +have never given me one word to encourage me, but have been so cruel—so +cruel! Dexie, have you nothing to say to me after all this waiting?" and he +lifted her head to his arm, saying softly, "If I wounded you to-night by my +abrupt announcement, it was unintentionally. I thought you would guess my +meaning; but you would not even look at me. You will believe me, Dexie, for +I did not mean to vex you," he pleaded earnestly.</p> + +<p>Still no answer; but Guy seemed to know intuitively what was in her +thoughts, and she no longer shrank from him when he stroked her soft hair +and drew her closer to his breast.</p> + +<p>"Uncover your face and look at me, dearest. Did you not know that I cared +for you? Tell me, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"I did think so sometimes," was the low reply.</p> + +<p>"Then what was the reason you were so cool with me?" smiling down into her +blushing face. "Tell me, or I shall believe I know the reason already."</p> + +<p>"If you know, why do you ask?" was the shy reply.</p> + +<p>"Because I would like to hear you say it yourself. Confess it, now, or must +I say it myself?"</p><p><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351"></a></p> + +<p>She endeavored to release herself from his encircling arm, but he held her +close as he whispered:</p> + +<p>"You love me already. You know you do; so own it now."</p> + +<p>A pair of eyes, glorious with the love-light that shone in them, were +raised to his, and as he read his answer in their depths, the happy lover +whispered,</p> + +<p>"Kiss me, Dexie."</p> + +<p>A blushing face was lifted to his, and an arm was raised till it encircled +his neck, as Dexie gave her first kiss of love to the man who had won her +heart.</p> + +<p>"How could you be so cool and short with me when you loved me all the +time?" he asked, as he held her in his arms.</p> + +<p>"I was not quite sure you cared for me," was the low reply. "But I am +forgetting papa. I must go and see if he is all right, Guy."</p> + +<p>It was the first time she had used his name, and he smiled fondly into the +dark eyes raised so shyly to meet his own.</p> + +<p>"I do not want to let you go from my arms for a minute, darling. I have +been longing for this hour for so long that I am afraid I shall find it all +a dream if I once let you go. Will you come back to me if all is +right—back to my arms, I mean?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps—yes, then," and she stepped softly into her father's room.</p> + +<p>But it needed only a few minutes to assure her that he was sleeping soundly +and peacefully, so she returned to her waiting lover.</p> + +<p>"Not beside me, but here, where you promised!" and he held out his arms as +she endeavored to take a seat on the sofa beside him. "I wonder how long it +will be before you will make my heart glad by coming to my arms of your own +accord. It is hard to believe that this is the same little girl that used +to send me home with such an aching heart that I walked the floor for +hours, instead of going to bed."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Guy! I am so sorry. I never thought you cared for me like that," she +whispered, as she laid her head on his shoulder.</p><p><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352"></a></p> + +<p>"I wish I could tell you how much I <i>do</i> care, my own darling! but words +give so little expression to one's feelings; yet I am longing to hear just +three little words from you. Don't you think it would be fair to take away +the memory of your unkind words by telling me that you love me?"</p> + +<p>"Dear Guy, you know I love you, or I would not be here! I have loved you +ever since papa was hurt, but I did not want you to know it. Will that +confession do?"</p> + +<p>"I knew you cared for me, my darling! yet it is sweet to hear the admission +from your own lips. And to think how long we have misunderstood each other! +If I had only taken you in my arms that first night I was present when your +father was so ill, and made you own to what I felt was true, these unhappy +weeks might have been spared us; but it is something to have this joy in +the end, my own little wife."</p> + +<p>Dexie gave a little start of surprise at this sweet epithet, and a rosy +blush spread over her face, at which Guy repeated lovingly:</p> + +<p>"My own little wife! Is it not so, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"I had not thought of the future, so much has happened in such a short +time," she answered, in a low voice; "but I love you, Guy, and the future +shall be as you wish."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you have no rings on to-night, Dexie," said Guy, as he took a +little parcel from his pocket. "You have one that has troubled my peace of +mind for some time, but I have something to take its place," and as he took +her hand in his the flash of a ring told Dexie his intention.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Guy! wait! I cannot let you put that on yet. I am afraid to trust +myself that much to-night; it is all so sudden, Guy!"</p> + +<p>"My darling! what do you fear? You are not afraid to trust yourself to my +keeping when you know I love you?" and he drew her closer, as he looked +down into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"No, Guy, but it is all so new and strange that I hardly know myself. You +know I accepted a ring once before when I ought not to have done so, but I +wore it honestly lately, Guy; I did, truly."</p><p><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353"></a></p> + +<p>"Tell me about it, Dexie, and clear up the mystery. The ring has a story, +one that has given me much trouble of mind."</p> + +<p>"I think your trouble was imaginary, Guy," smiling. "The ring, in the first +place, did not signify an engagement, though it was the sign of a promise +which Lancy Gurney and I made to each other. He was to ask me again to +marry him at the end of a year, unless during that time we found there was +someone else we liked better. As you know, I did not wait for the year to +be up before I asked to be released. Oh, yes, I confessed that I had met +someone that had the first place in my heart," she blushingly admitted.</p> + +<p>"And you told him what you would not tell me! Oh, Dexie!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, for I promised him I would be honest with him. This led to +explanations on both sides, and to assure him I still felt kindly towards +him I agreed to keep and wear his ring. I wore it gladly, because it +reminded me I was free to love where I chose; besides it helped to keep you +from guessing that I had given my love without the asking. That is all, +Guy, so you see the words engraved inside are honest and true."</p> + +<p>"My dear little wife! but how could I guess that the ring meant so much +happiness to me. It did indeed deceive me, but this shall tell the truth +from the start."</p> + +<p>"I do wish you had not bought it—just yet. Everyone will make remarks +about it. Something plainer would not proclaim our secret to the world as +this will surely do."</p> + +<p>"Yet I thought it not good enough for the dear hand that was to wear it. +Let me put it on, Dexie. Think how many times I shall see you when there +will be no chance to say a word to you, but when I see the ring I can say, +'She is mine! mine!' How sweet to know that it is so!" and he kissed her +hand as he slipped the ring on her finger.</p> + +<p>"Mine now, dearest; yet you seemed so far away from me only a few hours +ago. How surprised your father will be! I wish he could see you here in my +arms."</p><p><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354"></a></p> + +<p>"Oh, hush! that would be dreadful! Was he surprised this afternoon at your +errand? I thought it was you who left those papers; but when you announced +your coming marriage this evening, then I began to doubt," and she laughed +softly.</p> + +<p>"It was a surprise at first, but he consented at last to give me his +treasure—if I could get her."</p> + +<p>"Poor papa, I will never leave him. No one else seems to have time to be +with him or amuse him as I can, and it is hard for him to feel so helpless +when he has such a restless and energetic disposition."</p> + +<p>"I promised not to take you away while he needed you; but, dearest—I do +not want to alarm you—I do not think he will have to bear his pain many +weeks longer. He is failing, I can see, and he told me to-day that he felt +his strength going fast."</p> + +<p>"I know it is so, though I have tried to put the thought aside. Dear papa, +how good he has been to me! What news this will be to him! But I hope no +one else will find it out—just yet. Everything must go on much as usual, +before others anyway," smiling into his happy face.</p> + +<p>"That will be very hard, don't you think, little wife? How shall I be able +to hide my love from Gussie?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! you will be coming here after this just to see papa, you know," +looking at him archly, "and I fancy she will find little to interest her in +the man that has so openly announced his approaching marriage to a lady who +is unknown. I'll not object, perhaps, to let you stay—with papa, you +know—on the nights that I take my turn to sit up with him. But there is +his bell, and oh! Guy, look at the clock!"</p> + +<p>Dexie's heart beat fast as she hurried to her father's room, but she was +needlessly alarmed. His unusual sleep had renewed his strength, but Dexie, +fearing the worst, asked anxiously:</p> + +<p>"Are you in much pain, dear papa?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no, child; I feel first-rate. I guess that bad spell I had at bedtime +is going to do me for to-night; but I am thirsty, so when you get me fixed +up you can go to <a name="Page_355" id="Page_355"></a>bed. You must be tired to death, my dear girl," he added, +as Dexie busied herself about him. "What time is it? Not past two, surely? +Why, I must be turning over a new leaf, eh, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>Guy Traverse stepped to the door as Dexie entered the room, fearing also +that Mr. Sherwood was worse, but hearing his cheerful voice he thought he +would surprise him by showing himself, and he stepped to the bedside, his +hands clasped behind him, and a curious smile played over his face as he +waited.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! Traverse, what are you doing here at this time of night?" +was the astonished remark as Mr. Sherwood turned and saw who was beside +him.</p> + +<p>Traverse laughed pleasantly and drew a chair to the bedside.</p> + +<p>"I have been waiting in the next room, fearing you might be ill again at +your usual hour and would need my services."</p> + +<p>"And a sorry night you have had of it, I expect. Well, you don't seem much +the worse of it, after all," and he turned and looked curiously towards +Dexie.</p> + +<p>"What mischief have you been up to now, Dexie, that you look so guilty? +Come here to me directly!"</p> + +<p>"Are you going to scold me, papa?" and she stooped over and kissed him.</p> + +<p>"I would like to find out first if you deserve it. I hope you have not been +quarrelling with Traverse, after what I said to you?"</p> + +<p>"Well, not all the time," she blushingly answered. "He would not go home at +the proper time, though I tried to turn him out of the house."</p> + +<p>"I see! Then it was the first part of the night you did not agree. And +what, may I ask, have you been doing since the row was settled? Out with it +now," holding her face between his two hands and looking into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Dear papa, that is not fair," as she tried to hide her face in his arms.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood felt sure that Guy had come to some understanding with her, +and wanted to make her own it, <a name="Page_356" id="Page_356"></a>but Guy knew she would not care to be the +first to speak of it, so said in a happy voice:</p> + +<p>"Give me a chance to tell a part of the story, Mr. Sherwood. Dexie has made +me a happy man at last. You will not care to hear all the particulars just +now, but she has promised to be my wife."</p> + +<p>"Is this really true, Dexie?" looking with loving eyes at his daughter.</p> + +<p>Dexie raised her hand, saying softly:</p> + +<p>"See, papa," and the flashing ring answered the question.</p> + +<p>"Well, well; I can hardly believe it yet. Go and kiss him, Dexie, right +before me, if it is really true; seeing is believing, you know."</p> + +<p>Guy looked at her smilingly, saying, as he held out his hands, "Come, +Dexie."</p> + +<p>Dexie put one hand in his, and laying the other across his shoulder bent +over and kissed him; and she made no resistance when he put one arm around +her and drew her down on his knee.</p> + +<p>"Well, this is a pleasant surprise, I'm sure. You have made good use of the +time, Traverse," and Mr. Sherwood laughed softly. "You have been rather a +perverse young lady, Dexie, but you have fallen into good hands at last. +You must not leave me yet, dear child, for what should I do without my +little nurse? But, bless my heart! there's three o'clock. You will not get +into your hotel at this hour, Traverse, but I expect you would not sleep +much if you did, so go back into the sitting-room, the both of you, and +finish the night!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Sherwood; your liberty adds much to the pleasure. I hope we +have not tired you," he added, as he rose from his seat.</p> + +<p>"Not at all! Another drink, Dexie, and be off with you!"</p> + +<p>"Don't tell on us, papa," she whispered, as she prepared his drink. "Jarvis +is sure to sleep till I awaken her, and this is not likely to happen +again," laughing.</p> + +<p>"Well, better make the most of it, then; so be off with your lover," and he +waved her away from his side.</p> + +<p>"It was not so dreadful, after all, to come to my arms<a name="Page_357" id="Page_357"></a> before your father, +was it?" Guy asked, a few minutes later. "I am sure it pleased him to see +it, and it was good of him to allow me a little longer bliss."</p> + +<p>But time passed swiftly, as it always does with happy lovers, and the grey +dawn of early morning warned them that they must separate. As they stood by +the window, watching the first rays of light in the east, Dexie said:</p> + +<p>"I will have to send you away soon, Guy, or you will be discovered; but I +am going to invite you to an early breakfast here with me before you go."</p> + +<p>"Never mind breakfast, dearest; I would rather have you here by my side +until the last minute. I expect some machinery by the early train, so I +think I will go down and see if it has arrived; that will give us forty +minutes more together," taking out his watch.</p> + +<p>"Then a part of the time will be well spent in preparing you a slight +refreshment—nothing elaborate, you know, or Eliza would pounce down on me +at the first sound," and she left him at the window, and hurried to the +kitchen.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later she appeared again, looking as fresh as the morning, +with a white ruffled apron clasped round her waist and a dainty muslin cap +perched on her head, from beneath which stray curls peeped bewitchingly +out, and passing her hand through Guy's arm, said laughingly:</p> + +<p>"Will you mind coming to the kitchen, Guy? I am afraid someone will hear us +if I take you anywhere else, and I don't want the rattle of dishes to +betray us."</p> + +<p>"Well, this is enough to make any fellow selfish," as he followed Dexie out +to the kitchen, and closed the door softly behind him. "You must be a +fairy, to conjure such a dainty breakfast in this short time. No one will +hear us here."</p> + +<p>The appetizing odor of coffee filled the air, and the most fastidious +person could have found no fault with the dainty little table and its +appointments, with plates laid for two.</p> + +<p>"Now, you really must be quiet, Guy," trying to escape from his arms. "Just +see how you have mussed my hair!"</p> + +<p>"And you haven't mussed mine at all, I suppose! I say, Dexie, what if +Gussie should catch us here?" <a name="Page_358" id="Page_358"></a>"Which, fortunately, is not likely; but what +<i>would</i> she say? The impropriety of our conduct would be shocking," and a +musical laugh sounded through the room.</p> + +<p>"I should plead extenuating circumstances, dearest. One does not have the +delightful experience of last night but once in a lifetime, and why should +we not make the most of our pleasures? However, I can thank your father for +this extended bliss."</p> + +<p>"The extended bliss of eating in the kitchen!" and she smiled +mischievously, as she handed him a cup of coffee. "Is this your first peep +into my domain?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I think it the pleasantest room in the house. Who planned it, and +invented such contrivances?" glancing approvingly at the adjustable shelves +which Dexie disclosed by shoving aside what appeared to be a panel in the +wall. "We must have our kitchen just like this."</p> + +<p>Ignoring his last remark, except by a blush, Dexie answered:</p> + +<p>"I have to thank papa for the liberty I enjoy in this room; but for him I +should have had the usual bare walls and no conveniences whatever. If you +had seen all the newspaper articles I read up, giving the experience of +practical housekeepers, you would not wonder at the change which, with the +help of a carpenter, I made in this room. I am monarch of all I survey in +this part of the house, as mamma does not care how many experiments go on +here as long as everything is satisfactory that comes out of it."</p> + +<p>All pleasant things come to an end, and the early breakfast in the kitchen +was no exception to the rule; but it remained a bright spot in the memory +of both, and in after-years was often referred to.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later Guy left the house, and, for the first time, he left it +contented and happy, the sweet "Good-bye" in the hall being in strong +contrast to the usual curt dismissal that had fallen to his lot hitherto +when Dexie showed him out.</p><p><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359"></a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> + + +<p>Dexie stood in the doorway until her lover was out of sight; then, +remembering that the little table in the kitchen would tell tales, she was +soon stepping briskly about, and quickly removed all traces of the early +meal. Going softly into her father's room, she found him awake and feeling +very well, and in the best of spirits.</p> + +<p>"I heard you in the hall," said he, pretending to scold. "A fine time for a +young man to be leaving the house, isn't it, now? I am astonished at you, +Dexie!"</p> + +<p>"Well, dear papa, I am astonished too!" and they both laughed. "I am sure +if anyone had told me such a thing was about to happen, I would have +thought him a fit subject for a lunatic asylum."</p> + +<p>"You look very happy over it, dear, or your face tells a story! But I +thought I smelt coffee when I woke up."</p> + +<p>"So you did! My young man stayed to breakfast. What do you think of that? +He says he is going to plead 'extenuating circumstances,' if he is brought +to the bar. But don't you think you would like a cup of coffee and a nice +piece of toast?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think I would; it is rather early for breakfast, but I feel ready +for it."</p> + +<p>Dexie was soon beside him with a small tray, and as he drank his coffee he +said, as he looked at her keenly:</p> + +<p>"I want to know one thing, Dexie, and then I won't question you any more. +What was the trouble between you and Traverse these few weeks back? +Something was wrong with you, at any rate, but you do not confide in me as +you used to do."</p> + +<p>"Well, you naughty papa! How could I tell you my little secrets when you +let them out the first thing?" she laughingly replied.</p> + +<p>Her father looked at her in surprise, and she added,</p> + +<p>"I told you not to tell that I broke the engagement with Lancy Gurney, and +you told Guy that very first evening."</p> + +<p>"Well, where was the harm? He seemed very anxious <a name="Page_360" id="Page_360"></a>to know about it, and I +am sure you seemed to rejoice over your freedom."</p> + +<p>"Yes! but I didn't want Guy to know it, for it made it so much harder for +me to meet him."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, did you break your promise with Lancy on account of Traverse? Well, +well! I understand it now; but who would have thought that you cared for +him when you were so cool and short!"</p> + +<p>"You surely would not have me make the first advances, papa?" laughing.</p> + +<p>"No; but you might have allowed him a chance to make them himself. However, +all's well that ends well, and I wish someone would ask to be Gussie's +protector before I am gone—someone as trustworthy as Traverse. You are of +an age to find life rather hard without someone's sheltering care, and it +will not be long before you will both need it, for your mother is not able +to see after you as you need."</p> + +<p>The rattle of pans and dishes told that the kitchen had an occupant, and +with a parting word to her father "not to tell on her," she left the room.</p> + +<p>At this moment Jarvis appeared, looking positively frightened.</p> + +<p>"Oh! why did you not wake me, Dexie?" she cried. "I cannot see how I slept +so heavily. But I depended on you to rouse me, Dexie."</p> + +<p>"It is all right, Mrs. Jarvis. Papa passed a splendid night; so you were +not needed. But wait a minute, I have something to tell you. I did not want +you up, for I had company of my own, and I have news for you this morning." +Then with a blushing face she raised her hand to show her ring, adding, "I +am engaged to be married."</p> + +<p>"My dear, is it possible!" and the motherly creature took the fresh, happy +face between her hands and kissed both cheeks. "Is it Mr. Traverse that is +going to take you away from us?"</p> + +<p>"He will not take me away while papa needs me; but it is to be a secret for +the present, Mrs. Jarvis, for under the circumstances we can make no plans +for the future."</p><p><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361"></a></p> + +<p>"Yes, I understand you, dear. You can trust me; and I am well pleased to +hear of your good fortune. Mr. Traverse is thoughtful and tender beyond his +years, and I have learned to respect him highly. But you will go and lie +down now, won't you? I will see to everything, so go to your room and make +your mind easy about the work this morning."</p> + +<p>When Dexie appeared again in her father's room some hours later, he looked +at her with pleasure. Her face seemed to have grown beautiful; love had so +glorified it that her happiness seemed to speak from every feature. He did +not wonder that Guy Traverse had lost his heart to his little nurse.</p> + +<p>"Do you feel well enough to-day, papa, to dictate those unfinished +stories?" she asked, as she wheeled his couch over to the sunshine. "You +have left those three fishermen quarrelling about who caught the largest +fish, till by this time the fish must be spoiled, to say nothing of the +temper of the fishermen. And there is that city belle, who wished to become +a second Rosa Bonheur; you have left her in the pasture fleeing for her +life, with the vicious bull in full pursuit, her sketch-book flying in the +air. Now, surely by this time the brute has killed her, or she has died of +fright. Then there are several other characters all left in some dilemma +that must be settled by this time in some way or other," and gaily talking, +she brought out her writing tablet and set it across her knee.</p> + +<p>"Well, it seems to me, Dexie, that as soon as I get my characters into some +trouble I lose all interest in them; I wonder what trait that represents in +myself," he added, musingly. "Finish the stories yourself, Dexie. I am sick +and tired of them, so get them out of the fix they are in the best way you +can."</p> + +<p>"Well, how would you like to begin something new, papa?" her only idea +being to get his mind occupied, and this had been a wonderful means of +diversion ever since he was hurt.</p> + +<p>"Not to-day, Dexie. I think I am too full of your little romance to invent +anything new. Finish up those old things and let me see how you get on. +Give the smallest <a name="Page_362" id="Page_362"></a>chap the biggest fish; he told the biggest lies, and +will claim it anyway. Let the girl jump the fence. If she can't do that, +let her crawl under it, or let the bull toss her over; no matter how she +gets out of the field, so long as she gets out alive. She will never want +to paint again, I feel sure; so let her escape with her life."</p> + +<p>Dexie laughed and began to write, knowing she would get her father +interested, and she soon found she had to move her fingers very nimbly in +order to keep up with the flow of words that fell from his lips. Page after +page fluttered to the floor till Dexie cried, "There, papa, that is enough +for to-day. The house party are happily paired off and are on the way to +the supper table; let us hope they will find enough to eat upon it, while +we go and see about our own supper."</p> + +<p>In the evening, much to Gussie's surprise, Mr. Traverse made his +appearance, and her smiles and good-humor rose to the surface at once; this +was the more remarkable by reason of their non-appearance throughout the +day.</p> + +<p>Dexie answered his ring at the door, and if they remained in the hall just +a little longer than usual, no one seemed to remark it; and if the blushes +which mantled her cheeks were observed, no one guessed the cause.</p> + +<p>During the evening Gussie noticed for the first time that Dexie wore a new +ring, and the volley of questions she poured forth regarding it was quite +astonishing.</p> + +<p>"Why, where did you get it, Dexie? It is just a beauty; mine look quite +common beside it! That is the second new ring you have worn lately, Dexie, +but I hope there is not so much mystery about this one as there was about +the other. Lend me your ring for this evening, will you, Dexie?" she added, +coming over to her sister's side.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," and Dexie turned away. "You have half-a-dozen rings of +your own, and you know your own motto is 'What's mine is mine,' so I'll +neither borrow nor lend," laughing good-naturedly.</p> + +<p>"Keep your old ring, you stingy thing!" Then, fearing that Traverse might +have heard her, she said sweetly:</p> + +<p>"Have you noticed Dexie's new ring, Mr. Traverse? It is a mystery to me +where she gets them, for I am sure <a name="Page_363" id="Page_363"></a>she would never buy them herself. +Perhaps Hugh McNeil sent it, eh, Dexie? It looks just like one he would +send," and she regarded her sister closely.</p> + +<p>Dexie colored painfully at this interrogation, and Guy, who was amused at +Gussie's inquisitiveness, said in feigned surprise:</p> + +<p>"Are you really guilty of wearing a new ring, Dexie?" the corners of his +mouth twitching suspiciously. "I hope you are as happy in possessing it as +the donor was in bestowing it."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Traverse, I think I can truthfully say that I am."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dexie! was it really given to you by a gentleman? Was it Lancy Gurney +who sent it?"</p> + +<p>"Hardly, Gussie, or some other young lady would have a right to complain," +smiling at Gussie's look of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Then it was Hugh McNeil, as I thought. I always said you would repent your +behavior to him. Then I suppose the affair is settled. Where <i>is</i> Hugh, +Dexie?"</p> + +<p>Dexie did not answer at once, but clasped her hands, palms downward, in +that convulsive grasp that always told of some mental struggle. Something +of the old terror filled her heart at the very mention of Hugh's name, and +her answer was evidently uttered with much reluctance, not unmixed with +fear:</p> + +<p>"He is probably on his way to New York, Gussie. Is there anything else you +would like to know?" forcing a smile to her lips.</p> + +<p>Guy felt that something unusual had brought that look of alarm to Dexie's +face; he would ask the cause at the first opportunity.</p> + +<p>Gussie felt sure that she knew all about it now, so began to twit her +sister about "giving in at last." She had been in a bad humor all day, and +was glad of the chance to get rid of her ill-feelings by teasing Dexie in +the presence of Traverse.</p> + +<p>"So Hugh's money has bought you, after all! and your high and mighty airs +were just put on! I am glad you have come to your senses, for I suppose +that ring means a marriage in the future."</p><p><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364"></a></p> + +<p>"If the latter admission will keep you quiet and make your mind easy, then +you shall hear it. I did accept the ring with the understanding that it +meant marriage in the future, but Hugh McNeil is no more to me now than he +ever was. Now, if you are satisfied, Gussie, will you be kind enough to +leave my affairs alone for the rest of the evening?"</p> + +<p>"Hum—m, yes; I'm satisfied, since I know the whole of it! An invisible +lover! a ring! a promise of marriage! and Hugh coming back! Oh, yes, I'll +leave you alone for the rest of the evening, never fear!" and taking a book +from the table she drew an easy chair to the light, then turned her back to +the rest in the room. If Guy Traverse was soon to be married to his "city +girl," and Dexie was going to be Hugh's wife, they could entertain each +other, for she would have nothing to say to either of them!</p> + +<p>Queer, wasn't it, that neither of them resented this rudeness, but kept up +a low conversation at the farthest side of the room!</p> + +<p>When Guy was about to leave the house, and the "few" last words were being +said in the hall, he asked what had caused her alarm at the mention of her +supposed lover's name.</p> + +<p>"I forgot until that very minute that Elsie Gurney told me in her last +letter that this McNeil would leave England for New York on the coming +steamer, and for the moment my heart stopped beating from sheer fright."</p> + +<p>"But, dearest, he cannot harm you now. Do you think he is coming here?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, I cannot tell, but I fear that is his intention; and if he should, +oh, Guy, I believe I should hide! I own to being rather afraid of him, +though, luckily for me, he never found it out."</p> + +<p>"But if he knows you are mine, surely, Dexie, he is enough of a gentleman +to leave you alone in the future."</p> + +<p>"Well, I may be needlessly alarmed, but I feel a presentiment of evil, and +should an ill wind blow him this way, you must be extra good to me while he +is here—come oftener—and I will feel safe, at least, while you are with +me."</p><p><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365"></a></p> + +<p>About two weeks later, when all thought of Hugh McNeil had been dispelled, +Dexie's presentiment of evil took shape. He arrived in Lennoxville on the +afternoon train, and a few inquiries soon brought him to Mr. Sherwood's +residence.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood and Gussie were out making calls that afternoon, and Dexie +was busy in the kitchen making some new dainty, and was much interested in +watching the result of her work, when Mrs. Jarvis came in search of her.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, there is a gentleman in the parlor asking to see you."</p> + +<p>"What a nuisance, when I want to see how this turns out! It is not Mr. +Traverse at this hour, of course," she added, carelessly.</p> + +<p>"No; it is a stranger. He is a large, dark-complexioned man, with a heavy +black moustache and beautiful black eyes—a perfect gentleman, Dexie!"</p> + +<p>The dish fell from Dexie's hand with a crash to the floor.</p> + +<p>"Heaven preserve me! what shall I do?" and she turned pale to her lips. "I +cannot see him, Jarvis; I really cannot! Here, I'll write a line to papa, +and you can take the gentleman to his room," and with trembling fingers she +wrote a few words and gave them to the nurse; then, throwing off her big +apron, she seized a hat, sayings to Eliza, who looked on in astonishment:</p> + +<p>"Tell Mrs. Jarvis that I have gone over to Ada Chester's, and I won't be +back till tea-time, when I hope that man will be gone; and oh, Eliza! do, +like a good girl, clean up that mess for me," pointing to the demolished +dish and the contents thereof, "and I'll do something for you sometime. I +dare not stop, for I am properly scared for once," and she flew out the +back-door, down through the kitchen garden and into a back street, out of +sight of the house, before she stopped to regain her breath.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Jarvis was thoroughly surprised at Dexie's behavior, but she carried +the little note to Mr. Sherwood and waited his direction.</p> + +<p>"Yes; show the gentleman here, and I will see him."</p><p><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366"></a></p> + +<p>"Well, Hugh, so you have found us out," as he appeared behind Mrs. Jarvis. +"You find me on my back. Get a chair for yourself."</p> + +<p>Hugh was surprised to learn of the seriousness of the accident that +rendered this position of his friend necessary, having supposed it a slight +affair from which he had long since recovered.</p> + +<p>The two men talked for some time on matters in general, when Hugh said:</p> + +<p>"I suppose you know what has brought me here, Mr. Sherwood. My feelings for +Dexie have not changed, unless they have become more intense. I heard +through the Gurneys that her engagement with Lancy was at an end, and +started from Australia at once, on purpose to try again to win her. I have +still your permission; have I not?" he eagerly asked.</p> + +<p>"I fear then you will be disappointed, Hugh; Dexie is already won."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Sherwood, you are not in earnest; you are saying this to try me," and +Hugh turned an appealing face to the one that lay back on the pillows.</p> + +<p>"Have pity, Mr. Sherwood; I have suffered enough."</p> + +<p>"Hugh, my dear fellow, I was hoping you had got over this, and not hearing +from you for so long I believed you had. But it is true. You are too late, +for Dexie is the promised wife of another."</p> + +<p>"She is not yet married, then?" and his face recovered from the despairing +look.</p> + +<p>"Not yet, but as much lost to you as though she were. How is it that you +did not take my last letter to heart and seek a wife abroad? I told you +that Dexie had not changed towards you, though I did all I could to +influence her in your favor. But she has won the heart of a good man, Hugh; +he is everything I could wish for, even in Dexie's husband."</p> + +<p>"But I love her so!" The words were low, but seemed wrung from his very +soul, and he turned away toward the window, but without seeing anything of +the prospect beyond.</p> + +<p>"Can I see her?" he asked, at last. "Let me hear from her own lips that she +loves another, and, if she really does,<a name="Page_367" id="Page_367"></a> I will surely know it. If I find +it is so, I will go away and not trouble her any more. Give me this one +more chance, Mr. Sherwood."</p> + +<p>"It will be of no use, Hugh. I may as well tell you so at once; but I will +try and persuade her to see you, though she sent me word just now that she +would not come in while you were here. It is fair enough that you should +hear the truth from her own lips, but I know the interview will be painful +to you both," and Mr. Sherwood pulled the bell-cord that hung above him.</p> + +<p>"Tell Dexie I wish to see her here for a few minutes," he said, as Jarvis +answered the summons.</p> + +<p>"She has gone out, Mr. Sherwood, and she left word that she would not be +back till tea-time," and she glanced at the foreign-looking gentleman who +made himself so very much at home.</p> + +<p>"Very well, that will do," and Jarvis left the room.</p> + +<p>"You see how it is, Hugh; she has run out on purpose to get clear of you."</p> + +<p>"But that is no sign that I need despair," and there was a happier look in +his eyes than there had been since he heard she was lost to him.</p> + +<p>"Ask me to stay, Mr. Sherwood, for I cannot go away till I see her. I must +learn the truth from herself before I leave the house," and the +well-remembered impetuosity of old was visible in his words.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Hugh; stay, of course, but I fear you will not find your +refusal as pleasantly spoken as if you had taken it at second-hand," and a +feeble smile parted his lips for a moment. "But you know Dexie's ways, +Hugh, so you must abide the consequences."</p> + +<p>"I have borne much for love of her, and I am still willing to suffer if I +may be rewarded in the end by seeing her once again," he answered +earnestly. "A sight of her face would have been more welcome than an +angel's visit during these long, weary months; to look back on them is like +looking into desolation," he added, in a low, serious tone.</p> + +<p>There was silence in the room for some moments. Hugh sat listening for the +first footfall that would announce<a name="Page_368" id="Page_368"></a> Dexie's approach, while Mr. Sherwood +lay back, with closed eyes, thinking what an easy solution of the trouble +it would be if Hugh would turn to Gussie for the gift that Dexie denied +him. Then, rousing himself, he talked to Hugh of his travels and adventures +on sea and land.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Dexie had rushed in haste to the house of her friend, and from +thence despatched a note that brought Guy Traverse to her side, and her +agitation and alarm were so great that Guy was almost unable to soothe her.</p> + +<p>"I cannot go home without you, Guy. There can be only one thing brought him +here, and I cannot face him unless you are with me."</p> + +<p>"I will go with you, certainly, dear, but I cannot understand why you are +so frightened, for by your own description of him he is a gentleman."</p> + +<p>A few hurried explanations of Hugh's past history in connection with +herself were given, and Guy grasped the headlines of it as it poured from +Dexie's lips.</p> + +<p>"As my promised wife, darling, you need fear no further annoyance from him. +I will see to that," he replied. "Give me a few minutes while I go to the +hotel and change my suit. I have been putting in shafting with the men, and +am hardly presentable in my present condition," he laughingly added.</p> + +<p>"I am putting you to great inconvenience, I fear, Guy; but I cannot help +it, for it will not do to send word that I will not go back till he is +gone."</p> + +<p>"No, certainly not. He would put a different construction on your absence. +Let me find a more smiling face on my return, darling, for I will take care +of you."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later Guy and Dexie had entered the house; and finding that +Hugh was still with her father, she left Guy in the parlor while she sought +Jarvis in the kitchen.</p> + +<p>"He is still here, then? Well, tell Eliza she can place <i>two</i> extra plates +for to-night, as Mr. Traverse will be here also," and giving no time for +Jarvis to put the questions she was evidently anxious to have answered, she +returned to the parlor.</p> + +<p>"How I wish I could peep into the future and understand <a name="Page_369" id="Page_369"></a>the programme of +the next few hours," she said to Guy, as she stood by his side in the +shadow of the window-curtain. "I hope it will be short, but I know by the +shiver in my bones that it will not be sweet. Your adversary's weak point +is his temper, as you will see at a glance; so, Guy, don't—whatever the +provocation—don't lose your own, dear."</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood's bell sounded through the house, but for the first time it +was unheeded by Dexie. She knew what was wanted, but feared to face it, +even with Guy at her side. But Mrs. Jarvis was in attendance, and she now +appeared in the doorway, saying:</p> + +<p>"Your father has found out you are home, and he wishes to see you at once."</p> + +<p>With one long look at Guy, Dexie followed her. The excitement had sent a +pretty color to her cheeks, and her eyes were brilliant with suppressed +feeling, but she crossed the room to her father's side without giving a +glance in any direction save on her father's face. Apparently she saw +nothing of the dark eyes that brightened so vividly at the sight of her. +Hugh was not expecting anyone to follow her, and coming more slowly into +the room Guy caught the look on Hugh's face, and his own heart rose up in a +protest against it. Guy had time for a good look at Dexie's unwelcome +admirer before his presence was discovered, and he wondered how it was that +Dexie had not lost her heart long ago to this bold, handsome lover who so +openly declared his passion, for the eager, longing gaze that followed +Dexie's movements was easily read.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, here is an old friend come to see you," and her father waved his +hand in Hugh's direction.</p> + +<p>Dexie turned herself about, her feelings well under control, and even Guy +was surprised at the easy, natural tone in which she replied:</p> + +<p>"How do you do, Mr. McNeil? You are like a bit of Halifax, and, as such, an +old friend."</p> + +<p>As she gave him her hand she turned instantly about, adding,</p> + +<p>"Guy, this is Mr. McNeil, a gentleman we used to know in Halifax. Mr. +McNeil, Mr. Traverse."</p><p><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370"></a></p> + +<p>Hugh had not noticed Guy's entrance till Dexie turned to introduce him; +consequently he felt slightly embarrassed, but Guy stepped forward with +outstretched hand, and greeted him frankly and heartily.</p> + +<p>"Any friend of yours, Dexie, is sure to meet a welcome from me. Glad to +know you, Mr. McNeil."</p> + +<p>It was impossible to resist the pleasant, affable manner in which Guy +spoke. There was a magnetism in his winning smile and in the cordial grasp +of the hand that attracted Hugh in spite of himself.</p> + +<p>As Guy continued speaking, Hugh regarded him intently. Was this the man who +had won Dexie from him? The looks interchanged when Dexie spoke said as +much, and there was an air of ownership in Guy's manner that sent an arrow +through Hugh's heart.</p> + +<p>Dexie followed her father's eyes and regarded the two men as they talked, +and the fear at her heart sank out of sight. Hugh's recent voyage from +Australia and to New York gave ample opportunity to confine the +conversation to questions and descriptions concerning the Island Continent +and other places he had visited, and there was an amused smile in Dexie's +eyes as she listened, for she knew Guy was keeping up the conversation in +order to gain time and study his rival.</p> + +<p>She contrasted the two men who sat reading each other's faces as they +talked. Hugh had regained all his former strength and vigor by his +Australian tour. He had also grown stouter and his shoulders broader; but +the same masterful manner, the same quick glance were present, that made +Dexie's heart beat fast when he turned his gaze upon her.</p> + +<p>Guy had more the figure of an athlete, and his quiet, easy manner gave the +impression that his passions were well under control. He looked a man to be +trusted; there was a firm, yet tender look in his eyes that was not unfelt +by the man who sat opposite him. Both were handsome men, though of a +different type, but Hugh's face lacked something that could be felt, if not +described in the one opposite.</p> + +<p>Gussie's shrill voice in the hall gave Dexie an opportunity <a name="Page_371" id="Page_371"></a>to leave the +room, and she hastened to do so, as something had evidently gone wrong, and +Gussie was protesting and scolding in audible tones, though the words were +not intelligible.</p> + +<p>"Hush! Gussie! someone is with papa. What is the trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Who is it? Is it company of yours that Eliza is so flurried over that she +cannot attend to me?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. McNeil has arrived, Gussie; don't let him hear you talk like that."</p> + +<p>"Oh! he has come at last, has he? Well, it's high time! How long is he +going to stay, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>But her questions remained unanswered, for Dexie was talking to her mother +on domestic matters, and presently they all assembled in Mr. Sherwood's +room.</p> + +<p>Gussie soon noticed how intently Hugh was watching Guy Traverse, and she +made up her mind to "tell Hugh a thing or two" regarding Dexie's behavior, +for since the night Gussie had decided in her own mind about Dexie's ring +she saw there was an unexpected intimacy between her sister and this +engaged young man. She wondered how it happened that Guy was present at +that hour; it would complicate matters with Dexie, surely, but to her +surprise she found herself paired off with Hugh as they went to the supper +table.</p> + +<p>"You should have returned long ago, Hugh," she whispered. "Dexie has +developed into a desperate flirt! Just now it is Mr. Traverse, as you can +see for yourself, though she is aware he is engaged to a lady in the city."</p> + +<p>"Gussie, are you sure of what you are saying? Is this only a flirtation?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't see what else you can call it."</p> + +<p>"Do you think she has given me up? I have come on purpose to find out."</p> + +<p>"Oh! is that all you have come for? Why, I thought it was a settled thing +between you. Then she must be going to marry you just for your money! and +now that I think of it, she said as much," said Gussie bluntly.</p> + +<p>There was no chance for further conversation, but Gussie's words raised all +sorts of questions in Hugh's mind, and he <a name="Page_372" id="Page_372"></a>watched the couple on the +opposite side of the table, his hopes and fears alternately rising.</p> + +<p>Dexie's manner bore out her father's statement, but how was it that Gussie +looked at the matter so differently.</p> + +<p>As they rose from the table Guy stood for a moment talking to Mrs. +Sherwood, but Hugh crossed over at once to the window where Dexie was +standing, bending over some flowers.</p> + +<p>In his quick, eager tone, Hugh asked:</p> + +<p>"Will you give me a few minutes alone, Dexie, when I have come so far on +purpose to see you?"</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to hear that request, Mr. McNeil, as it forces me to seem rude +when I would prefer to be cordial. Do not let us renew our old antagonism."</p> + +<p>"Dexie, I think, if it ever existed, it has given place to a better +feeling. My heart has been starving for a sight of your face, and you have +grown so beautiful that it is hard to resist the temptation to take you in +my arms."</p> + +<p>Dexie shrank away from him, and she gave a quick look at Guy, who was still +talking to her mother, but his smile reassured her. She knew he would soon +be at her side.</p> + +<p>"Don't leave me, Dexie," Hugh entreated. "I will not touch you, so do not +he afraid of me. Do you know I have come as fast as I could travel, just to +see you face to face as I do now. Yet I have a further hope in my heart, +Dexie, for Lancy is not between us now."</p> + +<p>Dexie's heart beat too fast to allow of a reply, and Hugh added:</p> + +<p>"You can guess how glad I was to hear that you and Lancy were friends only, +and from what Gussie tells me there is hope for me yet. Is it so, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"You must not put any faith in Gussie's stories, Mr. McNeil," Dexie managed +to reply. "I am aware she is resting under a delusion, but I did not take +the trouble to convince her of the fact. I was hoping I should not have to +tell you what is surely plain to yourself," blushing as she gave a meaning +glance in Guy's direction.</p> + +<p>"Then your father was right! I have come too late! Is that what you wish me +to believe? Think a minute, Dexie, before you say what will rob me of all +hope!" and<a name="Page_373" id="Page_373"></a> he bent his head in his eagerness to read her answer in her +truthful face.</p> + +<p>"If papa told you I was engaged to Mr. Traverse, he told you the truth," +Dexie said, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"But do you love him, Dexie? Are you sure your heart is given with your +hand? I was right in Lancy's case, you know."</p> + +<p>As he spoke, Guy came over to her side, and she laid her hand on his arm, +and looked into his face with such trust upon her own that Hugh felt she +had answered his question.</p> + +<p>"Mr. McNeil, I am not naturally jealous," said Guy, pleasantly, "but if my +little wife is making love to you here, I'm afraid there is danger that I +shall grow that way," and he laid his arm across Dexie's shoulder, and +smiled at them both.</p> + +<p>Dexie looked over her shoulder at this declaration, and was surprised to +find there was no one in the room except themselves, but Guy had brought +this about in order to announce their engagement to Hugh.</p> + +<p>"Unfortunately for me, the love-making is only on my side," said Hugh, +bitterly. "I cannot win even one word of kindness from Dexie's lips; my +very presence seems unwelcome. She has just given me to understand that she +belongs to you, and I am expected, I suppose, to offer my congratulations; +but I cannot do it—I must get used to the thought first. I am not afraid +or ashamed to confess that I have loved Dexie Sherwood for years—loved her +madly, blindly, though she has given me nothing but hard words and scornful +looks through it all. Months of travel have failed to make me forget her. +She has been like a loadstone drawing me back to her, when in my pride I +would have rejoiced to feel myself free. I would have plucked her out of my +heart if I could, but my love seems a part of my life, and I cannot kill it +while I live myself. I believe you are a noble, generous man, or you never +would have won her heart. Be good to her, since you have taken her from me, +for if I thought there should ever be a time when you would cause a tear to +fall or grieve her heart by a word, I would kill you where you stand!"</p> + +<p>Dexie hid her face against Guy's breast as Hugh's hot <a name="Page_374" id="Page_374"></a>words poured like a +torrent from his lips, but Guy drew her protectingly to his side, and his +firm, clear voice sounded low and distinct as he replied:</p> + +<p>"Have no fear for Dexie, Mr. McNeil! She shall always be my first thought +and care. I cannot blame you for loving her, though it is but natural that, +under the present circumstances, I should regret to hear you own it. Dexie +has given me her love willingly and freely, and I am sure she will be happy +as my wife, the present condition of her father being the only obstacle +that prevents our immediate marriage."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Traverse! my words were hasty!" and Hugh held out his hand, +"but my heart is sore at the disappointment. I have hastened forward with +all possible speed, hoping for something so different from this, that my +heart rebels. But I shall go back to Halifax, Dexie, and the day I hear of +your marriage I shall propose to Nina Gordon. I wish to my heart she was +dumb! I might persuade myself into thinking sometimes that I had you near +me, if only she would keep her mouth shut! If I cannot have your love, I +may be able to delude myself into thinking that I have your presence near +me occasionally."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. McNeil! you cannot mean what you are saying! You surely would not +do such a thing as that!" said Dexie, in a horrified tone. "Your good sense +will prevent you from throwing your life away so needlessly. Oh! I cannot +think that you have a thought of such a thing. It would be dreadful!" and +the dark eyes met his with an eagerness that was questioning.</p> + +<p>"I heard you say once that if she were away from her mother one might make +anything they liked of her," said he, more quietly. "I shall make a second +Dexie of her if the thing is possible, for I'll see to it that she keeps +her tongue quiet till it suits her face!"</p> + +<p>This was uttered in such a tone that Dexie shuddered. His outbursts of +passion seemed less devilish than this quieter expressed determination, for +it was accompanied with a glint in his eyes that reminded her forcibly of +that memorable boat sail, and her voice was less firm as she replied:</p><p><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375"></a></p> + +<p>"I cannot think you are in earnest, Mr. McNeil; you would not wreck +another's life for merely an unfortunate resemblance! No! I cannot think it +of you; but it is wicked to say it, even in jest!"</p> + +<p>"Would you take even that small comfort from me?" he said, almost fiercely. +"Do you know what love is, and think that I can bear the burden of solitude +that you have laid upon my life; even the solace of your shadow denied me, +while you have everything!"</p> + +<p>"There! I think you two had better say no more," Guy firmly though +smilingly remarked. "You will be quarrelling in earnest the first thing I +know. Of course I do not understand what all this means, Mr. McNeil, but I +have such confidence in Dexie's judgment that I join her in the request +that you will do nothing hasty, and throw the best years of your life away +because of this disappointment. Come, shake hands, you two, and make it up, +and let us join Mr. Sherwood in his room, or he will think we have shared +the fate of the Kilkenny cats."</p> + +<p>Dexie held out her hand and Hugh clasped it in both his own, and, looking +tenderly into her eyes, said, in a voice so changed that it seemed to come +from other lips:</p> + +<p>"Forget my hasty words, Dexie, if they have hurt you, and try to think of +me kindly sometimes. We would have been better friends if I had loved you +less. I give you up, though most unwillingly, for I cannot say now as I did +before that your heart has not awakened, for I see that it has, beyond a +doubt," and like a courtier of old he stooped and kissed her hand.</p> + +<p>Gussie was full of curiosity concerning the interview; but when the little +group appeared in the room, their faces told no tales that she could +interpret.</p> + +<p>Hugh looked more sober than usual, and listened to the conversation rather +than joined in it. Guy looked cool and composed and, maybe, a trifle +triumphant. Dexie looked rather paler than usual, and remained almost as +silent as Hugh. This might mean much or little, but something in the manner +of each checked Gussie's light chatter.</p> + +<p>When Guy rose to go, Hugh rose also, and asked permission <a name="Page_376" id="Page_376"></a>to accompany Guy +to his hotel. Then, promising to return the next day to see Mr. Sherwood, +Hugh followed Guy from the room.</p> + +<p>At a look from Guy, Dexie followed them into the hall, and while Hugh put +on his coat and gloves, Guy said, in a tender, reassuring tone, as he +smiled into her anxious face, "Do not be alarmed, dearest; there will be no +shooting, I promise. You can trust your friend with me, and I will see +after his comfort; so good-bye till to-morrow, love."</p> + +<p>He bent his head and kissed her, though he was aware that a pair of dark +eyes were watching his every movement.</p> + +<p>Hugh was very silent as he walked along. The kindly-spoken "Good-night, Mr. +McNeil," did not make him feel his disappointment less keenly.</p> + +<p>When the hotel was reached and his room engaged, Hugh turned to Guy, +saying:</p> + +<p>"May I go with you to your room for a little while? I shall go away +to-morrow, I think, and I would like to have a talk with you if you have no +objection."</p> + +<p>"Certainly! I shall be glad of your company," and Guy led the way to his +room.</p> + +<p>"It is no use, Traverse," he said, as Guy tried to draw him into a +conversation on matters in general. "I have no thoughts but for one thing, +and am no company for any man, least of all you; but I want to ask a favor +of you. Tell me of your plans for the future, and let me help you, even in +the smallest way, to bring them about. I coveted wealth at one time, +thinking if I had it all else would come easy; but I have found my money a +burden, because I could not put it to the one use for which I longed to +possess it. Do not be offended, Traverse," for Guy was looking at him +intently, and with a puzzled face; "what I want to say, I say with a good +heart towards you. In business matters, you know, money alone is power. Is +there anything that money could do for you—any position it could procure +for you, which would give Dexie pleasure to see you fill? I am sure you are +ambitious—in your position I would be myself; so tell me your hopes and +plans, and let me help you." <a name="Page_377" id="Page_377"></a>"You are most kind, Mr. McNeil, and I thank +you for your generous offer," and he held out his hand, which Hugh clasped +heartily. "I was not prepared for this, but expected to hear reproaches +heaped upon me. I see I did not know you. I am deeply sensible of the kind +thought that suggested this; but I have no need of the help you so kindly +offer. I own to being ambitious, but it is the want of brains more than +money that hampers me at present. Yes," as Hugh looked up inquiringly, "I +am of an inventive turn of mind, and if I can work out the problems that +are hatching in my brain I will win fame as well as money. Your offer is +none the less kind because I cannot accept it. I am sure it will give Dexie +much pleasure to hear of your kindness."</p> + +<p>"You do not wish me to have any share in your happiness," Hugh said, with +downcast features. "Well, I daresay I would feel the same myself were I in +your place; but, be generous, Traverse. Think how long I have loved her, +before you ever saw her at all, and contrast the blank my life will be with +the happiness in store for you in the future. Let me do something for you, +Traverse."</p> + +<p>"Believe me, McNeil, if there was anything you could do for me I would +gladly accept it, if only by way of atonement—not that I think that I +alone stood in your way, but for the pleasure I know it would be to you to +serve her or hers. My position is better than most men of my age, and since +I have won Dexie's hand I have frequently thought there is nothing more I +require to make me contented and happy."</p> + +<p>There was a few minutes' silence, when Hugh asked, with a perceptible +paleness in his dark face,</p> + +<p>"When do you expect to be married?"</p> + +<p>"She will not leave home while her father lives; whether we shall be +married while he is so ill, I cannot say. Much depends on circumstances. +Her father is a very sick man, though owing to his cheerfulness the fact is +not apparent to everyone."</p> + +<p>The conversation was carried on until the clock struck the midnight hour. +Hugh seemed to lay bare his heart to his successful rival, and Guy listened +in surprise to the<a name="Page_378" id="Page_378"></a> account of his many efforts to win Dexie's favor, even +so far as to tell of the unfortunate boat sail and its consequences.</p> + +<p>Guy's heart was full of pity as he listened. How much Hugh loved her when, +in spite of the rebuffs and scornful refusals, he could be so blinded by +passion as to dare attempt to win a promise by such rash and desperate +means! Dexie's love for himself seemed all the greater since it had stood +such a siege from this fierce, passionate man, and Guy wondered no longer +that Dexie was alarmed when she heard of his coming.</p> + +<p>When Hugh mentioned what Gussie had said of the "city girl," Guy could not +help smiling, and explaining the circumstances that gave rise to the story, +added:</p> + +<p>"I believe it was one of your letters that Gussie captured that night, Mr. +McNeil; but as I played the lover and claimed the letter, Gussie felt +obliged to believe me, and my imaginary city girl has kept her quiet ever +since."</p> + +<p>"I can well believe the distress Dexie felt when she heard the letter read +aloud. You did a kind act that not one in a hundred would have dared to do. +No wonder she loves you. But away so far from her, it seemed that I could +not bear my life if I did not tell her, even on paper, what was in my +heart. I am glad to know you, Traverse; if I cannot win her myself, it is a +comfort to know she is in such good keeping."</p> + +<p>At last Hugh rose to go, and the hands of the accepted and the rejected +lover met in a warm, friendly grasp.</p> + +<p>The next day when Hugh made his appearance at Mr. Sherwood's, and made +known the fact that he had spent the forenoon with Guy at his office, Dexie +looked her surprise, but she blushed with pleasure to hear his words of +praise when speaking of her lover.</p> + +<p>Hugh remained several days in Lennoxville, but he seldom made his +appearance at the house unless in company with Guy.</p> + +<p>Gussie could not understand this at all, but her spiteful remarks were so +wide of the mark that they were only amusing.</p><p><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379"></a></p> + +<p>She needed no one to tell her that Hugh was as much in love with Dexie as +ever, yet why he allowed Guy Traverse to monopolize her was a mystery that +was incomprehensible.</p> + +<p>Hugh spent the last evening of his stay at the Sherwoods', and, in spite of +Gussie's raillery, he was silent and sad; even Guy could not rouse him into +cheerfulness.</p> + +<p>During the evening he obtained a few minutes' conversation with Mr. +Sherwood, and his low, earnest words brought a mist to the eyes of the sick +man.</p> + +<p>"I am truly sorry for your disappointment, Hugh," was the low reply, "but +you prove beyond a doubt that her happiness is still dear to you when you +propose to do such a thing. But wait awhile, and think it over. You may +form other ties, and there may be others who will have a stronger claim on +you than the wife of Guy Traverse. Oh, yes! yes! I know the money is your +own, and you can do what you like with it, but Dexie would not approve of +this, neither would Traverse."</p> + +<p>A few minutes before it was time to leave for the train Guy came behind +Hugh and whispered a few words in his ear, words that sent a flash of light +and joy into his dark, sad face.</p> + +<p>"God bless you, Traverse, for this kindness; I was getting desperate; five +minutes will suffice," was the reply, and he slipped out of the room, +crossed the hall, and a moment more was standing by Dexie's side.</p> + +<p>"Traverse told me you were here, Dexie, and that I might come and say +good-bye to you alone," and taking her hands in his own, added:</p> + +<p>"Dexie, if there should come a time when you need a friend, or if you +should ever be in trouble, will you promise to let me know and let me be +the one to help you? You know how gladly I would serve you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. McNeil, you are very kind; I will not forget your offered +help. I hope you will have a pleasant journey home," and she drew away her +hands and turned away.</p> + +<p>"Dexie, when we parted in Halifax you gave me angry looks, even at the +moment of parting, but there was a hope <a name="Page_380" id="Page_380"></a>in my heart that helped me to bear +it. It is different now; do not add to my present misery the memory of your +cool, indifferent words. Lift up your face and say, 'Good-bye, Hugh.' Do, +Dexie."</p> + +<p>Dexie stood irresolute a moment, then, giving him her hand, she lifted her +eyes, and said in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, Hugh; I did not mean to be cool or indifferent, for you have +been kinder than I dared to expect."</p> + +<p>Something in her tone and words swept Hugh's self-control to the winds, and +he clasped her to his heart.</p> + +<p>"My darling! my darling! must I indeed say good-bye forever; it is like +parting with you at the grave," and his hot kisses touched cheek and brow. +"I cannot bear it, Dexie. Oh! if I could die now with you here in my arms; +my darling! my darling!"</p> + +<p>A soft knock at the door, and a moment later Guy entered.</p> + +<p>"Time is up, McNeil, if we want to catch the train." Then putting his arm +across Dexie's shoulders, as he noticed her pale face and quivering lips, +said:</p> + +<p>"Has it been too much for you, dearest? It was the last time, you know."</p> + +<p>"How could you, Guy! How <i>could</i> you send him here to me alone!" came the +low, trembling words.</p> + +<p>"It was no use, Traverse; the first kind word unmanned me, and made me +forget that you trusted me. I have held her in my arms and kissed her face; +but forgive me, Traverse, if you can, it is the last time," and giving a +long, imploring look at Dexie, who stood with her face buried in her hands, +added, in a low voice:</p> + +<p>"I am ready, Traverse; let us go at once, and may God help me to get over +this," and with his arm drawn through Guy's they both walked out into the +night.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381"></a></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> + + +<p>One morning when Dexie was out in the back garden whistling like a bird, +and busy about some domestic matters, someone outside the high fence +called:</p> + +<p>"Georgie! I say, Georgie! come here a minute."</p> + +<p>No answer being received, a shower of small pebbles came over the fence, +and the call was repeated.</p> + +<p>Thinking it was Mark Perrin, a wild young lad with whom Georgie was +forbidden to associate, Dexie called out:</p> + +<p>"Go away from here at once, you torment, or you'll get your jacket dusted +for you," and hastening to the gate as if eager to perform the operation, +she found Guy Traverse awaiting the promised punishment.</p> + +<p>Astonishment rendered her silent for a moment, when she laughingly +exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"For pity sake, Guy! was it you threw the pebbles?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and am I to believe that it was you who was whistling?"</p> + +<p>"Well, as you took me for Georgie, it must have been well done, so I'll own +to the whistling; but what brings you here so early in the morning? I am +not dressed for visitors at this hour," and she glanced down at her short +frock, that revealed a neat foot and well-turned ankle; then pulling +forward the sun-bonnet that had fallen back from her head, added:</p> + +<p>"This is the latest style. I hope you admire it."</p> + +<p>"I do, indeed," and his face filled the front of it for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Oh! do come in till I shut the gate; someone might see us. Now, what do +you want with Georgie, if I may ask?" and she lifted a saucy face to his.</p> + +<p>"I didn't want him particularly, but I thought it was he who was whistling, +and I was going to ask him to look for you, but as it is your own sweet +self, so much the better, for I want to speak to you here a minute."</p> + +<p>"But why here, at the back gate?"</p> + +<p>"I wanted to ask if you would drive into the country with me, as I have to +go on a matter of business."</p><p><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382"></a></p> + +<p>"Then why didn't you go to the front door and ask me properly, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I am going to, just as soon as I find out if you can come or not. +You were up part of the night with your father, and I did not know but you +were resting or too busy to come with me. In that case, Gussie might feel +it her duty to accompany me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I see! I shall be most happy to accept your invitation, Mr. Traverse; +so go around to the front door and ask me like a gentleman."</p> + +<p>Shutting the gate after him, she entered the house, intending to have a +little fun over the invitation.</p> + +<p>His ring at the door was answered by Gussie, and Mr. Sherwood, who was +dozing on his couch, brightened at once as he saw who was the visitor.</p> + +<p>"A splendid morning, Traverse," was his greeting. "You are early to-day."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have called to see if you could spare Dexie for a drive with me +this morning."</p> + +<p>"Certainly. Gussie, hunt her up."</p> + +<p>"Dexie is very busy this morning, papa," Gussie replied, "but I am at +leisure, Mr. Traverse, if you are looking for company."</p> + +<p>"Busy, is she?" said Mr. Sherwood; "then go and relieve her, Gussie, for +she has been up half the night and needs a rest," and raising his voice, +called:</p> + +<p>"Dexie, Dexie; come here."</p> + +<p>Dexie was standing outside the door waiting for this summons, and she +entered the room, her head still enveloped in the enormous sun-bonnet, her +arms bare to the elbow, and her whole appearance proclaiming her a busy +little woman.</p> + +<p>"Did you call me, papa?" and she stepped to his side.</p> + +<p>The contrast between them was too painful, and Gussie blushed with +embarrassment, and hastily exclaimed:</p> + +<p>"Leave the room, Dexie, Mr. Traverse is here."</p> + +<p>"Where!" and the scoop-like bonnet was turned in his direction.</p> + +<p>"Oh, good morning, Mr. Traverse. Excuse my toilet, but we wash sometimes at +our house, and this is one of the <a name="Page_383" id="Page_383"></a>times. Fine morning this for +washerwomen. Now, what do you want of me, papa?" and she turned leisurely +to her father again, much to Gussie's horror.</p> + +<p>"Well, Traverse called to take you for a drive, but I doubt if he will care +to ask you after seeing you in such a rig."</p> + +<p>"This is not my carriage dress, my dear papa, but my working suit; but +seeing that Mr. Traverse has been talking to me at the back gate in this +very <i>rig</i> and survived the shock, I trust the second sight won't prove +disastrous. If you say you can spare me, I'll promise not to appear in this +costume in public. Thanks, papa. How soon do you wish to start, Mr. +Traverse?"</p> + +<p>"In half an hour, if possible," was the smiling answer.</p> + +<p>"You will find me waiting your appearance," and making a sweeping, +old-fashioned courtesy, she pulled her bonnet forward with a jerk and +danced out of the room.</p> + +<p>Traverse looked after her with a smile, and with a few pleasant words to +Mr. Sherwood, and a polite "good-morning" to Gussie, he bowed himself out.</p> + +<p>As soon as Guy was beyond hearing, Gussie's ill-humor found vent. She did +not see why Dexie should leave her work to go about the country with young +men, and Traverse must have regretted his invitation when he caught sight +of Dexie's ridiculous figure, her dress to the top of her boots and a +sun-bonnet that would disgrace a country-woman! But one never knew what +Dexie would do next. Awhile ago she could scarcely speak a civil word to +Mr. Traverse, but now that she knows he expects to be married, her manner +is just the reverse. Reproaches like these fell on Mr. Sherwood's ears +unheeded, but a kindly smile lit up his face when Dexie made her +appearance, looking as dainty as if right out of a band-box, and as she +drew on her gloves a handsome buggy drove up to the door.</p> + +<p>Giving her father a hasty kiss, she whispered:</p> + +<p>"I wish you were able to go in my place," then ran down the steps, and a +few minutes later the high-spirited horse carried them out of sight.</p> + +<p>They did not return for some hours, and Dexie enjoyed the little excursion +exceedingly; she was grieved to find<a name="Page_384" id="Page_384"></a> on her return that her father had +spent a very sick day, and she regretted leaving him for her own pleasure.</p> + +<p>"You needed the change, my dear," her father assured her. "You are losing +your roses by waiting on me so constantly, and this hand is thinner than it +was six months ago," and he patted the hand that rested in his own.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sherwood was daily growing weaker, and had to keep his bed the greater +part of the time. The old pain returned oftener, and was so very severe +while it lasted that it kept them all in a constant state of alarm. This so +worked on Mrs. Sherwood's nerves that her fancied illness threatened to +develop into something not quite so imaginative, and she required almost as +much care as her husband. It became necessary for Gussie to spend a part of +her time in her mother's room, and this she disliked very much, for Mrs. +Sherwood was not a patient sufferer, and Gussie chaffed and fretted against +the restraint to her liberty. Her extreme selfishness was so apparent that +her mother received her half-hearted services with little thanks.</p> + +<p>The constant care and attention which divided Dexie's time between her +father's and her mother's room made it very hard to keep domestic matters +running smoothly, and Gussie's obstinate refusal to take any part of the +labor of the household or care of the children upon her own shoulders, gave +Dexie little chance to get the rest she needed. This was telling on her +health, and she was fast losing her rounded cheeks, and her eyes began to +look so large and black that it made Guy's heart ache to look at her. He +wished to tell Mrs. Sherwood of their engagement, and even attempted to +persuade Dexie into marrying him at once, so that he would have the right +to protect her against some of the needless burdens that were put upon her +young shoulders, but Dexie would not hear of it.</p> + +<p>"Mother is aware that I expect to be married by and by; if she is making a +mistake as to the man let it be for the present. Were the truth known, my +life would be unbearable. It is all I can do to keep the true state of +affairs from coming to papa's ears, and he has enough to bear without +family troubles being put upon him."</p> + +<p>"My dear little girl, do you think I am going to let you<a name="Page_385" id="Page_385"></a> stay here and be +at the beck and call of everyone? Let me claim you at once; that will be +the best way to settle the difficulty, and your father would say the same +if he knew about it."</p> + +<p>"But he must not know it, Guy; think how unhappy it would make him. It +would never do, dear; but I have a good mind to write and ask Louie to come +home. Surely aunt would let her come for a few weeks. I have written to her +about it before, but she would not let her come unless she was positively +needed, and I do think she is now. She must be quite a young lady by this +time, and would be such a help and comfort. I believe I will write and ask +her again."</p> + +<p>That night, while Dexie sat up with her father, the letter was written, and +Guy dropped it in the letter-box on his way home, and in less than a week, +to Dexie's great joy, Louie came rushing into the house, as fresh and +strong as any little country lassie.</p> + +<p>Her coming did, indeed, make a great difference in the house, as Dexie +expected. She brought such a new atmosphere into it with her quick, +outspoken criticisms, that she worked quite a revolution.</p> + +<p>Then she had so much that was new to tell them all, and it was told in such +a breezy way, that her father brightened up as he listened. Her aunt had +not sent her empty-handed either, for she had a loving and tender heart +under a rather harsh exterior, the cold looks with which all sentiment was +frowned down seemed but the rough, hard shell which covered a noble and +generous disposition. But this rather severe aunt had refused Louie +permission to make many visits at her father's home, on account of the +displeasure with which she regarded her mother. She had never been pleased +at her brother's marriage, and when Louie had been given over to her care +she determined to cut off all connection with the mother's influence. +Dexie's letter had revealed more than she was aware to the keen, +sharp-sighted woman, and Louie was sent to help wait on her father, with +many admonitions as to her conduct at home. She was given a "month's leave +of absence," as Louie laughingly expressed it, but when alone with <a name="Page_386" id="Page_386"></a>Dexie +she admitted that her aunt would extend the time if her father should seem +to be near the end.</p> + +<p>Louie was very practical in many things, wasting little sentiment on +trifles, and Mrs. Sherwood reaped the benefit of Louie's strict bringing +up, which she had received at the hands of her aunt.</p> + +<p>"Now, mother," she said one day, as she displayed some of the handsome +garments her aunt had provided her with, "do try and get well as quickly as +you can. I have only a month to stay, and I brought these dresses to wear, +and I cannot do that if I am to be a nurse for you. I will get everything, +and do everything for you, that you really need, but I cannot run up and +down stairs all the time on useless errands. I can't think how Dexie has a +foot left to stand on, the way she is called hither and thither. Of course, +she must have a rest, now that I am home, or she will be laid up, and that +would be a calamity for this house, I fancy. Now, you sit up, and I'll +brush your hair and fix you up so nice that you will long to get downstairs +to the rest of us, for I am going to spend the next hour with papa," and +she bustled about the room and set everything in order to her mother's +hand.</p> + +<p>To the surprise of the family, Mrs. Sherwood made her appearance downstairs +before Louie had been in the house a week; and as she continued to improve, +Louie quietly ordered an easy carriage to be at the door at a certain hour, +and when that hour arrived she made her appearance in such becoming attire +that she had little trouble to induce her mother to step into the carriage +with her, and as these outings became quite frequent they soon had a +beneficial effect on her mother's health and spirits.</p> + +<p>Louie's home-coming made a difference that was quite remarkable in Gussie +also. She took so much for granted that Gussie was constrained to exert +herself. It was rather amusing to watch Gussie's face when Louie would say, +as they rose from the breakfast table:</p> + +<p>"Now, Gussie, come on. I'm not going to be a mere visitor, you know; so +I'll help you set the rooms in order. You will be no time over them, with +my help;" and not wishing it to be known that all such things were left to<a name="Page_387" id="Page_387"></a> +Dexie, she would follow Louie, and join in the task for very shame sake.</p> + +<p>But Dexie enjoyed Louie's visit more than anyone, for she not only kept +Gussie's hands employed, but her presence forbade the continual +fault-finding which she had hitherto freely indulged in; for Louie was a +person of some consequence, being the heiress of considerable property, as +well as possessor of a bank book that she was at liberty to use at her own +discretion, and this had much influence over Gussie.</p> + +<p>Louie soon remarked the frequent visits of Guy Traverse, but was puzzled at +first to account for them. Gussie had told her that he was engaged to a +young lady in the city, and was only a particular friend of her father's; +but this did not prevent Louie from forming her own opinion on the matter.</p> + +<p>She asked her mother one day, as she brushed out her hair, how it was that +her father had become so attached to such a young man, and if there were +not some other reason to account for his frequent visits.</p> + +<p>"He was with your father when he was hurt, and your father thinks he saved +his life at the risk of his own, so I daresay that may account for the +attachment. I did hope at one time that Gussie might be able to secure him; +they would make a nice-looking couple. I have thought sometimes that he +pays Dexie sufficient attention to warrant her in thinking he means +something serious, but Hugh McNeil has some claim on her; he has been to +see her lately. You remember he had quite a fortune left him. I expect she +will keep a fine establishment when she is married. But I know nothing +about her affairs; she was always close-mouthed, and she is sure to do +something entirely different from what you expect."</p> + +<p>"But, mamma, this Mr. Traverse seems to be more than just friendly to +Dexie. I am sure he is with her every chance he gets."</p> + +<p>"Oh! that is nothing; he is seldom in her company outside of her father's +room. Besides, he is going to be married to someone in the city. He said as +much before us all. I am sure Dexie does not care for him in that way. <a name="Page_388" id="Page_388"></a>If +you had heard the way she used to talk to him, you would see at once that +his visits mean nothing to her."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, mother, I have my suspicions," said the quick-witted girl, +as she left the room.</p> + +<p>"I'll corner Dexie sometime, see if I don't," she said to herself. "If +there is any love-making going on in this house, it will be a funny thing +if I do not find it out!"</p> + +<p>But Dexie was well aware that there were a sharp pair of eyes about, and it +took considerable manœuvring to get a word with Guy without having Louie +pounce in upon them at the most unexpected moment.</p> + +<p>"Seems to me, Dexie," she said one day, as they were in their chamber +dressing for the afternoon, "if I was Mr. Traverse's young lady in the +city," and she made a grimace, "I would not care to have my young man visit +so much in a house where there are marriageable young ladies. Do you think +she is aware of his frequent visits here?"</p> + +<p>"What lady do you refer to, Louie?" turning from the mirror, where a +blushing face was too freely reflected.</p> + +<p>"You know who I mean well enough! The lady that Gussie says he is going to +marry. I suppose you know that story as well as Gussie."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; it is quite an old thing now. I have had it dinned into my ears +till I am tired, both of the story and the lady as well," she carelessly +replied.</p> + +<p>"Oh, indeed!" said the laughing girl. "I suppose he has told you all about +her during one of your many interviews. When is the wedding to take place?"</p> + +<p>"The exact time was never mentioned, Louie. If you feel very curious about +it, why not ask Mr. Traverse yourself. He might give you an invitation to +the wedding, you know."</p> + +<p>"But, honestly, Dexie, does he ever talk to you about his future wife?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly! why shouldn't he? Didn't Gussie tell you that he announced his +approaching marriage before the whole family?"</p> + +<p>"Well, Dexie Sherwood, you can smile and smile and be—the young lady +yourself, after all," said Louie, not yet<a name="Page_389" id="Page_389"></a> convinced, "and that ring looks +new, and I see no photograph of Hugh McNeil lying inside your favorite +book, so there!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you might have seen one in the album if you had looked for it, you +silly girl. And how many new rings has Gussie had since you were home, and +yet I hear no word of her engagement!"</p> + +<p>"That may be, my dear sister Dexie; but I have not seen any young man kiss +Gussie good-bye at the door, either; therefore I begin to think—"</p> + +<p>What her thoughts might be upon the matter, Dexie did not give her time to +express, but disappeared from the room as suddenly as if the cry of "Fire" +had been raised in the house.</p> + +<p>"Well, I may be mistaken; then, again, I may not," said Louie, +reflectively, as she found herself alone, "but appearances point to the +latter view. However, auntie says that 'circumstantial evidence is not +positive proof,' so I will wait for further developments. If it is so—all +right; if it is <i>not</i> so, well—then I think they should not be <i>quite</i> so +familiar when Dexie shows him out. He is quite a handsome young gentleman +and will make a distinguished-looking brother-in-law, and I am ready with +my approval and blessing as soon as they ask for it; but, by the way things +look to me, my approval and blessing have not been waited for."</p> + +<p>When Dexie entered her father's room, she found Mr. Hackett, the lawyer, +present, and she was about to withdraw when her father called her to his +side.</p> + +<p>"You will have to go over the papers in the desk with Mr. Hackett, Dexie," +he said. "There are one or two missing which I know I have put somewhere in +safety, so look carefully, dear; the loss of them would be rather serious +in a case that Mr. Hackett has yet to settle. In case I have not mentioned +it before, Mr. Hackett," and he turned towards the lawyer, "the old desk +with all its contents, excepting those bundles relating to business +matters, which you will take with you, belong to Dexie, here. There are +several unfinished manuscripts which you can easily finish yourself, Dexie, +and who knows <a name="Page_390" id="Page_390"></a>but the beginning of your fame and fortune may be lying +there waiting for you in the old ink-stained desk. There, do not cry, +Dexie! It grieves me to see you fretting. You would not like to have your +poor father lying here suffering much longer, surely! Now, be my brave, +helpful little woman a little while longer, and help Mr. Hackett all you +can. I was speaking of the old desk, Dexie; do not part with it to anyone, +dear. Keep it as my last gift to you, and, if it ever needs repairing, have +it done under your own eyes. Do not forget this, Dexie."</p> + +<p>Dexie winked away her tears, and bent over to arrange his pillows more +comfortably, saying:</p> + +<p>"Do you want me to hunt up the papers now, papa? I will do so at once, if +Mr. Hackett will explain what they are about."</p> + +<p>"He will help you, then you can get through more quickly. You had better +explain to my daughter, Mr. Hackett, about the amount of income there will +be in the future. She is the housekeeper here, though I expect she will not +remain in that position very long after I am gone. I am glad I purchased +this property when we first moved here. It is increasing in value every +year, and, if they should ever find it necessary, they can sell it and be +comfortable in a smaller place, but this will not be needful for some +years, if things are properly managed. There is another thing, Mr. Hackett, +which I wish you would see about for them. Look around and find a +respectable middle-aged couple that will be capable of giving the necessary +help about the house and grounds. The place needs a man around it to keep +it in order, and if his wife looked after the work in the house they would +give better satisfaction than single people, I fancy. I cannot think what +they will do when Dexie has left the house," and he sighed heavily.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Hackett departed with the missing papers, Mr. Sherwood called her +to his side and explained many things which would have to be seen to after +his death, and Dexie sat and listened with quivering lips and hands +clasped, palms downwards, across her lap, in an agony of mind, until she +fell on her knees beside his couch, crying, <a name="Page_391" id="Page_391"></a>"Oh! papa! dear papa! what +shall I do without you!"</p> + +<p>Her father stroked the ruffled hair and soothed her by his tender words +till her tears flowed less freely and her sobs were checked, when he added:</p> + +<p>"Now, I want to speak of yourself, Dexie. Do not keep Traverse waiting for +you after I am gone. He has been very patient, and it has been on my +account that he has waited so long for you. I am not blind to the trouble +which you have borne so bravely and quietly these few months back; you have +had little time to prepare anything for your new life, as most girls like +to do, but this shall be made up to you, my dear. I have thought sometimes +I would ask you to have your marriage performed here before me, but I will +not be so selfish; that should be the happiest hour of a woman's life, and +it would not be so to you under such circumstances. Louie has brightened +the house by her coming, but she will soon be returning to her aunt, and +then I am afraid you will find it harder than ever, my dear little Dexie."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood came into the room, and finding Dexie sobbing on her father's +pillow, was much alarmed.</p> + +<p>"What is it? Are you worse, Clarence?" she cried, hysterically.</p> + +<p>"No, no, dear wife, not that. But I have been giving Dexie some directions +regarding matters after I am gone, and it makes her feel badly, poor little +girl! She has been a good daughter to us, wife; so do not forget it when +she needs your help and sympathy, and that time may be nearer than you +think."</p> + +<p>Dexie could bear no more, but she must not grieve her father by her tears; +so rose hurriedly, and kissing his brow, left the room. She met Louie in +the hall, and alarmed her by her grief.</p> + +<p>"Is papa worse, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"I do not think so, but he has been talking to me about things which must +be done when he is gone, and it breaks my heart! Poor papa! he is so kind +and thoughtful, he seems to remember the smallest thing that we shall need +to look after, and advises about them. I am afraid it will not be many +days, Louie, before it is all over, and I<a name="Page_392" id="Page_392"></a> believe he thinks so himself," +and she went to her room to sob away her grief.</p> + +<p>It was evident to them all the next day that Mr. Sherwood was rapidly +sinking, and Dexie scarcely left his side for a moment.</p> + +<p>Once when he woke from a troubled sleep he smiled into her face, and said +faintly:</p> + +<p>"She sang it very well, didn't she, Dexie? the 'pastures green,' you know. +I never have forgotten it. Can you sing it now for me?"</p> + +<p>"Try to tell me a little more, dear papa. Where was it you heard it?" +trying in vain to think what had called forth this request.</p> + +<p>"At Dr. Grant's church that Sunday morning in Halifax. You know—the new +singer you wanted to hear. I know all about the 'pastures green' now, +Dexie, but sing about it."</p> + +<p>Instantly the Sunday morning so long ago flashed back to her mind, and with +one arm around her father's neck, as she kneeled by his side, she sang:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">"The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">He makes me down to lie</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In pastures green; he leadeth me</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">The quiet waters by."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>Her voice trembled, but there was a happy ring to it withal, and presently +she saw that he slept again, his face looking happy and peaceful as it +rested on the pillows.</p> + +<p>When the doctor made his usual visit, he stayed a long time in the room, +and he looked very serious as he called Dexie to the door.</p> + +<p>"You realize how ill your father is, do you not, Miss Sherwood?" and he +looked earnestly into her face. "Ah! I see you do. I wished to prepare you +for the worst. I will come in later in the day and see if I can be of use."</p> + +<p>"You think there is immediate danger, Dr. Brown?"</p> + +<p>"He may live through the day—not much longer, I fear. You have been +expecting this, have you not?"</p> + +<p>"I was afraid of it," and she hid her face in her hands.</p> + +<p>"Is there anyone I can send for, for you? If I can be of use in any way, +Miss Sherwood, command me."</p> + +<p><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393"></a>"Someone must tell mamma; she does not believe the end is so very near. +Would you do it? Does papa know it himself, doctor?" she added, after a +pause.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he wished me to make it known to the rest. Be brave a little +while longer. Now, go back to your father. You can rely on Jarvis; she +knows what to do, and has been through many trying scenes before to-day."</p> + +<p>"Shall we send for you if—" She could not say it, but the doctor knew what +she meant.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you like. I can do little, if anything, more; but he will not +suffer any. Now I will see your mother," and he turned and left her to her +grief.</p> + +<p>It took some time for Mrs. Sherwood to fully realize the truth, for she +listened to the doctor as if dazed. It was the first trouble that had ever +really touched her, and at the suggestion of Jarvis she went to her room, +where by degrees she grew calmer, as the terrible truth came home to heart +that she was soon to be left a widow and her children fatherless.</p> + +<p>When Louie came into her father's room a few moments later, and learned the +truth, she threw her arms around Dexie's neck and wept with her. This was +the darkest hour they had ever known. But there was no time to indulge in +grief at present—that would come later—and Dexie whispered:</p> + +<p>"Take Gussie up to her room, Louie, and tell her there, and do not let her +come down till she is quiet. Warn Georgie not to go away from the house; +papa may ask for him any minute. I am so thankful the doctor has told +mamma! Watch the door, Louie, and when the minister calls to-day try and +persuade mamma to see him. She would not see him the last time he was here. +Oh, dear! I shall be so glad when Guy comes in!"</p> + +<p>"Give me one little bit of comfort to cheer my heart this sad day, Dexie. +Tell me, what is Guy Traverse to you—do, Dexie?"</p> + +<p>"Dear Louie, you <i>shall</i> know, if you think it will comfort you any. He is +my promised husband."</p> + +<p>"I thought so all the time, and I am so glad!" and she turned away to +prepare Gussie for the dreaded hour.</p><p><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394"></a></p> + +<p>The time passed heavily and sadly, until the day drew near its close. Mrs. +Jarvis was sitting near the bed, watching, with the eyes of an experienced +nurse, for any change, and presently she bent over Dexie, who was kneeling +by the bedside, and whispered:</p> + +<p>"I think I had better bring back your mother. Do you think she can bear +it?"</p> + +<p>"She <i>must</i> bear it!" Dexie answered, with a sob.</p> + +<p>As Jarvis left the room, Guy quietly entered it, and saw at a glance that +the end was near. Dexie gave him one appealing look as he came beside her.</p> + +<p>Bending over, he laid his arm across her shoulder, and whispered:</p> + +<p>"Is there anything I can do, darling?"</p> + +<p>Dexie shook her head, and the look on her face told of the anguish that was +wringing her heart.</p> + +<p>Seeing that her father had opened his eyes, she bent nearer.</p> + +<p>"Are you in pain, dear papa?"</p> + +<p>"No, dear child; and I shall soon be where that question is never asked."</p> + +<p>Lifting his eyes, he saw Guy, and his lips parted in a smile.</p> + +<p>"So glad you have come, my boy!" and he held out his hand. "You have indeed +been like a son to me from the very first. You will be good to my little +girl, and do not wait to claim her; take her very soon, and do not let her +fret for me. Raise me up, Traverse! Ah! that is easier," as Guy seated +himself on the bed, and raised his head and shoulders on a pillow with his +arm.</p> + +<p>Supported by Guy's arm, and with his head leaning against Guy's shoulder, +Mr. Sherwood embraced his wife, who was led to the bedside by Jarvis, and +Dexie bowed her head from the sight of the despair written on her mother's +face.</p> + +<p>The family were soon assembled around the bed. Mrs. Jarvis lifted Flossie +in her arms, and telling her to "kiss papa good-night," laid her on the bed +beside him a moment, then carried her from the room, and the few loving +words spoken to Georgie did much to make him grow up a true, good man.</p><p><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395"></a></p> + +<p>Gussie was overcome with grief when she realized that her father was dying, +but Louie's loving arm was thrown around her, and she restrained her sobs +to hear her father's last few words.</p> + +<p>It was a sad scene. The dying father, supported in the arms of Guy +Traverse, was looking for the last time on the faces of his family. Dexie, +kneeling close to where Guy sat, with one of her father's hands clasped in +both her own, was silently weeping. Mrs. Sherwood was kneeling on the +opposite side of the bed, her face hidden against her dying husband's +breast. Louie and Gussie stood near, their arms around each other's waists; +while Mrs. Jarvis stood behind them, her arms extended across their +shoulders, as if she would willingly protect them from this anguish if she +could. Poor Georgie sobbed at the foot of the bed, a picture of childish +woe.</p> + +<p>The minister's words of peace and comfort, spoken at this moment, were +sorely needed, for the prayer had scarcely ended when Mrs. Sherwood raised +her eyes to her husband's face and saw the change that passed over it. A +few murmured words fell from his lips as he looked into her face, then his +eyes closed and his spirit was gone to the God who gave it.</p> + +<p>Guy laid the form gently back on the bed, and something in his face must +have told the stricken wife that all was over, for her piercing shriek +chilled everyone to the heart.</p> + +<p>Guy was just in time to catch Dexie's fainting form and bear her from the +room, when the children round the bedside understood that they were +fatherless.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> + + +<p>Many changes took place in the household during the weeks following Mr. +Sherwood's death. It was a sorrowful time to live through, and a most +unpleasant memory to look back upon.</p> + +<p>These were days of trial to Dexie. There was no one in the house that she +could turn to for sympathy, for<a name="Page_396" id="Page_396"></a> Louie had returned home the week after the +funeral, and the house seemed desolate.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Jarvis was called away by a case of sickness in another household, and +Gussie, finding herself free from all restraint, made so many unreasonable +demands on the patient and willing domestic that she refused to submit to +it longer, and left the house; consequently, the actual work of the +household, as well as the care and responsibility, rested on Dexie's +shoulders.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood had not left her room since the day her husband was buried, +and her frequent hysterical attacks were very alarming to the rest of the +family. She seemed as fretful and helpless as a child, and quite as +unreasonable, almost blaming her husband for dying and leaving her alone in +the world.</p> + +<p>When Dexie tried to draw her thoughts away from their sad bereavement, she +charged her daughter with being hard-hearted and unsympathizing in the +extreme, and it seemed as if she did not wish to be comforted.</p> + +<p>Lawyer Hackett attended the funeral, but as Mrs. Sherwood was not able to +discuss business matters at that unhappy time, he promised to return later +on and explain all things necessary.</p> + +<p>Dexie awaited his return with much anxiety, for the expenses of the +funeral, together with their necessary mourning, left little ready money to +meet the daily expenses, and it was only by the strictest economy that she +managed at all. Her "scrimping," as Gussie called it, met with no favor +from anyone; and though Mrs. Sherwood talked of "ordering" this and that +from the store, Dexie positively refused to be the mouthpiece of the order. +They could do very well till Mr. Hackett arrived, she said.</p> + +<p>Dexie missed her father sorely, and the one bright spot in the long, +toilsome day was when Guy came in the evening. Then they would walk out +together through the quiet streets to the country beyond, and she always +returned refreshed and strengthened to bear the burden of another day.</p> + +<p>As yet they had made no definite plans for their future. Dexie wished to +see the household matters settled in a <a name="Page_397" id="Page_397"></a>more satisfactory state before +attempting anything that would benefit her own condition.</p> + +<p>When the lawyer had explained to her mother the business matters which she +had refused to discuss during her husband's lifetime, then it would be time +enough to lay her own plans before her.</p> + +<p>The appearance of the couple whom Mr. Hackett had secured to assist in the +house and garden was daily expected, and Dexie looked forward to more +freedom on their arrival.</p> + +<p>One day, as Gussie answered the summons to dinner, she surveyed the table +scornfully.</p> + +<p>"Is this all that you have for dinner? This is the third day, Dexie, that +you have given us no meat. <i>You</i> may like a vegetable diet, but I am sure +no one else in the house does. We might as well dine at the poorhouse."</p> + +<p>"Well, Gussie, you know it is not my fault," Dexie said, sinking into a +chair with a tired sigh. "I cannot make things out of nothing, and my +housekeeping money has come to an end. If you had not insisted on those +extra dresses for yourself, the money would have lasted until Mr. Hackett +arrived. I am sure he was not aware how little ready money there was on +hand or he would have arranged for the expenses that were necessary. It is +no use to fret, Gussie; there is plenty in the house to keep us for weeks +yet, if we live plainly. It is a shame to worry and find fault because you +have not everything you want when we have such a comfortable home left to +us."</p> + +<p>"But we can't eat the house or the furniture in it," Gussie snappishly +replied, "and I am just tired and sick of the things you have given us to +eat lately. I haven't the least appetite for your 'plain dishes' that you +spend so much time over."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Gussie, if you can prepare something better out of what there +is to cook, I wish you would do it. I do not prepare your meals from +choice. I have work of my own to do, and would prefer to keep out of the +kitchen altogether, if it were possible."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess you'll be pretty hungry before <i>I'll</i> go in <a name="Page_398" id="Page_398"></a>the kitchen to +cook!" said Gussie, with uplifted nose. "I have no intention of messing +myself up for other people."</p> + +<p>"You do not need to 'mess yourself up.' I don't; and you may have to do +more disagreeable things than that yet. I am going away for a rest as soon +as the woman comes and gets used to the house, and she will not be able to +see after everything without some help. Those starched clothes that you put +into the wash every week with so little thought of the extra work they +make—she will not be able to do them, if she has to see about everything +else. There is a whole basketful there now, waiting for you to iron."</p> + +<p>"Waiting for <i>me</i> to iron, indeed! Why didn't you do them when you ironed +the rest of the clothes?" her temper rising at the bare suggestion that she +should do them herself.</p> + +<p>"I had too much else to do, Gussie, as you might know if you would give the +matter a thought. You must see after them yourself, Gussie—while we are +without a girl, anyway."</p> + +<p>"We will just see about that! I never had to iron my clothes yet, and I am +not going to begin now. I want my tucked skirts to-morrow, so see that you +have them ready for me," and she rose to leave the room as if the matter +settled.</p> + +<p>"You will find your clothes in the basket, Gussie, whenever you choose to +iron them," Dexie quietly replied, unmoved by Gussie's insolent manner, +"and remember, Gussie, I positively refuse to do them for you again—never +once again, remember!"</p> + +<p>Glancing out the window she saw Guy Traverse approaching the house, and not +wishing him to see Gussie in her present humor she took her hat, intending +to meet him at the door and take him to the garden; but her mother called +her just then, and when she came downstairs Guy was standing in the hall.</p> + +<p>"You are not going out, surely, Dexie?" said Gussie, coming out to see who +she was talking to. "Mamma would not let you go if she knew that you +refused to do what I told you. It would be better for you to go to the +<a name="Page_399" id="Page_399"></a>kitchen and finish your work, instead of gadding about with the men."</p> + +<p>"My work is done for the day, Gussie; it is your work that is waiting in +the kitchen," and she hurried down the steps, with Guy closely following, +his face dark with anger at the insulting words he had heard used to his +promised wife.</p> + +<p>"And this is the way they treat you, my darling!" he said, as he reached +her side. "I understand why you never want me to come in and spend an hour +with you; you are afraid I shall hear how they talk to you. I have a good +mind to take you to the minister's this very afternoon, and make you my +wife, so I can look after you."</p> + +<p>"Do not mind it, Guy," trying to keep back the tears. "Gussie was vexed +because she did not find her clothes done up for her as usual."</p> + +<p>"And she is actually imposing on you to such an extent as that, is she? +That explains that pale, tired face! My dear little girl, I cannot allow +it! Do you love me well enough to come and live in a set of rooms until we +can get a decent house ready?" and he looked tenderly into her face.</p> + +<p>"I could live happy with you in one room, Guy, if I could leave home, but I +cannot do that just yet. I must stay until Mr. Hackett comes back. I know +they cannot do without me just now, dear. I would go with you willingly if +I could, for I feel so tired and discouraged. Mamma thinks I neglect her if +I am not constantly waiting upon her; but there are the children to see to. +They are good little things, but they take up the time, you know, and the +hours seem to more than fly."</p> + +<p>"But if you were not there, dear, perhaps your mother would rouse herself; +and I do think that would do her more good than all the doctoring she is +getting, and Gussie should be able to be of as much assistance as +yourself."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are right, Guy, but it does not seem right for me to leave +them now, and so soon after papa's death, too," and her eyes filled again.</p> + +<p>"But you know your father said we were not to let that delay our marriage, +dear. I feel quite sure he knew you <a name="Page_400" id="Page_400"></a>would not have a happy life, so wished +you under my protection."</p> + +<p>"Don't tempt me anymore, Guy," said the quivering lips. "You do not know +how my heart cries out for the comfort and relief that you offer me. I know +very well I am only tolerated at home on account of my usefulness, but they +do not understand what it would be like if I were not there. Gussie has not +the necessary practice to make her the help she might be, and mamma would +be sure to suffer if I left them before the new help arrives. Besides, Guy, +I have not had time to prepare a thing for myself yet," she added, in a +low, shy voice.</p> + +<p>"You have not had time to get the rest you need, darling, and that is of +more account than anything else. You must not think I am going to let you +stay home and have Gussie abuse you while you make up a lot of finery. Be +my little wife in earnest, darling, and whatever you want you can get just +as easily after you are married as before. I never could see the sense in +women making up such a quantity of new clothes just before their marriage; +it always looks to me as if they were afraid their future husbands would +not give them what they required when they were married."</p> + +<p>"Let me speak to your mother to-day, Dexie, dear," he added, "and I will +tell her that it was your father's wish that we should not delay our +marriage; and I must insist that you be used with more consideration. I +really cannot let matters go on without some protest; it would not be right +for me to allow it, either."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Guy, do as you think best; they cannot make it much more +uncomfortable than it is at present."</p> + +<p>But in this Dexie found she was mistaken.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood listened to Guy's manly and straightforward declaration in +silence, though her raised eyebrows showed something of her surprise as +well as displeasure. She admitted she had no right to refuse her permission +for their marriage if her father approved of it, but it was "quite like +Dexie to keep her in ignorance of the true state of affairs." Of course, +the marriage must not take place for some months yet. The impropriety of it +so soon <a name="Page_401" id="Page_401"></a>after her father's death was quite shocking, even to hear it +suggested; besides, Dexie could not be spared from home. When Guy reminded +her that Dexie should have the rest she evidently needed, her manner became +icy at once, though she kept her indignation well in check until Guy had +left the house.</p> + +<p>"So you have been complaining to Mr. Traverse, have you?" she said angrily +to Dexie. "We will see hereafter if you do not have something to complain +about! If you are thinking of getting married to Mr. Traverse on purpose to +shirk your duties at home, I will see to it that you <i>earn</i> your wedding +while you <i>are</i> home. As for being married in the near future, your +father's death will certainly forbid that, and I think Mr. Traverse will +find that you are still under my authority, and that I am not quite so fond +of him as your father was."</p> + +<p>"Do not have any fear, mamma, that I will ever ask for a wedding that would +be so grudgingly given," said Dexie, with quiet dignity; "but I think I +have already fairly <i>earned</i> my wedding, if that is the way you choose to +put it. I hardly think anyone will ever hear you suggest that Gussie must +<i>earn</i> her wedding before her marriage can take place, and I think I have +been as good a daughter to you as Gussie has—I have tried to be, anyway, +mamma."</p> + +<p>"Gussie will never have the low tastes and plebeian ways that have made you +such an eyesore to me. She is too much of a lady to delight in the domestic +economy that you always aspired to, and when her time comes I shall see +that she has a wedding that shall fill your heart with envy!" said the now +thoroughly angry woman.</p> + +<p>"I think that will not be possible, mamma," said the low, quiet tones, so +unlike the Dexie of old. "It is not to the wedding I am looking forward +with so much happiness, but to the loving husband I shall gain thereby, and +the future happy life I shall spend with him. I am thankful to say that I +do not need a grand wedding to make me perfectly happy," and Dexie left the +room, her face white and sad as the result of the interview.</p> + +<p>Gussie soon learned the true state of affairs, and Dexie <a name="Page_402" id="Page_402"></a>had reason to be +thankful that Guy had not spoken at an earlier day.</p> + +<p>To most mothers, the few months or weeks previous to a daughter's marriage, +the heart is full of loving consideration for her; the new position which +her daughter is soon to fill arouses all her tenderness, and she is full of +love that is not unmixed with pity. But mothers are not all cast in the +same mould, and Mrs. Sherwood thought of Dexie's marriage only in the light +in which it affected herself. Dexie was a necessity in the household, and +she would see that Dexie had no spare moments; she must make herself doubly +useful, and prepare for <i>their</i> future comfort; and as Gussie held to the +same opinion, only declared it more frequently, Dexie had anything but an +easy time of it.</p> + +<p>One day when Gussie was harping on the same string, yet found it impossible +to get Dexie to tell of her future plans, she retorted:</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you have acted shamefully! I wonder what Hugh McNeil will +say when he hears you have thrown him over again!—but I warned him! I told +him just how you had been flirting with Traverse, and I am quite sure Hugh +spoke to him about it, too! But you have been like the dog in the +manger—you would neither take Hugh yourself nor give anyone else the +chance of getting him. I might have had the benefit of his money if it had +not been for you! I suppose you think you are smart to 'cut out' Guy +Traverse's city girl, but it just shows how mean you are, though I can't +see for the life of me what any man sees in <i>you</i> to admire!"</p> + +<p>Dexie looked at her sister with flashing eyes. She longed to tell her what +a ridiculous mess of mistakes she had got into. But what was the use! she +would not give way to her temper if she could help it, though it was a +temptation hard to resist.</p> + +<p>"Sometime, Gussie, you shall know all about Guy's city girl, if for no +other reason than to make you thoroughly ashamed of yourself; and if you +only knew how far from the truth all your surmises are, you would not be so +free to talk. You make yourself ridiculous, if you only knew it!"</p><p><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403"></a></p> + +<p>The next day, much to Dexie's delight, Mr. Hackett made his appearance, and +easily explained the cause of his delay; and as he wished to have a final +examination of all the papers in her father's desk, he asked Dexie's +assistance, giving as a reason that a certain Mr. Plaisted had put in his +claims for a large amount as soon as her father's death had been published. +After explaining the matter to Dexie, she knew at once where to look for +the proof needed to refute such claims, and placing the copy of the letter +she had brought home from Prince Edward Island into the hands of the +lawyer, she told him all the circumstances connected with it, and the break +in the business intercourse with her father in consequence of it.</p> + +<p>"Well, that Plaisted is a regular scamp!" said the lawyer. "I will take +this letter with me, and with the knowledge I have now of him and his +doings I fancy he will not care to face a judge and jury to enforce his +claims, as he so boldly announces his intention. If I had known of this, or +had taken this bundle of papers with me before, it would have saved me much +time and annoyance. However, this time I will leave nothing but what you +can claim as your father's gift, Miss Sherwood. The desk and its contents +are now yours."</p> + +<p>"Now, Miss Sherwood," said he, later, "I am ready to see your mother and +have a talk with her; and if you will bring along the bills, which I +daresay are rather heavy, I will see to their settlement."</p> + +<p>"There are no bills to settle, Mr. Hackett—none, at least, that I know of; +everything was paid for as it was ordered. I must confess we are about +penniless, though," she smilingly said, "and if you had delayed coming for +many more days we would have been like Mother Hubbard, with a bare +cupboard."</p> + +<p>"Why, you do not mean it, surely! Well, well! I never thought of such a +possibility! But, then, I never thought you would try to settle the bills +out of the money left for other purposes. Other things might have waited +till I came to look after them myself."</p> + +<p>"It has not hurt us to practise economy, and I did not want people to think +that papa did not leave us enough to <a name="Page_404" id="Page_404"></a>pay our expenses, so I paid the bills +as long as the money held out. I had a little saved up, and that came in +very handy, but I shall be glad to get something on the housekeeping +account. They have all been protesting against the lack of variety on the +table, till my sister thinks she is boarding at the poorhouse."</p> + +<p>"Oh, not quite so bad as that! not quite so bad, I hope! But you should +have written to me, my dear Miss Sherwood, and told me about it. You have +managed wonderfully. I have come prepared to settle all accounts and +arrange about the future; but, by the way, I have something here for +yourself," taking a package from his breast-pocket, and handing it to her. +"Your father directed me to give you this. Oh, it is all right!" as Dexie +exposed a roll of bills. "Your father explained it to me the last time I +saw him, and I think myself it is only fair that the daughter who watched +over him and waited on him so faithfully should be especially remembered. +It is all right, and will come in very handy when the wedding comes off. +There! don't mind me! Your father told me all about it, and explained many +things which I need not have known if there had been any chance of his +recovery. But he knew someone must take an interest in you as a family, and +I am paid to do it, so it is all right, and the money is justly your own, +for you helped to earn it—yes, this was received from his publishers for +the work you helped him to do."</p> + +<p>"But I have a twin sister, Mr. Hackett," Dexie began, as she counted the +bills in her hand, "and I ought to share this with her."</p> + +<p>"Not at all! not at all, Miss Sherwood," was the decided answer. "Your +mother will supply your sister's wants willingly, which I fear would not be +the case with yourself, if you were left to her generosity. Pardon my +plain-speaking, Miss Sherwood; it is sometimes necessary, and I know what I +am talking about. It is your father's gift—a wedding present, if you like +to call it—and is intended for yourself alone, and in my opinion is not +half what you deserve, there! I am an old man, comparatively speaking, but +my eyes are young yet."</p><p><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405"></a></p> + +<p>Dexie led the way to Mrs. Sherwood's room, where her mother was anxiously +awaiting the appearance of the lawyer. She had become quite alarmed at the +want of money, and insisted that Dexie must have been wilfully extravagant. +But as Dexie produced all the accounts, and went over them before Mr. +Hackett, Mrs. Sherwood was obliged to confess that the blame was not all on +Dexie's shoulders, though she thought some of the bills extremely +exorbitant, and could not be convinced that the extras which Gussie had +ordered made such a difference.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood found the interview with the lawyer very satisfactory, and +she viewed with pleasure the roll of bills he left for their immediate use; +and, at the sight of it, Gussie made a mental list of various luxurious +articles she had long desired to possess.</p> + +<p>Dexie was putting the desk in order when Mr. Hackett returned through the +room, and he stopped for a few minutes' conversation with her while he drew +on his gloves.</p> + +<p>"I omitted to tell your mother, Miss Sherwood, that the woman to whom I +referred when I was here before, will be ready to engage with you in about +two weeks. Both she and her husband have excellent references, and I think +they will suit very well. I believe you will find them both very +trustworthy and worth waiting for. Do not hesitate to write to me if any +difficulty should arise," and bidding her a cordial "Good-bye" he left the +house.</p> + +<p>Gussie was not pleased over the fact that Dexie had to "waste all the +morning over those old papers," though she had not dared to remonstrate in +Mr. Hackett's hearing, for she stood very much in awe of the lynx-eyed +lawyer, who seemed to read her through and through with his keen grey eyes.</p> + +<p>"How much longer are you going to be over those papers, I'd like to know?" +she said, as she heard the front door close behind him. "The idea of you +sitting there, and the dishes not washed yet!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Gussie, you might have washed them before this; you have had plenty +of time. I must put away these papers while I have them sorted out; then I +will do what I can in the kitchen. Try to manage till I am done,<a name="Page_406" id="Page_406"></a> Gussie; I +won't be long now," and she looked up with a smile, as she tied a package +of MSS. together and laid it away snugly in the drawer.</p> + +<p>"You can finish those papers after you see to your work," said Gussie +authoritatively. "You need not think you are going to be allowed to sit +here all the afternoon, for Mr. Hackett left mamma a lot of money, and I +guess we'll see who is going to run the house after this."</p> + +<p>"Well, Gussie, that last remark of yours suggests good news," said Dexie, +with a good-humored smile. "I will be delighted, indeed, if someone will +take my place, for I feel sadly in need of a rest."</p> + +<p>"Oh! I did not say you were to give up any part of the work! I guess you'll +have to do that, whether you want to or not; but mamma says that I am to be +the housekeeper and do the ordering after this," and there was a triumphant +ring in her tone.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was afraid that you would never care to do that, Gussie, and I am +glad to see you are willing to undertake the difficult task; but the woman +that Mr. Hackett is sending us cannot come for two weeks, so we must look +up someone to do the work until she comes. Janet Robinson goes out by the +day; I think we had better send for her."</p> + +<p>"Well, the idea! Hire a girl so you can sit in the parlor with Traverse, I +suppose! You managed well enough since Eliza left, and I guess you will get +no chance to play the lady in this house! The kitchen is your place, and +that is all you are fit for!"</p> + +<p>"Then I throw up the situation from this moment!" said Dexie, hotly, +thoroughly aroused at last. "It is quite time I turned my attention to +something higher—to the making of blue or green dogs on canvas, for +instance! Hire a servant to wait on you before night, for I will not step +my foot into the kitchen again! I'll find something to do in a more +congenial latitude," and Dexie thrust the remaining papers into the desk in +startling confusion, locking the several drawers with a snap.</p> + +<p>As Gussie left the room she rose to her feet, intending to send word to Guy +to come and take her away, but, as she <a name="Page_407" id="Page_407"></a>turned about, he caught her in his +strong arms and held her close to him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Guy! how long have you been here?" and she burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Long enough to make up my mind that Gussie shall never get the chance to +insult you again as she has done in my hearing. Dexie! it makes my blood +boil to know that you are treated in this manner! You must come away with +me! I cannot leave you in the house after hearing those words said to you. +You must not refuse, darling!" and he wiped away her tears and kissed the +white face in his arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Guy! if you only <i>would</i> take me," she sobbed. "I was just going to +send for you, and beg of you to take me at once."</p> + +<p>"I ran in to tell you that I am called to the city on business, and must go +on the 5.30 train, so come with me, darling. I have a married sister living +in Boston, who will make you right welcome, and we will be married as soon +as the ceremony can be performed. Will you agree to this plan, my darling?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and bless you for the chance of getting away so quickly; but oh, Guy! +I seem to be all alone since papa died!" and the tears fell afresh.</p> + +<p>"You will not be able to say that in a few hours' time, dear; but I must +hasten—I have an appointment at my office this minute. I will be back for +you in less than an hour, and will see your mother then. Now, go and get +ready for your journey, my little wifie," and with a tender embrace he +hurried away, and Dexie flew upstairs to her room.</p> + +<p>She had barely time to lock the door when Gussie came towards it.</p> + +<p>"Open this door at once," she said, as she found it locked. "Mamma says you +are to go to the kitchen and finish the work, and if you make any more fuss +about it you will be sorry for it."</p> + +<p>No answer, for Dexie had swiftly turned the contents of her trunk out on +the floor, in one promiscuous heap, and was repacking it with a swift and +practised hand.</p><p><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408"></a></p> + +<p>"Do you hear what I say, Dexter, or shall I repeat it?"</p> + +<p>"I have resigned my place in the kitchen, Gussie," came the reply, "and do +not intend to enter it again; besides, I have accepted a better situation +since I saw you downstairs. I am packing my trunk to leave the house, so +you see I cannot be disturbed."</p> + +<p>Gussie stood dumb with astonishment at this unexpected announcement, but of +course it could not be true!</p> + +<p>"Oh! never mind your high tragedy airs just now; open the door at once."</p> + +<p>"I fancy that the tragedy part of this performance will be enacted by +yourself, Gussie," was the reply. "I shall not open the door till I get my +clothes packed; if you choose to wait till I am done, pray do so. I will +not be any longer than I can help, as I intend to take the first train for +the city."</p> + +<p>Gussie applied her eye to the keyhole, and the limited view she had of the +room was enough to convince her that Dexie was certainly packing her trunk, +and she flew to her mother's room with the news.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood could not believe it. Leave the house just when they needed +her the most! Impossible! She sent Gussie back to the door with a +peremptory message for Dexie to come to her room immediately.</p> + +<p>"Tell mamma I will be there in a few minutes. I am almost through packing, +and if I were you, Gussie, I would go at once and see if that Robinson girl +will come and stay with you till the new cook arrives; and do have a care +how you speak to her, for mamma's sake. Do not imagine that something will +happen to prevent me going away, for that is a settled fact!"</p> + +<p>Gussie hastened back to her mother in alarm.</p> + +<p>"She is really going, mamma, and says she won't come out of her room until +she gets her trunk packed. Oh! what shall we do with no one in the house to +do a thing for us! I did not mean to vex her when I spoke to her as I did," +bursting into tears.</p> + +<p>"So it is your fault that, she is going! Are my troubles not heavy enough +that you drive the only help I have away from me? What will become of us if +Dexie leaves <a name="Page_409" id="Page_409"></a>us, for you are as useless as you are extravagant!" And the +mother scolded and complained as if Gussie alone were responsible for the +trouble. "Go at once and make some amends for your ill-tempered words," she +added, "and perhaps Dexie will overlook it, for my sake."</p> + +<p>Gussie returned to the closed door, and in contrite tones begged for +admittance.</p> + +<p>"Do let me come in, Dexie. I am sorry I vexed you, and you are not in +earnest about going away, surely, for you know we cannot spare you."</p> + +<p>Dexie threw open the door, saying: "Come in and judge for yourself, Gussie. +You see I really am going," she said, snapping the catch of her travelling +bag. "If my sudden departure puts the rest of the family to inconvenience, +you can blame yourself for it, Gussie; but you are just as strong as I am, +and should be able to fill my place. However, if you think yourself above +being useful, I hope you will not delay in getting someone else here, for +you know you could not have driven me out at a more inconvenient time, for +there is literally nothing cooked in the house."</p> + +<p>"But where are you going? Not to auntie's with Louie, surely?"</p> + +<p>"No. I should not like auntie to have a worse opinion of you than she has +already. In leaving home I am consulting my own happiness, and I am going +where I shall be kindly treated and warmly welcomed."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm sorry now I said anything to vex you, Dexie; so you need not go, +after all."</p> + +<p>"Your repentance comes too late, Gussie, for my plans are made; but I do +not want to go away with any ill-feelings to any one, so here is my hand, +Gussie."</p> + +<p>"Oh, if you are really going, I'll not shake hands and make up with you! If +we only had some help in the house I would be glad to get rid of you. I +don't believe mamma will let you go, anyway," and with a toss of her head +she left the room, saying to herself: "She'll have to unpack her things +when mamma gets hold of her, so why need I humble myself to her."</p> + +<p>Dexie was soon in her mother's room, listening to the <a name="Page_410" id="Page_410"></a>reproaches that were +heaped upon her without stint; but as no reply was given to them, Mrs. +Sherwood looked at her intently, and something in the mother's heart +brought to her attention the wan, white face of her daughter. She had not +noticed that Dexie looked so worn and thin, and for a moment her heart +smote her.</p> + +<p>"What is this I hear, Dexie?" she said at last. "Do you think I am going to +allow you to leave the house like this? You are forgetting that you are +still under my authority."</p> + +<p>"But you do not use your authority fairly, mamma. You have made my life +very hard and unhappy since papa died, and permit Gussie to be impudent to +me, even when I am doing everything for her comfort. I would have stayed a +few weeks longer, but Gussie has gone too far and made it impossible for me +to stay another day, so I am going away to be married."</p> + +<p>"Married! Dexie, are you crazy?"</p> + +<p>"No, I think no one else will think so, when they know that I am exchanging +my present life for one so much happier."</p> + +<p>"But, Dexie, I will not allow this! To be married in such haste, and away +from home, without any preparations whatever! I forbid you to leave the +house with such an absurd intention."</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to have to deliberately disobey you, mamma, but I have passed +my word and have no wish to take it back. I admit it would have given me +much happiness to have been married from home, but it is doubtful if I +could live long enough to <i>earn</i> a wedding, so it is best as it is."</p> + +<p>"And you talk of being married, and your father not dead three months yet! +Oh! you heartless girl! And you pretended to care so much for him! You +shall not do this shameful thing! Fancy how people would talk!"</p> + +<p>Dexie burst into tears at the mention of her father, and turning to leave +the room, she heard Guy's voice in the hall below.</p> + +<p>"Are you nearly ready, my darling?" as she ran down the stairs to meet +him.</p><p><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411"></a></p> + +<p>"All ready, but mamma is not going to let me go without some trouble, Guy."</p> + +<p>"Take me to her at once, dear, and do not be alarmed. She will not forbid +our marriage, so dry those pretty eyes."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood found she could not talk to this stern-faced man as she did +to Dexie. She felt embarrassed at his replies to her many objections, and +the truths that Guy put so plainly she could neither deny nor refute.</p> + +<p>"It was Mr. Sherwood's wish that our marriage should not be delayed," was +his answer to this objection, "and according to Dexie's wishes it will be +strictly private. As to the unkind remarks which you fear will be made +about our rather hasty marriage, I will take it upon myself to silence +them, directly they reach my ears, by explaining Dexie's unpleasant +position at home since she has been without her father's protection."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood saw it was the best policy to give her sanction to the +marriage, seeing she had no power to prevent it; but when she offered, +after some hesitation, to give Dexie a sum of money to provide her with an +outfit, Guy refused to allow Dexie to accept it.</p> + +<p>"It is no matter, mamma," Dexie said through her tears, for the interview +had been most distressing. "Papa gave me the money he received from his +published sketches, so I will do very well."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood did not care to ask what the sum amounted to; but having a +poor opinion of her husband's literary efforts, she considered that it +could not be much.</p> + +<p>"I hope you will not regret this hasty step, Dexie," as Dexie came to her +side to wish her good-bye. "You cannot expect me to think kindly of you +when you leave me in such a way as this."</p> + +<p>"Well, mamma, you know I am obliged to seek the protection of a husband +that has been denied me as a daughter; I hope you will not miss me very +much. Will you not kiss me good-bye?"</p> + +<p>Her mother turned her cheek, but Dexie waited in vain for the kind parting +word she longed for.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry to leave you, mamma. Think kindly of me sometimes. Guy takes me +because he thinks I need his love and care."</p><p><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412"></a></p> + +<p>"Go to him, then! You have made your choice!"</p> + +<p>With this dismissal, Dexie hurried to the hall where Guy was awaiting her, +wiping her eyes as she went.</p> + +<p>"Well, for my part, I'm glad to see the last of you," said Gussie, +following slowly after her sister. "You have always stood in my way, and +your Puritanical notions have spoiled many pleasures for me; so whatever +tears <i>I</i> shed will be tears of joy."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Gussie; that speech is all that is needed to remove every +vestige of regret I may have felt at leaving home," was Dexie's reply, an +unusual light in her dark eyes. "Come, Guy, I am quite ready," and without +turning her head she passed out the door of her own home to the untried +future that she was to share with Guy Traverse.</p> + +<p>"My heart aches for you, my darling," and Guy pressed the hand that rested +on his arm. "Let Gussie shed her tears of joy while she can, for, if I am +not mistaken, they will flow for another cause before the week is out."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> + + +<p>A kinder welcome could not be imagined than Dexie received from Guy's +sister when they arrived in Boston, for Mrs. Graham had heard so much of +Guy's "little girl" that she took Dexie to her heart at once.</p> + +<p>The mental disquietude and physical weariness that she had passed through +kept Dexie confined to her room for two days, but on the morning of her +third day in Boston she stepped out the church-door a willing, happy bride.</p> + +<p>"Really, I can hardly believe that I have been turned into a married woman +since I entered the church," she said softly, as Guy seated her in the +carriage. "Does it seem real to you, Guy?"</p> + +<p>"Well, hardly, dearest; but I am going to prove the reality of it, and use +the authority just granted to me, by insisting that you put aside the +thoughts that have made your face so sad. Let us think of the new, happy +life <a name="Page_413" id="Page_413"></a>before us, and forget the trials we have passed through. We are going +to be very happy together, my little wife."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am sure of that. I believe our quiet and unconventional wedding +will bring us quite as much happiness as if we had been married with all +the fuss that generally attends affairs of this kind."</p> + +<p>(They were driving back to Mrs. Graham's, where a few friends had been +invited to meet them before they left for a short trip.)</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," was the reply; "and I think we will enjoy it in a greater +degree than if we were surrounded by a crowd of distracting friends, though +I believe it is usually considered the one time in a person's life when +friends are most appreciated. Why it should be so I cannot see, if all love +is like ours. I have obtained my heart's desire at last. This happy day has +been long delayed, but is none the less dear for the waiting, and you can +never say again that you feel 'alone' in the world."</p> + +<p>Dexie gave him a grateful look, as there was no time for words before the +carriage stopped at Mrs. Graham's hospitable doorway, where smiling faces +awaited them. Kisses and congratulations were not wanting, and the few +friends who had accompanied them to church followed them into the house. A +few hours later the happy married pair left for New York, where they spent +a pleasant season viewing the sights of the metropolis.</p> + +<p>On returning to Boston, Guy was offered a position in a large +establishment, the headquarters of the firm, doing business in Lennoxville, +in which he was previously engaged. This arrangement proved agreeable to +all parties, and made it unnecessary for Dexie to return to the scene of +her former trials.</p> + +<p>Dexie soon found herself mistress of a charming little house, situated in +one of Boston's beautiful suburbs, where her windows looked out on a lovely +prospect. Here the time flew by so rapidly in caring for her dainty rooms +and blossoming borders that her thoughts seldom dwelt on the unhappy weeks +which preceded her marriage.</p> + +<p>It was a delightful surprise when the dear old piano came with the rest of +her belongings from home, but the <a name="Page_414" id="Page_414"></a>grateful letter of thanks which Mrs. +Sherwood received was tossed aside without a word, though the letter had +not failed to touch the mother's heart.</p> + +<p>The piano had been a silent rebuke, and Mrs. Sherwood had been pleased to +remove it out of her sight, wishing in her heart that the memories which +troubled her could be as easily banished.</p> + +<p>But no other piano could have been half so dear to the heart of Dexie, and +when she sat down before her beloved instrument the first chords she struck +brought happy tears. It was like the greeting of a dear friend long absent. +Little wonder her fingers lingered lovingly over the keys as piece followed +piece.</p> + +<p>"Dexie," said Guy, coming over to her side and leaning one arm on the +piano, "do you remember playing for your father and me one evening and +refusing us a certain piece? I have often wondered at the reason of that +refusal. May I ask if you will play it for me now, darling?"</p> + +<p>Dexie dropped her hands into her lap and lifted a flushed face to her +husband's gaze.</p> + +<p>"Dear Guy, I wish you had not asked me, for I do not think I can."</p> + +<p>"What! not for me!" said he, laughing. "Not for your own husband! Come now, +Dexie, have I found a cause to be jealous already?"</p> + +<p>Dexie's arms were around his neck in a moment.</p> + +<p>"Do not say such words, dearest, not even in jest; you do not know how it +hurts me. Do you think I would have refused to play that piece for papa for +a slight reason, Guy?"</p> + +<p>"No, but tell me the reason, wifie. Come, no secrets from your hubby, +mind," looking into her eyes with a teasing glance. "You know you told me +you only played it when you were sentimentally inclined, and you must only +be 'sentimentally inclined' in my direction now, so what is the secret?" +kissing the lips so temptingly near.</p> + +<p>"You are welcome to the secret, dearest, if I can put it into words, but +not to the music, I fear, unless you will stand where I shall not see that +you are watching me. There are some things hard to explain, and the effect +of that piece of <a name="Page_415" id="Page_415"></a>music upon me is one of them. Had I played it for papa, +it would have grieved instead of pleased him, for it generally makes me +cry; though why it has such power over me I do not quite understand. I have +only played it before one person, and he understood it; so I did not mind."</p> + +<p>"Now you have made me more curious than ever, little wife. You have played +it for one person, and that person a gentleman, and yet you cannot play it +for me. Now, Dexie, how could you break my heart by such a confession!" +said he, laughing.</p> + +<p>"It was only Lancy Gurney, so don't be foolish," leaning her head +confidingly on his shoulder.</p> + +<p>"<i>Only</i> Lancy Gurney! Worse and worse!" laughing gaily, as he held up her +face to meet his gaze. "Don't tell me you are 'sentimentally inclined' in +<i>his</i> direction yet, or I shall do something desperate."</p> + +<p>"How can I tell you about it, if you laugh? I am afraid you will not +understand it, if you look at it seriously!"</p> + +<p>"Well, try me, anyway," and he drew her on to his knee.</p> + +<p>"I fear it needs a musician's heart to understand it. I do not mean that +the piece is so very difficult, but it has such strange, peculiar chords, +which sound so exquisitely sweet, that it makes the tears come, no matter +how hard I try to repress them. It affected Lancy the same way, so I did +not mind playing it before him, but you see I could not give any reasonable +explanation for my tears had I played it for you at papa's request."</p> + +<p>"Say no more, little wife. I'll not tease you about it again; but let me +confess a little sin. I listened to you one night through the open window +when you were playing that piece, and I saw you in tears, too, but I did +not rightly guess the cause of them."</p> + +<p>"But I have not told you all yet! What will you say when I tell you that I +gave Lancy Gurney one promise which I have not been able to break! +Possibly, Lancy and I <i>were</i> 'sentimentally inclined' when he exacted it of +me, but we agreed not to play that piece for other people, and I doubt if +he finds that promise any easier to break than I do, <a name="Page_416" id="Page_416"></a>for he would not care +to let others see his emotion. I have often wondered what was in the heart +of the composer, for it touches my heart like no other piece of music has +power to do. I fear I have not made it very plain to you, dear, but I wish +you understood it as Lancy did."</p> + +<p>"Little wife, I believe you care for him yet," lifting her face and kissing +her lips.</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course I do, but not as I care for you. It is only the musical +corner of my heart that he has touched, for apart from music I never give +him a thought. My love for you is different; it seems to fill my life."</p> + +<p>"You shall not find me exacting, dearest. Lancy is quite welcome to that +musical corner, while I have such a heart full of love for my own. I would +not have spoken about that music had I known what it was to you. I will +remember after this," he added, smiling, "that it is 'sacred to the memory +of—Lancy Gurney,' and I am quite willing to have it so," and he drew her +close to his side.</p> + +<p>"It is kind of you, dear, to respect this, my one bit of private property. +I could never tell you what that music has been to me, for though it brings +tears to my eyes it has the power to comfort. It seems to soothe and +sympathize with me in my little troubles, and during that unhappy time +after papa died I do not know what I should have done without the piano to +talk to; it seemed the only bit of comfort left to me."</p> + +<p>Guy raised the drooping head, and gazing tenderly into her tear-filled eyes +said, gently:</p> + +<p>"Dearest love! I do not believe that I half know you yet! There seem depths +in your nature that I have never reached, and thoughts in your heart that I +have never shared; they are so far above me. Trust me as far as you will, +darling, and do not think that I wish you to break a promise that seems +more sacred than sentimental," and he drew her to his heart again.</p> + +<p>A few days later Guy brought home a thick letter to Dexie bearing the +postmark of Halifax, and as Dexie read it a troubled look spread over her +face, but she said nothing until the lamp had been lit and the curtains +drawn; then she drew close to her husband's side, saying:</p><p><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417"></a></p> + +<p>"Elsie has sent me very unpleasant news, dear."</p> + +<p>"Then I wish she had not written; I do not like to see my little wife look +sad over anything. May I know what it is, dear? but do not tell me if you +had rather not, Dexie," and he drew her down to his knee.</p> + +<p>"I do not think Elsie knew that her news would trouble me, for she seldom +sees beneath the surface of things. My marriage has given her mother a +great deal of trouble, and as she is the dearest little woman that I ever +knew, I feel very sorry."</p> + +<p>"For your marriage or the 'little woman'?"</p> + +<p>"What a tease you are!" joining in his laugh. "But there is a ludicrous +side to Elsie's story, too, though it is the unpleasant part of it that +strikes me first. Do you remember the threat that Hugh McNeil made when we +told him we were going to be married? Well, he has carried it out, and has +married Nina Gordon, my double, that I told you about. Oh, it is a shame! a +cruel shame! What a life she will lead with that passionate man, with no +love between them to soften his feelings! Hugh could never listen to her +patiently five minutes at a time; that is why he said he wished she was +dumb! Oh, Guy! I feel so grieved. She is so sensitive at heart, for all her +silliness, while Hugh is hasty and hot-tempered. How cruel of him to spoil +her life, if he only married her for the chance resemblance to me, and it +would be just like Hugh to tell her of it in one of his outbursts of +temper. It has made me feel so unhappy that I could not finish my letter; I +feel as if I were to blame in some way."</p> + +<p>"Do not feel so troubled about it, my little wife; perhaps she will so +improve under Hugh's tuition that she will be glad that her chance likeness +was the means of making her his wife. I have often wondered, Dexie, how you +refused him yourself. He seemed so persistent it is a wonder that he did +not take you from me," drawing her closer to his side. "He seemed to have +every quality that women most admire in a man."</p> + +<p>"Well, I did admire him—at a distance—a <i>long</i> distance, you know," she +laughingly answered, "but directly <a name="Page_418" id="Page_418"></a>we were near enough to talk to each +other, we were sure to disagree. What a charming married couple we would +have made!" and both laughed at the mental picture. "Poor Nina! she has not +the spirit to stand the first unkind word. I do hope Hugh will not be rough +with her."</p> + +<p>"I have a better opinion of Hugh McNeil than to think he will be rough with +his own wife. From what I saw of him I rather admired him, and I hope he +will be happy in his married life."</p> + +<p>"I hope so, too, but—I fear for Nina. Let me read Elsie's letter to you, +and you will understand the situation, for she is such an innocent little +kitten that she has disclosed more than she is aware of":</p> + +<p>"I cannot call you by your new name yet, but I hope you will not mind, for +you will always be just 'Dexie' to me. I know that I ought to begin my +letter with best wishes and congratulations, but I cannot do it honestly, +so it would not be honor bright. Your marriage has made such a disturbance +here that I do not know what to think, only that I am sure you are not to +blame for it; so I wish you to know the story, even though Cora often says, +'I hope Dexie will never hear about this.'</p> + +<p>"When I received the papers you sent me containing the announcement of your +marriage, I, very naturally, read it out for the benefit of the rest in the +room, never thinking I was doing anything out of the way; but that horrid +Hugh McNeil was present, and before I had quite finished reading it he +jumped to his feet and glared at me till I screamed with fright. Then he +snatched the paper from me, and tore it in a thousand pieces, and stamped +and stormed about the room till I felt sure he was crazy, then I ran from +the room in terror. Then, as if that were not enough, Cora followed me out +and said she had a good mind to box my ears for reading it out before Hugh, +and yet I am quite sure that she likes you as much as ever. Well, we had an +awful time with Hugh that night. He attempted to shoot himself, and mother +cried and father scolded, and Lancy had to come and watch him till +daylight. We were getting over our scare, and I was beginning to think it +<a name="Page_419" id="Page_419"></a>was a 'temporary fit of insanity,' as Cora said, when we were startled by +another fit that is anything but 'temporary' this time, for Hugh asked papa +to rent him the other half of the house where you lived, stating that he +was going to be married immediately! Of course we wanted to know the name +of the lady, and you can imagine our surprise and dismay when he said it +was Nina Gordon. We all felt badly about it, for no one can imagine for a +minute that he cares for her. As soon as he had rented the house he started +off to Montreal, taking Mrs. Gordon and her daughter with him, and he +returned about a fortnight ago, bringing Nina as his wife. Mrs. Gordon is +to live in Montreal, and however Nina will manage without her mother at her +elbow, is what puzzles everybody.</p> + +<p>"I did not see Mrs. McNeil till a few days ago, for I was huffy at Hugh and +would not be friendly with his wife; but when I did call I got such a +surprise that for a few minutes I stood still in astonishment, for, if you +will believe me, Dexie, they have got the house fixed up just as it used to +look when you lived there—the same pattern of carpets and curtains, the +pictures on the wall seem to be the very same, even to 'George Washington' +that you used to make fun of. A piano occupies the same spot, and in the +midst of it all there sat Nina with one of your pretty dresses on. Well, I +suppose, the dress <i>was</i> her own, but I cannot understand how she happened +to get it made so much like yours. Of course I made remarks, how could I +help it when everything was so much like old times! but, in the most +unexpected moment, in came Hugh, and the way he went on at me was something +fearful! I am sure I never hinted that he had not a right to furnish his +house to suit himself, but when I went home he followed me and had a long +talk to mother about me. Nasty thing, that he is! and now I am forbidden to +mention to anyone the astonishing resemblances that I see next door. They +have sent me to my room for an hour because I <i>looked</i> surprised at a +remarkable thing, so I thought I would sit down and tell you how badly I am +treated, for I am snubbed at every turn, and no one likes to be continually +snubbed.</p> + +<p>"We like Lancy's wife very much, though she is different<a name="Page_420" id="Page_420"></a> from what we +expected. It is quite plain that she is very much in love with Lancy, so he +ought to be pleased. I suppose it will not be 'the correct thing,' as Nina +says, if I tell you why we felt so disappointed over his marriage, but we +all expected his wife would be the dear girl we used to know and love. I +often think that Lancy misses her, for his wife is not a bit musical; but +everything is contrary here. There! I am called, and my hour is not yet up, +so that's odd, too."</p> + +<p>"That is only the first part of the letter, but it contains news enough for +a dozen," said Dexie, as she laid the closely-written sheets on the table +before her. "I am sure you see now what a trouble my marriage has been to +dear Mrs. Gurney."</p> + +<p>"Yet we imagined it was a very quiet affair, eh, Dexie?" regarding her with +an amused smile: "However, do not take it so seriously, darling. Things +have, no doubt, quieted down by now, and everyone will not see Hugh's wife +and home with Elsie's eyes."</p> + +<p>"But I have not finished the letter yet; wait till you hear the rest."</p> + +<p>"There is a postscript, I suppose, and like every other woman's letter, it +needs to be read first," was the smiling reply. "Well, let us hear the +conclusion of the matter."</p> + +<p>Taking up the remaining pages, Dexie read:</p> + +<p>"I was called downstairs to see Mrs. McNeil, who was in the parlor and had +asked to see me especially, and as my eyes rested upon her the word 'Dexie' +sprang to my lips. She had on your garnet velvet suit, and looked as well +in it as ever you did. I intended to treat her very coolly, for I had not +forgiven Hugh, though I have been to church twice since he offended me; but +she was so very friendly, and so anxious to make amends for Hugh's +behavior, that my coolness melted away. She begged me to try and like her +'for Dexie's sake,' and as Hugh had sent regrets for his hasty words and +wished me to run in as freely as I did in the old times, I feel as if I can +repeat the responses in church this evening without feeling <a name="Page_421" id="Page_421"></a>so terribly +wicked over it. I fancy, from what Nina says, that Hugh is often quite +stern and cold in his way of speaking to her, and she admitted that he has +already made her cry. I feel very sorry for her, for I did not know when I +began this letter why Hugh was so put out at your marriage, but I do now, +and I think that since you would not have Lancy it is a good thing that you +are safely married; but take care that Hugh does not run away with you some +day. He is quite equal to it yet."</p> + +<p>"There is no danger of that," said Guy, referring to the concluding +passage. "I can read another story between the lines of Elsie's letter, and +I think, dear, that Hugh's wife will not blame you if her marriage should +not prove a happy one."</p> + +<p>"I hope you are right, Guy; but how could I bear it if I thought you +married me just because I resembled someone that you knew and loved, but +could not marry," and she put her arms around his neck and looked into his +eyes.</p> + +<p>"But you know that my heart has been yours since I first saw you, so why +need you borrow trouble, my little wife? There! lie still in my arms and +rest content," drawing her close to his breast with a tenderness that gave +a fresh assurance of his love.</p> + +<p>"Do you know, Dexie, dear," he added presently, "something in that letter +tells me that Hugh explained everything to Nina before he married her, and +she could have refused him if she objected to the conditions. Hugh's money +would overbalance many difficulties, and I have no doubt that Mrs. Gordon +urged her daughter to accept him, with a full knowledge of his reasons for +wishing to marry her. I feel sure that Nina is willing and anxious to +please Hugh, and he may yet find much happiness in the society of your +double. Few men would care to do such a thing, I admit, but if he finds any +solace in his disappointment in surrounding himself with things that are +dear to his memory and in making his wife a second Dexie, it is well."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422"></a></p> +<h2><a name="POSTSCRIPT" id="POSTSCRIPT"></a>POSTSCRIPT.</h2> + + +<p>Having happily married my heroine and disposed of her lovers, it occurs to +me that I have reached the place where story-writers usually make a big +flourish, write "Finis," and then lay down the pen.</p> + +<p>But the story of a person's life does not end with marriage, as some would +have us think, for marriage generally brings out one's best qualities or +develops the worst, and is sure to make or mar the life of every woman; +consequently, this story is not yet finished. Yet why should I trouble +myself to write out the remainder of it until I have discovered if the +reading public are interested in Dexie's life so far as it has been already +told? It may be that no one cares to follow her fortunes any further, or +feels the least desire to know what the future has in store for her, to say +nothing of the friends who have been associated with her; and as I have no +wish to bore you, dear reader, gentle or otherwise, it rests with you to +say if their married lives shall be laid bare or not.</p> + +<p>I am aware that the marriage of my heroine lacked the <i>eclat</i> which usually +attends events of that kind—in story books—but I fancy the average reader +is well acquainted with all the details of an elaborate wedding, and must +be surfeited with the various accounts of them by this time. However, if +that is the style of wedding you prefer, I can give the names of several +volumes which contain everything you can possibly desire in the way of +description of gorgeous wedding costumes and all the rest of the +paraphernalia<a name="Page_423" id="Page_423"></a> that goes along with them, and you can read any account that +suits you better, then take up my story further along. See?</p> + +<p>Those that take objection to Dexie's home-life—particularly to that +immediately preceding her marriage—are reminded that such lives do exist. +When death visits a family, and removes the restraining head, the petty +faults of the remaining inmates are apt to grow apace, unless the Angel of +Death has touched their hearts with divine grace. Lacking this, the +development of character has a downward tendency. It does not make pleasant +reading, but I have not told an impossible tale. But who knows "how the +other half lives?"</p> + +<p>The question is—Do you care to know if Dexie has chosen her life as wisely +as she might have done? Would her married life have been happier if she had +married Lancy Gurney? The affection they had for each other was akin to +love; there was a sympathy between them which those who have an intense +love for music can alone understand, and which might have proved a source +of happiness, even during a life-long existence. They might not have +experienced the rapture of heartfelt love, but their lives might have been +more peaceful and contented without it, for deep love often means keen +sorrow.</p> + +<p>Or would it have been better if she had accepted the love as well as the +money which Hugh McNeil was so anxious to lay at her feet? She might have +learned to care for him in time, and to have found pleasure in a life +surrounded by all the joys that wealth can bestow. To have an abundance of +worldly goods, and to be exempt from the petty cares and economies which a +limited income necessitates, is a condition much to be desired, even where +no love exists to soften the heart of husband and wife, and in this <a name="Page_424" id="Page_424"></a>case +Hugh McNeil could not be charged with possessing an unloving heart.</p> + +<p>Dexie thinks she has made the wisest choice in accepting Guy Traverse and +marrying for love, but she has yet to face the question—Is mutual love +alone essential to secure a happy married life? or in the language of the +world:</p> + +<p>"Does it pay to marry for love alone?"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425"></a><b>ABOUT SHORTHAND!</b></h3> + +<p>The need of a simpler and swifter mode of writing is felt by all who have +much writing to do—by newspaper men, by legal gentlemen, by clergymen, by +students in taking class lectures and making notes of many things valuable +for future "refreshment," authors and scientific men in recording important +facts.</p> + +<p>Amanuenses are in demand as corresponding clerks and secretaries in all +important mercantile and literary offices, at salaries much higher than is +paid in any similar employment. Indeed, many of the leading business and +professional men owe their prosperity to their knowledge of Shorthand and +Typewriting.</p> + +<p>If a young man or woman desires a business or profession, light, pleasant, +what is more congenial than stenography? Other occupations are crowded, and +the income for years is small. But stenography, on the other hand, is an +opening through which one can enter any business or profession with rewards +equal to ability and capacity.</p> + +<p><b>Which System?</b></p> + +<p>There are a dozen or more different systems of shorthand. Each one is best +to somebody. Which is best for you? Eleven are hard to learn, and harder to +practise; who will learn them? One is simple and easy—children learn it. +The one is</p> + +<p><b>Simple Shorthand</b></p> + +<p>best, because simplest, easiest, quickest learned, most legible of all, and +fully answers every purpose for which shorthand is desired.</p> + +<p>Shorthand must be learned quickly, or most people cannot afford the time. +There has never been a satisfactory system till now. Previous systems have +been too complicated, and people get an idea that shorthand is very +difficult—it is not. Simple Shorthand is not.</p> + +<p>Simple Shorthand excels the difficult systems in all their good points, and +seems to have none of their faults. Therefore I cannot be too exact in +describing it. The several advantages are:</p> + +<p>No shading, no positions, no arbitrary characters, and the vowels are +written in their natural order without lifting the pencil; as in longhand, +no depending upon "context."</p> + +<p>If you could learn the Pitman system (100 words a minute) in six months, +you could easier learn Simple Shorthand in three months. Our scholars learn +Simple Shorthand in a week, then use it writing up their book-keeping. It +saves more than half their time.</p> + +<p>You can learn shorthand by mail just as well. I guarantee success in every +case, or return the money. I send lessons, instructions, criticise and +correct all exercises, until you can write 100 words a minute, for $10, +payable at beginning.</p> + +<p>Lesson free, write for it.</p> + +<p><b>SNELL'S ACTUAL BUSINESS AND SHORTHAND COLLEGE,</b></p> + +<p><b>TRURO, N.S.</b></p><p><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426"></a></p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p><b>R.J. TURNER,</b></p> + +<p>VICTORIA SQUARE, TRURO, N.S.,</p> + +<p><b>Direct Importer of</b></p> + +<p><b>Hardware, Crockery and Groceries.</b></p> + +<p>THREE SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS UNDER ONE ROOF.</p> + +<p><b>FRENCH, ENGLISH AND AUSTRIAN CHINA GOODS A SPECIALTY.</b></p> + +<p><b>Blanchard, Bentley & Co.,</b></p> + +<p>IMPORTERS OF</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">DRY GOODS,</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 3em;">MILLINERY,</span><br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">CARPETS, Etc.,</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.</p> + +<p><b>Large Assortment, Small Profits and Strictly One Price.</b></p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>TRURO AND NEW GLASGOW,</b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><b>NOVA SCOTIA.</b></span><br /> +</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS DEXIE *** + +***** This file should be named 16993-h.htm or 16993-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/9/9/16993/ + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions (www.canadiana.org)) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/16993.txt b/16993.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4b3603c --- /dev/null +++ b/16993.txt @@ -0,0 +1,17301 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Miss Dexie + A Romance of the Provinces + +Author: Stanford Eveleth + +Release Date: November 3, 2005 [EBook #16993] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS DEXIE *** + + + + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions (www.canadiana.org)) + + + + + + + + + + +MISS DEXIE; + +A ROMANCE OF THE PROVINCES. + +BY + +_STANFORD EVELETH._ + +TORONTO: + +WILLIAM BRIGGS, + +WESLEY BUILDINGS. + +C.W. COATES, MONTREAL, QUE. S.F. HUESTIS, HALIFAX, N.S. + +1895. + +Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one +thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, by WILLIAM BRIGGS, +Toronto, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa. + +Transcriber's Note: Minor typos have been corrected. + + + + +MISS DEXIE; + +A ROMANCE OF THE PROVINCES. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY--1864 AND WAR TIME. + + +The war between the North and South has sent a wail of grief into thousands +of homes throughout the land, and the dreadful death-roll is daily being +added to, for battle follows battle, and the slaughter is appalling, even +to those who have been hardened to the sight by months of action. No wonder +that the faces of wives and mothers are white with anguish--that fearful +death-list has carried desolation to their hearts, and others, just as +dear, are obeying the command, "Forward to Spotsylvania." + +Men stop to discuss the situation at street-corners, or hurry to the +telegraph or newspaper offices for the latest news, their anxious faces +telling how their lives have been touched by this outbreak of strife. + +Among those who pass along the streets of a New England town, is one whose +genial countenance attracts attention. He is above the average height, +strong and well proportioned, and his quick and energetic step and +wide-awake appearance proclaim him of New England birth. + +As he nears a house in the suburbs, a shout of welcome greets him, and he +lifts his eyes and smiles upon a group of young faces in an upper window; a +moment more and the door is thrown open, and childish forms hurl themselves +upon him. + +As soon as the children's noisy greeting was over, Mr. Sherwood entered +the room where his wife awaited his appearance, and drawing a chair near +the couch where she was reclining, related the news of the day. + +"Yes, I am later than usual, but I received a despatch from mother, and +that detained me," said he, in answer to her remark. "I have arranged to +run down to the farm to-morrow, as mother says my immediate presence is +necessary." + +"And is there no word from Charley yet? His name is not in the list of +killed or wounded, but I fear the worst." + +"His wife was at the telegraph office while I was there," said Mr. +Sherwood, as they entered the dining-room. "She expected news every hour, +and will send you word directly she gets a message. I tried to persuade her +to return with me, but she was too anxious to leave the office until she +had some reply to her despatch." + +"This is a trying time for wives and sisters, and Charley was my favorite +brother. But what new trouble has happened at the farm, that you are needed +in such haste?" Mrs. Sherwood asked, as she poured out the tea. + +"It seems that mother has heard that I intend joining the new company, if +it is called out, and she has objections which she wishes to make +personally. You know mother is not a Unionist; her southern prejudices are +too strong for that, and the possibility of my joining the northern army +has embittered her mind. You might come with me to-morrow; the change would +do you good," he added. + +"My visits to the farm are doubtful pleasures," replied Mrs. Sherwood, who +had but little sympathy with her husband's people, "but any change will be +welcome while this uncertainty exists about my brother. Can I trust you all +to be good and obedient if I leave you in charge of Nurse Johnson?" she +asked, lifting her eyes to the young faces around the table. + +The best of behavior being readily promised, Mrs. Sherwood soon left the +room to make preparations for the unexpected journey, and early next +morning Mr. Sherwood and his wife were on the train bound for Crofton, the +nearest station to the old home farm. + +While they are on the way, a glance at the history of his parents will +explain how matters stand at the homestead. + +Squire Sherwood was a well-to-do farmer, who was well known outside of his +own village, having held several public offices at various times, but these +had been given up in order to superintend his fine farm, which years of +toil had brought into a high state of cultivation. Early in life, while +doing business in Louisiana, he had married a southern lady; but a few +years later he came into possession of the farm, and they moved North. + +His wife found the change very great, and often sighed for the luxurious +life of her southern home; but she fell into New England ways more readily +than might have been expected. When she moved north, she brought Dinah, who +was her particular property, with her; indeed, Dinah was so much attached +to her young mistress that she refused to be left behind, and life on the +farm was made more endurable by her services. When, in the course of time, +a son was born, he was placed in Dinah's care, and little Clarence was as +fond of his black nurse as was ever the southern-born child of its black +"mammy" of the southern plantation. + +But Mrs. Sherwood did not lose her individuality by her marriage. The +peculiar institution of the South she would like to have seen extended to +the North as well, and when the disruption took place her sympathies were +with those of her old home; she was heart and soul a southerner. Up to this +time the same friendly feeling existed between mistress and maid as when +they had lived under a sunnier sky; but the sentiments engendered by the +hated Abolitionists, soon found vent in sharp words, and other abuses, that +hitherto the faithful creature had never known. + +Dinah felt keenly the change in her mistress, but bore it patiently, +thinking it would soon pass; but village gossip soon spread the report of +Mrs. Sherwood's treatment of her black servant, and the southern +sentiments, so openly expressed, caused the family to lose the estimation +of their neighbors, and gained instead their animosity. Party feeling ran +high, and the villagers declared that if there was another draft made, the +son should be made to fight against the avowed principles of the mother, +and as the sentiments of both parties grew stronger as the war advanced, it +brought matters to a crisis. + +Hence the telegram requesting the son's presence at the farm. + +When the train arrived at Crofton, the carriage was waiting for the +travellers, in charge of the hired man, and they were soon driving along +the familiar road to the homestead. + +"What is the matter at home, Joe?" said Mr. Sherwood. "Are all well?" + +"Yes, all well, sir," and Joe touched the horse lightly with the whip; "but +the war news is troubling them, and making your mother very anxious about +you." + +Joe was an old and trusted servant, having lived with the family for years, +and so much confidence was placed in him that he seemed like one of the +family. When they arrived at the farmhouse, the son wished to know at once +why he was sent for in such haste, but his father replied: "Plenty time, +Clarence, plenty time ahead of us to talk about the matter; let us have +dinner before we discuss troublesome questions." + +But the mother's heart was too full of anxiety to wait, and she asked: "Is +it true, Clarence, that you are going to join the Union army?" + +"Well, I am ready to do my duty, mother," he replied, in a conciliating +tone, "but I have not yet joined the company, so you need not be anxious +about me until you have cause." + +"But I have cause already! I hear that another draft is soon to be made, +and the people around here are determined that you shall be drawn into the +fight, if only to spite me, but if you enter the army at all it should not +be on the Unionists' side; that would be taking up arms against your kith +and kin, and no son of mine must do that!" + +A look of terror spread over the face of the son's wife. Was her husband to +be torn from her side, as the mother feared? + +"I cannot argue this question with you, mother, lest we should not agree," +said the son, gently. "It is a pity that as a family our interests are so +divided; but others have placed their interests against kith and kin, and, +if duty called, I should have to do the same. I own that at present I +shrink from the call, as the forces seem concentrated near my sister +Annie's home. I wish she would come north, but that cannot be expected +while her husband is in danger. He has command of an important position, +but Sherman is sure to dislodge him, and I fear the result will be +disastrous. But I see you have something else in your mind at present, so +what is it that you wish me to do, mother?" + +"I want you to leave the country, Clarence. I cannot bear the thought of +you being drafted to fight against my home and people, and your own natural +affections should cry out against uniting with the slayers of your +kindred." + +"Oh! this cruel, cruel war!" cried the son's wife. "We are indeed a divided +family, for my brother is with Sherman near Atalanta, fighting against my +husband's people. Oh! Clarence, do as your mother wishes, and let us leave +the country, for my heart will break if you are drafted!" + +"You must leave at once, if at all," said the mother; "even a week's delay +may be too late, for the neighbors boast that before the month is out I +shall see my son march away to Washington! I would give every dollar we +possess to help the southern cause, if what they threaten should come to +pass!" she added, in an angry tone. + +"Well, mother," replied the son with a smile, "my patrimony is too precious +to run such a risk, and as I am not very anxious to shoot anyone, or be +shot at either, I will do as you wish, and let you live in peace. I feel +confident that a few months will end the struggle, or my decision would be +different; but where do you wish me to go?" + +"Go!" her countenance softening at once. "You can decide that for yourself; +as long as you are out of the reach of the Unionists, that is all I ask. +So, go to Halifax, if you like!" + +"Very well, mother, to Halifax I'll go, but you do not seem to have the +welfare of your only son very much to heart, after all, by the way you +speak." + +"Nonsense! Clarence, you know my heart better than that! I mean that it +matters little where you settle, so long as you are out of American +territory until the war is over." + +"Oh! Halifax will suit me very well, mother. Ever since I can remember you +have threatened to send me to Halifax; so now I'll go, and I do not believe +I shall find it a place of torment either. Nelson, who was in partnership +with me when I was in Augusta, has moved his family there, and I may join +him again in business. He is buying up horses and sending them to +headquarters. What! you surely would not object to me making some money out +of the Unionists?" he asked, in answer to his mother's quick look of +surprise. + +The discussion lasted some time, but to the relief of the son's wife they +decided to return home the following day, that her husband might have an +opportunity to settle his business in time to catch the first boat to +Halifax. + +Becoming aware of the hostility which prevailed among the neighbors, on +account of Dinah's presence at the farmhouse, Mr. Sherwood proposed to take +her with them to Halifax as their hired nurse. He had a kindly feeling for +the good, old woman, who was such a faithful and partial nurse to him in +his boyhood, and he could not help seeing that she was less kindly treated +than formerly, and to his surprise his mother consented to the plan. Dinah +made no objection when the matter was laid before her, for like many +colored women of her age she had an intense love for children. This love +had grown stronger during the years there had been no children at the +farmhouse to lavish it upon, and the short visits that the grandchildren +made at the farm were red-letter days to Aunt Dinah. + +Mrs. Sherwood found her cares much lessened with Dinah installed as nurse. +The care of children was always a wearisome burden to the rather indolent +mother, so the irksome duties were readily placed on the willing shoulders +of Dinah. + +While Mrs. Sherwood awaited her husband's directions, her brother's wife +appeared one day, bearing the sad announcement that Charley had fallen in +the last battle; and though Mrs. Sherwood had been expecting this from the +first, her grief was more distressing to witness than that of the +afflicted, sad-faced wife. + +But there had been no hope in Mrs. Sherwood's heart since her brother had +bidden them farewell, and marched away with his comrades; and her fears +being realized, she was more anxious than ever to leave the country that +might yet claim her husband also, and when word came from Halifax that a +furnished house awaited the family, Mrs. Sherwood easily persuaded her +bereaved sister in-law to accompany them thither. + +A few weeks later, the family--consisting of Mrs. Sherwood and her +brother's childless widow; Gussie and Dexie, twin girls of sixteen; Louie, +aged thirteen, Georgie ten, Flossie three, and a year-old baby in the arms +of black Dinah--arrived in Halifax, where this story properly begins. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + +The new home awaiting the family was situated in the south end of the city. +The house, which is still considered a desirable residence, was built in a +style very common in Halifax, for the accommodation of two tenants. The +owner, a Mr. Gurney, lived in one part of it; he was a native of England, +but at the solicitation of his brother, who was an officer in one of the +regiments, he had removed to Nova Scotia, and was doing a prosperous +business on Granville Street. + +Mr. Gurney had a large family. Cora, the eldest, was just out of her teens; +then came Launcelot or Lancy, as he was usually called; then Elsie, and so +on, till you came to an infant in arms. As the cabs containing the Sherwood +family drove up to the house, the nursery windows in the second story of +the Gurney household were filled with childish faces, anxious to see what +sort of playmates their new neighbors might be; and when the young +strangers alighted on the sidewalk they observed the happy faces and smiled +back in return, thus pleasantly intimating that they hoped to be friends. +But when Dinah appeared with the baby, the faces in the window betrayed +their astonishment. "Oh! a black nurse! and the baby don't seem a bit +frightened of her!" they exclaimed in surprise. + +"I wonder if they love her when she is so _very_ black," said little +Gracie. "I shouldn't love to kiss her, would you, Percy?" looking at their +own fair-faced nurse in loving approval. + +Mrs. Sherwood was surprised to find the house so neatly and comfortably +arranged, but she soon learned that she was indebted to Mrs. Gurney for +this pleasant state of affairs, for she had given Mr. Sherwood much +material assistance in making the rooms look home-like and cheerful. + +In the evening, when the family were assembled in the parlor, Mrs. Gurney +tapped lightly at the door, and her cordial greeting seemed more like that +of a friend than the first meeting of strangers, and when Mrs. Sherwood +began to thank her for the thoughtful attentions that had made their +home-coming so pleasant, she stopped her with a word. + +"Do not thank me, I beg of you, Mrs. Sherwood," she said, with a smile. "I +have only done for you what I wish someone had done for me when I first +came to Halifax. I know by experience," she added, as a smile lit up her +motherly face, "what it is to come into a strange place, among strange +people, with a hundred things needing to be done at once, and a family of +children to attend to besides. I felt sure you would like the place better +if you found it a bit home-like and settled, but I have come in to explain. +I was afraid you might think I was making myself too busy in your affairs. +Now, I do hope, Mrs. Sherwood, that you will not make strangers of us after +this." Her face beamed with kindness as she spoke, and after a short and +friendly conversation she withdrew. + +The next day was a busy one in the Sherwood household, but in the afternoon +the twin girls were invited to go for a walk with the young ladies next +door, while Louie was persuaded to go up to the nursery with the Gurney +children. + +Louie felt very shy when she found herself among so many little strangers, +but the kind, good-natured nurse, in white cap and apron, who presided +over this restless brood, soon set her at ease by bidding the children show +Louie their toys. And what a store of them there were to be sure. There +were several miniature sets of dishes of various patterns, and whole +families of dolls, from the aged grandmother in a white frilled cap, to the +tiny china specimen that was too small to be dressed. There were Noah's +arks that held animals that would have astonished old Noah himself, and +rocking-horses in various stages of dilapidation, from the bright new one +with only a scratch on his leg, to the headless and tailless steed that +rocked in a melancholy way in the corner. Then there was a swing that hung +from the ceiling, and a springy teeter-board that could bounce the little +ones quite into the air. These and other treasures were duly inspected by +the shy Louie, who soon entered heartily into the games started for her +amusement. + +The twin girls were delighted with their walk. They had viewed the city +from Citadel Hill, and had extended their walk to other spots of interest, +but it seemed to them that they had moved nearer the seat of war, instead +of away from it, for the sword and gun-bearing officers and soldiers whom +they met in different parts of the city seemed more warlike than those who +had passed through the streets of their old home, as they journeyed toward +headquarters. + +In a short time the family settled down to the routine of home-life that +comes natural in all households, and having secured competent help, Mrs. +Sherwood was able to order her household without much exertion on her part; +in fact, she began to feel that she might now take life comparatively easy, +and, little by little, the duties of housekeeper were laid upon Aunt +Jennie. + +Dinah found the burden and exactions of her small charges quite bearable, +so the not-over-anxious mother was relieved from trouble in that quarter +also. But Dinah seemed well satisfied. Her love for the little ones placed +under her care had been strong enough to silence the superstitious dread +that had filled her heart when she first learned the destination of the +family; but in spite of her efforts to please everyone, Dinah could not +overcome the strong dislike which Biddy openly and emphatically expressed +for all "nagers." Consequently, a wordy warfare spiced the day's doings +occasionally, but, thanks to Aunt Jennie's tact and kindness, even this +grew less and less, as occasion for them vanished. + +A few weeks later, Mr. Sherwood accompanied Mr. Nelson to Prince Edward +Island, on a horse-buying expedition, but we will not follow them, as our +story has to do with those in Halifax; it is sufficient to say that they +secured a number of valuable animals for the New York market, at a price +that surprised Mr. Sherwood until he understood that the Island farmers +were ready to dispose of all products "cheap for cash." + +As might be supposed, the friendly intercourse between the members of the +two families grew stronger as the taste of each became more apparent. + +Dexie and Elsie were "chums" at once, though each possessed an opposite +nature; one supplied what the other lacked, so they agreed charmingly. + +Gussie was older in appearance than her twin, Dexie, and preferred the +society of a "grown-up" young lady, and Cora Gurney found her a pleasant +companion. + +Launcelot Gurney, or Lancy, was the musical genius of the Gurney family, +and this soon caused a feeling of friendship to spring up between him and +Dexie Sherwood, and few days passed in which they did not spend +considerable time in each other's society. But the closest observer could +find no fault with this intimacy. It sprang from the similarity of tastes, +and the frank, straightforward manner which marked their intercourse denied +the existence of any foolish sentimentality. Though younger than Cora, +Lancy seemed by his steady ways and manly behavior to be the eldest of the +family. Perhaps the fact that his father talked so much with him, and +interested him in matters that seldom claim the attention of youths of his +age, had something to do with his manner, but behind his usual calm +exterior there was an amount of conceit not always apparent to others, a +conceit that placed himself above the ordinary High School boys who had +been his daily associates. This they had felt intuitively, and with his +precise habits and nicety of dress had caused him to be dubbed "the dandy." + +Another member of the Gurney household must also be mentioned, for Hugh +McNeil belonged to the family almost as much as Lancy himself, seeing that +he had been cared for by Mrs. Gurney before Lancy was born. He was the son +of a strange marriage, a marriage that had turned out disastrously. His +father had been valet to Mr. Gurney's eldest brother, and, while attending +his master in Paris, had fallen in love with a pretty French waitress, and +secretly married her. On returning to England with his master, the French +wife followed him and revealed the marriage, and this so enraged McNeil's +master that he discharged him on the spot. Whereupon McNeil, after securing +a comfortable lodging for his wife, left for Australia, intending to send +for her as soon as he obtained permanent employment. Before he had done so, +the French wife died in giving birth to little Hugh; and the matter coming +to the knowledge of Mrs. Gurney, she had pitied the motherless babe and had +him placed in a comfortable home. As he grew older, Mrs. Gurney became so +fond of her young protege that he was taken into the family, and was given +an education that enabled him, in later years, to be of much service to his +benefactors. + +In looks he favored both parents, inheriting the strong, sturdy frame of +his Scotch father, with the dark features and piercing black eyes of his +mother. At present, he occupied the position of clerk or general factotum +to Mr. Gurney; his quickness and ability to grasp the requirements of +business, with the general activity of his movements, made him invaluable, +and Mr. Gurney trusted him like a son. Amongst other duties, Hugh +frequently attended auction sales, to watch for bargains in their line of +business, and it was at one of these sales that Mrs. Sherwood met him. She +had accompanied Mrs. Nelson to a sale of bankrupt stock, and wishing to +secure some desired articles she asked Hugh's assistance, and he served her +so well that he was asked to call, and he was received so graciously by +more than one member of the family that the call was often repeated, and he +soon had the "freedom of the house," as Dexie laughingly expressed it. + +The English custom of playing at charades or tableaux, was much in vogue +in the Gurney household, and on rainy days the children were sure to be +found in the attic, where a mimic stage had been erected, and drop curtains +of a peculiar style and pattern added to the attractions of the place. The +young neighbors next door were soon initiated into the mysteries of the +"green room," and their added numbers made the audience seem immense, since +it took every available box and board to construct "opera chairs" for the +crowd; but every chair was sure to be filled when the new "star," Signora +Dexina, was announced to appear before the footlights, and if these latter +were but candles left from the last Christmas tree, what mattered it? + +One day while up in the attic rehearsing a new piece, the idea occurred to +them that a private entrance into each other's apartments, by way of the +attic, would be a great convenience, so they eagerly searched the partition +for a loose board. Finding one that was quite broad, they put forth every +exertion, and after much shoving and prying, during which their fingers +received many splinters and bruises, they succeeded in getting the board +loose from the floor. By shoving it aside, they could squeeze through the +opening into the opposite attic, then the board would swing back to its old +position. + +The "convenience" of this private entrance only children could explain, as +it seemed hardly worth the exertion to climb three pair of stairs for the +pleasure of entering the house of their next-door neighbor by this narrow +doorway, but the children were delighted with it. In after-years others, +long past childhood, did not scruple to use this doorway, and silently +bless the hands that formed it. + +The good old custom of family worship was daily practised in the Gurney +household, and appearing suddenly in the dining-room one morning, just as +the family were about to "take books," Dexie stayed to prayers, and was so +impressed with the charm and simplicity of the devotions, that she asked +permission to come again. + +The exercises consisted of reading, verse about, a portion of Scripture, +then a verse or two of some well-known hymn was sung, after which Mr. +Gurney made a short prayer, using simple words within the comprehension of +the little ones. Special mention was made of the needs of the family. If +any of them were ill, they were mentioned by name, and it gave Dexie a +curious feeling the first time she knelt with the family to hear Mr. Gurney +ask for a "particular blessing to rest on our young neighbor, who worships +with us this morning." The charm of it all seemed to be in the feeling of +reality there was about it, the decorous behavior of the little ones +showing that it meant more than outside form to them. None of the Gurney +family was excused from this morning worship unless sickness made it +impossible to appear, and it soon became a regular thing for Dexie Sherwood +to make her appearance with her Bible when the bell rang for prayers. Dexie +thoroughly enjoyed these exercises, her religious education having been +limited to the little she had learned in Sunday School, for the Bible was +not a very well read book in the Sherwood household, and its treasures were +almost unknown, until they were opened to her eyes by the Gurneys. + +Aunt Jennie was much surprised when she learned the cause of Dexie's +frequent morning visits next door. The evident desire for instruction which +made her niece seek from others what should have been imparted to her at +home, came like a reproach to her heart. She had been reared in a Christian +home, where Bible truths had been imparted to her from her cradle up, so +she now endeavored to supply what was lacking in the religious education of +her young relatives. It was done quietly and without ostentation, but the +last half hour of the day was given to Dexie, and she spent it with her +aunt in the privacy of her chamber, where they studied the Book together. +Dexie tried to persuade Gussie to join these readings, but with no success, +for Gussie, like many others, "cared for none of these things." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + +When Mr. Sherwood returned from New York, he was accompanied by a Mr. +Plaisted, a gentleman of a speculative turn of mind, who had attached +himself to Mr. Sherwood with a persistency that showed he had "the cheek of +a drummer," and he had invited himself to accompany Mr. Sherwood to his +home in Halifax. Although fond of horses, there was nothing about the +appearance of Mr. Plaisted to suggest the jockey: he was what would have +been termed in a later day a fair specimen of the genus dude. He was of +medium height, and was decidedly foppish in his manner, and with his +elaborate neck-ties and perfumed curls, he was, in his own estimation at +least, quite irresistible. His hands and feet were unusually small for a +man. The latter he was very proud of, always encasing them in boots of the +very latest style; and, no doubt, the "cold cream" and other cosmetics +which he nightly used helped to give his hands and face the fair appearance +that so delighted himself. + +His presence in the household seemed to have an opposite effect on the twin +girls. Gussie was delighted with his fine appearance and gallant speeches, +but Dexie seemed to see the ignoble nature behind and kept him at a +distance. + +A few evenings after his arrival, when the family were assembled in the +parlor, Mr. Plaisted, who was leaning back in his chair, in an attitude +peculiar to Americans, asked: "Have you a son living in Boston, Sherwood? I +met a young fellow in a broker's office bearing your name. Any relation of +yours?" + +"No, neither a son nor a relation; this is my only boy," Mr. Sherwood +replied, reaching for Georgie's ear in a playful manner. + +"Ah! that's a pity now! a grown-up son would have been some use to you. If +one of the twins had happened to be a boy, you would have had quite an +assistant by now." + +Dexie was sitting behind the window curtain, watching the passers-by. She +resented this speech, and the rude way it was uttered provoked her into +replying: + +"One does not need to be born a boy to be of use in this world, allow me +to tell you, Mr. Plaisted! for in all things that he needs help, I am my +father's boy--not ghost!" she laughingly added, as Plaisted, startled by +her sudden appearance, almost overbalanced in his chair. + +"Bless me! I didn't notice you were there, Miss Dexie," said he, regaining +his equilibrium with an effort. "Guess you've been studying Shakespeare for +my benefit, eh, Miss Dexie?" + +"Oh! that's just like Dexie," said Gussie, with a frown. "She always likes +to make a scene when she can. She will want to go on the stage, I expect, +by and by." + +"What nonsense! Gussie," said Dexie, smiling good-naturedly, "when all the +theatrical performances we are allowed to attend are those that take place +up in the attic." + +"Oh! come now, Miss Dexie. How often do you slip off to plays with that +young chap next door?" said Plaisted, with a sly wink at Gussie. "I often +see you down street together." + +"Your eyesight must be remarkably good, then," was the icy reply, "for I +think no one else can accuse me of 'slipping off' with any person." + +"By the way, Miss Dexie, I have been wondering what your name is, ever +since I came. Is it an abbreviation or a nick-name?" said Plaisted, anxious +to turn the conversation. "I have never met with a young lady bearing your +name before." + +"And you are not likely to meet one again," was the quick reply, as a flush +of anger covered her face. + +Mr. Sherwood looked across at Dexie, knowing full well that Plaisted could +not have broached a more unfortunate subject. Dexie's full name was her +chief annoyance, so he answered in a quiet tone, "Her name is Dexter, but +she would like us all to forget the fact, and call her Dexie instead." + +"Since Mr. Plaisted is so inquisitive, it would be wise to gratify his +curiosity at once, and have done with it," and Dexie turned sharply around +and faced the rest. "He had better learn the whole of our names, and the +history of them as well, and then, perhaps, he will be kind enough to drop +the subject forever. Here is the story: At the time father was married he +was doing business in Augusta, Maine; but it happened, unfortunately, that +mother was born and brought up in Dexter. For some reason, that I have +never been able to fathom, when we twins appeared we were honored by being +called after those respective places! Gussie was the smartest and +best-looking baby, I suppose, so she was selected to bear the name of the +capital city, while I had to bear the burden of Dexter! It is a wonder how +I managed to survive the christening, for the very name was enough to +finish one! Oh! I have wished a thousand times that the town of Dexter had +been visited by a conflagration, and wiped out of existence, before +mother's people ever went there! But there! I daresay they would have gone +to Skowhegan! Norrigewock! Mattawamkeg! or some other place with an +outlandish name, and, of course, I should have been named after it, just +the same! Dexie is bad enough, but Skowie, think of it!" + +A peal of laughter interrupted Dexter's hot-spoken words; but the mention +of her name always touched a tender spot, and she added, in an injured +tone, that made her father smile in spite of himself: + +"And there is Louie. Everybody thinks her name is Louisa, so she escapes +the questions of the curious; but her name is Louisiana, after the State +where grandma's old home is. We were there for a long visit when she was a +baby, and she is not likely to forget that fact all her life. Then papa has +a sister in Georgia; so of course we went to see her, too; but her +plantation was so lovely we were all delighted when papa consented to stay +there a year or two and help Uncle Edward set out some new groves, and get +everything in good running order. We were there when Georgie was born, so +he got off comparatively easy; but then! boys always do!" + +Plaisted's shouts of laughter forbade further expressions of displeasure, +and Dexie turned her back again and looked out the window, while she +regained her composure. Nothing so aroused her indignation as the mention +of her name consequently few knew what it really was. Louie liked her +name, for by bearing it she became her grandmother's favorite, and Gussie +could look on the matter with indifference. + +"I quite sympathize with Dexie," said Mrs. Sherwood, "but her father has a +New Englander's love for novel names, and gives no thought to the +unnecessary burden that it puts upon the children, one which they have to +bear all their lives." + +"Oh! well, Gussie can't complain, I'm sure," said Mr. Sherwood. "No one +will become inquisitive over her name," he laughingly added. + +"I have no doubt that Miss Gussie feels thankful she secured first choice," +said Plaisted, "and that her good looks entitled her to it," and he looked +over at Gussie with bold admiration in his glance. + +"I don't think looks had anything to do with it," said Mr. Sherwood, "else +this curly pate would have had first choice," reaching over to pass his +hand over the brown rings of hair. + +"Seems to me this conversation is much too personal," said Dexie, rising +from her seat. "I think a change would be welcome to one and all," and she +sat down before the piano. + +Mr. Sherwood smiled his approval. He was very proud of his daughter's +musical ability, for she could sing and play to suit the taste of any +audience, and could arouse the inner emotions of those who had any feelings +that were capable of being stirred at all. One of her accomplishments, +which she seldom exhibited before strangers, was that of whistling. Few +people have heard the exquisite notes that can be produced by an adept in +the art, but there are whistlers and whistlers, whose notes differ as much +as those of the linnet and the crow. While accompanying herself on the +piano, Dexie could produce such wonderful trills and quavers, with such +purity of tone, that she could almost rival the very birds themselves, and +she never failed to surprise and charm all that heard her. Wishing to +please her father, as well as convince Mr. Plaisted that her name did not +make her a "ninny," she selected some of her best pieces and sang her most +charming songs; then, after a few soft notes, she broke into a bird-song, +whistling the notes so faithfully true that Mr. Plaisted was startled as +well as delighted, and the conversation he had begun with Gussie came to an +abrupt end. + +"Well, Miss Dexie, I must confess that you have surprised me," said he, as +Dexie resumed her seat at the window. "I never heard the equal of that from +the boards of any concert-room in New York. No one would object to paying +'dear for his whistle,' if that quality was purchasable. You would make a +fortune on the stage." + +"I hope Dexie will never use her whistle as a money-making gift," said her +father; "but I think, myself, it is about as pretty music as one ever +hears." + +"You can bet your life, Sherwood, she would create such a furore in musical +circles that she would make something besides money for you. Bring her out, +Sherwood; it will pay you better than speculating with horses." + +"Heaven forbid!" replied Mr. Sherwood, extremely annoyed at the way +Plaisted spoke of his favorite daughter. "I fancy I can make a comfortable +living for my family, without turning my daughter into a public character." + +"Thank you, papa," came the clear-cut tones from the window; "but pray do +not waste any more sentiment on Mr. Plaisted. He happens to be one of that +kind of men who would sell their own mothers for profit! But he can't help +it, poor man, he was born that way!" and before Plaisted could recover from +his surprise, Dexie had left the room. + +"That was a pretty good slap, and no mistake," exclaimed Plaisted as he +drew out his handkerchief to wipe his hot face. "I meant no offence, +Sherwood, 'pon honor." + +"Well, as my daughter did not take it so, be kind enough to be more guarded +in your remarks in the future. However, in a battle of words, I fancy she +is able to hold her own, and come off victor every time, too." + +The matter was dismissed with a laugh, though memory lingered long over the +plain-spoken words; but in his secret heart Mr. Sherwood was glad that +Dexie had so answered this New York gentleman. Dexie had won her position +in her father's heart by her prompt and willing service. She it was who +could be depended on to do the numberless little tasks, insignificant in +themselves, perhaps, but of the greatest moment when taken together, for +the joy and comfort of home-life very largely depends on the way these +little things are attended to. Her sister, Gussie, was too fond of pleasing +herself to be of much service to others; but Dexie was quick to see +another's need, and she found it a pleasure to wait on her dear papa, who, +however active and energetic he might be when about his business, dearly +loved to be waited on when once he was inside his own home. He always found +Dexie willing and ready to give all her time for his pleasure. She had even +changed the style of her handwriting so as to help her father with his +correspondence, and she proved herself such an able assistant that, on +giving her verbal instructions, she could write out his letters quite as +clearly and business-like as if his own hand held the pen. Once, in Dexie's +absence, he had pressed Gussie into service, but Mr. Sherwood never +repeated the request, for Gussie's writing resembled the "sprawls of a +many-legged spider that had fallen into the ink bottle, and then wiped his +legs on the writing-paper," according to Mr. Sherwood's description of it. + +But Gussie was pretty if she was not useful. She was a perfect blonde, with +a wealth of yellow hair, which she twisted round her head like a golden +coronet. Her eyes were as blue as fresh spring violets, and her slight, +willowy figure gave promise of much grace when fully developed. Her twin +sister, Dexie, was much unlike her in every way, having dark brown eyes, +while a mass of short, light-brown curls covered the well-poised head, +giving her something of a boyish air. She had a clear complexion, but was +not so fair as Gussie, and her figure was shorter and more rounded. She was +quick and alert in all her movements, and laughed when Gussie called her a +tomboy, but she was only thoroughly wide-awake, and enjoyed life with a +zest that was but natural in a girl of her years. She scorned the languid +air that Gussie affected, and looked with disdain on the one-legged storks +that her sister delighted to transfer to canvas, and she wondered how it +was possible for anyone to sit for hours over a bit of fancywork the +usefulness of which was doubtful; but this was the only kind of _work_ that +Gussie ever cared to do. + +Since Aunt Jennie had taken up her abode in the family, Dexie had found +great delight in solving some of the mysteries of cookery, and the +toothsome articles she evolved, under her aunt's direction, were exhibited +with as much pride as Gussie felt when she adorned the new sofa pillow with +such gorgeous butterflies that no one dared use it thereafter. But Dexie +was at her best when seated before the piano; then her face glowed with a +beauty far exceeding that of her sister's, for the soul shone in her face, +and she would make the instrument respond to her feelings like a human +being. However ruffled her state of mind might be--for, be it known, Dexie +was not blessed with a very even temper--she could pour out her troubles to +her beloved instrument, as she would to a dear friend, and she always found +peace and consolation there. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + +One evening, when Mr. Plaisted was still in Halifax, there was a small +party held at Mrs. Gurney's, to which the Sherwoods were invited. Although +the party was only for "grown-ups," as Elsie Gurney said, invitations were +given to Gussie and Dexie, as company for the young members of the party. +Among those present was Major Gurney, and several of his brother officers, +whose gaily-attired figures added much to the beauty of the rooms. + +During the evening music was introduced, and it need hardly be said that +most of the songs sung were thoroughly English, and of course much +applauded; but Dexie, in her loyalty to the land she called _home_, though +living out of its borders, could scarcely conceal her annoyance, and +turning to a table near, she picked up a book of views in order to hide her +vexation. Presently she became aware that the book before her was composed +of views that were unmistakably English; and no sooner was their +nationality noted than she dropped the book as if it had burnt her fingers. + +"The idea of that little spot on the earth lording it over all creation!" +she said to herself, and her lip curled in scorn. + +Just then the young man at the piano struck up the notes of "Rule +Britannia," which was caught up at once by all the red-coated gentlemen +present, as if the very words were a sweet morsel under their tongues. It +ended at last with a crash, and Dexie gave a sigh of relief when she saw +the piano stool vacant. + +But Mr. Gurney was making his way towards her, and, bending over her, said +in a low voice: + +"Will you favor the company with some music, Miss Dexie? I have often +listened to some very enchanting strains from your fingers." + +"Well, I think I can play something that will be quite as enchanting as +that we have just listened to," Dexie replied. "I don't believe that piece +was ever meant to be sung inside four walls, and those officers shout as if +they intended to raise the roof. I am afraid my playing will seem very tame +after all that bluster," she laughingly added. + +"No fear of that," said Mr. Gurney, smiling. "Try and see if you cannot +beat them at their own game." + +Dexie looked up quickly, and caught his meaning, and as she crossed the +room her thoughts were flying through her brain, trying to bring to mind +some song that would answer those "red-coated braggarts." A smile came to +her lips, as memory served her. Yes, she could sing something that was +quite as musical as "Rule Britannia," anyway, and echo the praise of her +own land as well. So when she passed her father she whispered: + +"Give me the help of your best bass in the chorus;" and bending over +Gussie, who was listening to the remarks of a many-striped officer, who was +standing near her chair, she said in a low tone: "Give me your help this +once, Gussie, and let your alto be heard clear to the citadel." + +Seating herself at the piano, she struck a few chords, and then her rich, +ringing voice, with every word clear and distinct, sounded through the +room: + + "Of all the mighty nations in the east or in the west, + Our glorious Yankee nation is the brightest and the best; + We have room for all creation, and our banner is unfurled + With a cordial invitation to the people of the world. + So, come along, come along; make no delay; + Come from every nation; come from every way. + The land it is broad enough; you need not be alarmed, + For Uncle Sam has land enough to give you all a farm." + +An amused look passed over the faces of those present as the sentiments of +the singer reached their ears, and Plaisted said, half aloud: + +"Good for you, Miss Dexie; I back you there!" and when the chorus was +reached, his fine tenor was equal to any that had been heard during the +evening, his "Come along" ringing out like a bold challenge. + +"Hurrah for the Stars and Stripes!" cried Lieutenant Layton, as he joined +in the applause that arose as soon as the song had ended. "Your nationality +is quite apparent, Miss Sherwood. That's right; don't let your own broad +country be sung down." + +Dexie found herself immediately surrounded, and was overwhelmed with +entreaties to sing again, for the "back slap" had been as diverting as it +was unexpected, and she found it impossible to leave the piano without +singing again. But she thought that one song in that strain was enough, +though Mr. Gurney came over to her side, saying: + +"Give us another like the last, Miss Dexie. It is good for these red-coated +fellows to remember that they have not conquered all the people on the face +of the earth." + +"I am afraid it will offend someone," said Dexie, softly. "I couldn't +resist the temptation of letting them know that _I_ don't think England is +supreme. I am a loyal American, even if I do reside in Halifax." + +"Oh! there is no danger of offending," Mr. Gurney replied. "The lion has +roared quite enough for one evening, so let the starry flag play awhile in +the breeze." + +But Dexie did not like to flaunt the flag too near the lion's face, and in +his own den, as it were; so remembering some of the beautiful, pathetic +songs, that had been inspired by the war, she thought they would be quite +as much enjoyed. + +Lancy Gurney was seldom far from the piano, and as Dexie finished her song +she motioned him to her side. A few whispered words passed between them, +then Lancy sat down beside her, when there rang out a symphony that +delighted every ear. + +In a few minutes, Dexie took advantage of the movement she had brought +about on purpose to relieve herself, and rose from the piano, leaving Lancy +seated at the instrument. + +This musical treat brought Dexie into social prominence, as there were +several members of the "Song and Glee Club" present, and she was much +surprised to receive invitations for herself and sister to join the club. + +This club contained some of the best singers in the city, but had no +members so young as those now invited to join them. The invitation was +never regretted, however, for they soon acknowledged that the "Sherwood +twins" were quite an acquisition. + +The pleasant evening was over at last, and the twins had received +compliments enough to turn older heads than theirs; but Dexie did not dwell +on the flattering remarks as Gussie did. Her singing and playing came as +natural to her as it did to talk, and she was not puffed up by the praise +bestowed on her for it. But Gussie was always vain of her good looks, and +she magnified the remarks that her pretty face had elicited, and when they +were about to retire Gussie had quite the air of a society belle as she +said: + +"I have made quite an impression on Lieutenant Morton. I feel quite sure he +is almost in love with me already." But, receiving no answer to this +remark, she added: + +"I hope you are not jealous, Dexie, because I received so many compliments +from those fine-looking officers?" + +"Pooh! you silly thing! Jealous! Well, that's rich, I must say," replied +Dexie, in a tone of scorn. "You seem to think it is a fine thing to be +complimented by soldiers, but not so I. Why, didn't Mrs. Gurney tell us +one time that it was not considered respectable to be seen talking to +soldiers on the street, and I can't see how it makes so much difference if +you talk to them behind closed doors." + +"Oh, but there was not one soldier invited to Mrs. Gurney's party; they +were all officers, every one of them," was Gussie's reply. + +"Pshaw! what difference do a few ornaments on a man's coat make to the man +inside of it, I'd like to know? I expect that half of them, at least, were +common soldiers once themselves, and were bossed around like the very +meanest of them. I declare, I'd rather be a black on auntie's plantation +than be under some of those bawling officers we met to-night." + +But Gussie did not care to discuss the matter further, as it required some +time to think the matter out seriously, if she would discover why an +officer should be less open to objection than a common soldier, for it was +true enough that many who wore the stripes had stepped up from the ranks; +yet how few of the better class care to make friends with the common +soldier, be he ever so respectable as a private individual. Was it likely +that a cloak of uncommon respectability was put on with the officer's +uniform? Hardly; else some of them lost the cloak very shortly after it was +put on. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + +Mr. Sherwood, accompanied by Mr. Plaisted, made a trip to Prince Edward +Island before the winter set in, and though they did not make a very +extensive purchase, they travelled through the country and learned its +resources, visiting many farms where salable horses could be secured in the +spring. They took the horses they purchased direct to New York, where they +were disposed of to good advantage, after which Mr. Sherwood returned to +Halifax and settled down for the winter. + +Mr. Plaisted remained in New York, but promised to be in Halifax early in +the spring, and be ready for the first boat that crossed to the Island. + +The first winter in Halifax passed very pleasantly to the Sherwoods. The +winter sports were new, and keenly enjoyed, and the "Sherwood twins" soon +became as good skaters as those who had practised the art for years. Yet no +one must imagine that everything ran as smoothly as clockwork in the +Sherwood household, for there are few families who can boast of such +perfect regulations that there is _never_ a jar. + +Mrs. Sherwood had been only too willing to throw off all responsibility and +place her duties on Aunt Jennie's shoulders, but there were many things +that must of necessity be left to Mrs. Sherwood herself, and when such +things were put off indefinitely they were apt to prove annoying; +consequently, when "patience ceased to be a virtue," the domestic +atmosphere was sometimes cleared by a small-sized storm. + +There are also times when domestic helps are apt to be exasperating in the +extreme, and a word of rebuke or remonstrance is like a match to a can of +gunpowder; the powder is apt to go off, and the girl just as likely, and +both leave an unpleasantness behind them. Queer, too, that both are apt to +go off at the most unexpected and inconvenient moment; but so it is. + +The Sherwood family were not exempt from this experience, for Biddy raised +a storm because Dinah seemed to be made more of than she was herself. No +explanations or smooth words would bridge over the difficulty. She refused +to stay in a house where "a big nager could stay in the room wid the missus +and hould the baby as long as she plased;" so she left the house, and quite +suddenly, too. + +This disarranged household matters somewhat for awhile, as it was some time +before a capable servant could be found, and Mrs. Sherwood was obliged to +exert herself a little and attend to the wants of the baby, while Dinah +filled the vacant place in the kitchen. + +But rheumatism had laid its torturing clutches on poor old Dinah's limbs, +and she could not be expected to get through the same amount of work that +Biddy accomplished, so the help of the twins was frequently necessary to +keep agoing the domestic machinery. + +This was no hardship to Dexie; but Gussie, oh dear! it was just horrible to +have to wash up the breakfast dishes, and to polish the silver. And the +rooms _never_ needed to be dusted so often before, that she was sure! and +wherever the dusters went to after she was done with them was a daily +mystery. Dexie offered to solve this trying enigma, but Gussie's wrath +waxed hot when she read the words which Dexie printed in large letters on a +piece of wrapping-paper and stuck on the wall, for the moral was obvious-- + +"_There is a place for everything_; THEREFORE, _put the dusters +back in their own place when you are done with them, and you will be sure +to find them again._ + +"(NO CHARGE FOR THIS ADVICE.)" + +But things moved along somehow, as they always do, yet everyone was glad +when the new Biddy appeared, who answered to the name of Nancy, and the +ways of the household fell back into former grooves; while the sigh of +relief which Gussie gave as she took up her neglected fancywork again, +might have been heard--well, quite a distance away. + +As the weeks went by, the enforced idleness became irksome to Mr. Sherwood; +and having at one time been on the staff of a leading newspaper, he took up +his pen again--or rather Dexie did, as his amanuensis--while he brought +forth from memories' halls, things interesting, amusing or instructive. He +had travelled extensively, and always saw the ludicrous side of things, so +he was able to tell many amusing incidents that to others might have passed +as commonplace. His productions were eagerly accepted, and, what is better, +liberally paid for as well. + +The short winter days passed very quickly. Time pleasantly spent is sure to +fly fast, and skating and sleighing parties are always merry gatherings; +thus so many evenings were given to Glee Club practice, church socials and +other like entertainments, that an evening at home was a delightful change. +During the winter the Sherwoods had the opportunity of becoming well +acquainted with many of the military fraternity, but Dexie's reserved +manner forbade the least familiarity. They were merely friends of her +friends, and her dislike to the red-coated gentlemen caused her much +good-natured chaffing; but it never annoyed her, for she always had an +answer ready for the keenest shaft. Lancy Gurney could always depend on +having Dexie Sherwood's company when these little pleasure-parties were +made up; and when he brought his sleigh out for a "spin" Elsie and Dexie +were sure to occupy the back seat, and the vacant place by Lancy's side was +never long empty, for the wit and vivacity of his companion made the seat +very desirable. + +Hugh McNeil always had a share in the pleasures of the rest of the family, +and no matter how many offered to fill his sleigh he always kept a seat for +Gussie Sherwood, for he had paid her much attention from the first. Gussie +found it very pleasant to have someone to take her here and there, and feed +her vanity with admiring looks and soft speeches; but if Gussie had a +chance to secure another escort more to her mind, she thought nothing of +snubbing Hugh unmercifully, yet was willing enough to smile him back to her +side when no other gentleman offered his company. But few men care to be +made the plaything of a young girl's caprice, and there came a time when +Gussie's smile lost its power to charm. Her pretty face had been the +attraction; but having ample opportunity of seeing Gussie under the +different light of home-life, he could not help seeing the shallow nature +that lay behind her outward sweetness, or that this sweetness was more +ready to come to the front when self was to be gratified. + +But Hugh's heart had been touched for the first time, and when his eyes +were opened he was loth to displace his idol, even though he knew that +common clay was its substance. For a long time he gave no sign of the +change that had taken place in his feelings; he was to all appearances as +devoted to Gussie as ever. + +One day, along the first of March, Lancy Gurney walked hastily home from +the store, and entering the Sherwood household, inquired for Dexie. + +"What is it, Lancy?" said Dexie, peeping over the stair rail at Lancy in +the hall below. + +"Come down, Dexie; I want to speak to you. Can you come for a drive with +me?" he asked, as Dexie reached his side. "Father wishes me to do a little +business for him a few miles out of town, and I want company. Will you +come?" + +"Yes, if you will take Elsie as well," was the reply. "How soon are you +going, Lancy?" + +"In about half an hour, if we can get ready; but I don't want to take +Elsie. We will take the single sleigh, and three in a seat will not be +comfortable." + +"It will be three in a seat or one, Sir Launcelot; so take your choice. Run +in and see if Elsie can go, then I will get ready also. No use coaxing; +your half an hour is rapidly passing," she added, smilingly, as Lancy +lingered, endeavoring to change her decision. + +But "three in a seat" was not so uncomfortable as Lancy had imagined, and +they were soon speeding over the road, and in due time reached their +destination. + +They were detained much longer than they expected, and so were late +starting for home, and the snow which had been falling in fine, light +particles, soon increased in volume, and it was quite apparent that a +severe storm was upon them. + +When they reached the open road, they found they were to suffer for the +delay, for the sharp wind cut their faces and almost blinded them with the +drifting snow. + +All landmarks were soon obliterated, and, though the way was familiar under +different circumstances, Lancy found it hard to distinguish the road from +the open field, as the snow fell so thick they could see only a short +distance beyond the horse's head. + +The girls were soon so benumbed with cold that they were glad to creep +beneath the sleigh robes, and the roads were becoming so blocked with +drifts that their progress was very slow indeed. Several times they stuck +fast, and Lancy had to get out and tramp down the snow, while, with +encouraging words, he urged the horse along; but in one of these heavy +drifts, snap! went the shaft. + +This was a misfortune indeed, for a thorough search in pockets and +sleigh-box failed to produce a string or strap of any kind. + +Elsie had been on the verge of crying for some time, and this new disaster +brought the tears in earnest. + +"We shall all freeze to death here!" she sobbed. "Whatever shall we do?" + +"You can stop crying, Elsie," said Lancy, who felt bewildered by this new +difficulty. "I am bothered enough already. I suppose it is no use to ask +you girls if you have any kind of string in your pockets," he added. + +"No, of course we haven't," replied Elsie, quite cross. "Girls don't fill +their pockets with trash!" + +"Here is my belt, Lancy," and Dexie held up a strap of Russian leather. "Do +you think you can bind up the shaft with that?" + +After some delay, the shaft was strapped together, and they slowly pressed +onward. + +"How far do you think we are from Halifax, Lancy?" Dexie asked, after they +had travelled some distance through the drifts. + +"I can hardly say, Dexie, we have come so slowly; but I fear we are not +more than halfway." + +This was indeed the truth, and the storm seemed increasing in violence; but +if a thought of danger passed through their minds, no voice was given to +it. + +Presently they passed a farmhouse, and they almost decided to stop and ask +shelter; but just here the road seemed better, so they pressed on, knowing +that their absence would make those at home very anxious. For some distance +the road was less drifted, owing to the shelter of a line of trees that +skirted it, but farther on they came to drifts that were high and hard +packed, through which the horse gave a plunge, breaking the other shaft, +and this brought matters to a crisis. + +"It is no use, girls; we can't get home to-night. It is a pity we did not +stop at that farmhouse," said Lancy, as he ascertained damages. "We will +have to get back somehow, I'm afraid." + +But how to get back was a question. They had passed the farmhouse such a +long time ago that it seemed as if it must be miles behind. Lancy was +almost in despair as he felt the broken shaft. How could they reach the +farmhouse in this disabled condition? Although suffering intensely from +the cold, he thought little of it, but he began to have serious misgivings +as to the safety of the girls. + +"I am so sorry I asked either of you to come with me," he said, as he bent +his head to speak to the shivering girls. "I shall have to cut the reins +and tie up the shaft with them, but I fear it will be slow work retracing +our way." + +"Oh, Lancy, you can't cut the reins! How are you going to drive if you do +that?" said Dexie, in alarm. + +"I can walk and lead the horse. There is nothing else to do." + +"Wait, Lancy! Here is my silk scarf; it is real long and strong," and Dexie +forced her cold fingers to untie from under her wraps, the pretty scarf +that encircled her neck, which Lancy found to answer his purpose very well. + +The sleigh had become so imbedded in the drift, that Lancy was afraid the +shafts would pull apart if the horse put forth sufficient strength to +extract it, so he decided to take the horse out and turn the sleigh +himself. But when the horse found himself free, he refused to stand still, +and Dexie insisted on getting out to hold him. Leading the horse around the +drift to regain the road, Lancy found there was a level stretch extending +in the same direction, and he concluded to follow it and thus regain the +farmhouse. He assisted Dexie through the drifts, and as she held the reins +he endeavored to turn the sleigh. But he had not quite accomplished his +task when a cry from Dexie came through the storm: + +"Oh, Lancy! come quick! I cannot hold him, and I hear water running +somewhere! Oh, the horse is in!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + +What new calamity had overtaken them! Their only hope of safety seemed in +the horse, and he had disappeared from sight, leaving only his head showing +above the white mass around him. Lancy was soon at Dexie's side, and +understood the situation at once. The level stretch of snow was but the +covering of a frozen stream that here flowed parallel with the road. He had +led the horse near a weak spot, and the ice had given away beneath him. The +water might not be deep enough to drown him, but Lancy saw at once it would +be impossible to get the horse out without assistance. He helped Dexie back +to the sleigh, saying, + +"You and Elsie must cover yourselves up in the sleigh, and wait here till I +walk back to that house for help." + +"Oh, Lancy! is there no other way?" Dexie cried, her courage giving way at +the thought of him leaving them. "You will get lost in the storm, and we +will surely freeze to death before help reaches us." + +But there seemed no other way out of the difficulty, and he hurriedly +tucked the robes around them, while he tried to quiet Elsie, who was almost +wild with terror when she learned her brother's intention. + +"Hush! Elsie, dear. If I stay with you we shall _all_ freeze. You need not +be afraid. I will surely reach the house and send someone to you if I +cannot come back myself. Don't cry, dear. See how bravely Dexie bears it." + +"But you are not her brother," she sobbed; "she has only herself to think +of. Oh, what shall we do if you are lost in the storm! How I wish I had +never come!" and she buried her face in the seat before her. + +Lancy's heart ached for both of them. Yet to leave them seemed their only +chance of life, for it grew colder every moment. He must find help soon, or +they would not survive the night. Bending over Elsie, he kissed her +tenderly, saying, "Don't be afraid, Elsie. I will find someone to send to +you before I give up; so don't fret. We'll see mother again, never fear." +And bending over to see that she was well covered with the robes, he +whispered, "Good-bye, Elsie; pray for help," and he kissed her again. + +Passing round to the other side of the sleigh, he secured the robes around +Dexie so that the wind could not displace them; then putting his face down +close to hers, said, "I am sorry to have brought you into such danger, +Dexie; but you know I did not mean to. Will you kiss me good-bye?" + +Dexie lifted her face at once, her heart strangely stirred by the tone in +which he spoke; but she realized their danger, and this might be, indeed, +good-bye. + +"Do not fret about us, Lancy," she said. "Think only of yourself, for I am +so afraid you will be lost in the storm." + +"Never fear, Dexie. But remember this, girls: Don't go to sleep; keep +awake, no matter how hard it may be to do so. Get up in the sleigh and jump +and scream rather than run the risk of falling asleep here in the cold. +Remember, now! Good-bye, girls; and may Heaven keep you both safe," and +Lancy disappeared in the storm, leaving a comforting feeling behind him +with his last words. + +"Oh, Dexie! do you think we shall ever see Lancy again?" Elsie asked, in a +choking voice. "Just think how they will fret at home if anything happens +to us!" + +Dexie could not control her voice just then, so she made no reply. + +"I wonder if the poor horse will drown or freeze to death; but perhaps it +is warmer in the water than in the wind," and Elsie's thoughts turned again +to Lancy. + +Then they put their arms around each other, and talked in a weary, +desultory way. But it was hard to talk when there was nothing pleasant in +their thoughts, and they were so cold, so very cold. + +Presently Elsie's head fell over on Dexie's shoulder, and it aroused Dexie +to a sense of their danger. Was she really falling asleep, and allowing +Elsie to do so as well, after the caution Lancy had given? She lifted +Elsie's head gently, saying, "Sit up, Elsie, dear. I'm afraid you are +getting sleepy, and you must not go to sleep, you know." + +"Oh, do--leave me--alone! I'm--so tired." + +"But I can't leave you, Elsie; you are getting sleepy, and don't you +remember what Lancy said?" and Dexie lifted her up and gave her a gentle +shake. + +"Oh, do stop--just a moment." + +"No, not a moment!" + +Dexie was fully aroused now, and realized Elsie's danger. + +"Come, Elsie, you must sit up, for I do not intend to let you sleep;" and +she shook her roughly in her alarm, for Elsie had laid her head on the +seat, in spite of all her efforts to arouse her. + +"Here, if you don't lift up your head and wake up, I'll have to rub your +face with snow; so sit up at once. Oh! do, Elsie, dear." + +Elsie allowed herself to be lifted into another position, but she seemed +dazed, and Dexie was thoroughly frightened and shook her by the arm, as she +cried, "Oh, Elsie, can't you hear me? Don't you know that if you fall +asleep you will surely freeze to death?" + +"Oh, Dexie, I'm freezing now," was the low reply. + +Dexie seized her hands and clapped them between her own stiff angers, which +felt like lead, they seemed so heavy, but she succeeded in rousing Elsie so +that she would talk to her. + +"Let us try to sing," said Dexie at last; "perhaps it will be easier than +talking," and she began "Jesus, lover of my soul." + +But before the verse was finished she became aware that she was scarcely +murmuring the words herself, while Elsie had stopped altogether. + +"I'm _not_ going to sleep; so, there!" she said aloud. "I _will_ stay awake +somehow, and make Elsie, too." + +She found that the effort she had made to speak aloud had aroused herself. +The drowsy feeling was dispelled, and she bent over Elsie and shook her +until she received a faint answer. + +"Do you think Lancy has arrived at the house, Elsie?" she asked a few +minutes later. No answer, for Elsie's head had fallen back on the seat. She +was oblivious to all remarks. + +"Dear me, this will never do! However shall I keep her awake more than a +minute at a time? What if Lancy returns and finds her stiff and cold?" + +The thought was awful, and for the next few minutes there were some lively +movements under the sleigh robes; but the terror that filled Dexie's heart +gave way to a feeling of relief as Elsie sat up and reproached her friend +for being "so rough." + +"But I shall _have_ to use you roughly, Elsie, if you don't stay awake," +Dexie answered, as she placed the robes around her; "so keep talking, then +I'll be sure of you." + +But the intense cold seemed to freeze the words on her lips, and soon an +unintelligible murmur was the only answer to Dexie's questions. + +"What shall I do? She will be asleep in another minute, if I don't look +out. If I could only get her cross she would give me less trouble." + +As a general thing Elsie was very easy-going, though she had quite a temper +when once it was aroused, but with the excellent training she received from +her mother, she seldom lost control of herself. When she did, she was cross +clear through, and it took her a long time to get over it. Dexie thought +that this was a time when a burst of temper might be justifiable; so she +determined to pick a quarrel with her, and hoped the end would justify the +means. + +Shaking her roughly to gain her attention, a few sarcastic remarks soon +started a wordy warfare, and sharp words went back and forth for some time. +Presently their situation occurred to Elsie, and she burst into tears of +repentance. + +"Oh, do forgive me, Dexie; to think I would say such things while we are in +such danger! I do not know what is the matter with me." + +"It is my fault," cried Dexie, unable to keep up the quarrel under such +contrite circumstances. "I have been provoking you on purpose to make you +scold me; but I didn't mean a word of the unkind things I said to you. I +only wanted to keep you awake;" and thus confessing to one another, they +calmed down into a state that was almost too angelic for safety, but +before they had time to drop asleep again shouts were heard in the +distance, telling of relief close at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + +Lancy had a hard struggle to break through the drifts, and began to fear he +would sink down with exhaustion before he had secured help, but he reached +the farmhouse at last, having walked back much faster than the horse had +travelled in going the same distance. + +A few words of explanation were enough to arouse the family, and even while +Lancy spoke, the two men in the room began to pull on their boots and get +into their outer garments in a way that showed that they "meant business." + +Mr. Taylor and his big son would gladly have gone alone to rescue the +girls, thinking Lancy was not in a fit state to return, but the possible +fate of those dear to him filled Lancy with dread; he must return and see +to their safety. He eagerly drank the hot mixture that Mrs. Taylor placed +in his hand, and when the men declared themselves ready, he felt able to +accompany them. + +"This is a terrible night to be out-of-doors," said Mr. Taylor, as he +pulled his coat collar around his ears. "This is the worst storm we have +had for years, and it will be a mercy if your sisters are not badly +frost-bitten, before we can get them to the house. Push on after Tom, and I +will be with you in a minute," and he turned toward the stables. + +Lancy found it easier to retrace his steps than when he struggled alone +through the blinding snow, and presently Mr. Taylor passed them on the back +of a horse, carrying a coil of rope and a bundle of rugs, and he was the +first to reach the snow-covered sleigh. + +"Are you all right?" he called in a cheery voice. + +"We are alive, and that's about all," Dexie answered. + +"Well, cheer up; your brother is just behind," and as he spoke Lancy joined +him. + +"Now, young man," said Mr. Taylor, "Tom and I will see after your horse, +while you pilot your sisters to the house. They can both ride back on my +horse; he will carry them through the drifts better than they can walk. +Here are some rugs. Now, shall I help you to mount?" turning to Dexie. + +"We are so cold I fear we can't hold on," she replied, her teeth chattering +an accompaniment to her words. "I feel as if I had no feet at all," she +added, as they lifted her up and brushed the snow from her garments. + +"Oh, Lancy! I can't ride a horse," said Elsie, who was being brushed and +rubbed back to life. "I never could sit on a rocking-horse itself. I'll be +sure to fall." + +"Well, you won't have far to fall, so let that comfort you," said Dexie, +who was settling herself to her unusual position. "Lift her up, Lancy. +There! now hold on tight, Elsie, for if you fall off we can't stop to dig +for you!" and the awkward riders moved slowly through the drifts, while Mr. +Taylor and his son disappeared down the bank, and very soon their shouts +told that the submerged horse was rescued. + +The poor animal was thoroughly chilled, but warm rugs were spread over him, +and when, in the shelter of the stable, he was rubbed and doctored, he +seemed none the worse for his cold bath. Meanwhile, the women in the +house--good Samaritans, if ever there were any--had everything prepared for +the comfort of the travellers. Rousing fires were blazing in different +rooms, and garments were being warmed before them, while a steaming kettle, +containing some stimulating beverage, was waiting on the hearth. When the +half-frozen girls entered the house they received a warm welcome--warm in +more than one sense of the word, for the quick-handed women soon divested +them of their wearing apparel and placed warm garments upon them--and +before they had time to realize the change, they found themselves seated +before the fire, wrapped in warm blankets, sipping hot negus, a delicious +sense of warmth seeming to pervade their whole being; but as Dexie +possessed the most vitality she was the first to respond to the efforts put +forth for their relief. + +Elsie did not rally so quickly. Her teeth chattered and her limbs trembled +long after she thought she was well warmed, but her heart was full of +gratitude as she said: + +"I did not know there were such good, kind people in the world. It was +almost worth while to be caught in the storm to be treated so well by +strangers." + +And Dexie, from the folds of her blanket, turned her large dark eyes on the +women who were kneeling beside them rubbing their feet, and said in a low +voice: + +"We could not expect our best friends to treat us more kindly. Everything +seemed prepared for our comfort before you ever saw us. I'm sure I can't +think of one more thing that could be done for us." + +"But there is one more thing to be done, my dears," and Mrs. Taylor smiled +kindly into their young faces. "We must put you to bed." + +"Oh, dear! I feel too comfortable to move," and Dexie leaned back in her +big chair with a sigh of content. + +"Well, it _is_ a pity to disturb you, but to bed you must go," and, much to +Dixie's surprise, a pair of strong arms lifted her as if she were a child, +and a moment later she found herself in the next room, where a comfortable +bed received her. + +"How do you like being a baby again, Elsie?" she laughingly asked, as Elsie +was placed beside her. + +"I think I rather like it, but we have made trouble enough for these good +women without letting them carry us to bed. How is it that you can be so +good to strangers?" and Elsie lifted her eyes to the motherly face. + +"My dear! have you never read the words, 'I was a stranger, and ye took Me +in.' You know there is such a thing as entertaining angels unawares." + +"I thought you were that kind of people," Elsie whispered, as Mrs. Taylor +bent to kiss her cheek. + +"Did you, dear? Then I need not remind you that your thanks are due +elsewhere, for I am sure you both have grateful hearts to-night." + +"Will you please tell us how Lancy is before you go? We have not heard his +voice since we came in," said Dexie. + +"To be sure! but you need not be anxious about him. Your brother is in the +kitchen, snug and warm, by this time. I must go and put him to bed; but I +don't think I shall offer to carry him there," and she laughed softly, +adding, as she reached the door. "Do not get up in the morning till I give +you leave. You cannot get home until the roads are broken; so stay in bed +till the house is well warmed. Good-night, my dears." + +There was an interval of silence; then Elsie said softly, "I wonder if our +mothers will be frightened because we are not home. I am afraid mother +would cry if she knew we were out in the storm to-night." + +"Oh! they'll not fret, at least my mother will not. They know that Lancy +will look after us." + +"Lancy kissed you to-night, didn't he, Dexie? Do you know I believe he has +fallen in love with you," said Elsie, in a confidential tone. + +"Oh, Elsie! how can you say such a thing?" and Dexie blushed in the +darkness. "He kissed you good-bye, and, considering our danger, it was +natural enough to treat me the same; indeed he seems like a brother. Even +the people here think I am your sister." + +"Oh! you needn't mind me, Dexie. Our folks all like you and would have no +objections, for I heard mamma tell Cora that she was pleased at Lancy's +choice, and thought you would get on very well together." + +"Nonsense! Elsie; you must have misunderstood what they were talking about. +Lancy and I have been much together on account of our music, and your +mother would rather he spent his time over the piano with me, than with the +wild young men about the city; that is what she meant. It is only the music +that Lancy thinks of; so don't get foolish notions into your head, Elsie." + +"Well, perhaps mamma did mean that, but I'm sure she didn't say it so. I +thought she meant--something else," and whatever suspicions had been +aroused in Elsie's innocent heart were lulled to rest for the time. + +But this revelation aroused various feelings in Dexie's heart. She never +thought that the friendship existing between Lancy and herself would be so +differently construed. She liked Lancy very much, and never hesitated to +affirm it, but it made the blood rush to her face when she thought of +Lancy's good-bye kiss in the way Elsie had spoken of it. + +"Such silliness! Our good times will all be spoiled if people begin to +imagine such nonsense about us. How shall I be able to meet him in the +morning? But there! it is only Elsie's foolish mistake; I will not think of +it any more," so, resolutely putting the subject from her mind, she fell +asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + +It was quite late when the young people opened their eyes next morning, and +the unfamiliar surroundings made Dexie lift her head with a start; but the +sparkle that came from the glowing wood fire in the old-fashioned grate +spoke of friendly cheer, and she turned a bright face to her companion as +she asked after her welfare. + +"My head aches a little, and I feel stiff and sore, but I suppose you feel +the same," was the languid reply. + +"Not I. I never felt better in my life. I would like to get up and see what +the world looks like around here." + +Just then the door opened, and Mrs. Taylor stepped into the room. + +"So my snow-birds are awake at last; and how do they feel this cold +morning?" was the cheery question. + +"I am quite well, thank you; but Elsie feels rather tired, I fear," Dexie +replied. "May we get up, please?" + +"Well, I'll not punish you by making you stay in bed," was the smiling +reply, "but I think your sister would be the better of another hour's +rest," then adding a few sticks to the blazing logs, she left the room. + +Dexie was soon dressing before the fire, her lively tongue keeping up a +pleasant chattering as she glanced occasionally through the frosty +window-panes to the white world outside, and Elsie soon roused from her +lethargy and showed some inclination to bestir herself also. + +When Mrs. Taylor returned, bearing a dainty breakfast, she found them +standing before the fire, their arms around each other's shoulders, and she +thought them very loving sisters, though their looks betrayed no such +relationship. + +They were indeed a contrast as they stood together before the fire. Dexie +was all aglow, her cheeks dimpled and rosy, her merry brown eyes full of +life and her pretty hair falling in rings about her forehead, making her +look much younger than she really was; while poor Elsie's face looked all +the paler against the background of dark hair that grew low on her brow, +and hung in two long braids down her back. Her grey eyes looked dull and +heavy, and she lacked the sparkle that made Dexie so attractive. + +"Come now, and have your breakfast," and Mrs. Taylor drew the little table +nearer the fire. "I am going to let you enjoy it alone, but when you are +ready step into the room across the hall. Your brother is anxious to see +how you look after your adventure." + +Dexie was just going to explain that she was no relation to Elsie, when the +conversation of the night before came into her mind, and while she +hesitated Mrs. Taylor left the room. As the door opened they could hear +Lancy's voice as he conversed with the family, and for the first time it +brought a flush to Dexie's face. She shrank from the thought of meeting +him, but this diffidence was owing more to Elsie's remarks than to any +change in her own feelings. + +"Come," said Elsie, at last, "we don't want to sit here all day. Let us go +and find Lancy." + +She stepped at once to his side as they entered the room, and gave him a +sisterly embrace, making Dexie's quiet "good morning" seem a cool greeting +in comparison; there seemed a strange restraint between them that neither +had felt before, which forbade any show of feeling on either side. This was +noticed at once by Mrs. Taylor, who was brightening up the fire, and she +said: + +"Seems to me you haven't such a warm welcome for your brother as your +sister gives him, yet he has been inquiring very particularly after you." + +"He is not my brother, Mrs. Taylor. I do not know how the mistake has been +made, but we are no relation whatever." + +"Not your brother! Then who are you, my dear?" smiling at Dexie's blushing +face. + +"Lancy, introduce me properly," and Dexie rose to her feet. + +Catching the spirit of mischief that shone in her eyes, he stepped quickly +to her side, and with a flourish made the introduction. + +"Allow me to make you acquainted with our next-door neighbor, Miss Dexie +Sherwood." + +Dexie bowed graciously to the several occupants of the room, who rose to +their feet, and all embarrassment fled at once. + +"Next-door neighbors those two may be," was the whispered comment of the +young girls who were stepping back and forth as they prepared the mid-day +meal, "but there is every sign of a closer relationship in the future, if +their looks do not belie them." + +But the only sentiment in Dexie's heart was gratitude and love to a Higher +Power. As she turned the leaves of a music-book she had picked up from the +table she passed the book to Lancy, saying in a low tone: + +"If I were home, I would like to sit down to the piano and play that." + +Lancy glanced at the page, and his eyes told her that he understood, for +the words of the anthem to which Dexie referred began, "Out of the depths +cried I, and thou, O Lord, hast heard." + +"Does the owner of these books play?" and Lancy turned to address Mrs. +Taylor, a sudden thought like an inspiration coming to his mind. + +"Only a little. Our Susan is wild over music; but our little old piano is +all she has to practise on, and during the winter she can only go into +Halifax once a week for a lesson. Susan, show them into the sitting-room, +and perhaps Miss Sherwood will play something for us." + +As Dexie entered the room she took in at a glance the many pretty and +tasteful things which adorned the walls and brackets, and she wondered if +Susan's fingers had accomplished such marvels in autumn leaves and other +little adornments. + +The fireplace was a thing of beauty, with its polished andirons, and the +ruddy tongues of flame that leaped forth from the heaped-up wood made a +cheerful picture. + +Several big cushioned chairs were drawn near the hearth and a basket of +knitting work was "handy" on a table, while in the old-fashioned rocker the +family cat peacefully reposed. + +Lancy had no eyes for anything but the piano, and as Susan opened it she +smilingly exclaimed: + +"Confess, now, that you think there is little music to be got out of this +ancient-looking thing." + +"Well, it is an odd make, certainly, but some of these old pianos have a +fine tone. Sit down and play something for us, Miss Taylor," and he drew +the music-stool in place. + +"Oh, no! I couldn't think of it!" she replied, smiling. "My playing is not +of an entertaining kind as yet, for even mother flies to the kitchen when I +try a new piece, but you will find me a good listener." + +Was that the same old piano? thought Susan, as she stood by the instrument +watching Lancy's fingers passing over the keys. Why, it seemed to be a +thing of life; and she moved away almost in awe at the sounds that came +forth from the hitherto despised keys. + +Presently Dexie began to sing, low and softly at first, then her expressive +voice swelled forth, thrilling the listeners that gathered at the door. +Susan slipped away, her eyes full of tears. + +"Oh! if I could only play and sing like that I would wish for nothing +more," said she to her sister. "That anthem means more than the mere words +and music." + +"Yes, it sounds like family prayers," replied her sister. "I declare I +don't know what I am crying for. I wonder if it would be a sin to mash +these potatoes while that singing is going on; they will be getting cold, +I'm afraid." + +But the closing words rang out joyously, "But Thou hast been merciful and +heard us; therefore Thy name will we praise all the day long." + +Not until she had finished did Dexie realize that she had so many +listeners, but she turned a bright face to the group at the door. + +"I did not know we had such an audience." + +"Don't stop, friends," said Mr. Taylor, coming into the room. "Such music +is quite a treat. I guess, Susan, there is more in that piano than you ever +dreamed of. Let us hear something else." + +Lancy rose from the music-stool, saying to Dexie: + +"Play 'The Mocking Bird,' and I'll sing to your whistle." + +A moment later Dexie's supple fingers were dancing over the keys in a +delightful prelude. Then Lancy's voice filled the room as he sang the +well-known song, accompanied by the exquisite notes of the southern mocking +bird, and the continuous warble that poured from Dexie's throat during the +chorus made her listeners start as if a veritable bird were concealed in +the room. + +"Well, that spoils the old proverb from this time forth," said Mr. Taylor, +as he leaned back against the wall and thrust his thumbs into the armholes +of his vest. "Whistling girls and crowing hens will hereafter have a chance +to be heard. Old saws ain't always true, eh, Miss Sherwood?" + +"Well, I never heard a hen crow yet, Mr. Taylor," and Dexie laughed softly, +"and I do not know what is their usual fate, but the proverb does not alarm +me in the least." + +"Do whistle another piece, Miss Sherwood," said Susan. "It will give us +great pleasure to hear you." + +Lancy turned over the leaves of a book, then placed it on the piano, +saying: + +"Try that, Dexie, and I'll whistle with you." + +It would be hard to express the pleasure that this exquisite bird-song gave +to those who listened. All the songsters in the woods seemed let loose in +the room, now singing together in full chorus, then singly or in pairs they +twittered and trilled as Dexie's soft whistle followed or joined Lancy's +stronger notes, while such bird-like notes came from the keys before her as +might have deceived the very birds themselves. + +"Nothing will surprise me after this," cried Susan, when the song had +ended. "I heard my music-teacher play that once, and I thought it the +tamest thing I had ever heard; of course he did not try to whistle it too, +but the music itself sounded quite different." + +"Perhaps your music-teacher never took the trouble to listen to the birds +themselves; that makes a difference, you know," said Dexie. + +Just then Mrs. Taylor came into the room, saying: + +"I think you must come to dinner, but you must give us some more music +afterwards. Really, Susan, that old piano is not such a poor affair, after +all; is it, now?" + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + +As was expected, they found there was much anxiety at home over their long +absence. Mr. Sherwood was on the watch when the sleigh drove up, and was +beside it in time to help the muffled figures alight, and anxious to hear +the particulars of their protracted drive. + +"Let me go into Mrs. Gurney's just a minute, papa," said Dexie, "and I will +tell you all about it when I come back." + +Then they found themselves pulled through the hall by the eager children, +who had been watching for their appearance for hours, and into the +sitting-room where Mrs. Gurney sat with a white, anxious face, waiting +their arrival. + +In a few minutes the story of their detention was told, Lancy telling his +part and Elsie hers, Dexie finishing the story by confessing to the extreme +measures used to keep Elsie awake, not sparing herself in the least when +telling of the quarrel she had provoked, and there was a suspicious +moisture in Mr. Gurney's eyes as he listened to the story. + +"You have been in great peril," said he, as he drew the girls to his side. +"Let us all kneel a moment and return thanks for the safety of these dear +ones;" and all knelt, just as they were: Mr. Gurney with one arm around +Elsie, the other around Dexie; Lancy with his fur coat still on, and the +whip in his hand; the little ones, who had pressed into the room, dropped +to their knees, their arms full of toys; Mrs. Gurney with the baby in her +arms--all knelt, while a few earnest words went up from a father's grateful +heart. + +Mrs. Gurney insisted that Elsie should go up to bed at once, and be +doctored for the cold she had evidently contracted, and pressing a kiss on +Dexie's cheek, she followed her daughter upstairs. + +But for all their care Elsie was confined to her room for several weeks, +and her recovery was slow and tedious. They were all thankful, though, that +nothing more serious resulted from exposure to the storm, which was the +worst that had visited the country for several years. + +Dexie had to tell the story over again when she went home; but she made +light of it all, making much more fun out of their grand ride on horseback +than either she or Elsie had experienced while partaking of it. But the +whole story came out when Lancy came in during the evening, and Mr. +Sherwood's look of tender solicitude contrasted strangely with the mother's +apparent unconcern, as the story of their adventure was related at length. + +"I am forgetting that I was sent in here with a message," Lancy said, a few +minutes later. "Elsie has been asking to see you, Dexie, and mother wishes +to know if you are too tired to run in a few minutes." + +Dexie followed Lancy into his own door, and running swiftly up the stairs +was soon bending over Elsie, who was wrapped up like a mummy. + +"I did not want to see you for anything _very_ particular," Elsie said, in +answer to Dexie's inquiry. "But I could not go to sleep for thinking of +last night. It seems so good to be in my own bed again, safe, after all my +fears, that I wanted to tell you once more how sorry I am for being so +cross with you; for I was _awful_ cross, Dexie, when you talked so harshly +to me." + +"Now, Elsie! don't speak as if there were anything for _you_ to be sorry +for, or I shall have such qualms of conscience as will surely make me ill," +was Dexie's laughing reply. + +After a few minutes' chat, Dexie left the room to return home, but Lancy +was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and he drew her into the parlor, +saying: + +"Stay with me a little while, Dexie, do; no one will disturb us here, and I +want to have a 'sing.' Your father or Gussie are sure to be in the parlor +if we go into your house." + +"Well, it will have to be a short 'sing,' Lancy, for the drive in the wind +has made me sleepy." + +When Mrs. Gurney passed the door a few minutes later, and peeped into the +dimly lighted room to listen to the soft strains that met her ears, she +smiled and softly withdrew, for Lancy was seated at the instrument, and +Dexie stood by his side, her hand resting carelessly on his shoulder, while +they sang what Mrs. Gurney knew was their private thanksgiving. + +As the last notes died away, Lancy turned on the music-stool and took her +hand; Dexie's thoughts had been so engrossed that, for the moment, she let +it rest there, when she heard the low-spoken words: "I want to tell you +something, Dexie." + +Instantly Elsie's words flashed into her mind, and she tried to break away +from the arm that encircled her waist. + +"Let me go, Lancy," was the startled cry. "It is time I was home." + +"I will take you home presently, Dexie; I want to talk to you a few minutes +first," and catching her hands in his he held her close. + +"But I do not want to be held here! Oh, Lancy! let go my hands. I must go +home." + +"Be quiet and listen to me a minute, Dexie; only a minute. I want to tell +you that, when I left you both in the sleigh last night, I felt far worse +about leaving you than my own sister. Do you know why, Dexie?" + +"I don't want to know, Lancy. I don't want to hear another word." + +"You can't get away from me, Dexie; so don't try. I want to tell you," he +added, in a lower tone, "that before last night I never knew why it was +that I liked to spend all the time I could with you. I thought it was on +account of our music, but as I walked through the storm last night the +truth came to me. I love you, Dexie, and that is why my heart kept me up +till I found help. I was almost wild with fear that something would happen +to you before I could get you safely sheltered. Yes, darling, I love you; +and the thought has made me feel so light of heart that I could sing all +the time for very joy." + +"Oh, Lancy! how can you talk so. You have spoiled all our good times +together, for I'll never come in here again when I know you are home," and +she turned her face away from his earnest gaze. + +"Oh, yes, you will; you will not be so unkind as that. If you refuse to +come in here I will go into your house just twice as often; so you can't +get rid of me, Dexie," was the smiling reply. + +There was a moment's silence, when Dexie said: "It will be a pity for us to +quarrel, Lancy, but you must not talk to me like this any more. Really, I +did not think you could be so silly. Think how they would all tease us if +anyone should find us here; and you know Gussie would make my life a misery +if she guessed you had been talking such nonsense." + +"It is not 'nonsense' to tell you that I love you, but my love shall not be +a source of annoyance to you; no one need know it. Everything will be as +usual, only, Dexie, you will know that I love you, and I will know--well, +what, Dexie? You do not dislike me any more than you did two days ago, do +you?" he whispered. + +"I have not changed in the least, but I shall dislike you very much, Lancy, +if you do not try and forget what has been said here this evening." + +"I cannot forget it even if I wanted to, Dexie. Do not think that I want to +vex you, dear, but I want you to understand me. Now, there is only one +thing more, Dexie," and his voice grew tender; "that kiss you gave me last +night in the sleigh seems to be resting on my lips yet, and has been a +sweet memory all day long. But, Dexie," and he laughed softly, "you know it +was a very cold kiss, after all. Give me a warm one to take its place, and +I'll let you go." + +Dexie shook her head and tried to draw back from him. She felt so +distressed that the tears were on the point of falling. She had gone +through so much during the last few hours, and this unexpected interview +tried her more than Lancy was aware. + +"Only one kiss," he urged. "You gave it willingly last night, darling." + +"But things are not the same as they were last night." + +"No, I love you better, Dexie. May I?" But without waiting for permission +he kissed the face so near him, and found it wet with tears. + +"Dexie, darling, I did not think you would care so much. Forgive me if I +vexed you; you kissed me last night without a word." + +"But you are not the same, and there was a reason last night. It is not +fair, Lancy. You have quite spoiled our good times for the future." + +"No, not spoiled them, only made them dearer. Dexie, you shan't be vexed +with me. Come over on the sofa and let me talk to you." + +"No; you said you would let me go home, and I want to go now, this very +minute." + +"Very well." He rose and pulled her shawl over her shoulders, then followed +her silently into the shelter of her own door. He would have followed her +into the house as well, forgetting that Dexie's face would tell tales, but +she stopped him at the door. + +"I don't want to see you any more to-night, Lancy; I really don't," she +said, as they stood a moment in the front hall. + +"You are displeased with me for telling you that I love you. Perhaps I +should have waited a little longer before speaking about it; but, Dexie, I +couldn't keep it to myself. I had to tell you." + +"I would not have been any more pleased to hear it, even if you _had_ kept +it longer;" and, lifting her eyes to his face for a moment, added, "I am +not exactly vexed with you, Lancy, but I'm not pleased either. Now, go +home; do." Being thus summarily dismissed, there was no choice left him; +but before he turned to obey her command, he raised her hand to his lips, +and whispered a tender "Good-night, Dexie." + +She stood and watched him down the steps, then turned and went quickly to +her own room, and locking the door behind her threw herself face down on +the bed, and for a few minutes wept without restraint. She felt completely +unnerved; so much had happened during the last twenty-four hours that had +tried her strength and courage, that Lancy's declaration had filled up the +measure of her strength. + +But her thoughts, always rapid, soon worked out a semblance of order from +the confusion that filled her mind, and she dried her eyes and began to +review her conduct in the light that others probably judged her. + +She would not deny, even to herself, that she preferred Lancy's company to +that of any of her male friends; but they were both so young that it was +ridiculous to even imagine that their intimacy meant more than common +friendship. However, if Lancy chose to be silly, that was no reason that +she should become sentimental also. She was not obliged to fall in love +just because Lancy fancied himself in that condition. It would be horrid +not to see him or sing with him again when their voices chorded so well +together; and Lancy never misunderstood her, if everyone else did. Yes, it +would be very hard not to be friendly with him; but, there! surely one can +be friendly with a gentleman without being expected to fall in love with +him, and she felt positive that if there were a Prince Charming for her, +his name was not Lancy Gurney. + +Having thus decided the matter satisfactorily to herself, she rose and +quickly prepared herself for bed; for several days after she took good care +not to be left alone with Lancy, and she kept him at a distance by her +saucy speeches. + +But his manner to her was the same as usual. The tender look in his eyes, +when they met hers, was the only reminder of his words. The knowledge of +his love, too, ceased to annoy her, or it was crowded back by the many +incidents that filled her life at this time; but it was there, ready to +spring up at the slightest touch. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + +The first day of April dawned brightly. The warm rays of the sun seemed +doubly welcome after the cold, stormy weather of the previous month, and +the streets were filled with people, who were out enjoying the sunshine +regardless of the mud that covered their feet at every step. + +But Nova Scotians are a courageous people the whole country over, as +witness the intrepidity with which they walk to and fro, year after year, +through mud that seems in some places almost bottomless; for, strange +though it may seem to outsiders, who cannot expect to learn the secrets of +the learned road commissioners, the more time and money spent on a road the +softer and muddier it seems to become. + +It is a fact that can be vouched for by many responsible persons, that +once, while a poor man was walking along one of the country roads in early +spring, he sank so deep in the mire that, on putting forth his strength to +lift his leg, he pulled it apart above the knee, leaving the lower half +sticking in the mud! Fortunately he was carrying a strong cane, and by +leaning upon it he managed to keep upright until help arrived, when he was +rescued from his perilous position. After much difficulty, the imbedded +limb was extracted from the mud, and safely fastened again in its place--it +was made of wood! + +But, leaving facts for fiction, let us step into the Sherwood household, +and we will find Mr. Sherwood busy preparing for another trip to Prince +Edward Island. + +Mr. Plaisted had arrived from New York a few weeks previously, and was to +accompany him, though the departure of this gentleman would cause no +regrets in the household, for his true nature had been revealed during his +stay amongst them. His bland and courteous manner was not inborn--it had +but a surface character; and if "to know a man you must live in the house +with him," then it took but a short time to become thoroughly acquainted +with Mr. Plaisted. If he had not been so puffed up with conceit, he would +have felt the altered atmosphere around him; but he was not sensitive--not +in the least--and he could stand an unlimited amount of snubbing without +being touched. His familiarity had indeed "bred contempt," and the hope of +his speedy departure alone kept back the threatened storm. Even Nancy in +the kitchen had been heard to say that, "if the scented dandy didn't kape +out ov her kitchen wid his imperdent speeches, she would give him wan blow +wid her fist that would spoil his beauty for him," and threatened to "give +warnin'" if the mistress did not keep him to his own quarters. + +Mrs. Sherwood was more than satisfied to leave all unpleasant things for +Aunt Jennie to settle. It was quite convenient to be an "invalid" when +there was trouble below stairs, and it required more than a hint to make +Plaisted see that he was transgressing all rules of hospitality. When Mr. +Sherwood announced that the Straits were opened, and they would leave at +once to catch the first boat, they were all willing to "speed the parting +guest," even though he would take Mr. Sherwood away with him also. + +Strange though it may seem, Gussie was the only one who saw no fault to +find in Mr. Plaisted. He was too free with his compliments to be anything +but pleasant company to her. She was willing enough to listen to his soft +speeches, for in her eyes he was a hero of romance, and the warning words +and admonitions of Aunt Jennie only served to exalt him higher in her +estimation. + +Dexie treated him with such frigid politeness that he did not care to meet +her cold stare more often than necessary; so, when he sought Gussie's +society, Mr. Sherwood or Aunt Jennie were the only ones likely to interrupt +the _tete-a-tete_. + +But things were not always to run so smoothly for Mr. Plaisted, and this +first day of April brought such discomfiture that his fastidious feelings +were very much upset. About noon, when the streets were thronged with +pedestrians returning from work or school to the mid-day meal, Dexie +noticed Mr. Plaisted sauntering toward the house, twirling his light cane +and looking as if he thought himself the pink of perfection. But what was +it that was fluttering in the breeze behind him? Some urchin--exasperated, +no doubt, by Plaisted's immaculate appearance--had fastened to his +coat-tails a bunch of dirty rags, and as Dexie watched him from the window, +she was convulsed with laughter as she saw him lift his hat and bow +profoundly to the two Desbrasy girls on the opposite sidewalk, who +immediately pulled out their handkerchiefs and applied them to their +faces; but he walked on, unconscious of the diversion he was causing to the +passers-by. As he came into the house, Dexie struck an attitude, and +exclaimed, in a tragic voice, "I could a tale unfold!" + +Plaisted stood in the doorway, and looked at her in amazement. + +"Dexie, don't be a fool," said Gussie, looking up from her wools, and +frowning at her sister's strange behavior. + +"No, Gussie; I don't intend even to _try_ and be one, for when Mr. Plaisted +assumes that character, no one else has a possible chance either as court +fool or April fool." + +Plaisted was too surprised to speak, and Dexie took no heed to his +darkening brow, but continued, "So _you_ have been studying Shakespeare, +and this is a practical illustration, I presume; or possibly you are posing +as a disciple of Darwin, and, to prove his theory, have unfolded your tail +to the public gaze. I have often wondered what it was you needed to make +you a perfect specimen of what Nature intended you to be." Then, catching +his arm, she turned him about that Gussie might see, adding, "He is quite +complete now, Gussie--see! This is a specimen of the species known as the +'missing link.'" + +"For goodness' sake! how long have you been carrying that?" cried Gussie, +quite horrified at the sight. + +Plaisted turned his head, and understood at a glance the meaning of Dexie's +words. Then, angrily grasping the cause of offence, he endeavored to remove +it, till an ominous sound of tearing cloth caused him to desist. + +"Take it off! take it off! You, Dexter!" he cried, backing around to her. +"Take off that trash, I say!" + +But that word "Dexter" sealed all chance of help as far as Dexie was +concerned, for she put her hands behind her back and surveyed him +scornfully. + +"Not I! I wouldn't disfigure you for worlds; it quite completes your +appearance. It would be a sin to remove what Nature seems to have forgotten +in your make-up." + +"Do take it off for him, Dexie," said Gussie, coaxingly. I would myself, +only I don't want to dirty my hands." + +"And do you think that _Dexter_ is going to soil her beautiful hands by +touching the dirty rags? No; Dexter is not! There might be smallpox on them +for all I know; I'm sure they're spotted enough." + +Plaisted turned and twisted himself this way and that, in vain endeavors to +reach the back of his coat, but could not manage it; and as he stood for a +minute, his hands held out in front of him, while he looked over his +shoulder at the unwelcome appendage, he did indeed present a woful figure. + +"Why don't you take your coat off?" Gussie said at last. + +"Oh! confound it; I never thought of that," as he twisted himself out of +his coat. + +"Why, of course you didn't think of it," retorted Dexie. "How could you be +expected to? Everybody knows that creatures with tails are not supposed to +think at all." + +"Dexie, I'll tell papa if you won't stop; you are impudent," Gussie said, +sharply. + +"Do tell papa, Gussie. I only wish he were here to see the sight himself. +He does not know what he is missing by being late for dinner. It is too bad +that he must get the story second-hand, when he might have enjoyed the +edifying sight himself if he had only been on time." + +"I'd like to see the wretch that put that trash on my coat," said Plaisted, +as he flung the mass into the grate. "By George! I'd fix him." + +"I'd give a lot to see him myself," said Dexie, exultingly, from the other +side of the table; "and he should have at least a quarter for that piece of +work, though I'm sure it was worth a whole dollar to see you strutting up +the street with signals of distress waving in the breeze behind you. Ha, +ha!" + +"I believe you did it yourself before I went out," he said, white with +rage. + +"Oh! I do wish I had! How I do wish I had thought of it! How proud I should +feel if _I_ had been the one to give the citizens of Halifax such a grand +idea of what the lost species are like; and how generous of you, too, to +give a free exhibition of yourself, in your proper form, when you might +have gone to the dime museum and earned a fortune!" + +Plaisted felt too wrathy to reply, but he gave her a look that was meant to +annihilate her; then turning to Gussie, who seemed to sympathize with him, +said, + +"I met those Desbrasy girls as I was coming up the street, and I do believe +they saw it. Confound the thing! I remember now that they pulled out their +handkerchiefs directly I bowed. I daresay they were laughing at me!" + +"Laughing! not they!" put in Dexie. "They happened to see your feet, and +were weeping with envy because theirs were so much bigger! Don't fret, Mr. +Plaisted, you are not worth looking at without this finishing touch," and +with a scornful laugh she passed out of the room, slamming the door behind +her. + +Plaisted drew a sigh of relief when his tormentor vanished. + +"Bless my soul! what a tongue that girl has," and he wiped the perspiration +from his brow. "I hope she don't often let her temper loose like that." + +"Well, no; but you have only yourself to blame for it, and I was almost +going to say that it serves you right, too." + +"Why! how's that?" said Plaisted, in surprise. + +"Well, you know very well that you have tormented Dexie about Lancy Gurney +till you have aroused her temper quite often; but you might have escaped if +you had not insulted her just now." + +"Insult her! How, pray? I'm sure I did not." + +"You called her 'Dexter,' and that is a name she can't stand from anybody. +I believe she would have taken off those rags for you if you had spoken to +her as 'Dexie,' for she really is obliging, you know, though she did enjoy +seeing you made an April fool." + +"Bless my soul! I never noticed that I called her Dexter; and so that was +the spark that caused the explosion? Well, I shall not forget it in a +hurry." + +"She generally succeeds in paying back, with double interest, anyone who +uses that name to her, as I know to my sorrow," said Gussie, with a shake +of her head. "Yet, after all, I don't blame her much, either; but it is the +one spot in her make-up that seems vulnerable." + +"Well, it is a good thing that I am going away so soon. I expect she will +make it hot for me while I am here." + +"Oh, no! I guess you are safe, Mr. Plaisted. The storm is over for this +time, unless you care to brew another like it; the one word will do it, you +know," and she looked up with a smile. + +"Thanks; I beg to be excused! That one experience is enough to last me for +one while. Ugh! I wonder if there was any disease on those dirty rags," +looking at his fingers and then on his coat, as if in doubt which would be +the first to break out with it. + +As he left the room to smooth out his ruffled plumage, holding his coat at +arm's length before him, the sounds of laughter in the next room greeted +his ears. As he listened a moment he heard Dexie relating the particulars +of the scene in the parlor, and he shook his fist in the direction of the +sound. This relieved his feelings somewhat, and he vowed a hasty vow that, +for the future, he would leave Dexie Sherwood and her doings alone. He +would have spared himself many unpleasant moments if he had kept his vow. + +During the time that Mr. Plaisted was staying with the Sherwoods, Gussie +had been very cool to Hugh McNeil. As the former was about to leave the +city, Gussie thought it time to recall her old "stand-by," and was +surprised to find that Hugh was less ready to return to her side than +formerly. A feeling of jealousy arose in her heart when she saw that Hugh's +attentions were transferred to Dexie. + +Hugh had not ceased to come in during the evenings, as usual, even though +Gussie was cool and abrupt with him. Not wishing Hugh to feel hurt by the +change in her sister, Dexie had talked to him, and had played and whistled +for his amusement, till the little spark of kindly regard which had +formerly represented his feelings for Dexie was fast being fanned into a +flame of passion by these little attentions, which were bestowed in a +friendly way, and for her sister's sake. + +Dexie was not aware of the change in Hugh McNeil until Mr. Plaisted had +left the city, and she was surprised and displeased to see that Hugh now +ignored Gussie's presence almost as much as Gussie had his when Mr. +Plaisted was near, and turned to her instead. + +It was hard to define her true feelings, but when she understood that Hugh +had mistaken her friendliness, her whole being seemed to rise up in a +vigorous protest. As it is "an ill wind that blows nobody good," Lancy was +made happy again by Dexie's presence. She no longer sought to evade him, +and her soft, rippling laughter, mingling with the low tones of Lancy's +voice, was again heard as they lingered over the piano together. + +This made Hugh mad with jealousy, and the fact became so plain to Dexie +that her manner was even more gracious to Lancy when Hugh was by to observe +it. + +But Hugh's sturdy Scotch nature came to the front, and he made a mental +resolve to win her in spite of everything; even his master's son should not +take Dexie from him. He would wait, but would not vex her by pressing his +suit at present when it seemed so distasteful to her; she might smile on +someone else instead of Lancy, then he could watch her less easily. He +would not meddle with the existing state of things. + +Yet he had one bit of comfort given him. He it was who hastily appeared in +the Sherwood household one morning with the startling intelligence of the +assassination of President Lincoln. + +The events "at home" were closely watched by all the family, and this +unexpected calamity, just at this time, was as much of a blow to them as to +those nearer the scene of strife. + +Hugh had always been "Mr. McNeil" to Dexie. She had never used the more +familiar name, as the rest of the family were in the habit of doing; but +when she heard him tell his news, she caught his arm, and exclaimed: + +"Oh, Hugh! do you think it is true, or only a report? Tell us, quickly!" +and she looked eagerly into his face, as if to read the truth there. + +Hugh longed to clasp the hand that rested on his arm for a moment, for +during all their intercourse she had never called him "Hugh," and it +thrilled his heart as it fell from her lips. He wished that he might be the +bearer of any news, however unwelcome, if it would cause her to forget her +reserve and repeat again that little word "Hugh." + +But nothing happened, and matters went on about the same during the weeks +that followed. + +Mr. Sherwood did not return home for some time, for, after selling his +horses, he made a lengthy visit to his mother, who was not in the best of +spirits at this time. She was alarmed at his boldness in coming to see her, +though he assured her he had taken all precaution, her old enemies need not +hear of his presence. His visit so cheered her that he saw she needed +something to take her thoughts away from herself, and from the conflict +that engaged her mind. + +Having expressed a desire to have one of her granddaughters come and live +with her for a season, and having a preference for Louie, who seemed to be +a part of the dear old southern home whose name she bore, it was decided +that Mr. Sherwood should bring her to the old homestead for a long visit. + +Dinah had been sorely missed by her mistress, though she was slow to +acknowledge it; but, at Mr. Sherwood's suggestion, it was decided to bring +her back with Louie, that the faithful old nurse might spend her last days +with those she had known and loved all her life. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + +The influence which a family like the Gurneys unconsciously exert over +those brought in contact with them, was not without effect on the lives of +their next door neighbors. As Dexie was so intimate with the family, and +spent so much of her time amongst them, she was the first to feel it, and +the controlling power which governed the Gurney household was finding root +in her heart also. She did not realize this herself, but the signs were +apparent to those accustomed to look below the surface for the motive that +governs all actions. + +Aunt Jennie saw more of Dexie's inner life than did her own parents. To +them she seemed the same good-natured, light-hearted girl, growing, +perhaps, a little more thoughtful and attentive than they could have +expected, considering her active nature; yet, if they had thought to +compare even the Sunday life of the household with what it had been when +they first came to Halifax, they would have been surprised at the change in +themselves. + +Formerly it was the custom to spend the greater part of the Sabbath morning +in bed, and, after a late breakfast, Mr. Sherwood read the American papers +until dinner was served. In the evening a walk was indulged in, or, if a +popular preacher was announced to appear in any of the churches, he would +attend, taking some member of the family with him; but it was seldom that +Mrs. Sherwood attended public worship. As the head of the house passed the +Sabbaths in this careless fashion, the rest of the household felt free to +spend it as it pleased themselves also. + +No one seemed to hold the day any more sacred than the other six, except +Aunt Jennie; but as Dexie came to note the difference in the Sunday life of +her next-door neighbors, and mentally compared it with how the day was +spent at home, she inwardly resented the feelings that would intrude +themselves, for they pointed out the fact quite plainly that there was +something needed in their lives at home which was engrafted in the +household next door; and, though she scarcely knew what to do to remedy a +difference she did not care to define even to herself, yet she silently +resolved that an outward form at least, similar to what she saw next door, +should yet be practised at home, for she could not bear the silent reproach +any longer. + +When Dexie opened her heart to Aunt Jennie about it, she found that the +same thing had troubled her quiet auntie for a long time; so together they +laid plans that eventually brought about a different Sunday life from that +the family had hitherto known. Yet the change began in a very commonplace +way, too; for instead of enjoying the extra sleep that the family usually +indulged in, they were aroused one Sunday morning by repeated calls to +breakfast--calls which were hard to resist when the opened doors let in +such appetizing odors from the kitchen, where Aunt Jennie was +superintending the morning meal. And if their olfactories were closed to +this appeal, their ears were not so easily shut to the sounds that Dexie +was bringing forth from the piano, as hymns, anthems and psalms followed in +succession, and made further sleep impossible. + +"What has got into you all this morning? Have you forgotten it is Sunday?" +said Mr. Sherwood, appearing at last. "How can anyone sleep with all this +racket going on, Dexie?" he added, stepping into the parlor. "What on earth +made you rout us out of bed at this hour? Why, it is not nine o'clock yet!" + +"Oh! you slept long enough papa. I am sure we don't need more sleep on +Sunday morning than we do any other day. You'll not be sorry you got up +when once you have tasted some of the good things auntie has made for +breakfast," and she raised her mouth for a kiss, then led him to the table. + +Gussie made her appearance in time to sit down with the rest, but she +looked cross at Dexie for having disturbed her. + +"This is the first Sunday morning we have all met at the breakfast table +for months, I do believe," said Mr. Sherwood, leaning back in his chair, as +he finished the meal. "But where are the papers this morning? What! still +in the office? However am I going to pass the day without my papers? +Strange that no one thought of going for them last night." + +Someone had thought of it, but had purposely forgotten again, hoping that +he might be induced to attend some place of worship in the morning, if for +no better reason than to pass the time away. + +The Gurneys were members of the Episcopal Church and attended at St. +Paul's. Dexie had often accompanied them on Sundays, and had grown familiar +with the service that was, in after-life, so dear to her; but, knowing that +her father disliked that form of worship, she intended to persuade him to +attend St. Matthew's (Presbyterian), as she knew he had a great respect for +the officiating clergyman. + +"Well, papa, since the time will seem long to you with nothing particular +to do, why not come with Gussie and I to hear Dr. Grant? They have a fine +choir at St. Matthew's; so we will be sure to enjoy either the sermon or +the singing, if not both." + +"Oh, I'm not going out this morning, Dexie, so speak for yourself," said +Gussie. "It is a horrid bother to dress up so early in the day. I have a +nice book to read, so, if you want to go out, you can go with the Gurneys, +as usual." + +"But I would rather go some place with papa," said Dexie; "and it will be +nicer to make a family party of it. Besides, I want to hear what the new +singer is like, and of course I can't go alone. You remember Cora Beverly +was talking about her, and says she has the sweetest voice she ever heard. +You will come with us, won't you, papa?" she asked, coaxingly, as she went +behind his chair and stroked his hair. + +"Well, I'll see, by and by," Mr. Sherwood replied. "I may go with you this +evening, though." + +"Now, papa, what will prevent you from coming this morning? I do think you +will be most unkind if you refuse, for I have set my heart on hearing that +singer. Now, do say 'yes,' papa." + +"Well, you little torment, yes, then! Now, leave my hair alone, or you'll +have my head as bald as the back of my hand," holding her away at +arm's-length. + +Dexie bent over and gave him a final kiss; then, turning to Gussie, said: + +"Did you see how nicely I have done up your frills and laces, Gussie? That +pretty cream lace will look lovely with your new dress, if you frill it +around the neck." + +"New dress, indeed! Old made over thing, you'd better call it!" was the +scornful answer. + +"Well, it is too bad that it was not made up to suit you at first. Now that +it has been altered, it looks quite stylish, and becomes you splendidly, +and this is just the day to wear your new hat." + +This bit of flattery had the desired effect. Gussie decided that it really +was too fine to stay indoors, so she rose from the table to begin her +preparations for church. + +"Seems to me you have taken to psalm-singing very suddenly," said Gussie, +as Dexie accompanied her preparations with some song of David that was +unfamiliar to Gussie's ears. + +"Oh, no! they sing psalms every Sunday at the Episcopal Church," and Dexie +hummed away with a light heart. + +"But not to such tunes as that! They go hopping along on one note, like a +hen with a sore foot, and then end up altogether differently from what you +expect. Chanting is not singing, and I think it sounds ridiculous." + +"Well, a hen with a sore foot would sing a mournful song, I fear; but if +you would come to St. Paul's some morning and hear them sing the _Te Deum_, +you would not think there was anything mournful about it. It sounds just +glorious! Everyone might not think so," she added, noting her sister's +scornful look; "but everyone does not admire psalm-singing after the +Presbyterian style, either. However, chant, psalm or hymn, it's all one to +me so long as I know the tunes, for I hate to stand as dumb as a post when +I go to a place of worship. Some people are content to have nothing more to +do in the service than say 'Amen' at the close of the benediction, but I +think a responsive service claims the attention of careless churchgoers, +and gives people something else to think of besides the style of the +garments of those around them." + +"Well, I enjoy looking at the styles when I go to church, and I hope people +will think my hat is becoming," said outspoken Gussie; "I believe other +people put on their fine feathers on Sunday with the same object. However, +I do believe that an ugly hat is as conspicuous as a handsome one." + +"Well, I suppose it is! I wonder if there is such a thing as a 'happy +medium' in trimming a hat. Dear me! what a lot of things a person has to +think of in this world!" and with a sigh she followed her sister +downstairs. + +Aunt Jennie watched them depart with a prayer in her heart that some +message might reach the heart of her careless brother-in-law, and she +seemed to have had her prayer answered, for he was willing enough to attend +the same church the following Sunday. + +But Gussie was not attracted either by the sermon or the singing. Something +else had to be the attraction to draw her out of a Sunday morning, unless +she was urged with a persistency that would have moved a mule in the +tantrums. + +But when Mrs. Sherwood announced, one Sunday morning, that she would +accompany the rest to church, Dexie felt that her happiness was complete. +She knew it was owing to Aunt Jennie's influence that her mother had put +forth this extra exertion, and though it was Sunday, Dexie felt like +dancing a jig around the floor, for her mother had become even more +indifferent than her easy-going father in matters pertaining to religion. + +In the Gurney household there was no day in the week so gladly welcomed as +the Sabbath, and of a family containing so many young children this is no +light thing to say. + +In the first place, the little ones were so anxious not to lose any of the +many extra treats that this glad day afforded them, that they put on their +best behavior with their Sunday garments--and where is the person, little +or big, that does not feel more important in his best clothes, and act +accordingly. + +Then instead of having breakfast in the nursery, with nurse at the head of +the table, the family met around the one table, below stairs; and to the +little ones this was a treat indeed. Having the children around him only +one day in seven made it quite a change for Mr. Gurney also, though it +wearied while it delighted him; and each succeeding Sunday he more fully +realized the blessing he possessed in his good wife, for he had none of +that patience and tact that is required to keep such a family in order. + +Then on fine Sundays all the children went to church, except the two +youngest, and the advent of a new member in the family was hailed with +delight by one of the family at least; for of course a baby, however new, +counted one, and it was warmly welcomed by the one who was thus raised to +the dignity of a church-goer. + +We must not forget the treat that was reserved for Sunday afternoons, for +directly after Sunday-school there was sure to be in readiness for each +member of the family a plate containing what the children called "goodies." +This was a mixture of confectionery, dates or figs, apples, nuts, pears or +oranges, or other fruits as the season might be. As Dexie Sherwood was +expected to spend this part of the day with the family, her plate was +regularly prepared with the rest; and until the time that Lancy had made +known his feelings for her, Dexie had enjoyed the _tete-a-tete_ which he +always managed to arrange in some quiet corner. Even now she was not always +able to avoid it, without being positively rude, for she could not make +Elsie see that her presence was necessary when Lancy managed to give his +sister the impression that it was otherwise; it was quite clear that Mother +Gurney saw nothing amiss in Lancy's desire to take Dexie "somewhere out of +the noise," for the little ones made much of their Sunday freedom. + +It was during one of these Sunday afternoon chats that a better +understanding was arrived at between Lancy and Dexie. They were sitting in +the parlor, with a screen drawn between them and any chance observer, their +plates on a small table near them, when Dexie playfully tossed over a piece +of confectionery bearing the words, "You look unhappy." + +Lancy looked up with such a tender look in his eyes that Dexie instantly +repented her action, but it was too late, and she dropped her eyes to read +the sweet messenger that fell in her lap, "You have my heart." + +Dexie had no answer except, "Do forgive me," and she tossed it over with a +look in her eyes that filled Lancy with an unutterable longing to take her +in his arms. + +"What shall I forgive you for?" he said, laying his hand on hers. "I am not +unhappy, only when I see how you try to avoid me. I have kept my promise, +and have not spoken a word that could annoy you. Why do you try never to be +alone with me? It is hard to forgive you for that," he said, in a low tone. + +"I did not mean anything by those silly candies; I was only in fun." + +"Then you don't want to be forgiven, is that it? or do you mean that you +are going to be good to me in the future?" + +"I don't know what 'being good' implies, so I won't promise," she replied, +smiling. + +"It means that you will not act as if you were afraid to be alone with me a +minute, and to talk to me as freely as you did before, well--before that +snowstorm. You have never put your hand on my shoulder, and asked me to +take you any place since then. You don't know how I miss the pleasant hours +we used to spend together, or the delight I felt in the pressure of the +hand that has never willingly touched mine since I spoke to you here in the +parlor. The Dexie I knew a few weeks ago seems to have gone away, and I +miss her very much, indeed." + +"I can't be the same as I used to be, Lancy. Something is different, and +I'm so afraid someone will make remarks about us if we are so much together +as we used to be." + +"What kind of remarks? tell me, Dexie. Something we would be ashamed to +hear?" and he smiled into her distressed face. + +"You know what I mean very well, Lancy, and I couldn't bear it." + +"Did you ever hear any remarks before--before that snowstorm?" + +"No! I never thought there was anything to make remarks about, but I have +been looking at things differently lately." + +"In what way, Dexie? Do tell me?" and he caught her hands in a firm clasp. + +"Don't, Lancy! Please stop! There has been enough said and done already to +make people talk if they knew about it." + +"Only a few words, and one little kiss, that was all, Dexie. If the thought +of what people might say keeps us apart, you are very foolish, for if we +were never to speak to each other again we would be accused of having had a +'lover's quarrel,' so don't keep me at a distance any longer on that +account. You are making us both miserable for nothing; for I don't believe +you are enjoying yourself a bit under the new rule that you have set up. +Confess now, are you? honor bright, Dexie?" and he looked eagerly into her +eyes. + +"Well, no, Lancy," and she looked up with a smile. "It isn't quite so nice +as it used to be, and I have stayed home several times when I wanted to go +out. I am not shy, naturally, you know, and I would have asked for your +escort if there had not been reasons to prevent me. Hugh has been very +anxious to show his gallantry, but nothing would tempt me to go three steps +with that big Frenchman." + +"Well, I wish Hugh could hear you say that, Dexie, for I was beginning to +feel jealous. He talks so much about you I was afraid he had entered the +lists against me." + +"Lancy, what nonsense you talk! Hugh is Gussie's particular property. What +made you fancy that I had stepped into her shoes?" + +"Nothing that need vex you, Dexie, so don't frown; but he told me in +confidence, you know, that you were--but there; it was in confidence, so I +won't repeat what he said. I know he cares more for you than for Gussie, +and the fact don't please me very well." + +Dexie was silent for some minutes. The remembrance of certain looks and +speeches that Hugh had lately addressed to her were now explained; he +thought she had quarrelled with Lancy, and he was anxious to take Lancy's +place. She lifted her eyes, saying: + +"Hugh shall have no chance to think any such a thing. But I know how it has +happened. Gussie had no eyes for anyone else while that Plaisted was here, +so I had to entertain Hugh occasionally; but dear me! how soft he must be, +if my foolish songs have turned his brain." + +And then, looking shyly into his eyes, she added, "I won't run away from +you any more, Lancy. We will go back to our old ways, but don't talk any +more nonsense to me, and we will be chums again. Is it a bargain, Lancy?" + +Lancy bent nearer to the curly head that was bent to hide her blushing +face, then, seizing her hands, held her close as he whispered, in a tender +voice: + +"That's my Dexie back again! I won't annoy you with words, but you know +what my feelings are for you all the same. Now, seal the bargain, Dexie," +and he turned her face to his. + +Well, the perversity of girls! is there anything equal to it? Must it +really be confessed that the girl who thought that one little stolen kiss +was worth crying over should raise her pretty mouth to receive a much +longer caress; yes, and enjoy it, too! But there! come to think of it, that +first kiss in the parlor was a one-sided affair, reluctantly received; and +a one-sided kiss is like--is like--well, whatever is it like? We give it +up! + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + +Returning home by way of Eastport, Mr. Sherwood took passage in a vessel +bound for Londonderry, a small seaport on the Bay of Fundy, and from there +he travelled by stage to Truro, where he took the train for Halifax. + +While on the train an incident took place which, while affording amusement +for the passengers, led to after-results that were quite surprising to the +Sherwoods. + +It seems that a countryman, hailing from Prince Edward Island, had +accompanied the vessel in which he had shipped the surplus oats and +potatoes that had grown on his farm, and the vessel had arrived in Halifax +a few days previously. This being his first trip "abroad," he had +determined to see all the sights which the city of Halifax afforded while +he waited for the vessel to discharge her cargo and prepare for the return +trip to Charlottetown. + +His innocent air soon attracted the attention of some sharpers, or +"confidence men," as they would have been termed in a later day, and +thinking he had met the "gentry for shure" in the well-dressed scamps that +were so friendly to him, the countryman willingly accompanied them to an +uptown resort, where he was treated to drugged liquor, and then robbed of +the tidy sum that the sale of his produce had brought him. Then, adding +insult to injury, they had taken him to the depot, and, placing a ticket +for Truro in his hatband, they put him on board the cars and left him to +his fate. + +He was put off the train at Truro in a dazed condition, and passed the +night in some out-of-the-way corner of the freight house, where he slept +off the effect of the liquor. + +His alarm and astonishment when he came to himself and found he was alone +and in a strange place, and with empty pockets, was both painful and +ludicrous to witness. His distress seemed all the greater in that he had +not the faintest idea where he was or how to get back to his vessel waiting +alongside the wharf in Halifax. + +It took some time to make his story understood, but when it became known to +the men about the depot they gave him a good breakfast, and determined to +get him "dead-headed" to the city, as the farmer felt sure he could easily +find the thieves and recover his money if he once got back to Halifax. He +had never seen a train of cars in his life, being too drunk the night +before to know how he was travelling; so when the train steamed into the +depot next morning, after announcing its approach by ear-splitting shrieks, +he dropped out of sight behind a pile of boxes, thinking that some wild +creature was let loose upon the streets. Before he could collect his +scattered senses he was seized by strong hands and stowed away in a corner +of a freight car, where, upon bags of potatoes, he was told to "sit down +and keep out of sight." For the first few miles he literally obeyed the +injunction, for he shook and trembled with fright, and with every shriek of +the engine he ducked his head, thinking his very life was in danger; but as +time went by and he still found himself whole and uninjured, he took +courage, and sat up and looked about him as well as the dim and close car +would permit. By and by the motion of the car caused the door to slide open +a few inches, for, fortunately or unfortunately, the door had been left +unlocked, so he crawled cautiously forward and peered through the opening, +wondering greatly at the frightful speed of the "animal" that was drawing +them along, but he concluded that it was "michty encouragin'," for at the +pace they were going he would soon be within reach of the rascals who had +emptied his pockets. + +Not content to let well enough alone, he disregarded the injunction given +him to "stay there," and when the train stopped for a few minutes at +Shubenacadie, a station on the line, he stepped out on the platform to have +a look about him; but not being quick or daring enough to step back on the +moving train, he came very near losing his ride. + +Fortunately, one of the train hands who had befriended him at first, saw +him as the train moved along, and pulled him aboard the second-class car as +it passed them. + +Having previously been stowed away among the freight, he had no idea of the +accommodation for travellers behind him, and the sight of so many people, +sitting quietly on the seats, filled him with awe. + +But the good-natured brakeman now drew him inside the car, intending to +place his wandering friend back into his former quarters as soon as the +train stopped at the next station. + +When the eyes of the countryman had taken in the scene, the thought +immediately suggested itself that this must be some sort of a meeting-house +or chapel that was travelling along. + +He stood for a few minutes regarding the people before him; then turning a +solemn face to the brakeman asked, in a properly subdued voice, as became +the situation: + +"Is there preachin' here the day?" + +Not comprehending the meaning of this question, but thinking the countryman +meditated a religious attack on those who were present, the brakeman +replied: + +"Not to-day; these are good Catholics." + +"Ye dinna tell me!" and his eyes and mouth expanded in surprise. "An' are +they repeatin' their prayers?" he innocently asked. + +"Oh, yes, everyone of them," was the reply. + +"Then let me oot o' this!" he cried, reaching for the door. "It's to +Halifax I want to go, so open the door an' let me oot o' this." + +"There! sit down and be quiet, or you'll get put out fast enough," replied +the brakeman, giving the man a shove into the seat. "You sit still where +you are, mind, or you'll get into trouble," he added, as he turned to +attend to his duties outside. + +Here was his chance. Our friend from the country felt that he was in +trouble already. He had no intention of joining the worshippers, for he was +a member of the good old Scotch Kirk; so he opened the car-door, and +stepped out to the platform outside. + +The swift, sidelong jerks almost took him off his feet. Grasping the +hand-rail, and looking around for some means of escape, he cautiously +stepped across into the better furnished first-class car behind. + +"Bless me, but I'm in luck!" was his inward comment, as he beheld the +comfortable seats. Taking the first empty one, he sank down on the cushions +with evident delight shining from his eyes at his blissful surroundings. + +But the argus-eyed conductor soon spied him, and not recognizing him as a +ticket-holder, swooped down upon him at once. + +"Your ticket, sir." + +"The same to yersel', ma frien'!" was the courteous reply, thinking this +some new form of salutation. + +"Here! no nonsense! where's your ticket? let's see where you're going." + +"Weel, sir, I'm hopin' to get to Halifax some time 'fore long. We seem to +be gaun as the craws flee, so nae doot we'll soon get there. Does +this--er--buildin'--stop there for victuals or--or onythin'?" + +The conductor, thinking him out of his mind, said more mildly: + +"Who came with you? Who is looking after you aboard the cars?" + +"Oh! a nice young chiel yonder; but he left me alane there, so I stepped +oot withoot his kennin' an' popped in here." + +"Ah, yes; just so. I've no doubt there is a spare room in one of the public +institutions awaiting you. What sort of a looking man has you in charge?" + +"Oh! he's a clever young chiel, wi' a door-plate on his bonnet; the sexton, +I tak' it." + +Not making much out of this information, the conductor left him to make +inquiries ahead, tapping his forehead significantly to some passengers +near, who had overheard the conversation, and who, as soon as the conductor +was out of sight, began to question the "harmless lunatic." + +His answers to their inquiries were not more clear than those the conductor +had elicited, and Mr. Sherwood, who sat a few seats behind, becoming +indignant at the rude jokes that were being made at the expense of the +unfortunate man, stepped forward to interfere. + +Surely he had seen the man before. He gazed at the man's distressed face, +but could not place him. + +"What's the trouble, my friend?" he asked, sitting down in the seat behind +and leaning over to speak to him. + +"I'm shure I dinna ken, sir, at a', at a'. There's a mistak' afloat +somewhere. I never was in sic a fix afore. This is a queer kintry, I tak' +it." + +"Where are you from?" + +That question set him on the right track at once. He could tell his story +if once he started at the beginning, though he found it impossible to make +these strangers comprehend his present dilemma; so beginning from the time +he left his own dooryard with the last cartload of potatoes, he gave them a +detailed account of his wanderings up to the time when he met the fine +young gentlemen in Halifax. But he had no idea how he got to Truro; that +was all a blank to him. When Mr. Sherwood explained that the train on which +he was riding was a public conveyance which went back and forth daily to +carry passengers and freight, he could scarcely believe it. His own +explanation seemed the more plausible, for did it not agree with what the +young sexton told him? He had been befooled once too often to listen to the +many explanations of those around him. + +But the conductor now appeared, having found out all there was to tell +about the man, and feeling annoyed at his mistake, now demanded of the +countryman either his ticket or his fare, and threatened to put him off the +train at the next station if he did not produce either the one or the +other. + +"But, ma guid man, I haena a copper aboot me, or it's wullin' enough I'd be +to gie ye a shullin' or so for this fine drive." + +"Well, off you get then the next time we stop." + +"But shurely ye wadna be pittin' a puir man oot o' yer waggon, or chapel, +or whatever ye ca' it, whan there's sae mony empty pews? I'm no croodin' +onyane, an' I'm wullin' enough to sit onywhere." + +"We don't take people on the cars for nothing," said the conductor, +decidedly. "If you can't pay, you can't ride." + +"Weel, it's the rich anes that's aye the stingiest, shure enough," replied +the man, more to himself than to the brass-buttoned figure before him. "But +ye widna fin' the like o' yersel' owre in ma kintry, let me tell ye! The +puirest farmer widna refuse to gie a stranger a lift if he was gaun the +same way as himsel', even if it was only a kairt that he had, an' it loaded +to the brim." + +"Can't help it," replied he of the buttons, with a grin. "Off you get at +the next station, or we'll put you off without ceremony." + +"But I'll no gang aff, if I may be sae bold as to tell ye!" said the now +angry farmer. "Ye took me to Truro against ma wull, for why did I want to +gang to a place that I never heard o' afore; so, then, ye'll tak' me back +to Halifax again, wullin' or no, an' whan I get my money back I'll sen' ye +the price o' the drive. If ye think I'm croodin' the gentlemen, I'll gang +oot an' sit on the steps o' yer backdoor, but, guidness only kens! there +seems room enough in these empty pews for a dizzen o' ma size." + +"Here, conductor, I'll pay the man's fare," said Mr. Sherwood, who had +listened to the conversation with ill-concealed amusement. + +This being satisfactory to the conductor, the man was allowed to keep his +seat in peace, and, engaging him in conversation, Mr. Sherwood discovered +that he had been the guest of the man's brother during one of his trips to +Prince Edward Island. His home was on the north side of the island, and the +farm of Roderick McDonald was well known as one of the best-paying places +on the "Garden of the St. Lawrence." + +On finding that the man beside him was the Yankee horse-buyer, Mr. McDonald +rose and shook his hand with a warmth that showed his pleasure at the +meeting. + +This unexpected kindness from one whom he had learned to consider as a man +of unlimited means and unusual smartness, quite set him up in his own +estimation. + +He began to feel quite elated at his present position, and felt himself a +hero as he related to the attentive strangers the many strange things he +had seen since he left home, quite ignoring the fact that some of his +listeners might have been "abroad" as well as himself. + +But it was impossible to put a damper on this loquacious countryman, even +though he loudly set forth his own ignorance. + +"Oh! but I'm a great traveller!" said he. "There's nae kennin' hoo mony +miles I've travelled since I left ma hame on the north side o' the Islan'! +Let's see; it's thirty miles frae there to the toon, an' it tak's a hale +day to cover the distance wi' a loaded kairt o' tawties, let me tell ye! +Then, whan we were snug aboard the vessel, guidness only kens hoo mony +miles we went afore we cam' fornenst the city o' Halifax, for we were three +days on the michty ocean, at the mercy o' ony storm that micht come alang +unawares. Yes, indeed, an' we travelled alang through the dark nicht as +weel, they tell me, though that I'm no prepared to say, seem' that I was +fast asleep in the hold," and he looked around to see if any of his hearers +doubted his word. "Then, whan we got to the wharf in Halifax, an' I selt ma +tawties an' oats, I cam' ashore an' tramped the streets o' Halifax, up hill +an' doon dale, till ma new buits are a' worn oot behin', as ye can see for +yersel's," and he lifted up his feet, one after the other, that the truth +of his words might be verified; then continuing: "It was whan the thiefin' +scoon'rels met me an' made ma acquaintance that I gaed wrang; but I never +suspected they'd start me on ma travels again, an' withoot ma kennin', +tae--ay, an' sen' me aff withoot as muckle as a copper in ma pocket, at a', +at a'! no even as muckle as wad buy me a bit o' breakfast, which the guid +folk at Truro gied me for naethin', an', if it hadna been for them, I don't +think I wad ever hae been able to fin' ma way back to ma hame on the farm. +But here I am, richt amang the gentlemen an' ladies, travellin' alang like +the Queen hersel' micht be prood to dae. Ay, but it's a long story I'll hae +to tell them at hame whan ainst I get back to ma ain kintry again, an' it's +themsel's that'll be dum'foon'ert to hear me tell aboot the mony kinds o' +folk ain meets whan they gang abroad!" + +"Have you met any naked savages since you left your distant country?" asked +one of the sports, with a wink at his comrade. + +"Naked savages, is't, you mean? Ay, that I hae, or nearly naked anes," was +the quick reply. "On the streets o' Halifax, sir, near the wharves, sir, +that's whaur ye'll come across them, but, dae ye ken noo, I aye thocht +that savages were black, made sae I mean whan they were born into this +worl'. But, dae ye min', it's masel' thinks that some o' them could be made +white, if only ane had soap an' water enough to dae't. No that I didna see +ony black savages roamin' roon' as weel; but maist o' them had some +claithes on, like decent Christian folk. Some hadna come to that knowledge +yet; but the nakedness o' black skinned savages isna sae noticin' as that +o' white savages, I tak' it." + +A hearty laugh followed this last remark, and the conversation became +general, until the train arrived in Halifax. + +Mr. Sherwood took the countryman to the police headquarters at once, where +the story of the theft was told at length, and as he could give a good +description of the men who had robbed him it was thought that they might be +captured. + +As Mr. Sherwood had received such kind treatment from the man's relations +in Prince Edward Island, he thought it but fair to repay it by looking +after the farmer during the rest of his stay in the city. + +To satisfy the man that the vessel had not sailed during his absence he +took him down to the wharf, and, after explaining to the captain the cause +of his detention, Mr. Sherwood insisted on taking him up to visit his own +family. + +The farmer demurred at this, saying that his clothes were not in a fit +state to visit anywhere. + +This fact was evident, but Mr. Sherwood intended to visit a ready-made +clothing store on his way up town, and make his friend presentable. + +This was rather a delicate matter to accomplish without wounding the man's +feelings; but the native tact of the Yankee served him well here, and when +the farmer stepped before the large mirror in the back shop of Silver's +clothing store and saw his own reflection, he hardly knew himself. + +"But hoo am I ever gaun to repay ye?" he asked. "If I shouldna get ma money +back I'll be in a bad fix." + +"Not at all, Mr. McDonald. I'll buy the best horse you have got, if you +will sell him to me, and we can settle this little matter then; but I made +enough on the big black horse I bought from your brother to give you this +suit and still have a good profit besides." + +"Weel, ye're an honest man, for ye paid a guid price for the beast, an' +paid it in cash tae." + +"Thank you for your good opinion; but in case the police should not find +those rascals before the vessel sails, it will be rather hard on you to +return home with empty pockets, so let me pay you in advance for that +horse." + +It was quite a different-looking man that came out of the store a few +minutes later, for he had been refitted from hat to boots, and he looked +the well-to-do farmer to the life, even the well-filled purse was not +lacking, for Mr. Sherwood had given him the horse's value instead of the +modest sum the farmer stated as the selling price of his animal. + +The polite store-keeper promised to send the farmer's cast-off garments to +the vessel, and Mr. Sherwood was soon introducing his friend to the members +of his household. + +Mr. Sherwood's unexpected arrival made a joyful excitement, and the farmer +mentally resolved that an account of the happy meeting between the Yankee +horse-buyer and his family should be added to the rest of the story he had +to tell when once he arrived home. + +When Mr. Sherwood had privately explained to the family the present +position of his new friend, together with the respectability of the family +and the kind treatment he had received from their hands, he was treated as +an honored guest, and Dexie had never been so gracious to the fastidious +Plaisted or treated him with half the courtesy as she now bestowed on the +honest, kind-hearted, though ignorant countryman. + +That this kindness was appreciated was quite evident from the satisfaction +that beamed from every wrinkle on his honest face; and when he found +himself seated in the most comfortable chair in the parlor, listening to +the music that Dexie was bringing forth from the piano for his pleasure, +he doubted in his mind if even the Governor himself was as happy and +fortunate as he. + +As the vessel was to sail the next day for Charlottetown, he had to leave +the pleasant rooms for closer quarters on board the vessel; but before he +said farewell he exacted a promise that, should any of them ever go to the +Island, they would visit his home on the north shore. + +As the vessel was about to leave the wharf Mr. Sherwood appeared, +accompanied by a member of the police force, who gave over to the hand of +the farmer about half the sum which had been stolen from him, and the man +actually felt richer than when the whole amount had lain in his pocket. He +pressed Mr. Sherwood to accept payment for the drive on the train and for +his new suit, but Mr. Sherwood reminded him of the horse he had purchased, +saying: + +"Look well after my horse, McDonald, and if you will find out where I can +get some more good animals I will be glad to pay you for the time and +trouble expended in doing so," and with a hearty hand-clasp Mr. Sherwood +stepped ashore. + +In a few minutes the vessel's cable was shipped and she slowly passed down +the harbor, bearing on her deck one who had a heart full of gratitude for +kindness shown a stranger in a strange land. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + +Mr. Sherwood's presence at home seemed to infuse new life into the +household, and the following weeks passed very pleasantly to Dexie, for her +father needed her services again, and for that reason she was excused from +much of the endless sewing that seemed necessary in making up Louie's +outfit. + +Sewing machines were not so common at that time as to be considered a +necessary household article, and Mrs. Sherwood was slow to take advantage +of the new invention, preferring the use of fingers instead of feet for +articles that required a needle and thread to fashion them; consequently +Louie's wardrobe took some time to set in order. + +Dexie was willing enough to change the needle for the more congenial pen +and ink, and Mr. Sherwood insisted that Gussie should put her needle to +more practical use. Now, while Gussie liked well enough to handle a needle +and thread when something showy and fanciful was to be evolved thereby, she +almost rebelled against the plain sewing, it was such dull, uninteresting +work; it made so much difference if the sharp little instrument held Berlin +wool, floss, etc., or the common cotton thread, which, though so useful, +was too prosaic to suit Gussie. + +Do not let this convey the idea that the time was all spent indoors, at +some employment or other, for never were outings so frequently enjoyed. +There were excursions down the coast to Cow Bay, and picnics to various +points of interest, which, in the vicinity of Halifax, are innumerable and +within easy-reaching distance to dwellers in the city. + +Mr. Gurney owned a small boat which carried a sail, but there were plenty +of willing hands to row it when the wind failed, and before the summer was +over, Dexie could handle an oar with the dexterity that only practice can +give. + +It was very pleasant of a warm summer evening to glide along the waters of +Bedford Basin, through which the boat cut her way as if through molten +silver, and there was many a time when the little craft held but two +persons, one being Lancy Gurney, and the curly head of his companion was +very like to that of Dexie Sherwood's! + +The early days of October were marked by the departure of Louie and the +kind old nurse Dinah. + +Poor Louie! her heart was rent with conflicting feelings. She had been wild +with delight to think that she had been the one chosen to spend the winter +with her grandma, and, though the journey thither was a pleasure she had +long looked forward to, the final leave-takings were so much harder than +she had anticipated that she felt almost tempted, at the last moment, to +give it up, and stay with those she had never loved so much as she did now, +when prepared to leave them. + +We must not stop to tell of all the changes which took place in the old +homestead when it was decided that Louie was to spend the winter there. The +eyesight of the grandparents became so much better as they thought of her +coming, that they noticed with startling clearness how dingy the old +farmhouse had grown. Their brightened vision regarded the faded carpets +with aversion, and when they had given place to new ones the curtains +looked positively shabby, and they were astonished to find how much +difference a little paint on the house and out-buildings made in the look +of the place. + +Without chasing away the _homey_ took of the low, comfortable rooms, they +were made brighter and more cheerful, as if rejoicing with the grandparents +in their joy, and joining in the attempt to make the little grand-daughter +feel at home. + +Unconsciously, the old folks grew brighter themselves, and Grandma Sherwood +even went so far as to lay aside the cap she had worn so long that it +seemed to belong to her head quite as much as the beautiful grey hair +beneath it; and after putting it away reverently in the bottom drawer of +the bureau, she took out instead her "best cap," and wore it daily, in +anticipation of her grand-daughter's arrival. + +The pretty room that had been fitted up for Louie's use lacked nothing to +make it perfect except its occupant, and if Louie needed anything to +reconcile her to a winter's stay in the quiet farmhouse, this pretty room +contained it. + +Neither were its treasures revealed in a day, for, weeks after she arrived, +grandma would bid her search for some secret drawer which contained +something that she would like; and Louie's curiosity would be stimulated by +this admission, so that many a stormy day flew rapidly away while she +searched with the ardor of an Arctic explorer for the secret spring or knob +which, pressed at last, revealed delights that only a young girl's heart +can fully enjoy. + +Occasionally mysterious packages from the city arrived at the farmhouse +bearing Louie's name in full, and the delightful excitement of untying the +string and removing the wrappings, was entered into by the grandparents +with as much ardor as by Louie herself. + +But grandma's heart seemed to grow young again. She knew what would please +her little favorite, and she spared no expense if pleasure and happiness +were procured with the purchases, and thus passed away the pleasant winter, +bringing only that which seemed good into the storehouse of Louie's life +and heart. + +Louie was destined to see but little of her own family hereafter, for +during the following summer the grandmother's health became feeble, and she +would not listen to the suggestions that Louie should return home. A few +months later Dinah had the melancholy satisfaction of hearing the last +words of her dying mistress, who passed away in her arms. + +Louie was willing to listen to the entreaties of her grief-stricken +grandfather, to remain his little companion a while longer. + +The charge of the farmhouse now fell into the hands of Mr. Sherwood's +widowed daughter. She had possessed a fine estate in Georgia, and had lived +a life of ease until Sherman's march to the sea, when her plantation was +devastated, and her well-kept slaves had joined in the destruction of her +property. When her husband's body was brought home for burial, the result +of a distressing accident, there seemed nothing else left to do but to +return to the home of her childhood, reaching it in time to hear her +mother's last request with respect to Louie's future. + +Aunt Annie promised to consider the child as her own if she could get the +parents' sanction as well as Louie's free consent. The latter was freely +gained, as Louie was far happier in her present home. + +Mrs. Sherwood saw no obstacle in the way when the matter was laid before +her, and she gave up her rights with so little manifestation of regret that +even those who knew her best were astonished, and from that time Louie +ceased to be a member of her father's family. + +The second winter in Halifax was even more pleasant than the first had +been, for the Sherwoods had extended their acquaintances, and there seemed +always some new pleasure to look forward to. + +The Song and Glee Club started up afresh as the winter evenings set in, and +with a concert in the perspective the rehearsals were frequent and well +attended. + +Dexie's fine voice caused her to be given a more prominent part than she +thought was her just due. She had no wish to be thrust forward into notice +when there were older members of the club who were better entitled to her +place, but she had no objection to being accompanist, for in that position +she felt at home. But she was destined to come before the public in a more +conspicuous manner. + +One evening a member of the club brought in some new music, and the few who +had heard it were so delighted with its melody, that they eagerly urged its +performance at the approaching concert. A copy of the music being handed to +Dexie by Lancy, she began to hum it softly to herself, but becoming +enraptured with the bewitching strains of the composition, she +unconsciously changed the low hum to a soft whistle, which grew louder as +she proceeded. Sense of time and place disappeared, and she was unaware of +the delight of the little group around her, until the unusual silence +caused her to lift her eyes and understand the meaning of the sudden hush +that had fallen on those present. A burning blush covered her face as she +stammered out: + +"I beg your pardon, ladies and gentlemen; I forgot where I was," and then +sank on a seat near and hid her burning cheeks behind her book. + +Lancy was at her side in a moment. + +"Never mind, Dexie. You can't think how well it sounded. They were +delighted." + +"Oh, how _could_ you let me go on, Lancy? You might have stopped me, I'm +sure," she said, indignantly. + +But she was immediately surrounded, and praises and interrogations poured +forth from every side, making Gussie, who stood apart, turn pale with +jealousy. + +"Why did you not tell us that you could imitate the birds?" + +"I never heard anything so perfectly sweet," said a lady member, pressing +forward to speak to the blushing girl. + +Dexie wished the floor would open and let her drop out of sight, but she +gradually regained her composure and listened with displeasure to the +general conversation, during which this new element of music was discussed +at length. + +"Miss Sherwood, do come to the piano and try that again with the +accompaniment," said the leader, Mr. Ross. "You really must give us the +benefit of that flute-like whistle; it is perfectly irresistible." + +"Please excuse me, Mr. Ross; I really cannot," replied Dexie. + +"But we can take no excuse. After hearing you once, nothing but a +repetition will satisfy us. Mr. Gurney will play for you," was the eager +reply. + +But Lancy kindly came to her aid, and by a few whispered words succeeded in +drawing off the attention from Dexie, by suggesting that if they would try +the opening piece first and give Miss Sherwood time to reconsider her +refusal, she might whistle later on; and Lancy was rewarded for this short +respite by a grateful look as he passed her the open book. + +Dexie felt angry for bringing this embarrassing position upon herself, and +she was wondering if it would be possible for her to slip away unperceived, +when Gussie leaned over her shoulder. + +"Well, you did make a show of yourself, you great tomboy! It is a pity that +you can't keep your bad manners out of sight, before strangers, anyway!" + +This taunt acted like the prick of a goad, and made Dexie determine to stay +and show Miss Gussie whether her "bad manners" had placed her lower or +higher in the estimation of her friends. When the piece was rehearsed in +which she sang the solo, she put forth her best efforts, and rendered it +with such pathos and feeling that when it was ended, one and all, with the +exception of Gussie, were loud in its praise. + +As she lingered a moment beside the piano talking with a member, Mr. Ross +stepped over to her side and begged her to try the new piece, and she +silently bowed in answer; but the hunted look in the dark eyes might have +told how hard it was to nerve herself for this ordeal. + +The memory of Gussie's sneering remarks filled her with the needed courage, +and when Lancy sat down and passed his fingers over the keys her heart +ceased to throb; the very chords had a soothing power, and when Lancy +lifted his eyes to her face she replied with a look that she was ready. + +The first notes of the piece sounded from the piano, but brought no +response from Dexie's lips. Lancy looked up quickly. + +"Oh, Dexie, don't disappoint me!" he whispered. + +Softly the bird-like notes ascended, fluttered and quivered, then slowly +gained strength, then the clear, full notes rang through the room, charming +every ear. + +Those present listened in breathless silence. It was so faultlessly +rendered that it was hard to believe that weeks of practice had not been +given to bring such perfection of tone; but Dexie whistled for an object, +and that was respect and honor from those present in the face of her +"tomboy accomplishment." + +It is not everyone who can whistle for a thing and get their wishes +gratified; but, to the honor and respect which Dexie desired, was added the +praise and approval of the delighted listeners. She felt proud to receive +it, for it would forever silence Gussie as to how her "bad manners" were +regarded. + +Dexie was satisfied with her victory, and would not be persuaded into +repeating the piece, though, at the close of the rehearsal, she consented +to accompany Lancy in giving an exhibition of a bird-song. + +It was the same chorus that had delighted the listeners the morning after +the adventure in the snow-drifts, and the rendering of it was greatly +enhanced by the better instrument before them. + +Lancy played the accompaniment and whistled with her, and their voices +seemed transformed into veritable song-birds, as they joined or answered +each other's call. + +"We must have that at our concert, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross. "We +cannot afford to miss it. How is it that I never had the pleasure of +listening to this sort of music before, Mr. Gurney? You should have told us +of this new accomplishment, Miss Sherwood." + +"Indeed! you never would have heard it at all, if I had not forgotten +myself so completely," said Dexie, smiling; "but as to whistling at the +concert, that is out of the question. It is distressing enough to show my +tomboyism before the members here." + +"Nonsense! there is nothing of the 'tomboy' about that kind of whistling," +said one of the members. "It is an accomplishment few possess." + +"Well, it is fortunate for us that you made us aware of this talent of +yours, even though it was unintentional on your part, Miss Sherwood," said +Mr. Ross. "We must persuade you to give others the pleasure of hearing you. +It would add much to the attraction of our concert." + +"You are most kind, and your remarks most flattering, but I must be +excused," said Dexie, turning with a smile to those who had addressed her. +"I do not forget that 'whistling girls' are generally frowned down." + +"But there is no comparison between the usual tomboy whistle of girls, and +those bobolink, canary-bird notes that come from your lips," said an +enthusiastic member. + +"Miss Sherwood, I am going to place that piece third on the programme, and +will call around to-morrow and see you and arrange for these extra pieces. +We can leave out some of the songs rather than miss the treat you can give +to those who will be eager to hear you," said the leader, persuasively. + +"Indeed, Mr. Ross, I could not think of whistling before the audience we +hope to have, so I will excuse you from calling upon me, if that is to be +your errand," said Dexie, hurriedly. "I am doing my share as it is." + +"Well, if you think it will be too much for you, someone else might take +your solo; but that seems a pity, when you are so well prepared. Do you +find it tiresome to whistle?" + +"Oh, it is not that; it would not tire me if I whistled all day. But I +cannot face a hall full of people and whistle to them. It would be +dreadful!" + +"I would not urge the matter if I did not feel positive of your success. I +am sure the members of the club have the average intelligence, and, seeing +that you have charmed us all by your unique performance, you need have no +hesitancy in trying your powers before a Halifax audience," was the reply. + +"Don't think of it. Oh, I never could do it, Mr. Ross. I should be hissed +off the stage." + +"No danger of that, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Markman, the best tenor of the +club. "I'll answer for it that you will so electrify the audience that they +will demand an encore. Don't hide your talent from those who would be so +sure to appreciate it." + +"Give the matter serious consideration," said Mr. Ross. "I will run in +to-morrow and see you, even though I may run the risk of a cool reception. +What time shall I call?" he added, with a smile. + +"Well, if you must call and see me, I hope it will be on some other errand; +I will be at leisure any time in the afternoon, say three o'clock." Then, +looking up with a smile, added: "Don't imagine I shall reconsider the +matter; I simply could not do it." + +"I'll hope to find you in a better frame of mind to-morrow, Miss Sherwood," +he replied, giving her hand a cordial grasp. "May I ask permission for Mr. +Gurney to be present at the interview?" + +"Oh, certainly. I think you can safely venture to do so, seeing that he +will probably come in of his own accord, if you don't ask him," and Lancy +joined in the laugh raised at his expense. + +"Well, that settles it, Mr. Gurney, I shall depend on your support in this +difficult matter. Now, before we separate, I think I am voicing the +sentiments of the members here when I ask for one more song. Now, Miss +Sherwood, you have acknowledged that it does not tire you to whistle, so +you will send us home in the best of spirits if you will favor us once +more." + +Dexie placed her hands over her ears at the applause that greeted these +words, and amidst the general laughter Lancy drew her to the piano. + +"I am going to sing 'The Mocking-Bird,' so you must whistle," he said. +"Come, Dexie, there is no backing out," as she tried to escape him. + +"Well, get Gussie to sing with you, and I will; perhaps it will help her +good-nature a little--it needs help," she whispered, laughing. + +On being sufficiently urged, Gussie stepped over to the piano beside them, +and joined her alto to the chorus. + +Dexie played and whistled, and, as the members listened, all joined Mr. +Ross in thinking that their programme should hold this song also. + +"Well, Miss Sherwood, I think you have kept the best to the last. I have +heard that song several times, but never 'listened to the mocking-bird' +after all. The song in itself is beautiful, but, after hearing you whistle, +I see that it is imperfect with the mocking-bird left out. This is rather a +cold climate for that species of bird, Miss Sherwood, but I shall give a +Halifax audience the pleasure of hearing one, if I have to import one from +the South on purpose for the occasion. To-morrow at three o'clock, +remember, Mr. Gurney, and may the fates be propitious!" + +When Mr. Sherwood learned of Dexie's refusal to whistle, he was as eager to +change her decision as any member of the club. + +For once Gussie sided with Dexie, and said all she could to influence her +against it, but her motive was so apparent that her father reproved her +sharply. + +When Mr. Ross and Lancy made their appearance, Dexie had to listen to the +expostulations of three very urgent gentlemen; and though she held to her +refusal for some time, she was obliged to capitulate at last, stipulating +that she should only be asked to whistle one piece. Mr. Ross was obliged to +be content with this, but he found it hard to decide which of the pieces he +would put upon the programme. + +But a thought occurred to him, and he smiled as he considered it. Yes, he +would set down the new piece; and if he knew a Halifax audience, and he +thought he did, one piece would not content them. The others would do +nicely for the "encore" which he knew would be demanded. + +He smiled with pleasure as he rose to depart. + +"I will set you down for the new piece you were running over last evening, +Miss Sherwood," said he, "and Mr. Gurney will play your accompaniment. If +you do as well at the concert as you did last night when you first saw the +music, I shall be well satisfied." + +"But what if I should fail, papa?" said Dexie, when she found herself alone +with her father. "How can I stand before so many strange people and +whistle? Oh! I'm sure I cannot. No young lady whistles in public, and I +feel sure they will hiss me off the stage!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + +The time slipped by bringing the eventful evening. In many homes nimble +fingers had been busy for days fashioning certain garments that were to +make the wearers quite fascinating to beholders. But Dexie declared that as +her best gown was very becoming, she had no intention of getting a new one +on purpose for the occasion, a few extra touches would make it quite +presentable. On the morning of the concert, she found there were still some +minor things needed to complete her toilet, so she went down-town to do a +little shopping. + +As she stood in a store waiting for her parcel, her eyes rested on a +handbill lying near, and as she read it her face flushed angrily, then +turned pale to the lips, for those great, staring letters announced the +evening's performance, and she was referred to as one of the chief +attractions, but in terms that aroused her temper to its highest pitch. + +Who could have worded that awful handbill? She longed to stamp her foot, or +scream, or give vent to her angry feelings in some way. How dared they +single her out by such a nickname? She snatched the parcel from the hands +of the astonished clerk and left the store with more speed than grace. + +While she is flying homeward, her angry eyes shining like stars from her +pale, set face, let us read the cause of her displeasure. + + "Temperance Hall. Temperance Hall. + + To-night. + + The Halifax Song and Glee Club will give their + Annual Concert + In Temperance Hall To-night. + + Full Opening Chorus by the Members. + + First Appearance of + THE AMERICAN WARBLER, + The only songster ever known to whistle popular airs to + piano accompaniment. + + Don't Miss It. + + Programme to consist of Solos, Duets, Quartettes + and + Full Choruses. + + God Save the Queen." + +When Dexie reached home she flung open the door and rushed up the stairs to +her own room in a perfect fury. + +Gussie had watched her swift approach from the window, and fearing that +some awful calamity must have happened, followed her sister upstairs, and +found her walking the floor like a caged tiger, her eyes positively fierce +as they looked straight before her, though seeing nothing. + +"What is the matter, Dexie?" she asked in alarm. + +Dexie turned and motioned imperiously for her to leave the room, then shut +the door with a slam that shook the house. Gussie hurried to her father, +saying: + +"Oh, papa! do go and see Dexie. I believe she is going to have a fit, for +she looks awful." + +"What's that?" and Mr. Sherwood looked up from his paper. "Did you say +something the matter with Dexie?" + +"Yes, do go and see what it is, for she turned me out of the room." + +"Have you been teasing her again about whistling?" he asked, looking at +her sharply. "I told you to let your sister alone." + +"Oh! it isn't that, papa. I have not offended her. She has only just +returned from the store, but there's something the matter with her, for her +very looks frightened me." + +Being thus admonished Mr. Sherwood was soon in Dexie's room, and he was +startled at the intense expression of his daughter's face. + +"My dear girl! what has happened to you?" he tenderly asked, as he took her +hands and drew her to his side. "Try and tell me." He stroked her ruffled +hair, and spoke in soothing tones, but it was several minutes before she +could utter a word. + +"Dexie, my dear, calm yourself, and tell me what is the matter; you will +make yourself ill. What is it all about, my dear?" + +Dexie pointed to the crumpled handbill that she had tossed under the table +as she threw off her wraps, and her father stooped and picked it up, then +smoothing it across his knee read the cause of offence. + +"Why, you foolish girl! surely it is not this that has put you into such a +passion?" + +"I won't have it! How dared they! The 'American Warbler,' indeed! Do they +think I will overlook such insolence and go to their old concert after that +public insult! No, I won't put up with it, so there!" and a flood of tears +brought relief to the overcharged heart. + +"Dexie, they never intended to hurt your feelings; it is only a mistake on +your part to think so for a moment. Why, it is quite a joke, one that the +audience will not be slow in appreciating, I'll warrant. Come, dry your +eyes, and never mind this announcement." + +But Dexie flung herself on the bed, sobbing through her tears: "Oh, papa, +what made you make me say I would whistle when I did not want to from the +first. I did not think they would treat me so meanly, or I never would have +consented. But I won't go near the old hall to-night; no, not a step!" + +Her father sat down on the bed beside her, and pushed away the hair from +her hot face, saying: "You are quite mistaken, dear, in thinking they meant +anything but praise in announcing your part of the programme. If you will +just think a moment, you will see it yourself." + +"Praise, indeed! They have insulted me in a most public manner. How dared +they take such liberties with my name, when it was only as a special favor +I consented to whistle at all! Oh, it was such a mean, shabby trick!" and +the tears fell in showers. + +"Come, Dexie, I can't let you cry like this," and he lifted her gently and +placed her beside him. "You will surely be sick if you do not control +yourself, my dear. It was too bad to vex you when there is so much +depending on you; but it was done unintentionally, I know, and they will +soon apologize when they know that the announcement has annoyed you." + +"But what will be the good of that? An apology will not recall those +handbills, which, I daresay, are all over the city. But I'll make them +repent it; they'll find that even a worm will turn if trampled on." + +"Tut, tut, what nonsense! You are not a worm nor the kind of bird that eats +the worm either--but here's Aunt Jennie. Auntie, can't you help me put a +grain of sense into this silly girl's pate? She imagines she has been +insulted by this bit of flattery, hence these tears," and he held out the +handbill for inspection. + +"Why, Dexie, this will never do. You will spoil your eyes for to-night, +dear. Nothing so very dreadful has happened, after all. I was quite alarmed +at Gussie's account, and feared something serious had occurred. Don't be so +foolish as to mind this bit of paper." + +But Dexie buried her face in her father's shoulder and cried the more. + +"Oh, it is too bad of you, auntie. I thought you would care if I was +abused, but nobody does, not even papa; but I'll make somebody sorry, for I +won't go near their old concert," and she jerked away from her father's +arms, and threw herself back on the bed. + +Aunt Jennie motioned for Mr. Sherwood and Gussie to leave the room, +thinking she might manage Dexie better alone, for this hysterical crying +needed to be checked at once. She sat down beside her and stroked the hot +face until Dexie's sobs had somewhat ceased. Her gentle voice did much to +soothe the tempest in Dexie's breast, but she seemed to have lost her +persuasive power for the time. + +Mr. Sherwood went at once to his wife's room to explain the cause of the +disturbance. + +"How inconsiderate of Dexie to cause so much annoyance!" was her fretful +comment. "I am quite sure I shall have the headache, for the way she +slammed that door was enough to upset the strongest nerves. I thought of +going to the concert myself if I finished my book in time, but it seems my +fate to be robbed of all pleasure. Why don't you use your authority, +Clarence, and make her behave herself?" + +"You must make some allowance for her, wife, for she feels much hurt over +that announcement. But the trouble is, what's to be done if she persists in +her determination not to appear? I might insist on her going to the hall, +but I doubt if I could make her whistle after she got there." + +"Well, if you do not use your authority you need not ask me to interfere. +She has quite upset me as it is." + +"It is not very often that she gets worked up like this. I believe she +controls her temper about as well as any of us. She seldom lets her tongue +loose as she used to do when things went wrong, but flies to her room and +fights it out alone. I expect those Gurneys have a good influence over our +wilful Dexie." + +"Well, I suppose she does not see those mild, quiet girls fly into a +passion very often, and this tiresome concert is to blame for this +disturbance. I fear if she has made up her mind not to go, you may as well +leave her alone; so let the matter rest, it disturbs me," and Mrs. Sherwood +closed her eyes as if the subject had passed completely from her mind. + +But Mr. Sherwood could not let the matter rest so easily, and his wife's +indifference annoyed him exceedingly. + +"Confound their stupidity!" he exclaimed at last, beginning to see it with +Dexie's eyes. "They might have known that she would object to such an +announcement, but it will be an awkward thing if she does not appear after +all. I hope Aunt Jennie will bring her to reason." + +"I hope so too, I'm sure," answered the wife with a sigh; "but Lancy Gurney +is as much interested in the matter as herself, and I believe he would make +her change her mind if anyone could." + +"Well, I think I will run in and see if he is at home, but I'm afraid it +will make a bad matter worse." + +A few minutes later Mr. Sherwood was standing in the parlor next door, +shaking hands with Mrs. Gurney. + +"We don't seem to meet very often, do we, though we are such near +neighbors," she said, with a smile, when the usual greetings had been +exchanged, "but you look worried. Are all well at home this morning?" + +"We are all well disturbed, certainly," he answered, with a short laugh. "I +have just come in to see if I could get someone to help me about Dexie." + +"Why? what has happened her? She is not hurt, I hope!" + +"Well, her feelings are, tremendously, I can tell you;" and pulling out the +objectionable handbill from his pocket, added, "she came upon this down in +some store, and has come home as mad as a hatter, declaring she has been +insulted, and she vows she won't whistle or go near the concert at all +to-night." + +"Well, that _would_ be rather serious, wouldn't it?" was the mild reply. +"Poor girlie, so she don't like to be called the 'American warbler.' It is +the publicity of it, I expect, that has hurt her. Where is she now?" + +"Up in her room, crying her eyes out. The more we try to reason with her, +the worse she is; even Aunt Jennie has failed to quiet her." + +"Now if you will let me advise--you know I have more experience with +rebellious children than most women," and she smiled up into the anxious +face above her, "let her have her cry out, and say no more to her about it +just now, and, if you care to turn her over to us, I think I can promise +you she will be all right by and by." + +"Do you mean that you are willing to take her off our hands for the day?" +and he looked eagerly into her face. + +"Yes, if we may. I will send one of the children in to ask her to dinner, +and we will not let her suspect that we know anything about it until she +speaks of the matter herself. We will find something pleasant to take up +her attention until Lancy comes home, and by that time she will have had +time to think of the matter in a different light." + +"But do you think she will consent to whistle after all, Mrs. Gurney? That +is the main thing." + +"Certainly; I have no fear. If the matter is put before her in a serious +light, she will be sure to do what is honorable. Of course, I quite +understand that until her temper cools off she will be immovable; those +determined natures always are. I have brought up one hot-headed person, and +I think I know the weak spot; and Hugh McNeil was never _quite_ +unmanageable. Do not fret about Dexie, I feel sure she will fulfil her part +to-night, and do us all credit." + +"Thanks, Mrs. Gurney. You cannot think what a relief it is to hear you +speak so confidently about it. I should feel very much aggrieved if she +persisted in her refusal, for I urged her to whistle, much against her +will, and I feel responsible for her appearance. I think, myself, that it +was not just the fair thing to send those handbills broadcast without +making her acquainted with the contents beforehand." + +"Yes, they might have consulted her; but, of course, it never occurred to +them that she would feel offended, and really I wonder that she is myself. +Still, I can quite understand it when I consider how uncertain she must +feel about her reception as a whistler." + +"Yes, that is the trouble, but she went out on purpose to buy some little +things to wear to-night, and I would like to know if she has everything +ready. But I daresay it will not be wise to refer to the matter while she +is of the same mind. Yet I want her to look as well as the rest of them," +said Mr. Sherwood, in an anxious tone. + +"To be sure. Well, her dress must be prepared for her. It would be a great +disappointment to Lancy if anything should happen to prevent her going; so +we must unite our efforts and carry the day, in spite of this little freak +of Dexie's. Now, I expect my girls know what Dexie's plans were for +to-night; and as my dressmaker is here finishing Cora's dress, I will have +her attend to Dexie's also; so let Gussie bring in what materials she +purchased while out this morning, and we will hold a consultation on the +matter. Now, do not be alarmed, Mr. Sherwood," she added, seeing his look +of concern. "I will promise to send her to the concert in good trim, and in +good temper too," and she smiled pleasantly as she bade him "Good morning," +as if it were an everyday affair to bring refractory girls to terms. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + +Mr. Sherwood returned home feeling much relieved, and meeting Aunt Jennie +on the stairs, asked after Dexie's present condition. + +"She is crying still, though not so violently. I fear she has fully +determined not to take part in the concert to-night. I have done my best, +but I cannot shake her determination, so I have left her to herself to +think it over." + +"That's right. I have just been in to Mrs. Gurney's, and she has offered to +settle the difficulty and be responsible for her appearance to-night." + +"That is good news, indeed. I have perfect trust in Mrs. Gurney's ability +to succeed where the rest of us all fail; but the next trouble is, I +haven't the least idea what Dexie intended to do with the yards of lace she +brought home this morning, unless she intends to drape it over her dress in +some way." + +"Mrs. Gurney has promised to relieve us of that trouble also. She is quite +as anxious as we are that Dexie shall make a good appearance, and if you +will collect the fixings and take them in, Mrs. Gurney says her dressmaker +will do what is necessary." + +"Then the trouble may be considered over," said she, with a relieved sigh. + +"I will run into Mrs. Gurney's myself, and see what I can do for the +general good. How nice it is to have _real_ friends so near!" she added, +as she followed Mr. Sherwood into the sitting-room. + +In about half an hour, Elsie Gurney came running into the house, and as she +came through the hall called, "Dexie, Dexie, where are you?" + +Aunt Jennie opened the door, saying: "She is up in her room, Elsie; run +right up." + +Dexie heard the call, and, hastily rising, poured some cold water into the +basin, and began to bathe her face. Her head was bent over the basin when +Elsie entered the room. + +"Oh, here you are! What on earth are you poking up here for at this time of +day?" was the matter-of-fact greeting. "You are to hurry up and come into +our house and stay to dinner. Mother said you are allowed, so you needn't +stop to ask permission; and, just think, the box that grandma sent from +England has arrived, and it is full of all kinds of finery. You know we +always have a box sent us at Christmas time, but this one was delayed +somehow," and she looked curiously at the flushed face that was buried in +the brimming hands. "There is always something for everyone of us in the +box; but do hurry, Dexie, your face isn't so dirty that it needs soaking, I +hope." + +"Well, hardly," was the reply, thankful enough to be given so much time to +recover her composure; "but I may as well tell you before you find it out +yourself that I have had a bad attack of the pouts, and the effect is not +so easy to get rid of. Now, you needn't ask what's up, for I don't intend +to tell you." + +"Pshaw! who cares about your pouts? Not I, anyway," was the reply, in a +high and mighty tone. "Come along, if you're coming, and if you're not, +then stay home. I can't wait, for I want to see what is in the box for me." + +This unceremonious manner of treatment made Dexie come down somewhat from +the pedestal of injured greatness, and she forced herself to talk to Elsie +to keep her waiting, while she made a fresh toilet. + +"Now, do I look a fright?" Dexie asked, as she prepared to follow Elsie +downstairs. + +"Well, I can't say that you look much worse than usual, but you certainly +don't look any better. Your nose looks swelled. Shouldn't wonder if you had +it tweaked; but, then, what odds how it looks? Hurry up, and come along. We +have apple dumplings for dinner to-day. Do you like milk or sauce on them +best?" + +Dexie did not answer; something of more consequence than dumplings was +troubling her just then, and as she followed Elsie into the front hall, she +was tenderly feeling her nose and mentally comparing it with its usual +proportions, inwardly calling herself all sorts of hard names for being so +silly. + +"But I won't whistle to-night, so there!" she kept saying to herself, as if +she needed to keep her determination constantly before herself in order to +back it up. + +Elsie rushed up the stairs at once, eager to enjoy the delights that an +English box always contained; but for once Dexie's interest was centred in +herself. Her nose could not be forgotten; in fact, she was trying to reduce +its proportions by pressing it between her thumb and finger. She wondered +if the rest of the family would notice it and make remarks thereon. Lancy +would be sure to know at once that something was wrong; but she would keep +out of sight, for she would _not_ whistle; no, indeed. + +"Oh, Dexie, how you do poke along!" Elsie remarked from the top of the +stairs. "I declare, you are enough to try the patience of a Job. Come +along, or I'll rush into the room first, manners or no manners; then mother +will be displeased." + +Dexie was up the few remaining steps before Elsie had finished speaking. +She was just as anxious to see the English presents as if half of them were +meant for herself. Her swelled nose was instantly forgotten, and she passed +through the door that Elsie held open for her, and was soon bending over +the treasures with the rest. The room was soon in confusion, as dress +patterns, laces, ribbons, gloves and fans, and trinkets in endless variety +were strewn over bed, table and chairs. The swelled nose could not hide the +beautiful things laid out for her admiring eyes, and she watched with +smiling face as Elsie adorned herself with finery without regard to number +or suitability. + +"Oh, what a fine Indian brave am I!" sang Elsie as she danced before the +mirror, her arms adorned with three sets of bracelets, and her neck +encircled with ribbons and lace, while several lockets and charms attached +to velvet bands added to her glory. "Now, with a few of those ostrich tips +in my hair, I shall be ready to start for the Governor's ball," she added, +dancing around the room, sending the ribbons and laces gaily fluttering +behind her. + +"You'll bawl at home, my lady, if you spoil anything with your capers," +said Cora. "Take off those things at once, Elsie; some of them are mine, I +know. Oh! here is a note, mother. The coral set belongs to Elsie, and is +presented by her godmother, and this bangled set is mine. Do you think they +would be too showy to wear to-night, mother?" + +"Oh! what is this beautiful thing?" Dexie exclaimed, as she lifted a +handsome lace bertha. "My! isn't it lovely? How do I look in borrowed +feathers--or laces, to be more exact?" + +"Oh, fine!" Elsie replied. "I wonder who it was sent to--not me, I hope; it +would make me look like a fright, while it makes you look like a fairy," +and Elsie turned to examine another parcel. + +But Cora had decided in her own mind who it was that should be the first to +wear the pretty lace affair, for as she looked at Dexie with the fluffy +thing around her neck and throat, she seemed to suggest the very character +she was to fill in the evening, and, as she removed it and laid it gently +aside, Cora whispered to her mother: + +"It will suit her nicely, don't you think? What else would do to go with +it?" + +"Those ribbons and gloves match it perfectly; they were meant to go +together, I expect, for an evening costume. Just see what she takes a fancy +to, and lay it aside; then use your own judgment." + +A little scream of delight from Elsie betokened another pleasant discovery. + +"Gloves! boxes of gloves, and handkerchiefs by the set, and all hemmed, +too! Oh! and marked; see, these are my initials. Blessings on the +thoughtful person who sent me those, for my handkerchiefs disappear as +mysteriously as ghosts. Now, if I only unearth a box of shoe-laces, I'll +think my cup of joy quite full." + +"Shoe-laces! and they so cheap!" Dexie exclaimed in surprise. + +"But I have to buy mine with my pocket-money. I break so many of the +tiresome things, that mother thinks it will make me more careful if I have +to replace them myself. But they are always in knots, and when I have to +keep them neat and tidy at my own expense it leaves me little enough for +chocolate creams. Dear me! I think they might have sent me a few dozen, so +that I might get a chance to have one good 'tuck in' for once, as the +street arabs say." + +"Why, Elsie, I am surprised at you," was the mother's mild rebuke. "Surely +you can feel grateful, without requiring shoe-laces to 'fill up your cup +with joy,'" and there was a faint smile around the mouth that reproved in +such quiet tones. + +"Ah! I know what ails me, mother dear. 'From all selfishness, envy, +uncharitableness,--and all the rest of it, good Lord, deliver me.' I'll say +it next Sunday with a different meaning to it, particularly if I get the +shoe-laces." + +"Why, Elsie Gurney! how dare you speak those words so flippantly!" said +Cora severely, looking at her sister in surprise and displeasure. + +"I wasn't _thinking_ flippantly, if I did speak so. I wasn't, truly, +mamma," said Elsie, in a contrite tone. "I never thought I was selfish +and--and all the other things when I said it over in church, but I do +believe I am--some--anyway. After this I will say 'deliver me' instead of +'us.'" + +"Hasty speeches often lead to thoughtful acts. I will be very glad if the +missing shoe-laces make my daughter a little more thoughtful about things +of greater moment. Do not look so shocked, Cora; it did not _sound_ well, I +know, but she did not mean it irreverently, I'm sure. I remember when I was +a child at home we all had to learn the fifty-first Psalm as a Lenten +lesson, and once my little brother came through the rooms, singing it to +the most rollicking tune that was ever danced by; but the very contrast +between words and tune made the words sink into my heart as nothing else +could have done, for I did not learn very readily. Of course, dear, I do +not approve of it; but children are children, and the longer they remain so +the better, I think," and with a little sigh Mrs. Gurney left the room, +laying her hand lovingly on Elsie's head as she passed her. + +More than an hour passed before the contents of the box had been examined, +then with Dexie's assistance the wrappings which covered the floor were +picked up, tables were tidied, and the room put in order. + +Mrs. Gurney drew Lancy aside as soon as he entered the house, to explain +the difficulty about Dexie. + +"What! Not whistle or go near us!" he cried. "Why, she'll have to! +Everybody is talking about the concert, and inquiring about our 'warbler.' +Those handbills were the greatest success. Not whistle, indeed, when the +crowd will be there on purpose to hear her. Why, mother, she is the chief +attraction! Where is she? I'll show her very soon that she _can't_ back +out. They would mob us if she failed to appear. Why, I couldn't go either +if she did not." + +"Softly, softly, my son," laying her hand on his arm. "Wait a moment till I +explain further. Dexie is not one to be forced into doing a thing she does +not like, and if you talk to her in that strain you will only strengthen +her determination to stay at home. She must be treated differently if we +would gain her full consent, and nothing short of that will do. I have +watched her face, and I know that unless quiet measures are used she will +resist to the last. My boy, I am quite as anxious as you are about it, so +do not look so wild. Listen to my plan." + +Lancy's excitement cooled down as he listened to his mother's advice, and +he promised to do his part if sufficient self-control were granted him. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + +When they met around the dinner-table Lancy was strangely silent, though +his eyes shone with suppressed feeling, and Dexie began to hope that the +subject of the concert would not be broached; but her hopes were rudely +shattered as Mr. Gurney turned his smiling face and said: + +"So you have honored us with your company to-day, Miss Dexie. Are you +aware, wife, that our young neighbor has found a place in the hearts of the +public, though her identity is hidden as yet under the sweet sounding title +of 'American Warbler?' Every one is asking, 'Who is it?'" + +Some commonplace remark from Mrs. Gurney, followed by a warning look, +caused the subject to be suddenly changed, and in the conversation that +followed, the angry flush faded from Dexie's cheeks, the firm shut mouth +relaxed; but the workings of her mind were not quite hidden from the +motherly eyes that watched her so closely. + +Dexie was fully determined not to go to the concert, yet she would not have +cared to confess it to those around her, knowing how shocked they would be +at such a resolution. Somehow the matter looked different while she was +among them as one of the family. She was sure that the high sense of honor +that prevailed among the Gurneys would be sufficient to make any of them +fulfil a promise once made, even at a great sacrifice to themselves. + +But she would not. No! not if they despised her for it! She would not put +up with that impudent advertisement, and she laid down her knife and fork +quite suddenly, and clasped her hands in her lap in that close grasp that +always told when her feelings were stirred. + +Mrs. Gurney watched the expressive face, and returned Lancy's look with one +of sympathy. + +"Lancy is going to drive to the Four-Mile House this afternoon, Dexie," +said Mrs. Gurney. "Would you like to go with him?" + +"Oh, yes, indeed," was the quick reply, delighted to escape further +questioning. + +"Then he will have the sleigh ready as soon as you are. Be sure and wrap +up your mouth and throat. It never do to catch cold, you know." + +Dexie lifted her eyes for one brief moment to the smiling face of the +little mother. The reference to her throat brought back the troublesome +resolution that would not stay resolved, try as she would. She longed to +throw herself at her feet and confess the whole hateful story, but she +dared not. That resolution would fall to pieces like a house of cards, if +once the story were told to Mrs. Gurney. But she hated herself for the +deceit she was practising. How would it end? + +As Lancy drove round to the front door Cora ran out and whispered: + +"Don't speak hastily to her, Lancy. Remember how much depends on the way +you put it. But be sure and get her full consent." + +"What time am I to bring her home?" + +"As early as possible; if she has not consented by four o'clock, bring her +home to mother. You know we have to dress and have tea." + +"And what about Dexie's fine feathers?" + +"Only get her consent to go, and we will make a perfect fairy of her. +Grandma's box just came in time." + +Just then Dexie appeared, and was quickly tucked under the robes. + +"Wish us good luck, or fling a slipper, do, Cora, for we are going to +elope!" Dexie laughingly exclaimed. + +"Good luck, then, and with all my heart I wish it; but slippers are costly, +and mine are new," was the laughing reply. + +"What happy fortune takes you out of town this afternoon, Lancy?" said +Dexie, a few minutes later. "Make it forty miles, instead of four, if you +wish to earn my everlasting gratitude." + +"Any other day, Dexie, I would feel like taking you at your word," and a +look full of meaning flashed from his eyes, which she understood. + +By and by they passed a fence that was covered with posters, and in the +most conspicuous place Dexie saw the obnoxious handbills with their great, +staring letters. + +"Did you see that?" and Dexie flushed angrily, as she pointed at the +announcement. + +"Why, yes! and everybody is coming to the hall to hear you to-night." + +"Are they, indeed!" drawing her head back stiffly. "Then they might save +themselves the trouble, for they won't hear me." + +"Dexie, you are not in earnest!" and Lancy tried to repress the hot words +that rose to his lips. "You surely would not refuse to whistle after giving +your word, and the posters all over the city?" + +"Why was I not consulted about the announcement, if I am of so much +importance? Who was it that dared to use my name in such a manner? If you +know, you can go and tell them that I resent the insult, and will not +appear before an audience under such a nickname!" + +"Some people would think the title very complimentary, Dexie." + +"Those who do can earn the title and enjoy the compliment, then, for it +won't be me," was the firm and angry reply. + +"Dexie, I can't think you mean all your words imply. If you knew how highly +Mr. Ross speaks of your whistling, you would know that he would be the last +one to offend you. Indeed, he is so assured that your performance will be +the chief part of the concert that he gave it the special mention that has +offended you, and he has gone to the expense of fitting up the hall away +beyond anything ever seen in Halifax. He is so lifted up you would think he +was walking on air." + +"He will find solid ground under his feet about eight o'clock this evening, +I fancy! for he will find that his 'warbler' has flown to parts unknown." + +"Is it possible, Dexie, that you have it in your heart to so disappoint the +members of the club, and the public as well? As for the name he has given +you, what matters it? I have been called 'The Dandy' for years, but I have +as much respect from my friends as if the term were complimentary. Dexie, I +can't think you intend to go back on your word." + +"Dexie felt the reproach, but would not relent. + +"Mr. Ross had no right to announce my part of the performance at all; it +was only as a favor I consented to whistle. If I am his 'drawing-card,' it +was only fair to consult me about publishing the fact. I feel positive +that, after such an announcement, I will be hissed off the stage before I +utter a dozen notes. Who ever heard of a girl whistling in public before? +It is considered vulgar enough if she is caught at it in private! I cannot +face them, Lancy; I truly cannot." + +"If it is your reception you are afraid of, Dexie, then set your mind at +rest. Even the rougher element would as soon think of hissing a canary." + +"But you forget, Lancy, that to be the first to appear in a part so unusual +is of itself a risky thing. Had it not been announced I would not mind it +so much, as it would be unexpected by the audience, and the very audacity +of it would have won to my side the rougher element. As it is, the audience +will expect something beyond my power to give them." + +"Looking at it in that way, I admit that the announcement was a mistake, +Dexie, since it has made you apprehensive of your power to charm; but no +one else doubts it, dear, and I feel sure that my Dexie will not put her +friends in the embarrassing position that would arise if she purposely +stayed away from the concert to-night. I grant that the announcement was a +mistake, as you look at it, and that it was very thoughtless of those who +got it up to send it to press without submitting it to your inspection; but +having done so, and sold hundreds of tickets on the strength of the +announcement, common honesty should make you fulfil your part. If your +absence only affected the members of the club, it would not matter so much, +but hundreds of outsiders would blame the club for obtaining money under +false pretences; so you see, Dexie, you really cannot stay home. Do be +reasonable, darling." + +A deep blush tinged Dexie's cheeks, brought there by something else than +the frosty air, and for a few minutes there was silence between them. + +Meanwhile, Mr. Sherwood had started out for a walk in order to quiet the +anxiety that filled his mind, and meeting Mr. Ross down by the Grand Parade +he astonished the man by telling him of Dexie's determination. + +"But, Mr. Sherwood, she _must_ come," he cried aghast. "Her performance has +been announced and is the talk of the city." + +"Can't help it, Mr. Ross. I am extremely sorry, but it was that very +announcement that has caused the trouble. She says you have insulted her, +and she has cried and scolded ever since she set eyes on it." + +"Yet I expected the reverse. What's to be done?" + +The question was as helpless as the man's face was hopeless. + +"Well, I can't say. I can use my authority and insist on her going to the +hall, but you know the old saying, 'You can drive a horse to water, but you +can't make him drink.' It was only this morning that she came across a +handbill, and she flew home in such a temper that it put the whole house in +an uproar. I can truly say it has quite upset me, for I was anxious to have +her do her best to-night." + +"But if I go and apologize, and assure her of my unwillingness to cause her +a moment's annoyance, surely I might make amends for my unintentional +mistake. I will do anything, everything, Mr. Sherwood, that you can +suggest." + +"Believe me, Mr. Ross, everything possible has been already done to make +her see that you had no intention of 'insulting' her, and we have had to +pass her over to our next-door neighbors. If they fail, you can try your +persuasive powers. She is out driving with young Gurney just now, and we +are simply living on our hopes." + +"I trust he will succeed. I would hardly dare to face the people to-night +without her. Come and see how well the hall looks while we await her +return; then I must see her and explain." + +"Better not, Mr. Ross, unless you have some other excuse for calling. If +young Gurney gets her to change her mind, you had better make your peace +with her after the concert is over, instead of risking it beforehand." + +"Very true; but I might call with a bouquet for both of your daughters, and +I need not refer to the matter if her consent has been already secured." + +"Such an errand would seem natural and should do much towards earning +forgiveness," was the smiling reply. + +A revolution was going on in Dexie's mind as the sleigh flew over the level +road, and Lancy watched the varying expressions, for he had learned to read +her face like an open book. Checking the speed of his horse, he turned to +her and asked if she felt the least cold. + +"Not at all, Lancy; the air is just frosty enough to make it enjoyable." + +"The roads are somewhat better than they were last winter when I took you +out in the storm. Will you ever forget it, Dexie?" + +"I am never allowed to, it seems; but I wish I could drop that twenty-four +hours out of my memory,"--annoyed that Lancy referred to the time that was +associated with his declaration of love. "I wish you would forget that +unfortunate drive and all connected with it. It is no pleasure to remember +how near we came to freezing to death," she added. + +"Well, Dexie, if you will only look at that side of it, why not repay me +for the trouble I took for you that night, and do me a favor in return?" + +"If any favor I can do will forever relieve me of any obligation I may be +under, you have only to name it," said she coolly, "providing the favor is +within reason, though." + +"No, I'll not ask it, nor put it that way; not for all the concerts that +will ever be held!" he hotly answered. "But, Dexie," and his voice grew +tender again, "if the same motive would move you to grant me this favor +that impelled me to save you that night, you would make me very happy." + +"And this favor, Lancy?" + +"Remove the anxiety you have caused us all, and overlook what has vexed +you, and come with me to the concert. You know I can't go without you, and +our absence will spoil it. My wilful Dexie, don't you think you were rather +hasty in your judgment this morning?" + +"My judgment don't amount to much when once my temper is up, as you know +very well, Lancy; but I'll acknowledge that I do feel rather ashamed of +myself, for making such a fuss, though I still think it was a shabby trick +to advertise me that way." + +"So it was, Dexie; but will you make one shabby trick the excuse for a +second? You will take back your refusal, my Dexie?" + +"Well, Lancy, perhaps I would, if it were not too late; but it is too late +to repent now, for my dress isn't ready, and there are endless other +matters to see to that would have kept me busy the whole day, so my +repentance will do no good. In fact I haven't the faintest idea what I did +with the purchases I made this morning, unless I flung them into the street +as I rushed along. What a fright I must have looked! But I don't believe I +met a soul that knew me; that's one comfort, anyway." + +"Then you would whistle to-night if only your dress were ready?" + +"Well, I hate awfully to say it, Lancy, but I do believe I would, for I did +not think that my absence would spoil your part of the performance when I +spoke so decidedly." + +"Then we will consider the matter settled, for your dress will be ready +when it is time to put it on," and a look of relief spread over his face. +"Mother said she would see about it if you would only go." + +"Oh, dear! Does your mother know how silly I have been? Who could have told +her?" + +"Never mind, Dexie. She knows you won't come back as naughty as you went +out. She felt sure of that." + +"Lancelot Gurney! Did you take me out on purpose--on purpose to make me +change my mind? Well, well! how eagerly I ran into the trap that was set to +catch me," and a smothered laugh rang out on the frosty air. + +"All's well that ends well, you know. Your father was in despair when your +Aunt Jennie could not manage you, so he turned you over to us. Since I have +proved myself so capable, that ought to speak well for me in the future, +eh, Dexie?" and he smiled mischievously into her eyes. "But I'm not quite +sure of you yet, Dexie. Give me your word that you will whistle +to-night--honor bright, mind." + +"Yes, _honor bright_, Lancy. I'll whistle, or try to, if they don't hiss me +when I begin. Now, turn back, and let us get home as quickly as possible; +there will be a lot of humble pie waiting for me. I may as well eat it and +have it done with. I feel worse to meet your mother than all the rest." + +"You forget that I have an errand at the Four-Mile House. That will give us +a chance to get warmed, and then for a wild drive home." + +When they arrived at the hotel they were glad to find the parlor vacant, +for they could monopolize the fire that burned so brightly in the grate, +besides enjoying the liberty of free speech. + +"You may as well lay aside your wraps, Dexie, as we will not start for home +for half an hour," said Lancy, as he returned from an interview with the +landlord. + +When the sleigh was again brought to the door, there was a triumphant look +in Lancy's face that contrasted well with the rosy cheeks of his companion. + +"We will have the wind in our faces going home, Dexie, so be sure and wrap +up your mouth and throat. It will never do to spoil your whistle after all. +I tell you what, Dexie," he added, as he helped her adjust the fleecy +scarf, "I feel myself quite a diplomatist, and I shall claim remuneration +for this afternoon's work. Do you know what will square the bill?" + +"Possibly I may guess your terms, sir, but I shall claim the usual three +months' credit," and a saucy face was lifted to his. + +"Not three hours shall I wait," he laughingly replied, as he followed the +figure that passed so swiftly from his arms. "I have a good notion to claim +'cash on delivery,'" helping her into the sleigh. + +"I fancy you would not find it easy to enforce your claim, sir." + +"Don't be too sure of that, my Dexie. I have had too hard an afternoon's +work to do it for nothing, and 'kiss number two' would settle the account." + +There was no chance for further conversation, for Lancy needed to give his +attention to the spirited animal before him. It was generally a "wild +drive" when Bob wore the harness, unless he were kept well in check, and to +those who hastily took the side of the road as the sleigh flew by, it did +indeed look like a "wild drive," for the pace never slacked until the house +was reached. + +There were many anxious eyes on the lookout for their arrival, as Dexie +noted with shame, but she determined to face the matter boldly, and if +possible make some amends for the trouble and anxiety she had caused. + +The front door of both houses opened simultaneously as the sleigh drove up, +Mr. Sherwood appearing at one and Cora at the other, and a hundred +questions could not have asked more than the one word which fell from the +lips of both-- + +"Well?" + +Dexie sprang out on the sidewalk, and with a wave of her hand in Lancy's +direction, answered the question in dramatic tones: + +"See! the conquering hero comes!" + +That was enough; they all understood her, and Elsie, who was standing on +the doorstep, flew into the house where the busy needles were flying, +shouting as she ran: + +"Yes! she is going! Lancy has managed her! She is all right again!" + +"There, save that little comedy till by and by, and come in here," said Mr. +Sherwood, smiling, in spite of himself at the way Dexie had announced her +surrender. + +"Come into our house as soon as you can, Dexie," Cora called after her +retreating figure. "We want you for something." + +What a feeling of relief her arrival caused! They had scarcely realized how +great was the tension until their anxiety was removed. But all seemed to +breathe more freely, and the preparations for the concert went briskly on. + +Dexie threw off her wraps in the hall, and followed her father into the +sitting-room, where Aunt Jennie sat waiting. + +"You are back, my dear," was the aunt's quiet greeting. + +"Yes, auntie, and ready to eat all the humble pie you have prepared for +me." + +"I have prepared none, my dear, but I am pleased to see that you are ready +and willing to eat some. Your father has passed a miserable time waiting +for your appearance." + +"Poor papa!" and Dexie threw her arms around his neck. "How horrid I have +been, to be sure. Now, lay on the stripes easy, and I'll promise not to do +so any more," and she playfully held out her hand. + +"You had better not, you little tyrant," drawing her to him. "I believe my +hair has turned grey with the anxiety you have caused me." + +"Oh, so it has! here is one hair quite grey; yes, actually two of them! +I'll show you," and a couple of hairs were withdrawn with a jerk. + +"Stop! you torment," catching her by both arms. "Isn't it enough that my +hair has turned grey? Must you make me bald as well? I thought Lancy was +going to sober you down before he brought you back. I'll have to call him +in to finish his job." + +"No, I'm going to be good, I really am; so say you are not cross with me +any more, then I must run off and see about my dress." + +"Well, I'll forgive you this time; but if you cut up any more such capers, +I'll hand you over to young Gurney for good." + +"But I won't be handed over, you dear old papa," giving him a squeeze that +almost choked him. "I will not exchange my papa for the best-looking young +gentleman you can find in the city. But, papa! do persuade Gussie to leave +my shortcomings alone, for the next few hours at least," she added, in a +low tone. + +"I will see that she does not annoy you. Now, don't you think you had +better go and practise awhile?" + +"Couldn't think of it, papa mine!" Then, taking her father's face between +her two hands, she looked earnestly into his eyes, saying: "Do you think +there is the _least_ danger of me breaking down to-night? Do you? Confess +the truth, sir!" she laughingly demanded. + +"Well, no; I don't think there is." + +"Neither do I. Trust your naughty tomboy; she is going to 'eclipse all her +former efforts and cover herself with glory.' But, wait you till I see Mr. +Ross," and she shook her head. "I will forgive him for _this_ night only, +and then--well, never mind! How is mamma? Is she very angry with me?" she +added, presently. + +"Not so much as might be expected. You must let her see you when you are +dressed." + +"Oh! Aunt Jennie, _did_ you see anything of a stray parcel, with some lace +and other things inside of it? or have I really tossed it into the street?" + +"It is in at Mrs. Gurney's with the rest of your apparel for to-night. I +have just finished Gussie's suit, and she is all ready to dress. Gloves and +all are waiting upstairs." + +"Oh, dear! what shall I do, auntie? I completely forgot the gloves. That +abominable handbill turned my brain, I do believe; and I thought I was +learning to control my temper! Oh, dear!" + +"Don't fret, my dear! The best of us are put out sometimes. But everything +has been prepared for you in at Mrs. Gurney's; for Lancy's success rests on +your appearance, and they were all anxious on his account as well as your +own." + +"Well, I suppose I must go in next door and apologize; but I would rather +get a switching than see Mrs. Gurney." + +Dexie's appearance was heralded by a number of little voices, as she made +her way to the sewing-room with heightened color and eyes bright with +unshed tears. + +"I beg pardon of each one of you, separately and collectively," Dexie +began. "I never dreamed that my fit of temper was going to affect both +households. You are more than kind, and I have no words to thank you." + +"Well, don't do it, then," said Elsie; "save your breath, and run upstairs +and see your dress, instead. Come, let me show you the finery." + +"Where is your mother? I must see her a moment. How does my nose look now, +Elsie?" she added, as they went through the hall. + +"It looks as if it ought to be tweaked again, you bad girl! But oh, Dexie! +your dress is lovely." + +And so thought Dexie herself as she stood by the bed whereon it lay, and +she bitterly reproached herself for the anxiety her waywardness had caused. + +Tears were in her eyes as Mrs. Gurney came quietly into the room. + +"Dear Mrs. Gurney--" She could say no more, but the eloquent eyes told the +story quite as well as if it had been spoken by the quivering lips. + +"There, my dear! There! never mind. It was only a mistake, and we all make +mistakes sometimes; so don't fret any more. See how nicely we have managed. +Do you like it, my dear?" + +"So very much that I feel I shall never be able to repay you for the +trouble"--her eyes still full of tears. + +"Oh, yes, you will, I expect payment this very night," and the firm, cool +hand was laid lovingly across Dexie's shoulder. "When I hear that you have +overlooked the cause of the trouble, and have sung and whistled your very +best, and to Lancy's satisfaction--when I have heard this, I will consider +the debt well paid," and she bent over and kissed the wet cheeks. "You had +better try on the gloves, dear; then see if we have forgotten any one +thing." + +The face was soon wreathed in smiles. The many things made ready for her +use by her dear friends made her realize how much they cared for her, and +her girlish heart beat fast as she thought of the triumph she was +determined to win, if only to please them. + +"We are going to have an early tea, and then we will begin to dress," said +Cora, making her appearance in the room. "You must put yourself into my +hands to-night, Dexie, so be passive and obedient. We have all set our +hearts on your success, Dexie, dear." + +"And I will not disappoint you, I promise. I would be a monster of iniquity +if I did not do my best, after making so much extra trouble for everybody +to-day." + +"Ask Gussie to come in with you for tea, Dexie," said Mrs. Gurney, "and if +she will bring in her dress, one can help the other get ready." + +"Oh, that will be splendid! But I don't want any tea; we had a nice lunch +at the Four-Mile House, and I won't eat anything more till after the +concert. So you can leave my share till then," she said with a smile. +"What new whim possesses you now, Dexie?" asked Elsie. + +"It is not a whim. I am going to put forth my best efforts to-night, and I +can whistle better if I do not eat." + +"What nonsense! did you ever try it?" + +"Not purposely, but I know I can." + +"That is right, Dexie; use every means to enable you to appear at your +best." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + + +Mr. Ross had lingered near the house ever since he had parted from Mr. +Sherwood, so anxious was he to hear the decision of his erratic "warbler," +and he was much relieved when he saw the sleigh drive up to the door at a +much earlier hour than he had dared to hope. + +Feeling quite sure that she had reversed her hasty decision, he turned his +steps to the nearest conservatory, from which he emerged later on bearing a +box which contained what he hoped would prove his "peace-offering." + +He was received by Mr. Sherwood, who had observed his approach from the +window, and his smiling face told the story before there was time to +exchange words thereon. + +"Can I see her?" asked Mr. Ross, as he heard of Lancy's success. + +"Well, I'm afraid not; she is engaged, I believe. I suppose you wish to +hear her rehearse?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I'm afraid you will have to be content with the promise that she +gave to me, that 'she would do her best.' Depend on it, she will not +disappoint any of us to-night. I'll answer for that." + +"But I should like so much to see her. I would like to apologize for my +unintentional mistake. Will you take this bouquet to her with my +compliments, and ask if I may see her for a few moments?" + +"She is in Mrs. Gurney's at present," said Mr. Sherwood, "but if you will +wait here I will step in and see her; but I do not think it will be wise to +insist on an interview. My daughter has a temper of her own, and that +announcement has provoked her in a way I never saw equalled, so unless she +seems perfectly willing to see you, she should be let alone, until after +the concert any way." + +Mr. Sherwood was soon in the next hall inquiring for his daughter, and she +came down the stairs behind Mrs. Gurney, who also stopped to speak to her +next-door neighbor. + +"Dexie," said Mr. Sherwood, "Mr. Ross sends his compliments with this +bouquet, and wishes to know if you will see him and allow him to explain, +or apologize, whichever you choose to call it," and he handed her the +fragrant flowers. + +Instantly they were flung to the end of the hall, and an angry flush rose +in her cheeks as she exclaimed, hotly: + +"Tell Mr. Ross that I--" + +"Dexie, my dear, your promise," came the quiet words from Mrs. Gurney. + +"Oh! do forgive me, this once more, Mrs. Gurney," and Dexie rushed after +the ill-used flowers; then, in a changed voice, gave the message: + +"Tell Mr. Ross that I appreciate his compliments--oh! highly," and she made +a grimace, "also his flowers. They smell nice--what is left of them; but +I--oh, papa!--I can't see him. Must I go and hear him talk when the very +thought of him makes me angry? Make him go away and leave me. I have +promised to do the best I can to-night. What more can he ask?" + +"You need not see him unless you choose; I will take him your excuses," and +he left the house, and returned to Mr. Ross. + +"I have brought her excuses in place of herself, and you must rest content +with that, Mr. Ross. I think it will not be best to risk the chance of a +second refusal, and but for Mrs. Gurney's interference I would have had to +bring it, I fear. Let it pass till some other time and take no notice of +any coolness she may show to-night, for that public announcement has cut +her deeply." + +"I am grieved to hear it, Mr. Sherwood; I will endeavor to atone for it at +some future time," and with a few parting words he left the house. Very +pretty was the picture that the young girls made, as they fluttered about +the rooms helping each other to put the finishing touches to their toilets. +Gussie's pink and white complexion looked lovelier than ever when set off +with a suit in which pale blue and white lace formed the chief parts. Dexie +seemed like a gleam of summer sunshine as she fluttered here and there; her +pretty suit had been draped with some gauzy material, that glistened and +sparkled as the light fell through its folds. The long sleeves had been +replaced by short lace ones, trimmed to match the pretty lace bertha, and +the long handsome gloves quite completed her costume. + +"There, I believe we are all ready at last," said Dexie, as she picked up +her neglected flowers. "Let me fasten this cluster of rosebuds in your +belt, Cora, as the finishing touch; then I will make a _boutonniere_ for +Lancy's coat." + +"Why, Dexie, you are spoiling your bouquet!" and Cora seized her hand. "I +cannot rob you of your flowers." + +"But you will take them as a gift, Cora, since they are so beautiful. It +would be a pity not to use them. I do not intend to carry them, for I want +no flowers from Mr. Ross." + +"But perhaps Mr. Ross will not be pleased if you give your flowers away," +said Gussie, holding her own bouquet daintily to her nose. + +"I fancy that his pleasure or displeasure will not affect me," and an angry +gleam brightened her eyes. "I merely accepted them as a peace-offering +which binds me for this night only. If the flowers help to make someone +else entrancing, they will fulfil their mission as well as if I carried +them." + +"Well, if we are all ready let us go down and show ourselves to our private +families before we try to charm the eyes and ears of the public," said +Cora. "Your parents are in the parlor, Dexie; go and make your best bow, +before you put on your wraps; Gussie, do likewise," and Cora gave a +sweeping look over their figures. "Why, Dexie!" she added, "are you not +going to wear any jewelry after all?" and she pointed to the case she had +opened for Dexie's selection. + +"Please, if you don't mind, I would rather not. I feel dressed enough." + +"So you are, Dexie," Lancy exclaimed, coming to the door at this moment. +"Flashing jewels could not improve you, for you look stunning already. But +the horses are waiting in the cold, while you girls are admiring +yourselves." + +With that they ran down the stairs, all except Dexie, who turned to the +dressing-table in search of a pin, and as they left the room Lancy came +hastily towards her. + +"Oh! is it you, Lancy? I have saved some flowers for you. Shall I pin them +on?" + +As she did so, Lancy slipped his arm around her, and his admiring eyes +confirmed the words that fell from his lips. "You are beautiful to-night, +Dexie. You need not fear any audience with those brilliant eyes and cherry +lips. You will win all hearts, as you have mine." + +Dexie lifted her eyes in surprise, and saw a lover's face very near her +own, and before she could retreat he had pressed her to his heart, and +kissed her on both cheeks. + +"For shame! look!" and she pointed to a mirror where their images were +reflected. "What would your mother say to such rudeness, sir?" + +"I think she would say, 'Dexie, give Lancy one kiss for his trouble this +afternoon.' Don't you think I deserve one, my Dexie?" + +But Dexie flew past him and downstairs to the parlor, where her parents and +Aunt Jennie were awaiting her. + +"How do you like my looks, mamma? Am I not pretty, for once?" she asked. + +"If you had behaved as well as you look I would see no cause for +complaint," said her mother coolly; "but a 'daw in borrowed feathers' is +never a pretty sight." + +"But, mamma, I am going to be just as good as I look, for this evening +anyway; and I am sure, if my eyesight does not deceive me and my friends do +not flatter, that I never looked better, so I'm content," and she left the +room to put on her outside garments. + +She meekly submitted to the extra wraps that Lancy insisted on placing +round her face, and she felt, as she stood beside him, that Lancy's +tenderness and love added not a little to her daily happiness, even though +she had not just the same regard for him as he professed to have for her. + +"I think I'll drive down with Hugh," she said teasingly, as they came down +the steps to the street, where both sleighs were waiting. + +"But I won't let you," said Lancy quickly. "You are mine for this evening. +I have earned that much, surely. I can't spare you to anyone else, my +Dexie," and he lifted her in beside himself. + +They drove quickly to the hall, and were soon in the dressing-room, among +the bevy of young ladies who were to take part in the concert. Gussie's +heart was pierced with envy as she noticed how much attention was bestowed +on her sister, and she heartily wished that Dexie had kept to her refusal +of the morning. + +Mr. Ross noticed that his peace-offering was not appreciated, and wisely +refrained from further remarks, giving the necessary directions in as few +words as possible. + +Very gay did the Temperance Hall look that evening, with its walls draped +with bunting and its stage decorated with palms and other ornamental +plants; and it never held a larger audience than now awaited the opening +chorus, while the applause that filled the house at its close seemed to +make the rafters ring. + +The first selections were admirably performed, and were fully enjoyed by +those present, but when that part of the programme was reached in which the +"American Warbler" made her first appearance, the enthusiasm reached its +height, and found vent in round after round of applause. + +Lancy made his appearance first, taking his seat at the piano. This +intimated that he was not the "Warbler," and the audience looked around in +doubt, as if asking each other what next to expect. + +A moment later Dexie appeared, and the sea of expectant faces made her +tremble. What if she should fail? + +The appearance of this bright young girl, bowing before them, caused a +moment's hush to fall upon the people. Was she the "warbler," and what was +the character of the performance that was rated so highly? After an +exquisitely rendered interlude, Dexie's clear whistle joined the +accompaniment, and seemed to hold the listeners spell-bound. At its close a +moment of silence followed, but when Lancy rose from the instrument the +applause began, and grew louder and more deafening, and Mr. Ross hurried to +Dexie's side as she left the stage. + +"You must come forward again, Miss Sherwood; that encore is not to be +resisted," as the thunderous applause grew in volume. + +She took Lancy's arm at last, and stepped forward and bowed her +acknowledgement. But that was not enough; nothing but a repetition would +satisfy the enthusiastic audience, and when Mr. Ross asked her to give "The +Mocking Bird" she felt obliged to consent. Mr. Ross had rightly judged a +Halifax audience when he said it would not be content with one performance, +and not till the strains from the piano rang through the building, followed +by the appearance of Dexie, did the uproar cease. + +Lancy played a long interlude to give Dexie time to compose herself, then +the first strains of the familiar song floated softly through the hall, and +very tender and touching did the words sound as they fell from Lancy's +lips, for genuine feeling was behind them. It was like a passage in a +love-story, and where is the person that does not enjoy the repetition of +some passages, even though they may, at the same time, pronounce them silly +and sentimental in the extreme? + +Dexie stood near the piano. Her soft, low whistle seemed to come from a +distance, then floated nearer and nearer, gaining strength and volume as +the song progressed; and when Lancy sang "Listen to the Mocking Bird," the +joyous, bewildering notes of the birds she was imitating seemed floating +directly overhead, then receded as the next verse was sung, returning +fuller and sweeter to accompany the chorus, each verse seeming to grow more +tender and beautiful, and, when it ended, the enraptured audience showed +their appreciation by applauding with all their strength. + +"No; I cannot go out again," Dexie said, as Mr. Ross urged her to appear +once more in answer to the call. "It is not fair to the rest, for there +are other things on the programme much nicer." + +"Just this once more," Lancy pleaded, his eyes shining with satisfaction. + +"Come on to the stage, at least, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross, "or they +will have the house down over our ears. May I announce that you will +whistle again at the conclusion of the programme?" and Dexie had to +consent. Mr. Ross led her to the front of the stage, and the audience, +expecting another repetition, subsided into silence; but it was soon broken +when the announcement was made that they should have another selection +later on. + +Mr. Sherwood found his way to the dressing-rooms, and received Dexie with +open arms, while numbers gathered around to congratulate her on her +success. + +"I am proud of you, Dexie," her father said, as they stepped aside. "I was +down among the audience while you were whistling, and on every side I heard +words of warmest praise. Your fear of being hissed was a foolish fear, +after all. I am sure you are not sorry that you came here to-night." + +"No, papa; but I do hope that Mrs. Gurney will be pleased. I whistled for +her and Lancy to-night, and if they are satisfied, that is enough. But, +listen! That is Gussie's voice; that is the duet between her and Miss +Burns. Oh, I do hope they will applaud her heartily!" + +But no such feeling had dwelt in Gussie's heart when Dexie was before the +audience. If she had failed, had completely broken down or been hissed off +the stage, as Dexie herself feared, Gussie would have exulted in her +failure; yet if Gussie had faltered in the least, none would have felt it +so keenly as her twin sister Dexie. + +"Did you see Hugh among the audience?" Lancy whispered from behind her +chair. + +"Yes; how savage he looked! Such a scowl does not improve his handsome +face, if he only knew it. I never saw him look more fierce." + +"I expect that he did not like to see you leaning on my arm before them +all," he whispered. "He is fearfully jealous, Dexie, so do not flirt with +him any more when he goes in to see Gussie," he added, as he stroked his +growing moustache. + +"I am not likely to flirt with Hugh McNeil or anyone else," she said, with +some spirit; "but judging by the looks cast in this direction, I am under +suspicion already, so please leave me, Lancy." + +The several selections on the programme were performed to everyone's +satisfaction, but every time that Dexie appeared, either as a singer or +accompanist, she was received with such marked favor that it was plainly to +be seen who was the favorite. + +"Now, Miss Sherwood," said Mr. Ross, as the last piece ended and cries for +"the warbler" arose in the hall, "send them home so well pleased with our +entertainment that they will all be eager to attend our next." + +"There is to be no repetition this time, Mr. Ross," said Dexie, decidedly. +"Let Mr. Gurney play the National Anthem directly the piece is ended." + +"Very well. I will direct the members of the club to be ready to step +forward the moment your piece is finished, and we will dismiss them with +'God Save the Queen.'" + +As Lancy and Dexie made their appearance the clapping of hands arose again, +and, under cover of the noise, Dexie whispered a few words to Lancy, who +immediately secured another piano stool. Then they both sat down before the +instrument and waited for the signal to begin. + +A moment later and the outburst of melody that filled the hall seemed to +come from a multitude of song-birds, and the peculiar, bird-like whistle +never sounded sweeter or clearer as it rang out in answer to Lancy's more +powerful notes, their fingers meanwhile flying over the keys in delightful +harmony. Dexie forgot the hundreds of eager listeners. She seemed to have +partaken of the free, joyous nature of the birds she was so cleverly +imitating, and when the last notes had died away the applause that greeted +their ears seemed to shake the building. + +It was a decided relief when the notes from the piano overruled the uproar. +A moment later and the stage was peopled by the members of the club, the +notes of the National Anthem sounded through the hall, and the audience +below rose to their feet at this the closing signal. + +As the crowd passed out the door, Hugh McNeil made his way to the front; +and as he went at once to help Cora Gurney, and gave Gussie the assistance +she asked for, Dexie thought nothing of his sudden appearance amongst them +until he bent over her and hissed in her ear: + +"I could have killed the both of you as you stood there making love to each +other before them all, as if you belonged to him already! You shall be +mine, not his! I swear it! so take care how you trifle with me!" + +Dexie, terrified by his angry looks, hurried away, and Lancy, noticing her +white face, asked anxiously: + +"What has happened to you, Dexie? You are as white as a ghost." + +"Oh! that big Frenchman has frightened me. Didn't you see him talking to me +just now?" + +"Yes, but I supposed he was congratulating you on your success." + +"It is a pity you could not have heard his congratulations, Lancy. I fancy +you would not consider them complimentary," and they hurried homeward. + +Mrs. Gurney had arranged a little supper for those of the household who +attended the concert, and if anyone noticed Hugh's absence, no one dreamed +of the cause thereof. + +The skill that was required to keep out of Hugh's way during the weeks that +followed, might have raised Dexie to an eminent position if it could have +been turned into another channel. Such a sharp lookout lest Hugh might find +her alone, such a dodging through doors when his strategy had almost +succeeded in bringing her face to face--really it was a marvel how +skilfully she avoided him. Yet the fact that she did avoid him gave him a +false hope, and he thought if he could once lay his heart before her the +battle would be his. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + + +Winter changed into spring slowly yet surely, and the almanac declared that +summer was nigh long before people were prepared to accept the assurance. + +To Elsie Gurney the spring had been particularly trying, and her mother +began to feel anxious as day after day found her lying on a couch, listless +and weary. The doctor advised change of scene as the best means to recover +health and spirits, and Mrs. Gurney decided at last to accept the kind and +repeated invitation of a dear friend living in Charlottetown, and send +Elsie thither under Lancy's escort. Mrs. Gurney wrote to her friend +explaining Elsie's condition, and the kind letter that came in reply caused +preparations to be made at once for the visit. + +"My guest chambers are all vacant," wrote Mrs. Fremont, "and my girls are +delighted with the prospect of having someone new to the place to show +around and gossip with. But, with your houseful, surely you can spare more +than two of your family. Remember, I have not seen any of you since we came +to Charlottetown, so be generous. Launcelot must not think of returning for +some weeks, and he must come prepared to see a deal of service, for my +girls have already planned drives and picnics that he must lead to success, +for Huburt has not yet returned from abroad, and an elder brother is sadly +missed in these little pleasure-parties. Elsie shall have the best of care, +and I feel safe in promising that when she returns home all trace of her +illness will be dispelled." + +But Elsie shrank from this visit and begged to be allowed to stay at home. +She was naturally shy and reserved, and to go among new faces, and into +strange places, and be expected to take part in the pleasures that were +being prepared, oh! this was worse than being ill at home, for then her own +dear ones would be near her. + +But the visit, like the big doses of medicine that the doctor ordered, had +to be taken, whether she liked it or not, and the preparations went on, +though it grieved her mother to see how Elsie shrank from the visit. + +One day when Elsie was crying about her "banishment from home," Dexie +Sherwood came into the room, and learning the cause of Elsie's tears she +frankly stated her mind as follows: + +"Well, if you are not a baby, then I never saw one! The idea of you lying +there crying until your eyes are red and swollen because you are going off +on a fine cruise! I declare! if I thought I should be treated half so well, +I'd fall sick this very day, and you may be sure I would select some +complaint that required a change of scene to restore me," and, assuming an +expression of extreme woe, she added: + +"Your kind friend in Charlottetown didn't say that any sick neighbor might +join you, I suppose? for, ah me! I am beginning to feel awfully bad +already. Where, oh! where can I go to regain my shattered health?" + +Elsie's tears of grief changed to tears of laughter, and she replied, + +"Well, I suppose it does look silly for me to be fretting because I have to +go away, but I hate to go among strange people. If Cora could come with me +I would not mind it at all." + +"But Lancy is going with you," said Dexie, "so you cannot come to any great +harm. The people over there are quite civilized, I'm told, so they won't +likely eat you; not till you get a little more flesh on your bones, +anyway." + +Mrs. Gurney, who was in the room, lifted her eyes to Dexie's animated face, +and said in her gentle, motherly tone, + +"Dexie, my dear, why couldn't _you_ go with Elsie? I was stupid not to have +thought of it before." + +"For my health, do you mean, Mother Gurney? But I am afraid I have +recovered it already. I have made Elsie laugh, and the unusual sound has +cured me like a charm." + +"Well, not exactly for _your_ health, my dear, but for Elsie's," she +replied, as she looked into the laughing face before her. "When I think of +the double benefit your companionship would be to her, I wonder that the +thought did not occur to me before." + +"Oh! Mrs. Gurney, I feel so ashamed," and Dexie covered her hot cheeks for +a moment with her hands. "I never intended to suggest such a thing when I +made such a thoughtless remark. Oh! what can you think of me! Indeed I only +said it to make Elsie laugh." + +"There, there; of course I understood your bit of fun," and Mrs. Gurney +patted the blushing girl on her shoulder, "but when a suggestion made in +sport brings such a change in Elsie's looks, how much good would result if +the jest were turned to earnest." + +"But imagine me going to Mrs. Fremont's when she is not aware of my +existence! I couldn't pass myself off as Cora, for I am too unlike any of +the family. Indeed, I fear my wickedness would soon betray me," her +embarrassment giving place to a mischievous air. + +"If I write and introduce you, you can feel as sure of as hearty a welcome +as if you were one of my family. But we must not make plans till we consult +your parents," said Mrs. Gurney, turning to leave the room. + +"Oh! Dexie, if you only _would_ come with me, it would make all the +difference in the world," said Elsie. "A weight seems lifted off my heart +at the thought." + +"Yes, but look at all the nice dresses you are getting made. You would find +me a very shabby companion, for I never dare ask mamma for a new dress +unless Gussie is in need of one also; but now that papa is home I might +manage that difficulty, and I am quite sure of Aunt Jennie's help." + +Mrs. Gurney was soon discussing the matter with the parents next door, +making much of the great favor it would be to herself if they would spare +Dexie to accompany Elsie to Charlottetown. Consent was readily granted, +though Mrs. Sherwood could not refrain from expressing a fear that the +necessary preparations would be rather troublesome, as she did not feel +able to make any extra exertion herself. + +Mrs. Sherwood was quite an invalid, or at least she thought she was, which +amounted to about the same thing. Necessity did not compel her to bestir +herself very much, so she began to think she _could_ not, and she was +generally found lying on a sofa with a book as companion. + +Dexie's absence from home would be rather a pleasant relief than otherwise, +as she had an unpleasant way of finding unfinished work and laying it in a +work-basket by her mother's side for completion. Dexie's brisk ways and +ceaseless activity were extremely annoying, as it seemed a continual +reproach to Mrs. Sherwood, who preferred the easy, languid movements of her +twin sister. + +No one raised any objections to Mrs. Gurney's plans except Gussie, and her +objections were many and loudly expressed. + +It was shameful of Dexie to thrust herself into the Gurney family as she +was doing. Anyone could see that it was more on Lancy's account than +Elsie's that Dexie was so delighted to accompany them. Why didn't she go +and live with them at once? She might as well, seeing that so much of her +sewing was being prepared in Mrs. Gurney's sewing-room. + +This, and pages more, was reiterated daily, till Dexie would snatch up her +work and run to her aunt's room, and she was heartily glad when the time +came to leave Gussie and her unkind words behind her. + +Yet it was not only on Gussie's account that she felt so glad to be off, +for, when Hugh McNeil heard of her intended departure, he added his +persecutions also. At first, when he learned that Lancy was to accompany +Elsie, his heart beat high with hope. Dexie would be free from Lancy's +influence, and he hoped much from a few weeks of uninterrupted intercourse. +His passion for Dexie had grown as the weeks went by, and when the one +obstacle, Lancy, was removed, all would be well. His visits to the +Sherwoods were more frequent than ever, and he openly showed his preference +for Dexie's society. + +But Gussie had no other admirer just then, and she accepted the attentions +meant for her sister as if they were her own just due. This was so +exasperating to Hugh that, when Dexie turned away from him, he would take +his hat and leave abruptly. This strange behavior Gussie set down to +everything except the true cause, for she did not dream that Hugh's +affections had been transferred to her sister, for Dexie openly snubbed +him. + +But, when Hugh learned that Dexie was preparing to accompany the others, he +was almost beside himself with rage. He refused at first to believe it--the +idea was too preposterous! Well it was that the announcement was not made +to him before the assembled household, for his face revealed the fierce +conflict within, and he had quite as many objections to make as Gussie, +though they were not so openly and freely expressed. Chancing to meet Dexie +in the hall, after repeated efforts to catch her alone, his bitter +disappointment was so touchingly expressed that, for the first time, Dexie +felt a sort of pity for the man, though she could not understand the +intense feeling that seemed to possess him. + +"Promise me five minutes alone! only five minutes!" he begged, as Dexie +tried to pass him. "You will surely grant me that small favor before you +go! I must speak to you, Dexie, even if you refuse me a private interview." + +"I have no right to grant even 'five minutes' interview' to my sister's +lover," was the cool reply. "You can have nothing to say to me that might +not be said before the whole family." + +"Am I your sister's lover? You know better, Dexie! I have been blinded by +her pretty face, but my eyesight has returned to me. I want something more +than beauty in my future wife," and he tried to catch her hand. + +But Dexie was too quick for this movement, and she hotly replied: + +"And I hope you may get it! May she be blessed with a temper hot enough to +make even a Frenchman tire of dancing to the music of her tongue!" and with +this retort she flew past him, and the door slammed behind her. + +Hugh stood for a moment and gazed after her; then, turning on his heel, +pulled the ends of his long moustache into his mouth as he muttered to +himself: + +"Not so bad, my little girl! The hot temper is there fast enough, but it +won't make me dance, unless it will be for joy at getting the owner of it." + +This happened just the day before they started on their journey, and, +through the hours of that busy day, Dexie kept wondering what Hugh wished +to tell her. Should she see him and be done with it? No; for his earnest +looks and half-spoken words told all too plainly the nature of the +interview. Dexie never could explain, even to herself, why she disliked +Hugh so much; but his very presence seemed to raise up all the opposition +there was within her. To a stranger, he would have seemed more attractive +than Lancy Gurney. His figure had attained to manly proportions, and his +manner had a charm that was quite pleasing. His dark, handsome face and +brilliant black eyes seemed to tell of southern birth; and the heavy, +upward-curling moustache added much to his attractions. Dexie had looked +upon him with favorable eyes when she first came to Halifax. He had formed +a striking contrast to Gussie's fair beauty, but the memory of his handsome +face was far from pleasant as Dexie thought of the words he had spoken to +her in the hall. + +Yet Hugh succeeded after all, and the five minutes he asked for thrice +repeated themselves before Dexie could escape from his presence. + +The back of the house, or ell, which formed the kitchen, was a story less +in height than the main building, and its flat roof was often utilized by +both families as a drying-ground for small articles of clothing, and Dexie +had stepped out of the window that overlooked this roof to bring in some +forgotten articles that hung on the line. + +It had been very warm all day, and as Dexie stood a minute, enjoying the +cool breeze that blew in from the harbor, her figure was distinctly +outlined to observers from the rear of the house; but her presence might +have escaped notice, had she not been softly whistling some little song. + +Hugh had just returned from the depot, where he had taken the luggage which +was to accompany the young travellers in the morning, and his heart was +full of bitter feelings as he thought of his master's son filling the place +he coveted so dearly. + +As he passed into the yard, Dexie's soft whistle reached his ears. He was +too well acquainted with the sound not to recognize the source of it, and, +glancing up, he saw her there in the twilight, the breeze gently lifting +her wavy hair and fluttering the ribbons around her neck, as if +endeavoring to attract his attention. One glance was enough, and before +Dexie knew he had returned from the depot, she was startled by his +appearance beside her. + +She turned to enter the house, but Hugh had not gained this opportunity +merely to let it slip by, so he boldly stepped before her and shut the +window, and his exultant face was a strong contrast to the expression +depicted on Dexie's. + +They stood thus face to face for several moments, silently regarding each +other--Hugh flushed with triumph, his eyes glowing with a feeling of +victory; Dexie, her heart beating fast in her anger, white and defiant as +she regarded her audacious companion. + +It was Dexie who broke the silence. In a tone of the utmost contempt she +said, as she waved him aside: + +"Stand back out of my way and let me pass," and she moved towards the +window. + +"Not yet, Dexie, just hear me for a moment. I want to speak to you." + +"Not a word, sir, let me pass at once! How dare you keep me here against my +will!" + +His tone of entreaty changed to command. + +"Because it is my will that you shall hear me," and his face grew paler as +he spoke. "For once you shall listen to what I have to say. I can be silent +no longer." + +"Well, if you must unburden your mind, talk to the chimney there; it will +care quite as much for what you have to say as I. It is quite in keeping +with the estimate I had formed for you, to keep me here a prisoner on the +house-top. Stand aside at once and let me enter the house." + +"Dexie," he said more firmly, "I am not going to let you pass until I tell +you what I came here to say. Is it not enough that I am to lose the sight +of your bright face for such long, weary weeks, that I must be refused +these few moments--moments that I must perforce steal from you if I am to +get them at all? Do I need to tell you what a blank my life will be while +you are away; and not only a blank, but a fearful dream of blasted hopes +and weary longing? Oh, Dexie, take away some of the bitterness that your +absence will cause, by giving me, at least, the promise that you will not +forget me while you are away." + +"Not forget you, indeed!" she said in a rising voice. "I may forgive you +this insult, but you may be sure that I will do my best to forget you, just +as quickly as I can. I am not given to remembering unpleasant things." + +"Dexie, do not talk so bitterly; you do not mean it; say you do not, +Dexie?" he said, entreatingly. "You are vexed at being kept here against +your will; come, then, let us go inside and talk it over quietly," he +added, persuasively, and he reached for her hand. + +"But I _do_ mean every word of it," and she stepped back out of his reach, +"and if you do not wish to hear me express myself more plainly, I'd advise +you to open the window at once." + +"Hear me a moment, Dexie. I know you are prejudiced against me on account +of Gussie; but give me time to prove that I am in earnest when I say that +it is you that I love," and her hands were instantly imprisoned in his +strong clasp, "and I love you, Dexie, with the intense love that a strong +man feels for the one woman who is all the world to him, a love that is not +to be compared with the boyish feeling that Lancy Gurney has for you. Give +me some hope, Dexie, that sometime in the future, when you have rightly +considered the matter, you will look on me with a more kindly feeling in +your heart than you are willing to own to to-night." + +Dexie freed her hands by a great effort. His words had flowed like a +torrent from his lips, and she took a step back from him, as she replied, + +"Mr. McNeil, I will _never_ regard you in the light you are thinking of, so +all this talk is worse than folly." + +"Have I spoken too late?" he almost hissed. + +His eyes seemed to burn as he looked into her face. + +"Have you already promised yourself to Lancy? Tell me!" + +"I will not!" came the defiant answer. "You have no right to ask such a +question, and I will not answer it!" + +Her defiant air and scornful words angered him. He had buoyed himself up +with the hope that if he once declared his love she would be touched with +the declaration, and, if she did refuse him, would do it in a kindly way +that would bid him hope for better luck by and by; but to have his love +flung back in his teeth, as it were, was more than his passionate nature +could bear. + +"Oh! so you love him, do you, and spurn me. Tell me, is it so?" + +Again she stepped back from him as he was speaking, and was unaware how +very near she was to the edge of the roof; but Hugh observed it, and +thinking he could force a confession from her lips through fear, if by no +other means, he quickly grasped her arm, saying in a voice trembling with +passion: + +"Do you love him? Tell me, or I'll throw you over!" + +Dexie turned her head, and for one awful moment, as she realized her peril, +her face blanched to her very lips; but instead of the answer Hugh +expected, she raised her eyes to his, and he quailed beneath their terrible +glance, as she cried: + +"Throw me over then, you coward, for I'll never tell you!" + +An instant they stood thus face to face, on the very edge of the roof, when +Hugh's better nature asserted itself, and he quickly drew her back to +safety, exclaiming hoarsely: + +"Forgive me, Dexie, I never meant to do it, indeed I did not; I would not +harm a hair of your dear head for a thousand worlds!" + +He felt weak and small before the girl whom he had thought to bend to his +will, and made no effort now to keep her from entering the house, but +stepped to the window beside her and raised it, endeavoring all the while +to get a word of forgiveness from her close-shut lips. She never even +turned her head in his direction, but entered the house and into her own +room, and Hugh was obliged to descend with a more uncomfortable feeling in +his breast than he had felt there when he sought Dexie's presence on the +roof. "Baffled, after all," was his silent comment; "a coward, she called +me; yes, it was a cowardly thing to do, and I might have known she would +resent it. But how handsome she looked as she defied me on the very edge of +the roof! I believe she would not have opened her lips and answered that +question, even to save her life, after she had once refused to speak! But +I'll win her yet, and she will be doubly dear when conquered at last, my +brave Dexie!" and with feelings that were only intensified by this +interview, he returned to the yard to prepare the carriage for the drive to +the depot next morning. + +It was some satisfaction to be able to see that everything possible was +done for the comfort of his darling, though it was bitterness itself to +think of her going away under the escort of Lancy Gurney. + +When he re-entered the house, his unusual pallor was quickly noticed by +Mrs. Gurney, and she kindly asked: + +"Are you very tired, Hugh?" + +Without lifting his eyes, he replied: + +"No, not tired, but heart-sick." + +"What is it, Hugh? What is the trouble?" she asked, in her kind, motherly +tone. + +"Do not ask me, please! it is nothing that can be remedied, believe me," +and he raised his eyes a moment and met her inquiring gaze. + +"Well, my boy, you, like the rest of us, I suppose, have just so much pain +and trouble to bear in this world. Do not let it bear too heavily on your +young heart; all is for the best in the end, you know," and her hand was +laid on his shoulder with a sympathetic pressure, as she passed on. + +All for the best! when in all the hasty preparations that are of necessity +left till the last few hours before a journey, no one even thought of the +fierce heart-struggle that was his, or would have cared about it had they +known it! There seemed to be no kind word of remembrance for him, amidst +the bustle and confusion that reigned around him. He felt as if he stood +apart from those who, up to this time, seemed as near to him as kith and +kin. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + + +Both families were early astir the next morning, but the hour soon arrived +that the last "good-byes" must be said, and Mrs. Gurney had reason to be +thankful that Dexie was one of the party, otherwise it would have been +impossible to have started Elsie on her journey without seeming to be +harsh. As it was, Elsie clung to each of the family in turn, as if her +journey were to extend to the Cape of Good Hope, and the length of her stay +to be indefinite. She was lifted into the carriage at last, her hat pulled +back on her head, and her disordered apparel otherwise smoothed out by +Dexie, and Hugh was bidden by Mr. Gurney to "drive on quickly," amidst the +shrill choruses of "good-byes" from the little ones of the family who had +gathered on the steps to see them off. Seeing that Elsie still kept looking +back and waving her handkerchief in token of farewell, Mrs. Gurney drew the +children into the house, and then went away to her own room, where, for a +short time, she remained. When she appeared among them again, her face had +regained its usual calm and placid expression. She had left her burden with +the Great Burden-bearer, and though her heart would go after her daughter +in loving solicitude, she felt that Elsie was in safe-keeping, and so could +rest content. + +During the drive to the depot, Dexie was all life and animation. She plied +Lancy with questions which she gave little chance to answer, until she +succeeded in getting Elsie's attention turned to outward things, and as +they drove rapidly along the road, they began to speculate whether any of +the occupants of the cabs that were going in the same direction were to be +fellow-travellers. + +Hugh was unusually silent--perhaps it was just as well that he was--but the +rest of the party kept up such a stream of talk that his want of speech was +not remarked. + +His heart was too sore for speech, for Dexie's cold, indifferent look cut +deeper than she knew. He had not been able to get a word with her since the +unfortunate interview on the roof, but he felt that he _must_ have one +parting word, and he kept revolving in his mind what he could say that +would likely win for him one word of forgiveness for his unguarded words. + +But it was not easy to obtain even the smallest speech amidst the bustle +and distraction of the moving crowd at the depot. Lancy hurried the girls +into the car that they might have a choice of seats, then, leaving them +comfortably seated, he left the car to secure their tickets and checks. + +Had it not been for the fact that amidst the hurry of gathering up the +wraps, etc., from the carriage, they had forgotten that ever-welcome +addition to one's travelling paraphernalia, the lunch-basket, Hugh might +have been unable to get a word from Dexie beyond the curt "good-bye" that +she had already cut and dried, as it were, and ready to fling out the +window at him at the last moment. + +But Hugh's keen eyes observed the forgotten basket, that had been packed +with such care, and seizing it he entered the car, just as Lancy was +leaving it at the opposite door. + +Lancy had wisely chosen the centre seats as being the most comfortable, and +Dexie sat chatting gaily to Elsie lest the home-parting should again come +before her mental vision, when she saw Hugh enter the car. + +She had just time to compose her face into a look of solemn indifference, +when Hugh reached her side. + +"You forgot the lunch-basket, Elsie," he said, looking across at Dexie who +sat facing her. "You left it in the carriage." + +"Oh! so we did," said Elsie. "Whatever should we have done if you had not +seen it in time! Wasn't it lucky, Dexie, that he noticed it?" + +"Oh! I suppose so," was her indifferent reply, "but we could easily have +bought something when we felt hungry. I hope, Elsie, that you do not think +we are going into a wilderness where people live on grass roots!" and she +coolly leaned back in her seat, rearranged the pretty tie at her throat, +then pulled a book from the strap, as if ready for the perusal of it when +Hugh would be kind enough to relieve them of his presence. + +But Hugh was not to be dismissed by hints. Taking the seat by Elsie's side, +and opposite Dexie, he said: "Still, I am sure you would have felt sorry +to have forgotten it; you know it is the last home-cooking you will eat for +some time, Elsie." + +Whereupon Elsie's lip began to quiver, and a suspicion of moisture to +appear in her eyes; a word more of home matters would cause the drops to +fall into the handkerchief that Elsie was already pulling out of her +pocket, in readiness to catch the coming shower. Dexie could have boxed +Hugh's ears with a good grace, but she refrained. + +"Don't be a goose, Elsie," was her flattering remark. "Just as if no one +else in the country could make a decent cake but your Susan! Don't, for +goodness' sake, get sentimental over eatables just because Mr. McNeil +happens to be struck that way." + +The tears forgot to fall, the handkerchief was left in a crumpled heap, +hanging half out of her pocket; and as soon as the lump that was in her +throat could be disposed of, Elsie ventured meekly to remark that she "was +sure Lancy would be late if he did not hurry in." + +This recalled Hugh to the fact that unless he made good use of the few +remaining minutes, his words to Dexie would be left unsaid; and as Elsie +leaned out the window in hopes of seeing Lancy, he bent forward to Dexie, +saying in a low voice, + +"Say that you forgive me, Dexie, before you go. I was wild with pain at the +thought of you leaving me so long with nothing to hope for. I cannot let +you go without a word of forgiveness for my hasty words; you know I never +meant to do it, Dexie, for I would die to save you from harm." + +"Very kind of you, I am sure! but pray do not have any funeral on my +account. I feel quite capable of looking after myself, and I hope you will +not make it necessary for me to repeat this assertion in the future. Say no +more about forgiveness; the occurrence is too recent for that, but I will +try to forget it." + +"Dexie, do not speak so cruelly. How can I prove that I love you, and that +it was the thought of losing you that drove me to madness! You can't +believe that I meant to carry out my murderous threat--no! I cannot think +it, when my own heart aches with love and longing for you. If I write to +you, Dexie, and lay my heart open before you, surely you will believe me!" + +"Do not trouble yourself to write, Mr. McNeil," was the scornful reply. "If +you have any heart-trouble, you will find me a poor physician, for I have +not the slightest interest in your condition." + +"Dexie, are you going to leave me with no kinder remembrance of you than +those cruel words? I _must_ write, Dexie; say that you will answer my +letter," and a look of entreaty beamed from the dark eyes raised to her +face. + +"Couldn't think of it! I am going away to enjoy myself, and am not going to +bother writing to every Tom, Dick and Harry, so I'll have to _throw you +over_!" and a pair of defiant eyes met his gaze. + +Hugh's passionate nature was raised to the utmost, but he choked back the +words that rose to his lips, and giving her one long, earnest look, said in +a hoarse voice: + +"You repeat my words! May you never have a happy moment until you are as +sorry for saying them as I am!" and he rose and left the car, meeting Lancy +on the steps. + +"Well, Hugh, we are away at last," said Lancy, gaily. "Good-bye, old +fellow!" + +But Hugh merely raised his eyes and hurried past, and before Elsie knew he +had left the car she saw him driving furiously down the road, past cabs and +trucks, escaping collision as if by a miracle, and the speed never slacked +until he had covered more ground than was necessary to take him home. + +"What is the matter with Hugh?" said Lancy, as he seated himself beside his +sister. "I do think he might keep his temper occasionally. What has gone +wrong, now?" and he looked over at Dexie for his answer. + +"I fear I am the wicked person that has gone wrong and as his eloquence +prevailed not in turning me from my evil ways he feels heart-sick." + +"Heart-sick!" cried Elsie, in surprise; "that would not put him in a +temper, surely." + +"Love-sick, then," said Dexie, with a smile; "that might account for it." +"Well," said Elsie, in a tone of disgust, "he must be awfully in love with +your Gussie, if he can't leave her long enough to drive us to the depot +without pining for her," whereupon Dexie forgot her surroundings and burst +into such a rippling laugh that Lancy felt forced to join her. The +infection spread to their fellow-travellers, and caused a smile to pass +around, although the cause of the merriment was unknown beyond the little +group from which it started. + +"I fancy I can guess the cause of the trouble," said Lancy. "I daresay Hugh +found the parting painful. Am I right?" + +Just then the starting-signal sounded, and the train sped away across the +country, and our travellers settled down to whatever comfort there is to be +obtained in a railroad car. + +As soon as Lancy could get a word with Dexie, he asked her again what Hugh +had said to her, and she, willing to put his mind at ease, replied: + +"He wanted me to promise that I would answer a letter he wished to write to +me, and I gave him to understand that I wanted no correspondence with my +sister's lover, so we had a few words over it and then parted--_not_ +friends, I fear!" + +Lancy knew that Hugh was only waiting his opportunity to oust him from his +favored position, and it delighted him to hear Dexie speak of him in that +strain. + +"Thank you, Dexie; I guess Hugh can hear all he needs to know of you +second-hand." + +Dexie smiled, and she did not pull away her hand when, for a moment, Lancy +laid his own shapely one across it. Lancy was her good friend; why should +he not feel sure of it? And a warm pressure of the hand goes a great way +towards proving friendship, to say nothing of a stronger feeling. + +We must go back to Hugh, whom we left driving furiously along the road, his +heart full of bitter, angry feelings. He reproached Dexie for her cold, +heartless words, and himself for his ungovernable temper. He would give +worlds to recall those hasty words spoken on the roof, but it was too late; +he doubted if ever Dexie would forgive them. He felt that he could not +meet Mrs. Gurney's searching glance while in such a mood, so he kept on, +seeing nothing and hearing nothing of what was passing around him, his only +thought being to get away from human sight until the heat of the battle had +somewhat passed away. + +It was not until some hours later that he made his appearance at Mrs. +Gurney's. She was becoming quite anxious at his long absence, as she wished +to hear the latest news of Elsie. Even when Hugh did return, he lingered so +long in the stable that she had to send a message to him before he made his +appearance. + +He felt glad to find her alone in the room; he could not hide his feelings +from her, but others need not know of his weakness. + +"How did she keep up, Hugh? Is she all right?" + +"Elsie, you mean? Oh, yes. I think she is all right. She did not get a +chance to fret after she left the house." + +"But what detained you? I suppose you stayed to see them off, but the train +must have gone hours ago." + +"Yes, I know it, Mrs. Gurney; but I--I didn't stay to see them off--I +couldn't," he added, seeing her look of surprise. "I'm a fool, I suppose, +but I couldn't stand there and see her go away without giving me one kind +word, so I drove off down the road until I could hide my folly from others' +eyes. I have driven Bob pretty hard, I'm afraid, but I have rubbed him down +well, and he will be the first to recover from this day's work." + +He spoke bitterly, but openly, as any loved son might speak to a tender, +sympathizing mother, and he had found her all that during the long years he +had lived with them; and though her own son had gained, as he thought, the +one thing he longed for, he knew she would feel for his disappointment. + +"It is Dexie you mean. You do not like her to be going away with Lancy. Is +that it, Hugh?" + +"Yes, but that is not all. She has treated me so scornfully, while +Lancy--." He broke off abruptly, with a gesture that finished the sentence +for him. + +"But, Hugh, think a minute! Lancy's tastes are similar to her own. How can +she help showing the preference, when their very music seems to draw them +together? I would not have thought, Hugh, that you would be so willing to +give up Gussie as you seem to be. You are not trifling with both girls, I +hope, Hugh?" + +"No, indeed! You do not understand, and I cannot explain; but Gussie is not +what I thought her at first, and Dexie--well, she is so much more. It does +not make it easier to bear to know that I have placed a barrier between us +with my own hands. Oh, my temper! my hateful temper! it has done me more +harm during the last twenty-four hours than during all my life long," and +he laid his arms across the table and bent his head upon them. + +"Perhaps it is not so, after all; the last burst of temper always looks the +worst. Don't you think so, my boy? Forget it for a few moments, and tell me +about Elsie. Has she gone off in good spirits?" + +"Yes, I believe so, but to tell the truth I had no thought for anyone but +Dexie. Elsie will not get a chance to fret, I feel sure, but I wish Dexie +felt half as bad about leaving home as _she_ does. It would be a comfort to +think about." + +"I am quite surprised, Hugh! Surely you can see that Dexie's feelings for +you are far from encouraging, and how can you think that two such +firebrands--yes, you must excuse the term, if you do not like it, but it +suits you both--do you think you two _could_ be happy together? Have you +thought of this matter seriously, Hugh? I am afraid not. Yet one should +study well the character of the one whom we would choose to walk with along +life's road. We all know something of Dexie's temper, for she has not tried +to hide even her worst faults from us. With your own high temper, Hugh, it +would be a great risk to link your life with hers. There is nothing so +beautiful and complete as a happy married life, but there can be nothing so +unutterably miserable as an unhappy marriage." + +"Well, it may be as you say, and Dexie may not be suitable in some ways for +me, but I can never care for anyone else as I care for her. If I could only +win her, I would make her so happy that there would never be any cause for +her to get angry with me." + +But the memory of the words he had spoken on the roof a few short hours +before stung him at this moment, and sharply reminded him of his inability +to control himself as her lover. Would he be more likely to govern himself +as her husband? + +Seeing that Mrs. Gurney was regarding him closely, he hastily rose to his +feet, saying: + +"You are right, Mrs. Gurney, as you always are. I should not succeed in +controlling my temper in the future any better than I have done in the +past. I will try to overcome this foolishness. I love Dexie Sherwood too +well to wish to bring one moment of sorrow into her life." + +He left the room and sought his own chamber, and during the hour he sat +there in silence he fancied he had buried forever every thought of tender +regard for Dexie Sherwood. He even imagined that he could look with favor +on Lancy, or anyone else, who would make her as happy as she deserved to +be. + +His magnanimous feelings were even puffed up to that degree that he was +mentally witnessing her marriage ceremony, with Lancy as chief actor, when +the sound of the dinner-bell recalled him to his senses. Yet, when he sat +down to the table and beheld Lancy's empty seat, he ground his heel into +the rug under the table, as if it were his enemy, for the thought occurred +that Lancy, at this present moment, might be bending over the head so +precious to him, or whispering words in her ears which he never wished her +to hear, unless spoken by himself. Truly he did not know himself, and as +the nature of his thoughts occurred to him he almost despised himself for +his weakness. Surely he needed another grave than that he had dug while in +the privacy of his own room; a grave that would keep entombed that which he +wished to put forever out of his memory! It was only by bringing up to his +mind his own imperfections that he could keep Dexie out of his thoughts. + +But as days went by, and other matters of importance intervened, he was +kept so busy, mentally as well as bodily, that his love was put back out of +sight; he felt her absence less keenly, and his love for Dexie was thought +of as a thing of the past. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + + +We must now return to the young travellers, whom we left in the car, +expecting to reach their destination by nightfall. In this they were +disappointed, for when the train was within a few miles of Truro it came to +a sudden standstill, throwing some of the passengers out of their seats, +but seriously injuring no one. + +"Something wrong with the engine!" was the explanation, when heads were +thrust from the windows to inquire the cause of the trouble. + +This explanation was received with due submission by those accustomed to +railway travelling, but Elsie, her nerves unstrung by other causes, sat +crying hysterically, and would give no heed to Lancy's repeated declaration +that nothing serious was the matter. + +"We will be detained here for a while, Elsie, but that is all," he added. + +Elsie, though, seemed unable to control her sobs, and Dexie began to feel +anxious, for these crying fits invariably brought on a nervous headache, +and when at last the train started, Elsie was hardly in a fit state to +continue the journey. + +Under the circumstances Lancy deemed it best to stop over at Truro until +the next trip of the Island boat. This would give Elsie time to recover, +and they would have an opportunity to see something of the pretty town they +had heard so highly praised. + +Elsie felt relieved at this decision. She was unused to travelling, and +found the short journey tiresome in the extreme; indeed her throbbing +temples called imperatively for quietness and rest. + +The train steamed into the dark, tunnel-like depot, and stepping out on the +platform, they found, after some difficulty, the little room that was +designated "The Waiting-Room," where Lancy left the girls to inquire for +hotel accommodations. + +While in semi-darkness they waited his return, Dexie tried to ascertain if +there was not a pleasanter outlook than could be obtained from the door, +but the one dust-encrusted window gave a dim and indistinct view from that +quarter. + +As if in answer to their wishes, Lancy speedily returned, and as they +gathered up their wraps Dexie asked: + +"Do you know why they call this room the 'waiting-room,' Lancy? Give a +guess." + +"Can't! I give it up," giving a glance around him. + +"Well, I'll just tell you. This room has been 'waiting' for years for +someone to clean it, and that is how it has earned its name. Even the rusty +old stove has taken on the look of dejection that seems to haunt the +place." + +Lancy was beginning to think that the little town had been very much +overpraised, as unfortunately the worst-looking part of it was situated +near the depot, and he felt disappointed and vexed that they had not been +able to continue their journey. His annoyance was increased when he learned +that there had been an excursion to the town the day before, crowding the +hotels, which had not yet recovered from the effects of the many +disturbances that had taken place inside their doors. + +It was a new experience to the girls, this seeking a temporary home at a +public hotel, and the unpleasant features of hotel life, to which older +travellers shut their eyes, were to them unbearable. + +Entering the parlor of the hotel to which he had been directed, Lancy told +the girls to be seated while he saw the proprietor; but the expression on +the faces of both girls gave Lancy some uneasy feelings, and Dexie's +uplifted nose told the cause of her disapproval. + +"It will be no use for you to engage rooms here, Lancy," said she, "for if +all smells like this we won't stay." + +"Well, I will just order a lunch, and we can decide about rooms later on." + +This was found to have been a wise precaution, as the disgusting fumes of +stale tobacco-smoke and liquor, seemed to pervade every corner. + +"It's no use being too particular, girls," said Lancy, as they rose from +the table, and re-entered the parlor, "we will not be here but a day or +two, you know." + +"Well, but surely we can find some other place to stay in while we are +here. We don't want to appear at Mrs. Fremont's with our clothes smelling +like a bar-room!" said Dexie, rather sharply. + +"Well, no doubt the next hotel will suit us better," and a few minutes +later they entered its door. + +But it was quite evident, even to Lancy, that they had not bettered their +condition by going farther. The house had probably been very popular the +day before, and there was an air of confusion about the place that added +its unpleasantness to the atmosphere that must be breathed by those that +sought the hospitality of the house. Elsie looked timidly around the parlor +as she entered, as if expecting to see the ghosts of those who had offered +up so much incense; but the room was vacant, all having departed, leaving +behind a disagreeable reminder of their presence. + +"We are just as badly off as ever," Elsie whispered timidly to Dexie. "It +is not very much better, is it, Dexie?" + +"No, I should say not. The very curtains are full of it. How can people +bear it! Tobacco-smoke and rum! Do let us get out of here, Lancy, before +anyone comes in!" + +"Hush, Dexie! Someone will hear you." + +"No danger! but do let us run before they see us here." + +"But we must stay somewhere, Dexie," said Lancy. "What shall we do?" + +Dexie felt provoked at their unpleasant position, and she replied in no +gentle tone. + +"Do! Well, I think if nothing better is to be obtained in the town, we will +do as some of our ancient ancestors have done before us, we will 'lodge +without, in the streets,'" and gathering up the wraps she walked out of the +house, closely followed by Elsie, and more uncertainly by Lancy. + +The case was becoming serious, but it had its ludicrous side as well, which +reached its height when Dexie stood on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. +Throwing the wraps over her left arm, she raised her right hand high toward +heaven, and exclaimed in dramatic tones: + + "Tell me, ye winged winds, that round my pathway roam, + Is there no hotel in Truro where the landlord sells no rum?" + +And the answer came, not from the winds she had apostrophized, but from an +open window that she had not observed; and the answer was: + +"Fair lady, there is none." + +"There! I told you that someone would hear you, Dexie," said Lancy, vexed, +yet amused at her behavior. + +But Dexie stood as if unable to move, and gazed at the open window in +astonishment. + +But the owner of the voice now appeared at the door, and Dexie drew a sigh +of relief as she saw what a good-natured, smiling face it was that looked +into her own. He never belonged to that house, she felt sure, though it was +nothing to his credit to be lounging inside its doors. However, it was not +likely he would consider her remarks as personal, so she slowly regained +her composure. + +With a profound bow, the gentleman at the window said: + +"There are no hotels such as you speak of in the town, but there are +several private boarding-houses where travellers can be made comfortable. +May I have the pleasure of directing you to one?" This to Lancy. + +"If it would not be too much trouble, we would be very much obliged," and +Lancy's natural state of mind slowly returned. + +"Oh! no trouble at all," said the affable stranger; then turning to Dexie +he relieved her of her armful of wraps, with a simple "Allow me, please," +and started away with Lancy, who was carrying the so far unused +lunch-basket, leaving the girls to follow at their own pace. + +"Oh, Dexie! weren't you startled when that man spoke from the window?" said +Elsie. "I thought I should faint away with fright." + +"It is a good thing that you thought better of it, then, for they would +have carried you right back into the hotel, and there would have been no +escaping after that." + +"Where do you suppose he will take us?" Elsie asked as they turned a +corner. + +"Couldn't say," was the unconcerned reply; "but as the place looks nicer +the farther we go, there is no need to be alarmed. I hope we will be +fortunate enough to secure lodgings on this pretty, tree-shaded street, for +flower-gardens are as thick as houses. Oh, see! he is going into that house +with the nice lawn in front of it." + +A moment later they stepped through the gate that Lancy held open for +them, while their new friend went briskly up the walk and entered the house +in a manner that showed he was quite familiar with the place. + +He had told Lancy as they walked along that he could recommend the house +where he boarded, and as he gave such a good account of the place, Lancy +determined to seek accommodation there. + +"But there is one thing I must tell you," said the smiling stranger. "Mrs. +Morris is pretty sharp of tongue, and may make very strict inquiries as to +who was your grandmother, and what calling your great-grandfather followed, +before she will allow you to engage rooms. But do not mind it. I fancy you +can satisfy her on those points. She is as clean as a new pin and an +excellent cook--two good recommendations, you will allow." + +"Well, I hope my ancestors will please her, for my sister is much in need +of rest. Is her husband of the same turn of mind as herself?" Lancy +smilingly asked. + +"She is a widow, as is also her sister, who lives with her. It is the +latter who owns the place, but it is the younger and sharper one who keeps +it in running order. But here we are. I'll go ahead and prepare the way for +you," and he left Lancy to follow with the girls. + +As they appeared at the door, Mrs. Morris was just coming towards it, +saying in no gentle tone: + +"Don't you know any better, sir, than to rush into the house like that, +leaving all the doors wide open behind you! Do you suppose people will want +rooms here if they are swarming with flies?" + +"On my honor, madam, there were only two that ventured through the door! I +counted them!" was the positive reply. + +"Come in quickly, sir," to Lancy; "and you women--girls, I mean," taking a +second look, and shutting the door the moment they were inside of it. "You +want rooms and board," she added sharply, looking them well over. "And how +comes it that young people like you are travelling around without your +parents? Not running away, are you?" + +"Oh, no, madam!" replied Lancy, keeping a straight face by a great effort. +"We were on our way to Charlottetown, but the train was delayed by an +accident, so we thought we would stay over in Truro and wait for the next +boat." + +"Didn't get hurt by the accident, did you? for this ain't no hospital, no +way; only a plain boarding house for respectable people." + +"We are not hurt in the least, madam, but we are very tired, and hope you +will allow us to stay here for a day or two," Lancy hastened to explain, +for her many objections began to alarm him. + +"You come from Halifax, do you? Bad place that. Thieves and robbers thrive +there, I'm told. How long have you lived there?" + +This was addressed to Dexie, but she dared not open her mouth to answer +lest she should laugh outright; and Elsie, fearing she might make some +unfortunate speech that would send them to the right-about, hastened to +reply: "For some years, ma'am; we used to live in England before we moved +to Halifax." + +"Oh! English, are you? I was afraid you were Irish. You resemble some I +have seen. What trade does your father work at?" + +"He has a store on Granville Street; but do let us stay here, please," +Elsie replied, fearing that this catechising would result disastrously. + +"Well, you seem proper enough. I guess you can stay." Then turning suddenly +around to where their guide stood, biting his moustache, "This is Mr. +Maxwell." + +The two girls bowed, and Mr. Maxwell replied: "And I believe this +gentleman's name is Gurney. Mr. Gurney, Mrs. Morris." + +And Lancy, not to be outdone by all this formality, added: "Allow me to +introduce my sister, Miss Gurney, and her friend, Miss Sherwood." + +"What! you are not sisters! I thought you were, though you don't look it, +sure enough," said Mrs. Morris. + +"I hope it don't matter, Mrs. Morris," said Dexie, who actually thought the +woman might refuse to keep her. "We are very dear friends, Miss Gurney and +I, and will gladly occupy the one room while we are here." + +"Very well. Step into the parlor. I will bring my sister to see you," and +she disappeared in a twinkling, but returned a few moments later in a +quiet, dignified manner with her sister, saying: + +"These young people want to stay here a few days. Shall we keep them?" + +"Why, to be sure, Matilda. Take off your hats, my dears; you look warm. So +you are only going to make a short visit, my sister tells me." + +"Yes; we are going on to Charlottetown in a day or two," Dexie replied. + +"Perhaps you would like to go to your room at once? Matilda, let them have +the pink room; it will be the most pleasant. I will try and entertain the +young man while they are gone," said Mrs. Gleason, whose manner was as +quiet and pleasant as her sister's was sharp and abrupt. + +But Maxwell had decided to see to the young man himself--long enough, at +least, to find out something about his companion; so, as soon as Mrs. +Morris left the room, he turned to the good-natured sister, saying: + +"Let me take him to my room for awhile, Mrs. Gleason; then you will not be +bothered with either of us," and, reading permission in her smiling face, +he led the way upstairs. + +The room Maxwell occupied was really worth visiting, and it told at a +glance the character of the owner. Its walls were decorated with articles +that would not have been allowed inside the doors had Mrs. Morris beheld +them in time to utter a protest, for she was as timid about some things as +she was sharp in others. For instance, there was a fine breech-loading +rifle, dear to the heart of Maxwell, that hung on the wall above a brace of +handsome revolvers. These were the cause of constant terror and alarm to +Mrs. Morris, for she never entered the room without a look of fear in their +direction. She fully expected them to "blaze away at her," notwithstanding +the fact that Maxwell had repeatedly assured her that they were not loaded. + +Then there were several stuffed animals that had been deprived of life by +these very weapons, and Maxwell had their forms preserved in as natural an +attitude as possible. While these added to the adornment of the room, they +likewise served to increase Mrs. Morris' terror, and she could not get +over the idea that they might "jump at her, for they always looked just +ready to do it." + +These, among other things, gave Mrs. Morris a particular aversion to the +owner of the articles, for it was no trifling thing to keep this room well +dusted and in proper order, with one's body in a quiver of fright all the +time, not knowing from what direction she might be assailed. + +But the treasure that took Lancy's eyes directly he entered the room was +the display of fishing-rods that hung on the opposite wall, and he stepped +up at once to examine them. + +"That is a fine rod you have there," he remarked to Maxwell. + +"Yes, rather; fishing is my favorite sport. I have caught a five-pounder +with this light one," and in the discussion of flies, reels, etc., they +were fast forgetting that they were utter strangers but two short hours +ago. + +Presently Maxwell asked, as if it had just occurred to him: + +"Who is this young friend of yours, this Miss Sherwood? She is very +amusing; quite an original, is she not?" + +"Well, she is something different from the average young lady, if that is +what you mean. She is an American." + +"Ah! I thought as much; and your _sister's_ particular friend, is she?" +giving a sly look at Lancy. + +"Yes," not heeding the look, but aware of the hint conveyed in the words. +"My sister's health is not good, and Miss Sherwood accompanies her to +Charlottetown, as she was not willing to go alone. They have been very +intimate ever since Miss Sherwood moved to Halifax. I am sure they are both +well pleased that we did not stay at the hotel, seeing that through your +kindness we have secured such comfortable quarters here." + +"Don't mention it! that appeal to the winds would have moved the hardest +heart. I guess she got a start when I spoke from the window. Ha, ha! I +fancy I see her yet. She would make a fine actress." + +"You had better not make that remark to the lady in question. She would not +consider it a compliment, I can tell you," said Lancy. + +"No? Then what sort of a speech would your Miss Sherwood call +complimentary?" + +"Better try and find out for yourself," said Lancy, smiling. "It has been +too hard a thing for me to discover for myself to give it away." + +A few minutes later, hearing the voices of the young ladies in conversation +with Mrs. Gleason downstairs, the young men joined them. + +But the entrance of the gentlemen seemed to put a bridle on the tongues of +the little party, for Dexie was not slow in perceiving that Maxwell was +trying to quiz her, and it was very hard to withstand the good-humored +banter of this young gentleman. She stood the teasing as long as she +thought necessary, then her ready tongue made Maxwell confess that for once +he had met his match, and the laughable occurrence of their first meeting +was allowed to drop. Dexie was well aware that her snubbing was not +relished, for Maxwell sat regarding her silently as she conversed in low +tones to Elsie, pulling at his moustache with a restless movement that was +quite annoying, if he only knew it. + +Why is it that gentlemen who possess this ornamental appendage to their +upper lip persist in using it so unkindly? You see it at all times and in +all places, at home by their own fireside, in church, when the sermon is +supposed to be occupying their attention, on the streets, in fact +everywhere you will see the moustache undergoing torture at the hands of +its possessor. Some merely smooth it out, or daintily curl the ends of it, +if it happens to be long enough; some lick at it, like an animal at a lump +of salt: some chew it savagely, till you wonder there is a hair of it left; +in fact it is badly misused by the majority of men, for few leave it to +serve its legitimate purpose. + +After tea, at Mr. Maxwell's suggestion, the party went out for a walk. They +strolled up and down the principal streets until twilight was almost over, +and their first impression of the place was happily dispelled. They were +willing to accord the same praise to the town as did others who had visited +it. Cleanliness and thrift seemed the characteristics of the majority of +the inhabitants, and the beautiful grounds and gardens that surrounded +most of the houses spoke well for the taste of the owners. + +When the time came for them to continue their journey, more than one member +of the family regretted their departure, for their presence had quite +brightened the household, and Dexie had won the approval of Mrs. Morris +herself by her quick movements and practical remarks, and for the decided +manner that refused all attentions from Maxwell. + +"If you ever pass this way again you must come and see us," said Mrs. +Morris at parting, "and if any of your friends ever visit the town we will +be happy to accommodate them." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Morris," said Dexie; "I will not forget it. We could +hardly advise anyone to make an extended stay in your pretty town if they +were obliged to patronize your hotels," looking up with a smile at Mr. +Maxwell, who was waiting to accompany them to the depot. + +"I am afraid our hotels have given you a poor opinion of the place, Miss +Sherwood," said Mr. Maxwell, as he fingered his moustache; "but you must +remember that they are not intended for fastidious young ladies, but for +the accommodation of the general travelling public." + +"Then it does not speak well for the tastes of the 'general travelling +public,'" replied Dexie, as they turned towards the depot, "and it is a +pity that the one blot on your pretty town is just where it falls under the +notice of strangers who enter it by the railway." + +Years after, when Dexie made her next visit to the town, she was surprised +to see the change that had taken place in the vicinity of the railway +station. The gloomy, dingy depot had given place to one that was light, +airy and commodious, and the unsightly buildings in the neighborhood were +replaced by better and worthier structures. + +The hotels she had so justly condemned were either obliterated or so +improved upon as to be unrecognizable; and if the objectionable bar-rooms +were not suppressed, public opinion had caused them to be placed in a more +obscure corner of the building, and the respectable stranger was no longer +insulted by their immediate presence. But of this more anon. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + + +The rest of the journey was made without mishap, and when the travellers +arrived at the wharf at Charlottetown, they found Mrs. Fremont waiting to +receive them, Lancy having informed her by telegraph of their detention. + +Mrs. Fremont's residence was situated in the suburbs of the city, amidst a +park-like grove that gave it a very English look in Lancy's eyes. The house +was large and roomy, and furnished in a solid, comfortable style, that +would make modern parlors look frivolous in comparison. + +Dexie had no fault to find with her reception, for the whole party were so +warmly welcomed that they felt "at home" at once. Mrs. Fremont's two +daughters proved very pleasant companions. Beatrice, the eldest, was of a +gentle, quiet disposition, and her very presence held in check her +frolicsome younger sister; for Gertrude, who was fat, fair and seventeen, +saw too much of the bright side of life to be anything else than +good-natured and jolly, and finding her counterpart in Dexie Sherwood the +days flew by on gladsome wings. + +An enjoyable garden party was held a few days after the young people +arrived, and by that means they became acquainted with a number of the +young people in the city, and Elsie forgot her shyness in the pleasant +bustle that made the days pass so swiftly. The daily drives in the low, +comfortable carriage soon began to tell favorably on her health, and she +did not find it at all hard to enter into the amusements planned for her +benefit; but among all the pleasures that were attainable, one alone stood +out above all others, one that neither Elsie nor Dexie ever cared to miss, +and that was--to go marketing. + +Twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, the country people for miles around +drove into Charlottetown, bringing with them whatever farm produce they had +to dispose of. Great carts bearing vegetables, eggs, butter, berries and +"garden truck" beyond mentioning, might be seen wending their way along the +roads leading to the city in the early mornings on market days, and the +products of the field, garden, poultry yard, etc., were offered for sale +in and around the large market-house that was situated in the centre of the +city. Here the people of the city came by hundreds to purchase whatever +fancy dictated or needs demanded, making a scene that was worth coming far +to see. + +To educate her daughters into the difficult part of household management, +Mrs. Fremont had given over to them the task of buying the supplies for the +family. A sum, ample for a week, was given them, and at the end of the week +the accounts were made up under the mother's supervision. If the daughters +had planned wisely there was always a surplus, which was added to their +pocket-money. + +When Dexie learned of this, and realized the responsibility which these +young girls took upon themselves as a part of their education, she was +anxious to acquire the same accomplishment, and it became quite amusing to +hear the prices of different articles discussed in such business-like +tones, for Dexie and Elsie were often drawn into these discussions before +they were aware of it. + +In consequence of this, when market days came round, there was quite an +important air about the four young ladies who drove towards the +market-house, and there seemed to be a good deal of fun as well as business +going on, if one might judge by their eager, happy faces, and the way the +task was often unnecessarily prolonged. + +One evening, when a party of young people were visiting at Mrs. Fremont's, +a remark was made that brought about a discussion of a sect which are known +in Prince Edward Island as McDonaldites or "Jerkers;" and after a +description of the remarkable character of their meetings, there was much +curiosity raised concerning them. + +"You ought not to go home without attending a meeting, Mr. Gurney," said +Mr. Holbrook, "for I do not think the like is to be seen anywhere else in +the world. One visit is generally enough to satisfy most people, but to +those who have good nerves one visit only whets the curiosity. For my part, +I like to go and watch them whenever I find the opportunity." + +"Well, I went once," said Gertrude Fremont, "and that was quite enough for +me, and I do not call myself nervous or timid either. Still I would not +have missed seeing them _once_ for anything, but that experience is enough +to last me a lifetime." + +"I used to think that the people exaggerated when talking about the actions +of the Jerkers," said Beatrice, "but I had to believe my own eyesight; it +certainly is a very strange thing." + +"I wonder if it is anything like what the slaves down South used to be +affected with," said Dexie. "I have heard my grandma tell of prayer +meetings in the negro quarters, where some of the slaves would act in the +same way you describe, but I suppose it is not the same thing except in +name. I should like very much to attend a meeting." + +After much persuasion, Mrs. Fremont consented to allow the young people +under her charge to attend a meeting of this peculiar sect, under the +escort of Mr. Holbrook, but the consent was given reluctantly. + +"I quite understand the curiosity you have to witness such a mode of +worship," she said, smiling kindly at Dexie, "but I fear the result for +Elsie. I am afraid it would quite unnerve her." + +"But if she is the least frightened she need not stay in the church to +watch them," said Lancy, who was eager to visit a McDonaldite church. "It +must be a wonderful sight indeed, if the people go through such contortions +as Mr. Holbrook speaks of." + +A few days later the little party drove off in the comfortable covered +carriage on a visit to Uigg. As they crossed the river to Southport they +found several other carriages going in the same direction, so they followed +on, journeying by the beautiful Vernon River road towards their +destination. + +There was but one thing that marred the enjoyment of the drive to Elsie, +and that was that the day was Sunday; but her conscientious scruples were +overpowered by those who voted that it was "no harm, surely, to drive to +church on Sunday." + +But Elsie felt that they were not going to church for a worthy motive, but +only as sightseers, and, judging by the accounts they had heard, a visit +to a McDonaldite or Jerkers' church was similar to going to a play or +circus. Still her scruples were not strong enough to allow Lancy and Dexie +to go without her, but the beautiful scenery through which they passed had +for her no charm, for she felt, for the first time in her life, that she +was a Sabbath-breaker. + +Dexie had no such pangs of conscience, but enjoyed the drive to the utmost, +and Elsie's oft-repeated remark that they "ought not to have come" found no +response in the hearts of the rest. Happily for Elsie, a Sunday feeling +soon possessed her, for Dexie, in the fulness of her heart, could not be +silent, and as ordinary talk seemed out of place in the Sabbath stillness, +she began to sing. + +Elsie's voice soon joined the rest, and the sound of harmony rolled along +with the carriage, and before they reached the church of the Jerkers, Elsie +felt more at ease with herself and her surroundings. + +It seems passing strange that while the Shakers, Quakers and other peculiar +sects have all come in for a share of newspaper discussion, this most +peculiar sect called McDonaldites, or Jerkers, have escaped the pen of the +reporter. This may be due to the fact that, during the life of the great +McDonald, Prince Edward Island was considered by travellers to be rather an +out-of-the-way place and not worth visiting. But year by year the army of +tourists is increasing, as the Garden of the St. Lawrence becomes better +known, and a visit to a McDonaldite church may yet be one of the sights in +store for my reader, for it is doubtful if such a sight can be witnessed in +any other civilized community. + +McDonald, the leader of the sect, has been dead many years. He was a man of +powerful physique, and his mind must have corresponded to his large and +vigorous body, for the power or influence which he had over his followers +was something extraordinary, if not alarming. As his presence was not +necessary to set the members of his Church in motion, and the "jerks" are +kept up even to the present day, there may be some other explanation for +the singular behavior of his followers; but the memory of their leader is +held in reverence, and by many the "jerks" are still attributed to his +power. + +The writer has attended but one meeting where the great McDonald presided, +and, being then young in years, the dress, or rather the undress, of the +man was itself awe-inspiring. It was something unusual to see a man in the +pulpit with his coat and vest laid aside and his shirt open, laying bare +his brawny neck. The man himself was enough to create fear, but when the +activity of the members began, discretion seemed the better part of valor, +and we escaped without ceremony. It would be impossible to convey to the +reader an idea of the awful excitement that always prevailed among his +followers, when under the direct leadership of McDonald himself. Even the +attempt to do so would be called exaggerated and untrue; but after +witnessing through the open window the surprising actions of the +congregation, we turned away, feeling that the half _could_ not be told, +for words would fail to portray the scene. The reader must be content with +a meagre description of a visit to the church made many years after the +death of the leader, when the excitement was less intense, to which meeting +Lancy Gurney and his party are hastening. + +There are several churches of this sect in different parts of the Island, +but the principal church is in a country place called Uigg. The yearly +sacrament is held at this church, and on these occasions the multitudes of +worshippers who come from a long distance to attend this ceremony are +almost doubled by the number of sightseers who flock to witness the sight. +At such times the adjacent fences are lined with vehicles of every +description, giving the place the appearance of a fair or horse market. +These yearly meetings cannot begin to compare with those held during the +lifetime of the leader, but those who never witnessed a meeting conducted +by the Rev. Mr. McDonald could scarcely believe they were ever more +startling than those held in later years. + +With this digression we will return to our young travellers, who, having +secured their horse under the sheltering trees by the roadside, and +fortified their courage by doing justice to the lunch Mrs. Fremont had +prepared for them, now entered the crowded church and stood among the +number of observers in the aisle. + +The inside of the edifice had an unfinished look, and the arrangement of +the seats was uncommon, but to most people the seats themselves formed a +most unusual sight, for they were all without backs, the reason of which +soon became apparent. + +The meeting had commenced, and the minister was preaching, but it must be +confessed that there was little heed given to his words, for the attention +of the people was attracted to the centre of the church, where a number of +people were already under the peculiar influence; but our little party, +being at a distance, watched the proceedings with a feeling of safety, yet +not unmixed with fear and dread. + +Presently a young girl about seventeen or twenty, who sat in a seat quite +near, began to be affected, and all eyes were turned in her direction. She +was dressed in what was probably called in her neighborhood the "height of +style." On her head was a saucer-like bonnet of the "gypsy style," covered +with large artificial flowers, which drooped over a chignon of such +remarkable dimensions that it must have required a multitude of hairpins to +keep it together; but her bonnet helped to keep it in place, as strings of +ribbon were placed at the back, then brought forward under her chin in a +flaring knot. + +The peculiar actions of these people are well named "the jerks." In this +instance the hands seemed to be the first part affected; a slight twitching +was soon followed by a quicker movement, then her feet jerked about as if +she were dancing a jig; a moment more and she flung her arms around wildly, +while her head began to shake in quick time to the movements of the hands +and feet. This soon loosened her chignon, the ingredients of which flew in +as many directions, and her hair swept wildly about her face. Her bonnet +fell at the back of her neck, but being held by the strings it bobbed up +and down her back like an animated nosegay. She accompanied her movements +with shrieks and screams that were better suited to a madhouse than a place +of worship, and when exhausted nature finally succumbed, she fell back +against those seated behind, who, very good-naturedly, it must be +confessed, for she weighed more than a trifle, helped her to regain her +senses and her seat. When she was able to sit up, her neighbors on either +side handed back the articles of wearing apparel and pieces of headgear +that she had scattered about, and the girl made a fresh toilet, as well as +the limited stock of hairpins allowed. + +A number of other cases equally startling were taking place in different +parts of the church, and the backless seats were explained. It certainly +was less dangerous for the "jerkers" to throw themselves back into the laps +of those behind them than against the hard back of a seat. But the feelings +of those who received the form of the exhausted enthusiast we do not +profess to explain. It is probable, however, that those in the near +vicinity of one who had the "jerks" would prepare themselves for the +backward throw that so many execute at the last moment of their paroxysm. +But to those who looked on, it seemed like a game of "give-and-take," as if +each did not know what moment he might be under the same obligation to +someone else. + +While standing in the aisle Dexie passed her arm around Elsie's waist, lest +they should be separated in the crowd. Dexie had become so engrossed in +watching the worshippers that she had forgotten how the sight might affect +her friend, but glancing into her face she saw that this was no place for +one of Elsie's temperament. But the aisles were blocked; they seemed +standing in a vice, with no power to move front or backwards. The +_enthusiasm_ seemed increasing every moment, and as almost every seat held +an active member, the excitement in the church was appalling. + +One young girl, quite near where Dexie stood, sprang to her feet with a +shriek that caused Elsie to scream with fright, and Dexie bade her hide her +face from the sight. But Elsie felt she must watch what was going on or +else scream again, so great was her terror. The sight was indeed alarming, +for the girl beat the air with her hands while she jumped up and down, +until her movements appeared actually dangerous to those near her. Her head +was thrown backward and forward with such violence and rapidity that it +seemed a marvel how she escaped dislocation, and her whole body was in +violent motion. At last she fell to the floor with a final shriek, where +she struggled about for several minutes, much to the alarm of those in her +immediate vicinity. + +On all sides shrieks and cries mingled with the quick movements of those +who had the "jerks," and Elsie could bear it no longer. + +"Take me out, Dexie; I can't stay here another minute!" she cried. + +Lancy was some distance away, but he pressed to her side, regardless of the +bruised toes and sides he left behind him, and lifting Elsie in his arms +pressed to the door, with Dexie closely following. They hurried away to +where the noise of the worshippers was not quite so audible, and by degrees +Elsie grew quiet and calm. Leaving them seated on the grass by the +roadside, Lancy re-entered the church, the strange doings having a certain +fascination which he could neither explain nor resist. + +In a short time Elsie recovered sufficiently to walk around, but curiosity +drew her again to the church, and they watched through the windows the +peculiar actions of the people. But the excitement had now somewhat +subsided, and Elsie urged that they enter the church again. Dexie was +afraid of the effect which another such scene might have upon her friend, +so she tried to persuade Elsie to stay and watch at a safe distance. Elsie +felt sure she would not be alarmed again, so they entered the church and +obtained a seat that had just been made vacant. + +A few minutes later, the movements of an old woman attracted notice. They +had watched her as she entered the church a short time before, and had +pitied the poor, feeble creature, as she dragged herself up the aisle by +the aid of a pair of crutches; but all pity left Dexie's heart as she saw +the crippled creature thump the floor with her crutches, and bring them +together over her head with a crash that rivalled the noise made by many of +the hard-handed sons of toil, who had taken the "jerks" during the service. + +"What makes them do it, Dexie?" said Elsie, in a whisper. "'And there was +in the synagogue many people possessed of the devil;' that is the only +solution of the mystery that I can see," was the reply. + +"Oh, Dexie! do you really think that is what ails them? How awful!" + +"'And there was one woman among them who had seven devils,' and that is she +with the crutches, I think. Are you afraid? Shall we go out, Elsie?" + +"It does scare me, but I cannot help looking at them," was the answer. + +But the "jerks" now spread from one to the other, until pandemonium let +loose could not be much more alarming. Elsie turned white with fear, but it +was impossible to get out at the moment, as the aisles were blocked by +terrified sightseers, their screams of fright mingling with the shrieks of +those who had the "jerks." It is safe to say that no madhouse ever held a +more excited crowd. + +At this moment a heavy woman, who sat on the same seat that held Dexie and +Elsie, began to be affected, and as the seats were only supported at each +end, this one began to spring up and down, setting all those who were upon +it in motion. + +The two girls were on their feet in an instant, feeling for one awful +moment that they were taking the "jerks" themselves; but finding the floor +steady under her feet, Dexie soon regained her composure, and endeavored to +quiet Elsie, who was now sobbing without restraint. + +Out of this they must get at any hazard, and, drawing Elsie after her, she +crossed to the door by stepping on the knees of the people who intervened, +giving no thought to the outraged feelings of those she had used as +stepping-stones to freedom. + +As they reached the doorstep, they saw Mr. Holbrook at a distance, and were +soon at his side. + +"How soon can we get away from this awful place?" Dexie hurriedly asked. + +"Well, I do not know, Miss Sherwood. Are you in a hurry to go?" + +"Yes, that I am; I have had enough of this kind of worship, and Elsie must +not go near the church again. Where is Lancy?" + +"I believe he is inside the church; I saw him there a short time ago. He is +much interested, I believe. I hope, Miss Gurney, that these excitable +people have not seriously alarmed you." + +"Oh, I don't want to see them any more!" cried Elsie. "I wish we could find +Lancy, so we could start for Charlottetown." + +"Do you know, I believe he wants you to stay overnight at some place near, +so that he can stay to the evening service. Could you agree to that plan, +do you think?" he asked. + +"Certainly; if the place we have to stay is a good piece away from this +church, out of sight and hearing of these people," replied Dexie, feeling +that a drive back to town would be very tiresome after the exciting day +they had spent. + +"Well, suppose we start now? The drive will do you good," said Mr. +Holbrook, as he turned towards their carriage; and as he led the horse on +the road, he proposed that they start for Montague Bridge at once, +describing it as a pretty hamlet about two miles from the church. + +"But if Lancy should come and find the carriage gone, he would be anxious," +said Dexie. + +"Oh! I'll pin a note to the tree, so if he comes here it will explain our +absence; but I will be back before the service is ended; and I fancy he +will not leave the church till then. You are quite sure you have no +objections to leaving him behind you, Miss Gurney?" he asked. + +"Oh, no! But are you quite sure you can get us a nice place to stay? I +suppose you know the place around here very well," she added. + +"Yes, indeed; I have spent my life on the Island, Miss Gurney, and I know +my fellow Islanders pretty well. I will leave you quite comfortable, never +fear." + +They were soon driving along at a rapid pace, and Dexie hoped that the +scene in the church had passed from Elsie's mind, till her question to Mr. +Holbrook proved the contrary. "Do tell us, Mr. Holbrook, what _is_ it +makes those people act so? Is it the talk of the minister that does it? I'm +sure I could only hear a word now and then, though his lips kept moving +even when the noise was the worst." + +"That is a hard question to answer, Miss Gurney," was the reply. "Some say +it is the Heavenly Spirit working within them; others think the spirit is +not of a heavenly origin; others, again, say they are getting relief from +the bondage of sin." + +"Well, if that is the way they show their relief, I think it would be +better to stay in bondage," said Dexie. "I wonder if it can be the same +craze that used to affect the colored people down South. Grandma's people +kept slaves, and I have heard of such actions amongst them, but if I ever +heard the explanation of them I have completely forgotten it. Still one +would hardly think that a superstitious negro craze would affect the +clear-headed Scotch people in the same manner. It is a mystery to me how +they live through it." + +Mr. Holbrook laid back his head and laughed. + +"But they are human, like other people, Mr. Holbrook," she urged; "and how +is it that they do not hurt themselves? There was a man with a shock of red +hair, sitting near the chimney, who took the 'jerks.' I daresay you noticed +him. Now, unless his head is made of something different than ours, it must +be smashed in on one side, for he struck the chimney with such rapidity and +force that it sounded quite sickening from where we sat. Really, I should +not have been surprised had he fallen dead to the floor." + +"I daresay he never felt it," said Mr. Holbrook, smiling. "I do not believe +that any of them know what they are about when they take the 'jerks,' or +else some of the women are very careless of appearances." + +"Oh! well, don't let us talk about them any more," said Elsie. "Papa often +says that everyone has a right to his own belief, and these people seem to +believe _something_, and they really _must_ believe it without merely +saying so, as so many of us do, or else they could not act out their belief +in such a dreadful manner; but whatever their belief is, it must be +awful!" + +In a short time they entered the village, which was situated on both sides +of a river, connected by the bridge that gave the place its name. Mr. +Holbrook drove at once to a house where he knew the girls would have every +attention, and the pleasant face of the woman who welcomed them at the door +seemed to speak of rest and security to be found beneath her roof. + +With a few words of explanation Mr. Holbrook left them, promising to be +back in good season with Lancy. He then returned with all speed to the +church of the McDonalds, where he found the energetic members still in +active motion. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + + +"What a relief to find ourselves safe and quiet once more!" said Elsie, as +she leaned back in her chair with a sigh of content. "I did not know I was +so tired." + +"A visit to the McDonaldite church is apt to fatigue both body and mind," +said their hostess, Mrs. Gardner. "It does not seem right, does it, for +people to leave their own church to witness such doings?" she added +seriously. There was a mild rebuke in her words, and Elsie remembered with +a pang that it was Sunday. She had given little thought to the fact during +the last few hours. + +"No, I am sure it can't be right, Mrs. Gardner," said Elsie, "but we were +so interested when we heard about these 'Jerkers' that we wished to see +them before we went home." + +"Then you do not belong on the Island. Where is your home, my dears?" she +asked, as she stepped briskly about preparing the tea. + +"We are from Halifax," Dexie answered. + +"And is it possible that you are the daughter of Mr. Sherwood, who buys +horses on the Island? Why, we know him well. He always stays here when he +comes this way. Well, well; many's the time he has told us about his twin +girls, but I never expected to see one of them here. Are you the beauty or +the singer?" she smilingly asked. + +"Now, Mrs. Gardner," said Dexie, laughing, "I am sure you can see for +yourself that I am not the beauty." + +"Then you are the singer; but your looks will do very well. Uncommon beauty +is often a snare to its possessor, and the ability to sing God's praises is +worth far more. Are you too tired to do so to-night?" + +Dexie looked up with a question in her eyes, and Mrs. Gardner added, + +"There is a service in our meeting-house to-night. Would you like to attend +it with me?" turning to Elsie. + +"Yes, indeed; I would love to go. The day will not seem all lost if we +spend a short time of it properly. But do tell us, Mrs. Gardner, what makes +those people take the 'jerks'? It seems such a queer kind of religion." + +"My dear, I have lived in these parts for more than twelve years, and I am +acquainted with several families of McDonaldites, but I never yet learned +why they take the 'jerks,' or what they signify, but I know that there are +many good religious people belonging to the sect." + +"But they might be good people on _account_ of their religion or in _spite_ +of it," said Dexie. + +Mrs. Gardner looked over at Dexie with a serious face. + +"I wonder if you can repeat the first verse of the first Psalm. Try it, my +dear," she said. + +"I do not think I can say it word for word, Mrs. Gardner," said Dexie, +presently; "but it is something like this, 'Blessed is the person who never +goes where he knows he ought not to be, and who never sits down in the seat +of the scornful.' Thank you, Mrs. Gardner, I see the application," she +added, smiling. "I fear I have been on that seat to-day, and I have no +right to be scornful when I am such a heathen myself. Yet I never attend an +impressive service that I do not wish I were a good member of that +particular church, no matter what denomination it happens to be. But +to-day, although I have witnessed the most impressive service of my life, I +never wished I was a good McDonaldite; no, not once. Now, you needn't +laugh, Elsie, for you know yourself I can jump around just as lively as +most people, and I am sure I could go through some of the most surprising +movements if I tried, but I never once felt the least desire to emulate the +members of that church, so I conclude that I have not been benefited by +attending that wonderful gathering; yet I have always thought that any +religious service that does not inspire you with a desire to join heart and +soul in it, is a miserable failure. I am afraid if I had to choose between +the two, I would rather be a dancing dervish than a McDonaldite. However, +perhaps if I understood the doctrines of each I might choose the other way. +But that brings me back to the beginning again, and makes me wonder how it +is that no one seems to really know why they take the 'jerks,'" turning to +Mrs. Gardner. + +"Well, since none of us _do_ know, let us try to forget about them for the +rest of the evening," said she. "It is a comfort to know that there is a +religion which the simplest can understand, and a service in which we can +all unite without committing any impropriety." + +A few preparations followed, and they were soon on their way to the +Methodist chapel, where the reverential feeling that always filled Elsie's +heart when inside a place of worship was not now wanting, as it had been +while inside the church of the McDonalds, and she followed the example of +Mrs. Gardner and bowed her head in silent prayer. + +The service was opened by singing a hymn--one of those good old-fashioned, +heartfelt songs that are dear to the hearts of all Christian people, +whatever may be their Church or creed--and a feeling of strong emotion +filled Dexie's heart as it rolled from the throats of the people around +her, then her own clear, full notes rose above the assembled voices. + +The minister lifted his eyes, and rested them a moment on the owner of the +voice; but, thinking that he supposed she was just singing for effect, +Dexie remained silent while the next verse was sung. A look of +disappointment was reflected on the faces of those around her; but Dexie +was not prepared for the pointed rebuke that was given as the minister read +out the next verse. + +"When the Lord gives a good voice, He expects the owner to use it for His +glory; so let all sing who can sing, and do not be afraid to praise God in +His own house." + +Dexie felt that the words were directed to her, and wisely obeyed, fearing +a more open command might be given her from the pulpit, and she detected +the nod of approval that was given as she lifted her eyes to the preacher. + +When the service was over, Mrs. Gardner introduced her young charges to +those near her, and as the minister came down among his congregation he was +presented to the strangers also. + +A few pleasant words followed the introduction; then, drawing Dexie aside, +he said: + +"I felt sorry to have to reprove you before the whole congregation, seeing +that you were a stranger here; but after showing us that you _could_ sing, +it was very wrong and unkind to be silent. You know, the verse says, 'Let +those refuse to sing who never knew our Lord,' and I would be sorry to +place you on the left hand when you are so well able to sing God's +praises." + +Dexie did not know whether to be amused, hurt or vexed. The words uttered +were words of rebuke, but the odd manner in which they were said and the +humorous twinkle in the minister's eyes did not well agree. He waited a +moment for her answer, still holding her hand and looking down into her +face with a serio-comic expression quite unlike a clergyman, until Dexie +answered, in a low tone, + +"I will remember what you said, and will always sing when I can, though I +should not like to be spoken to right out in church very often." + +"That's right," said Mr. Barkly. "I am glad to know that I have made an +impression on one of my congregation, at least, and that your sin of +omission will not be repeated. There is nothing like a personal remark to +bring people to a sense of their shortcomings; so let this be a warning to +you, Miss Sherwood," and he walked down the aisle at her side. "I hope, +Miss Sherwood," he added, "that your stay amongst us will allow us the +privilege of hearing your voice again. With a good preacher and a fine +singer as inducements, we ought to bring out a large congregation, eh?" + +Dexie looked up quickly, but the ministerial air could not hide the rich +vein of humor in the man, and she smilingly replied, + +"I should not like to be reproved before a larger audience than was here +this evening, Mr. Barkly, and I might unintentionally do something that +would bring it upon me; so I think the preacher must depend on himself, as +we expect to return to Charlottetown to-morrow." + +A few parting words, and the group separated, and Dexie found herself by +Elsie's side, walking towards their temporary home. + +As they were very tired, they decided not to await Lancy's arrival, so at +an early hour they asked to be shown to their room, and its spotless purity +spoke well for the housekeeper. + +"However shall we get into that bed, Dexie?" said Elsie, as the footsteps +of Mrs. Gardner were no longer audible. + +"That is just what I was wondering myself," and Dexie stood regarding the +high, old-fashioned four-poster. "Do you suppose they use a step-ladder, or +jump into it from the table? Why," lifting up the counterpane and sheets, +"it's just a mountain of feathers; we must spring into it from this chair." +A little later her smothered laughter camp from its depths, and the laugh +was repeated when Elsie sank beside her. + +When they came downstairs next morning they found Lancy waiting for them, +and a few minutes later Mr. Holbrook put in an appearance, making a merry +little party as they sat round the cosy breakfast table. + +At the earnest solicitation of Mrs. Gardner, they consented to stay a few +days longer at Montague Bridge, and visit the places of interest in the +vicinity. + +"I will leave the horse and carriage, and return to town with a friend, and +report to Mrs. Fremont," said Mr. Holbrook, "so you can drive around the +country here; and when you are ready for home just follow the telegraph +poles, and you'll not miss your road. You have made a good thing of it by +visiting Montague Bridge." + +A few days later the new friends they had made were left behind, and they +were again in sight of Charlottetown. + +When they arrived at Mrs. Fremont's they were received with delight, as +there had been a picnic planned, and they were waiting the return of the +little party from Montague, in order to announce the day. + +After the pleasant bustle of preparation had resulted in hampers of +delicacies, a lively procession of vehicles, filled with happy people, +started for Stanhope Bay, a lovely spot on the north shore of the Island. + +The high sandbanks that here border the waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence +were a source of wonder and amusement to those of the party who were +strangers to the place, but woe to the one who stepped unwittingly near the +edge of the bank! for the yielding sand gave no foothold, and an awkward +slide down the face of the bank was always the result. But the shore below +was as firm and smooth as a sanded floor, and soon every member of the +party had thrown dignity aside and let themselves down through the warm dry +sand to the beach, where they sought for treasures of the deep in the shape +of pretty shells and other sea beauties, that were thrown up by the mighty +waves that here dash on the shore in thundering tones when tempests rule +the waters of the Gulf. + +It was only when a sense of hunger brought to mind the full baskets +awaiting them in the grove at the top of the bank, that they turned their +backs on the restless waves, and essayed to climb the steep sandbanks. + +But a complete knowledge of mountain-climbing was of little use here; it +was each one for himself in the scramble for the top, for there could be +little help given either in front or rear. + +A mad rush up the bank, at an angle that offered some slight foothold, +brought Dexie, hot and panting, to the top, and she turned to give a word +of instruction to Elsie, who was trying to climb the steep face of the bank +only to find that she slipped back almost as fast as she ascended. + +"Go back to the bottom, Elsie, and make a run for that bunch of grass where +I came up; you will never get up there; watch Gertrude Fremont. Now, Elsie, +run for it!" + +After a few minutes' hard climbing, Elsie reached the top, and the next few +minutes were spent in shaking their skirts, and emptying their shoes from +the accumulation of sand that filled every crevice. A smooth spot was then +found to do duty as a table, and the snowy cloths were spread, when the +contents of the heavy baskets revealed themselves, and all the delights of +a picnic in the woods were present in abundance. + +Even the long-legged spiders, who invariably invite themselves to such +gatherings, and persist in walking over and around the various viands, were +here represented by members of the family who seemed to be great +grandfathers of their tribe, judging by their size; and the dexterity shown +by some of the young gentlemen in picking up these wandering vagrants and +sending them back into oblivion, called forth much praise from the female +portion of the party. + +After a day of delightful enjoyment, the hour arrived for them to return +home, and having so much less to pack up than there was at starting, they +were soon on the journey homeward. + +Before the picnickers separated, there was a driving party arranged to go +to Rustico Beach, Brackly Point or Cove Head, for another day's outing, and +the day was set for the drive. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + + +The next morning, when the mail was opened, Dexie received a letter from +home, in which, beside the commonplace news, there were pages devoted to a +startling and amusing announcement. + +"Just think," Gussie wrote, "there is a man at the Gurney's who has come +all the way from Australia to find Hugh, and to tell him about the fortune +left him by his father. It amounts to a very large sum, and will make Hugh +one of the wealthiest men in the Province, so, of course, he is now quite a +different person in my eyes than when he was a mere clerk. Unfortunately +for me, he is not so agreeable and friendly as he used to be, and he does +not come in to see me nearly so often as formerly, but I manage to meet him +frequently, and treat him with so much favor that I am quite sure I will +have no difficulty in securing him. I have been teasing mamma to buy me +some more new dresses, for I feel quite shabby now that there is a prospect +of possessing so much wealth. I am sure we will be a fine-looking couple, +for Hugh looks particularly handsome lately, but rich men always look well +in the eyes of a young lady. If you are asked to stay for a long visit, I +would advise you to do so, as it is much more convenient for me to have you +away just now." + +Dexie smiled at this, but turned over the page and read on: "I shall send +you word as soon as I am engaged, for then I shall want your help on my +trousseau. As you are visiting among fashionable people, I wish you would +keep in mind whatever dressy garments you see that would suit my style. +Hugh wished to be remembered to you, and was anxious to know when you would +return, but I do not see that your movements concern him." + +There were more pages in the same strain, and Dexie smiled at the many +things Gussie had disclosed without being aware of it. She could read +between the lines, and the reason of Hugh's inquiries on her behalf were +not hard to guess. But Dexie knew it would be a great disappointment to +Gussie if she failed in her schemes, and she was willing enough to prolong +her visit if it favored Gussie's future prospects, but she knew that Hugh's +pocket-book was far dearer to Gussie than Hugh himself. + +Lancy had received a letter also, and Hugh's unexpected good fortune was +told at length. Hugh's father had not died during the journey to the +Australian gold diggings, as had been reported, but he had changed his +name, and so was lost sight of, until he had accumulated the fortune that +now fell to his son. Lancy wondered if Hugh's better prospects would have +any influence on Dexie; he knew well that Hugh would use his money as a +stepping-stone to Dexie's favor. Perhaps Dexie surmised what was going on +in his mind, for she passed him her letter with permission to read it. +After they retired from the breakfast room, they discussed the news +together. Lancy felt ashamed to think he could not feel as pleased about it +as he ought, and Dexie listened with heightened color as he told his fear +of being set aside for Hugh. + +"Lancy, you must remember I am free to do as I like with my future," she +said, with flushed cheeks, "for I have not given you the least word of a +promise; but let me tell you once and for all, that Hugh cannot buy my +favor, and he has not been able to obtain it by coaxing, or brute force +either." + +"Dexie, what do you mean?" was the quick reply. "What has he said or done +that you speak like this?" + +"Let us go to the summer-house, Lancy, and I think I can satisfy your mind +on one point, and that is, if I fail to appreciate your attentions as you +think they deserve, you need not lay the blame on Hugh McNeil," and, +standing under the shadow of the swinging vines, Dexie related the +substance of the interview on the kitchen roof the evening before they left +Halifax. + +"The scoundrel! and he dared to threaten you, and was actually going to +throw you from the roof! Why did you not tell me, Dexie, and I would have +horsewhipped him if it had cost me my life!" And he dug his heel into the +gravel, as if he had his enemy beneath it. + +"Don't, Lancy; it is all over, so try to forget it. I know that Hugh felt +sorry for his burst of temper the moment after, but he could not unsay the +words, and I would not forgive them--that is why he felt so badly when we +parted on the train. I did not intend to tell you of it, Lancy; so do not +look so vexed." + +"Oh! if I only could lay my hands on him, I would pay him for his impudence +and brutality! but, Dexie, were you not very frightened?" and he clasped +her hands in his own, and looked earnestly into her face. + +"For the moment, when I turned my head and saw the stones beneath me, I was +almost sick with fear, but I think my temper saved my life just then, for I +turned on him and dared him! Oh! I could have torn him limb from limb, I +was that angry! I broke the commandment a dozen times as I stood there +before him--I mean the one that says 'Thou shalt do no murder.' I killed +him in my heart, I mean. However, I feel real pleased to hear of his good +fortune, so I think I must have repented; but I'm not quite sure," she +laughingly added. + +"My brave Dexie! that is no easy matter to forgive!" said Lancy earnestly. + +"Oh, well! I am going to forgive everything, and be as amiable as possible +to my future brother-in-law. You see, Gussie has claimed him already. Now, +you must keep this to yourself, Lancy, or I will never tell you anything +again; but you see how foolish it is to hold up Hugh as my possible lover. +Are you satisfied now?" + +"No, not quite, Dexie, but if you will tell me what you refused to tell +Hugh, then I will be," and he drew nearer her side. + +"Then I guess you can remain unsatisfied, Sir Launcelot, for I will not +confess to a feeling I am not sure of possessing." + +"But you will confess that no one else holds the first place--that you love +no one else? You will tell me that much, surely, Dexie?" and he tried to +read the answer in her dark eyes. + +"Well, yes, Lancy. I can safely concede that much without committing +myself, but you need not begin to build air castles on that!" + +A step sounded on the gravel walk, and Elsie's head appeared through the +swinging vines at the door. + +"Here I have been searching for you for half an hour! Whatever have you two +been doing here, all by yourselves? Not love-making, surely; but your face +looks guilty, Dexie," and she looked keenly at her brother, to see what his +earnest tones might have meant. + +"Well! you little Paul Pry! we were love-making and love-breaking, both. +You came just in time to hear that my engagement to Lancy is--not a settled +thing," and she laughed at the surprise in Elsie's eyes. "So please unsay +what you told Mrs. Fremont in the parlor last evening. But what are your +wishes, Miss Gurney?" + +Elsie returned her bow with great formality and replied "Miss Beatrice +Fremont sends her compliments, and will Mr. Gurney be kind enough to drive +us to the market this morning, as Miss Gertrude is otherwise engaged." + +"With pleasure, but such dignity ill becomes your youthful brow, sister +mine. Did mother tell you the news about Hugh?" + +"No! She said you would tell me the news your letter contained." + +"Well, just think! Hugh's father has been alive for years, long enough to +lay by a big fortune for Hugh. But he took a fever and died, just when he +was almost ready to return to England. He managed to get a trusty man to +see after his business, who has arrived in Halifax, and Hugh is rich enough +to buy us all out if he wants to. Mother says he has made no plans for the +future yet, but frequently asks when we are expected home, though why he is +anxious about us, I can't see." + +Something caused him to glance at Dexie, and the peculiar smile on her face +made Lancy understand at once the reason of the frequent inquiries. Hugh +did not care to make plans for the future until Dexie had returned, when +her acceptance or refusal of his suit would have something to do with his +future plans. But after hearing Dexie's story, Hugh's anxiety on their +account did not trouble him further. + +As they walked towards the house, Elsie expressed a hope "that Hugh and +Gussie would soon get married, and would give them a good party to +celebrate the event," and Dexie heartily seconded her wish. + +But even Hugh's good fortune was set aside, for this was market day, and on +no account would they miss the drive to the crowded mart. They were soon +speeding along the level road, past cartloads of farm products of every +kind, which were slowly making their way towards the same goal. While +Beatrice was making her purchases the two girls wandered about to view the +busy scene, but they soon became aware that the attention of a +broad-shouldered countryman was directed to themselves. Dexie wondered +where she had seen the man before, as his face looked familiar, but her +memory was refreshed by the outspoken and hearty greeting that met her +ears. + +"Bless yer bonnie face! If this aren't Mr. Sherrud's dochter, I'm mista'en! +What! dinna ye ken the auld farmer McDonald, that was seein' ye in Halifax? +Oh, I thocht ye'd ken me! An' whan did ye come owre?" and her hand was +grasped and given a hearty shake as she tried to answer his many questions, +for the pleasure of the meeting was easily read in the open countenance +before her. + +"Weel, weel! but it's pleased I am to hae met ye the day, an' is yer +faither as smart as ever?" and seeing him glance towards Elsie she +remembered herself and introduced her friend. + +"She is our next-door neighbor in Halifax," Dexie explained. + +"An' ye are both owre for a visit? Weel, weel, an' ye never telt me ye were +comin' at a', at a'. But whaur are ye stayin', if I may ask?" + +"At Mrs. Fremont's. I am here at Miss Gurney's invitation, and her friends +have been very kind to me. We have been here a little more than three +weeks." + +"An' ye never sent me word! If I had kent ye were here, I wad hae sent doon +for ye afore." + +"You are very kind, indeed, Mr. McDonald, but I am here with friends this +time, and I am afraid I cannot leave them." + +"Hoot, noo! ye needna leave them; there's room at the farm for ye a'. Hoo +mony is there besides this ane?" + +"One young man." + +And catching sight of Lancy, a short distance away, she called his name and +he stepped at once to her side. + +"This is Mr. Gurney, a brother to my friend here." + +"Ay, ay; I remember him," greeting Lancy heartily. "An' hoo dae ye like the +look o' the Islan'?" + +"Very much, indeed!" Lancy replied. "It is a fine place, and we have been +enjoying ourselves immensely." + +"But ye haena been up oor way yet! If I'd only kent ye were here I wad hae +had ye up afore this," he repeated. + +"Thank you kindly, Mr. McDonald, but we could hardly impose on your +good-nature as far as that." + +"Impose, is't? Ma dear sir, it's prood an' happy we wad be to hae ye come +to see us. You maun gie me yer promise to come afore ye gang back to +Halifax. The gran'mother wad be sair hurt at no seein' ye. Whan could ye +come, noo?" turning to Dexie. + +Just then Beatrice Fremont came towards them, and her smile of recognition +told Dexie that the farmer was well known to her. + +"I did not know you were acquainted with my friends, Mr. McDonald," and she +extended her hand. + +"I ken her faither weel, an' I met the dochter whan I was abroad," he +replied with a smile, "but I never expected to meet ony Halifax folk the +day. It's her faither that did me the kindness whan I was in Halifax that +I'll never forget, an' it's weel pleased I am to meet them. Is't at your +place they are staying, Miss Fremont?" + +"Yes," replied Beatrice, smiling, "but I think I heard you trying to coax +them away from us, Mr. McDonald." + +He looked up into the bright face and replied: + +"Ay, I want to show them that I dinna forget their kindness to me whan I +was a stranger in a strange land, an' no wishin' to rob ye o' yer visitors +at a', I was tryin' to hae them say whan they wad come up to the farm, for +it's masel' that'll come efter them, whanever they say the word." + +"You need not be afraid to accept the invitation, girls," said Beatrice, as +the farmer turned to say a few words to Lancy. "Your presence would cause +no trouble; they are always so glad to have visitors that it is a pleasure +to go. I spent several weeks there last summer, and I know they would all +be glad to see you." + +"It is well enough for Dexie to go," said Elsie, "but it would be very rude +for me to go on such short acquaintance." + +"There, Elsie, I stand condemned. Behold me, a visitor at Mrs. Fremont's, +and we never knew of each other's existence before the visit was planned," +said Dexie. + +"But this is different, Dexie," Elsie hurried to explain. + +"The difference is in your favor, Elsie." + +"I think I can promise that they will be as glad to see you both at the +farm as we were to have you here, and you know your being no relation does +not matter to us." + +"Well, I would dearly love to go," Dexie said. "It will be such a chance to +see that part of the country, and by the way papa speaks of the McDonald +homestead we would like it very much." + +"Then you cannot do better than spend a few days at the seaside with him. +There is a fine beach near, and chances for sea-bathing and all the rest of +the delights of a seaside farm. If you like, Gertrude will go with you and +stay for the first day or two." + +"Is there a beach and sandhills like Stanhope Bay?" Dexie asked. + +"Yes, only better, I think; and they have boats and go fishing sometimes. I +am sure you would enjoy yourselves." + +Lancy had been talking to Mr. McDonald during this conversation, but he now +turned to them, saying: + +"What do you say, girls, to accepting this kind invitation? Shall we go in +a body?" + +"They would all like to go, Mr. McDonald, but they are afraid they will +crowd you," said Beatrice, smiling; "but I know so much better than that, +that I am going to send Gertrude along with them. You will give her +house-room, I know." + +"Hoose-room, is't; there's plenty o' that; but hoo shune can ye a' come +up?" he anxiously inquired. + +"Well, not till next week, Mr. McDonald. We have planned to go for a picnic +to Brackly Point, but you can tell the girls at home to look out for them +next Wednesday; you need not take the trouble to come in for them, Mr. +McDonald; I know how busy you are on the farm, and Gertrude knows the road. +You must not let them run wild," she laughingly said, "but keep them well +in order. But I must hurry home or I shall not be in time to give cook +these vegetables for dinner. You must call in and see us on your way out of +town, Mr. McDonald," and promising to do so he walked with them to where +the carriage was waiting, and they drove home discussing the proposed visit +as they went. Dexie then explained how she became acquainted with the +farmer, and gave them a short account of the troubles he had experienced +while visiting Nova Scotia. + +"He shows to better advantage when he is at home on his own farm," said +Beatrice. "He told us how he fell among thieves when he was in Halifax, and +how a kind gentleman befriended him, but I did not expect I would ever know +any of the family that he praised so highly when he told us the story. He +supplies us with winter vegetables, and we are quite friendly, I assure +you." + +"How strange things do happen! I never expected to set eyes on the man +again, and here we are planning to visit his home. A chain of +circumstances, linked together, stretches a long way, even though the links +are small and insignificant in themselves." + +"Yes; it would have been a great disappointment to him had you refused his +invitation. He loves to have visitors in the house. I can speak from +experience, for I have been there with Gertrude. I expect Mr. McDonald did +not impress you favorably when he was in Halifax, but in his own place you +will not find a finer man anywhere." + +"I can well believe it, but--oh! Beatrice, what is that?" + +As they turned a corner they came upon a man standing in the centre of the +street ringing a bell which he held in his hand, and instantly the doors +and windows in the neighborhood were peopled, and pedestrians within +earshot all stopped at the sound. + +"Oh! who is it? What is he saying?" cried the girls. + +"Listen," and she checked the horse. "It is old Hatch, the town-crier; +something is lost." + +The bell stopped, and in a loud voice the man read from a paper: + +"Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Lost, lost! On market square, a tin box, containing +papers. The finder will be rewarded by leaving it with the city marshal at +the court-house. Oh, yes! Oh, yes!" + +The bell rang again at the conclusion of the proclamation, and the man +hurried on to the next street-crossing, where the loss was again set forth, +his voice coming back in waves of sound as the carriage rolled farther +away. + +"The 'town-crier,'--that means a crier hired by the town, does it?" said +Lancy. "I thought there was not such a thing this side the Atlantic. Why do +not people advertise their losses?" + +"That is the way they do it," said Beatrice, smiling, "and it pays better, +particularly on market days, than to put it in all the city papers. It is +the quickest way to make a loss known, or to advertise a sale, for +everybody listens to old Hatch, or Mr. Hatch, I should say. It is very +old-fashioned to have a town-crier, I suppose, but we should miss him very +much, though I daresay the office will die with the present crier." + +"I think it is an old English custom," said Lancy. "I have read of criers +going through the streets to announce great events, such as battles and +other public matters, but I thought they were out of date long ago." + +The events of the morning were duly discussed with Mrs. Fremont when they +arrived at the house, and she assured them that no thought of inconvenience +need cause them to shrink from accepting Mr. McDonald's invitation. Their +visit would bring pleasure to all the members of the family. + +"You will not find the family rude and rough, as some country people are. +The girls are bright and intelligent, though full of fun and frolic," she +added. "You will be sure to enjoy yourselves, and should there come a rainy +day you will find plenty to amuse you in their quaint though comfortable +farmhouse." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + + +The same comfortable carriage that carried them to Montague Bridge was now +travelling in an opposite direction, and the young strangers viewed with +pleasure the luxuriant fields that surrounded the many farmhouses, and +which promise such abundant harvest to their owners. The drive proved a +very delightful one indeed. In consequence of the many stoppings they made +to regale themselves with the sweet wild berries that grew in abundance by +the roadside, the afternoon was drawing to a close when the little party +reached the McDonald farmhouse. + +The hardy pioneer who had first settled on the land that was owned and +tilled by his descendants, must have selected the site on which he built +his first log-house with an eye to the picturesque and beautiful, for no +other spot for miles around had such a far reaching and delightful +prospect. As time went by, and the land gave forth its increase, the +log-house was supplemented by a more pretentious structure, that was "built +on," the original apartments serving for kitchens, outhouses and other +necessary buildings; and as this process of erection went on at later +periods, the farmhouse was large and many sided, and possessed many +conveniences that farmers are apt to consider unnecessary. But the honest +pride that the present owner had in the well-tilled acres extended to the +buildings upon it, and neatness and thrift were everywhere present. No +hingeless gates propped with sticks met the eye; no broken-down doors were +to be seen on his barns; a master hand ruled the land, and his rule brought +prosperity and happiness. + +The inmates of the farmhouse were such as you would expect to find amidst +such surroundings--active and intelligent, and not wholly given up to the +pursuit of the things which perish with the using, for the young people, at +least, found time for intellectual pleasures that would have been +considered in some farmhouses a wilful waste of time and means. + +The family consisted of two young girls well up in their teens; Tom, a +lively boy of twelve, and Dora, a plump little miss of six; and coming +after these, in her own estimation, was the mother, a model of neatness and +good-nature, a fine dairy woman, whose interests were, of course, centred +in her cows and poultry yard, and she was generally found somewhere near +the vicinity of her particular treasures. + +Then there was Phebe, the strong-armed. A very important member of the +family was she, as you would soon learn if you made any stay in the +farmhouse. She it was who solved problems by the aid of washboard and +scrubbing-brush, and the tempting meals she sent out of the kitchen would +have delighted the heart of an epicure. But to see Phebe at her best, one +should be at the farm during the busy haying season. It was her pride and +delight to be considered "as good as any man," and she could "pitch a load" +with a dexterity that even the two farm hands could not equal. These latter +were brothers, and lived in a snug cottage a few rods away, said cottage +being kept, like everything else on the farm, as "neat as a new pin," by +Joe's wife, a brisk little woman, whose head scarcely reached to her +husband's shoulder. + +Another inmate of the farmhouse should have a paragraph all to herself, for +"the grandmother" cannot be described in one brief line. Although she had +long since passed the allotted span of life, yet age had not dimmed the +lustre of her keen grey eyes nor dulled her faculties; and though she could +no longer take an active part in the management of the household, yet from +her corner in the pleasant room a potent spell reached out and overshadowed +the members of the household. No crowned monarch on his throne ever ruled +over such deferential and loyal subjects as those that here yielded to her +benign sway. Not that she required it of them--it was graciously accorded +her as to the patriarchs of old, and she seemed to belong to a holier age. +Her soft white hair fell over her brow, and was drawn back under a large +white frilled cap that surrounded her head like a halo, and the placid +countenance that beamed beneath it inspired a feeling of reverence. She was +called by all the household "the grandmother," and was dearly loved by them +all; but the filial love of her son was far above that usually accorded to +aged mothers, and it was easy to see how it warmed her heart. + +Such was the household into which our young travellers were ushered about +five o'clock on a beautiful summer day. + +Mr. McDonald had been watching for their appearance for some hours, and his +hearty greetings were repeated by the rest of the family. The farmer's +daughters, Maggie and Lizzie, received Gertrude with the cordiality of an +old friend, and though at first they seemed a little shy with the strangers +from "abroad" this soon wore away, and they found their visitors quite as +amiable as if they had been born on the same soil as themselves. + +As soon as they had been refreshed, outwardly and inwardly, they were taken +into the room where "the grandmother" sat in her large, comfortable chair, +and were introduced to her with much solemnity; but they only waited for +the few words of welcome to each, and then passed into the pleasant +sitting-room adjoining. + +"You must go in to-morrow and see the grandmother, one at a time," said +Lizzie, as she drew a chair near the rest. "She does not see many +strangers, and more than one confuses her. It seemed necessary to introduce +you in a body, but she will be better pleased to become acquainted with you +separately." + +"I have something for her," said Gertrude. "She seems to remember me as +well as if I were here only last week." + +"I have something for her, too," said Dexie, smiling, "but it is only a +soft foot-rest, and I see she has one now." + +"That is kind of you to think of her," said Maggie. "Let me know when you +are going to give it to her, and I will slip in beforehand and pull away +her old one. She will be so delighted to think that you remembered her." + +But the beautiful prospect from the windows claimed a closer inspection, +and they went for their hats and started for the beach. + +Lancy followed Mr. McDonald to inspect the premises with the happy owner, +promising to join the rest later on. The girls walked along the path that +led across a waving field of grain, and then stood for a few minutes +looking off at the white-topped waves that extended as far as the eye could +reach. The high sandbanks here raised their barriers against the waters of +the Gulf, and shrill screams of laughter, such as only come from girlish +throats, accompanied their descent through the dry, yielding sand to the +beach below. The little white-washed building that served the double +purpose of bathing and boat-house was duly inspected; and when Dexie +admitted her ability to handle an oar, it raised her very much in the +estimation of the bright country lasses, as they were under the impression +that her soft hands were not put to much energetic labor, but one who had +sufficient muscle to handle an oar could surely do other things as well. +While they were on the beach Lancy joined them, and after he had inspected +the boat-house, under Dexie's enthusiastic guidance, they agreed that on +the morrow they would sail across to the distant point, and view the +prospect from that quarter. + +"We will take a lunch and have a private picnic," said Lizzie. "I hope the +day will be fine. You have no idea how rough it is here when the wind is +high; the breakers come rolling in so high and grand that it is quite +fascinating to watch them, but dangerous in the extreme to be on the shore. +Vessels have to keep out to sea when there is a storm, for this is +considered a dangerous coast, but there have not been any wrecks along here +for some years." + +They returned by a different route, entering the house by a side-door, and +the visitors were surprised to see the display of flowers that bloomed in +the outer porch, making it, indeed, a bower of beauty. + +"Why! you have made quite an addition to the house since I was here last," +said Gertrude, as she stood to admire the blossoms. + +"No, not an addition, only a little alteration," said Maggie. "Don't you +remember this old porch where father used to smoke his pipe of an evening? +Well, in the spring, when Joe was making the glass frames to force the +early vegetables for market, we got him to put a glass frame on each side +of the porch. They are not very neatly done, I admit, but they answer the +purpose very well. Then these few shelves were easily fitted up, and this +is the result," she added. + +"I missed your flowers, from the window seats, and wondered if you had +found them too much trouble," said Gertrude, fingering some sweet-smelling +leaves near her. "Well, you see, there were so many of them that it was +quite a task to look after them when they were spread over the house. In +the winter we don't mind the trouble so much, as there is so little left of +'green things growing' to rest the eyes upon that we find them quite a +pleasure. In the bright days of spring there is so much to see and do +out-of doors that we thought we would collect them here. Of course, we +still keep the grandmother's window full of blossoms, for she loves them so +dearly." + +"It is a pity that the porch is not on the south side of the house," said +Dexie. "I should think it would be quite chilly here when the wind blows." + +"So it is," said Lizzie, with a smile, "and I suppose you think we might +have chosen a better situation for our little conservatory when this +many-sided house has better spots to select from, but it was not the +flowers alone we were thinking of." + +"Well, what else were you thinking of, if I may ask?" said Gertrude. + +Lizzie blushed slightly as she replied: + +"This is the door that mother uses to go in and out when about her dairy +work--that is the dairy under the trees at the end of the path--and father +likes to sit here and watch her about her work of an evening while he +smokes his pipe; and when she has done her work she will often sit here and +rest a few minutes with him; but there is not much of a prospect from this +door, except the waters of the Gulf, so we thought we would put our flowers +here and she could see and smell them when she went in and out. She might +be too busy to stop and notice them particularly, but they are something +pleasant to rest her eyes on when she is through with the milk. I always +thought that the restless waves made her think of my brother who was lost +at sea, but now I fancy that the flowers rest her, though perhaps it is +only fancy, after all." + +Dexie's thoughts flew back to her own mother lying listlessly on her sofa +so much of the time. How much had she ever done to change the current of +her mother's thought? She made a mental memorandum to try the effect of a +few bright blooms in her mother's window as soon as she returned home. + +As they talked, Maggie had taken up her father's pipe that had lain on a +shelf near, and emptying its contents she took from a pouch hanging on the +wall a piece of tobacco and a jack-knife, and, with a practised hand, she +refilled the pipe afresh, then laid it gently on a little shelf within easy +reach of the cosy seat that her father occupied during the warm summer +evenings. It was done so quietly that it was almost unnoticed, but Dexie +saw it and understood the kindly act. She wondered if she loved her own +father enough to perform such an act for him. She felt glad that her father +did not use tobacco, for she would not care to be outdone by these Prince +Edward Island girls; yet in her case she felt that even lovingkindness had +its limit, and that she would have to draw the line _this_ side of the +tobacco pipe. + +Maggie felt, rather than saw, that Dexie was watching her, and as she laid +the pipe in readiness for her father's evening smoke she looked up and said +with a smile: + +"You never saw a girl do that before, confess now? Well, I don't care for +it, but father likes to find his pipe all ready for him, so I try to +overcome my dislike, and his tobacco-smoke helps to keep my flowers free +from vermin, you know." + +As twilight deepened into evening the members of the family all assembled +in the grandmother's room, and a home-like feeling came over Elsie as she +saw Mr. McDonald open the big Bible that rested on a small table near the +grandmother's chair, and read, in his rich Scotch accents, the evening +psalms. Then they quietly knelt, all except the grandmother, who, rising +slowly to her feet and leaning on her staff, offered up the evening prayer. +It made Dexie think of the patriarchs of old, who blessed their families +"leaning on their staffs for very age." Then the family said good-night to +the grandmother, and the polished candlesticks that decorated the mantle +shelf were taken down by the farmer's wife and a lighted candle set in +each; these were then handed to the different members of the family, who +passed out of the room in single file, very much after the manner of a +diminutive torch-light procession. + +The family were supposed to retire to their own rooms at once, as "early to +bed" was the rule of the farmhouse, but the laughing group of girls all +assembled in one room for a friendly chat before retiring. + +As Lancy sat by his open window enjoying the quiet scene without, the sound +of their voices reached his ears. He would have preferred a walk, or a +short _tete-a-tete_ with Dexie, instead of this early-to-bed arrangement, +but he respected the rule of the house and blew out his candle at an early +hour. He was rewarded for his good behavior by a long refreshing sleep, and +Dexie appearing to him in his dreams was more gracious than ever she had +been during his waking hours. + +But, as everyone knows, when young ladies get talking together of an +evening, sleep "comes slowly up that way," and the shortness of their +candles alone warned them that it was time they sought the pillow. But the +short candles were unheeded, for Gertrude was relating reminiscences of a +former visit, and the fun and frolic that prevailed at the farm during +their stay. At last, when one of the candles flared up, then subsided in +smoke, the girls rose to leave the room, but Gertrude turned at the door, +saying: + +"Take good care, girls, and sleep well over to the back of the bed, or you +may repeat the performance that took place the first night that Beatrice +and I slept in the house." + +"Oh, do tell them about it, Gertrude," said Maggie, laughing. "Our candles +will hold out that long, I think." + +Gertrude seated herself on the foot of the bed, while the rest waited for +the story. + +"Well, we slept that night in the room that Lancy occupies, at the head of +the stairs, and, do you know, I never enter it but I feel cold shivers +running up my back as I think of that night. You see, Mrs. McDonald's +feather-beds are wonderful for size; they are her pride and joy; but we +were not used to them, so, during the night, we rolled over too near the +front of the bed, when suddenly out we both went, and the feather-bed fell +out on top of us! I thought there had been an earthquake, and so laid quiet +for the next shock. By and by Beatrice crawled out from under the ruins +and tried to lift the feather-bed back on the mattress, but instead of +doing so she fell back on the floor with it in her arms. Over went the +table, and this upset the whole contents of the water-pitcher over my back. +Good gracious! how it scared me! It was pitch dark and I could not tell +what had happened, so I screamed--screamed as if I was being murdered. +Imagine our feelings when the door opened, and in walked Mr. and Mrs. +McDonald, carrying a candle and a poker. Oh! I thought I should die with +shame. They thought that robbers had broken into the house and were +carrying us off, so they ran with the poker to our rescue. It took them +some time to comprehend the true state of affairs, then Mr. McDonald +disappeared in a twinkling. The girls here came running up to see what was +the matter, and they soon tossed the bed and bed-clothes out of the way, +and got some dry garments for poor shivering me. Beatrice escaped with a +lump on her head as big as an egg. I had no outward bruises to speak of, +but I felt bad enough without any; but the water-pitcher had the handle +broken off, and the bed-clothes and feather-bed had to be dried +out-of-doors for days after. Oh, dear! I did feel so ashamed; such a scrape +I never got into before or since. So take my story to heart, and do not +lose your senses if you do fall out of bed," and Gertrude laughed as she +took up her candle and followed the rest from the room, leaving Dexie and +Elsie to the mercy or comfort of their big feather-bed. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + + +There was a full breakfast table the next morning, for the young visitors +determined to fall into the ways of the family as much as possible, so +decided to be "early birds" along with the rest. + +During the meal, Mr. McDonald suggested the various ways they might pass +the day enjoyably; but when he had exhausted the resources of pleasure +that occurred to his mind, Dexie smilingly said, + +"You are very kind, Mr. McDonald, to place so many pleasures within our +reach, but it would not be right to spend the whole day in that way." + +"What way would you prefer to pass the day?" said Lizzie, with a smile. + +"Well, first, I should like to help wash the dishes, then I should like to +be set to work at anything else that I can do in a passable manner." + +"Dear me! is that what you call enjoying yourself, Miss Dexie?" said +Maggie. "I fancy you would not like dish-washing, if you had to do it all +the time." + +"Well, perhaps a full day's task of dish-washing would be rather tedious," +said Dexie, laughing; "but I was only bidding for the breakfast dishes, you +know." + +"But there is no need to trouble yourselves about anything," said Mrs. +McDonald. "Enjoy yourselves all you can while you are here; Phebe can +manage the work nicely. Put on your hats, and have a walk through the +fields; it will give you a fine appetite for your dinner." + +"But I have a remarkable appetite already, Mrs. McDonald; I shall be +alarmed if it increases much more," was the smiling reply, "and you know +the Bible says, 'If one will not work, neither should he eat,' or words to +that effect, so you must have pity on me, and not keep me idle. Lancy, your +appetite is wonderful too, for that is your second cup of coffee; you had +better hunt up some work also," she laughingly added. + +"I will give him some now," said Lizzie. "Before the tide comes in he can +go down to the boat-house and get out the boat. We want to be off by ten +o'clock; the tide will be about right then, and since you are so anxious +for work, Miss Dexie, you may help Maggie pack the baskets. I hope, +Gertrude, you won't ask for something to do, for I want you to take Miss +Gurney around, and show her the poultry yard. Mother will be too busy to +protect her from our feathered enemies." + +"Enemies! are they very savage?" Elsie asked in alarm. + +"No; the trouble is in the opposite direction," said Maggie. "The creatures +are that tame they are quite a nuisance; you can scarcely step for them. +The greedy things look for something to eat from everybody who ventures +inside the yard, and will fly on your shoulders for the first chance at the +pan. Gertrude knows how to protect herself, so you can put yourself under +her care with safety." + +How pleasant it is when one goes visiting to feel as if you are one of the +family; but the expression "Making yourself at home" is more often made +than really experienced. While at the farmhouse our young people did truly +realize the feeling. + +It would take too long to tell of the many excursions by water, and drives +by land, that were enjoyed daily, but the vicinity for miles around was +thoroughly explored. Every night Gertrude would say she ought to return +home, but the next day would seem so full of pleasure that it seemed a pity +to miss it. + +One evening, when they were seated and idly swinging among the boughs of a +low-limbed tree that stood near the house--a favorite spot with the +girls--Dexie suddenly remarked, + +"Lancy, I am just hungry for a 'sing;' do start up something." + +"Bless you for the thought," Lancy replied, from a distant limb. "I have +been wondering these few days back what it was I was missing. Take the +first choice yourself, and start away." + +But they found it was easier to start the singing than it was to end it, +for they soon had all the household within hearing distance, and "just one +more" was asked for from so many different quarters that their song-hunger +was fully satisfied before they were allowed to stop. + +They seemed to sing like the birds, from "lightness of heart, and very joy +of living." After a few moments' silence, a bird-song was whistled by the +"mates in the tree," eliciting strong words of praise, as well as surprise, +from the delighted listeners. + +"Oh, that's nothing to what we have to endure at home," said Elsie. "Those +two are always hooting away like a pair of owls. It is a wonder their +throats are not split before this. I almost hope that the piano at home +will be mouldy when we get back." + +"We will soon knock the mould out of it, hey, Dexie?" Lancy laughingly +replied, as he lifted his mate down from her perch. + +"Oh, how I should love to have a piano, and be able to play on it," said +Maggie, with a long-drawn sigh. "Perhaps we will have one sometime." + +"Why, Maggie, how can you say such a thing? A deep sorrow comes before that +joy; and how can you wish for it?" was the stern reproof of her sister. + +"Oh, dear! what have I said! I forgot that for the moment!" and there was +such a tone of regret in her words that Dexie's eyes asked an explanation. + +"We can't have a piano while the grandmother is alive. She thinks that all +music, except the bagpipes, perhaps, is positively wicked; so we try not to +think about it. We spoke about it to father once, and he felt so badly that +he could not please us and the grandmother too. Of course she comes first; +but he has put the money in the bank to buy an instrument--sometime. I hate +to think about it, though I long for it more than I can tell. It makes me +feel as if I was such a wicked creature; for just think of wishing for a +thing that can only be had over the grandmother's coffin! Oh, dear! I wish +I had never heard the sound of music!" and to the surprise and dismay of +the little group she burst into tears. + +"Oh, do forgive me! I am to blame for this, I fear," said Dexie, her face +showing her distress. "I did not know--" + +"Don't think of such a thing, Miss Dexie," said Lizzie, putting her arm +around her. "It was not your fault; Maggie has her cry over this same thing +every few weeks, and feels the better for it, too, I believe. We have many +pleasures that few girls on a farm ever think of, and we ought to be +content. But I really do believe that if the grandmother could walk around +the house, and should come across the books and other things that we girls +have brought into it since she was confined to her room, she would die with +the shock. She thinks that everything remains about the same as it was in +her day, and we are careful not to disturb her opinion; for in this case a +little deceit seems wise, or, at least, necessary." + +In a few minutes the sunshine again appeared on Maggie's face; but the +feeling that was brought out by the sudden tears seemed to draw Dexie +nearer to this young girl who had such a love of music, yet could not give +it expression until the shadow of death had first walked before her. + +The next morning brought a letter from home, and by its tone Lancy felt he +must be needed; so it was decided they should return to Charlottetown, +finish their visit at Mrs. Fremont's, and then return home. + +When Mr. McDonald learned that the young people were preparing to leave for +the city, he called Dexie to his side, and turning to a small cupboard +brought out a tin box, saying: + +"Someane left this box in ma kairt that day I saw ye in the toon. I jaloose +the owner was buyin' somethin' an' laid it there an' forgot aboot it, but I +never saw it till I got hame. I opened it to see if I could fin' the name +o' the owner, an' I found some papers wi' yer faither's name on them. Can +ye mak' oot whit it means, ma lassie? Somethin' is no richt, I tak' it." + +Dexie sat down beside him and read several of the letters and papers, and +their contents filled her with surprise. She was well acquainted with her +father's business, as she wrote many of his letters, and she saw at once +that something was indeed wrong. + +"How strange that I should come across this!" she said. "This letter is +written by a man named Plaisted; he does business with papa. He has been on +the Island with him, and knows the people that have had dealings with papa, +before he joined him. What are you going to do with the box, Mr. McDonald?" + +"I was gaun to ask Mr. Gurney to return it to the lawyer whase name is on +the inside o' the cover. He's considered an honest man, though he is a +lawyer. Maybe if ye wad tell him aboot this man Plaisted, it micht keep him +frae daein' yer faither ony mischief. It wad dae nae harm, ony way." + +"May I copy this letter written by Plaisted? I would like to show papa what +kind of a man this Plaisted is, for I think he trusts him too much." + +"Weel, it canna be ony harm, shurely, jist to _copy_ the letter, but ye +needna mention the maitter to onyane; there's nae kennin' whit they wad +mak' o't." + +Dexie soon had a copy of the letter and a general knowledge of a few others +in Plaisted's peculiar handwriting, and this proved of much value in +establishing certain facts that came up at a future time, the copied letter +proving the missing link in a chain of evidence that brought Plaisted's +misdoings to judgment. + +Lancy was consulted about the box, and promised to see it safe into the +hands of the owner. Soon after they learned that this was the very box that +they had heard the town-crier proclaim as _lost_ when driving home from the +market-house. + +With many regrets at leave-taking, both on the part of visitors and +entertainers, the little party drove away, unconscious of the fact that +under the seat of the carriage there were several substantial tokens of +regard, which were, however, discovered, when they arrived at Mrs. +Fremont's. + +Mrs. Fremont congratulated them all on the benefit they had undoubtedly +received from their visit, particularly Elsie, who seemed to be a new +creature. Her pale cheeks had been painted by the sun a warm brown, and the +pure sea-air had created an appetite that told its story in rounded limbs +and wide-awake appearance that contrasted greatly with the languid +movements she had brought with her from Halifax. + +Lancy sent word to his parents that they would return the following week, +and promised to telegraph the day of starting. + +This was glad news to Hugh, who was present when the letter was read, and +heard its contents discussed. + +Ever since Hugh had come into possession of his fortune he had looked +forward to the return of the party with much impatience. There were times +when he felt almost tempted to seek Dexie's presence, and try again to win +a word that would give him some hope. All his future plans seemed to depend +on the way Dexie treated him, and he waited her coming, uplifted sometimes +by hope, but more often depressed by fear, and with a restlessness that +made him almost irritable at times. He insisted on filling his usual place +in the store, glad enough to keep his mind occupied and his thoughts away +from himself. + +At last one morning the telegraph messenger knocked at the door, and +brought the welcome message. + +A broad smile passed over Mr. Gurney's face as he read the telegram, and he +handed it to his wife, saying: + +"Dexie sent that telegram or wrote it, or I'm very much mistaken." + +Whereupon Hugh was very anxious to read it, and to his great delight Mrs. +Gurney passed it over to him, and this is what he read: + +"Kill the prodigal; the fatted calves are on the way." + +For the first time in many weeks, Hugh burst into a hearty laugh, and he +read the words over until he could almost fancy he heard Dexie's laughing +voice beside him. + +"Well, that message may have seemed incomprehensible to the transmitter of +it, but it tells us a long story," said Mrs. Gurney, a smile lighting up +her face. "It says they are well and in good spirits, that they are glad to +be coming home again, but will be very hungry when they get here, so I had +better bestir myself and 'kill the prodigal,'" and she rose to visit the +kitchen. + +"Well, she has told the story within the limit of ten words, too," said +Hugh, making some excuse for keeping the bit of paper so long before him. + +"What prodigal are you going to kill, mamma?" said Gracie, following her +mother into the kitchen. + +"Oh! that is what we will call the big fat chicken that eats so much oats, +and picks the little ones on the back when they try to get a mouthful. He +will do for a prodigal, so we will have him cooked for Elsie's supper." + +Gracie sat down on a low stool, her face wearing a puzzled expression, and +she began to repeat to herself the parable of the prodigal son. Suddenly a +bright look came over her face, for she had solved the troublesome riddle, +and she joyfully exclaimed: + +"Oh, mamma! Dexie didn't learn it right; they didn't kill the prodigal, it +was the fatted calf that was cooked! Oh, dear! how funny to make such a +mistake, and she such a big girl! Say, Hugh," as he passed through the +room, "Dexie is the prodigal, and not the fatted calf, isn't she?" + +And with more earnestness than the subject demanded he replied: "I hope +so." + +It was Mr. Gurney who drove to the depot in the evening to meet the +travellers, much to the disappointment of Hugh, who hoped to be the first +to receive Dexie's greetings; but the excitement of their arrival had +somewhat subsided by the time he made his appearance in the house. + +It is needless to say there was great rejoicing in the Gurney household +that evening. Elsie was petted and caressed to her heart's content, and she +listened with a smiling face to the oft-repeated remark that she "looked so +much better." + +Hugh's unexpected good fortune came in for a share of the discussion which +took place round the tea-table, and the well-cooked _prodigal_ was the butt +of many jokes. Dexie was asked to come in and get her share of the "fatted +calf," as Gracie persisted in calling it, but she begged to be excused, +feeling that she would prefer to spend her first evening at home. + +Gussie lost no time in telling Dexie all her hopes and plans, and she gave +the impression that everything was settled. She could talk of nothing but +the splendid time she expected to have in the future. + +"Hugh does not say much to me, but I know I can do just as I like with him +after we are married, so I don't mind if he is rather cool and short +occasionally. Of course he means to marry me, or why did he talk so long to +papa about it?" said Gussie, as she followed Dexie downstairs. + +"Did papa tell you about it?" a suspicion of the true state of affairs +entering her mind for a moment. + +"No--but--well, to tell the truth, I was listening at the door, but I heard +enough to let me know the nature of the interview, for I heard papa say +quite distinctly, 'I don't think she cares enough for you, and she must +marry to suit herself,' so what else could he have meant? Now, I do not +care so very much about Hugh, I must confess--or I did not, I mean, when he +was merely Mr. Gurney's clerk, but with a fortune in his pocket who could +refuse such a fine-looking man?" + +"Well, I could, for one," said Dexie, trying to hide a laugh. "He would +need something more than riches to be attractive to me, for all his fine +looks; but I congratulate you, Gussie. I hope you will be happy." + +"Of course I will be happy, so long as the money holds out, anyway," said +she, with a laugh that grated harshly on her sister's ears. "Did you see +any brides when you were away, Dexie, and how were they dressed?" + +"I wasn't searching for brides, Gussie. I confined my attention to +pollywogs, crabs, and things of that ilk." + +Gussie's remarks jarred on her feelings, in spite of her efforts to seem +careless, but she smiled, as Gussie scornfully replied: + +"Well, did I ever! I guess if you searched for a sunburnt face and a +blistered nose, you found _them_ fast enough." + +"Yes, unfortunately, one can find those sort of things without searching +for them; they are thrown in with the pollywogs for good measure; but my +nose is not half so ornamental as Lancy's. Don't be cross, Gussie. Let us +go into the parlor and wait for the trunks. I have a lot of nice new +patterns in fancywork for you." + +They entered the parlor together, where Aunt Jennie followed them, and they +talked about the many events that had transpired during Dexie's absence. +The room was almost dark. It seemed pleasanter to talk in the twilight, but +a bar of light shone from the sitting-room door, and relieved it from any +sombre appearance. Dexie kept wondering why the expressman did not appear; +she was anxious to see if the little treasures she had collected for +distribution had borne the journey safely. She rose at last and went to +the window to see if there was anyone in sight, but she was disappointed. +Not so Hugh, who was just entering the house, and caught sight of her +outline against the window-pane, and, thinking the unlighted parlor vacant +but for Dexie's presence, he softly opened the door and stepped to her +side. All her cold repulses were forgotten, her curt words of dismissal +faded from his memory, his heart was yearning for her presence, she was +there before him, and in a moment he had her in his arms. + +"My darling! my love! do I see you at last. How I have longed for this +moment!" + +It was so sudden that for a moment Dexie was powerless to move, but she +freed herself quickly, saying, as she stepped back: + +"How dare you! How _dare_ you touch me! It is I; not Gussie," she added, +thinking he might have mistaken the person, though his words belied the +thought. "I was watching for the expressman, and did not notice you had +come in; you made a mistake," came the quick-spoken words. + +"Well, I should say it was a mistake, and an odd one too," said Gussie, +coming forward. "How could you mistake that mop of a head for mine, Hugh?" + +She had seen the embrace, but the whispered words had not reached her. +Naturally, Hugh was much taken back when he realized that Dexie was not +alone, but he anathematized Gussie in his heart, and bit his lips to keep +back the words that sprang up in reply. If Gussie had known how precious +that "mop of a head" was to her quondam lover, she would not have been so +ready to "give herself away," as the trite saying has it. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + + +The embarrassing silence that followed Hugh's entrance was broken at last +by Aunt Jennie, who made some commonplace remark that allowed free speech +to resume itself again. She saw at once the position of affairs; the reason +of Hugh's coolness when in Gussie's society was no longer any secret. She +thought he had lacked the lover-like eagerness that one might expect, +judging the matter from the standpoint of Gussie's frequent remarks. + +But believing that Lancy Gurney had more than a friendly feeling for Dexie, +she felt uneasy for the result of the struggle between the rivals. Dexie +would surely suffer between them. + +It was impossible for Dexie to feel at ease after Hugh's extraordinary +greeting. She felt vexed at the thought of the spectacle she must have +presented to those who had witnessed it. Did Hugh really know her, or were +his words meant for Gussie alone? The hope that it was the latter made her +decide that it must be; but if she had noticed how carelessly he replied to +Gussie's entertaining chatter, or observed his eager looks in her own +direction, she might have guessed that his heart was not in Gussie's +keeping. + +The arrival of the trunks brought a grateful respite to all, and Dexie +disappeared the moment the expressman arrived, but with the excuse of +helping to lift the trunks into the hall, Hugh followed her. Gussie, +however, was close behind; not for a moment would she leave those two +together. After what she had seen in the parlor there should be no chance +of further _mistakes_, if her vigilance could prevent it. + +Dexie was so anxious to show her treasures that she opened her trunk as +soon as Hugh deposited it in the hall. + +"Here, Georgie," as her brother came running down the stairs, "take this +parcel to mamma, carefully, mind, and ask her if she is too tired to see me +again to-night. When you come back I will give you the box of something +that I heard you wishing for," and looking up to her sister, who was +bending over to watch her, she added, "Here is your parcel, Gussie, and +this is for auntie. Where is she, I wonder?" + +"Oh! do let me see what you brought for auntie?" and Gussie caught the +parcel from Dexie's hands and began to inspect the contents. + +Hugh was for the moment forgotten, but he still lingered near the door, +hoping that some chance would favor him. He had so much to say, so much +that had been crowded back into his heart during her long absence, that he +felt he must seize the first opportunity to speak of his hopes, and he +wished to assure her that there had been no mistake on his part when he met +her in the parlor. Just then Gussie stepped over to the lamp for a closer +inspection of some fancy patterns, and Hugh turned to Dexie, saying: + +"You seem to have remembered everyone but me, Dexie. You have not even a +kind word to give me." + +"Well, I have not an _unkind_ word either, Mr. McNeil, so that ought to +count for something, I think," and she stooped to pick up some paper from +the floor, "but I think you deserve a good many for the ridiculous mistake +you made when you came in." + +"I made no mistake, except that of thinking the room held no one but +yourself. Give me a chance to prove it, Dexie." + +Dexie pretended not to hear, but turned the conversation by saying: + +"I have not congratulated you on the good fortune you have met while we +were away." + +"Well! I think it is time you did," Gussie answered, awake to the fact that +a low conversation was being held near her. "I am sure it is no everyday +affair to fall heir to a fortune. Weren't you surprised when I wrote to you +about it?" + +"Yes, very," and the memory of the letter brought a smile with it. "And if +the possession of money means happiness, I presume Mr. McNeil feels raised +to the seventh heaven of bliss." + +"Not yet, Dexie, but I am looking forward to the 'seventh heaven' you speak +of." + +"Mrs. Gurney mentioned that you thought of going abroad. I hope Lancy's +absence has not interfered with your plans, Mr. McNeil?" and she made a +move to ascend the stairs. + +"Would you like to go abroad, Dexie?" + +There was an eagerness in his tone that Dexie did not understand, so she +answered: + +"Well, if going _abroad_ means a visit to Great Britain, I say no, most +decidedly! What do I care for the English, Scotch or Irish--as a race, I +mean? My definition of the term abroad is, a tour through Europe, ending +with Egypt and the Holy Land, and farther still if the pocket-book held +out." + +"Dexie, will you go abroad with me?" + +Gussie looked from Hugh to Dexie in open-eyed surprise. This invitation +might mean much or little. + +"Why, Hugh, it would be improper for Dexie to accept such an invitation," +she hastily said. + +"There would be nothing improper about it, if she went as my wife." + +"You are carrying your jokes too far, Mr. McNeil," said Dexie, coldly. "If +you want to turn Mormon you had better 'go West, young man,' for when I go +on _my_ wedding tour I want a husband who will be content with _one_ wife, +and, when he and I go abroad, we will go alone. No offence meant; but two +is company, while three is a crowd. So good-night to you both," and she +turned and ran up the stairs, leaving Hugh looking after her with a beating +heart. + +"Well, I hope I have been plain enough this time," was her inward comment. +"Can he really care for Gussie and expect to marry her, as she thinks, or +does he want to turn Mormon and marry the both of us? But whatever he has +said to Gussie don't count, so long as he makes eyes at me. I'm willing to +be pleasant and agreeable, if he is to be my brother-in-law; but he shall +not call me 'his darling' and 'his love,' as if it were me he was engaged +to. I wish I had slapped his face for him." + +But, figuratively speaking, she had just done so, and if she had seen the +grieved look on Hugh's face as he groped his way out the front door, she +would have realized that her slap had struck home. + +Gussie felt indignant, as she stood in the hall recalling the scene just +passed. Hugh had left her without a word, but she could plainly see that +the blame was not on Dexie's shoulders this time. + +"I do believe he cares for Dexie, after all; what else could his words +imply? But she does not care for him, that is plain; and it will be a +strange thing if I cannot arrange matters so that he cannot help but offer +himself. After what he said to papa, I know he wants to marry one of us, +and I will see that it shall be myself." + +The next day Dexie had a long talk with her father. She had called him +aside to give him the letter she had copied from the one in Plaisted's +handwriting, and when she had explained the circumstances Mr. Sherwood was +much astonished, and praised her for her thoughtfulness in securing an +exact copy. + +"I will write to the parties in question and forbid the payment of any +money to him, but I will say nothing to Plaisted about the matter at +present. I will keep a sharp lookout, and directly he tries to put his +plans into execution I will bring him up short. Thank you, my little woman, +you have done a lucky stroke of business for me; but stay a minute," as +Dexie rose to leave the room, "I want to ask you something. How much do you +care for Hugh McNeil?" said he, as she came over to his side. + +"Why, papa, what makes you ask such a question? Didn't you make a mistake +in the name?" she said, archly. "Didn't you mean to say--Lancy Gurney?" + +"No; I have a guess that way. But how about Hugh? Come, I have a reason for +asking," and he drew her down to his knee. "Think a minute, and tell me." + +"But, papa, I don't need to think a moment in order to answer that +question. I don't like him at all. You should ask Gussie that question." + +"I need not, for I think I know what her answer would be; but I have a +little story to tell you, and I want you to give it serious consideration. +As soon as Hugh McNeil knew about the money coming to him, he asked me for +a private interview. From what Gussie said, I expected that he intended to +ask for her. But Hugh was very straightforward, and made the whole matter +plain, and, Dexie, he asked for the liberty of making you his wife. He said +he was willing to wait any reasonable time for you, if only he had the +promise of your hand in the end." + +"Papa! you never told him _yes_! say you did not!" cried Dexie, springing +to her feet and regarding him with beseeching eyes. "My dear, I could not; +so do not look so frightened about it," and he drew her back to his side +again. "I am not willing to give my little girl to anyone yet, but I am not +insensible to the fact that a man who loves my daughter as Hugh professes +to love you, and can provide for her so handsomely, is worthy of some +consideration." + +"Why couldn't he take Gussie? She wants him and I don't," she answered with +a frown. "I am sure Gussie told me she was all but engaged to him. He +doesn't want the both of us, I hope." + +"Dexie, I am sorry to say that Gussie has not acted so well about this +matter as I could wish. She makes no secret of the fact that she would +gladly accept the position he offers you, and it annoys him. Hugh confessed +to me that at one time he did think he cared for Gussie, but found his +mistake, and he has been so open with me about it that I cannot blame him +for the change. Think it well over, Dexie, before he talks to you himself. +A handsome man like Hugh, with a good bank account, will not come in your +way very often. He offered to make a handsome settlement on you, directly +you promised him your hand." + +"Dear papa, would you like your poor Dexie to be unhappy for life?" +throwing her arms around his neck. "I am sure you would not," as he drew +her closer to him. "I could never marry Hugh; his very presence makes me +feel pugnacious, and I feel like picking a quarrel with him every time I +speak to him, and I enjoy doing it, too." + +"Well, in that case it would not be pleasant to live your life with him, +would it? but still it seems a pity to lose the money when he seems so +anxious to put it into your hands. Your life would be so different with +money at your command. If it were only Gussie, now." + +"Yes, if it were only Gussie everything would go smoothly while the money +lasted; but you did not tell me the result of the interview, papa." + +"I told him I would leave the matter for you to settle, but I gave my +consent, if he gained yours. I think he would be good to you, Dexie." + +"Well! I guess he would have to, if he once got me, or I would know the +reason why! What does mamma say about it, for I suppose she knows?" + +"She seems much put out that it is not Gussie he asks for, but she hopes +you will not be so foolish as to throw the chance away. That is the opinion +of the both of us, you see, so do not decide hastily, Dexie." + +"Dear me, how provoking it is! Mamma will be vexed, and I cannot help it, +for I really cannot _say_ I consent when I feel such a dislike to the man. +Some young ladies would see nothing but his fortune; but think, papa, we +might live for fifty years! and I can't look forward to fifty years of life +spent with Hugh McNeil. So tell him for me, papa, that it cannot be." + +"Take time to think it over, Dexie, before he gets _any_ answer, for Hugh +will be much disappointed if you refuse him. I promised to plead his cause +for him, but I cannot do so against your inclinations, since it will be you +alone who must live your life with him. But, Dexie, many people live +happily together without loving each other overmuch, so do not think it +impossible for you to do the same. Do you care so very much for Lancy +Gurney?" he asked, after a pause. + +Dexie did not feel so embarrassed over this question as her father +expected. She was pleased to have her father take such an interest in her +little affairs of the heart, and show his sympathy in things that are +usually left to the mother and daughter to talk over together. + +"I do not know if I can explain it to you, papa," she replied with a smile. +"I don't think I should care to marry Lancy--indeed, I am quite sure I +never shall, but I like him very much for all that; but you need not tell +anyone I said so, will you, papa?" she added, seeing a smile in her +father's eyes. "Lancy has been very kind to me ever since we came to +Halifax. You know yourself he has added very much to my pleasure by his +thoughtful attentions, but I do not think it will end as Lancy expects," +and a pretty blush spread over her face. + +"Then you have not given him any promise!" smiling at her red cheeks. + +"No, but he seems to think everything will be as he hopes, and is so +pleasant over it that it is a pity to undeceive him. I'll promise not to +allow any love-making, for he knows very well it is useless to become +sentimental with me. Please don't tell my little secrets, not even to +mamma, for she is sure to tell Gussie." + +"Do not be afraid to trust me with your little affairs, Dexie," he said, +kissing her cheek. "I am only too glad to be your confidant and adviser. I +am sorry that your mother feels so little inclined to take the same +interest in your affairs; you need her more now than when you were a +child." + +Mr. Sherwood watched his daughter with loving eyes as she tripped away from +his side, and he wished for the power to look into the future and see how +matters would end. He sighed as he realized how much depended on her own +judgment; but his daughters must each settle for herself the question that +would make or mar their future lives. + +A change took place in the Sherwood household a few weeks later, for Aunt +Jennie was obliged to return to her old home in Vermont, which was such an +unlooked for event to Mrs. Sherwood that it quite upset her. They had all +become so used to looking to Aunt Jennie for everything, that the house +would seem to be without its head if she were gone. + +When Dexie told her aunt how the Fremont girls managed the household +expenditure and took the oversight of much of the housekeeping +arrangements, Aunt Jennie replied that she thought her niece quite as +capable as the Fremont girls, and asked Dexie if she could not undertake to +fill her place after she was gone, as she knew Mrs. Sherwood would be glad +to be relieved of the charge. When Dexie broached the matter to her mother, +she found her quite willing to let anyone step into the gap, so Dexie +determined to learn as much as she could while her aunt was present to +advise her. + +The little account books were brought out and studied, until Dexie felt +sure she understood what ought to be done, though she doubted her ability +to put the knowledge into practice. But her doubts soon gave way to a +feeling of confidence in herself as, day by day, she mastered new +difficulties. + +"I think I will make a wonderful housekeeper, by and by, mamma," Dexie +said, as they were all seated in her mother's room, and Mrs. Sherwood was +regretting Aunt Jennie's approaching departure. "I am learning fast. Even +Nancy gives me encouragement. The only thing that troubles me is the fact +that Nancy thinks I am playing at housekeeping, and I am afraid she will +resent my authority after auntie goes away. I shall have to wear a cap and +spectacles to add dignity to my new position," she laughingly added. + +"How absurd you are, Dexie," said her mother, with a frown. "If you intend +to act as housekeeper I hope you will try and be less childish; and to go +through the house whistling like a boy, as you did to-day, is far from +lady-like. Will you ever learn to be genteel like your sister Gussie?" + +"I think Dexie should be given her full name in the future," Gussie added, +"if she intends to rush through the house like her namesake round the race +course." + +"But I will not be called after Bonner's trotting-horse! I will not!" said +Dexie, angrily. "I fancy this would soon be a queer house if there was no +one in it with more energy about them than you possess! However, let us +return to the matter under discussion," said she, more mildly. "I want to +know, in case I make any savings from the month's allowance, if I can +pocket the remainder." + +"I am afraid, Dexie, that you will not find much left over, for the first +few months," her aunt said smilingly. "You must allow something for your +inexperience, you know." + +"Oh! I know that, auntie. But can I have it, mamma, much or little? Make +the bargain with me, mamma." + +"Certainly, Dexie; but you cannot expect to save much out of the usual +month's allowance unless you scrimp us." + +"Oh, I'll promise not to scrimp," was the laughing reply. "But I am going +to begin my reign while auntie is here; then my inexperience will not cost +me so much. I kept my eyes and ears open when I was at Mrs. Fremont's, and +I didn't peep and listen either; but I learned a few things that I think +will be a great help to me in my future sphere." + +"I think Gussie had better join you in this branch of study," said Mr. +Sherwood, laying down his paper. "It will be as much benefit to her as to +you." + +"Thanks, papa. I beg to decline the honor! I have no wish to shine as a +domestic; it is not in my line," said Gussie, in a lofty tone. + +"Well, I do not expect to run the house as smoothly as Aunt Jennie--I am +sure you will not expect it of me, mamma--but I will do my best, and it +will be nice to learn just how to do things." + +"That is right, Dexie. Every girl should learn how, even though she may +never have to put her own hands to the work itself. But do not be too +particular about keeping within the monthly allowance; I am quite as +willing to pay for housekeeping lessons as for music lessons." + +How Dexie prized the weeks that followed! In after years she looked back to +them with a thankful heart, for Aunt Jennie did not confine her teaching to +the art of housekeeping alone. The inward culture of the heart was not +forgotten. The good seed was sown with no sparing hand, and though some lay +weeks, months and even years without bearing fruit, yet few were altogether +lost. + +What a blank her absence caused in the household! She had filled a mother's +place among them, for the loving tact that bridged over the little jars +that are apt to occur in every household was not one of Mrs. Sherwood's +accomplishments. + +The first few weeks after her aunt's departure were very trying ones to +Dexie. There seemed much fault-finding that was really unnecessary, but +Dexie honestly tried to do her best. She could see her own failures as well +as her successes, and when she found that much of Nancy's ill-temper was +due to Gussie's interference in the kitchen, she laid the matter before her +father, and that put an end to many petty annoyances. + +Dexie had much to bear from her mother also, for Mrs. Sherwood felt +aggrieved that Dexie did not appreciate Hugh McNeil's attentions as she +thought they deserved. His visits were a daily occurrence, and it was +vexing to see Dexie refuse what would have been so acceptable to Gussie. + +"If you do not intend to marry him, why do you not tell him so plainly?" +she said one day, when Dexie had shut herself up in her room to avoid +meeting Hugh. "What is the use of keeping out of his way, when you know +what he wants to see you for?" + +"Why should I put myself in his way, when I do not want what he has to +offer? He shall not talk to me about it, either, unless he does so before a +third party. I will not see him alone! I sent him a decided answer through +papa, so why can he not be satisfied with that? I declare, I almost hate +the man!" + +"Tell him so, plainly; then, and give Gussie a chance. She is not so +foolish as to allow any sentimentality to come between her and a fortune." + +"I have already told him so, as plainly as I can, mamma. But if you think I +am standing in Gussie's way, just give Hugh McNeil this message from me. +Tell him that I will _never_ marry him; that I hate the very sound of his +footsteps; that if his fortune were four times multiplied, I would not have +him; that I want him to cease persecuting me with his hateful attentions, +and leave me alone! Now, is that plain enough for any sensible man to +understand, do you think?" + +"Dexie! take care! See that you do not repent those words, for I shall see +that they are repeated to him, word for word." + +"Thank you, mamma, and if you can make the words sound any stronger, I hope +you will do so. I will be well pleased to see Gussie occupy the position +she craves. When she does, my congratulations will be most sincere and you +will not know me--it will make me so wonderfully good-tempered," and she +put her arm across her mother's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Dear mamma, +do not be vexed with me; but if I cannot endure Hugh for one hour, how can +I think of spending my whole life with him?" + +Mrs. Sherwood gave Hugh the message at her earliest opportunity, but it did +not have the same effect on Hugh as she expected. + +Hugh had no intention of accepting Dexie's refusal at second-hand; he would +hear it from her own lips before he would give up hope. It might be an easy +matter to remove the cause of her dislike, if he once found out what it +was. + +But Dexie knew her message had been delivered, and so felt herself free; +and as Gussie was in excellent spirits, there seemed no reason why she +should be glum when Hugh was near. She no longer slipped out of the room as +Hugh appeared, though she was just as careful not to allow him to find her +alone; but as Lancy's visits were as frequent as ever, Hugh was supposed to +have given up the fight. + +But Hugh had discovered that there was one way left him in which he could +win a smile from Dexie, and he did not scruple to use it, though he was +well aware that by doing so he was giving Gussie a false hope. + +He had only to take a seat by Gussie's side, and say a few words to her, +even the most commonplace, and Dexie's reserve would melt at once, so he +spent many pleasant evenings in the parlor by this little scheme. He knew +very well that Gussie was spreading her net, but if he found Dexie +entangled in the meshes instead, Gussie's injured feelings would not +trouble him. All stratagems are fair in love and war, so he smiled to +himself and took courage. + +Good fortune did not spoil Hugh. It made his good qualities shine out all +the more brightly, and his friends admired as well as envied him. Dexie +heard his praises sung from so many different quarters that her dislike to +him was fast melting away, and seated by Gussie's side she could look on +him with favor. But Hugh was merely biding his time, and was constantly on +the watch for a favorable opportunity to press his suit personally and +alone, in spite of the fact that Dexie considered the matter forever +settled between them. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + + +The auction rooms on Barrington Street were full to overflowing. A stock of +goods was going under the hammer at ridiculously low prices, and among the +bidders Hugh McNeil was conspicuous. As he turned to speak to a friend, he +was much surprised to see Dexie Sherwood among the crowd. She was alone and +not a little frightened at finding herself jostled about, and she welcomed +Hugh with a smile as he made his way to her side. + +"I am so glad to see you, Mr. McNeil. I was just wondering if I should be +able to get out of this alive." + +"How did you happen to come here at all; curiosity, I suppose?" and he +smiled down into her face. + +"Oh, no, indeed; I came on business, but I did not know what a hard time I +was going to have of it. I heard Mr. Gurney talking about this sale last +night, so I thought I might take advantage of it as well as the rest. I am +Commissary-General now, you know, so I am on the lookout for bargains in my +line," and she laughed softly. + +"You want to bid for something, then; come and show me. Take my arm, so we +will not get separated in the crowd," and for the first time in her life +she placed her hand on Hugh's arm and followed his leading, and this +thought came to Dexie with added force as Hugh pressed the hand in token of +the pleasure granted him. + +More than one person noted the bright young face that eagerly watched the +several assortments fall under the hammer, and the light that shone in +Hugh's dark eyes was not all caused by the excitement of the sale. + +"I feel quite proud of my bargains," said Dexie, as they left the building +and turned towards home. "I am ever so much obliged for your help; it will +make such a difference in my accounts. Oh, you can't think how economical I +am getting to be," said she, with a rippling laugh. + +Then Dexie found herself telling her companion how she had gone with the +Fremont girls to purchase household supplies, how they all enjoyed the +excitement of the sales, and how sometimes no one would bid against them, +much to the auctioneer's chagrin; how she was profiting by the Fremont +girls' experience, and was accumulating such a nice little sum, to buy +something very nice for her mother by and by. + +Hugh listened with a beating heart. He had known for a long time what a +busy life she led. It had formed the foundation of many excuses when he had +asked her to accompany him to places of amusement; but just now all her +former coolness was forgotten in her present kindness. She had never talked +to him so freely before, and Hugh was lifted up with hope at this +unexpected friendliness. + +When they reached home, Hugh detained her at the door. + +"Will you grant me a favor, Dexie?" he asked. "Do not go into an auction +room alone again; without me, I mean. You know I am always at your service, +and will only be too happy to help you at any time. You will grant me this, +Dexie?" and he looked earnestly into her face for an answer. + +A number of expressions passed over Dexie's face as he spoke. Had she done +a bold, imprudent thing in attending the sale without an escort? She had +not given it a thought. Surely one might go about a matter of business +without a gentleman's escort? The Fremont girls did so. That it might be +improper had not occurred to her, and it vexed her to be reminded of it by +Hugh, so his well-meant offer failed to soften her. + +"Yes, and no," Dexie coldly replied. "I will promise not to go again alone, +but I won't promise to go in your company again," and she turned and +entered the house. + +Why had he spoken and lifted again the barrier of reserve that had broken +down during their morning's intercourse? was Hugh's thought as he entered +his own door. Might he not have brought about his wishes without exacting a +promise? + +The next evening, several young ladies, with their gentlemen friends, met +in the Sherwood parlor to discuss a proposed family picnic, and Hugh came +in during the discussion, and was pressed to join them. + +"Where is the picnic to be?" he asked. + +"Oh, down the coast towards Cow Bay; we'll pick out a place when we come to +it. The trouble is, to find out how many teams we can get up," said George +Desbrasy. + +"Well, the Gurneys are all going, but they cannot take any but their own +crowd, and there are several ladies we must find room for amongst us +somehow," said Fred Beverly. + +"Well, I have to drive mother and sis, but I have one spare seat. Will you +accept the seat beside me, Miss Gussie?" said young Desbrasy. + +Gussie wished he had not made the offer, as she hoped Hugh would ask her to +drive with him, for Hugh had a fine team of his own now. + +But as Gussie hesitated about accepting, she saw Hugh turn to Dexie, and +with the air of a Chesterfield ask, "May I have the pleasure of your +company for the drive down, Miss Dexie?" + +"Thank you, Mr. McNeil, but I daresay I am already engaged." + +"No chance for you there, McNeil," said Fred Beverly, with a laugh; "Miss +Dexie is spoken for already." + +"Did I understand you to say that you were _already_ engaged for the drive, +Miss Dexie?" said Hugh, persistently. + +"Well, Lancy has not asked me yet, but since he has promised to go, my +invitation will come all in good time." + +"But his team will be full. You had better take your chance with Hugh," +said Fred. + +"There will be room enough for me, never fear," said Dexie, smiling, "so +Mr. McNeil is free to offer his services to some other forlorn damsel." + +"First come, first served, Miss Dexie," said Hugh. "I asked you first; come +with me," he added, bending over her chair. + +"Couldn't think of it. We would be sure to quarrel all the way, and when I +go to a picnic I want to enjoy every minute." + +"It takes two to make a quarrel, and I'll not be one of the pair," +persisted Hugh. "Come with me, and let me prove to you how much I can add +to your pleasure, when you will let me." + +"Prove it now by asking Fanny Beverly or Maud Seeton to drive with you, for +I decline the honor." + +"Are you so wrapped up, heart and soul, in Lancy Gurney, that you cannot +spare a moment to anybody else?" said Hugh, angrily. + +"Certainly!" Dexie replied, with flashing eyes, "and since you are going to +be so disagreeable, Mr. McNeil, I guess I will leave you," and she joined a +group near the table. + +"Where is Lancy, that he is not here to arrange about this picnic, said +Fred Beverly to Cora Gurney, who was sitting by the table. + +"Couldn't say. He promised to come in to-night." + +"Listen! isn't that Lancy at the piano?" said Maud Harrington, as a sound +of music in staccato style reached their ears. "How plainly you can hear it +through the walls!" + +There was a hush for a minute, when Dexie said as naturally as if it were +the most ordinary thing in the world, + +"Yes, that is Lancy's call; he wants me for something. Will you excuse me, +friends, for a little while, till I see what is wanted?" + +Looks were interchanged amongst some of the young people, and, hoping to +make Dexie feel vexed, Gussie said, "Lancy Gurney has only to whistle, and +Dexie will run like a dog at a call." + +But Dexie took it all in good part, saying, with a smile: "Well, even a +faithful dog is not a despised creature, you know, and it is something to +know that Lancy will not whistle for anyone else while I am around," and +turning at the door she added, "In case I do not come back, let me say you +can count on me for anything I can do towards the success of the picnic. +Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," and, as Hugh lifted his eyes, she +swept him an elaborate courtesy. + +Hugh was too vexed to take any further part in the discussion, and he soon +withdrew, intending to find out what it was that drew Dexie away from the +pleasant gathering. + +When Dexie entered the parlor next door, she found Lancy seated at the +piano, looking quite unlike himself. + +"What is it, Lancy?" going over to his side. "Why did you not come into our +house to-night?" + +"I have come across something unusual, Dexie, and I could not leave the +piano until I mastered it. Sit here and listen." + +Lancy's hands moved across the keys, drawing forth such thrilling chords +that her heart was stirred to its lowest depths. + +"Stop, Lancy, I cannot bear it," said she at last, laying her hand on +Lancy's arm before he had finished a page. + +Lancy looked up into the agitated face so near him, saying in a tremulous +voice: + +"Then I am not mistaken about it, since it affects you the same as myself. +What is there about those chords that thrills our hearts so painfully? It +is the only piece of music that has ever so affected me. I have not been +able to play it through yet without a break. Sit down and try how far you +can play, Dexie." + +Dexie took the offered seat, and her hands swept the keys; but her firm +touch seemed wanting. Wherein was that peculiar power that thrilled her +with such exquisite pain; her hands fluttered, tears rose unbidden to her +eyes, then, with a sudden break in the chords, she bowed her face in her +hands. + +Lancy was bending over her in a moment, and drawing her hands gently down, +held them in a firm clasp. + +"What is the matter with that music?" she said, at last, in a low tone. "I +do not think I am nervous, but it sets my heart throbbing so that I cannot +bear it." + +"I think it is the keynote of our hearts that is struck by those chords, +and gives back such answering thrills. I never came across anything before +that affected me like it." + +"Well, whatever it is, it is painfully sweet. I will try it again, but +don't stand looking at me, there's a good fellow, but go away by the window +and look out at--nothing." + +Again those wondrous chords filled the room, but the masterful touch that +usually accompanied Dexie's fingering was now wanting, for it was a +trembling hand that followed the printed notes. More the once she faltered, +but after a period of waiting she would repeat the passage and go on. But +presently a longer silence occurred, and Lancy turned from the window to +look at her. Tears were standing in her eyes, and she sat with her hands +clasped tightly before her. Drawing her away from the piano, he led her to +the sofa, and the silent sympathy in his manner was more eloquent than any +flow of words could have been. + +"It seems foolish, does it not, Lancy?" she said at last, "but it is no +common piece of music, and I shall never be able to play it before +strangers." + +"No; neither shall I, Dexie. That music speaks to your heart and mine +alike. Let it be for ourselves alone, will you, Dexie?" and the grey eyes +looked very dark in their earnestness. + +"Well, have it so, Lancy. I will be able to play it properly by and by, I +expect. But I never noticed the name of it." + +"It is simply called 'A Song Without Words.' Let us name it again to suit +ourselves." + +"Very well. I came in to ask you into our side of the house. The picnic is +being discussed; but I don't feel a bit like going back myself now--that +music has almost upset me." + +"Well, stay with me and let us have a quiet 'sing' by ourselves here; that +will be pleasanter than discussing a picnic--shall we?" + +When Hugh looked into the door a short time afterwards, he saw nothing that +need have caused such a frown to wrinkle up his manly brow, for Lancy was +only playing a simple ballad, and Dexie was seated in a low rocker some +distance from the piano, her hands clasped behind her head, singing softly, +her whole appearance seeming to suggest rest and contentment. Perhaps that +very suggestion goaded him to bitterness, for why couldn't Dexie be as +contented and happy in his society as in Lancy's? + +The picnic came off as planned, and was enjoyed by all excepting Hugh, who, +finding he could not have the companion of his choice, coaxed little +Gracie and Ruth Gurney to go with him, and they willingly consented. But +Gussie looked with angry eyes on the fine turnout, "just wasted on those +little torments," as the light buggy flew past the more sober-going horses +that were bringing up the rear. + +She forgot her anger, however, when she returned home and found that Mr. +Plaisted had arrived during their absence. + +Bless us! how very amiable we can be when we want to make a deep impression +on someone's soft heart! + +Gussie's face was now all smiles. Her words were all sweet when Mr. +Plaisted was by anyway, and as it is an ill wind that blows nobody good, +Dexie felt grateful enough for anything that would cause Gussie to be a +little better-natured than she had been during the last few weeks, and +Gussie's very unexpected offer, to "keep the parlor dusted while Plaisted +is here," touched Dexie to the heart. + +But his presence made Dexie's task much harder than usual. Such a +"lie-a-bed" as he was in the mornings, and he expected to be served with a +hot breakfast whatever might be the hour of his appearance. + +Nancy remembered him of old, and resented the added work, and Dexie tried +almost in vain to pour oil on the troubled waters. + +One evening, when Plaisted was about to retire, Dexie handed him his lamp, +saying: + +"Our breakfast hour is eight o'clock, Mr. Plaisted, and if you will rise at +the first bell you will have plenty of time to curl your hair before the +breakfast bell rings." + +"Dexie, don't let your tongue run away with you," her father said, +reprovingly. "Plaisted will surely be up in good time to-morrow, as we have +much work ahead of us if we intend to catch the train." + +"Yes, I'll be up to-morrow morning without fail," he replied. "I don't see +how it is that I oversleep myself so often when I am here; I fully intended +to get up to breakfast this morning, but missed it. However, you will see +me to-morrow morning at the breakfast table, Miss Dexie, if I am alive," he +added jokingly, as he waved a good-night to Gussie. + +"Very well; but if you are not up in time we shan't wait for you," said +Dexie, smiling, "for dead men need no breakfast." + +"Oh! you'll see, Miss Dexie, I'll be up to-morrow in time, without fail," +and he laughed as he disappeared up the stairs. + +But when eight o'clock came next morning, it brought no Plaisted with it, +and Dexie horrified them by asking if they had better go up and view the +remains. + +Breakfast was eaten in silence. Mr. Sherwood was vexed at Plaisted's +laziness when there was so much need of energetic work to make up for time +lost and wasted. + +"Perhaps he did not hear the bell," said Gussie, as the clock struck nine. +"I'll ring it again," which she did, vigorously. + +But another hour slipped by, and still he did not appear, much to Dexie's +disgust and annoyance. + +While standing by the window waiting his appearance, she became aware of a +great event that was taking place in the backyard. It happened that a pet +cat had met with some accident that had deprived it of life, and the +children were indulging in a funeral. A grave had been dug at the back +corner of the yard, and the procession of mourners was marching back and +forth across the yard with many twists and turns, to make it last longer, +until it at last reached the open grave. Georgie Sherwood, who marched in +the front of the procession, with the remains in a raisin-box, now +deposited it in its last resting-place, while the little Gurneys, who were +sedately following, wailed aloud. + +When the grave was covered to their satisfaction, Frankie Gurney came into +the house with Georgie, holding a piece of smooth, white marble, and asked +Dexie if she would write something on it, for it was to be the cat's +tombstone. + +"Say that she was the prettiest and best-behaved cat in Halifax, and that +she left a large family of sorrowing kittens behind her." + +"Yes, and children, too. Be sure and say that, Dexie," added Georgie. + +The inscription was soon written in Dexie's largest and clearest hand, and +it delighted the eyes of the little ones, who could easily read every word. + +"Where did you get such a nice stone, Frankie?" she asked. + +"Oh, down in the grave-stone shop. The man told me I could have it." + +A sudden thought came into her mind, and she smiled as she asked: + +"Could you get another piece as big as that, do you think?" + +"Oh, yes; there is another piece like this. Someone broke a foot-stone, and +it is no good, the man said. I'll go and get it, if you want it." + +"Oh, will you? then run quickly. I'll make you a new kite, if you will +hurry." + +In a very short time Frankie was back with the stone, Georgie, meanwhile, +being engaged in setting up the cat's monument. + +"What do you want with the stone, Dexie?" he asked, as he regarded her +attentively. + +"Come with me, Frankie, and I will show you," and she led him upstairs to +the upper hall. + +"I want to play a trick on Mr. Plaisted; but I can't, unless you will help +me." + +"Oh, I'll do anything you tell me," his eyes eager for any fun. + +"You see, he is a fearful hand to sleep in the mornings. He is not up yet, +and the morning is half gone. He said last night that he would be up in +time for breakfast, if he was alive. Well, you can hear him snoring in the +next room; but, since he is not up, I am going to consider him dead, and I +want you to put up his tombstone. Now, do you think that you can go +carefully and put this at the head of his bed without waking him?" + +Laying the stone on her knee, she soon had it written over in large, plain +letters, and hoping that Plaisted might sleep till noon, as he often did, +she slipped downstairs to await results. + +It is not often that a man is roused from sleep by his own tombstone +falling on him, but that is how was at last awakened. Quite likely +Frankie, fearing to awaken him, did not place it very securely. However, as +Plaisted was about to turn over for another snooze, down came the marble +slab on his papered head! It almost stunned him for a moment, but curiosity +roused him enough to find out what had struck him. + +Lifting his arms above his head, he grasped the object, but not calculating +on its weight, it slipped out of his hands and bruised his head in another +spot. Raising on his elbow, he gazed in bewilderment on the thing, but +turning it over he quickly grasped its meaning, for the words thereon were +plain enough for the dullest man to understand, and read as follows: + + "Sacred to the memory of + D.S. PLAISTED, + who departed this life while in full health and curl papers. + His death was sudden, + but quite expected. + This monument was erected by one who fully realized his + WORTH-LESS-NESS. + Peace to his ashes." + +A few moments of awful silence followed the reading of this inscription, +then curses both loud and deep were heard in the room. With a bound he was +out of bed, and opening the door he flung his tombstone over the baluster +to the bottom of the stairs, with a crash that startled the family from +their seats as if a thunderbolt had shaken the house. + +Dexie disappeared instantly, knowing what the noise meant, but feeling +thankful that there was no one near the stairs when the crash came, or she +would have had to seriously repent her joke. As it was, the stairs were +dinged and marred, and the fragments of the tombstone were strewn over the +hall. + +It did not take Plaisted long to dress that morning, and he soon appeared +before the assembled family, his brow dark and his eyes flashing. + +"Who did that?" he demanded as he made his appearance. + +"That is just what we have been trying to find out," replied Mr. Sherwood, +who thought he was referring to the noise. + +"I mean, who put that stone in my room?" + +"What stone? I hardly think you are awake yet, Plaisted," and he regarded +him severely. "Do you know what time it is?" + +Plaisted glanced at the clock, and his angry feelings were swallowed up in +the feeling of shame that spread a flush over his face. + +"Heavens! I never thought it was so late as that! So we have lost the train +again by my carelessness. Too bad, Sherwood. But that joke was no light +one. Did you put up that stone?" + +"What stone? I don't understand," replied Sherwood, angrily. + +Plaisted turned back into the hall, and gathered up the pieces he had flung +down in his anger, then piecing it together on the table pointed to the +inscription. + +A roar of laughter came from Mr. Sherwood's throat, as he took in the joke. +Dexie, hearing the laughter and knowing its cause, came boldly into the +room, ready enough to confess her share of it, now that she knew her father +would not scold very much about it. + +"Dexie, did you do that?" he asked, as she appeared. "That writing looks +very familiar." + +"Well, I wrote the inscription," her face never changing expression, "but I +hired another person to set the stone up. Has there been a miracle that you +have come to life again?" she added, turning to Plaisted. + +"Well, I'll have to own that you have got the best of me this time, Miss +Dexie; but I'll pay you for that tombstone yet, see if I don't," and he +seated himself to his late breakfast. + +There was no need to set up a monument to Plaisted's memory the next +morning, as he was down before the breakfast bell rang, and as Mr. +Sherwood kept him confined to the business they had before them, he found +no time to pay Dexie back for the trick she had played him. + +During the day something occurred that referred to business matters in +Prince Edward Island; and becoming annoyed at Plaisted's equivocal answers, +Mr. Sherwood took the copy of the letter Dexie had brought home with her, +and laid it before his eyes. Plaisted read it with a puzzled brow and +shamefaced cheeks. + +"Where did you get this?" he asked, in embarrassment. + +"No matter; but can you deny it is yours?" + +"By thunder! I guess I can! that is not my handwriting," he replied, trying +to bluff it off. + +"No, the handwriting is not yours, I know. But dare you say that that is +not an exact copy of a letter that was written by your hand?" + +"Well, you have me there, Sherwood, so I may as well own up. I was going to +do a bit of shrewd business for myself, but someone seems to have got ahead +of me. Now I look at this writing, it is singularly like the writing on my +tombstone," he added, as he studied the letter before him; "but, of course, +it isn't possible." + +Receiving no answer, he looked up at Mr. Sherwood and seemed to read the +truth in his face. + +"You don't mean to say that my conjecture is right?" + +"Yes, Dexie's thoughtfulness and quick perception have saved me a good +thousand. Your doings on Prince Edward Island were made known to her in a +singular manner, and she was sharp enough to see the advantage that an +exact copy of your letter would be to me; and as your letter was placed in +her hands quite unexpectedly, she copied it. You and I must part. I'll have +no schemer like you for a partner any longer. I'll not have my name mixed +up with such doubtful dealings." + +High words followed, but as Mr. Sherwood had the upper hand, Plaisted was +obliged to submit to his decision, and he soon left the room to collect his +belongings, having received a peremptory dismissal. + +"There is one satisfaction that I wish you would grant me, Sherwood," he +said, turning as he reached the door, "Tell me how your daughter chanced +upon that letter." "No, that you need not know; but it was by the merest +accident, and was as great a surprise to her as it has been to me. But she +was sharp enough to see how important her information was, and knew that a +copy of your letter was the best guarantee she could bring me of your +craftiness." + +"Sharp! yes, that is just the word for her. She is like a bunch of nettles, +stinging you if you but touch her. She has contrived to give me an +unpleasant memory of her every time I have been here. And so it is to her I +owe this break in our business intercourse;" and with flushed face and +flashing eyes he left the room, and before night he was journeying toward +the "land of the free," a sadder, and, let us hope, a wiser man. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + + +"Hope long deferred maketh the heart sick," and Hugh became dull and +morose; the happiness he hoped for seemed as far off as ever, and the +continued disappointment was making his life bitter. Mrs. Gurney saw the +change, and tried to persuade Hugh to go abroad. This he longed to do, but +waited; he might yet go abroad with Dexie as his travelling companion. He +would not take the message sent him as final; surely if he could see her +alone, face to face, he would compel her to give her reasons for refusing +him, and he might explain away her objections. + +But Dexie considered the matter settled, and feeling herself free she +thought it right to drop her stiff, reserved manner, and be once more +friendly. This change made Hugh think that there was still hope for him, +and he determined to take a lover's privilege, and press his suit face to +face. + +With this end in view, he called on the Sherwoods one afternoon, and +finding Mr. Sherwood alone, he asked permission to take Dexie out for a +sail, adding that there seemed no other way of seeing her alone. + +"I doubt if she will go with you, Mr. McNeil," said Mr. Sherwood. "Why not +let the matter rest as it is? I don't think you are making much headway; +better not press it any further." + +"She has not given me fair play," was the reply. "If I am to be refused, +why must I take it from another's lips? Give me the chance to open my heart +to her, and I will be satisfied." + +"Well, Mr. McNeil, I wish you well; but she must choose as she likes. What +is the water like to-day?" + +"Smooth as a mill-pond; scarcely a ripple," was the reply, as he followed +Mr. Sherwood into the next room. + +"I have called to see if you will go for a sail, Miss Dexie," said Mr. +McNeil, as he entered the room and seated himself beside her. "You have not +been on the water for some time; it is a pity to miss this fine afternoon." + +Gussie knew very well that she was not included in the invitation; but she +had no intention of being left out, so she eagerly answered: + +"Oh, yes, of course we will go; it will be lovely and cool on the water +this hot afternoon." + +Hugh knew it would be useless to hint that it was Dexie alone he wanted, +but he meant to get rid of her society somehow. + +"You have not said if you would go, Dexie," said Hugh, looking intently +into her face. + +"Oh, yes! certainly. I shall be delighted to go, if Gussie thinks she will +not get sick." + +"I don't think Gussie was included in the invitation," said Mr. Sherwood, +looking up from his paper as he became aware of the situation. + +"But of course it was understood; I would not go without her," said Dexie. +"What time shall we be ready?" + +"I will call in half an hour," and Hugh left the room with his heavy brow +drawn into a decided frown. + +During the walk to the wharf Hugh was so silent that Gussie began to banter +him on his gloomy countenance. + +"You don't look as if you enjoyed the prospect of an afternoon on the +water, after all!" she said, laughing. + +Hugh took no notice of her remarks, but handed the girls into the boat, +threw the shawls on a seat, and shoved off. + +"I hope the wind will rise a little," said Dexie, as they seated +themselves. "You will find it rather tiresome to row all the time." + +"We will catch a slight breeze after we get out a bit," replied Hugh. + +But Gussie no sooner felt the motion of the boat than she repented her +decision in coming. She was a veritable coward on the water; the least +ripple made her shrink with fear, and nothing but her anxiety to keep Hugh +and Dexie apart would have allowed her to overcome her dread. But once on +the water, fear and sickness overmastered all else. + +"Oh! do be careful!" she cried in alarm, as Hugh stepped forward to adjust +the sail, causing the little craft to dip slightly on one side. + +"No danger, Gussie," said Dexie; "the boat will not tip as easily as you +suppose." + +"But do you not think it is getting rough?" she asked, as a slight ripple +came towards them. "Oh! I wish I had not come. Do let us go back." + +"The idea! Why, we have not been out ten minutes," said Dexie, who +thoroughly enjoyed the motion that sent the color from Gussie's face. +"Gussie, are you frightened, or sick?" she added, looking into her sister's +face. + +"Both. Do ask Hugh to return; I am in misery." + +Hugh lost no time in doing as he was requested, and they soon reached the +wharf. Gussie stepped ashore at once, glad to reach _terra firma_ again; +but as Dexie stepped forward to join her, Hugh turned sharply: + +"Are you frightened, too? I thought you were made of something better." + +The taunt aroused Dexie, and she replied: + +"No, I'm not afraid. It was not I that asked to return." + +Instantly Hugh stepped into the boat and, gave it a shove that sent it +several rods, saying: + +"Then we'll not lose our sail on Gussie's account," and he bent to the +oars, sending the little boat far out into the stream. + +Gussie stood on the wharf until she saw that they really meant to leave her +there, and then walked thoughtfully home. + +"I wonder what this means?" was Dexie's inward comment when she found +herself alone with Hugh. "There is some method in this madness, for I see +it in his eyes." + +She did not offer to begin the conversation until she saw Hugh hoist the +sail and turn towards Point Pleasant. + +"Where are you going, Mr. McNeil? I thought we were going up the Basin." + +"I think we will try the Arm; there will not be so many crafts about." + +"Why this wish for seclusion?" said Dexie, forcing a smile. "Surely there +will be room for us as well." + +Hugh paid no attention to this remark until they had turned up the Arm; +then dropping the sail and changing his seat to one opposite Dexie, he let +the boat drift with the tide. + +Looking at her earnestly he said, + +"It was a lucky thought that made me bring you out on the water. I thought +Gussie would soon get enough of it. We are not likely to be interrupted +here, and you cannot run away from me. Now, do you want me to tell you why +I have brought you here?" + +"No; I have not the least curiosity about it," was the seemingly +indifferent reply. + +"You know what I wish to say, Dexie, though you do not care to acknowledge +it," he said, in a low tone. "Believe me, Dexie, I have not been playing at +love-making all this time. I never was more in earnest in anything than I +am in this. Tell me, what is it that you have against me?" + +"Mr. McNeil, I thought this matter was settled. You received the message I +sent you. Why bring up the subject again? I do not wish to hear another +word." + +"You cannot help yourself, Dexie. You have had your own way in this all +along, and have not allowed me to say a word. Now it is my turn, and I will +not be put off. Remember all is fair in love and war." + +Dexie was silent. She was a little afraid of Hugh in this mood, but no sign +of her fear appeared outwardly. + +"I have reached the limit of torture that I can bear," said Hugh, after a +pause. "I have had harsh words and cold looks for a long time, and you have +slighted me on every possible occasion; but it has made no difference in my +love for you. It has grown until it has taken possession of me, and my life +seems to hold nothing worth living for with you left out of my future. +Dexie, have pity! Is my life of no account to you that you can toss it +aside without a thought?" + +Dexie raised her eyes to the earnest face before her as she replied: + +"I must think of my own self. Why should I make my life unhappy to please a +passing fancy of yours?" + +"A passing fancy! I understand that remark; you mean it as a sneer. It was +a passing fancy with Gussie, I will admit. But, Dexie, it is a strong man's +love that now burns in my heart. Think of all that it is in my power to +give you, if you will only receive it. But the fact that I possess a +fortune gives me no pleasure unless I can share it with you. Say the word, +Dexie, and your every wish shall be gratified, if it is in the power of a +man or money to do so, and my whole life shall be spent in making you +happy. You need never have a care. What more could you ask of me, Dexie?" +His eager eyes seemed to burn into her very soul as he waited her reply. + +"I ask you for nothing; but if you will take all this and lay it before +someone who could and would gladly accept it, you would be far happier in +the end. It is a waste of time to try and persuade me to do what my whole +soul refuses to consider, even for a moment." + +"But why? Tell me why, Dexie? What have you against me? Is it on Gussie's +account, or is it Lancy Gurney that comes between us?" + +"What matters the reason? Call it what you like, it stands between us, and +always will," she answered with rising color. + +"You will not say! Can it be possible that you are so much in love with +Lancy Gurney that there is no room for a thought of me? He will never make +you happy; he knows nothing of love as I feel it--a schoolboy attachment, +that will soon be forgotten!" + +"Be kind enough to leave Lancy's name out of this discussion altogether," +said Dexie coldly, "and as there is nothing to be gained by prolonging this +unpleasant interview, we had better return home." + +"You are mistaken if you think I am going to end this little excursion +without gaining my end. Do you remember the time Lancy took you to drive, +on purpose to gain your consent to whistle at the concert? Well, he kept +you out until you gave him your promise, and I intend to profit by that +idea of his, and keep you here until you give me a promise also." + +"Why! Mr. McNeil, are you crazy?" said Dexie, in alarm. "What parallel do +you see in the case? What good would a promise do you which you know I +would break the moment I reached the shore?" + +"You will not break any promise you make. I am not afraid of that. I think +I know you better than you do yourself, Dexie." + +Dexie flushed angrily, and turned her eyes to see the position of their +boat. They had been drifting at the will of the tide, and she had given +little thought to it in her excitement. But now, understanding what might +be in store for her, it was necessary to think of some way of escape. + +Could she keep Hugh from regarding her movements, and draw his attention +from their boat's course? + +After a few minutes' silence she asked, a smile twitching the corners of +her mouth: + +"I suppose there is not a piece of paper anywhere about," and she looked +into her pocket and beneath the seat in a vain search; and there was a +gleam of mischief in her eyes as she added: "I suppose you could not +accommodate me with a piece of paper, could you, Mr. McNeil? Oh, thanks. +And a pencil? Much obliged. Now, if there is only an empty bottle around +some place, with a tight cork, I'll not despise the shipwrecked mariner's +post office." "What are you going to do?" said Hugh, looking at her in +surprise. + +"Well, if I am to be detained here indefinitely, I would like to send a few +parting words to Lancy. I am sure it would be _such_ a comfort to him, in +case the letter ever reached him, to know that I cared enough for him to +remain true under such trying circumstances." + +Was she making fun of him or not? Hugh could not tell, but he snatched the +piece of paper from her hand and flung it over the side of the boat. + +"Poor Lancy! how he will grieve for me!" she added in a commiserating tone, +as she watched the receding scrap of paper. "You might have allowed me that +one bit of consolation, I am sure, Mr. McNeil." + +"Do you really love Lancy so much? I cannot believe it, Dexie." + +"You might, nevertheless; for believe me, Mr. McNeil, if I had but one last +wish granted me, it would be that I might be transported to his side. Ah +me! I do not think I ever cared for him so much as I do at this present +moment," and Dexie began to sing in a minor tone and in the high, cracked +voice of an old woman: + + "Why--do--we--mourn--departed--friends + Or--" + +"Dexie, stop that!" and Hugh's' voice was sharp with pain and annoyance. "I +do believe you are the most vexatious creature that ever lived." + +"It makes me happy to hear you acknowledge that, Mr. McNeil; and I think +you are far too sensible to want to spend your whole life with such a +vexatious creature as you know me to be. Put a stop to all this nonsense, +and let us return home." + +"Never! You are trifling with a matter that is more than life and death to +me, and you make jokes while I suffer. Do you think I cannot see through +all this professed love for Lancy? Do girls in love confess it to a third +party so freely and openly? No! Lancy has no place in your heart at all. I +have watched you too closely to be mistaken," and before she was aware of +his intention her hands were seized in his strong grasp as he poured out +his heart in a torrent of passionate words. + +Dexie was moved in spite of herself. She looked into the face so near her, +and asked herself the question, "Why could she not love him?" He surely +loved her truly, or he would not speak so earnestly. A future such as he +could give her would be eagerly grasped by many young girls. She had never +thought his face half so expressive as it now appeared to her. Yes, he was +very handsome after all; his very soul seemed shining through his eyes, and +as he talked she dropped hers before his earnest gaze. + +"It is no use," she said at last, in a low tone. "I cannot, I cannot-- + + 'I do not love you, Dr. Fell, + The reason why I cannot tell.'" + +But, low as the words were, Hugh heard them. + +"Never mind the love, Dexie; marry me, and the love will come afterwards." + +"No, Mr. McNeil, I will not risk it," was her low reply, as she pulled her +hands from his close grasp. "I am quite sure we could not live a week in +peace and happiness. There is something in your very presence that raises +up the worst feelings in me, and why should I knowingly spoil all my life?" + +"It is no risk, Dexie; you shall never have any reason to be vexed with me. +Your father is quite ready to accept me as a son-in-law; he trusts me, why +cannot you? My darling, you have had time to think it over. Give me your +promise; it need not be fulfilled until you wish it." + +"I cannot give a promise I have no wish or intention of keeping, and how +can you ask such a thing? How can you want an unwilling bride?" + +"Never mind me, Dexie. Say you will be my wife sometime, and that will be +enough. You will never regret it." + +Dexie covered her face with her hands, and thought it over. The few +minutes' silence was broken by Hugh, who hoarsely asked: + +"Will you give me your promise, Dexie?" + +"No, I will not!" + +"But you shall! I swear it! Do you think I am not in earnest?" and the +love-light in his eyes was dimmed by a harder and fiercer look. "You will +return home my promised wife, or not at all!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + + +They had drifted on and on. + +A little to the left a vessel was riding at anchor, and Dexie felt sure +there must be someone on board who would help her. If she could only alter +the course of the boat and get into the current, it might bring them near +enough to attract attention, then she would shout for help. + +There was a long silence between them. Hugh regarded her earnestly, feeling +sure she would give in at last. Dexie had no thought of doing so, but was +striving to think of some way to escape him. As she sat, her hands folded +in her lap, she studied well the position of the vessel; noting also the +ladders that hung over the side, and a daring thought entered her mind. + +"Dear me!" she said at last, "this is getting very monotonous. I am tired +doing nothing. I think I might learn how to use an oar, even though I may +never have the chance to put my knowledge into practice." + +She reached forward and grasped a light oar, handling it rather awkwardly, +as a novice might, but succeeded at last in getting the blade over the +side, more by chance than good management, apparently. + +"I thought you knew how to use an oar already," said Hugh, his mind turned +a moment from the subject that had been absorbing him. He watched the +spasmodic dabs that Dexie was making, not thinking there was any purpose in +the seemingly awkward efforts at rowing. + +"Well, no--I'm not much of a hand at it--I must confess, but I think--I +could learn--in time," and she glanced up to see if they were nearing the +vessel; but Hugh followed her look and instantly surmised her intention. + +"Ha! I see your scheme! Let me warn you not to make any outcry in hope of +getting assistance from that vessel, for I tell you it would come too +late." + +"I am not afraid of your threats, sir, as you might know by this time," +said Dexie, in a firm voice. "I do not forget the time you were going to +throw me from the roof, if I did not say the words you wished to hear. I am +a good swimmer, let me tell you, so you will not find me so easy to drown +as you may imagine; however, accidents will happen, and I would fain die a +dry death, so take up the oars and turn back to the city, or I shall jump +overboard, and try and make for that vessel." + +"Sit down, Dexie," said Hugh, fiercely. "Do you think I am such a fool as +to let you escape me, after all? Let me tell you, I planned for all +emergencies before I asked you to come out with me, and yesterday I made my +will and settled up my affairs by writing a letter for your father, in case +we do not return. So take care, it remains with you if there shall be a +tragedy. There shall be no risk of a separation, for if you make any effort +to escape, it will be stopped by this," and a bright revolver gleamed in +the rays of the setting sun. + +Dexie shuddered in spite of herself. The dread of firearms was as strong in +her as in most of her sex, and she shrank back in her seat with a horrified +look. + +"A fine proof of your regard, I must say, to carry a loaded revolver on +purpose to shoot me!" was the scornful reply. + +"I prepared it for myself alone. Don't drive me to use it against either of +us. Will you promise not to call for help?" + +And looking at the murderous toy she gave the promise; and Hugh, knowing +she would keep it, laid it on the seat beside him. + +"Alone, and with a madman! Heaven help me!" was Dexie's thought. Her heart +beat wildly. She dared not take her eyes from his face. But there was +something in her glance that had power to subdue him, and, feeling this, +she met his gaze unflinchingly. The oar still lay across her lap. Gently, +with an almost imperceptible motion, its blade reached the water, and +slowly, very slowly, the distance between the boat and vessel was +shortened. She sat back in her seat so still that the slight movement of +her wrists was not observed, for Hugh's eyes seemed riveted to her face; +there seemed a mesmeric power in the depths of her eyes that held him, and +obliterated all else from his mind. + +Dexie's heart gave a great throb as the shadow of the vessel fell across +the boat; but still he saw nothing till Dexie bent forward to give the +strong pull to the oar that would give her freedom or death. The boat +answered the touch and gave a sideward lurch that sent it broadside against +the vessel, and Hugh woke as from a trance. One upward glance, and he +sprang forward to thrust the boat aside and keep her off. But as he turned +his back Dexie sprang up, and it was but the work of an instant to slip the +revolver into her pocket, and as the boat swept past she grasped the rope +ladder that hung from the vessel's side. + +Terror seemed to lend her wings, for she found herself on the vessel's deck +before she had time to draw a breath, where half fainting she lay for some +moments, thanking Heaven for her safety. + +But was she yet safe? No sign of life appeared on deck; but might there not +be a number of sailors, drunk, below? Would she be any safer in their +company than with Hugh? She shut her teeth hard at the thought, and +slipping her hand into her pocket, with fear and trembling, she pulled out +the revolver, and laid it at her side. How had she dared to touch it? Yet, +while facing Hugh, the possession of that revolver seemed the one thing to +be desired; but now that she had it she dreaded to touch it, though it was +her only protector in this, her awful position. + +When the boat slipped clear of the vessel, and Hugh turned about and +realized that he was alone, he sank down on the seat as if powerless to +move. + +Where was Dexie? How had she escaped? No cry had reached his ears, no sound +of splashing water warned him that she had gone over the side. Yet he was +alone, Alone! + +His terrified glance swept the water around him, as if he expected to see +her upturned face in the waves that mocked his misery by their ceaseless +motion. + +Merciful Heaven, had he lost her, after all; lost the life that was dearer +to him than his own? It could not be. A few rapid strokes, and he was again +at the vessel's side, intending to summon assistance from those on board to +aid him in his search. Had either of them known that the two men on board +the vessel were hopelessly drunk in their berths below, and that the rest +of the crew were about returning from Halifax charged with hell-fire in the +shape of Water Street whiskey, it might have made some difference in the +actions of both. + +Dexie watched Hugh's movements with interest, but when she saw him +approaching the vessel her fear of him again increased, and she rose and +confronted him. + +"Don't come any nearer, I warn you!" she cried. "I hold the revolver now, +and I shall not scruple to use it for my own safety." + +"Dexie, how did you get there?" was the relieved reply. "Put down that +revolver before you do harm with it. You must come back in the boat! Do you +think you are safe among a lot of sailors!" + +Hugh seemed perfectly sane how, whatever may have been the condition of his +mind previously, and he shuddered as her unprotected condition flashed over +him. + +"Keep off, McNeil! don't come any nearer at your own peril! I will trust +myself among a shipload of drunken sailors before I will put myself in your +power again." + +"Dexie, I'll give you my word of honor to take you home at once, if you +will leave the vessel. Come, you need not fear me any more; I think I must +have been mad." + +"Keep off, I tell you! I am not so foolish as you think! I don't forget you +prepared that revolver in your sober senses, whatever may have been your +state of mind awhile ago. Keep back, or you shall have the bullet you +prepared for me!" + +What could he do? She seemed terribly in earnest, yet, if she did not come +back with him, how should she be able to return at all? Should he make a +dash and rescue her against her will? She seemed to define his thoughts, +for she leaned over the side, saying: + +"Go at once, and send someone for me, for if I ever reach Halifax again it +won't be under your care! Go, I say! I hate you! I _hate_ you! You need not +try to reach me," as Hugh rowed nearer. "You just touch that ladder, and +you will find my bleeding body here, not a living person!" + +Hugh sat in the boat irresolute, not knowing what to do. + +"I cannot leave you there, Dexie; you _must_ come back to me, and come +quickly before you are discovered. I swear I will row you home at once, and +not trouble you with a word," and the boat almost touched the vessel's +side. It was heavily laden, and sat low in the water, and Dexie felt the +distance between them was very short indeed. If Hugh insisted on reaching +her, the struggle would be short and soon over, for nothing would persuade +her to go back in the boat with Hugh again. She raised her arm; and the +sound of a shot was sent over the water, followed simultaneously with a +sharp, splintering sound, as the little leaden missile tore its way along +the stern of the little boat. + +Dexie look around, expecting the sound would surely bring someone from +below, and if that someone was not sober, Hugh was still near enough to +help her. But no one appeared; she seemed the only living person on board. +She looked back at Hugh. She had not hurt him, nor had she intended to do +so, but she struck much nearer than she knew, and Hugh went back a stroke +or two. + +"Do you believe I am in earnest now?" she asked, as she still held the +revolver in her hand. "Go and bring someone for me while there is time, for +I will never go back with you!" + +But as Hugh bent to the oars, sending the little craft so swiftly to do her +bidding, the courage that had hitherto sustained her suddenly vanished. +Alone and unprotected, what might not happen to her? But it was too late to +call Hugh back now, so she must face whatever fate there was in store for +her. What if Hugh had no intention of sending help to her, and should leave +her there? Oh, for some chance to get away! + +Dexie had almost given up in despair when the muffled sound of oars was +borne on her ears. She sprang quickly to the other side of the vessel and +looked anxiously in the direction of the sound. Soon the rower came in +sight, and by the stripes and epaulets of the wearer she recognized him as +a military officer, whose strong, rapid strokes were rapidly taking him +citywards. Oh, if he would only take her with him! Dare she ask him? The +hitherto-despised soldier seemed an angel of mercy, as the hope of rescue +sprang up again in her heart. But he is coming near, and she must not let +the chance slip. How should she hail him? In what words make known her +peril? She felt stupid, just when she needed her readiest wit. He was +almost abreast the vessel before Dexie found her voice, and then in +frightened tones came the cry: + +"Help, soldier! Help!" + +The soldier turned his head, and rested on his oars as he listened. + +"Help, soldier! Save me, I beg of you!" + +The pleading tones told that the cry was from someone in trouble, and a few +strokes brought him to the vessel's side. + +"What's the matter, miss? What's wrong that you are calling for help? What +can I do for you?" + +"Oh, take me away from this vessel! You are going to the city, are you +not?" + +"Yes; but perhaps I shall get myself into some scrape if I take you away," +and a smile lit up his face for a moment. "How came you here? Are you here +against your will?" + +"Yes, and no. Take me off quickly, and I'll explain," she replied, +hurriedly, for a movement below reached her ears. + +She was soon seated opposite her deliverer, who looked at her curiously, +but said nothing till they were quite a distance from the vessel; then, +resting on his oars, he said: + +"Now, tell me how you came to be on that vessel; but, first, will you tell +me your name?" + +"Oh! must I--" and Dexie dropped her head. + +"Well, you need not if you do not wish to. I know you, all the same, though +I have not heard your name. You are the 'American Warbler.' Now, tell me +your story." + +"I hardly know how to tell it, though I don't mind you knowing about it. +There is so much to tell before you will understand how I came to be on the +vessel." + +"Well, if it is all a secret, I'll promise not to tell anyone except my +wife. She might hear that I have been on the harbor with a young lady, so I +had better tell her myself," and he smilingly waited Dexie's explanation. + +"Oh! since you are married, it will not be so hard to tell." + +There was quite a pause. Where would she begin? + +"Come, now, how did you come to be aboard the vessel?" he repeated. + +"But I can't tell you _how_ until I have told you _why_," said she, trying +to control her voice, "so I must tell you all that happened this +afternoon," and, beginning from the time that Hugh prevented her from +joining her sister on the wharf, she told the story of the afternoon, +though not without skilful questionings that made the matter clear, though +hardly comprehensible. She gave no names, but mentioned Hugh as "the young +gentleman." + +"You have had quite an adventure, Miss--," and he looked up thinking she +would supply the name, but she smiled and shook her head. + +"Miss Jonathan, then; you must have some name for my wife to know you by," +he added, smilingly. "Now, I don't think you did a very wise thing when you +got on a strange craft for safety. It was all right as it happened, but it +might not have happened all right. However, you are safely out of the +scrape; still, if I am not mistaken in the young man, he thinks too much of +you to really harm you." + +"Do you think you know who it was?" and she looked up with a flushed face. + +"Well, I suppose it was the same chap that whistled with you at the +concert, wasn't it!" + +"No, indeed! I suppose I must tell you more, after all. You don't +understand the half of it yet. It was one who was, at one time, my sister's +lover, or so I thought, but he--" + +"He changed his mind, I see," and there was a twinkle of fun in the eyes +that watched the face before him. "I begin to see the point now. That is +why he did not want your sister with you. May I hazard a guess and say that +perhaps it was the dark young man who was glowering at you the night of the +concert? Oh, I saw it all," as she looked up in surprise. "So it was he?" + +"Yes, he was out of temper that night, I remember." + +"Well, he did not look very amiable, I must say; but, for all that, you +were safer with him than on the vessel, for, if I am not mistaken, that is +the crew going aboard now," and the shouts and songs of the sailors reached +their ears as they rowed towards the vessel. + +"Oh! thank you, thank you a thousand times, for coming along just when you +did! What should I have done? But I had this," and she drew forth the +revolver from her pocket. + +"Great Scott! have you got that yet? What were you going to do with it?" + +"I would have turned it on myself if there was no other way. Would you mind +accepting it? McNeil shall never have it back," and she laid it by his +side. + +The oars were poised in the air as he caught the name. "McNeil, you said! +Not the McNeil that has had the fortune left him lately, and is considered +such a great catch?" + +"Yes, he has had a fortune left him; as for being a great catch"--and the +shrug of her shoulders finished her answer. + +"Well, I don't think he will have to force his attentions on the rest of +the young ladies around Halifax by the aid of a revolver anyway, if all +they say of the young man is true. He is well liked, I hear, by all who +know him. And so you won't have him?" + +"No, I won't promise to marry any man, however rich he is, who would ask +it with a revolver in his possession to enforce it. I should hate him for +it." + +"There spoke the woman's heart; a loaded revolver is hardly a lover's +weapon, I'll admit. What a bit of romance this will be for my wife! Have I +your permission to tell it?" + +"Just as you like; but please do not tell anyone else--your soldier +friends, I mean." + +"Certainly not, if you wish it; but young ladies usually like to boast of +their conquests." + +"Well, on all other points McNeil is sensible, and, as he will probably +marry someone else some day, it will not be pleasant to have this affair +become known." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + + +It was quite dark when they reached the wharf, and Dexie was wondering if +Lancy knew of her absence when she saw his well-known figure outlined +against the sky. + +He did not know that the object of his anxious thoughts was so near, as he +stood looking seaward, with a dark frown upon his face. + +As the soldier moored the little boat, and prepared to help Dexie ashore, +she suddenly said: "I gave you the revolver, but will you mind giving me +the rest of the bullets in it?" + +He looked at her in surprise. + +"Certainly," he replied, and he laid them in her hand, "but I think you +will find them unpleasant reminders of an incident you would do well to +forget. A man in love is often a desperate individual, without realizing +his condition; and I have no doubt that, by this time, McNeil would do much +to recall what passed this afternoon. So let me ask you, for him, to +forgive it." + +"I could forgive all but the _revolver_ part of it. That was premeditated, +and I shall not forget it. Let me thank you again for your kind assistance. +I shall always think better of the soldiers for your kindness to me." + +"I am amply repaid, my fair warbler," replied the soldier, as they stood at +last on the wharf, "and if your excitable lover ever asks for his revolver, +here is my address," and he handed her a card; "but, if I mistake not, a +friend is waiting for you," and he waved his hand towards Lancy. + +At that moment Lancy turned, and seeing the object of his thoughts so near, +and in company with a soldier, his face underwent a series of expressions. +But it was really Dexie, though he could scarcely believe his own eyesight, +and he was at her side in a moment. + +"Why, Dexie! where have you been? We were afraid there had been an +accident." + +A hundred questions were on his lips, but the presence of the soldier kept +them back. + +"I have been in danger, but there has been no accident, Lancy; and you must +thank this gentleman for bringing me safely home." + +As the memory of it all passed before her, her self-control gave way, and +covering her face with her hands she burst into tears. + +This was rather embarrassing to Lancy, who was all in the dark in regard to +Dexie's movements. He was told that she had gone off with Hugh, and here +she was in company with a soldier, and in tears. + +"She will be all right in a few minutes," the officer replied, in answer to +Lancy's surprised looks. "She has gone through enough to try a strong +woman's nerves. Wait here; I'll get that cab, if it is empty, and you can +take her home at once," and he darted up the wharf at a rapid pace. + +"Where is Hugh?" said Lancy hurriedly; "not drowned, Dexie?" + +"No; not that I know of," she said, choking back her tears. + +"Then, what does all this mean? How came you to be out with the soldier, +Dexie? I don't know what to think." + +"I will tell you presently, but that soldier saved my life. Thank him for +me, Lancy, for I cannot say enough." + +The arrival of the cab prevented further explanation, and Dexie allowed +herself to be seated in it without a word. + +"I do not yet know what has happened," said Lancy, holding out his hand to +the soldier, "but I thank you very heartily for your kindness. Jump into +the cab with us, as far as your way lies, and tell me what this is all +about." + +As they took their seats, Lancy turned to Dexie, who had almost recovered +her composure, saying: + +"You have not yet introduced me to your friend. How shall I call him?" + +Dexie held up the card she had in her hand, saying: "I do not know myself, +and it is too dark to read." + +"I am Lieutenant Wilbur, at your service, and I feel happy in being the +means of rescuing the 'American Warbler' from a very unpleasant situation." + +"I am Launcelot Gurney. Now, will one of you tell me what has happened? You +have not been capsized, Dexie, for your clothes are not wet; but you have +been gone since early afternoon, and return in unexpected company. I am +bewildered by the thoughts and suggestions that crowd into my mind." + +"Let me tell the story briefly, and she can relate the details later on. +Here it is: Your fair warbler finds herself afloat, and unintentionally +alone with a desperate lover, who demands her heart and hand at the point +of a revolver, with the alternative of a death in his arms. Choosing +neither, said American warbler skilfully guides the boat to a vessel +anchored near, hoping to find a rescuer. This failing her, she takes +advantage of a moment when the aforesaid lover's back is turned, and +escapes to the vessel by aid of a rope ladder, and effectually keeps at bay +the aforesaid lover by a judicious use of the revolver, which had +previously been turned against herself. Then finding himself worsted, the +afore-mentioned desperate lover hies himself away, and your humble servant +turns up in the nick of time, and rescues the almost despairing warbler, +and returns her to the arms of--well--a waiting friend; quite a romance, my +wife will say." + +Lancy listened to the story with amazement. + +"Dexie, is this possible? or is the lieutenant only joking?" + +"It has been no joke to me, Lancy; I can say that," was the reply in a +quivering voice. "I was not off the vessel ten minutes, before we met the +vessel's crew going towards her. I can't bear to think of it." + +"But the revolver; surely that is an exaggeration!" + +"It is here," and the lieutenant held it towards Lancy, who drew back with +a shudder. + +"Heavens! is it possible? I can hardly realize how Hugh was capable of such +an act." + +"You had better take this Mr. Gurney, and give it to the owner," said the +lieutenant, still holding out the weapon. + +"No!" said Dexie quickly, "he shall not have it back! If you will not keep +it, Lieutenant Wilbur, I will throw it into the harbor the first chance I +get!" + +"I will keep it then, fair warbler," and he replaced it in his pocket. + +"Does he not know your name?" said Lancy, in a low tone. + +"No, but he saw us both in the hall, and remembers me." + +"Well, it is but fair, lieutenant," said Lancy aloud, "that you should know +the name of the lady you rescued. This is Miss Dexie Sherwood." + +"Ah! happy to know you at last, Miss Sherwood," was the laughing reply, as +he bent over her a moment; "but I must bid you good-bye, as I get off +here," and signalling the driver he lifted his cap, and was soon out of +sight. + +They reached home in a few minutes, and Lancy followed Dexie into the +house, saying: + +"I must have the story from your lips before I leave you to-night, Dexie." + +"Very well; but remember it is long past tea-time, and I am almost +famished." + +The family had become very much alarmed at Dexie's prolonged absence, and +Mr. Sherwood had gone out to inquire if any accident had been reported on +the water. As Dexie entered the sitting-room, Gussie looked up in +surprise, as she saw who was Dexie's companion; she expected it would be +Hugh, and it was easy to see that she was not in the best of tempers. + +"It is time you were home, miss," was her caustic remark. "It is a wonder +you are not ashamed of yourself to stay out till this hour! Just you wait +till papa comes home--he has been almost wild with fright; and you have +given mamma one of her nervous headaches, and she is quite ill; so you know +just what you may expect from her." + +Dexie made no answer, but moved briskly from sideboard to closet, +collecting her supper. + +"It would have been better for you if you had come home at the proper time +to your supper, instead of keeping us waiting for you, as you did," and a +torrent of complaints and reproaches were poured out, regardless of Lancy's +presence, till he was moved to reply: + +"I think, Gussie, if you knew the cause of her detention, and how much she +has borne because of it, you would not say another unkind word to her +to-night." + +"Oh, never mind her, Lancy," said Dexie; "honestly, I rather enjoy it. I +was so afraid this afternoon that I should never hear her scold me again +that I can bear all she has to say as meekly as a lamb." + +Gussie looked up in astonishment, then dropped her eyes for very shame. + +"What has happened? Were you capsized? Is Hugh drowned?" she asked in +alarm, noticing for the first time how sober they looked. + +Her unceremonious exit from the boat had put her out of temper. She felt +angry and mortified when she remembered how glad Hugh seemed to be to get +rid of her. Was the day to end in a tragedy? + +Where was Hugh, sure enough? + +After leaving Dexie, he rowed across the harbor to some small fishing-boats +that were riding at anchor, and tried to hire the occupants of one of them +to accompany him to the vessel. But the story he told them seemed so +improbable they would pay no attention to him for some time. Hugh was +almost beside himself with fear on Dexie's account; but he at last +succeeded in persuading a crafty old fellow to accompany him, by promising +him more money for his services than the fisherman had ever, at one time, +seen in his life, and finally he accompanied Hugh back to the vessel. + +But, by the time they arrived, Dexie had disappeared past George's Island +with the soldier, and Hugh found the vessel's deck alive with a set of men +capable of the darkest deeds that drunken sailors ever perpetrated. Hugh's +inquiries were not understood, of course; but believing the worst, he +demanded to be allowed on board the vessel. This the captain, who now +appeared, and who was about as drunk as his crew, refused to allow. Hugh +urged and argued in vain, the idea of a young lady being aboard the vessel +being hailed with uproarious shrieks of merriment by the vessel's crew. +Hugh was at last obliged to give up in despair, and he rowed back with all +speed towards the city, to secure the aid of the police in his search. + +This was the darkest hour Hugh had ever known. The strain on his nerves, +coupled with the anxiety of the previous weeks, was more than he could +bear, and when, with the assistance of two men armed with authority, he +searched the vessel for any trace of Dexie's presence, and found none, his +brain seemed to collapse, and the brass-buttoned officers carried him back +in their boat to Halifax in a state of unconsciousness. + +About midnight, with a doctor in attendance, he was carefully carried to +Mr. Gurney's in a state of delirium. + +The next morning the startling news was brought into the Sherwood household +that Hugh McNeil was down with brain fever, and that the doctor had not +left the house since midnight. + +Why did they all look at Dexie in such a horrified manner? Was she to +blame? Their looks implied as much. She fought against the implication +inwardly, but made no remark whatever as the news was being discussed. + +But, as the day wore on, the unnatural stillness of the house seemed to +weigh her down with its oppressiveness, and she caught herself listening to +every sound with strained ears and every nerve on the alert. + +She did not dare venture into the next door to make inquiries, not knowing +how much they might be blaming her for Hugh's sudden illness; and the added +trouble and anxiety his sickness necessarily caused, left no time for the +Gurney girls to run in with a report of his condition. Consequently, when +Lancy appeared about nine o'clock in the evening, Dexie's eyes asked the +question her lips had not power to form. + +"Hugh is no better--worse, if possible," and Lancy's face was as white as +Dexie's own. "He keeps calling for you in his delirium; he seems to think +you are drowned or worse, and reaches out to catch you. It takes two to +hold him sometimes." + +"Oh, Lancy! am I to blame?" she said, bursting into tears. "I have had such +a horrible day with my thoughts. I don't see how I could help it; yet it +was my fault, I suppose." + +"Well, under the circumstances, I don't see how you could have done +differently, Dexie; but don't fret about it. It is an uncomfortable affair +all round, to be sure. I can't help feeling proud of you the way you braved +it out rather than give your promise; but, of course, it was hard on Hugh." + +"Does your mother know anything about my part of the affair?" + +"Oh, yes! I told her all about it. Hugh raved so, I had to explain what I +knew about the trouble. She guessed quickly enough that something had +happened between you." + +"And the doctor?" + +"Oh! he knows about it too, and he wants to know if you will come in, if +they find they cannot quiet him. Oh, Hugh will not know you," he added, +looking into her frightened face; "but the doctor thinks you might get him +to sleep if you would be willing to try it." + +"Oh, dear! I don't want to go near him; but I suppose I must, if there is +any chance of convincing him that I am safe, after all." + +The doctor looked up in surprise when Dexie appeared in the room with Mrs. +Gurney a short time after. Was it this slip of a girl that had wrought such +mischief? + +"So this is _your_ work," and he waved his hand towards the bed. + +Dexie flashed an angry look at him, saying in a low voice: + +"I beg your pardon, sir, I think Mr. McNeil can blame himself and no one +else. What can I do, Mrs. Gurney?" + +Hugh was tossing about in restless delirium, muttering broken sentences; +and the piteous cry of "Dexie! oh, Dexie!" rang through the room. + +"Speak to him; perhaps he will realize you are here," said Mrs. Gurney. + +The doctor placed a chair by the bedside for her, then stood by the foot of +the bed, watching. + +"I never meant it, Dexie; I would not throw you over for worlds; forgive +me." + +Dexie knew that the memory of the scene on the roof was troubling his mind, +and the anguish depicted on Hugh's face brought such a lump into her throat +that she could not speak a word. + +"Come back into the boat with me; I'll promise to take you home," he cried. + +The doctor eyed Dexie sternly. + +"Speak to him," he said, sharply. + +"I am here, Mr. McNeil. I have come back safe and well. Try to sleep." + +Her voice seemed to pierce the troubled brain, and his face lost much of +its troubled look. + +"Sing something, Dexie," said Mrs. Gurney, "and perhaps he will sleep. He +has not been quiet since they brought him home," and, bending down, said +softly, "Try, Dexie. I know it is hard for you, but if he will sleep it +will be almost the saving of him. You will do this for me, I know." + + "Nearer, my God, to Thee; nearer to Thee." + +It was almost a whisper, but it soon had a visible effect on Hugh, and in +half an hour the doctor's curt words, "You may go now," were more welcome +than the sweetest praise. + +As the fever ran its course, Dexie was frequently called to Hugh's +bedside. How she dreaded those visits, yet stern duty forbade her to +refuse, as her heart often prompted. + +Dexie soon saw that she was not in the doctor's good graces, for as Hugh +revealed the past, in broken and disjointed sentences, it gave him the +impression that she had been trifling with Hugh's affections, and she +resented the tone he assumed when speaking to her. However, as the days +passed, and the doctor learned the real truth of the matter, he began to +look at Dexie with less disfavor; but the inquisitive manner with which he +now regarded her was not less objectionable. + +"You will marry him yet," the doctor said one night as he watched his +patient through his wildest hours. + +Dexie, who was sitting near the window, turned in surprise at the +unlooked-for remark. + +"Yes, my word for it, Miss Sherwood, you will marry him yet, after all the +fuss you have made over your refusal." + +"Never!" The reply was low, but intense. "I know my own mind, I guess! I +would not stay in the same room with him, though he is unconscious of my +presence, only Mrs. Gurney imagines he is less restless when I am near, and +she is anxious about his recovery." + +"Oh! you need not tell _me_! I have heard of such cases before now. I have +seen your eyes full of pity as you have watched beside him with Mrs. +Gurney." + +"Perhaps so; but not with the 'pity that is akin to love,' by any means," +and as Mrs. Gurney returned to the room, she bowed a stiff good-night to +the doctor and went home. + +After days of anxiety the fever reached its height, and there was not a +more anxious heart in the house that day than Dexie's own. + +As she went about her daily household duties, she mentally pictured to +herself what might happen in case of the worst. Would she be blamed for his +death? and what would become of all Hugh's money? + +She speculated as to how he had willed it, and wondered what were the +contents of the letter Hugh had written to her father before that +afternoon's sail. She hoped she would not be summoned again to the +sick-room. But she was not to have that wish, for late in the evening Lancy +came in to bring her over at once. + +"The doctor says the next hour will decide whether he lives or not, and he +wants you to be near in case you are needed in a hurry." + +Towards midnight Hugh opened his eyes and recognized Mrs. Gurney, who was +bending over him; and as he turned his face and saw the doctor also, he +said, in a faint voice: + +"What is the matter? Why am I here?" + +"You have been sick, Hugh," said Mrs. Gurney, taking his hand; "do not +talk." + +"But I thought--I thought--I was in a boat," he said, faintly, and a +puzzled look came over his face. "I was looking--for someone--or I was +dreaming." + +"You must not talk; try not to think itself," said the doctor, as he held +some medicine to his lips. "You have been dreaming, no doubt; but try not +to think about it any more." + +Hugh was quiet for some minutes; memory was slowly returning; but at last +the past all came back, and, casting an imploring glance into the doctor's +face, said: + +"Tell me! I remember it all now--I was searching for Dexie--is she safe?" + +"Yes, safe and well, so make your mind easy." + +"If I could--only feel--sure--" + +"Will you bring me that pitcher of water, Miss Sherwood?" + +The doctor's voice was low, but distinct, and an eager light came into +Hugh's face as he heard the name. + +"Pour a little into this glass," the doctor added. + +As Dexie came near at the doctor's direction, Hugh looked up, and for one +short moment their eyes met. + +But that moment assured Hugh that Dexie was safe; that was all he could +comprehend at present, for he was too weak to ask any more questions. Dexie +could not bear the strain much longer, so, bending over Mrs. Gurney, she +whispered: + +"Tell me I may go, if only into the next room. I cannot bear it." + +"Just a moment more, Miss Sherwood," the doctor whispered, overhearing the +request "Help me a moment here," he said aloud, "and then you may retire." + +She came towards the bed, and complied with his directions, knowing full +well that Hugh's eyes were devouring her face. + +"Is it you, Dexie, or your spirit?" the words were low and tremulous, but, +in the stillness of the room, sounded clear and distinct. + +"It is I, Mr. McNeil, alive, and well as ever I was." + +"Thank God!" + +His eyes closed, and with a gesture the doctor dismissed her; then taking +his seat beside the bed, he watched until he was assured that Hugh had +fallen into a natural sleep. + +As Dexie left the room, she mentally said a final good-bye to it, feeling +thankful enough that her services would not be needed again to hush the +despairing cries or still the grasping hands that had clutched at space. It +was the last time her eyes rested on Hugh for weeks. She knew he was +recovering, and that was enough. + +During his convalescence, Dexie never entered the Gurney household, lest by +some chance she might come face to face with her enemy. + +The occurrence on the boat was tacitly dropped by all parties concerned, +and only when Hugh accidentally heard that the Sherwoods were preparing to +return to the States did his reserve break down, and it was to Mrs. Gurney +alone he expressed his regrets and intentions. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + + +"Here's news, girls; we are going back to Maine!" and Georgie rushed into +the sitting-room where his sisters and their girl friends were chatting +together. "Papa says we are going back _for sure_, in just a few weeks, +too! Isn't that jolly?" and he manifested his delight in a series of +handsprings that would have charmed the heart of an acrobat. + +"Yes, I heard something of it, but hoped it would not come to pass," said +Dexie. + +"It is the best news I've heard for a long time, the sooner we leave this +horrid place the better I'll be pleased," was Gussie's comment. + +Elsie was quite depressed at the thought of parting from her friends; but +the intervening weeks were full of pleasure and excitement, and drives and +parties seemed to follow one another in quick succession. + +One day Dexie came in from a shopping expedition in great excitement, +saying: + +"Oh, girls, I have met my double; met her down in a store on Granville +Street, and I actually followed her until she entered a house on Spring +Garden Road. If she had worn one of my suits, I should have expected her to +walk home instead of me. I began to think 'this could not be I.' Whom do +you think she can be?" + +Nobody knew; but a few days after, Lancy related the fact that he had +hurried after a lady, supposing her to be Dexie, and found he had been +following a stranger. + +"I am going to find out who this young person is," said Dexie, laughing. +"Who knows, perhaps it is my only chance to 'see myself as others see me.'" + +After a few inquiries, it was found that Dexie's double was a Nina Gordon, +only daughter of a widow lately arrived in Halifax, and residing with a +bachelor brother who was travelling for a city firm. + +Cora Gurney happened to meet both mother and daughter while making a round +of calls with a friend, and she ran in to tell Dexie of the meeting. + +"Your double is not very much like you after all, Dexie," she said. "Her +figure and style of walking are remarkably like yours, even to the poise of +her head; her hair, too, is almost the same shade; the eyes and upper part +of the face are similar: but the mouth and chin are her own--they have no +resemblance whatever to the true Dexie. It is the first sight that strikes +one. When you look for the resemblance, it really seems slight enough, and +when she begins to talk, my! the illusion vanishes at once, for really I do +not think I ever met a person who irritated me as she did. She is a girl +after the 'china doll' pattern, and can only use her brains at the +direction of her mother. I do not think she ventured a remark of her own +all the time I was there." + +"Perhaps she did not have the chance," said Dexie, eager to champion the +cause of her double. "Some girls are not allowed to have an opinion apart +from the maternal idea of the fitness of things, and are kept down." + +"Nonsense! If you had heard her talking, Dexie, I'm sure you would have +felt like shaking her. It is only when her face is in repose that she +resembles you in the least, for the moment she begins to talk, or even +listen--or try to listen, one might say--she has the most senseless +expression I ever saw on a woman's face." + +"Goodness sake! bring me a looking-glass, quick! do, till I see what I look +like when I talk. Does my face assume an idiotic expression when I am +conversing? Be honest and tell me, for sweet charity's sake." + +"Ease your mind, Dexie," said Cora, laughing. "Did I not say that there the +resemblance ends? It is only when her face is at rest that the likeness can +be seen at all. If you ask her the simplest question, she must refer to her +mother for advice before she replies. For instance, I asked her if she +liked Halifax. 'Do I like Halifax, mamma, do you think?' and she turned to +her mother with such an affected simper. Really, I almost disliked her the +moment she opened her mouth." + +"I hope I shall get a chance to see her before we leave Halifax," said +Dexie. + +"Well, I asked her and her mother to call on mamma next week, almost on +purpose for your benefit. Hugh is getting along so well I think mamma can +receive some friends. I will let you know when they come." + +A further acquaintance corroborated Cora's idea of Nina Gordon's brains. +She seemed to have no mind of her own; a good thing, perhaps, in some +cases, but a more spiritless person to talk to never vexed the heart of man +or woman either. She had no answer for the simplest question without first +asking it from her mother, and away from her mother's side she was uneasy +and almost dumb. + +The mother's idiosyncrasy was always to do "the correct thing." The fear of +not doing it, or the dread of having done it unknowingly, was constantly +before her--the bugbear that troubled her daily. Perhaps the daughter +inherited the mother's dread, and her fear of doing or saying something +that was not just "the correct thing" made her put all the responsibility +of conversation on her mother's shoulder. Dexie was amused, as well as +provoked, as she listened to the efforts at conversation which Cora vainly +endeavored to sustain with her double, and it was evident that Mrs. Gurney +also was surprised as well as amused at Mrs. Gordon's remarks. + +"However do you manage with such a large family, Mrs. Gurney?" she was +saying. "Why, with only Nina I am wearied to death; for from the time she +wakes up I must see to everything for her until she goes to bed again at +night. How you manage it for so many, I can't see, I am sure. I should die +of fatigue." + +"Oh! the children soon get big enough to help themselves, and the younger +ones, too," Mrs. Gurney replied, with a smile. "I seldom see my girls in +the morning until I meet them at the breakfast table." + +"Is it possible! Do you not have to superintend their dressing?" she asked, +in surprise. + +"Why, no, Mrs. Gordon! Girls of that age," waving her hand toward the group +by the window, "are supposed to have judgment of their own in such things, +and with some to spare for the little ones." + +"Dear me! I should be so afraid they would not do the correct thing if I +was not by." + +"Perhaps you are by when she ought to rely on herself," was the smiling +answer. "My girls are relieving me of much of the burden of household +cares." + +"Well, well!" and Mrs. Gordon looked across at the girls in surprise. "I +wonder you are not in constant dread that some of them might not do the +correct thing when you are not near with your instructions. How wonderful +that you can trust them alone so much! Nina seems a child in comparison." + +Dexie was mentally comparing Nina to a big, useless doll; for she had to +conclude that Nina cared for nothing but "to be dressed up and wait in the +parlor for callers." + +The girls coaxed Nina away from her mother's side while the latter was +talking to Mrs. Gurney; but directly she was asked a question she wanted to +rush back to her mother, and see how she should answer it. + +"But don't you know yourself whether you like music or not?" Dexie asked +her, as Nina vainly endeavored to catch her mother's eye. "Do you not play +or sing, Miss Gordon?" + +Nina picked at her gloves in embarrassment as she replied, with a simper: + +"Well, I play scales on the piano sometimes." + +"Then you _are_ fond of music, I suppose," said Cora, pleasantly. + +"Well, I think I am. I will ask mamma; she knows if I like it. Is it quite +correct to like music, do you think?" + +The silly look which accompanied this speech made Dexie almost disgusted +with her, but she turned to Cora and smiled significantly. + +"Well," said Dexie, when her double had taken her departure, "she has tired +me out; but with that chin what can anyone expect? It tells her character +at a glance." + +"Tell us your opinion of her," said Cora. "Do _you_ see the great +difference there is between you?" + +"Why, she is different every way. First in importance is temper; there she +has the best of me, for she is as mild as milk-and-water, and I own it +certainly is not the 'correct thing' to get into such rages as I do. She +gives the impression that she is never determined about anything, and +anyone can persuade her that this, or that is right, as she has no mind to +solve the matter for herself. She will go through life depending on +another's conscience to keep her straight; but with that chin what else +could she do?" + +"What does her chin say?" said Cora, smiling. + +"'Unstable as water; unstable as water.' I saw the words every time I +glanced at her." + +For the next few days Dexie endured much teasing about her intelligent +_double_; but she bore it all so good-naturedly that it soon died away. + +Much to everyone's surprise, Dexie endeavored to see Nina frequently, and +tried to induce her to visit them often; and Dexie laughingly gave as her +reason that she would like to knock a little common-sense into her _double_ +before she left Halifax, for fear people might think that Nina was her +exact counterpart in everything. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + + +One day, as Dexie was going to the post office, she met Miss Taylor, and +the memory of the adventure in the snowstorm with Lancy and Elsie rose +vividly before her mind as she grasped the outstretched hand in friendly +greeting. + +"I am in such a dilemma, Miss Sherwood!" she exclaimed. "I drove into +Halifax with a neighbor, and he was to meet me an hour ago; but I have +discovered that his usual absent-mindedness has caused him to forget all +about me. I am at my wit's end, for mother will be alarmed at my absence." + +"Come home with me, Miss Taylor. Oh! you must," as a refusal rose to her +lips, "and if you really _must_ return home to-night, it can easily be +managed, I know." + +After much persuasion, Miss Taylor accompanied Dexie home; and as she +explained the necessity of returning that night, Mrs. Gurney told Lancy to +order the horse and buggy and drive her out. + +Lancy seconded Miss Taylor's request that Dexie should drive out with them, +and the gay little party reached the Taylor homestead about sundown, +greatly to the surprise and relief of Mrs. Taylor, who feared that Susan +might try and walk the distance rather than miss the evening's festivities; +for there was to be a marriage in the family that night, and Susan had been +obliged to hasten to the city for some necessary trifles that had been +forgotten until the last moment. Lancy and Dexie stayed until after the +ceremony, but, having a long drive before them, declined the kind +invitation to linger. + +As they drove homewards the conversation turned on the intending departure +of the family from Halifax. + +"I have been waiting for a chance to have a good talk with you, Dexie, ever +since I heard you were going away; but there has been so much going on that +I never seem to see you alone a minute. Are you sorry to go, Dexie?" + +"Yes, indeed I am. I have found Halifax so pleasant that I shall always +regret leaving it." + +"But you are coming back sometime, you know, Dexie? I am sure you know I am +constantly looking forward to the time when you will be my wife. We +understand each other, do we not?" + +"Well, I am not sure that we do, Lancy. I doubt if we look at things in the +same light," and she gave a quick glance into the face that was regarding +her so earnestly. + +"But you know how much I care for you--that I love you, Dexie?" he said, +taking her hand. "You have never told me you cared for me in so many words, +Dexie, but I am sure you do. They are all pleased with the idea at home, +and father has promised to take me into partnership the first of the year. +Until then I shall not know just how much of an income I shall have, but I +know it will be enough for us to live on quite comfortably; and we could +live in the part of the house that you occupy now. But you have not said +the word yet that will bind us. Will you be my wife, Dexie?" + +"Lancy, I will be honest and plain-spoken; then there will be no +misunderstanding. Of course, I care a good deal for you, but I really do +not believe I love you as a woman should love the man she marries; and you +may meet the one who will give you that love some day, then you will be +sorry you put that question to me. Honestly, Lancy, although we have cared +very much for each other's society, I don't believe we would be half as +happy together as man and wife as we are now. I can't imagine myself living +with you day after day, and performing the little daily services for you +that come so naturally from your mother, and which goes to make your +father's life so comfortable and happy." + +"Why need you pattern your future life after that of my mother; your mother +does not--" Lancy paused in embarrassment. + +"Oh! you need not mind saying it to me; it is only between ourselves. You +want to say that my mother does not put herself out to do much for the +happiness of the rest of us." + +"No, I was not intending to go so far as that, Dexie." + +"Well, I hope when I get married that I shall care enough for my husband to +feel like exerting myself a little towards making the house comfortable. I +want a happier married life than I see at home. I suppose we all have our +ideals, but I would sooner take your mother for an example of what a wife +should be, rather than mine." + +"I believe you and I would live very happily together, Dexie; if you cared +for me as much as I care for you, there would be no trouble," and he +pressed the hand he held in his. + +"Oh! I daresay we might get along quite _passably_, Lancy; but that doesn't +seem to me enough, and I do not want to be bound by a promise which, in the +future, we might both wish was never made." + +"Dexie, I never thought you would put me off like this," said Lancy, in a +wounded tone "You have known all this time how much I care for you, and how +it was to end, and yet you think I may fall in love with someone else when +you have gone away. How can you think such a thing?" + +"I have no cause to think so, Lancy, for indeed you have been most kind to +me all along; but I cannot help thinking that you may meet someone else who +would suit you better, and yet you would feel bound to me if a promise was +made between us. Let me go away free, Lancy, and if by the time you are +ready to take a wife you find your feelings the same as they are now, ask +me your question again; perhaps I will know my own mind by that time, for I +must confess I hardly do at present." + +"I will never change; but you--you want to leave the way open for yourself, +and I thought you cared for me, Dexie." + +Dexie felt hurt at his reproachful tone, but she put her hand across his, +saying: "Lancy, don't be silly, for I do care for you. I do not know any +other person, outside my own family, that I like so well as I do you. Now, +will that admission satisfy you? But do not ask a promise from me for a +year; give me even six months; by that time we will know whether we are +necessary to each other's happiness or not." + +"Very well, Dexie, but I shall feel that you are mine, even though you have +not given me your promise; so do not let any romantic notions run away with +you when I am not near to watch you." + +"But, Lancy," said she, laughing, "supposing I should happen to meet some +person who inspired me with love such as one reads of in story books, would +you care to have me for a wife if my heart were not in the bargain?" + +"No, Dexie, I hope you are supposing impossible things. Would you break my +heart?" + +"Hearts don't break, Lancy," she said, smiling; "they may ache, but I doubt +if they ever break." + +"Dexie, you make my heart ache already. I have planned and hoped so much, +and you give me so little to build on, after all. Is it fair to trifle with +me like this?" + +There was a few minutes' silence, then Dexie said: + +"Lancy, think a minute. Have I ever been guilty of trifling with anyone's +feelings? Have I not been open and outspoken to you in everything? I am +afraid, Lancy, this very fact has made you think that I care for you more +than I really do, but I think that too many young girls jump into matrimony +with their eyes blindfolded, and I do not intend to add to the number. +There is plenty of time to settle the question, when I know that I really +love you. It would not be honest to deceive you in this, Lancy." + +"My Dexie, you could not deceive me if you tried. I am perfectly content +with the love you have for me already, without waiting for the romantic +passion which some story-writers consider necessary before a marriage +should take place. But your answer has disappointed me, Dexie, for I +expected to present you to mother, on our return, as my promised wife. +Indeed I was so sure you would not refuse me, I prepared myself with this," +and he took from his pocket a little casket containing a handsome +engagement ring. + +"Lancy, how could you?" The words seemed to come from the depths of her +heart. + +"Do let me put it on your finger, Dexie. Think what happiness you will give +me by wearing it." + +"Lancy, I want to please you, really I do, but don't ask me to put it on. I +always think a ring binds the person receiving it the same as it binds the +finger, and, once on, is almost a sacred thing; and feeling as I do, I +don't want to wear it lightly. Lancy, can't you trust me for six months +without a reminder?" + +"Yes, but I wish you would wear it as a 'sign between me and thee'; do not +refuse me this, Dexie." + +"Let me wear it on my chain, then, and I will take it," and she drew from +her neck a fine gold chain with a pretty charm attached. Detaching the +latter, she held it to him, saying: + +"This is my one treasure, Lancy, take it in exchange; if ever you care for +another more than for me, send it back to me. I will wear your ring in its +place on the same conditions," and she clasped the chain around her neck +again, hiding the ring in her bosom. + +Lancy placed the precious token in an inside pocket containing some other +treasures, and Dexie blushed as she recognized them as some trifles of her +own. + +"I think I can claim that glove," said she, laughing as Lancy tucked the +little parcel in his pocket. "I have missed it for some time." + +"You shall have it when the hand is mine that fits it," said he with a +bright smile, as he raised her hand to his lips. "I wonder if you realize +how much I shall miss you, Dexie. The only ray of comfort I can see is the +thought of the pleasure your letters will give me; only for that I would go +melancholy, like Hugh." + +"Lancy, don't joke about Hugh; I can't bear it. I was so startled when I +saw him out last Sunday. He looked so pale and thin I could hardly believe +it was he. Does he ever mention my name, Lancy?" + +"Never; but if anyone happens to bring it up in connection with anything, +he seems that eager to hear every word, that I can't help feeling sorry for +him. Be careful and don't make me your second victim." + +"I do not believe I am responsible for Hugh's condition, and it is not fair +for you to speak as if I was; but now he is able to be about, I am in +constant terror lest he will corner me sometime and renew his attack. That +is the only thing that makes me feel glad that I am leaving Halifax. I am +afraid I could not bear such another scare as he gave me that day in the +boat." + +"I will make it known to him in some way that you are to be my wife; and +when he hears it, I am sure he will never trouble you again. When +everything is settled, I will go and claim you; and I fancy Hugh will not +stay in Halifax when we are married. How soon do you think you will be +going away?" + +"Sometime within a month. Papa is weatherwise, and thinks the winter will +set in early, so is anxious to hasten our departure." + +A few evenings later, there was a small family party at Mrs. Beverly's, to +which Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood and the twin girls were invited. Cora and Elsie +Gurney were also going with Lancy and Hugh. This being the first time Hugh +was able to appear at such a gathering, he was building many air-castles in +connection with it, for he would there meet Dexie for the first time since +his illness. He had made inquiries as to whether Dexie would be present, +and being assured that she intended going, he looked forward to the meeting +with a pleasure that was not unmixed with pain. + +But when Dexie heard that Hugh intended going, and had been asking about +her intentions also, she thought she would give it up; yet considering that +she must of necessity meet him sooner or later, she thought it would be +wiser to do so among a number of people. + +Everything seemed to go wrong with Gussie that day. She had heard by some +chance that Dexie and Lancy were really engaged, and as Dexie would neither +admit nor deny the fact, she felt exasperated almost to madness. + +As the day wore on, Gussie's incessant bickerings became unbearable, and +among other things she charged Dexie with the most heartless behavior in +regard to Hugh, until she could not bear the thought of meeting him, so she +silently decided to remain at home, but to say nothing about her decision +until the last moment; consequently, no one had a chance to tell Hugh that +Dexie had changed her mind. + +When the guests were assembled in the commodious parlors, Hugh searched in +vain among the different groups for a trace of the face he was so anxious +to see. Once he gave a start as a face turned towards him--a face that +seemed to belong to the form he was seeking--but when the sound of the +voice reached his ears he turned in disgust, for it was only Nina Gordon. + +Later on he learned from Gussie that Dexie had turned "sulky" at the last +moment and refused to come. His face lighted up at the information, and +Gussie never knew that her news sent him to make excuses and adieus to his +hostess, and drove him homeward at a pace that seemed unnecessary, seeing +that he had so much leisure time at his command. + +Dexie had gone to the parlor to get a book, and stepping to the bow window +to draw the curtains, saw his well-known figure hurrying down the street. + +"Goodness! here is Hugh coming back! What has happened, I wonder?" + +It took her but a moment to fasten the hall-door, and running to the +kitchen, said: + +"Nancy, if anyone calls, do not admit them to-night. You can say the family +are out. I am going to the upper hall to finish my book." Then, laying her +hand on Nancy's arm, she said in a low tone: "Don't let Hugh McNeil come in +to-night, Nancy. I have fastened the front door, so he can't come in unless +you let him." + +"Rest easy, missie; you shan't be troubled if you don't like. But I mind he +is off to the party with the rest." + +"I have seen him coming back, so I wanted to warn you." + +"All right, then. Ye have had a hard day, missie; run off with yer book. +It's meself that will see ye are not troubled the night by anybody." + +Nancy had been in the family long enough to know something of their +affairs, and she took quite an interest in the doings of her favorite. She +saw more than she let anyone suppose, and her apparent stupidity was often +put on as a "blind." + +With a book as a companion, Dexie was soon in her favorite retreat, for she +had one cosy little corner which no one cared to dispute with her. The +recess at the end of the upper hall she had curtained off, and besides the +few blooming plants on the wide window-sill it held an old-fashioned but +comfortable sofa, a big chair and a tiny table. It was here Dexie made up +her housekeeping accounts, and performed such other duties as she could +bring to her snug little corner. It was the one spot in the house which she +claimed as her own. + +She had no sooner seated herself to read than the sound of the door-bell +echoed through the house. It was several times repeated before Nancy +appeared to answer the summons, and Dexie's heart seemed to leap up in her +throat as she recognized Hugh's voice. But Nancy remembered the injunctions +given her, and refused admittance, saying decidedly that the family were +out; and when Hugh reminded her that Miss Dexie was at home, Nancy boldly +said that Miss Dexie was not going to be disturbed by anybody. Dexie gave a +sigh of relief as she heard the door shut and Hugh's step on the pavement +below. She turned to her book and was soon lost to all outside influences +in her sympathy for the heroine of the story, when a slight movement of the +curtain caused her to look up. The book dropped from her fingers and she +staggered to her feet, her face white, even to her lips. Terror seemed to +rob her of all power to move or speak, as she gazed into the face before +her that was almost as colorless as her own. + +With a quick movement Hugh dropped the curtain behind him and came forward +with outstretched hands. + +"You cannot keep me away, Dexie. You refused to let me in at the door, but +you forgot the secret passage in the attic. My darling! I did not intend to +frighten you!" noticing for the first time how terrified she looked. "I +only came to ask your forgiveness." + +He reached out his hands to catch her, but he was too late, for, as he +spoke, she fell in a heap on the floor in a dead faint. With trembling +hands Hugh lifted the unconscious form to the little sofa, and kneeling +beside her bent over her, chaffing her hands and calling her by all the +tender names which he had only dared to give her in his heart; and the +pent-up emotions of weeks found relief in a shower of kisses, which rained +on the upturned face and ruffled hair that framed it like a glory. It was +very wrong of him, to be sure; but the man who is famishing, and who steals +the loaf that will put life into his starving body, should not be severely +dealt with, and Hugh's hungry heart was sadly in need of some satisfying +food. + +Dexie's faint lasted so long that Hugh began to feel alarmed, yet he could +not think of calling to Nancy for help. Not for anything would he have her +know that he had dared to enter the house in this clandestine manner, and +he knew Dexie would feel vexed enough if anyone should find him there with +her; so he hastily opened the nearest chamber door, and securing the +water-pitcher on the stand, he bathed the white face until the quivering +eyelids told that consciousness was returning. A few minutes later Dexie +opened her eyes, and seeing Hugh still beside her she tried to raise +herself, but sank back again on the sofa. + +"Leave me at once!" she said, faintly. "Oh! I feel so sick! Go, I say." + +"I cannot leave you until I see you better, Dexie. I will not touch you +again, so do not be afraid of me." + +Dexie felt too helpless even to object, so she laid back with closed eyes, +wondering what had come over her just when she needed to be strong and +bold. At last, when the silence was beginning to be unbearable to both of +them, she opened her eyes, and Hugh, seeing her efforts to rise, gently +helped her to a sitting posture, then seated himself in the chair beside +her. + +"Why did you come here, Mr. McNeil?" looking at him with offended eyes. "It +is unfair to persecute me in this way." + +"Forgive me for coming, then, but I had no thought of persecuting you. I +heard news to-day that troubled me, and I was not strong enough to resist +the temptation of coming to see you once more, when I found you were not at +the party." + +Dexie sat with tight-clasped hands, but said not a word, and Hugh saw no +relenting look in the dark eyes that looked almost black in their +intensity. + +"Dexie, you are displeased with me, and justly so, for my mad behavior in +the boat, but I have longed for the chance to ask your forgiveness, and I +went to Mrs. Beverly's to-night solely to ask it of you. Dexie, your heart +is not as hard as you would have me think, for I know whose kind hands +helped Mrs. Gurney during my illness, and how you watched beside me when +others were too terrified to be of service." + +Still no response from the white lips, for Dexie's heart was throbbing too +fast to allow of speech. + +"I am going away, Dexie--somewhere--it matters little where--so bear with +me, for this is the last time I shall see you alone. I cannot stay here, +knowing that others have obtained the happiness I longed for," and looking +into her face, he added: "Is it really true, Dexie, that you are going to +marry Lancy? I heard it to-day as a fact." + +A deep flush spread over the face that before was so deathly white, and not +wishing Hugh to think there was any doubt about the matter she drew from +her neck the gold chain, and, as she held up the ring, said in a low tone: +"Is that enough to convince you?" + +"No, Dexie, it is not, for you would not hesitate to wear the ring in its +proper place if you felt sure of your own heart." + +"If I was not sure before, I am now!" and in an instant the ring was +flashing on her finger, and her eyes were lit up by an angry gleam. She +wondered how it was that Hugh always seemed to bring up her worst feelings. +She was angry, and she did not attempt to hide it. + +"You have no right to speak to me like that! You have no right even to seek +me here against my will! I have plenty of unpleasant memories of you +already, so be kind enough to go home! When I remember that boat sail, your +very presence seems an insult." + +"Dexie, I did not mean to vex you again, but it is not my fault that your +memory is full of unpleasant happenings in connection with me. Fate seems +against me," said he, with a sigh, "but, Dexie, let us part friends," and +he rose from his seat and stood beside her. + +But the firm, closed mouth gave no promise of yielding until Hugh dropped +beside her on the sofa, and in a voice choking with emotion made one +further appeal. + +"Dexie, if you could but picture the anguish of my heart when I returned +that day to the vessel with other help than mine, and found no trace of +you, I think that even you would admit that I suffered enough for my +madness and folly; and since I have been sick, memory has given me many a +weary hour and adds many a thrust to wounds that are almost unbearable. It +is hard to give up all hope and face the dreary future without you, for you +have robbed my life of all happiness. If I must be sent hopeless away, tell +me, at least, that the unfortunate past is forgiven; it would make it +easier to bear." + +His voice had grown soft, and his eager, pleading tone was hard to resist. + +Dexie felt her anger giving place to a feeling of pity. + +"I do not forgive easily, I fear, Mr. McNeil," said she, in a low tone, +"but I will try and think less bitterly of that unpleasant affair in the +future. I would be sorry to think that I had, even unintentionally, spoiled +your life; but you will not feel so low-spirited when you get stronger. The +best years of your life are yet before you, and I will soon drop out of +your memory as entirely as if you had never known me. Forget me as soon as +you can; that is the best wish I can give you." + +"Ah! Dexie, that proves that you do not know what true love really is! When +your heart awakens, as it surely will sometime, you will know how cruel you +have been to me. Well, you have told me to go, and I suppose I must; but +it is hard--hard to leave you so! Do we part friends?" and he held out his +hand as he rose to his feet again. + +"Yes, I think so," and she gave him her hand, "but I hope you will not come +here any more; it is unpleasant for both of us." + +"And this is to be our good-bye! It is hard to give you up, my darling!" +and he held her hand as if he would never let it go. "I wonder if I shall +ever see you again!" + +"Mr. McNeil, I have not troubled you with many favors, so I think you might +grant me one. Please do not leave the Gurneys just now; on my account, I +mean. We are going away from Halifax so soon ourselves, and I know it will +be a disappointment to them if you leave just now. I am sure they do not +wish you to go away until you are stronger. They have all been so kind to +me, I wish you would not make any change until we are gone." + +"That is a great temptation, Dexie, coming from you; but a few weeks of +your presence, even though I may not see you, will be heaven itself, +compared to the life I must spend without you. I may, perhaps, see you +again." + +"No! Not alone, at least! Let this be good-bye, Mr. McNeil," and she tried +to draw away her hands. + +But he drew her close to him, and giving one long, earnest look into her +eyes, he lifted her hands to his lips and pressed a burning kiss upon them; +then the curtain dropped behind him. + +Dexie stood where Hugh had left her for some minutes, listening to his +retreating footsteps as he disappeared up the attic stairs, then sank down +in the chair Hugh had occupied, and buried her face in her hands. There was +a tumult in her heart that required some deep thinking before she would +feel like herself again. Thoughts had arisen that had disquieted her. Hugh +had told her that her heart had not yet awakened; was it so? Why, then, was +she wearing Lancy's ring? She blushed as she pulled it hastily off, hiding +it on her chain like a guilty thing. + +The story she had been reading, and which she had thought so overdrawn, +came into her mind; it had pleased her because she had thought it so +delightfully unreal. But had there not been passages in her own life quite +as romantic in their nature as that which seemed so interesting when read +out of a story-book. + +Her heart had not yet awakened! How those words seemed to repeat themselves +over and over as she sat. + +Had she awakened Hugh's heart only to disappoint him? Well, she had not +intended nor wished to do it; but he was very much in earnest, and she was +sorry. She sighed as she rose from her chair and picked up the book that +still lay on the floor, but she had lost all interest in the story; so she +threw it carelessly on the table and went downstairs to await the coming of +the rest, her thoughts still busy over the problems that Hugh's unexpected +visit had aroused. + +Dexie found that the party had not improved Gussie's temper, for she came +home with many complaints as to how she had been neglected. + +"I wish you had gone," she said spitefully to Dexie. "I was sick and tired +of hearing people ask where you were, and why you had not come, and there +was not a soul there that I cared to talk to, even Mr. McNeil disappeared, +no one knows where." + +Dexie colored slightly as her father regarded her curiously; no further +mention was made of the matter at the time. Mr. Sherwood, however, was not +surprised when, a short time after, someone came behind him, and, with arms +around his neck, confessed in his ear that "Mr. McNeil had been in to see +her, but had come in through the attic, because he was not allowed in by +the door, and that they had quarrelled a little, but parted friends," and +ended by asking him "not to tell mamma, for fear Gussie might get hold of +it." + +"Poor little girl, she has quite a time of it among them," her father said +as she left him; "yet I think I can safely leave it all with herself." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + + +"Only one week more and we must say good-bye to dear old Halifax," said +Dexie one morning, as she hurriedly made her toilet. + +"Well, I am glad of it, for it is cold enough here this morning to freeze a +bear," replied Gussie from among the blankets. + +"Oh! Gussie, the ground is covered with snow, and it is still snowing," +said Dexie, joyfully, as she raised the window curtain. "Oh, I do hope it +will last until we can have one more sleigh drive," and she ran downstairs +singing like a lark. + +All day the snow kept falling in large heavy flakes, but towards evening +the weather turned clear and frosty. Then the merry jingle of sleigh-bells +could be heard on every side, for everyone who could was taking advantage +of this, the first sleighing of the season. + +Lancy had no trouble in getting Dexie to promise him her company for a +sleigh drive, but he was planning for a private little drive in a single +sleigh, with only room for two; while Dexie, not quite so sentimentally +inclined, was hoping to make it a jolly sleighing party, in which a number +should participate. She had watched Lancy as he drove away to the store in +the large open sleigh which was termed "the delivery team," and a few +whispered words to Elsie were hint enough. + +A short time before Lancy could be expected home, Dexie and Elsie, well +wrapped in furs, were making their way towards Mr. Gurney's store on +Granville Street; but meeting Maud Harrington and Fanny Beverly, they +stopped a moment to speak to them. + +"Which way are you going, girls?" Dexie asked, her eyes sparkling with +mischief. + +"We are on our way home, just now," said Fanny, "but it is a wonder that +you girls are not taking advantage of the sleighing, when it will last only +a day or two at the most." + +"Oh! we expect to have a drive later on," said Elsie. "Be on the lookout +for us, and if you are not over-fastidious as to the style of the turnout, +there will be a chance for you to have a drive as well." + +"Oh! I'll not refuse a sleigh-drive; I would accept a seat on a bob-sled +rather than miss the first sleighing," said Fanny, with a laugh. + +Lancy was surprised when Dexie and his sister made their appearance in the +store; but as Dexie carried some parcels with her, he supposed she had been +out to do some shopping. + +"I am almost ready to go home, girls, so sit down and wait for me," he +said, as he brought forward some seats, "and if you will accept a drive in +the delivery, it will save you the walk home." + +Of course they would wait and drive back with him; so Lancy went out and +placed some temporary seats in the big sleigh, making them soft and +comfortable by the aid of rugs and robes. + +"Are you coming back with us, Hugh?" as Hugh made his appearance from the +booking-room. + +"Well--yes--if I may," and he looked over to the window where Dexie was +standing, as if to ask her permission. + +"Well, there is plenty of room, Mr. McNeil," she said, with a smile, "so +you won't crowd us." + +Lancy helped Dexie into the seat beside himself, so Hugh and Elsie took the +seat behind. + +"Really, this is very comfortable, Lancy," said Dexie, as they flew along +the street. "I don't see what better accommodation one could ask than this. +Don't drive straight home; let us have our drive without changing the +sleigh," she added, in a low voice. + +"No, I want you alone; there is too much room here to please me," he +replied, with a smile. + +"Oh! stop a minute, Lancy," cried Elsie, a moment later. "There is Maud +Harrington and Fanny Beverly; I want to speak to them. Do ask them to come +for a drive." + +"Elsie, are you crazy?--in this sleigh? Good evening, ladies" (this to the +laughing girls on the sidewalk). "I am delivering some lively freight, you +see. Don't you admire my turnout?" + +"Yes; it is superb. May we get on board?" + +"Well, if you would care to--I don't mind," was the hesitating reply; "but +I have nothing but boards for seats, you know." + +"Oh! no matter. The first sleigh-drive of the season is always the most +enjoyable, no matter what sort of a sleigh carries you along." + +Lancy soon had them seated as comfortably as circumstances would permit, +and they drove off with many expressions of delight. + +"Turn up Spring Garden Road, Lancy," said Hugh, entering into the spirit of +the fun; "perhaps we will meet another friend or two who would enjoy a +spin." + +Presently they came up with Fred Beverly and May Deblois, as they were +stepping briskly along the sidewalk, who started in surprise as the sleigh +drove up and they recognized the occupants. + +"Will you have a drive?" was Lancy's greeting. + +"Most willingly," replied Fred, laughing. "Really, this is kind of you, +Gurney, to give your friends a drive on the first snow." + +"Oh! you need not give _me_ any credit, for you had better believe I never +intended to form a sleighing party when I started out with _this_ team." + +"Unexpected blessings thankfully received," said Fred, laughing. "The going +is fine, but it won't last long, unfortunately." + +On they went, their merry laughter chiming with the jingling of the sleigh +bells, and more than one person turned to look after them with a feeling of +envy. + +"Oh! that was Mrs. Gordon we just passed at the corner," said Elsie, in a +whisper. "How horrified she would be if she knew who we were!" + +"Do let us call for Nina," said Dexie; "there is room for one more, and I'm +sure she would enjoy it." + +"But she would not consider it 'the correct thing,'" said Fred, with a +laugh, "so you would have your trouble for nothing." + +"Oh, I am sure she would _love_ to come! do let me run in and ask her!" she +urged, as they neared the house. "Ten to one she will not come until her +mamma comes home to tell her if it is 'the correct thing' or not," said +Fred, teasingly. + +"Yes, that will be just it; she will not know what to wear for this special +occasion, and it is a pity to lose a moment of this beautiful evening," +said Fanny. + +"I'll run the risk, and stand responsible for 'the correct thing' this +time," said Dexie; "so do let me out, Lancy. Give me three minutes, and I +will return with or without her." + +Dexie had noticed Nina's wistful face in the window as they drove up, so +she ran into the house without ceremony. + +"Come, Nina, can you get ready to go for a drive in three minutes? Say, +quick!" + +"Oh, I would _love_ to go, but mamma is out, and I could not get ready so +soon without her. Oh, I am so sorry!" and she looked her disappointment. + +"Come along; I'll dress you in a jiffy," and she pulled her out into the +hall, and from among the clothing which hung in the cloak closet she soon +had her muffled to the ears, in spite of Nina's repeated protests that +_none_ of those articles of clothing belonged to herself, but to her uncle. + +"Oh, I am so afraid; indeed, I feel _sure_ mamma would say that it is not +the correct thing to go like this." + +"Oh, no matter; hurry, or they won't wait for us. It won't hurt to be +dressed in this rig for a short time," and Dexie hurriedly buttoned the big +coat around her, and pulled a fur cap down over her ears, completely +concealing her identity. + +"My muff and furs are upstairs somewhere. Mamma put them away." + +"This will keep your neck warm," and Dexie snatched a fancy woollen afagan +from the back of a chair, and wrapped it around Nina's neck. "Put your +hands up your sleeves, and you will never miss your muff," and she hurried +her _double_ out on the sidewalk. + +"Time is just up," said Fred, "but you have done it complete. Let me help +you in, Miss Gordon," and Nina was soon tucked in among the rest. + +"Now, drive on as fast as you like; we must not keep her out long, for fear +her mother should see her. I expect she would never hear the last of it. +For once the correct thing has been set aside. What do you say, Elsie?" +Dexie whispered; "I am sure Nina will enjoy the drive, even though she may +be tormented with the thought of her novel wrappings." + +Nina did indeed enjoy the drive. It was so seldom that any girlish +pleasures came her way that for once she forgot to worry about her +appearance. + +Dexie's self-reliant manner was doing much to inspire Nina with courage to +act on her own responsibility occasionally, and the few weeks' acquaintance +with girls of her own age made quite an improvement in her manner, so that +she could now laugh with the rest at the harmless jokes which passed back +and forth, without waiting to consult her mamma about the propriety of it. + +They were driving along pretty fast, for the streets had become hard and +smooth by the continual passing of so many teams; but the speed only added +to their pleasure, and no one had a thought of a possible mishap. As they +turned a corner the sleigh gave a sudden slew, and instantly all hands +found themselves on the ground in one grand, promiscuous heap, the shrill +screams of the girls adding to the general confusion. Lancy landed on his +feet, and quickly brought the horses to a standstill, and it took but an +instant to right the sleigh on its runners again. With quick movements Hugh +and Fred picked up their scattered belongings, and helped the girls back +into their seats, making many anxious inquiries as to whether any of them +were hurt, and they drove rapidly away before a crowd had time to gather. +The girls were breathless with laughter and excitement; it had all happened +so suddenly they had not time to realize their awkward predicament before +they were back into their places again. Lancy was the only one who did not +laugh over their tumble, and his frequent apologies made them feel that he +blamed himself for the catastrophe. + +"Lancy," said Fred, at last, "it was not your fault that we spilled over; +that corner was as smooth as glass, and we _had_ to go, but we are not +hurt a bit, so don't take it to heart. Man alive! it was the crowning event +of the evening to see Hugh sliding off on his ear! Did you have time to +make an observation of my remarkable somersault, Hugh? It was cleverly +done; a professional tumbler could not have done it better!" and Lancy was +obliged to join in the laugh that followed. + +"Well, I have picked up quite an assortment," said Dexie, whose lap was +full of articles she had hastily swept from the ground when she rose to her +feet. "This is your muff, Maud, and this fur glove must be yours, Mr. +McNeil. Now, who claims this silk handkerchief and handbag?" + +The handkerchief proved to have come from Nina's pocket, but no one claimed +the handbag. + +"I have still a fur-lined driving-glove, with a crown on the buttons, a +bunch of keys, and a--something in a jewel case. Will the owners please +prove property and pay expenses?" + +Fred put in a claim for the bunch of keys, but an owner was still wanted +for the handbag, driving-glove and jewel case, which, on examination, +proved to contain a handsome gold watch. + +"Someone else must have been spilled out at the corner besides ourselves, I +expect," said Lancy, "and they must have lost these articles. Perhaps we +will find some trace of the owner if we search the handbag when we get +home. Here we are, Miss Gordon, none the worse for your tumble, I hope," he +added, as he drew up to the curb-stone, and Hugh helped her up the steps to +the door. The rest of the party were then left at their respective +door-steps, as they drove along towards home. + +At Elsie's request, Dexie followed her into the house, and they were soon +searching the contents of the handbag for some clue to its owner, but with +little success. Not so, however, with the watch, for as Lancy touched the +spring and caused the case to fly open his exclamation of surprise caused +Dexie to look up, and a flush of crimson spread over her face as she read +the words that revealed its owner, for engraved on the inside of the case +were these words: + +"Presented to Lieutenant Wilbur by his brother officers, in token of +distinguished bravery." + +Hugh could not understand the meaning of Dexie's flushed face, even though +he stepped forward and read the inscription over Lancy's shoulder, for he +had never learned just how Dexie had escaped from the vessel, but supposed +that Lancy had in some way brought it about. + +"One good turn deserves another, and--gets it this time," said Lancy, with +a meaning smile. "I fancy that Lieutenant Wilbur would not care to lose +this particular watch." + +"Will you send it back to him, Lancy?" said Dexie. + +"No, not I; but I will send him word where he will find it. Do you remember +his address?" + +"Well, I think I have his card somewhere; but I don't want to see him, +Lancy," she said, in a low tone. + +Hugh heard the whispered conversation, and wondered what connection there +could be between Dexie and the lieutenant that caused such a look on her +face at the sight of his name. + +Dexie left the watch in Lancy's care and went home, but she was present +next evening when the lieutenant called to claim his property; and as he +brought with him a letter of introduction from Major Gurney, he was well +received, and his pleasant and affable manner won golden opinions from all. + +Yet not from all, either, for Hugh McNeil watched him with frowning brows, +and he scowled darkly as he observed Dexie and the lieutenant in close +conversation in a corner by themselves. + +When Hugh met the lieutenant in the hall on his way out, he did not +hesitate to put the question that had been troubling him all day: + +"You seem to have met Miss Sherwood before, Lieutenant Wilbur. May I ask +where?" + +The lieutenant looked at him steadily for a moment before replying: + +"I am not at liberty to tell you that, at present, Mr. McNeil, for that is +Miss Sherwood's secret, not mine. She tells me that she will be leaving +Halifax in a few days; if you will call on me at this address, one week +after she has gone," and he handed Hugh his card, "I will be at liberty to +place in your hands a _souvenir_ which Miss Sherwood leaves in my care for +you. Until that time, I wish you good evening;" and, lifting his hat, the +lieutenant departed, leaving Hugh much puzzled over his words. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + + +The last day in Halifax--Dexie never forgot it. It was engraved so +indelibly on her memory that time had no power to obliterate it. It had +been a busy day as well as a sad one, and Elsie Gurney spent the most of it +by the side of her friend, helping, as well as hindering her, as the +household goods were being packed for removal. Lancy claimed one hour in +the evening for himself; and as the rooms in the Sherwood household were +almost dismantled, the greater part of the time was spent over the piano in +the Gurneys' parlor, and their heart's good-bye was spoken through the one +piece of music which they called their own. + +"Remember, Dexie," and Lancy turned on the piano-stool and took her hands +in his own, "you must not play that piece for anyone; it is yours and mine. +When you are alone and think of me, let your thoughts be expressed through +our own sweet music. Do you know, my Dexie, I believe I shall know when you +are playing to me; that invisible power which we have both felt, but cannot +express, much less give it a name, will still be between us, and when my +heart goes out to you, my darling, it shall be through the same medium. +That piece of music shall be sacred to you alone, and I shall play it for +no one else until I see your dear face again. Do you agree, Dexie?" + +"Yes, but I feel as if I shall never have the heart to play anything again, +Lancy," for this parting from her friend hurt her more than she expected. + +"Oh! yes, you will;" and he drew her over to the window within the shadow +of the curtains. "The time will soon slip by, and when I go to claim you +it will seem to you like coming back home again. I shall always be looking +forward to that time, Dexie, so remember your promise." + +"You must not forget the conditions, Lancy, and if you find your love grows +less, instead of more, be honest with your own heart, and do not, in your +pride, hide it from me. Absence may not 'make the heart grow fonder' in our +case," she added, with a sad smile. + +"Do not prophesy evil, but think of the happy present. Are you afraid or +ashamed to own the fact to others, that you care for me at the present +time?" + +"No, I do not think any one who knows us will accuse either of us of +bashfulness; the opposite has been laid to my charge until it has become an +old story," she replied. + +"Well, seeing that we understand each other, why not wear your ring? I +particularly want Hugh to see it on your finger; I don't believe he has +given you up yet, Dexie. Will you wear it to please me?" + +Dexie unclasped the chain from her neck, and Lancy slipped the ring in its +place on her finger. + +"I think you need not mind what Hugh says or thinks," she said in a low +tone. "I did not intend to tell you, Lancy, but I will confess now that +Hugh saw that ring on my finger once before," and she told him the +substance of the stolen interview in the upper hall. + +"That is how it happens that we are on speaking terms again," she added, +"but when Hugh gets well enough to travel, and begins to realize that he is +a rich man, he will smile at all this foolishness; but if I live a hundred +years, I will never forget that dreadful afternoon in the boat. Lieutenant +Wilbur is going to give him his revolver after I am gone; that will be a +reminder of it which he won't like, I am thinking!" + +The next morning the last article was removed from the house, and the last +good-bye given to the friends they must leave behind them. The two families +met for the last time in Mrs. Gurney's parlor, and as they lingered over +the last words, Dexie seated herself at the piano, and there was no quiver +in her voice, though there were tears in her eyes, as she sang: + + "Farewell, farewell, is a lonely sound, + And always brings a sigh; + Then give to me, when loved ones part, + That good old word, 'Good-bye.'" + +Hugh and Lancy, as well as Elsie and Cora, accompanied the family to the +boat, which was to sail about noon. Hugh lingered near the group on the +steamer, hoping that Dexie would give him some kind word at parting, and at +last Lancy, very generously, took her over to his side, saying: + +"Don't look so blue, old fellow; Dexie is not taking a final leave of +Halifax. Time is most up, I expect," he added hastily, as he took out his +watch, then turned aside as he saw Hugh's agitated face. + +"It is really settled, then," said Hugh, in a low voice, as he took Dexie's +hand. "I wish you had left something that I could do for you, so that my +life will not feel quite so empty." + +"I have no favor to ask of you, Mr. McNeil, yet if I hear that you have +been kind to Nina Gordon it will please me very much. Mind, I do not ask it +of you. If someone would have the goodness of heart to save her from her +mother, she would make a sensible woman yet. If Cora Gurney would only take +a friendly interest in her, I would not be afraid of the future of my +_double_. Good-bye, Mr. McNeil, that is the warning-signal, I believe." + +Hugh seemed in no hurry to heed the warning, but stood aside where he could +watch Dexie's face as she parted from Lancy. He heeded not the few hurried +words so earnestly spoken, nor the fervent clasp of their hands, for there +was no answering light in Dexie's eyes as they rested on Lancy's face. +Friends were hurrying across the gang plank, but Hugh waited till Lancy had +disappeared; then stepping to Dexie's side, he hurriedly whispered: + +"I was not mistaken! your heart has not yet awakened, as I said! and +Lancy's ring binds no heart but his own. All is fair in love and war, and +my chance is as good as his, after all! _Au revoir_, my little wife!" and +he raised his hat and hurried ashore. + +His heart beat rapidly, and though he carried away the memory of Dexie's +indignant look, he stepped across the plank with a firm, light step. Lancy +wondered at the transformation which seemed to have taken place in Hugh +since he had seen him on deck, a few short minutes ago; but they stood +together and watched the receding steamer, until the one that was so dear +to them both was lost to view. + +While Dexie was on deck taking her last look of "dear old Halifax," Gussie +hurried below to secure the best accommodation for herself, and she was so +long in deciding the matter that she appeared only in time to wave her +farewell from the deck. + +After the bustle of departure had subsided, the steward came forward +bringing a moss-lined basket, filled with choice hothouse flowers, saying: + +"A gentleman left this in my care, to be delivered to Miss Dexie Sherwood. +I believe it belongs to one of you ladies." + +"Oh, Dexie, they can't _all_ be for you," said Gussie, eagerly, as she +reached out her hand and took the basket from the steward's hands. + +"Here is a note directed to me; wait till I see who it is from," and Dexie +picked a tiny roll of paper from among the blossoms. One hasty glance over +the written lines, and Dexie curled her lip in a disdainful smile. + +"You may have everyone of them, Gussie, for I don't want them," and she +drew herself away, as if the very touch of the basket were odious to her, +at which Gussie looked up in surprise. + +"Hugh McNeil sent them, so you are welcome to everyone of them," she said +in a low voice, as the steward withdrew. "He is very particular to state +that they are for me alone," and her lip curled. "I wish they had been +brought to me while he was by, I would have tossed them overboard before +his eyes! Thank fortune, I have seen the last of him!" + +"You will live to be sorry for your treatment of Hugh McNeil, mark my +words! He would not have found me so hard to please," and Gussie placed the +flowers tenderly beside her. + +Strange, but the first thing that Dexie did when she reached the privacy +of her stateroom was to snatch Lancy's ring from her finger, almost +angrily, and slipping it again on the chain about her neck she snapped the +catch with no easy hand; and her face was far from being tender and loving +as she put out of sight the pledge of Lancy's love and fidelity, for she +was saying in her heart: + +"I will never be so foolish as to put that on my finger again; it was wrong +to wear it at all. Hugh is right; it binds no heart but Lancy's, and I +doubt if I can truly say that much itself, three months from now." + + * * * * * + +If we look in upon the Sherwood household a few weeks later, we will find +them comfortably settled in the busy town of Lennoxville, a town which is +noted throughout New England for its manufacturing industries. The house is +pleasantly situated a short distance back from the street, allowing room +for a neat lawn in front of the house, which is made more attractive by a +few flower-beds set near the front entrance, and beneath the windows. + +The former owner had taken much pleasure in designing the house and its +surroundings, and everything about the premises was neat, convenient and +attractive, but financial difficulties had obliged him to relinquish the +property just when he might naturally expect to reap the benefit of his +labors. Mr. Sherwood had purchased it at a very reasonable figure, +considering the advantages it possessed, and having obtained a permanent +and remunerative position in the office of a large manufacturing firm, the +family had reason to hope that this was their last move for some years. + +Dexie was delighted at the possibilities which the well-laid-out kitchen +garden at the rear of the house promised to afford. Everything at present +was bare and sere, but when the spring opened it would require but little +labor, and that of a pleasant description, to prepare a garden that should +delight the heart of any housekeeper; and the flower-beds in the front of +the house, which were now covered and protected by branches of fir, would +in due season blossom into spots of beauty. + +The family-life at this time was very pleasant. Gussie seemed to have +forgotten, for the time, all her former jealous and unkind feelings, which +had made her so often, while in Halifax, an unpleasant member of the +household. + +Society in Lennoxville was pleasant and attractive, and the Sherwoods were +made right welcome among a choice circle of friends. Invitations to social +gatherings were showered upon the twin girls until their popularity was so +firmly established that no one thought of questioning it. + +Dexie missed her Halifax friends very much. She met with no one in her new +home who could fill the place that the Gurney family had held in her heart, +and among all her many friends there was none she could make such an +intimate companion of as Elsie Gurney. In musical circles, Dexie soon +filled an envious position; but so far she had met no one whose sympathies +were like Lancy's. Oh, yes, she missed Lancy very much, indeed--she never +hesitated to confess it when the matter was alluded to; and very often, +when alone in the parlor, the piece of music which had such a strange power +over each of them filled the air with unmistakable longing, and seemed to +speak of loneliness and sorrow. But her bright face expressed no such sad +feeling to others; it seemed only the musical side of her nature that +mourned the loss of a kind and sympathetic friend. + +She heard quite frequently from Elsie, and Lancy's weekly letters were +always bright and chatty; but they left Dexie with a certain uneasy feeling +that should have had no place in her heart, if Lancy's expressed regards +met with the reciprocation which he had some right to expect. + +She would not have cared to confess to the relief she experienced when, +some weeks later, Lancy wrote to her of his intended visit to England, +where he meant to spend a few months among his relatives in Devonshire; and +the thought that the wide ocean would be between them, did not cause the +same regretful feeling in her heart as it did in Lancy's. Once since they +had left Halifax, Dexie, to her surprise, received a letter from Hugh +McNeil, that had come enclosed in one to her father. Mr. Sherwood said +little as to the contents of his letter; but the earnest, passionate words +in Dexie's left no doubt in her mind that Hugh had small intention of +giving up his suit, though for the present he would leave her in peace. + +He told her of his intention of making a journey to Australia, to visit the +last resting-place of his father; and after an extended journey, he hoped +to come back and find all the unpleasantness in the past forgiven and +forgotten. + +For some time after the letter was received, Dexie fancied that her father +regarded her with more attention than was necessary; but it soon passed +from her mind without giving her the slightest suspicion that Hugh had +placed in her father's hands a substantial and unmistakable proof of the +genuineness of his regard. + +This was to be unknown to her until such a time as circumstances rendered +it necessary to communicate the facts. But if he survived the dangers of +the passage, and returned safely and found her still free, he would again +endeavor to gain her consent to a closer relationship. + +Fortunately for Dexie's peace of mind, Mr. Sherwood kept the matter to +himself; but the fact that both Hugh and Lancy intended to put the ocean +between them and herself, even for a short time, gave her a sense of relief +and security which she would have found it difficult to explain. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + + +One day, a few weeks later, as Mr. Sherwood was returning from his office, +he was much surprised to meet Mr. Plaisted on the street, and he stopped +and spoke to him cordially. + +"Why, Sherwood! is it you? I never expected to meet you here," and Mr. +Plaisted shook hands with his former partner. + +"I am settled here now," replied Mr. Sherwood. "What are you doing in this +part of the country?" + +"I am travelling for a New York firm; just arrived in town this morning. +Did I understand you to say you were living here?" + +"Yes; we removed from Halifax some time ago. Here is the address; drop in +and see us before you leave town, if you are not pressed for time," and he +handed him a card. + +"Thanks! I shall be pleased to call this evening, my kind regards to the +family," and raising their hats the men separated, with but a passing +thought of their former differences. + +The presence of Plaisted in the town was a great surprise to the Sherwood +family, and Dexie heard of his intended visit with a frown. + +"I am astonished, papa, that you could ask him to call after all that has +happened; but it is like his impudence to accept the invitation, which he +might know was more an act of courtesy than a desire to renew his +acquaintance." + +"Let bygones be forgotten, Dexie; it is poor policy to remember old scores +too long. It is enough that there will never be any more business relations +between us. His stay in town is likely to be short, so there is no fear +that he will trouble any of us long." + +"Well, I hope you will be careful, and not say anything that he can +misconstrue into an invitation to remain with us overnight. But it will be +just like him to stay, and stay, and stay, till it is too late to go back +to the hotel," said Dexie. "But if he manages, after all, to foist himself +upon us, I'll take a cook's privilege and leave the house--until he is out +of it in the morning, anyway. So remember, papa, I have 'given warning,'" +and she shook her finger at him as she turned to leave the room. + +But there was no frown on Gussie's face when she heard of Plaisted's +expected visit. She was only anxious to appear at her best, so she retired +to her chamber and spent the intervening time over a toilet that was meant +to impress Mr. Plaisted afresh. She was ready as ever to turn a listening +ear to his flattery, though she had ample opportunity to realize how empty +and meaningless were his words. + +The family were assembled in the parlor when Mr. Plaisted was announced, +and he found no cause to complain of his reception, for even Dexie's cool +bow and formal greeting were so much like her former treatment of him that +when she ignored his offered hand he did not resent it openly. But in his +heart he vowed to "get even" with her. The frigid stare with which she +regarded him when he attempted to draw her into conversation reminded him +of past discomfitures, and, forgetting that he seldom came off victor when +crossing swords with Dexie, he determined to pay off old scores with +interest. As his business kept him in town for several days, his calls were +quite frequent, but he found no chance of annoying Dexie, save by the one +small and spiteful way of addressing her as "Miss Dexter," and the quick, +angry glance that was flashed at him as he said it told that she resented +it. + +One afternoon, when he was in the parlor chatting with Gussie, Dexie came +into the room on some errand, and her slight bow of recognition gave him an +opportunity to ask, in his sneering manner, if she was "keeping her smiles +for the disconsolate lovers she had left behind her in Halifax?" + +A sharp retort rose to her lips, but she repressed it, and her lip curled +with scorn as she answered his sallies in the coolest terms that common +civility allowed. He might as well have tried his cutting speeches on an +iceberg for all the satisfaction he received, so he dropped back to the +only source of annoyance at his command. + +"Can I trouble you for a drink of water, Miss _Dexter_?" he said, with a +malicious grin. + +Dexie took no notice of this request, knowing it was made only for the +purpose of using her detested name. + +He repeated his request a second time, and even Gussie flushed at his +offensive tone, though she called Dexie's attention to the request. + +"Dexie, Mr. Plaisted asks for a drink. Where are your manners?" + +"I have sent them away for repairs, Gussie dear," Dexie replied, in her +sweetest tone, "and I fear they will not be returned to me until after Mr. +Plaisted has taken his departure. Very sorry, but they have experienced +such a strain these few days past that they were about worn out." + +"Dexie, I am ashamed of you! Bring a drink of water for Mr. Plaisted +directly!" + +"My dearest Gussie, if Mr. Plaisted wants a drink, pray get it for him +yourself," was the soft and sweet reply, "for he will surely die of thirst +before Dexter brings him a drop. Allow me to suggest that, as an +alternative, you can ring for the servant to wait on him, or lead him to +the pump like any other--beast," and unmoved by the looks cast upon her she +passed into the next room. + +"You brought that upon yourself, Mr. Plaisted, but I am very, very sorry," +said Gussie, who felt all the insolence of the words that were spoken with +such suavity. "Why will you call her _Dexter_ when you know that it makes +her throw aside all civility?" + +"Well, it _is_ too bad, I will allow," replied Plaisted, "but I own that I +have only myself to blame when I provoke her into making such stinging +retorts; but the temptation to tease her is irresistible, and I owe her for +a good many tricks she has played on me." + +"Well, were I in your place, I would not call her 'Dexter' any more; though +if your experience of her is not warning enough, I need say nothing more." + +"Well, I must admit that she has always had the best of it so far; but I +will take good care she has no chance to repeat any of her former +tactics--though, if I am not mistaken, I have good cause to remember every +visit I ever made to your house, thanks to her. However, I ought to take +the old proverb to heart, 'Those that live in glass houses should not throw +stones,' for I should feel vexed enough if my second name were thrown at me +in the same manner. It is quite as odious to me as 'Dexter' is to her." + +"What is your second name? 'D.S.' are your initials, are they not?" + +"Yes; but you would never guess what the 'S.' stands for. When I was a +little shaver my father was particularly interested in the history of the +Prophet Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and +I believe he fully intended to name me after the four of them; but at my +christening mother drew the line at Shadrach. I am just as close regarding +my second name as Dexie is about her own--so close, in fact, that not one +of my schoolmates ever found it out." + +"But did they never ask what the 'S.' stood for?" Gussie asked. + +"Of course! but Dan_u_el gave it as Samuel, and had to answer to the name +of 'Dan_u_el Sam_u_el'; but that was better than the changes they would +have rung on my right name." + +Dexie was an unintentional listener to this explanation, and it did not +raise Mr. Plaisted in her estimation. It was so like him to treat another +in a way he would object to himself; but after awhile the name came back to +her, "Shadrach." Where had she seen or heard that name before? "Shadrach; +Shadrach," she mused. "I have it!" she said at last; "the 'Widow Bedott'!" +and with the thought she flew up the stairs like a whirlwind. + +Dexie was soon in the attic kneeling beside an old box filled with books +and papers. All housekeepers are apt to know by experience the state and +condition of this box, and to possess its counterpart in some out +of-the-way corner of the house. After a diligent search Dexie was rewarded +by finding a package of loose leaves which once formed a much-loved volume. +The very leaf she wanted seemed lost; but to her great joy a leaf, crumpled +and torn, proved to be the object of her search. She smoothed it out +carefully, glanced over it, and then laughed softly to herself. + +"Now it is my turn, 'dear Shadrach, my Shad.' With the help of 'Widow +Bedott,' I fancy I can impress this visit upon your mind quite as indelibly +as your unwelcome visits in Halifax," and she slipped the loose leaves into +her pocket. + +Still, as yet she had no definite plan in her mind as to how she would play +her game of retaliation; but during the evening she heard her father +inquire how long Mr. Plaisted intended to remain in the town. + +"I leave the day after to-morrow," Plaisted replied. "I have an appointment +in H---- on the fifteenth." + +"Oh, to-morrow is St. Valentine's day!" cried Gussie. "I really had +forgotten it. You must send me a valentine to remember you by"--this to +Plaisted, who had seated himself beside her on the sofa. + +"Am I likely to be forgotten without some reminder?" was the low-spoken +reply. "I was hoping something quite different." + +The mention of valentines gave Dexie an idea, and during the evening she +visited several stores where these tokens of sentiment were kept for sale, +but found nothing in the shape of a picture that would suit the verses of +tender sentiment so touchingly expressed for her beloved Shadrach by the +fair widow. + +As she was returning home she passed a little shop, the windows of which +were decorated with valentines of the one and two cent variety, and one of +these caught her attention. It was one of the most common sort, and showed +in variegated colors a large fish with two tails for legs, two elongated +fins for arms, on one of which was a basket containing some smaller +specimens of its own species, while the other held to its mouth the +melodious fish-horn that delights our ears every morning. + +Purchasing this caricature of a shad, she pasted below it a version of the +affectionate lines of Widow Bedott; then enclosing it in an elaborate +envelope, she addressed it with many flourishes to: + + "MR. DANUEL SHADRACH PLAISTED," + +and carried it herself to the post office. + +As she passed the fish market her attention was attracted by some very fine +shad displayed for sale, and they immediately suggested a further means of +accomplishing her revenge, so she ordered a supply. + +Dexie sought her mother directly she arrived home. + +"Don't you think we might ask Mr. Plaisted to dinner to-morrow, mamma?" she +asked. + +"Please yourself, Dexie; but if he is asked, you must see about the dinner +yourself. It will not do to trust Eliza to get up anything extra, you +know." + +"The dinner shall be well served, but I have a favor to ask, mamma. If Mr. +Plaisted is present, will you praise or condemn the fish course--at the +table, I mean; praise it highly, or condemn it heartily." + +"Well, I cannot see your object in making such a request, Dexie," said her +mother in surprise, "but I will not be indifferent, if that is what you +mean." + +The next morning, when Mr. Sherwood was drawing on his gloves to go to his +office, Dexie followed him out to the hall, and as she brushed a few specks +from his coat, asked: + +"If you see Mr. Plaisted this morning, will you send or bring him up to +dinner; but don't say that I told you to ask him?" + +"Well, what's in the wind now? I thought you did not care for Mr. +Plaisted's society," regarding her intently. + +"An invitation to dinner does not mean that I have changed my opinion of +him, does it? He has been quite unbearable, so I'm going to 'heap coals of +fire on his head.'" + +The roguish gleam in her eyes, and the smile she could not conceal, made +her father think that there was more in the invitation than he understood, +and he surmised that the "coals of fire" were not absolutely figurative. + +"All right! I'll see that he gets the invitation. What shall I order for +dinner?" + +"Nothing, papa; I have everything ready for our expected guest, so don't +let him disappoint me." + +"Hum-m! there's something up, sure enough; though I can't see through it +yet," he said to himself as he walked thoughtfully away. + +"So far, so good," said Dexie, _sotto voce_. "How I wish I could have seen +Shadrach when he opened his valentine this morning!" + +Dexie would have felt satisfied that her shaft had struck home had she seen +Plaisted when he had "taken in" the contents of his valentine. + +He had stepped into the office to mail Gussie's valentine, and was much +surprised when a beautiful envelope was placed in his hands. It held +something very sweet and delicate, no doubt, and as he turned aside he +pressed it to his lips. + +Observing the name of Shadrach, he felt sure it must have come from Gussie; +no one else knew his second name, so she must have sent this sweet +love-token. It was hardly fair to write out his name in full; but, of +course, it was only done to make known the identity of the sender. He +thrust it into his pocket and hastened to his hotel, where in the privacy +of his own room he could enjoy it without interruption. The loving words he +expected to find were certainly there, yet as he read them a dark frown +gathered on his brow: + + "Dear Danuel Shadrach! thy valentine speaks, + While the rosy red blushes surmantle her cheeks; + And the joys of requital brings tears to her eye. + Now, Shadrach! my Shadrach! I'm yours till I die. + + "The heart that was scornful and cold as a stone, + Rejoices to hear the sweet sound of your name; + Farewell to the miseries and griefs I have had, + But I cannot forget them! dear Shadrach! my Shad! + + "Dear Shadrach! my Shadrach! my troubles are o'er, + My name in its fulness you'll whisper no more; + Or your own sweet cognomen will make you feel sad, + For I hold the whip-handle! Oh Shadrach! my Shad!" + +Mr. Plaisted read the lines over several times before he comprehended their +meaning, or understood what connection the absurd picture had with them; +but when the whole force of the matter struck him, his rage was +uncontrollable. He crumpled the valentine in his hands and threw it with +all his force towards the fire, but in his anger he aimed too high, and it +struck against the wall and bounced back at him, as if those hateful words +were hurling themselves at him. + +"Ha! if I only knew who sent that, I'd--" + +Words failed to express the punishment awaiting the author of those +insulting verses. But wait! did he know the handwriting? at thought of +Dexie Sherwood's previous productions coming to his mind. Ah! that last +verse seemed to throw out a hint! He looked at his tormentor closely, and +doubted. That envelope, yes, Gussie must have sent it, for she had spelled +his name "Danuel." He never would have thought that Gussie would be guilty +of such a thing. He would go away on the next train and never look on her +face again. Yes, he would go at once, and forget the whole cursed +stuff--said "cursed stuff" being the affectionate lines which continued to +haunt him after the manner of the mind-destroying craze which Mark Twain +inflicted on a later generation, "Punch, brothers, punch with care;" for as +he walked down the street the words kept time to his feet, the train bells +echoed them, and it was those very words that pealed a warning at the +crossing. So intent were his thoughts on the affectionate lines that he was +oblivious to everything around him, and Mr. Sherwood spoke his name twice +before Plaisted awoke from his reverie. + +He felt inclined to refuse the kindly-worded invitation to dinner which Mr. +Sherwood extended to him, but, on second thoughts, accepted it; he would +satisfy himself as to whether Gussie sent the valentine or not. But it took +only a few questions to assure him that Gussie was innocent, after all, and +she seemed so offended when he asked if she had told his name to anyone +that he felt compelled to believe she knew nothing of the matter. Gussie +was too much enraptured with her own valentine to take much note of +Plaisted's abstracted manner, for even the sight of Gussie's pretty face +did not put aside the memory of those tormenting lines. + +But his torture was only begun. Dexie was determined to crowd into a few +hours the annoyance he had spread over several days in her case. Her plans +were well laid, and she had even studied a book of statistics for his +benefit. A few minutes before dinner was announced, while Gussie was adding +a few touches to her toilet, Dexie came into her room, and, after a few +general remarks, said: "Mr. Plaisted has come to dinner, has he not?" + +"Yes, papa sent him up. I hope you have something nice for dinner, Dexie." + +This was the very question that Dexie hoped to hear, so she replied: "Oh! +yes, I think it will pass. There is some nicely-cooked shad for the fish +course; but if that does not suit Mr. Plaisted's fancy, there is sufficient +besides. Say, Gussie, I don't often ask a favor, but I wish to-day you +would praise the shad." + +"Praise the shad! Why on earth should I praise the shad! If it is cooked +nice, isn't that enough?" + +"No, Gussie, not for this occasion; I'm afraid Mr. Plaisted will not be +partial to shad, but if the rest of us seem to like it, of course he cannot +refuse it." + +"Oh! all right. I'll not only praise the shad, but I'll make Mr. Plaisted +think there is nothing I like better." + +Gussie hastened down to the parlor, where Mr. Plaisted was waiting, while +Dexie threw herself into a chair in muffled shrieks of laughter. + +"There, now, I guess I can keep a straight face till the time arrives;" and +a few minutes later she followed the family to the dining-room. + +There was certainly nothing amiss in the manner of the cooking or serving +of the shad, and the presence of this particular fish at the table did not +strike Plaisted as unusual, until Mr. Sherwood asked if he would be "helped +to shad." + +His mind by this time had become almost normal, but that one word threw him +back into his former state, and brought again that tormenting refrain, +"Dear Shadrach! my Shad!" He glared at the dish containing the fish as if +he would annihilate it; but, hastily collecting his scattering senses, he +took the plate Mr. Sherwood passed him, thinking it a strange coincidence +that the never-till-now hated fish should be thrust before him at this +moment. He tried to be his natural self, but those haunting lines had full +possession of him, and every mouthful seemed to choke him. + +Dexie was watching him closely, and felt sure that his abstraction was due +to the one cause, and she silently enjoyed his discomfiture. + +Gussie, who sat opposite, also noticed it, and remembering her promise to +Dexie, began: + +"Oh! Mr. Plaisted, I'm afraid you do not care for shad! How unfortunate +that we happen to have it for dinner to-day! We are all very fond of shad, +myself especially, and this is very nicely cooked, just to my liking," and +she gave Dexie a sideward look. + +"Yes, we _all_ like shad, even to the cat," said the irrepressible Georgie. +"I found her with her nose in the basket the first thing." + +"Be quiet, sir!" said the father sternly, and Georgie obediently subsided, +while Dexie could hardly repress a giggle. + +"Let me help you to another piece, Plaisted," said Mr. Sherwood. "What! not +any more? It is not often we get such good shad in an inland town. Halifax +is the place for fine shad! In the season, when the catch is fair, you can +get your pick for a song almost, but here, I expect, their scarcity makes +them of more value." + +"Yes," replied Dexie, "they are rather dear, _dear shad_," and she looked +intently at her plate, well knowing how Plaisted was glaring at her. "Yes," +she added, "I call them dear shad when one has to pick over such a quantity +of bones before getting a satisfactory mouthful, don't you, Mr. Plaisted?" +But Mr. Plaisted laid down his knife and fork, and returned her look with +interest. + +"I fear you are not making a dinner at all, Mr. Plaisted," Mrs. Sherwood +put in. "You do not seem to care for shad." + +"No! I detest them, though I was not aware of the fact till to-day," he +replied. + +"They are not cooked to your liking, I fear! I wish, Dexie, you had looked +after them a little better. How do you prefer your shad cooked, Mr. +Plaisted?" she added, in a concerned voice. + +"I do not care for shad in any shape or form," he said, rather shortly, +which caused everyone to look up in dismay, all except Dexie, and she +seemed intent on finding the minutest bone. + +"I am very sorry! You should have spoken about it sooner. Eliza, remove Mr. +Plaisted's plate. I hope we have something else you can relish." + +He made a show at eating what was set before him, but it was hard work. +Could his entertainers talk of nothing else but shad? It appeared not, for +when the conversation seemed about to turn to other things a skilfully put +question, or a bit of information, brought the fish back to be discussed in +another light; consequently, the shad question was pretty well sifted. The +method of catching them, the amount caught during the last season, the +catch of the previous year compared with other years; in fact, Dexie seemed +to have the fishing reports at her finger-ends, or at the end of her +tongue, to speak literally, and Mr. Sherwood seemed delighted with the +chance to air the knowledge he possessed to such an attentive listener. But +Mr. Plaisted's thoughts were elsewhere; he was repeating to himself the +lines he had no power to forget, and when dinner was over he was almost a +mental wreck. + +Dexie was exulting in his misery, and was longing to let him know she was +the author of it. + +When they entered the parlor, Mr. Sherwood turned to Dexie, saying: "Give +us some music, Dexie; something to cheer us up and drive away the blues," +and he nodded at Plaisted, who had thrown himself into a chair. + +But seated at the piano, Dexie still kept up the torture of the dinner +table by selecting songs that suggested fishing, or fishermen's daughters, +until Plaisted rose and walked the floor in ill-concealed distress. + +Feeling the crisis near at hand, she tried to think of something that would +"cap the climax," but as nothing occurred to her, she added a verse +impromptu to what she was singing: + + "Oh! father dear, I've caught a fish; I'm sure it is a shad; + Pray help me take him off the hook; you see he's hurt so bad!" + +This was too much for Plaisted. Taking a sudden turn he faced his +tormentor, but she heeded not his angry looks. + +"I tell you what, Sherwood!" and he wheeled around angrily, "if I had a +daughter who would play such stuff as that, I'd--I'd smash the piano to +atoms!" and he brought his fist down on the table with a crash. + +"What do you mean, sir!" and Mr. Sherwood was on his feet in a moment. +"Your words and actions are insulting!" By this time Dexie was by her +father's side, ready to give the finishing stroke to her enemy, and gently +pressing her father's arm, said: + +"Let me settle this affair, papa. I think, Mr. Plaisted, we can cry quits +from to-day. You have found great delight in calling me 'Dexter.' I hope +you are equally delighted to hear your own name repeated in its most +obnoxious form. I find there is nothing more effective for a man of your +stamp than to treat him as he delights to treat others. It is through my +exertions that you have _enjoyed_ yourself so much to-day, and if you ever +wish to have the pleasure repeated, just call me 'Dexter,' and I'll do my +best to repeat the entertainment." + +Everyone looked at Dexie in surprise, and fearing that Plaisted might still +have doubts as to her meaning, she swept him an elaborate courtesy, as she +said: + +"Good-bye, my dear Shadrach! don't forget in the future that 'I hold the +whip-handle, dear Shadrach, my Shad!'" and before the family realized what +this scene meant, Dexie had left the room and her voice was heard in the +hall singing: + + "Farewell to thee, oh Shadrach! my dearest Shad, adieu; + But Dexter has hereafter the upper hand of you." + +Plaisted was about to spring after her when Mr. Sherwood caught his arm. + +"What does all this mean, Plaisted? Explain yourself, sir!" + +"It means that I am the victim of the most diabolical practical joke that +was ever perpetrated on an individual, and it appears that Miss Dexie is at +the bottom of it, though you have all assisted her in carrying it out." + +"If there is any joke afloat I am entirely ignorant of it, Plaisted, I +assure you," said Mr. Sherwood. "I see that something is amiss, but I have +no idea what it is, though apparently Dexie is not so innocent." + +"Let me explain," cried Mr. Plaisted. "Miss Dexie has, in some way, found +out what my second name is, and that it is as hateful to me as 'Dexter' is +to her, and she has made it the subject of a very cruel joke. As I supposed +that nobody knew my full name, you can judge of my surprise when I +received this from the office," and he held forth the valentine. + +"Oh! that's only a valentine, Plaisted. You surely did not allow such a +little thing to disturb you?" said Mr. Sherwood. + +"But see what the envelope contains," he urged, bringing out the bedecked +fish. + +But if he expected any sympathy, he was disappointed, for when Mr. +Sherwood's eyes rested on the figure and read the lines beneath, shout +after shout of laughter rang through the room, and when Gussie stepped over +to see what the paper contained her shrill laughter joined the chorus. + +"Well, it serves you just right, Mr. Plaisted," said she. "I told you she +would make you repent it if you used her name so freely. But I wonder how +she found out your name? Could she have been in the back parlor while we +were talking?" + +"I believe she was!" Plaisted replied. "But the shad for dinner? Need you +have added that? The valentine was punishment enough!" + +Another shout of laughter from Mr. Sherwood, and Gussie's perplexed looks +gave place to an amused smile. + +"Dexie planned it herself! Ha! ha! ha! I see it all!" and Mr. Sherwood +roared again. "She marked this out as a day of punishment for you, +Plaisted, and she has carried it out pretty well! Ha! ha! It was she +herself who told me to ask you to dinner, saying she had everything ready +for you, and was going to 'heap coals of fire' on your head because you had +been treating her badly. Ha! ha! Guess you are pretty well scorched, sure +enough!" and he leaned back in his chair and wiped his hot face. + +"Yes, she _has_ scorched me! Those verses are burnt into my memory and +repeat themselves in spite of me. But you seemed to have studied up the +whole business of shad-fishing just for the occasion." + +"But, on my honor, Plaisted, I was entirely ignorant that my talk was +annoying you. Come to think of it, Dexie herself kept me at it. How she +must have enjoyed it!" and he laughed again. "I thought it strange that +she ordered shad for dinner," said Mrs. Sherwood. "Yet she actually asked +me to scold her before you all if they were not cooked satisfactorily." + +"You will not have a chance to call her 'Dexter' again," said Gussie, +"unless you want to be addressed as Shadrach or Shad. Whichever you dislike +the most, you will be sure to get. Now I understand what she meant when she +asked me before dinner if I would praise the shad," and she joined her +father's laugh; it was so contagious. + +"Well, I will be compelled to cry quits, sure enough," said Plaisted; "but +I never suspected that she could make such comical verses." + +"Oh! that is second-hand poetry, Plaisted. She has been misquoting the +'Widow Bedott' for your benefit," said Mr. Sherwood. + +"And who is the 'Widow Bedott'?" + +"She is a character in a most amusing book. Let me advise you to take her +as a travelling companion with you to-morrow. After you have read about her +Shadrach, the poetry won't trouble you as being too personal." + +A short time later Mr. Plaisted left the house, but his day's experience +still rankled, and he could truthfully say it was the most unpleasant day +he had ever spent. He mentally resolved that should he ever spend another +hour in the society of Dexie Sherwood he would treat her with the greatest +respect, for his day's punishment would be a lasting reminder of her power +of retaliation. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + + +Among the many social gatherings which the "Sherwood twins" attended were +the weekly meetings of the Temperance and Benevolent Society, or the "T. +and B.," as it was usually styled. + +This society included among its members most of the young people connected +with the best families in the town. + +It was not so aggressive in the temperance cause as some of the other +existing societies, but it had its place, as its ever-increasing membership +clearly showed. It accepted no one as a member who had at any time been +addicted to the use of liquor, and it kept many young men from falling into +the pernicious habit of using intoxicants. + +Among the number who had lately signed their names to the constitution of +the society was Guy Traverse, the young manager of a large furniture +establishment in the town. He had but recently been appointed to the +position, but his pleasant, affable manners won him friends from all +quarters. + +He was quite an acquisition to the T. and B. Society: a fine reader, a good +declaimer, witty and quick at repartee, the Social Committee of the society +soon learned his value, and a smile of welcome greeted him wherever he made +his appearance. + +Being on the Social Committee, Dexie Sherwood was frequently thrown into +his society, but by some mistake or unintentional oversight they had never +been introduced, and there was something in Dexie's manner that forbade him +to make any advances without this formal introduction. + +As it was taken for granted that all the members had been duly presented to +each other, no one gave the matter a thought, and though the committee held +several meetings, at which both were present, no one noticed the fact that +these two were the only ones who did not exchange ideas on the matters +before them. + +One evening after the usual business matters were disposed of, the society +proceeded to elect new officers for the ensuing quarter, and Guy Traverse's +popularity was sufficient to place him in the highest office in the gift of +the society. When asked if he would like to name his own assistant, he +turned to the speaker and smilingly replied: + +"I would be happy to have the assistance of the society's organist, but as +we have not yet been introduced, perhaps she would prefer that I did not +give her name." + +"What! do you mean to say that you have never been presented to Miss +Sherwood! How did that happen? Come with me at once." There was much +merriment over the long delayed introduction, and Dexie smilingly consented +to accept the office of assistant, in addition to that of organist. This +gave Guy Traverse the chance he had long been looking for, and at the close +of the meeting he offered himself as her escort home. + +This Dexie politely declined, adding in her kindest tone, + +"Our house is just at the corner, Mr. Traverse, so I will not trouble you," +and she slipped away. + +The distance was short, for as Guy stood at the outer entrance of the T. +and B. rooms he could hear the front gate shut after her, yet he would have +enjoyed even that short walk with his fair assistant. + +"She is not inclined to be friendly, it seems," he soliloquized, as he +stroked his long silken moustache. "I must find out the reason." + +The next time opportunity offered he again asked permission to escort her +home, but again his offer was so pleasantly declined that he could not feel +offended, though it put him upon his mettle. He determined to overcome her +prejudice, or whatever it was that made her treat him with so much reserve. +As he turned to go home, Gussie came down the steps, and with his hand to +his hat he said, smilingly, + +"I almost fear to risk a second refusal to-night, Miss Sherwood, but will +you accept the escort that your sister has declined?" + +It was a blow to her pride that Dexie had been asked first, but such an +eligible young man could not be snubbed on that account, so Gussie smiled +her sweetest as she walked by his side. + +"Have I done anything to displease your sister?" he asked, as they stood a +few moments at the gate. "I find her very hard to get acquainted with, +though I can readily see that it is not her nature to be unfriendly." + +"You have not offended her, of that I am sure," Gussie replied. + +"Then you think she had no particular reason for refusing my company +to-night?" + +"She may have some objection to any company, but not yours in particular." +"Has someone else a prior claim?" he smilingly asked. "Believe me, Miss +Sherwood," he added, in an apologetic tone, "I am not asking out of +curiosity alone." + +Gussie believed there was someone else, for Dexie had a gentleman +correspondent. + +"Then she is engaged, I suppose, but if the fortunate man is absent she +might allow others the pleasure of her company occasionally." + +But the opportunity of meeting Dexie at his own pleasure came with an +introduction to Mr. Sherwood, and on learning that Mr. Traverse was a good +hand at chess (Mr. Sherwood's one weakness) he was made right welcome and +became a frequent visitor. + +Mr. Sherwood's residence was so centrally situated that the young people of +both sexes found it very convenient to drop in for a few minutes on their +way up or down town. Mr. Sherwood loved to see the rooms filled with +laughing faces, and encouraged this free-and-easy intercourse, and he +looked forward to the evening's pleasure with the ardor of a young man. +When Guy Traverse made his appearance he was sure of a hearty greeting, and +the weeks flew by very pleasantly until summer was ushered in, and still +there was little seeming difference in Dexie's attitude toward her father's +friend. + +One evening as a number of young ladies were assembled in the pleasant +rooms of the T. and B. Society, discussing a coming convention, the +society's Vice-President, Miss Edith Wolcott, said in decided tones: + +"Before this convention meets, we ought to make some new badges; these are +positively disgraceful! Will someone suggest something, or must I take the +responsibility of seeing that this society has decent and respectable +tokens of membership?" + +"There can be but one opinion where the badges are concerned," said Ada +Chester, smiling, "so let us draw from the funds of the society sufficient +money to purchase the material for new ones, then we can meet somewhere and +make them up." + +"Capital legislation! Now announce the place of meeting and the matter is +settled," and Frank Fenerty joined the group around the table. "Better set +the time and place of meeting without delay, for when you ladies begin to +realize the amount of work which the making of these badges involves, you +will each and all remember that you have a pressing engagement somewhere +else." + +"That's so," said George Linton, as he drew a chair beside his friend; "but +where's Traverse? As President of this society he ought to take the ladies +at their word, and set them to work before their ardor has time to cool." + +"There is not a house in town so convenient for all as the Sherwoods," said +Ada Chester; then turning to Gussie she asked: + +"Could we go to your house to make up the badges, Miss Sherwood?" + +"Certainly; that is, I think so. Dexie is the acting manager at home, so +you had better consult with her," replied Gussie, pleasantly. + +"Come here, Dexie," and Edith turned to where Dexie was evoking sweet music +from the organ. "May we go to your house to make the badges?" + +"That depends on what night you wish to come. If to-morrow evening is too +soon to appoint for the meeting, you could come Saturday. You know I have +to be at the church on Friday evening." + +"To be sure! I forgot about the meeting, and there is to be choir practice +afterwards, so I'm engaged for Friday evening as well. How shall we arrange +it?" and Edith looked inquiringly around the group. + +"Put it to vote," and Frank Fenerty rose to his feet. "Hands up now for +to-morrow night at Miss Sherwood's--or not there at all, is that it?" + +"No," Dexie laughingly replied; "our latch-string is out every night, but +neither Gussie nor I would be at home Friday evening." + +"What is to prevent us from accepting Miss Sherwood's invitation for +Thursday. I would rather go there than any other place in town," said the +truthful fellow, having long admired Gussie from afar. + +"We have to buy the material before we can meet to make it up," Edith +replied. "Great Scott! how much material do you want to buy anyhow," said +Fenerty. "I could buy out a store while you ladies were selecting the +ribbons for your neck." + +While they were speaking, Mr. Traverse made his appearance, and learning +the cause of the discussion, presented a cheque for the amount needed to +renew the badges, and volunteered his services as "needle-threader" for the +evening. + +"Come now, Traverse, you can't thread needles for the crowd," said Fred +Foster, "but if the ladies will only invite the male members, we will +promise to keep them supplied with threaded needles, _ad infinitum_." + +"Have you decided to come to our house Thursday? If so, all members of the +T. and B. are invited, but we will keep you gentlemen up to your promise in +regard to the needle-threading, so let no one imagine he can come and shirk +his duty," and the group separated. + +The next evening the parlor of the Sherwoods presented a busy scene. +Several small tables placed about the room were surrounded by groups, whose +nimble fingers cut and sewed the bunches of ribbon that were provided; and +as there were several "needle-threaders" for every group, there seemed no +reason why the work should not progress with the greatest of despatch. The +ever-increasing pile of finished badges which appeared on the several +tables gave evidence that their fingers were as nimble as their tongues, +and amusement and work were intermingled. + +Amidst the fun and merriment that was taking place in the room, Dexie's +abstracted and absent-minded manner was not noticed, except by one pair of +eyes--and very little that concerned Dexie Sherwood escaped the notice of +Guy Traverse. + +He was finding it hard to check the feelings with which he had long +regarded her, for he had become attached to her from the very first, and +his eyes were keen to note her varying moods. His frequent visits to the +house gave him opportunity to study her character, and the more he saw of +her, the higher grew his respect. A more tender feeling also was growing +within his breast, that gave him secret pleasure, though he kept well in +check any sign of its existence. He never had found the opportunity of +asking the truth of her engagement; but being assured that she had a +gentleman correspondent, he felt he had little cause to hope. He had been +present on more than one occasion when Dexie had discussed with the rest of +the family various extracts from letters which had come from over the sea. +To be sure, these extracts were mostly descriptions of places that the +writer had visited, or accounts of amusing episodes met with while +travelling; but there lingered an undefined impression on Guy Traverse's +mind that these letters were not so sacred as one would naturally suppose +they should be if the writer were dear to the heart of the recipient. + +"Something is troubling Dexie to-night," he said to himself, as he noticed +how unusually silent and preoccupied she remained, even when the merriment +seemed at its height. "I must be on the alert and see that she is not +troubled unnecessarily," for being a frequent visitor, he was aware that +Gussie was not always the pleasant person she appeared to be, and he, +somehow, connected her with Dexie's present mood. + +But in this case he was mistaken. The evening mail had brought Dexie a +letter from Hugh McNeil. She had heard so little of him for some time that +she began to hope (when she thought of him at all) that he had forgotten +her or had found other attractions that had effaced her from his memory. +But this unlooked-for letter told a different story, and his half-expressed +determination to seek her presence and renew his suit filled her with +dismay. + +She had thrust the letter hastily into her pocket with but a rapid glance +at its contents, just as her numerous guests were ushered in; and her time +had been so engrossed that the letter itself was forgotten, though the +memory of the eager, passionate words therein was bringing up all the +unpleasant scenes that had happened in Halifax in connection with Hugh. + +During the evening she had, with the help of the cook, set out a dainty +repast in the dining-room, and as she made her way into the parlor again to +invite the guests to come and partake of it, she wondered at the sound that +reached her ears, for instead of the hum of many voices one voice alone +was heard, and that was Gussie's. + +Now, for some time back the frequent visits of Guy Traverse had aroused +suspicions in Gussie's mind. They certainly were not always intended for +her father, and he never offered himself as her escort unless Dexie was in +her company. She had repeatedly hinted that Dexie was "already spoken for," +but the hint was not acted on in the way Gussie expected. Remembering all +this, Gussie's conduct this particular evening is seen in its true light, +but it brought its own punishment. + +In some unaccountable way, Hugh's letter had dropped from Dexie's pocket +while she sat sewing at the badges with the rest, and in searching for a +spool of thread, it fell into Gussie's hands. She glanced over the letter, +but did not notice the signature. Hugh had been thinking more of touching +Dexie's heart than of giving his letter the usual appearance, and had left +place, date and all tell-tale marks to find room at the bottom of the +closely-written sheet. Gussie guessed at once it was Dexie's letter, and +thought it would be "fun" to read it before those assembled; it would let +Guy Traverse know that he was wasting his time over Dexie. No one in the +room had the least idea what she meant when she rose from her chair and +said: + +"Oh! friends, listen! here is a specimen of true love for you!" + + "My dearest love, my heart's one treasure: + + "It is no longer any use to try and put you out of my heart. I + have tried to do it as you wished, but I cannot. I love you, my + darling, and my love will not die, try as I may to kill it. You + thought I could forget you if I went among fresh scenes and new + faces; but it is not so--your dear face is ever before me. + Sleeping or waking, it is the same. I cannot live without you, my + dearest--" + +"Augusta! Augusta! what are you doing? Is that your own letter you are +making public?" + +The words cut the air like a flash of steel. + +That word "Augusta" was reproof in itself, and Gussie felt it instantly, +and she shivered as she looked up and met the flashing eyes of her sister. + +"No," she replied, her cheeks aflame, but angry spite dies hard, and she +smiled scornfully, as she added, "I was amusing the company with a specimen +of love-making that is rare outside of novels. It is your letter, I +believe." + +Before Dexie could reply, Guy Traverse had risen to his feet, and coming +towards the table so that his form partly shielded Dexie from view, said: + +"If you have read all you wish of my letter, Miss Gussie, I beg you will +return it to me," and he took it from her hand and thrust it into his +breast-pocket; then turning a woeful face to the astonished guests, he +said: + +"Friends, have mercy on a fellow when he is down, and forget what you heard +just now. It was too bad of you, Miss Gussie, to expose a poor fellow's +feelings in that way. I ought to have posted my broken-hearted appeal +before I came in here, but I thought I might be able to think of some +stronger language that would touch the hard heart of my lady-love. I am not +in luck, as you can guess; but do not, I beg of you, let it go any farther. +I appeal to you, as members of T. and B., to keep this matter quiet and not +let it be talked about. Boys, you know how it is yourselves," and in +seeming embarrassment he turned to the window and remained in the shadow of +the curtain. + +"Oh! I beg your pardon, Mr. Traverse," Gussie gasped out, properly ashamed +for once. "I never imagined the letter was yours," and hiding her burning +cheeks in her hands she hurriedly left the room and flew to her chamber, +wondering how she could ever look those people again in the face. + +Traverse had given Dexie time to recover herself, and in a steadier voice +than she could have commanded a few moments before, she asked the friends +to drop their work, and come into the next room for refreshments. + +This was a welcome interruption to all; everyone felt glad to hide the +uncomfortable feeling that Gussie's act had thrown over them, and merry +groups formed in the dining-room as Dexie passed among them. The +uncomfortable scene in the parlor was put out of sight, if not out of +mind, and no one wondered that Guy Traverse did not make his appearance +amongst them. + +As soon as Dexie saw she would not be missed for a few moments, she ran up +to Gussie's room. + +"Come down at once, Gussie. You cannot stay away from our guests without +making yourself look worse in their eyes. The sooner you make amends for +your unpardonable act, the better it will be for yourself." + +"Oh! Dexie, I was never so ashamed in my life! I never dreamt it was his +letter; I thought it was yours." + +"And what business would you have to read out anybody's letter to a company +of people? I am glad to hear that you feel ashamed, for well you may! Come +downstairs at once, unless you want everyone to cut you forever." + +Gussie followed her sister into the dining-room, and she set about her +duties as well as she could, but finding that Traverse was not in the room +she soon felt more at ease. + +Dexie felt that she must see Mr. Traverse before the rest entered the +parlor. She had been so astonished at his bold claim of ownership that for +a moment she could not understand it, but the truth flashed on her mind +that he had done it to shield her, and she blessed him for it. + +Guy looked round as the door opened, and coming forward he took the tray +she carried in her hands and set it on a small table near, saying: + +"Is this for both of us, Miss Dexie? Sit here," and he placed a screen to +hide them from the gaze of intruders; then coming over to her side, drew +the letter from his pocket, saying: "Forgive me, Miss Dexie, for claiming +your property; it is yours, is it not?" + +"Unfortunately, yes; and you were more than kind to shield me as you did," +and she put the cause of the trouble in the deepest corner of her pocket. +"I did not know what to do when I heard Gussie reading it aloud." + +"I knew at once it was yours by the way you looked; but I thought I would +play the vanquished lover, and crave your pardon for my audacity +afterwards," and he looked intently into Dexie's flushed face. + +"Believe me, Mr. Traverse, the writer of that letter is not the silly man +one would expect, judging by his foolish words. In everything else he is +worthy of respect." + +"Do you think it foolish for a man to love a woman with such love as he +speaks of in the letter?" + +"Yes; when the man knows it is useless, he should try and forget her." + +"He should try--hum!--well, it seems one does not always succeed in +forgetting, even with much trying. Miss Dexie, you owe me a favor; tell me +honestly how you stand with this lover from over the sea. Are you engaged +to be married to him, yet give him cause to write in such a strain?" + +"No, certainly not; I am aware that this letter has given you the +impression that I have been corresponding with the writer, but it is not +so. This is only the second time I have had a letter from him, though I +believe papa hears from him occasionally; but I have never sent him a +line." + +"How does it happen that he writes to you so appealingly? Have you jilted +him, Miss Dexie?" and he looked eagerly into her face, to read her answer. +"Will you not tell me?" he added, as he waited some moments for her reply. + +"There is very little to tell, Mr. Traverse. I think the part of the letter +that you heard tells the story well enough," and she gave a quick look into +his face, "but I think I understand what you mean. This is not the one that +Gussie refers to so often." + +"Miss Dexie, if I have spared your feelings to-night, spare mine now, and +tell me what I ask: Is there more than one lover across the sea? Do tell me +the truth, Miss Dexie." + +His low, earnest tones thrilled her strangely, and she dropped her eyes, as +she replied in a low tone: + +"Let me first explain about the writer of the letter. I never gave him +cause to write to me like that, for I have always disliked him. He has +persecuted me shamefully, even so far as to threaten to shoot me if I did +not promise to marry him, and the strongest wish that was ever born in my +heart is that I may never see his face again." The words ended in a +whisper, but so intense were the tones that Guy felt she told the truth, +and he asked: "What sort of a young man is he, if I may ask?" + +"If he had not made himself an object of dislike to me, I could give you a +very favorable account of him," she answered, lifting her eyes an instant, +then turning aside as she met his earnest looks. "He is well educated and +very good-looking, if you admire the kind of beauty that goes with olive +skin, eyes like midnight, and hair to correspond. He has a good bank +account also, and would be a good match--for someone else," she added, +laughing softly. + +"Did your father favor his suit, that they correspond yet?" + +"Oh! yes; and everything was arranged, settlements, and all. Nothing was +lacking--except my consent." + +"Then there was never a promise between you? Forgive me, Miss Dexie, if I +seem inquisitive, but I wish very much to know." + +"Nothing like a promise! indeed, nothing could be so distasteful as the +thought of such a thing; not even from the first. I never liked him." + +"But there is someone else, Miss Dexie. Is there not a promise given to +someone else?" came the eager tones. + +"Not exactly a promise, Mr. Traverse; but there is a mutual understanding +that may lead to one. I think you would like my friend, particularly if you +heard him once at the piano," she replied, as her cheeks grew pink. + +"Then you are not really engaged, Miss Dexie?" + +"Now, Mr. Traverse, I think I have told you enough," she replied, beginning +to feel embarrassed. "Some things are not easy to tell, even though one may +not care if the facts are known." + +"But I have not got down to facts yet, Miss Dexie, and I should like to +know the truth. 'For favors received, be truly grateful.' I think it is +only fair to let me know how matters stand with you and this lover over the +sea." + +He waited a moment for her answer, then added, in an eager tone: + +"Your sister told me several times about your engagement to this young +gentleman that writes to you from England. If it is so, why deny it?" + +"There is a promise between us to wait a year," came the low-spoken reply. +"Then, if we are both of the same mind as when we saw each other last, I +expect I shall spend the rest of my days in Halifax; but a year is a long +time, and much may happen before then." + +What strange power was there in his looks or words that drew this admission +from her? She regretted the words the moment after she uttered them, but +she did not know that she had removed the barrier that kept Guy from trying +to win her himself. + +"Do you think he may learn to care for someone else, or that you--" + +"I have never met anyone yet that I like better," and she lifted her eyes +to his as she said this, but she dropped them at once, and a strange, +uneasy feeling possessed her that she could not understand. + +"Thank you, Miss Dexie, for your confidence. Now, let the understanding be +mutual. Will you give me the privilege you have so long denied me of being +your friend and protector _pro tem._, as it were? Neither you nor I have +anyone here to claim our society, and I get very tired of my own company; I +would like to have one special lady friend. Will you not hereafter accept +my company without that inward protest which I always feel you have for +me?" + +"You are very kind, Mr. Traverse, but I would prefer matters as they are. I +do not mind going about alone in the least." + +"Oh! I know that, Miss Independence, but I mind it; so say that I may +occupy the place of the absent friend, to some extent at least. I'll write +to him and demand permission, if you object," and he laughed pleasantly as +he took her hand a moment in his own. + +Just then the sound of footsteps warned them that their interview was over, +and Guy rose to his feet and stood by the window as the rest entered the +room. + +"Hello, Traverse! we missed you in the supper-room," and Fenerty came over +to his side. "Have you found all your persuasions in vain, Miss Dexie?" +pointing to the untasted repast on the tray. + +"Man alive! do you think a man's appetite can survive everything?" said +Traverse, with a frown. + +"Forgive me, Traverse! I did not mean to add to your feelings. I don't +wonder you feel cut up," said Fenerty, whispering his apologies. + +"Mr. Fenerty, take him out in the dining-room. My presence has prevented +him from partaking of the refreshments I brought him. Try and make him +forget the unpleasantness that has occurred," and Dexie looked up with a +smile at Traverse, as he followed his friend from the room, and then turned +to her other guests. + +She was glad to see that Gussie was doing all she could to win her way back +into favor, for she passed from group to group with a pleasant word and a +smile for all. Fingers and needles were soon busy again, and the unfinished +badges were attacked with renewed vigor. + +"That was a nasty trick of Miss Gussie's, Traverse," young Fenerty was +saying, as he waited upon his friend in the dining-room, "but I am sure she +never suspected that the letter belonged to you." + +"What difference did that make? The act was unpardonable when she knew it +was not her own property. I suppose I will never hear the last of it." + +"'Pon honor, Traverse, I hope you do not think any of us are mean enough to +refer to the matter again. But come away to the rest, if you are through; +they are at work again, I believe." + +"It is all right, Miss Dexie," nodding to her as she appeared in the door. +"He will soon get over it. Is there any objection to a little carpet dance +to finish the evening? That will make Traverse forget to be melancholy if +anything will," he added, in a low voice. + +"Very well; as soon as they finish the badges you can help clear the room." + +Dexie cast a backward look at Traverse and saw his amused smile, and it was +hard to control her features when his face assumed such a mournful +expression directly Fenerty addressed him. + +Half an hour later, tables and chairs were set aside, and the sound that +came forth from the piano, at Dexie's bidding, set agoing the feet of the +dancers. She had played through several dances when Guy came up to her side +with Ada Chester. + +"I have brought someone to take your place, Miss Dexie. Play a waltz for +us, Miss Chester," and Guy took Dexie from her seat. + +The couple made the circuit of the room several times before anyone joined +them; it was a pleasure to watch the well-matched pair swaying to the +delightful music. + +"We seem to have the floor to ourselves," Dexie said with a smile. + +"If they knew the bliss of a perfect waltz, we would be crowded out, Miss +Dexie. I begin to think I never waltzed before; your step is perfect--what, +you are not tired?" as Dexie stopped and led the way back to the piano. + +"No, but I will relieve Miss Chester; she is very fond of dancing." + +Dexie did not care to confess how much she had enjoyed the little dance, +but she was beginning to think that there was some strange spell in the +voice and manner of her partner that drew her very thoughts from her. She +must get away from his presence, so turned to Miss Chester, saying: + +"I can recommend Mr. Traverse as a superb waltzer, Ada, so let me give you +the pleasure of a few turns around the room with him to the same music. Mr. +Traverse, do let Miss Chester know for once what waltzing really is," and +she struck the keys and sent them floating from her side. + +The evening's pleasure closed all too quickly, and as the last good-byes +were spoken Guy lingered to whisper: + +"I shall call and take you to choir practice in good season, so do not run +away before I come for you. Good-night, Miss Dexie." + +The warm clasp of the hand, and the earnest look in his dark grey eyes, +lingered in Dexie's memory until sleep had put all thoughts aside and mixed +the real with the unreal in troubled dreams. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + + +One bright summer morning, while the dew still glistened like diamonds on +grass blades and flower petals, Dexie and her father were to be seen +walking quickly in the direction of the depot, and, on arriving there, were +surprised to see Mr. Traverse waiting on the platform. + +"What, Traverse, are you off this morning too?" said Mr. Sherwood. + +"Yes, I have business in Boston; some machinery to order. And you, Miss +Dexie, are you going on a journey as well?" + +"Oh, no; I have come to see papa safely on board the train, and to jog his +memory about a few trifles I want him to bring me home from the Hub." + +"Ha, ha; a few trifles, indeed! If you expect me to bring back half the +things you have mentioned, you had better come along with me, for I've +forgotten them already," her father laughingly replied. + +"I thought that would be the way," Dexie replied with a smile, "but you +will not get off so easily as you think. Here is my book, and the list is +on the last pages, so you have no excuse to forget one of the articles, +papa," and she slipped the little book inside his vest-pocket. + +"Glad to have your company, Traverse. How long do you stay?" + +"Well, I am not particular to a day or two. I expect to be ready to return +on Friday." + +"And this is Monday; well, we can arrange to return together, so, Dexie, +you can make your mind easy. Your old dad will have someone to look after +him both ways." + +"That is very nice. Take good care of him, Mr. Traverse," and she gave him +her hand as he said good-bye. + +Her father bent his head and kissed her, saying playfully: + +"Now, don't run off with the gardener, or do any other dreadful thing while +I am gone, and I will try and get your commissions filled, even to the box +of chocolates." + +They stepped on the cars, and with the usual ear-splitting shriek the train +moved away, leaving Dexie on the platform looking after them. The two men +stood at the rear door and waved a farewell, and Dexie returned home, never +thinking that she had seen her father well and strong for the last time. + +Mr. Sherwood had not been away from home since they had moved to +Lennoxville, and Dexie planned to have a dainty repast awaiting his return, +and she was in the kitchen when a telegraph messenger appeared at the door. + +"A telegram for Mrs. Sherwood, and one for Miss Dexie Sherwood." + +Dexie tore hers open, and her heart seemed to stop beating as she read: + + "There has been an accident, and your father is hurt, but not + fatally. He cannot be moved at present. Can you come at once? + + "GUY TRAVERSE." + +Dexie rushed up the stairs, her white face telling of trouble, and as soon +as her mother saw her she asked in alarm: + +"What is it, Dexie? What has happened?" + +"Dear mamma, come back into the room, and I will tell you. There has been +an accident, and papa is hurt. Oh, mamma, do not scream so! No, he is not +killed; do not say it. Oh, hush! let me open your message. Mine is from Mr. +Traverse, and he says papa is hurt and cannot be moved. Oh, mamma! do not +scream so. You will terrify the children and make yourself ill." + +"Oh, he is dead! My husband is killed!" she cried. "Why has this dreadful +calamity come upon me?" and she wrung her hands and wept aloud. + +"Oh, mamma, you _must_ stop! Listen: this is what your message says, and it +is signed by a railroad official: + + 'There has been a collision, and your husband is injured. It is + impossible to move him in his present condition, but everything + possible shall be done for his comfort and relief.'" + +"Oh, mamma! let us go to him at once." + +"Dexie, do you want to kill me? I could not survive the journey in the +present state of my nerves; and does not the message say that everything +shall be done for him? What could I do more?" + +Another peal of the bell, and Dexie flew down to the door, where a +brass-buttoned youth presented himself. + +"I am sent to say that there is a train starting for the scene of the +collision in fifteen minutes. If there is anyone here going down, they will +have to hurry." + +Dexie rushed back to her mother's side. + +"Oh, mamma, I must go to him! Can you go, too? Say quickly, mamma!" + +"Oh, I shall die! I shall die!" and Mrs. Sherwood fell back on the sofa in +violent hysterics. + +This was answer enough, and Dexie rushed to her own room, calling loudly +for Eliza. + +Gussie ran up the stairs at that moment, saying wildly: "Oh, Dexie, is it +true? Is papa hurt?" + +"Yes, Gussie, and I am going to him. Run to mamma; I cannot delay a moment. +Here, Eliza," as the frightened domestic appeared, "put those things into +this travelling-bag while I tell you what you are to do. Papa is hurt, and +I have barely time to catch the train. You must run for Mrs. Jarvis as soon +as I am done with you, and tell her to come and stay with mamma; then hurry +along for the doctor--he will give mamma something to quiet her. Tell Mrs. +Jarvis I leave everything in her care till I return, and say that she must +fix up the back parlor all ready for papa, in case he can be brought home. +She will know what to do. Now, I must go. I am sure I can trust you to do +your best, Eliza, till I get back. I do not know when that will be." + +She arrived at the depot hot and breathless, but in time to take her place +among the number who, with white, sad faces and tear-dimmed eyes, were on +their way to claim the forms of loved ones, or to comfort and relieve those +whose lives had been spared them. The first tears she shed were those that +fell when she recognized Edith Wolcott and her brother among the +passengers. + +"Dexie, you here, and alone!" was Edith's greeting, and the answer was a +flood of relief-giving tears. + +"Papa is hurt," she sobbed, as Edith inquired why she was on the train. + +"I am so sorry; but perhaps it is not as bad as you fear. We expected Aunt +Eunice would arrive by that train. We do not know that she really was a +passenger, but I could not rest at home till I knew the truth!" Edith +exclaimed. "Mr. Traverse was to have returned to-day," she added. "Did you +hear if he was hurt?" + +Dexie did not know, but thought not, as he had sent her the message +concerning her father. + +They relapsed into silence, except when someone would voice the sentiments +in the heart of each and say, with a sigh, "How slowly the train moves +along!" Yet they were travelling very rapidly, and in due time they arrived +at the scene of the wreck. + +Such a spectacle Dexie had never seen. Cars were piled upon one another in +a confused mass, and she wondered how anyone had escaped alive from the +broken timbers that had formed the cars. + +She seemed to know instinctively which way to turn in search of her father, +but she had only made a few steps when she met Mr. Traverse looking for +her. + +"Do not be alarmed, Miss Dexie; I am not so bad as I look," he said, +reassuringly, as Dexie started at the sight of his bandaged head and +splintered arm. "I have an ugly scalp wound, and that makes the bandages +necessary, and my broken arm is nothing. Now, be brave," he said, as they +stopped before the door of the house where her father had been taken. "He +has been suffering great pain and looks badly, and he will not be able to +see you unless you are calm. The doctor is with him now. I will go and see +if you can come in." + +"Do not keep me waiting, Mr. Traverse. I will be quiet. Indeed, you can +trust me," and she lifted a white face, full of entreaty, to his gaze. + +"My brave little girl!" was Guy's inward comment. "It is just as well that +she came alone, for no one else in the family has self-control enough to +bear this." + +In a few minutes Guy returned and conducted her to her father's side, and +she bent over him and kissed his white face tenderly. + +"Dear papa, I have come to stay with you. What can I do to help you?" and +she laid her hand in his. "Mamma feels too badly to come just now, dear +papa." + +The quiet manner in which she removed her hat and cloak and then returned +to the bedside to await the doctor's orders impressed the latter favorably, +and with a few words of instruction to Mr. Traverse he departed to see his +other waiting charges. + +They were sad and anxious days that followed, for it was feared that Mr. +Sherwood might not, after all, survive the shock; but Dexie never lost +heart, and was rewarded, after many days, by hearing the welcome news that +her father could safely be moved to his home. + +Traverse had proved himself a helpful and faithful friend, and more than +one broken-hearted person blessed him for his ready help and sympathy, for +the accident had been attended with much loss of life and had spread +mourning into many homes. + +Dexie had written twice daily to her mother; but having once mentioned the +fact that the few houses in the vicinity of the accident were filled with +maimed and wounded who were too ill to be sent to their homes, Mrs. +Sherwood considered it impossible for her to witness the sight, and Dexie +advised her to stay at home. She was well aware that the distressing sights +and sounds which were to be witnessed hourly in every house would have such +an effect on her mother that her presence would be more hurtful than +beneficial to her father in his present condition. + +Dexie was very anxious to know if everything was in readiness for her +father's arrival, and Mr. Traverse relieved her anxiety by offering to go +to the house with the family doctor and make everything sure, and then +return and accompany them home. + +It was with a feeling of shame that she gave her last message to him as he +was about to leave her. + +"Will you be kind enough to tell Dr. Brown how necessary it will be for +papa to come home to a quiet house; and if mamma is not able to bear the +sight of his arrival, will he see that she is not at home just at the time? +He will understand and can manage it, I am sure." + +Traverse looked at her in surprise. + +"Mamma is apt to be hysterical, and papa will be too tired with the journey +to bear any unusual excitement. I dread the time of his arrival at the +house more than I do the rest of the journey; but it must be managed +quietly, somehow. It would take so little to set him back when he is so +weak." + +"It shall be managed quietly, Miss Dexie, so do not be anxious; I will see +that your father has every chance," and he turned away, wondering at the +care and tact that could see and overrule the want of thought in others, +when age and experience should have given others the self-control that was +so wonderful to see in a girl of her years. + +Mr. Sherwood bore the journey much better than they expected, and they +carried him to the room which, by Dexie's forethought, had been provided +with everything that could add to his comfort. The house was quiet and +still, and a good hour's rest fortified him for the visit that his wife +must soon make to his room. + +Mrs. Sherwood had been persuaded into taking a drive with the doctor's wife +about the time the train was expected, and she had been kept away long +enough for Mr. Sherwood to rally from the fatigue of the journey. Gussie, +with the rest of the family, had witnessed his arrival from an upper +window, and wept sorely at seeing her father carried into the house on a +bed, remembering how well and strong he had walked out of it a few short +weeks before. + +When Mrs. Sherwood arrived, and found that her husband had been brought +home in her absence, she felt very much hurt, and she entered the room +subdued and quiet; but when she beheld the change that had taken place in +her strong, robust husband since she had last seen him, nothing but the +doctor's presence prevented her from throwing herself across the bed. She +dropped to her knees by the bedside, with a wail of despair, and Gussie's +sobs were added to the moans that came from the lips of the kneeling wife. +Dexie bent over her sister, saying firmly: + +"You must either control yourself or leave the room. Can't you see how it +distresses papa?" + +Guy Traverse led the sobbing girl out of the room at last, and his kind +words of comfort did much to help Gussie overcome her violent grief. He +was fast recovering from his own wounds, and he made himself very useful in +spite of his one-armed condition--for he still wore his broken arm in a +sling. Dexie was not blind to the excellent traits of character he had +displayed during the trying weeks past, but when she endeavored to express +her thanks he stopped her with a word. + +Weeks passed, and Mr. Sherwood's progress was so slow as to damp all hopes +as to his ultimate recovery. + +"I must know the truth," he said one morning, when the doctor made his +usual visit; "it is no kindness to keep me in ignorance of my true +condition. If I am not likely to rise from this bed a well man, then it is +time I settled my business; so tell me what you think, Dr. Brown." + +But it is not easy to get a doctor's opinion, and at last it was decided to +send for the famous Dr. Jacobs, and have a consultation. + +"Well, have the consultation as soon as possible, for this uncertainty is +harder to bear than the knowledge of a speedy death," said Mr. Sherwood. + +Oh, the agony of that hour, when Dexie waited, with the rest of the family, +the verdict of the assembled doctors. As she knelt by her bed, her face +buried in the pillows, she felt as if the worst could not be much harder to +bear than this dreadful suspense. She dreaded the sound that would summon +her to her father's bedside, yet, when it came, she rose to obey with a +firm step, though the white face, from which her eyes shone almost black in +their intensity, was proof of the anxiety that filled her heart. + +"My dear little girl," and her father pressed the hand she laid in his, "it +is not so bad as we feared, after all. Dr. Brown, will you go and tell my +wife? Dexie, do you think you will get tired waiting on me if I have to lie +here a few more months?" + +"Oh, papa!" She could not restrain the tears that sprang to her eyes, so +she laid her head on the pillow beside him until she could lift a quiet +face. + +"Don't fret, Dexie, dear!" and he fondly stroked the head so near him. + +"I am likely to live for months, and you are such a capital little nurse +that it will not be such a hardship to spend the rest of my life on my +back." + +Yes, that was the verdict. Mr. Sherwood could never hope to walk again or +be a well man; but he would probably live for some time, his splendid +constitution being in his favor. + +This was hard news for the family; but they had feared the worst, and so +felt thankful for the extended time that might intervene before the end +would come. + +Mrs. Sherwood engaged the assistance of Mrs. Jarvis, an excellent nurse, to +attend on her husband; and as Dexie shared the nursing and relieved Mrs. +Jarvis, Mrs. Sherwood considered she had done her duty well and faithfully. +She did not feel strong enough to do very much of the laborious part of +nursing, but she was willing to make her appearance in the sick-room when +the patient was at his best. She had been present once when her husband had +been seized with a paroxysm of pain, and was so terrified and overcome that +she felt more than willing to leave her husband to the care of those who +were "so hard-hearted that they could witness such suffering," and still be +able to administer the necessary relief. + +As the weeks passed by and Mr. Sherwood grew no worse, it seemed impossible +to think that the "grim messenger" was really lurking in the shadow, for he +bore his illness with such patience and cheerfulness that only those who +were constantly about him realized how he really suffered. + +Mr. Traverse was always a welcome visitor, for Mr. Sherwood could never +forget that awful moment when death stared them both in the face, and how +Traverse had kept the flying timbers from crashing into his pinioned body, +receiving on his own head and arm the blows he might have escaped. + +Dexie had listened with averted face and tear-dimmed eyes to the story as +it fell from her father's lips, and she found it hard to meet her hero +without betraying something of the feeling which his noble conduct had +awakened in her heart. + +His frequent visits were both a joy and a pain to her, though why she felt +glad to hear his step, yet dreaded to meet his glance, she could not have +explained. + +Gussie was able now to meet Mr. Traverse without that feeling of +mortification which she experienced after she had read his love-letter +before her guests. His manner to her was as kind and respectful as ever, +and she hoped he had almost forgotten the circumstance. How often that +thoughtless act had been regretted no one knew but herself. There was no +chance of adding his name to her list of admirers, for he kept her at a +distance, even when his manner was most kind. She often wondered if his +_city girl_, as she styled her, had yet relented, or if he had given up all +hope of winning her. How he must have cared for her to write such a letter! + +If she had learned the true facts of the case, and found out that the +letter was really Dexie's, as she at first supposed, she would have put +aside the fact that her conduct was none the less reprehensible, and would +have used all her arts to win him to her side. As it was, she was more +willing to sit by her father's side during the time Mr. Traverse was +present than at any other time during the day. + +One evening when Mr. Traverse was sitting by Mr. Sherwood's bedside, Gussie +also being in the room, one of those sudden attacks that always came on +without a moment's warning seized upon Mr. Sherwood, and Mr. Traverse was +so alarmed that for a moment he lost his presence of mind; but Gussie's +shrill screams, as she rushed out of the room, aroused him. Something +should be done for the sufferer, he knew not what, and reaching for the +bell-cord that hung over the head of the bed he gave it a hasty pull, and +as he did so Dexie was beside him. + +She took in the situation at a glance, her rapid movements relieving Mr. +Traverse from the fear and apprehension that had seized him, and the means +of relief were soon at hand. + +"Raise his head on your arm a moment," she said, coming quickly to the +bedside. "Not quite so much; there. I must get this into his mouth somehow. +Thank you. Now, lay him down very carefully." A practical knowledge of +what was required made her movements swift, though quiet, and she worked +about him with a firm, steady hand. She was able to witness her father's +agony and still keep her wits about her; but this was positive proof to her +mother that Dexie had "no feelings." + +Mr. Sherwood was soon able to look the thanks he could not express, and +Dexie took a fan that lay near at hand and began, with a gentle motion, to +fan her father's flushed face. Guy noticed for the first time that the +tears were flowing down her cheeks, though she gave no sign of her +distress, nor made any movement to wipe them away lest that act should +betray them. + +"Let me do that much, Dexie?" was the low, whispered words, as he took the +fan from Dexie's fingers. + +He drew a chair softly to the bedside, and kept up the gentle motion until +Guy felt assured that the sufferer was asleep. + +Dexie was kneeling by the bedside, intently watching her father's face +through her tears, and she started when Guy laid his hand across her +clasped palms, and whispered, "Come away, Dexie; he is sleeping." + +She rose at his bidding, and he drew her to the window. + +"This has been very hard on you, Dexie, and you have borne it bravely," he +whispered softly, holding her trembling hands in his own. "Do not try to +hide the tears from me. Am I not your friend?" + +The touch of his hand and the tenderness of his voice touched a chord in +Dexie's heart and sent a thrill through every nerve, and she raised her +eyes to his for one brief moment; but in that short time she read a story +that might have filled a volume, and no one could now say of her that "her +heart had not yet awakened," for she knew the truth at last. + +The appearance of Mrs. Jarvis at this moment was a welcome relief to Dexie, +and giving a hasty account of her father's late attack she hurried from the +room. She felt she must get away from everyone and face this new thing that +had come upon her. + +As she passed into the hall she found Guy Traverse waiting for her. + +"May I ask for a few minutes, Miss Dexie?" he asked, in a low voice. "I +have something I would like to say to you to-night." + +"Please excuse me to-night, Mr. Traverse," she replied, without lifting her +eyes. "I do not feel able to see anyone just now." + +"Some other time, Dexie, then. Good-night," and he held her hand one moment +in his, and turned to leave the house. + +He did not seem particularly pleased to find Gussie waiting at the parlor +door for him; but he intended to pass on and go home. + +"Oh! Mr. Traverse you are not going home so soon, surely!" she cried. "I +wanted your opinion of a new book that was sent to me to-day. Is papa not +better?" seeing the altered expression on his face. + +"Yes, he is better now, I believe, but you must excuse me to-night, Miss +Sherwood; your book must wait for some future time. Good evening," and the +door closed softly behind him. + +As Guy turned the corner of the house, intending to take a short cut to his +hotel through the back garden, there issued from an open window such music +as Guy had never heard before--so soft, so sad, yet so exquisitely sweet +that he stopped for a moment to listen. He had often listened to Dexie's +playing; but he never had heard her play a piece like that, and he drew +nearer the window. + +He could see her through the thin curtain that hid him from view; and as he +stood and watched her, he wondered what it was that had the power to call +up such an expression to her face. But as he looked the music suddenly +ceased, and Dexie's face was buried in her hands, and he could hear the +sobs that shook her frame. He longed to speak to her, yet dared not. He +knew he had no right even to witness her emotion, and he turned silently +and sadly away. Could he have been mistaken, after all? That one brief +moment when Dexie had looked into his eyes he felt sure of her love, and +his heart had throbbed with joy; and but for that interruption he might +even now be holding her against his breast, while he poured into her ears +the story of his love. + +But her tears and grief seemed a denial of his hopes. Had thoughts of her +absent lover given her that glorified look on which he had based his hopes? + +If Guy Traverse had been permitted to read a part of the letter which Dexie +penned that evening before retiring, he would not have waited so long +before testing the value of his hopes, for he would have guessed the +meaning of the words sent to "the lover over the sea." + +"I have thought several times lately that you are not so open and frank +with me as you used to be. Are you keeping something from me, Lancy? I +wonder if you have found out the truth of the words I said to you in +Halifax. Do not forget that it was to be 'honor bright' between us. I am +beginning to hope that my surmises are correct, but I know it is hardly +fair to force a confession from you that I shrink from making myself. It +may be true that 'open confession is good for the soul,' but I find it is +particularly mortifying to the body. + +"But I have been talking to you through the piano to-night, Lancy, and I +must set down in writing a little of what is in my mind, for I have to +confess to you, Lancy, that I can no longer _honestly_ keep the ring that +has stood 'for a sign between me and thee.' Now, do not mistake me, dear +Lancy. I have heard no word of love from any man's lips since I left you, +but for all that I have met someone that will always stand between you and +me, and I really have little to tell you, only that under the conditions I +cannot keep the ring any longer. Will you release me from any promise I may +have given you, and tell me truly if you are not pleased that I asked for +the release? You must not think that I have ceased to care for you, for +there are times, when I am at the piano, that I would give all I ever +possessed to have you beside me, and I have missed you more than I can +tell. I see now that more than one kind of love can find room in the heart +at one and the same time. Now, Lancy, if I have made a mistake in thinking +that you may have had the same experience as myself, and this confession of +mine grieves you, I will keep my promise still, _if you wish it_. I shall +look anxiously for your answer." + +But if Guy Traverse had no knowledge of this letter he was present when +Gussie held out the answer across the table, with the words: + +"Here is an extra heavy letter from over the sea, Dexie, and that bold +handwriting tells the identity of the writer at a glance, so there is no +use to deny that it is from Lancy Gurney." + +Guy saw no hope for him in the flushed face, and Dexie hurried from the +room as soon as she had grasped the letter from Gussie's hand. + +But Guy Traverse had no need to be so cast down, if he had only known it, +for the letter said: + +"I begin to fear that you are gifted with second-sight, and it is with +shame I confess that I have not kept 'honor bright' with you. I was afraid +you would not understand if I began to explain the matter, but your own +confession has made it easier. I can hardly tell you what has happened, +Dexie--it has all come about so suddenly that I hardly realize it myself; +but I was thrown from a vicious horse while visiting at a country-seat, and +was taken up insensible, and when I opened my eyes I found a sweet heart +bending over me; but believe me, Dexie, I did not know it was so until her +own lips confessed it, and she has become very dear to me since. But I have +been in misery when I thought how you would despise me, and I feared your +scorn. I shall always care for you, Dexie, as you care for me, and I am +glad to know that the music still holds us together. I have a request to +make, and if you will grant it I shall know that the admission in this +letter has not wounded you. Do not send back the ring, but keep it and wear +it occasionally. I have had a counterpart made of the little charm which I +enclose in this, and I shall always keep it in memory of the happy hours we +have spent together." + +Dexie read this letter over a good many times before she laid it away +under lock and key; but when she did so she took from its hiding-place the +ring she had not looked at for months, and slipped it upon her finger. + +"Yes, I will keep it and wear it, now that it means only friendship; of +course he does not wish to have it back. I am so glad he has found someone +else. He will never forget me, I am sure--I know that by my own feelings +for him; but if he had kept me to my promise I--" but she finished the +sentence in the innermost recesses of her heart. + +Dexie's reply gave Lancy a feeling of relief. He must explain to his +parents the change in his feelings, and he feared they would consider that +he had wronged Dexie Sherwood; but her letters would prove the contrary, +for did she not say: + +"Your ring is on my finger as I write, and I never wore it with more +willingness and pleasure than I do now, when it tells only of freedom and +friendship. I have had those words engraved on the inside of the ring. Will +you do the same with the token of friendship which you say you possess? I +was sorry to hear you had taken the trouble to get one made after the same +pattern, and I have a little scold all ready for you. Do not hide from your +ladylove till after your marriage the little romance 'between me and thee.' +Believe me, it will sound much better if told beforehand. I am pleased to +hear that your prospects are so bright, but you did not tell me half enough +about your pretty English lassie, or in what direction her talents lie, but +I can well believe that I am far in the shade so far as music goes. I +cannot tell you what you ask, Lancy, for my love has not been asked for in +words; but I am very happy, and if my future holds nothing brighter than my +present life, it will be well worth living, for the only shadow is the +thought of poor papa's sufferings. And now, dear Lancy, good-bye. This is +my last letter to you, but if we ever meet again I think you will find that +I am the same old Dexie." + +The letter had such a kind, honest ring to it that it quite relieved +Lancy's mind, and he wondered what Dexie would say if she knew that his +ladylove was only a passable singer, and had no talent for music at all. +Truly, he had fallen in love with his opposite. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + + +"I say, Traverse! I believe you are getting melancholy," said Mr. Fenerty, +as, seated in Guy Traverse's office, he watched Guy bend over the papers on +the desk before him, yet seeming to accomplish nothing. + +Getting no response to his repeated sallies, he added: + +"What's up! out with it! If that pile of papers is in a tangle, say the +word, and I'll bring my mighty brain to bear on them, and set them in order +for you in no time! No? Are the men going out on a strike, then? or is your +great-grandma down with the measles? Then, for Heaven's sake, why such a +doleful expression? It is enough to give one the blues to look at you!" and +he re-crossed his legs and looked searchingly at his friend. + +"That's all your nonsense, Fenerty! I'm all right! What's the news?" and +Traverse leaned back in his chair as if to resign himself to the +inevitable. + +"News! he asks for news, when I have come here expecting to find him +boiling over with anxiety to impart news to someone!" and Fenerty rolled up +his eyes in astonishment. "However, now that I have looked at you, and seen +the settled melancholy of those features, I am obliged to own that you do +not look like a man to be congratulated." + +"Why should I be congratulated, and for what? What joke are you struggling +to get rid of, Fenerty?" + +"'Pon honor, Traverse, I believe you are right! The congratulations are due +in some other quarter, yet who is he?" + +"I am as much in the dark as yourself, Fenerty. I own that I hoped to win +her myself, and I feel the disappointment--keenly." + +"Traverse, I hope you will not think me a meddling fool; but I would like +to know if it is all up with the other one--she of the letter, I mean. You +might tell a fellow that much." + +Traverse looked at him keenly. He knew that Fenerty had a good heart, with +all his bantering, and it was plain enough to all that his attentions to +Dexie Sherwood could have but one significance. Yet there must be a feeling +in the mind of Fenerty, as well as others, that in the light of that letter +he was not "off with the old love before he was on with the new." Should he +trust Fenerty with the secret of the letter, and have at least one friend +who would not think him dishonorable in the matter? + +"Fenerty, how are you at keeping secrets?" he said at last. "I never hear +you parting with any, but whether that is owing to the fact that you have +none to impart, or whether your secrets really are secrets, I am not able +to guess. I would like to tell you about that letter. What are the +prospects of it becoming public property?" + +"'Pon honor, Traverse, you are a brute! Do you think I would speak of it to +my bosom friend, if I had one? and Heaven knows I haven't! But I have often +thought of your possible death from unrequited love. You must have been in +a desperate way about the time that letter was written, hey, Traverse?" + +"Fenerty, you are a great goose, and let me prove my words. But first, +while I think of it, never offer yourself as a detective, for the +requirements needed are not included in your make-up. Well, I never wrote +that letter at all. Miss Gussie was right in thinking the letter was her +sister's, but I guessed the truth before anyone had time to catch the +horrified look that came into Miss Dexie's face as she heard her letter +read out to the crowd. I felt I owed Miss Gussie one for the hateful trick, +so claimed it as mine; and I piled on the agony pretty thick, if I remember +rightly. How does that solution of the mystery strike you, Fenerty, hey?" + +"Traverse, you are right!" and he fell over against the wall, as if the +news had been too much for him. "You are right! 'Pon honor, but that was a +bright trick of yours to claim that letter! I hope you appreciated the +sympathy I expressed for you on that trying occasion. Ha! ha! But the +fellow that wrote that letter had it pretty bad, eh, Traverse? By George! +I'll bet a hat she has given in at last. That is where the ring came from!" + +This referred to a little scene that had taken place in the T. and B. +rooms. + +Dexie had taken her place at the organ as usual, and in so doing had +displayed a ring that was new to the eyes of those standing near. Dexie +blushed painfully when attention was called to the ring by her teasing +friends; but she would acknowledge nothing when they tried to draw the +truth from her lips. When Guy Traverse joined the circle, to see what all +the fun and laughter meant, Dexie rose to her feet and slipped away, unable +to meet his eyes. But, with the knowledge he had of Dexie's affairs, he +thought there could be only one explanation of the ring's appearance; her +engagement to the lover over the sea must be a settled fact. But Guy's +frequent visits to the Sherwoods made the rest believe there was an +engagement between him and Dexie. + +Dexie's ring aroused considerable discussion among her friends, and it only +made it seem more complicated when Gussie declared to a friend that she +believed "Dexie had that ring before she left Halifax, but never wore it." + +But it was her sign of freedom, and its glitter and sparkle was like the +light of her own eyes when they rested upon it. She was afraid that her +secret, that sweet secret of her own, might be surprised from her. Not for +worlds would she have _that_ person know that her heart had awakened at +last. With that ring on her finger, who could charge her with caring for +anyone but the giver? + +Guy Traverse thought he had every reason to feel sad and gloomy. How was it +that he ever supposed she cared for him, for now she was as reserved and +cool when in his society as she had before been frank and pleasant, and, of +course, that ring was responsible for the change. + +Gussie took the opportunity of relating to Guy, as well as to others, many +an interesting story concerning Dexie and her Halifax lover, but she +neglected to add that most of her stories were creations of her own brain. +Guy felt little interest in these stories. He felt that there was +something going on that he did not understand, but he intended to ask an +explanation from Dexie at his first opportunity, feeling quite sure she +would own the truth to him. + +But the opportunity did not present itself readily, and even Mr. Sherwood +felt the change and wondered what had come between Dexie and his friend. He +tried to seek into the trouble, but could find no explanation of it. + +Mr. Sherwood was able now to be lifted to a wheeled chair or couch, and as +he could be gently wheeled from room to room, he found the change quite +agreeable. The time did not seem so long as when he was confined within +four walls. + +There were times when Dexie thought her father might be spared for years +instead of months, but when one of his attacks of pain seized him such +hopes as suddenly sank away. His mind was more free from care, since his +lawyer, Mr. Hackett, had brought his business matters to a satisfactory +state; but his visits to the house were always times of trial. Mrs. +Sherwood would listen to no explanations that would bring to her mind the +thought of her husband's decease. But someone had to stand in the gap, and, +as usual, it was Dexie; she it was to whom Mr. Hackett explained the many +papers and the various transactions to which their contents related. + +"What is the matter between you and Traverse, Dexie?" said Mr. Sherwood one +day, as Dexie sat by his side, writing at his dictation. "Never mind about +that story now; I have forgotten how I intended to end the matter. Tell me +what has happened between you two." + +"Indeed, papa, there is nothing. Mr. Traverse has probably something else +to take up his attention, and he has been away to New York, I hear, so I +daresay he is too busy to drop in as often as he used to do. Never mind +him; it is a pity not to complete this story when it is so nearly finished. +Let me read what I have written down, then perhaps you will remember what +you were going to do with this singular young lady." + +"Oh, no! Put the thing out of sight! I'm sick and tired of her already. I +miss Traverse, Dexie, and if you have had a quarrel, make it up for my +sake. He brings a world of sunshine with him when he comes." + +"We have not quarrelled, papa; that is not the reason he has not been in. +But I will tell Gussie to ask him to come in to-night; she will see him at +the T. and B. rooms." + +"Why can't you ask him yourself, Dexie? Queer that he has not been in +lately! There was never a day but he would run in for a few minutes during +some part of it; so ask him yourself to come in and see me." + +"I am not going out to-night, papa dear, but I will write him a note, if +you say so," and she drew some tiny sheets from among the scattered MS. +that filled the desk. + +"Do so, then, and tell him to come in as early as he can." + +"There, how will that do, papa?" and she passed the few lines for his +inspection. + +"Well, it couldn't be said in fewer words; that's a fact," he said, looking +at her curiously. "Look here, Dexie, out with it. What has happened to you? +Don't try to hide it; for I'm not stone-blind yet," and he pinched her pink +ear, and pulled her face around to look into it. "What has come over you +lately? Some new experience, I am quite sure. Matters are not as they used +to be. I have noticed the change in you for some time. You go whistling +through the house as happy as a bird, and your face is as bright as a new +button. Surely it cannot be because Traverse does not visit us so often? +Yet, I notice if anyone speaks to you about him, you get as 'mum' as you +please. Come, you used to tell me all your little secrets, you know. What's +up, Dexie?" + +"Dear papa, I don't know what to tell you," and she stooped and kissed his +cheek. "You may look at things differently than I do, and news which may be +pleasant to me may seem very strange to you." + +"Then there is news of some kind, after all? Well, let us have it. I want +to hear the news, good, bad or indifferent. I will try to believe it is +_good_ news, since it has such a happy effect on yourself," and he looked +up at the bright face that was bending over his chair. "Well, you know, +there was a sort of promise between Lancy and me; but I am free from it. +Our last letters have been sent and received, and by and by he is going to +take an English lassie home as his wife." + +"You don't say so, and you find it a source of rejoicing! Well, you are a +queer girl, sure enough. Gussie would say you have been jilted." + +"But I have not, because it was I who asked to be released from the +promise. If you knew what good friends Lancy and I still remain, you would +not fancy I feel jilted." + +"Well, I'm blest if I see the point yet," and he looked at Dexie keenly. + +"Please, papa, do not look for it," was the laughing reply; "for if there +be any point to this story, it is not visible to the naked eye, and I doubt +if you could discern it with a microscope itself. But, papa, I do not want +this spoken about yet--Lancy's approaching marriage, I mean. I would never +hear the last of it if Gussie got hold of it, and there is a reason why I +want everyone to suppose that everything is as it used to be." + +"Well, you can trust me, little girl; but I say again, I cannot see the +point." + +"And I hope you will not get particularly sharp-sighted all at once, +either, papa," she replied, shaking her finger at him; "so don't you go +spying into my little affairs, until I give you liberty. Dear papa, there +is nothing to tell; when there is, you shall hear it the first thing," and +she stooped again and kissed his cheek. + +"But why does not Traverse come here as usual, Dexie?" he asked. + +"Perhaps he will tell you if you ask him, papa," and hearing her mother +call, she left the room. + +During the afternoon, a little note found its way into Guy Traverse's hand; +but the smallest word from the hand that penned those lines was very dear, +and he raised it to his lips, then put it in a hidden corner of his +pocket-book. + +Guy felt that he was indeed welcome when he made his appearance in Mr. +Sherwood's room that evening, for Mr. Sherwood received him with such +expressions of pleasure that it needed but the quick, bright glance that +Dexie gave him to assure him that his presence was welcome to both. + +"You have been busy, Traverse. What is going on at your establishment these +days?" Mr. Sherwood asked, as Dexie left the room to fetch the chess-board. + +"Oh! nothing more than usual. We have a good many orders in, and I have +been away to New York on business for the firm; but I was only away a week. +Your old firm has a new manager. Quite a step up for Rushton, isn't it? I +am pleased at his promotion, for he deserved it." + +"Yes; he was not expecting it either. He called to see me, and I was well +pleased to hear he had stepped into my place. Now, Traverse, play your +best, and see if you can beat me to-night," as Dexie laid the board and +chess men in order by her father's side. + +Mr. Sherwood soon became so engrossed in his favorite pastime, that he +failed to notice that the poor play of his opponent was due to the fact +that his attention was so taken up with watching Dexie that only a part of +his thoughts were given to the game. + +"Traverse, I don't believe you are half playing," said Mr. Sherwood, as he +removed a captured knight from the board. + +"Well, you 'most always beat me, you know, Mr. Sherwood, though not often +so badly, I confess," was the smiling reply. + +"Well, don't be so easily conquered this time, Traverse, or I shall begin +to think you have something on your mind." + +Guy laughed and promised better play in the future, and as Dexie was called +from the room he redeemed his character and won the next game, and during +the few minutes' chat that followed Guy sought for information concerning +Dexie's supposed engagement. + +Mr. Sherwood did not see the drift of his remarks until Guy asked: + +"There is a rumor that Miss Dexie expects to be married shortly. You will +miss her very much if the rumor is correct." + +"Oh! rumor has it that way, has it? Well, this time Dame Rumor is just a +little astray. Strange how things do get twisted round!" + +"Are you quite sure there is no foundation for the rumor, Mr. Sherwood?" +and Guy held his chessman poised in the air while he waited the answer. + +"Oh, well, there are some facts to start from, certainly; yet I do not see +how the news could have got abroad. I feel quite sure Dexie never told +anyone about it, and the matter is not known to anyone else in the house, +except myself. She does not care to have the matter spoken of just at +present, lest it be misconstrued." + +"Then where is rumor wrong, if I may ask?" + +"Well, Traverse, I promised not to speak of it, but I do not think she will +mind if I tell you." + +Mr. Sherwood did not notice how eagerly Guy waited for the next words, for +he was studying his next move and seemed to have forgotten what he was +about to communicate. + +"If Miss Dexie does not wish the matter spoken of, you may rely on my +discretion," Guy remarked, as a reminder. + +"To be sure; well, the fact is, she has broken off the engagement, if there +was any, between herself and that young Englishman. I daresay you may have +heard us speaking of him, and he is soon to be married to a lady from his +own country; that leaves her free, contrary to Dame Rumor." + +"Is it possible! And Miss Dexie--" + +"Is as happy as a lark; do not extend your sympathy, Traverse, or you will +find it much misplaced." + +If Dexie had guessed that the very one she had hoped to keep in ignorance +was the first one to be told the facts of the case, she would never have +parted with her _news_, even to her father. + +Guy's heart bounded with hope and joy as he heard it, yet his happiness was +still overshadowed by the thought of that ring. There was something more +yet to learn. + +"I expect the rumor of her engagement is due to the fact that she wears a +beautiful ring lately, the ring and the rumor go together, I expect," and +he looked keenly into Mr. Sherwood's face, as if to read any unexpressed +thoughts on the matter. + +"Oh! she wears a new ring, does she? That's nothing, Traverse; most young +ladies are fond of jewelry, you know. There is nothing in it, depend upon +it, for if the ring had come from the other one I would have known it at +once--there! lost again, Traverse; I don't believe you are in a playing +humor to-night." + +"Is there anyone likely to come between Miss Dexie and this young +Englishman, anyone who may have sent her the ring, Mr. Sherwood? You spoke +just now as if there was." + +"Well, there _is_ one who would like to bestow his hand and fortune on her, +but she will have none of it; surely it can't be that she has changed her +mind, after all," and Mr. Sherwood laid down his chessman to consider this +new phase of the question. Could it be that the ring was from Hugh, and she +not tell of it? The game lost its interest with this new thought, and +hearing the sound of the piano through the walls, he said: + +"Suppose you wheel me into the sitting-room; I hear Dexie at the piano." + +The music suddenly ceased as the door opened, and Guy pushed Mr. Sherwood's +couch into the room. + +"It is too bad to waste that sweet music on bare walls, Miss Dexie," said +Guy smiling, "so I have brought an audience. Go on with what you were +playing; the little I heard was very beautiful, so do not let us interrupt +you. I am told that I am not a very good judge of music, but I know that +the piece you were just playing was something finer than most piano +pieces," for he had recognized it as the same piece she had played when he +had listened through the window, and it had ended in tears. + +Guy came over to the piano, and leaning his elbow on the cover, watched her +hands as they flew over the keys, and there was a puzzled look in his eyes +as he asked as she finished: + +"Is that what you were playing just before we came in, Miss Dexie?" + +"No; but do you not think it is a very pretty thing?" + +"Oh, yes, very nice; but--" + +"Well, here is a new song just out, and if you do not think it is beautiful +I will agree at once with the one who told you that you were not a good +judge of music," and her clear voice sounded through the room. + +"Yes, that is very fine, Miss Dexie. The words are almost too pathetic, or +else you make them sound that way. But let us have the first piece; there +is something peculiar in it, I fancy," and he picked up some sheet music +from the stand and began to look it over. + +"Hand it over, if you think you have found it, Mr. Traverse. I will play +anything you choose from that untidy mass," and there was an amused look in +her eyes as she watched the search. He was not likely to find what he +wanted amongst those promiscuous sheets. + +"But I do not know it when I see it, Miss Dexie," he replied. "I am sure +you know what piece it is I refer to." + +Dexie laughed at his bewildered expression; but as he looked at her, she +said in a low tone: + +"Yes, I know what you mean, Mr. Traverse, but I do not play that piece for +everybody." + +"Not for me, Miss Dexie?" + +"No." + +"What's all this about a piece of music, Dexie? I didn't come here to hear +you two quarrelling," and her father smiled over at them. "Let us have the +piece you were playing first, Dexie. It sounded fairly well, the little I +heard of it." + +"Choose something else, papa. Shall I play your favorite?" and she struck a +few chords. + +"No, not that! What is the reason you can't play the one I ask for?" + +"That piece of music is only for one pair of ears, and they are not yours, +papa, nor do they belong to Mr. Traverse. Name something else." + +Her father, looked at her in surprise, and then laughed. + +"You have raised my curiosity, Dexie. You will surely play it for me when I +ask you?" "No, papa; it is sacred to the memory of someone else." + +"But what if I command you to do so?" + +"You will not do that, papa dear, I know," and she looked over with a world +of entreaty in her eyes. + +"Well, well, has it come to this!" he said, with a soft laugh. "Did I ever +expect to hear Dexie say such a thing to me! See how badly I am used, +Traverse; she actually refuses to obey me, knowing very well I cannot +punish her for disobedience. Well, well! who would think it of Dexie?" + +"Perhaps it is one of her own compositions that she is trying to keep +hidden under a bushel, as it were," said Guy, with a sudden inspiration. + +"Oh, now you are wrong! and, to prove it, you shall be made to listen to +one of my very own pieces as a punishment," and she turned again to the +piano. + +"Dexie, is that your own?" when the last chords had died away. + +"Yes, papa, all mine, and I have a verse or two composed to suit the music; +so be careful, or I'll inflict them upon you as well." + +"Now, gentlemen," she added, "what else shall I favor you +with--instrumental music, or songs, ballads, whistling choruses, or what? I +await your orders. I have an extensive repertoire from which you may +select," and her fingers passed softly over the keys as she smilingly +waited. + +"Then it is no use to ask for that one piece, Miss Dexie?" Guy said, in a +low voice. + +"No, sir, not at all! I only play that when--well, when I am sentimentally +inclined, you know. Did I not say it was sacred to someone else?" and she +lifted a saucy face to Guy's gaze. + +Then without a moment's pause Dexie began to sing, and she soon charmed +away the frown that had gathered over Guy's face on hearing her frank +admission. He stood and watched her as she sang, feeling that she had the +power to make or mar his life. + +"Now, papa, you have heard quite enough, I am sure," she said, at last, +going over to his side. "You are looking tired." + +"There! that is just the way I am served. Directly I am beginning to enjoy +myself, my pleasures are nipped in the bud;" then changing his tone, he +added, "Yes, dear child, I do feel a little weary. If Traverse will be kind +enough to wheel me back to my room, I guess I will let Jarvis put me to +bed; I hear her rummaging about looking for me now," and he smiled as he +drew her face down and kissed it. + +"Dear papa, I wish it was in your power to escape her search." + +Mr. Sherwood understood the wish, and pressed her hand in reply. + +Mr. Traverse was soon back by Dexie's side, watching the hands that were +evoking such sweet strains, but she seemed hardly aware of his presence +until he said, in a low tone: + +"Remembering what you told me, Miss Dexie, I was not surprised to hear that +you were shortly to be married. May I know the truth from your own lips, +Miss Dexie?" + +"I do not know why the report, true or otherwise, should trouble any +person, Mr. Traverse," and she stooped to pick up some scattered music, and +hide her face at the same time. + +"It is more to me than you think, Miss Dexie. If you will admit that the +report is true, I will not trouble you with further questions; but I +understand, from what your father said, that the rumor is not correct." + +"Papa had no right to tell you anything, Mr. Traverse, but I fancy you are +not much the wiser for any information he may have given you." + +Her blushing cheeks and downcast eyes did certainly convey the impression +that her father was not aware how matters stood, so he replied: + +"No, I am not much wiser, I must admit, for I cannot make what he told me +agree with that engagement ring." + +"Do all rings have that significance? Gussie frequently wears several +without implicating any gentleman," smiling. + +"Dexie, you do not know how much this means to me, and I do not know if I +have a right to explain. When I remember how much you told me the night +that Gussie read your letter, I do not see why you should hesitate to tell +me the rest now." + +"What was it that papa told you, Mr. Traverse?" Dexie asked, in a low tone. + +"Only that you were free. Yet how can I believe that, with this ring on +your finger denying the fact, and that music has some connection with the +past, that touches your heart, or why is it sacred to one person alone. I +do not understand it, Dexie." + +"And I do not expect or desire you to understand it, Mr. Traverse," came +the hesitating reply, as Guy awaited her answer. "I could not explain about +the music, even to papa, but the ring does not tell the story you are +thinking of." + +"Well, if I may not hear the music, may I know the story of this?" and he +took the hand that wore the ring in his own. + +Dexie slipped the ring from her finger and held it towards him. "Oh! what a +great fire a little ring has kindled!" said she, smiling. + +Guy took the ring in his hand, and noticed the words engraved inside, +"Freedom and friendship," with the letters L. and D. in monogram. + +"That may mean more than the words imply, and be but a part of what the +music signifies after all. I am only too willing to believe in the motto +engraved here, but I hope the word 'friendship' is called by its right +name. Perhaps the writer of that letter has touched your heart at last, +Dexie?" he added, looking intently into her blushing face. + +"No! oh, no! The ring did not come from him, Mr. Traverse." + +"My thoughts have not been pleasant to me since my eyes rested upon this, +and heard the rumor connected with it. Dexie, be honest with me and tell me +what it means." + +Dexie slipped the ring back on her finger, and shook her head. + +"It has been discussed enough, Mr. Traverse, please say no more about it," +she said, shrinking away from the eager, searching looks that made every +moment more embarrassing to her. + +"Just a moment, Dexie! Your father said that you asked Mr. Gurney to +release you from any promise between you. When speaking of him that +evening, you told me that you never had met anyone that you liked better. +Tell me, Dexie, have you met anyone _since_ then, that you asked to be +free?" and he bent nearer and looked intently into her face. + +Why had he put such a question to her? If she said "No," it would imply +that she still cared for one that was betrothed to another; but she could +not say "Yes," for that might betray her secret. + +Guy's face was very near her own, as she answered with a beating heart: + +"You have no right to put such a question to me, Mr. Traverse, and please +to remember that I am 'Dexie' to no man but papa," and there was a touch of +anger in her tone, to which, however, Guy gave no heed. + +"Excuse me, Miss Dexie, if I have offended you," and a bright smile lit up +his face. "I _had_ no right to ask that question, but I shall endeavor to +find it out all the same," a glow of satisfaction filling his heart. + +Gussie entered at this moment and Dexie escaped to her room, but Guy did +not think his case quite hopeless as he walked home, thinking it over. + +"I believe she does care for me; but shall I ever be able to make her +confess it? She must know how I love her. However, I feel free to go to the +house as usual, and I may not, after all, repeat the moth-and-candle story, +as I feared." + +But try as he would, he could not break through the reserve that now +surrounded Dexie like a mantle. She welcomed him with the fewest possible +words when he called on Mr. Sherwood, and she seemed so cool and stiff that +he felt chilled to the heart. It was seldom, indeed, that she addressed a +remark to him during an evening. Yet there were times when, suddenly +turning his eyes in her direction, he would find her looking at him so +intently that his heart would throb with hope and gladness, only to be +chilled again at the first word that fell from her lips. For weeks this +battle with hope and fear went on, and their friendly intercourse seemed to +have come to an end. Her visits to the T. and B. rooms were fewer than +ever, and the hour for choir practice was so often changed that he found it +almost impossible to see her a moment alone. His visits to the house gave +him little pleasure. Mr. Sherwood always brightened up when he arrived, and +but for the pleasure these visits gave to the sick man Guy would have +hesitated about making them at all. + +One evening as he entered the parlor he found the family assembled and busy +over various trifles: Gussie, with a basket of colored wools, was picking +out some needed shade; Mrs. Sherwood was by the fire with some fleecy +knitting work in her hands, while Flossie sat at her feet intent on fitting +a brilliant dress on her newest doll. + +Traverse stood in the doorway looking at the family group for some moments +until Dexie, who was reading the evening paper to her father, lifted her +eyes and acknowledged his presence with a bow. She perused the paper +silently, while her father and Mr. Traverse entered into a discussion +concerning certain charges made in it against one of the public officers of +the State, and at her father's request Dexie read again the article that +had called forth the discussion. + +When she had finished she lifted her eyes, and a wave of color spread to +her very brow as she met Guy's earnest gaze. If there was more animation in +the remarks that followed, Mr. Sherwood did not guess the cause of the +change. + +Wishing for a certain volume that had reference to the matter, Dexie rose +to get it from the bookcase, but not finding it readily Traverse came over +to assist her. The search went on in silence for some time, when Guy said +in a low tone: + +"Is there any quarrel between us, Miss Dexie, that we so seldom speak to +each other?" + +"Not that I know of, Mr. Traverse," Dexie replied, dropping her eyes to the +lowest shelf. + +"Then, why are you so silent when I am near? We used to be good friends, +but now you cut me to the heart by your cold looks and cruel speeches. What +has come between us?" + +"Nothing that I know of, Mr. Traverse, and if my words and looks do not +please you there is a way to keep out of the reach of both." + +"You are an enigma hard to solve, Miss Dexie," was the smiling reply; "but +I intend to find the solution, and until then you will not find it easy to +drive me away." + +"As you please," and catching sight of the book she was looking for, she +turned hastily from him and seated herself by her father's side. + +Guy felt in little humor to continue the discussion. He felt that Dexie's +manner was but a cloak to hide her true feelings from him, and finding it +impossible to draw her into further conversation he rose to leave the room. + +"May I speak to you a few moments in the hall?" he quietly asked, as he +bent over her chair. + +But Dexie shrank from such an interview, and replied: + +"Please excuse me; papa needs me just now." + +"No, I don't," came the unexpected reply from her father, who had heard the +request as well as the refusal. + +Dexie rose slowly to her feet, a look of indecision on her face. + +"Go at once," said her father; "Mr. Traverse is waiting for you, Dexie," +then she followed him out of the room. + +Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment as she waited in silence for Mr. +Traverse to speak, and her heart beat wildly as he regarded her with +earnest eyes. + +"Dexie, tell me honestly, do you wish me to cease visiting here?" + +"No, Mr. Traverse;" then after a pause, "papa would miss you." + +"But I do not come here on purpose to see your father; you know that very +well, Dexie," and the tender, reproachful tone made Dexie droop her head +still lower. + +"Have I offended you, Dexie, that you are so cool and distant with me?" + +"No, you have not." + +"Then is it because you dislike me that you will not speak a word to me? Is +that why you are so silent, Dexie?" + +No answer came from Dexie's lips, but she shook her head in reply. "What +is it, Dexie that has come between us--there is something, is there not?" + +"Did you ask me here on purpose to catechise me?" recovering her voice at +last. "Then I wish you 'good evening,'" and she turned to leave him. + +But Guy stepped quickly before her and seized the hand that reached for the +door. + +"Do not dismiss me so curtly, Dexie, but shake hands when you bid me +'good-bye' to-night." + +Dexie laid her hand in his, and he held it close, while for one brief +moment her eyes were raised to his, then as quickly averted; but that was +all Guy needed--the secret was his at last. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + + +The next afternoon, while "the twins" were out with their mother on a +shopping expedition, Mr. Traverse called at the house, and tapped lightly +at the door of Mr. Sherwood's room. + +"Ah! Traverse, is that you? Glad to see you," said Mr. Sherwood. "I was +just wishing that someone would come in. The girls are out, and Jarvis is +outside rattling among the dishes, and there is not a soul to speak to. +Take a seat and be comfortable; the girls will soon be home, I expect." + +"I did not come to see the girls this time, Mr. Sherwood," said Guy, +smiling. "I knew they were out, met them in a store down town, so came upon +purpose to catch you alone." + +"Well, that is good of you, Traverse; it is intolerably slow to be cooped +up here all day, not sick enough to stay in bed, and not well enough to be +moved about. Any news?" + +"I have not read the day's papers yet," and he pulled them out of his +pocket, and tossed them on a table near. "You can look up the news yourself +by and by. I have come to have a talk with you this afternoon, Mr. +Sherwood, and to ask a favor. I hope you are sufficiently acquainted with +me by this time to grant me this favor, without taking much time to +consider the matter. I presume you have guessed that my frequent visits +here are due to something more than the friendship I feel for yourself," +and he smiled down at Mr. Sherwood, adding: "I have come to ask for the +hand of your daughter." + +"Oh! that is what you are after, is it?" and Mr. Sherwood leaned back in +his couch and smiled. "I had not given the matter a thought, though I might +have known there were other attractions than a sick man in the house. Well, +Traverse, I am pleased to hear your request, for I have always had a +personal liking for you, and I do not wonder that you have reached my +daughter's susceptible heart. My life is not going to last much longer; the +doctor may bolster me up for a little while, but the end is coming fast. I +feel my strength going daily, and I shall feel relieved to see her settled +in a home of her own before I am gone. Gussie is young and inexperienced, +but you will make her a good, kind husband, I feel sure." + +"Oh! but you mistake me, Mr. Sherwood," said Guy, speaking quickly; "it is +not Miss Gussie I am asking for. I admire her beauty and respect her +highly, but it is Miss Dexie I want for a wife." + +"Dexie! Man alive! what nonsense is this! You don't mean to tell me that it +is Dexie you have been making love to all this time?" said he, in surprise. + +"Well, I haven't made much love to her yet, I must confess," he replied, +laughing at Mr. Sherwood's astonished face; "but that is because she won't +let me. She will not give me the chance! indeed, I can hardly get a word +from her at all lately. Does it look to you as if I should be asking for +Miss Gussie, Mr. Sherwood? Believe me, I have never said a word to her more +than has been said in your presence, that would lead to the inference that +I had serious intentions in regard to her. I hope you will not refuse to +give me the one I want." + +"Well, well, I don't know what to say, Traverse; it is so sudden. I never +thought of you in connection with Dexie, and upon my word, Traverse, she +doesn't appear to be very much in love with you either, if I am any +judge!" and Mr. Sherwood looked up at Traverse, who was standing by his +couch, his hands clasped behind his back in a waiting attitude. "Now, with +Gussie it would be an easy matter." + +"Mr. Sherwood, I am happy to know that you are not indifferent to me, apart +from the fact that I aspire to be your son-in-law. I am sure you will +understand that I mean no offence when I say that while I admire Miss +Gussie I should not care to make her my wife; Miss Dexie is different." + +"Well, it strikes me, Traverse, that the difference is not in your favor," +and Mr. Sherwood smiled as he watched Guy's restless movements, for he was +now walking up and down the room. + +"Love-making must be done in a different way than when I was a young man, I +fancy." + +"Give your consent to the wooing, Mr. Sherwood, and I'll do the winning. I +will frankly admit that at present she appears to dislike me heartily, but +I have grounds to hope that there will be a change very soon. The signs may +not be visible to others, but I am not in despair, by any means," and he +stopped by the couch and smiled down at Mr. Sherwood's face. + +"Well, Traverse, though I ought not to say it, she will make you the better +wife of the two. You are not blind, and if a daughter is loving, unselfish +and sympathetic to her old father, she will make a good wife. Success to +your wooing, though it looks to me as if it might be a tough job. If you +win her, you shall have my blessing with her; but do not take her away from +me, Traverse. You will not have long to wait, and I should miss her sadly." + +"Well, there seems to be no sign of a speedy marriage at present," was the +smiling reply, as he took a seat by the window, "but I hope your life will +be spared for a long while yet. Do not say anything about my calling here +this afternoon. Dexie does not seem in the humor to hear a proposal yet; +but I am going to take advantage of the first chance, so you may expect +news at any time." + +"Well, Traverse, I shall watch the progress you make, _sub rosa_. It will +add quite an interest to the monotonous life I spend here on my back." + +"You may not have long to wait, for I am going to press the matter at the +earliest opportunity, even though I may get a positive refusal for my +answer," was the laughing reply. "I have bought the ring, so you see I have +some hope." + +"Well, upon my word, Traverse! that is taking time by the forelock, sure +enough. I must be even blinder than I thought, if there are enough signs +for you to go that far already. She wears a ring now that has given rise to +much gossip, but I cannot get at the truth of the matter. She will not tell +me her secrets as she used to do; so take care, Traverse, the giver of that +ring may be in your way, after all." + +"I'll risk it, Mr. Sherwood," he said, smiling. "But the young ladies have +just turned the corner; I shall have to escape by the side-door. Good +afternoon, Mr. Sherwood, you have made me very happy," and after a cordial +hand-clasp Guy left the house. + +"Strange that I never mistrusted that it was Dexie he was after all this +time," thought Mr. Sherwood. "Yet I might have guessed, if I had given it a +thought, for he never asks after Gussie when he calls, and it is always +Dexie he brings home when the girls are out--when she will let him," and he +laughed softly, as he remembered the playful account that Traverse had +given him of the trouble he had in keeping Dexie in sight, and how she had +escaped him sometimes by changing hats with one of her friends at the last +moment, and so bewildering him by her changed appearance that it was hard +to catch her until she was almost home. + +"I must find out if she has anything against him; perhaps I can speed the +wooing. She will need a protector soon, brave, independent little woman +though she is." + +The entrance of his daughters at this moment put an end to his thoughts, +and led him to notice once more the difference between the twins. Gussie +rushed to her rooms at once to view the purchases afresh, but Dexie quietly +slipped to his chair to see if he was asleep. + +"Have we been very long, papa? I hope you have not been lonesome or wanted +anything. They kept us so long looking at the things in the store that I +was getting anxious, fearing Jarvis would be too busy to see after you," +and she smoothed back his hair and stooped to kiss his forehead. "What +shall I do for you before I go to change my dress?" + +"Nothing at all." But noticing that Dexie was regarding the daily papers on +the table, added, "Oh, yes! just hand me those papers; I was wishing I +could reach them. There, that is all! be off! be off with you and change +your gown, if you want to!" playfully shoving her at arm's-length, for he +was afraid she was going to ask who had left the papers there. + +"They were to-day's papers," she said to herself, as she went to her room. +"Who could have left them? Surely _he_ was not here, for we met him down +street. Papa would have mentioned it at once if he had called, yet those +papers were left here by someone since we went out." + +Thus reasoning to herself, Dexie put on her house-dress, intending to +return to her father's room and ask who had called during the afternoon, +but second thoughts prevented her, and she turned to the kitchen to see +what had been provided for her father's supper, or to prepare, if need be, +some little extra dainty to tempt his failing appetite. + +Mr. Sherwood unfolded the papers Dexie had laid before him, but they failed +to claim his attention; the events of the afternoon still had possession of +his thoughts. + +"Traverse has told on himself by leaving these here, but perhaps she did +not notice the date, and there are always papers lying around the room. I +will not let her question me about them." + +But Dexie acted as if the matter had passed from her mind. She was as gay +as a lark, giving him bits of news she had heard while she was out, telling +him of the things she had seen during her walk that she thought might +interest him, even trifles which seemed hardly worth speaking about; but +when one is confined indoors, the veriest trifle of outside life is +welcome, so Gussie need not have curled her lip so scornfully when Dexie +was relating the sights of the afternoon. + +"Just think, papa," Dexie added, taking no heed to these silent objections +so plainly visible, "they have put new steps before the door of your old +office, and a new 'No admittance' card is tacked on the inside door, and +the place is being all spruced up. The painters have got to work at the old +Baptist church; it is to be repaired inside and out--quite time, too, for +it looks as if it had been exposed to the weather ever since the Flood! +Mitchell's tailor shop has two new figures in the window, and, judging by +the styles displayed, the latest style of coat is much cut away and would +suit you exactly. But if you want to dress in the very latest style, you +must also have a gorgeous plaid necktie. Shall I buy you one, papa?" + +"Why, Dexie; how silly you talk," said her mother severely. "What does your +father need with new neck-ties while he is lying there on his back?" + +The tears sprang to Dexie's eyes at once. Why could not her mother let him +believe for one half-minute that he was _not_ "lying there on his back" +with no need of fashionable attire? It made Dexie's heart ache to see the +changed expression come over her father's face at the thoughtless words, +and she turned from the room to hide her tears. + +But Dexie had many little devices to amuse her father, who was quick to +catch the passing moods of those around him. One little diversion in +particular always brought a spice of frolic with it, while it caused Mrs. +Sherwood to frown in displeasure. Dexie would set her father's table before +him, but bring in his food covered over, and he must guess at the contents +of the dishes by sundry whiffs which she would allow him from the corner of +the raised napkin, and his many absurd guesses, in response to her efforts, +often caused much merriment between them. He always found some little +surprise on the table, if nothing more than a new cup to drink his tea +from, or a pretty device on the little pat of butter; there was sure to be +something to make remarks about. But this "foolishness," as Mrs. Sherwood +called it, was kept up, and the harmless sport did much to induce the sick +man to eat, and thus kept up his strength. Dexie was glad to find that her +mother had left the room when she returned with a covered tray. Setting it +on one side, she raised her father and settled his pillows, placed the +invalid's table across the couch, set the tray thereon, then whipped off +the napkin that covered the dishes. + +"Now, papa, what do you think of that for a cup and saucer?" + +"Is that a cup and saucer, Dexie? Well, you might call it anything else and +not be far astray, I fancy. I'll have to ask, like the little nigger in +'Dred,' 'Which be de handle, and which am de spout?'" and he looked at the +cup with interest. + +"Why, that is the beauty of it. You can't make a mistake! If you take it +this way, why, _this_ is the handle and _that_ the spout. If you prefer it +end for end, why--there, you have it! I saw it down in the store, and +thought it would be just the thing to drink out of. Try and see how nice it +is. Not a drop spills out, you see, even when you are lying down. When you +get tired of it as a cup, then I'll call it a fancy vase, and set it on the +mantel for flowers. Handy thing, isn't it? useful or ornamental, just as +you like." + +Her father set the cup on the table and laughed pleasantly. + +"Now, papa," she added, "you will need your Yankee guessing cap to-night, +for I have something very nice. What is it?" holding up a dish. + +"Well, sure enough, what can it be? It smells like chicken, but there is +also a suggestion of oysters. There!--I give it up, Dexie." + +"That's right, for I do not know the name of it myself. I saw how to +prepare it in a book, but the name is beyond me. There is no English word +to express how nice this tastes, so you must eat in French to-night, papa," +sitting beside him to assist. "The little book tells how to prepare some +lovely little stews and dishes, and I am going to make some of them for +you. But don't be alarmed, papa! I'll try all the new inventions on myself +first--to see if they are safe, you know! But, between you and me, papa, +the author of the little cook book is a fraud! Some of the dishes are +quite plebeian. He goes on to say how to prepare some toast, so-and-so, +some milk and butter, or cream, so-and-so, put this and that in it, then +you dish it up and call it--oh! I can't say _what_ he calls it; but, if you +will believe me, it is just 'cream toast,' and nothing else, disguised +under a high-sounding name to deceive innocent people, and make them +believe they are eating something very high-toned. Just a little more tea, +papa. But I am up to their tricks and I'll not palm off any old-fashioned +dishes on you, under a Frenchified name," and she chatted on, helping him +and preparing what was before him, till she had beguiled him into making +quite a hearty meal. + +That evening Mr. Traverse made his appearance as usual, bringing with him a +pretty basket of fruit, and his inquiries after Mr. Sherwood's health were +made so earnestly that Dexie felt sure he could not have been in during the +afternoon; someone else must have left the papers. + +As may be supposed, Traverse was in excellent humor. He seemed bubbling +over with good-natured fun, and even Dexie thawed out sufficiently to +answer his repartees less caustically than usual. + +"Something very pleasant must have happened to you to-day," said Gussie, +looking at him archly, "or else you have been studying a joke-book for our +amusement." + +"Well, I have good reason to be jolly to-night," he replied, changing his +seat so as to watch Dexie's face. "I am going to be married! That fact +alone ought to make any reasonable man happy, don't you think?" + +This announcement was so unexpected by everyone, that even Mr. Sherwood +looked up in surprise, and wondered "what next," and Dexie's eyes flashed +in indignation as she said to herself: + +"Then he was only trying to get up a flirtation with me, after all, and his +tender looks and gallant speeches were only intended to draw me out! How +glad I am I never gave him the smallest encouragement! What should I have +done if he had guessed my secret? Yet he looked so true--who would believe +he was so deceitful? Oh, dear!" + +She bent her head lower over her work, and said not a word. No one should +ever know how her heart ached at that announcement. + +Gussie had always feared that if ever Guy Traverse gave up his "city girl" +he would turn to Dexie for consolation, and she was glad to hear this +announcement. Dexie was not going to get him, after all. She hoped Dexie +would feel disappointed, but she smiled sweetly as she said: + +"Ah! you sly thing! How you have deceived us? How long have you been +engaged, and when is the event to come off? Do tell us about it." + +"Well, I only received her father's permission to-day--something I was +afraid I would never get, so the time has not been set." + +"Come, Dexie!" looking up to see how her sister took the news, "you have +not congratulated Mr. Traverse yet on his approaching marriage." + +"I have not heard your congratulations, either, Gussie; but I believe Mr. +Traverse will not doubt the sincerity of mine as I fear he may yours." + +The retort struck home, as Dexie intended it should; she felt hurt, and was +glad of the chance to say something sharp to relieve her feelings. + +"Well, it is to be hoped that the future Mrs. Traverse is a little milder +in her manner than you are; he has endured a good deal from your sharp +tongue lately, and needs a change. Mr. Traverse seems to be waiting for +your congratulations, Dexie," she added, as she noticed how intently Guy +was regarding her. + +"I hope it is not needful for me to assure Mr. Traverse how glad I am to +hear of his approaching marriage," came the cool, stiff words from Dexie's +lips. "I hope that hereafter he will see fit to bestow his obnoxious +attentions exclusively on the lady of his choice." + +"Why, Dexie," said her mother in surprise, "you are forgetting yourself." + +"I stand adjudged!" and Guy smiled serenely, as he exchanged looks with Mr. +Sherwood. "But I regret to say that the lady in question has not cared to +monopolize my attentions so exclusively as I could wish, and they have +overflowed, as it were, upon others occasionally. I beg to hope, Miss +Dexie, that in the future you will have no cause to consider my attentions +obnoxious." + +"Well, give _me_ your attention just now, Mr. Traverse," said Gussie, +lifting up a skein of silk for him to hold, and beginning to wind it off. +"Does the future Mrs. Traverse indulge in this work?" + +"Well, now, I really don't know, Miss Gussie; but if the knowledge of it is +important I am sure she can do it, though I may never have seen her at it." + +Dexie was suffering agonies of mind. Who could it be that had won his +heart? It must be someone he had known before coming to Lennoxville, and +his visits away from town were not always on business matters. She sat +listening to every word with a beating heart, but those who were watching +her closely could read no word from that quiet, immovable face. + +"Do tell us something about this city girl of yours," Gussie said, +teasingly. "We have been so intimate that it is only fair to tell us +something about her. Is she tall or short, a blonde or brunette, and what +kind of work is she usually at when you go to see her? or is she a society +lady with nothing to do but dress up and look pretty? Perhaps she paints; +that is fashionable now." + +"Paints! No, never! 'Her cheeks are like the rose, that in the garden +blooms,' and so on, but for all that, I am sure she does not paint!" + +"Paint pictures, I mean! You know I did! Of course, I never meant her face! +But what sort of work is she fond of? What are her talents? I am sure you +must know that!" + +"Well, now, I really don't believe I ever asked her what she likes to do +best, and she is so unselfish that it would not be fair to judge her by +what she is actually doing when I happen to see her, for I am sure that +some of her self-imposed tasks are far from pleasant to her. I have heard +her called her mother's right hand. I suppose you know what that means, +Miss Gussie?" + +Dexie raised her eyes for one moment, but dropped them when she saw +Traverse looking at her intently. She was glad it was not a fashionable +belle he had chosen for his wife, for she knew what a position she must +hold if she was "her mother's right hand." That term told a long story to +one initiated into its duties. + +"But I am not going to let you off with such a general answer, Mr. +Traverse," was Gussie's persistent reply, "so tell me at least _one_ thing +that you have seen her engaged in when you called upon her." + +"Well, really, Miss Gussie, you fairly puzzle me, for I can't think of the +name of the work which I see her at most frequently," and he looked up as +if reflecting on the matter; then glancing over to Dexie, who sat by the +side table with a mending basket near, he added, "Oh! now I remember it. It +is 'family mending,' I believe you call it. You just put me in mind of it, +Miss Dexie," as Dexie raised an astonished pair of eyes to his face. + +A sudden thought struck her, though she instantly refuted the idea, and +despised herself for entertaining it for a fraction of a moment; but Guy +had witnessed the flush that spread over her face as he uttered the words. + +"Oh! how poetic!" and Gussie laughed heartily. "She must be, like Dexie, +also, the housekeeper of the family, or at least the eldest daughter in +it." + +"Why, I thought you were twins, Miss Gussie," said Mr. Traverse, in +surprise. + +"Well, so we are as to age, but Dexie is years older than I am in other +things. She has left the vanities and other worldly things behind her years +ago." + +"I wish you could see the fine affair that Dexie works at when she sits up +with me at night. Where is it, Dexie? Bring it out and let us all have a +look at it," said Mr. Sherwood, who had listened in silence to the +discussion, and did not wish Traverse to think that Dexie was ignorant of +this particularly feminine employment. + +"Oh! never mind it just now, papa; I would rather not show it," she +replied. But seeing that she had somehow disappointed him, she added, with +a smile, "Wait till it is done, papa. It is not easy to judge the looks of +an unfinished piece of work. Perhaps I will be able to finish it in time to +make it a wedding present to Mr. Traverse." Traverse looked at her with +such a happy smile on his face that she made some excuse to turn her chair +about, and her fingers trembled so she could scarcely guide the needle. + +"What is the matter with me, I wonder?" she thought. "Surely I am not so +foolish as to be disturbed by his looks, after what he has just told us! +Surely I am not so weak and foolish as that!" + +Although the day had been a pleasant one to Mr. Sherwood, it had also been +a trying one, and he began to feel the effects of it. He was getting uneasy +and restless, and Dexie soon observed it. + +"You are tired, papa. Shall I wheel you to your room?" + +"Yes, I think you had better, and call Jarvis at once," and he leaned back +white and weak against his pillows. + +Guy was on his feet in a moment, and rolled the chair into the next room +with a steady, firm hand; while Dexie hurried past him to summon Jarvis, +and to get the hot applications which were always kept in readiness for +these sudden attacks. + +"I fear you are worse than usual to-night. Has my extra visit to-day been +more than you were able to bear?" Guy asked, as, with the gentleness of a +woman, he lifted him across into his bed. + +"No, it is not that; I have been up too long, I guess, and my strength is +daily growing less. I ought not to be moved out of bed, perhaps, but it is +torment enough to be bolstered up in a chair without staying in bed all +day," he added savagely, as the pain began to grow fierce. "Oh! this is +awful!" + +Guy seemed helpless as he stood on one side to let Jarvis approach the bed. + +Dexie came in at that moment with several hot cushions, and with their help +they soon had the sufferer more at ease; but for the few minutes the sight +of his agony was terrible to witness. + +"Don't go, Traverse; sit down for awhile; I shall soon be better," he said, +as soon as he could speak. "There is more medicine in those hot bags than +in all the doctor's bottles--they ease the pain faster than anything else," +he presently added. + +"How is the pain now, papa?" and Dexie bent over him with anxious face. + +"Better, dear; much better, but it was fearful cutting for awhile. Did I +frighten you, dear? You must not mind it so. Jarvis might see to me alone, +if you would let her." + +"Oh! I must help you if I can. I could not bear it if I could not do +something to relieve you, dear papa," she whispered, as she bathed his +flushed face. + +Presently Mrs. Sherwood came in to see if her husband was better, and to +ask if there could be anything further done for his relief. + +"Nothing more, my dear; do not worry about me. You had better go and rest. +Dexie will bring me something hot to drink presently, and that is all I +shall want." + +"Then I will leave you now with Jarvis, and see about it, papa," and Dexie +left the room without saying a word to Mr. Traverse, who had taken a chair +and seated himself at the other side of the bed. She was too much taken up +with her father's sufferings to remember that her own heart had cause for +grief. + +She was some time away from the room, and naturally expected that Mr. +Traverse had left the house, as Mrs. Jarvis said nothing about his still +being in the room when she came out to speak to her. + +"It is my turn to sit up the first part of the night, Mrs. Jarvis," said +Dexie, "so you had better go at once to bed. I will call you if he should +be worse, so do not sleep with one eye open. I will be sure to let you know +if you are needed." + +"Well, Traverse, you astonished me to-night," said Mr. Sherwood, as soon as +they were alone in the room; "that was a strange way of beginning your +wooing," and there was a smile on his white face as he looked into the +manly one before him. + +"Yes, I astonished them all," and he laughed softly. "It was quite amusing +to see the effect of the announcement on the whole of you. I thought you +were going to jump out of your chair; Miss Gussie was evidently surprised, +but was not very much put out at the news; and Dexie--well, she hardly +expected it, but she seemed pleased to hear she was likely to get rid of +me," and he laughed again. + +Just then Dexie came into the room carrying a little alcohol lamp with +attachments for keeping hot her father's beef tea, and she stopped abruptly +as she saw Traverse, saying almost rudely: + +"You here! why I thought you had gone long ago!" + +"Come! never mind looking at Traverse; I want my tea. I hope it is strong +and hot." + +Dexie colored slightly as she poured it out and helped him to raise his +head as he drank it, knowing how a pair of eyes were watching her. + +"Shall I shake your pillows while you are up, papa?" + +"No; they are quite comfortable. Perhaps you don't care to believe that +Traverse is almost as handy a nurse as yourself; but there! he can never be +quite so good as my own little girl," and he drew her down to his side. + +"You look pale yet, papa. Are you sure the pain is gone? There are more hot +cushions outside if you would like them. I wish I could bear the pain for +you," she said, in a low tone. + +"You cannot do that, little woman, but you can do something else that would +make me feel better. Be a little less rude to Traverse here; he is my best +friend, and there is no need to snap his head off every time you speak to +him. I can't think what ails you lately, Dexie; you never used to be so +quarrelsome." + +Dexie flushed painfully and softly replied: + +"As _your_ friend, papa, I will try and give him less cause for complaint +in the future--if I can help it," she added, without lifting her eyes. + +"Well, it is something to have you promise that much itself, but he has not +been complaining, Dexie. I am the one who is finding fault, so don't begin +to scold him for that. Now, I am going to try and sleep, so go out of the +room, the both of you, and don't come disturbing me. I will pull the bell +if I want anything," and being thus dismissed, Dexie found herself alone +with Guy in the sitting-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + + +The house was silent and still. All had retired, and Dexie moved gently +about, placing the room in order, wishing that Traverse would make some +move to leave the house; but he seemed in no hurry to depart, as he stood +with his elbow on the low mantel, watching her. + +At last Dexie broke the silence by asking anxiously: + +"Do you think papa is any worse than usual to-night, Mr. Traverse?" + +"Well, I hope not, Miss Dexie. Does he take those bad turns very often?" +and his eyes were full of pity as he spoke. + +"Not often at this hour; the turn of the night is always his worst time. +Oh! I hope it will not be severe to-night. He seems so much weaker than +usual that I--I'm afraid for him," she said brokenly. + +"Let me stay with you to-night, Dexie; I cannot go away and leave you with +such a dread on your heart," and he came near to her side. "I can help you +if he is worse," he added, gently, "so let me share your watch to-night; +indeed I will not leave you like this," for his tender, sympathetic words +brought the tears, and she hid her face in her handkerchief. + +Presently she grew calmer, but her voice was very low as she answered: + +"You are very kind, Mr. Traverse, but I shall not need your help. I can +call Mrs. Jarvis if he should be worse. I thank you for your kind offer, +but your assistance will not be necessary." + +"That is not kind of you, Dexie," said Guy reproachfully. "Your father said +I was his best friend, and you ought not to send me away when I might be of +service to him; so let me stay, Dexie." + +"Well, I suppose it looks rude to refuse your help; but I am sure mamma and +Gussie would think it improper, if I allowed you to remain," she answered, +with downcast eyes. + +"Is that the reason you do not wish me to stay with you?" and he smiled +down at the bowed head. "Do you think conventionality should be considered +when your father's comfort is in question?" he asked. "You know your father +has often asked me to sit with him when he was restless and could not +sleep, but you did not seem willing," he added, seeing she had no reply, +"and I have been anxious to please you in all things, Dexie." + +"There was no need to consult me about it," she replied, feeling vexed at +the tone that implied so much more than he had a right to express under the +circumstances, and taking her work-basket to the far side of the table she +sat down to work. + +"Must I go or may I stay, Dexie? at least till the time of your father's +usual attack? Be kind this once and say I may stay." + +"As you please. There is a new book of poems, and a late New York paper," +said she presently, feeling that she must say something. "They will help to +pass away the time." + +But Guy Traverse had no intention of passing his time over reading-matter, +something of a more personal nature was in hand. Dexie was determined she +would not be the first to break the silence, and the ticking of the clock +was the only sound heard for some time. + +"And so my attentions are obnoxious, Miss Dexie? I was grieved to hear +that, when I wished them to be the opposite." + +The words, low and tender, brought painful heart-throbs to Dexie's bosom, +but she hastily answered: + +"You said they should not be so in the future; so please say no more on the +subject," and glad to escape from his earnest gaze, she rose and looked +into her father's room. + +Finding him quietly sleeping, she soon returned, and folding up her +finished work, laid aside the basket, then brought from a drawer a frame +containing the delicate piece of needlework her father referred to, and +began to pass the needle back and forth. Presently Guy came over to her +side, and stood looking down at the work in her hands; then said with a +smile: + +"Is this the fine wedding present you are going to give me, Dexie?" + +"I was not in earnest when I spoke, but I will not go back from my word, if +you think it will be acceptable," was the low reply. + +"If that is the only thing you will give me for a wedding present, I think +I won't accept it;" then bending over her, said tenderly, "My darling! I +want you to give me yourself!" + +Dexie was on her feet in a moment, her embroidery forgotten. + +"Mr. Traverse! do you wish to insult me? How little you must respect me, to +speak to me like that!" + +"My little girl, why will you misunderstand me? Don't you know that I love +you with my whole heart--will you not let me tell you?" as she shrank away +from him. + +"Those are strange words to say to me, Mr. Traverse, after telling us about +your approaching marriage; and papa thinks you are a gentleman." + +"And you do not!" smiling at her indignant look. "Dearest, you must let me +explain," and he came nearer. + +"No! I will hear no explanation! there can be none after what you have +said! Is it honorable to say such things to me while you are looking +forward to marriage with another?" and her eyes flashed angrily. + +"Dexie, you are mistaken. Surely you do not think me such a villain!" + +"What else do your words imply?" + +"That I am looking forward to my marriage with you, dearest; that was what +I meant to-night," taking a step nearer, and looking at her tenderly. + +"Do gentlemen usually announce their approaching marriage before saying a +word to the lady in question? I am not so easily deceived as you think, Mr. +Traverse." + +"But, Dexie, you would not let me say the word, though I have sought an +opportunity for weeks past. Dearest, I have loved you since I first knew +you, even during the time I thought you were promised to another. I hid it +then in my own breast; but lately, since I heard you were free, you have +given me no chance to tell you of my love. Sometimes I have felt that you +knew it, Dexie, and that you were not indifferent. To-day I asked your +father's permission to win you, and he gave his consent." + +"So I was bargained for and sold like a horse!" and her eyes flashed +indignantly, "and I have nothing to say in the matter whatever! How much +was I considered worth?" Then overcome by her feelings she sank down on the +sofa, and hiding her face in the cushion burst into tears. + +Guy was kneeling beside her in a moment, and with one arm thrown around her +said tenderly, + +"Dexie, you know better. You know your father loves you and would keep you +beside him always if he could. But he knows that I love you dearly, and he +would give me your hand if you gave me your heart. Do not try to hide it +from me any longer, love. Do you not love me already?" and he bent his head +beside her own. "Lift up your face and tell me, dearest." + +But Dexie could not raise her eyes; she was afraid to believe the sweet +words she heard. Did he really love her, after all! + +"Think how long I have loved you, Dexie," he added, tenderly, "and yet you +have never given me one word to encourage me, but have been so cruel--so +cruel! Dexie, have you nothing to say to me after all this waiting?" and he +lifted her head to his arm, saying softly, "If I wounded you to-night by my +abrupt announcement, it was unintentionally. I thought you would guess my +meaning; but you would not even look at me. You will believe me, Dexie, for +I did not mean to vex you," he pleaded earnestly. + +Still no answer; but Guy seemed to know intuitively what was in her +thoughts, and she no longer shrank from him when he stroked her soft hair +and drew her closer to his breast. + +"Uncover your face and look at me, dearest. Did you not know that I cared +for you? Tell me, Dexie." + +"I did think so sometimes," was the low reply. + +"Then what was the reason you were so cool with me?" smiling down into her +blushing face. "Tell me, or I shall believe I know the reason already." + +"If you know, why do you ask?" was the shy reply. + +"Because I would like to hear you say it yourself. Confess it, now, or must +I say it myself?" + +She endeavored to release herself from his encircling arm, but he held her +close as he whispered: + +"You love me already. You know you do; so own it now." + +A pair of eyes, glorious with the love-light that shone in them, were +raised to his, and as he read his answer in their depths, the happy lover +whispered, + +"Kiss me, Dexie." + +A blushing face was lifted to his, and an arm was raised till it encircled +his neck, as Dexie gave her first kiss of love to the man who had won her +heart. + +"How could you be so cool and short with me when you loved me all the +time?" he asked, as he held her in his arms. + +"I was not quite sure you cared for me," was the low reply. "But I am +forgetting papa. I must go and see if he is all right, Guy." + +It was the first time she had used his name, and he smiled fondly into the +dark eyes raised so shyly to meet his own. + +"I do not want to let you go from my arms for a minute, darling. I have +been longing for this hour for so long that I am afraid I shall find it all +a dream if I once let you go. Will you come back to me if all is +right--back to my arms, I mean?" + +"Perhaps--yes, then," and she stepped softly into her father's room. + +But it needed only a few minutes to assure her that he was sleeping soundly +and peacefully, so she returned to her waiting lover. + +"Not beside me, but here, where you promised!" and he held out his arms as +she endeavored to take a seat on the sofa beside him. "I wonder how long it +will be before you will make my heart glad by coming to my arms of your own +accord. It is hard to believe that this is the same little girl that used +to send me home with such an aching heart that I walked the floor for +hours, instead of going to bed." + +"Oh, Guy! I am so sorry. I never thought you cared for me like that," she +whispered, as she laid her head on his shoulder. + +"I wish I could tell you how much I _do_ care, my own darling! but words +give so little expression to one's feelings; yet I am longing to hear just +three little words from you. Don't you think it would be fair to take away +the memory of your unkind words by telling me that you love me?" + +"Dear Guy, you know I love you, or I would not be here! I have loved you +ever since papa was hurt, but I did not want you to know it. Will that +confession do?" + +"I knew you cared for me, my darling! yet it is sweet to hear the admission +from your own lips. And to think how long we have misunderstood each other! +If I had only taken you in my arms that first night I was present when your +father was so ill, and made you own to what I felt was true, these unhappy +weeks might have been spared us; but it is something to have this joy in +the end, my own little wife." + +Dexie gave a little start of surprise at this sweet epithet, and a rosy +blush spread over her face, at which Guy repeated lovingly: + +"My own little wife! Is it not so, Dexie?" + +"I had not thought of the future, so much has happened in such a short +time," she answered, in a low voice; "but I love you, Guy, and the future +shall be as you wish." + +"I am glad you have no rings on to-night, Dexie," said Guy, as he took a +little parcel from his pocket. "You have one that has troubled my peace of +mind for some time, but I have something to take its place," and as he took +her hand in his the flash of a ring told Dexie his intention. + +"Oh, Guy! wait! I cannot let you put that on yet. I am afraid to trust +myself that much to-night; it is all so sudden, Guy!" + +"My darling! what do you fear? You are not afraid to trust yourself to my +keeping when you know I love you?" and he drew her closer, as he looked +down into her eyes. + +"No, Guy, but it is all so new and strange that I hardly know myself. You +know I accepted a ring once before when I ought not to have done so, but I +wore it honestly lately, Guy; I did, truly." + +"Tell me about it, Dexie, and clear up the mystery. The ring has a story, +one that has given me much trouble of mind." + +"I think your trouble was imaginary, Guy," smiling. "The ring, in the first +place, did not signify an engagement, though it was the sign of a promise +which Lancy Gurney and I made to each other. He was to ask me again to +marry him at the end of a year, unless during that time we found there was +someone else we liked better. As you know, I did not wait for the year to +be up before I asked to be released. Oh, yes, I confessed that I had met +someone that had the first place in my heart," she blushingly admitted. + +"And you told him what you would not tell me! Oh, Dexie!" + +"Yes, for I promised him I would be honest with him. This led to +explanations on both sides, and to assure him I still felt kindly towards +him I agreed to keep and wear his ring. I wore it gladly, because it +reminded me I was free to love where I chose; besides it helped to keep you +from guessing that I had given my love without the asking. That is all, +Guy, so you see the words engraved inside are honest and true." + +"My dear little wife! but how could I guess that the ring meant so much +happiness to me. It did indeed deceive me, but this shall tell the truth +from the start." + +"I do wish you had not bought it--just yet. Everyone will make remarks +about it. Something plainer would not proclaim our secret to the world as +this will surely do." + +"Yet I thought it not good enough for the dear hand that was to wear it. +Let me put it on, Dexie. Think how many times I shall see you when there +will be no chance to say a word to you, but when I see the ring I can say, +'She is mine! mine!' How sweet to know that it is so!" and he kissed her +hand as he slipped the ring on her finger. + +"Mine now, dearest; yet you seemed so far away from me only a few hours +ago. How surprised your father will be! I wish he could see you here in my +arms." + +"Oh, hush! that would be dreadful! Was he surprised this afternoon at your +errand? I thought it was you who left those papers; but when you announced +your coming marriage this evening, then I began to doubt," and she laughed +softly. + +"It was a surprise at first, but he consented at last to give me his +treasure--if I could get her." + +"Poor papa, I will never leave him. No one else seems to have time to be +with him or amuse him as I can, and it is hard for him to feel so helpless +when he has such a restless and energetic disposition." + +"I promised not to take you away while he needed you; but, dearest--I do +not want to alarm you--I do not think he will have to bear his pain many +weeks longer. He is failing, I can see, and he told me to-day that he felt +his strength going fast." + +"I know it is so, though I have tried to put the thought aside. Dear papa, +how good he has been to me! What news this will be to him! But I hope no +one else will find it out--just yet. Everything must go on much as usual, +before others anyway," smiling into his happy face. + +"That will be very hard, don't you think, little wife? How shall I be able +to hide my love from Gussie?" + +"Oh! you will be coming here after this just to see papa, you know," +looking at him archly, "and I fancy she will find little to interest her in +the man that has so openly announced his approaching marriage to a lady who +is unknown. I'll not object, perhaps, to let you stay--with papa, you +know--on the nights that I take my turn to sit up with him. But there is +his bell, and oh! Guy, look at the clock!" + +Dexie's heart beat fast as she hurried to her father's room, but she was +needlessly alarmed. His unusual sleep had renewed his strength, but Dexie, +fearing the worst, asked anxiously: + +"Are you in much pain, dear papa?" + +"Oh! no, child; I feel first-rate. I guess that bad spell I had at bedtime +is going to do me for to-night; but I am thirsty, so when you get me fixed +up you can go to bed. You must be tired to death, my dear girl," he added, +as Dexie busied herself about him. "What time is it? Not past two, surely? +Why, I must be turning over a new leaf, eh, Dexie?" + +Guy Traverse stepped to the door as Dexie entered the room, fearing also +that Mr. Sherwood was worse, but hearing his cheerful voice he thought he +would surprise him by showing himself, and he stepped to the bedside, his +hands clasped behind him, and a curious smile played over his face as he +waited. + +"Bless my soul! Traverse, what are you doing here at this time of night?" +was the astonished remark as Mr. Sherwood turned and saw who was beside +him. + +Traverse laughed pleasantly and drew a chair to the bedside. + +"I have been waiting in the next room, fearing you might be ill again at +your usual hour and would need my services." + +"And a sorry night you have had of it, I expect. Well, you don't seem much +the worse of it, after all," and he turned and looked curiously towards +Dexie. + +"What mischief have you been up to now, Dexie, that you look so guilty? +Come here to me directly!" + +"Are you going to scold me, papa?" and she stooped over and kissed him. + +"I would like to find out first if you deserve it. I hope you have not been +quarrelling with Traverse, after what I said to you?" + +"Well, not all the time," she blushingly answered. "He would not go home at +the proper time, though I tried to turn him out of the house." + +"I see! Then it was the first part of the night you did not agree. And +what, may I ask, have you been doing since the row was settled? Out with it +now," holding her face between his two hands and looking into her eyes. + +"Dear papa, that is not fair," as she tried to hide her face in his arms. + +Mr. Sherwood felt sure that Guy had come to some understanding with her, +and wanted to make her own it, but Guy knew she would not care to be the +first to speak of it, so said in a happy voice: + +"Give me a chance to tell a part of the story, Mr. Sherwood. Dexie has made +me a happy man at last. You will not care to hear all the particulars just +now, but she has promised to be my wife." + +"Is this really true, Dexie?" looking with loving eyes at his daughter. + +Dexie raised her hand, saying softly: + +"See, papa," and the flashing ring answered the question. + +"Well, well; I can hardly believe it yet. Go and kiss him, Dexie, right +before me, if it is really true; seeing is believing, you know." + +Guy looked at her smilingly, saying, as he held out his hands, "Come, +Dexie." + +Dexie put one hand in his, and laying the other across his shoulder bent +over and kissed him; and she made no resistance when he put one arm around +her and drew her down on his knee. + +"Well, this is a pleasant surprise, I'm sure. You have made good use of the +time, Traverse," and Mr. Sherwood laughed softly. "You have been rather a +perverse young lady, Dexie, but you have fallen into good hands at last. +You must not leave me yet, dear child, for what should I do without my +little nurse? But, bless my heart! there's three o'clock. You will not get +into your hotel at this hour, Traverse, but I expect you would not sleep +much if you did, so go back into the sitting-room, the both of you, and +finish the night!" + +"Thank you, Mr. Sherwood; your liberty adds much to the pleasure. I hope we +have not tired you," he added, as he rose from his seat. + +"Not at all! Another drink, Dexie, and be off with you!" + +"Don't tell on us, papa," she whispered, as she prepared his drink. "Jarvis +is sure to sleep till I awaken her, and this is not likely to happen +again," laughing. + +"Well, better make the most of it, then; so be off with your lover," and he +waved her away from his side. + +"It was not so dreadful, after all, to come to my arms before your father, +was it?" Guy asked, a few minutes later. "I am sure it pleased him to see +it, and it was good of him to allow me a little longer bliss." + +But time passed swiftly, as it always does with happy lovers, and the grey +dawn of early morning warned them that they must separate. As they stood by +the window, watching the first rays of light in the east, Dexie said: + +"I will have to send you away soon, Guy, or you will be discovered; but I +am going to invite you to an early breakfast here with me before you go." + +"Never mind breakfast, dearest; I would rather have you here by my side +until the last minute. I expect some machinery by the early train, so I +think I will go down and see if it has arrived; that will give us forty +minutes more together," taking out his watch. + +"Then a part of the time will be well spent in preparing you a slight +refreshment--nothing elaborate, you know, or Eliza would pounce down on me +at the first sound," and she left him at the window, and hurried to the +kitchen. + +A few minutes later she appeared again, looking as fresh as the morning, +with a white ruffled apron clasped round her waist and a dainty muslin cap +perched on her head, from beneath which stray curls peeped bewitchingly +out, and passing her hand through Guy's arm, said laughingly: + +"Will you mind coming to the kitchen, Guy? I am afraid someone will hear us +if I take you anywhere else, and I don't want the rattle of dishes to +betray us." + +"Well, this is enough to make any fellow selfish," as he followed Dexie out +to the kitchen, and closed the door softly behind him. "You must be a +fairy, to conjure such a dainty breakfast in this short time. No one will +hear us here." + +The appetizing odor of coffee filled the air, and the most fastidious +person could have found no fault with the dainty little table and its +appointments, with plates laid for two. + +"Now, you really must be quiet, Guy," trying to escape from his arms. "Just +see how you have mussed my hair!" + +"And you haven't mussed mine at all, I suppose! I say, Dexie, what if +Gussie should catch us here?" "Which, fortunately, is not likely; but what +_would_ she say? The impropriety of our conduct would be shocking," and a +musical laugh sounded through the room. + +"I should plead extenuating circumstances, dearest. One does not have the +delightful experience of last night but once in a lifetime, and why should +we not make the most of our pleasures? However, I can thank your father for +this extended bliss." + +"The extended bliss of eating in the kitchen!" and she smiled +mischievously, as she handed him a cup of coffee. "Is this your first peep +into my domain?" + +"Yes, and I think it the pleasantest room in the house. Who planned it, and +invented such contrivances?" glancing approvingly at the adjustable shelves +which Dexie disclosed by shoving aside what appeared to be a panel in the +wall. "We must have our kitchen just like this." + +Ignoring his last remark, except by a blush, Dexie answered: + +"I have to thank papa for the liberty I enjoy in this room; but for him I +should have had the usual bare walls and no conveniences whatever. If you +had seen all the newspaper articles I read up, giving the experience of +practical housekeepers, you would not wonder at the change which, with the +help of a carpenter, I made in this room. I am monarch of all I survey in +this part of the house, as mamma does not care how many experiments go on +here as long as everything is satisfactory that comes out of it." + +All pleasant things come to an end, and the early breakfast in the kitchen +was no exception to the rule; but it remained a bright spot in the memory +of both, and in after-years was often referred to. + +A few minutes later Guy left the house, and, for the first time, he left it +contented and happy, the sweet "Good-bye" in the hall being in strong +contrast to the usual curt dismissal that had fallen to his lot hitherto +when Dexie showed him out. + + + + +CHAPTER XLI. + + +Dexie stood in the doorway until her lover was out of sight; then, +remembering that the little table in the kitchen would tell tales, she was +soon stepping briskly about, and quickly removed all traces of the early +meal. Going softly into her father's room, she found him awake and feeling +very well, and in the best of spirits. + +"I heard you in the hall," said he, pretending to scold. "A fine time for a +young man to be leaving the house, isn't it, now? I am astonished at you, +Dexie!" + +"Well, dear papa, I am astonished too!" and they both laughed. "I am sure +if anyone had told me such a thing was about to happen, I would have +thought him a fit subject for a lunatic asylum." + +"You look very happy over it, dear, or your face tells a story! But I +thought I smelt coffee when I woke up." + +"So you did! My young man stayed to breakfast. What do you think of that? +He says he is going to plead 'extenuating circumstances,' if he is brought +to the bar. But don't you think you would like a cup of coffee and a nice +piece of toast?" + +"Yes, I think I would; it is rather early for breakfast, but I feel ready +for it." + +Dexie was soon beside him with a small tray, and as he drank his coffee he +said, as he looked at her keenly: + +"I want to know one thing, Dexie, and then I won't question you any more. +What was the trouble between you and Traverse these few weeks back? +Something was wrong with you, at any rate, but you do not confide in me as +you used to do." + +"Well, you naughty papa! How could I tell you my little secrets when you +let them out the first thing?" she laughingly replied. + +Her father looked at her in surprise, and she added, + +"I told you not to tell that I broke the engagement with Lancy Gurney, and +you told Guy that very first evening." + +"Well, where was the harm? He seemed very anxious to know about it, and I +am sure you seemed to rejoice over your freedom." + +"Yes! but I didn't want Guy to know it, for it made it so much harder for +me to meet him." + +"Dexie, did you break your promise with Lancy on account of Traverse? Well, +well! I understand it now; but who would have thought that you cared for +him when you were so cool and short!" + +"You surely would not have me make the first advances, papa?" laughing. + +"No; but you might have allowed him a chance to make them himself. However, +all's well that ends well, and I wish someone would ask to be Gussie's +protector before I am gone--someone as trustworthy as Traverse. You are of +an age to find life rather hard without someone's sheltering care, and it +will not be long before you will both need it, for your mother is not able +to see after you as you need." + +The rattle of pans and dishes told that the kitchen had an occupant, and +with a parting word to her father "not to tell on her," she left the room. + +At this moment Jarvis appeared, looking positively frightened. + +"Oh! why did you not wake me, Dexie?" she cried. "I cannot see how I slept +so heavily. But I depended on you to rouse me, Dexie." + +"It is all right, Mrs. Jarvis. Papa passed a splendid night; so you were +not needed. But wait a minute, I have something to tell you. I did not want +you up, for I had company of my own, and I have news for you this morning." +Then with a blushing face she raised her hand to show her ring, adding, "I +am engaged to be married." + +"My dear, is it possible!" and the motherly creature took the fresh, happy +face between her hands and kissed both cheeks. "Is it Mr. Traverse that is +going to take you away from us?" + +"He will not take me away while papa needs me; but it is to be a secret for +the present, Mrs. Jarvis, for under the circumstances we can make no plans +for the future." + +"Yes, I understand you, dear. You can trust me; and I am well pleased to +hear of your good fortune. Mr. Traverse is thoughtful and tender beyond his +years, and I have learned to respect him highly. But you will go and lie +down now, won't you? I will see to everything, so go to your room and make +your mind easy about the work this morning." + +When Dexie appeared again in her father's room some hours later, he looked +at her with pleasure. Her face seemed to have grown beautiful; love had so +glorified it that her happiness seemed to speak from every feature. He did +not wonder that Guy Traverse had lost his heart to his little nurse. + +"Do you feel well enough to-day, papa, to dictate those unfinished +stories?" she asked, as she wheeled his couch over to the sunshine. "You +have left those three fishermen quarrelling about who caught the largest +fish, till by this time the fish must be spoiled, to say nothing of the +temper of the fishermen. And there is that city belle, who wished to become +a second Rosa Bonheur; you have left her in the pasture fleeing for her +life, with the vicious bull in full pursuit, her sketch-book flying in the +air. Now, surely by this time the brute has killed her, or she has died of +fright. Then there are several other characters all left in some dilemma +that must be settled by this time in some way or other," and gaily talking, +she brought out her writing tablet and set it across her knee. + +"Well, it seems to me, Dexie, that as soon as I get my characters into some +trouble I lose all interest in them; I wonder what trait that represents in +myself," he added, musingly. "Finish the stories yourself, Dexie. I am sick +and tired of them, so get them out of the fix they are in the best way you +can." + +"Well, how would you like to begin something new, papa?" her only idea +being to get his mind occupied, and this had been a wonderful means of +diversion ever since he was hurt. + +"Not to-day, Dexie. I think I am too full of your little romance to invent +anything new. Finish up those old things and let me see how you get on. +Give the smallest chap the biggest fish; he told the biggest lies, and +will claim it anyway. Let the girl jump the fence. If she can't do that, +let her crawl under it, or let the bull toss her over; no matter how she +gets out of the field, so long as she gets out alive. She will never want +to paint again, I feel sure; so let her escape with her life." + +Dexie laughed and began to write, knowing she would get her father +interested, and she soon found she had to move her fingers very nimbly in +order to keep up with the flow of words that fell from his lips. Page after +page fluttered to the floor till Dexie cried, "There, papa, that is enough +for to-day. The house party are happily paired off and are on the way to +the supper table; let us hope they will find enough to eat upon it, while +we go and see about our own supper." + +In the evening, much to Gussie's surprise, Mr. Traverse made his +appearance, and her smiles and good-humor rose to the surface at once; this +was the more remarkable by reason of their non-appearance throughout the +day. + +Dexie answered his ring at the door, and if they remained in the hall just +a little longer than usual, no one seemed to remark it; and if the blushes +which mantled her cheeks were observed, no one guessed the cause. + +During the evening Gussie noticed for the first time that Dexie wore a new +ring, and the volley of questions she poured forth regarding it was quite +astonishing. + +"Why, where did you get it, Dexie? It is just a beauty; mine look quite +common beside it! That is the second new ring you have worn lately, Dexie, +but I hope there is not so much mystery about this one as there was about +the other. Lend me your ring for this evening, will you, Dexie?" she added, +coming over to her sister's side. + +"No, thank you," and Dexie turned away. "You have half-a-dozen rings of +your own, and you know your own motto is 'What's mine is mine,' so I'll +neither borrow nor lend," laughing good-naturedly. + +"Keep your old ring, you stingy thing!" Then, fearing that Traverse might +have heard her, she said sweetly: + +"Have you noticed Dexie's new ring, Mr. Traverse? It is a mystery to me +where she gets them, for I am sure she would never buy them herself. +Perhaps Hugh McNeil sent it, eh, Dexie? It looks just like one he would +send," and she regarded her sister closely. + +Dexie colored painfully at this interrogation, and Guy, who was amused at +Gussie's inquisitiveness, said in feigned surprise: + +"Are you really guilty of wearing a new ring, Dexie?" the corners of his +mouth twitching suspiciously. "I hope you are as happy in possessing it as +the donor was in bestowing it." + +"Thank you, Mr. Traverse, I think I can truthfully say that I am." + +"Oh, Dexie! was it really given to you by a gentleman? Was it Lancy Gurney +who sent it?" + +"Hardly, Gussie, or some other young lady would have a right to complain," +smiling at Gussie's look of surprise. + +"Then it was Hugh McNeil, as I thought. I always said you would repent your +behavior to him. Then I suppose the affair is settled. Where _is_ Hugh, +Dexie?" + +Dexie did not answer at once, but clasped her hands, palms downward, in +that convulsive grasp that always told of some mental struggle. Something +of the old terror filled her heart at the very mention of Hugh's name, and +her answer was evidently uttered with much reluctance, not unmixed with +fear: + +"He is probably on his way to New York, Gussie. Is there anything else you +would like to know?" forcing a smile to her lips. + +Guy felt that something unusual had brought that look of alarm to Dexie's +face; he would ask the cause at the first opportunity. + +Gussie felt sure that she knew all about it now, so began to twit her +sister about "giving in at last." She had been in a bad humor all day, and +was glad of the chance to get rid of her ill-feelings by teasing Dexie in +the presence of Traverse. + +"So Hugh's money has bought you, after all! and your high and mighty airs +were just put on! I am glad you have come to your senses, for I suppose +that ring means a marriage in the future." + +"If the latter admission will keep you quiet and make your mind easy, then +you shall hear it. I did accept the ring with the understanding that it +meant marriage in the future, but Hugh McNeil is no more to me now than he +ever was. Now, if you are satisfied, Gussie, will you be kind enough to +leave my affairs alone for the rest of the evening?" + +"Hum--m, yes; I'm satisfied, since I know the whole of it! An invisible +lover! a ring! a promise of marriage! and Hugh coming back! Oh, yes, I'll +leave you alone for the rest of the evening, never fear!" and taking a book +from the table she drew an easy chair to the light, then turned her back to +the rest in the room. If Guy Traverse was soon to be married to his "city +girl," and Dexie was going to be Hugh's wife, they could entertain each +other, for she would have nothing to say to either of them! + +Queer, wasn't it, that neither of them resented this rudeness, but kept up +a low conversation at the farthest side of the room! + +When Guy was about to leave the house, and the "few" last words were being +said in the hall, he asked what had caused her alarm at the mention of her +supposed lover's name. + +"I forgot until that very minute that Elsie Gurney told me in her last +letter that this McNeil would leave England for New York on the coming +steamer, and for the moment my heart stopped beating from sheer fright." + +"But, dearest, he cannot harm you now. Do you think he is coming here?" + +"Indeed, I cannot tell, but I fear that is his intention; and if he should, +oh, Guy, I believe I should hide! I own to being rather afraid of him, +though, luckily for me, he never found it out." + +"But if he knows you are mine, surely, Dexie, he is enough of a gentleman +to leave you alone in the future." + +"Well, I may be needlessly alarmed, but I feel a presentiment of evil, and +should an ill wind blow him this way, you must be extra good to me while he +is here--come oftener--and I will feel safe, at least, while you are with +me." + +About two weeks later, when all thought of Hugh McNeil had been dispelled, +Dexie's presentiment of evil took shape. He arrived in Lennoxville on the +afternoon train, and a few inquiries soon brought him to Mr. Sherwood's +residence. + +Mrs. Sherwood and Gussie were out making calls that afternoon, and Dexie +was busy in the kitchen making some new dainty, and was much interested in +watching the result of her work, when Mrs. Jarvis came in search of her. + +"Dexie, there is a gentleman in the parlor asking to see you." + +"What a nuisance, when I want to see how this turns out! It is not Mr. +Traverse at this hour, of course," she added, carelessly. + +"No; it is a stranger. He is a large, dark-complexioned man, with a heavy +black moustache and beautiful black eyes--a perfect gentleman, Dexie!" + +The dish fell from Dexie's hand with a crash to the floor. + +"Heaven preserve me! what shall I do?" and she turned pale to her lips. "I +cannot see him, Jarvis; I really cannot! Here, I'll write a line to papa, +and you can take the gentleman to his room," and with trembling fingers she +wrote a few words and gave them to the nurse; then, throwing off her big +apron, she seized a hat, sayings to Eliza, who looked on in astonishment: + +"Tell Mrs. Jarvis that I have gone over to Ada Chester's, and I won't be +back till tea-time, when I hope that man will be gone; and oh, Eliza! do, +like a good girl, clean up that mess for me," pointing to the demolished +dish and the contents thereof, "and I'll do something for you sometime. I +dare not stop, for I am properly scared for once," and she flew out the +back-door, down through the kitchen garden and into a back street, out of +sight of the house, before she stopped to regain her breath. + +Mrs. Jarvis was thoroughly surprised at Dexie's behavior, but she carried +the little note to Mr. Sherwood and waited his direction. + +"Yes; show the gentleman here, and I will see him." + +"Well, Hugh, so you have found us out," as he appeared behind Mrs. Jarvis. +"You find me on my back. Get a chair for yourself." + +Hugh was surprised to learn of the seriousness of the accident that +rendered this position of his friend necessary, having supposed it a slight +affair from which he had long since recovered. + +The two men talked for some time on matters in general, when Hugh said: + +"I suppose you know what has brought me here, Mr. Sherwood. My feelings for +Dexie have not changed, unless they have become more intense. I heard +through the Gurneys that her engagement with Lancy was at an end, and +started from Australia at once, on purpose to try again to win her. I have +still your permission; have I not?" he eagerly asked. + +"I fear then you will be disappointed, Hugh; Dexie is already won." + +"Mr. Sherwood, you are not in earnest; you are saying this to try me," and +Hugh turned an appealing face to the one that lay back on the pillows. + +"Have pity, Mr. Sherwood; I have suffered enough." + +"Hugh, my dear fellow, I was hoping you had got over this, and not hearing +from you for so long I believed you had. But it is true. You are too late, +for Dexie is the promised wife of another." + +"She is not yet married, then?" and his face recovered from the despairing +look. + +"Not yet, but as much lost to you as though she were. How is it that you +did not take my last letter to heart and seek a wife abroad? I told you +that Dexie had not changed towards you, though I did all I could to +influence her in your favor. But she has won the heart of a good man, Hugh; +he is everything I could wish for, even in Dexie's husband." + +"But I love her so!" The words were low, but seemed wrung from his very +soul, and he turned away toward the window, but without seeing anything of +the prospect beyond. + +"Can I see her?" he asked, at last. "Let me hear from her own lips that she +loves another, and, if she really does, I will surely know it. If I find +it is so, I will go away and not trouble her any more. Give me this one +more chance, Mr. Sherwood." + +"It will be of no use, Hugh. I may as well tell you so at once; but I will +try and persuade her to see you, though she sent me word just now that she +would not come in while you were here. It is fair enough that you should +hear the truth from her own lips, but I know the interview will be painful +to you both," and Mr. Sherwood pulled the bell-cord that hung above him. + +"Tell Dexie I wish to see her here for a few minutes," he said, as Jarvis +answered the summons. + +"She has gone out, Mr. Sherwood, and she left word that she would not be +back till tea-time," and she glanced at the foreign-looking gentleman who +made himself so very much at home. + +"Very well, that will do," and Jarvis left the room. + +"You see how it is, Hugh; she has run out on purpose to get clear of you." + +"But that is no sign that I need despair," and there was a happier look in +his eyes than there had been since he heard she was lost to him. + +"Ask me to stay, Mr. Sherwood, for I cannot go away till I see her. I must +learn the truth from herself before I leave the house," and the +well-remembered impetuosity of old was visible in his words. + +"Certainly, Hugh; stay, of course, but I fear you will not find your +refusal as pleasantly spoken as if you had taken it at second-hand," and a +feeble smile parted his lips for a moment. "But you know Dexie's ways, +Hugh, so you must abide the consequences." + +"I have borne much for love of her, and I am still willing to suffer if I +may be rewarded in the end by seeing her once again," he answered +earnestly. "A sight of her face would have been more welcome than an +angel's visit during these long, weary months; to look back on them is like +looking into desolation," he added, in a low, serious tone. + +There was silence in the room for some moments. Hugh sat listening for the +first footfall that would announce Dexie's approach, while Mr. Sherwood +lay back, with closed eyes, thinking what an easy solution of the trouble +it would be if Hugh would turn to Gussie for the gift that Dexie denied +him. Then, rousing himself, he talked to Hugh of his travels and adventures +on sea and land. + +Meanwhile Dexie had rushed in haste to the house of her friend, and from +thence despatched a note that brought Guy Traverse to her side, and her +agitation and alarm were so great that Guy was almost unable to soothe her. + +"I cannot go home without you, Guy. There can be only one thing brought him +here, and I cannot face him unless you are with me." + +"I will go with you, certainly, dear, but I cannot understand why you are +so frightened, for by your own description of him he is a gentleman." + +A few hurried explanations of Hugh's past history in connection with +herself were given, and Guy grasped the headlines of it as it poured from +Dexie's lips. + +"As my promised wife, darling, you need fear no further annoyance from him. +I will see to that," he replied. "Give me a few minutes while I go to the +hotel and change my suit. I have been putting in shafting with the men, and +am hardly presentable in my present condition," he laughingly added. + +"I am putting you to great inconvenience, I fear, Guy; but I cannot help +it, for it will not do to send word that I will not go back till he is +gone." + +"No, certainly not. He would put a different construction on your absence. +Let me find a more smiling face on my return, darling, for I will take care +of you." + +Half an hour later Guy and Dexie had entered the house; and finding that +Hugh was still with her father, she left Guy in the parlor while she sought +Jarvis in the kitchen. + +"He is still here, then? Well, tell Eliza she can place _two_ extra plates +for to-night, as Mr. Traverse will be here also," and giving no time for +Jarvis to put the questions she was evidently anxious to have answered, she +returned to the parlor. + +"How I wish I could peep into the future and understand the programme of +the next few hours," she said to Guy, as she stood by his side in the +shadow of the window-curtain. "I hope it will be short, but I know by the +shiver in my bones that it will not be sweet. Your adversary's weak point +is his temper, as you will see at a glance; so, Guy, don't--whatever the +provocation--don't lose your own, dear." + +Mr. Sherwood's bell sounded through the house, but for the first time it +was unheeded by Dexie. She knew what was wanted, but feared to face it, +even with Guy at her side. But Mrs. Jarvis was in attendance, and she now +appeared in the doorway, saying: + +"Your father has found out you are home, and he wishes to see you at once." + +With one long look at Guy, Dexie followed her. The excitement had sent a +pretty color to her cheeks, and her eyes were brilliant with suppressed +feeling, but she crossed the room to her father's side without giving a +glance in any direction save on her father's face. Apparently she saw +nothing of the dark eyes that brightened so vividly at the sight of her. +Hugh was not expecting anyone to follow her, and coming more slowly into +the room Guy caught the look on Hugh's face, and his own heart rose up in a +protest against it. Guy had time for a good look at Dexie's unwelcome +admirer before his presence was discovered, and he wondered how it was that +Dexie had not lost her heart long ago to this bold, handsome lover who so +openly declared his passion, for the eager, longing gaze that followed +Dexie's movements was easily read. + +"Dexie, here is an old friend come to see you," and her father waved his +hand in Hugh's direction. + +Dexie turned herself about, her feelings well under control, and even Guy +was surprised at the easy, natural tone in which she replied: + +"How do you do, Mr. McNeil? You are like a bit of Halifax, and, as such, an +old friend." + +As she gave him her hand she turned instantly about, adding, + +"Guy, this is Mr. McNeil, a gentleman we used to know in Halifax. Mr. +McNeil, Mr. Traverse." + +Hugh had not noticed Guy's entrance till Dexie turned to introduce him; +consequently he felt slightly embarrassed, but Guy stepped forward with +outstretched hand, and greeted him frankly and heartily. + +"Any friend of yours, Dexie, is sure to meet a welcome from me. Glad to +know you, Mr. McNeil." + +It was impossible to resist the pleasant, affable manner in which Guy +spoke. There was a magnetism in his winning smile and in the cordial grasp +of the hand that attracted Hugh in spite of himself. + +As Guy continued speaking, Hugh regarded him intently. Was this the man who +had won Dexie from him? The looks interchanged when Dexie spoke said as +much, and there was an air of ownership in Guy's manner that sent an arrow +through Hugh's heart. + +Dexie followed her father's eyes and regarded the two men as they talked, +and the fear at her heart sank out of sight. Hugh's recent voyage from +Australia and to New York gave ample opportunity to confine the +conversation to questions and descriptions concerning the Island Continent +and other places he had visited, and there was an amused smile in Dexie's +eyes as she listened, for she knew Guy was keeping up the conversation in +order to gain time and study his rival. + +She contrasted the two men who sat reading each other's faces as they +talked. Hugh had regained all his former strength and vigor by his +Australian tour. He had also grown stouter and his shoulders broader; but +the same masterful manner, the same quick glance were present, that made +Dexie's heart beat fast when he turned his gaze upon her. + +Guy had more the figure of an athlete, and his quiet, easy manner gave the +impression that his passions were well under control. He looked a man to be +trusted; there was a firm, yet tender look in his eyes that was not unfelt +by the man who sat opposite him. Both were handsome men, though of a +different type, but Hugh's face lacked something that could be felt, if not +described in the one opposite. + +Gussie's shrill voice in the hall gave Dexie an opportunity to leave the +room, and she hastened to do so, as something had evidently gone wrong, and +Gussie was protesting and scolding in audible tones, though the words were +not intelligible. + +"Hush! Gussie! someone is with papa. What is the trouble?" + +"Who is it? Is it company of yours that Eliza is so flurried over that she +cannot attend to me?" + +"Mr. McNeil has arrived, Gussie; don't let him hear you talk like that." + +"Oh! he has come at last, has he? Well, it's high time! How long is he +going to stay, Dexie?" + +But her questions remained unanswered, for Dexie was talking to her mother +on domestic matters, and presently they all assembled in Mr. Sherwood's +room. + +Gussie soon noticed how intently Hugh was watching Guy Traverse, and she +made up her mind to "tell Hugh a thing or two" regarding Dexie's behavior, +for since the night Gussie had decided in her own mind about Dexie's ring +she saw there was an unexpected intimacy between her sister and this +engaged young man. She wondered how it happened that Guy was present at +that hour; it would complicate matters with Dexie, surely, but to her +surprise she found herself paired off with Hugh as they went to the supper +table. + +"You should have returned long ago, Hugh," she whispered. "Dexie has +developed into a desperate flirt! Just now it is Mr. Traverse, as you can +see for yourself, though she is aware he is engaged to a lady in the city." + +"Gussie, are you sure of what you are saying? Is this only a flirtation?" + +"Well, I don't see what else you can call it." + +"Do you think she has given me up? I have come on purpose to find out." + +"Oh! is that all you have come for? Why, I thought it was a settled thing +between you. Then she must be going to marry you just for your money! and +now that I think of it, she said as much," said Gussie bluntly. + +There was no chance for further conversation, but Gussie's words raised all +sorts of questions in Hugh's mind, and he watched the couple on the +opposite side of the table, his hopes and fears alternately rising. + +Dexie's manner bore out her father's statement, but how was it that Gussie +looked at the matter so differently. + +As they rose from the table Guy stood for a moment talking to Mrs. +Sherwood, but Hugh crossed over at once to the window where Dexie was +standing, bending over some flowers. + +In his quick, eager tone, Hugh asked: + +"Will you give me a few minutes alone, Dexie, when I have come so far on +purpose to see you?" + +"I am sorry to hear that request, Mr. McNeil, as it forces me to seem rude +when I would prefer to be cordial. Do not let us renew our old antagonism." + +"Dexie, I think, if it ever existed, it has given place to a better +feeling. My heart has been starving for a sight of your face, and you have +grown so beautiful that it is hard to resist the temptation to take you in +my arms." + +Dexie shrank away from him, and she gave a quick look at Guy, who was still +talking to her mother, but his smile reassured her. She knew he would soon +be at her side. + +"Don't leave me, Dexie," Hugh entreated. "I will not touch you, so do not +he afraid of me. Do you know I have come as fast as I could travel, just to +see you face to face as I do now. Yet I have a further hope in my heart, +Dexie, for Lancy is not between us now." + +Dexie's heart beat too fast to allow of a reply, and Hugh added: + +"You can guess how glad I was to hear that you and Lancy were friends only, +and from what Gussie tells me there is hope for me yet. Is it so, Dexie?" + +"You must not put any faith in Gussie's stories, Mr. McNeil," Dexie managed +to reply. "I am aware she is resting under a delusion, but I did not take +the trouble to convince her of the fact. I was hoping I should not have to +tell you what is surely plain to yourself," blushing as she gave a meaning +glance in Guy's direction. + +"Then your father was right! I have come too late! Is that what you wish me +to believe? Think a minute, Dexie, before you say what will rob me of all +hope!" and he bent his head in his eagerness to read her answer in her +truthful face. + +"If papa told you I was engaged to Mr. Traverse, he told you the truth," +Dexie said, in a low tone. + +"But do you love him, Dexie? Are you sure your heart is given with your +hand? I was right in Lancy's case, you know." + +As he spoke, Guy came over to her side, and she laid her hand on his arm, +and looked into his face with such trust upon her own that Hugh felt she +had answered his question. + +"Mr. McNeil, I am not naturally jealous," said Guy, pleasantly, "but if my +little wife is making love to you here, I'm afraid there is danger that I +shall grow that way," and he laid his arm across Dexie's shoulder, and +smiled at them both. + +Dexie looked over her shoulder at this declaration, and was surprised to +find there was no one in the room except themselves, but Guy had brought +this about in order to announce their engagement to Hugh. + +"Unfortunately for me, the love-making is only on my side," said Hugh, +bitterly. "I cannot win even one word of kindness from Dexie's lips; my +very presence seems unwelcome. She has just given me to understand that she +belongs to you, and I am expected, I suppose, to offer my congratulations; +but I cannot do it--I must get used to the thought first. I am not afraid +or ashamed to confess that I have loved Dexie Sherwood for years--loved her +madly, blindly, though she has given me nothing but hard words and scornful +looks through it all. Months of travel have failed to make me forget her. +She has been like a loadstone drawing me back to her, when in my pride I +would have rejoiced to feel myself free. I would have plucked her out of my +heart if I could, but my love seems a part of my life, and I cannot kill it +while I live myself. I believe you are a noble, generous man, or you never +would have won her heart. Be good to her, since you have taken her from me, +for if I thought there should ever be a time when you would cause a tear to +fall or grieve her heart by a word, I would kill you where you stand!" + +Dexie hid her face against Guy's breast as Hugh's hot words poured like a +torrent from his lips, but Guy drew her protectingly to his side, and his +firm, clear voice sounded low and distinct as he replied: + +"Have no fear for Dexie, Mr. McNeil! She shall always be my first thought +and care. I cannot blame you for loving her, though it is but natural that, +under the present circumstances, I should regret to hear you own it. Dexie +has given me her love willingly and freely, and I am sure she will be happy +as my wife, the present condition of her father being the only obstacle +that prevents our immediate marriage." + +"Forgive me, Traverse! my words were hasty!" and Hugh held out his hand, +"but my heart is sore at the disappointment. I have hastened forward with +all possible speed, hoping for something so different from this, that my +heart rebels. But I shall go back to Halifax, Dexie, and the day I hear of +your marriage I shall propose to Nina Gordon. I wish to my heart she was +dumb! I might persuade myself into thinking sometimes that I had you near +me, if only she would keep her mouth shut! If I cannot have your love, I +may be able to delude myself into thinking that I have your presence near +me occasionally." + +"Oh, Mr. McNeil! you cannot mean what you are saying! You surely would not +do such a thing as that!" said Dexie, in a horrified tone. "Your good sense +will prevent you from throwing your life away so needlessly. Oh! I cannot +think that you have a thought of such a thing. It would be dreadful!" and +the dark eyes met his with an eagerness that was questioning. + +"I heard you say once that if she were away from her mother one might make +anything they liked of her," said he, more quietly. "I shall make a second +Dexie of her if the thing is possible, for I'll see to it that she keeps +her tongue quiet till it suits her face!" + +This was uttered in such a tone that Dexie shuddered. His outbursts of +passion seemed less devilish than this quieter expressed determination, for +it was accompanied with a glint in his eyes that reminded her forcibly of +that memorable boat sail, and her voice was less firm as she replied: + +"I cannot think you are in earnest, Mr. McNeil; you would not wreck +another's life for merely an unfortunate resemblance! No! I cannot think it +of you; but it is wicked to say it, even in jest!" + +"Would you take even that small comfort from me?" he said, almost fiercely. +"Do you know what love is, and think that I can bear the burden of solitude +that you have laid upon my life; even the solace of your shadow denied me, +while you have everything!" + +"There! I think you two had better say no more," Guy firmly though +smilingly remarked. "You will be quarrelling in earnest the first thing I +know. Of course I do not understand what all this means, Mr. McNeil, but I +have such confidence in Dexie's judgment that I join her in the request +that you will do nothing hasty, and throw the best years of your life away +because of this disappointment. Come, shake hands, you two, and make it up, +and let us join Mr. Sherwood in his room, or he will think we have shared +the fate of the Kilkenny cats." + +Dexie held out her hand and Hugh clasped it in both his own, and, looking +tenderly into her eyes, said, in a voice so changed that it seemed to come +from other lips: + +"Forget my hasty words, Dexie, if they have hurt you, and try to think of +me kindly sometimes. We would have been better friends if I had loved you +less. I give you up, though most unwillingly, for I cannot say now as I did +before that your heart has not awakened, for I see that it has, beyond a +doubt," and like a courtier of old he stooped and kissed her hand. + +Gussie was full of curiosity concerning the interview; but when the little +group appeared in the room, their faces told no tales that she could +interpret. + +Hugh looked more sober than usual, and listened to the conversation rather +than joined in it. Guy looked cool and composed and, maybe, a trifle +triumphant. Dexie looked rather paler than usual, and remained almost as +silent as Hugh. This might mean much or little, but something in the manner +of each checked Gussie's light chatter. + +When Guy rose to go, Hugh rose also, and asked permission to accompany Guy +to his hotel. Then, promising to return the next day to see Mr. Sherwood, +Hugh followed Guy from the room. + +At a look from Guy, Dexie followed them into the hall, and while Hugh put +on his coat and gloves, Guy said, in a tender, reassuring tone, as he +smiled into her anxious face, "Do not be alarmed, dearest; there will be no +shooting, I promise. You can trust your friend with me, and I will see +after his comfort; so good-bye till to-morrow, love." + +He bent his head and kissed her, though he was aware that a pair of dark +eyes were watching his every movement. + +Hugh was very silent as he walked along. The kindly-spoken "Good-night, Mr. +McNeil," did not make him feel his disappointment less keenly. + +When the hotel was reached and his room engaged, Hugh turned to Guy, +saying: + +"May I go with you to your room for a little while? I shall go away +to-morrow, I think, and I would like to have a talk with you if you have no +objection." + +"Certainly! I shall be glad of your company," and Guy led the way to his +room. + +"It is no use, Traverse," he said, as Guy tried to draw him into a +conversation on matters in general. "I have no thoughts but for one thing, +and am no company for any man, least of all you; but I want to ask a favor +of you. Tell me of your plans for the future, and let me help you, even in +the smallest way, to bring them about. I coveted wealth at one time, +thinking if I had it all else would come easy; but I have found my money a +burden, because I could not put it to the one use for which I longed to +possess it. Do not be offended, Traverse," for Guy was looking at him +intently, and with a puzzled face; "what I want to say, I say with a good +heart towards you. In business matters, you know, money alone is power. Is +there anything that money could do for you--any position it could procure +for you, which would give Dexie pleasure to see you fill? I am sure you are +ambitious--in your position I would be myself; so tell me your hopes and +plans, and let me help you." "You are most kind, Mr. McNeil, and I thank +you for your generous offer," and he held out his hand, which Hugh clasped +heartily. "I was not prepared for this, but expected to hear reproaches +heaped upon me. I see I did not know you. I am deeply sensible of the kind +thought that suggested this; but I have no need of the help you so kindly +offer. I own to being ambitious, but it is the want of brains more than +money that hampers me at present. Yes," as Hugh looked up inquiringly, "I +am of an inventive turn of mind, and if I can work out the problems that +are hatching in my brain I will win fame as well as money. Your offer is +none the less kind because I cannot accept it. I am sure it will give Dexie +much pleasure to hear of your kindness." + +"You do not wish me to have any share in your happiness," Hugh said, with +downcast features. "Well, I daresay I would feel the same myself were I in +your place; but, be generous, Traverse. Think how long I have loved her, +before you ever saw her at all, and contrast the blank my life will be with +the happiness in store for you in the future. Let me do something for you, +Traverse." + +"Believe me, McNeil, if there was anything you could do for me I would +gladly accept it, if only by way of atonement--not that I think that I +alone stood in your way, but for the pleasure I know it would be to you to +serve her or hers. My position is better than most men of my age, and since +I have won Dexie's hand I have frequently thought there is nothing more I +require to make me contented and happy." + +There was a few minutes' silence, when Hugh asked, with a perceptible +paleness in his dark face, + +"When do you expect to be married?" + +"She will not leave home while her father lives; whether we shall be +married while he is so ill, I cannot say. Much depends on circumstances. +Her father is a very sick man, though owing to his cheerfulness the fact is +not apparent to everyone." + +The conversation was carried on until the clock struck the midnight hour. +Hugh seemed to lay bare his heart to his successful rival, and Guy listened +in surprise to the account of his many efforts to win Dexie's favor, even +so far as to tell of the unfortunate boat sail and its consequences. + +Guy's heart was full of pity as he listened. How much Hugh loved her when, +in spite of the rebuffs and scornful refusals, he could be so blinded by +passion as to dare attempt to win a promise by such rash and desperate +means! Dexie's love for himself seemed all the greater since it had stood +such a siege from this fierce, passionate man, and Guy wondered no longer +that Dexie was alarmed when she heard of his coming. + +When Hugh mentioned what Gussie had said of the "city girl," Guy could not +help smiling, and explaining the circumstances that gave rise to the story, +added: + +"I believe it was one of your letters that Gussie captured that night, Mr. +McNeil; but as I played the lover and claimed the letter, Gussie felt +obliged to believe me, and my imaginary city girl has kept her quiet ever +since." + +"I can well believe the distress Dexie felt when she heard the letter read +aloud. You did a kind act that not one in a hundred would have dared to do. +No wonder she loves you. But away so far from her, it seemed that I could +not bear my life if I did not tell her, even on paper, what was in my +heart. I am glad to know you, Traverse; if I cannot win her myself, it is a +comfort to know she is in such good keeping." + +At last Hugh rose to go, and the hands of the accepted and the rejected +lover met in a warm, friendly grasp. + +The next day when Hugh made his appearance at Mr. Sherwood's, and made +known the fact that he had spent the forenoon with Guy at his office, Dexie +looked her surprise, but she blushed with pleasure to hear his words of +praise when speaking of her lover. + +Hugh remained several days in Lennoxville, but he seldom made his +appearance at the house unless in company with Guy. + +Gussie could not understand this at all, but her spiteful remarks were so +wide of the mark that they were only amusing. + +She needed no one to tell her that Hugh was as much in love with Dexie as +ever, yet why he allowed Guy Traverse to monopolize her was a mystery that +was incomprehensible. + +Hugh spent the last evening of his stay at the Sherwoods', and, in spite of +Gussie's raillery, he was silent and sad; even Guy could not rouse him into +cheerfulness. + +During the evening he obtained a few minutes' conversation with Mr. +Sherwood, and his low, earnest words brought a mist to the eyes of the sick +man. + +"I am truly sorry for your disappointment, Hugh," was the low reply, "but +you prove beyond a doubt that her happiness is still dear to you when you +propose to do such a thing. But wait awhile, and think it over. You may +form other ties, and there may be others who will have a stronger claim on +you than the wife of Guy Traverse. Oh, yes! yes! I know the money is your +own, and you can do what you like with it, but Dexie would not approve of +this, neither would Traverse." + +A few minutes before it was time to leave for the train Guy came behind +Hugh and whispered a few words in his ear, words that sent a flash of light +and joy into his dark, sad face. + +"God bless you, Traverse, for this kindness; I was getting desperate; five +minutes will suffice," was the reply, and he slipped out of the room, +crossed the hall, and a moment more was standing by Dexie's side. + +"Traverse told me you were here, Dexie, and that I might come and say +good-bye to you alone," and taking her hands in his own, added: + +"Dexie, if there should come a time when you need a friend, or if you +should ever be in trouble, will you promise to let me know and let me be +the one to help you? You know how gladly I would serve you." + +"Thank you, Mr. McNeil, you are very kind; I will not forget your offered +help. I hope you will have a pleasant journey home," and she drew away her +hands and turned away. + +"Dexie, when we parted in Halifax you gave me angry looks, even at the +moment of parting, but there was a hope in my heart that helped me to bear +it. It is different now; do not add to my present misery the memory of your +cool, indifferent words. Lift up your face and say, 'Good-bye, Hugh.' Do, +Dexie." + +Dexie stood irresolute a moment, then, giving him her hand, she lifted her +eyes, and said in a low tone: + +"Good-bye, Hugh; I did not mean to be cool or indifferent, for you have +been kinder than I dared to expect." + +Something in her tone and words swept Hugh's self-control to the winds, and +he clasped her to his heart. + +"My darling! my darling! must I indeed say good-bye forever; it is like +parting with you at the grave," and his hot kisses touched cheek and brow. +"I cannot bear it, Dexie. Oh! if I could die now with you here in my arms; +my darling! my darling!" + +A soft knock at the door, and a moment later Guy entered. + +"Time is up, McNeil, if we want to catch the train." Then putting his arm +across Dexie's shoulders, as he noticed her pale face and quivering lips, +said: + +"Has it been too much for you, dearest? It was the last time, you know." + +"How could you, Guy! How _could_ you send him here to me alone!" came the +low, trembling words. + +"It was no use, Traverse; the first kind word unmanned me, and made me +forget that you trusted me. I have held her in my arms and kissed her face; +but forgive me, Traverse, if you can, it is the last time," and giving a +long, imploring look at Dexie, who stood with her face buried in her hands, +added, in a low voice: + +"I am ready, Traverse; let us go at once, and may God help me to get over +this," and with his arm drawn through Guy's they both walked out into the +night. + + + + +CHAPTER XLII. + + +One morning when Dexie was out in the back garden whistling like a bird, +and busy about some domestic matters, someone outside the high fence +called: + +"Georgie! I say, Georgie! come here a minute." + +No answer being received, a shower of small pebbles came over the fence, +and the call was repeated. + +Thinking it was Mark Perrin, a wild young lad with whom Georgie was +forbidden to associate, Dexie called out: + +"Go away from here at once, you torment, or you'll get your jacket dusted +for you," and hastening to the gate as if eager to perform the operation, +she found Guy Traverse awaiting the promised punishment. + +Astonishment rendered her silent for a moment, when she laughingly +exclaimed: + +"For pity sake, Guy! was it you threw the pebbles?" + +"Yes, and am I to believe that it was you who was whistling?" + +"Well, as you took me for Georgie, it must have been well done, so I'll own +to the whistling; but what brings you here so early in the morning? I am +not dressed for visitors at this hour," and she glanced down at her short +frock, that revealed a neat foot and well-turned ankle; then pulling +forward the sun-bonnet that had fallen back from her head, added: + +"This is the latest style. I hope you admire it." + +"I do, indeed," and his face filled the front of it for a moment. + +"Oh! do come in till I shut the gate; someone might see us. Now, what do +you want with Georgie, if I may ask?" and she lifted a saucy face to his. + +"I didn't want him particularly, but I thought it was he who was whistling, +and I was going to ask him to look for you, but as it is your own sweet +self, so much the better, for I want to speak to you here a minute." + +"But why here, at the back gate?" + +"I wanted to ask if you would drive into the country with me, as I have to +go on a matter of business." + +"Then why didn't you go to the front door and ask me properly, sir?" + +"Well, I am going to, just as soon as I find out if you can come or not. +You were up part of the night with your father, and I did not know but you +were resting or too busy to come with me. In that case, Gussie might feel +it her duty to accompany me." + +"Oh, I see! I shall be most happy to accept your invitation, Mr. Traverse; +so go around to the front door and ask me like a gentleman." + +Shutting the gate after him, she entered the house, intending to have a +little fun over the invitation. + +His ring at the door was answered by Gussie, and Mr. Sherwood, who was +dozing on his couch, brightened at once as he saw who was the visitor. + +"A splendid morning, Traverse," was his greeting. "You are early to-day." + +"Yes, I have called to see if you could spare Dexie for a drive with me +this morning." + +"Certainly. Gussie, hunt her up." + +"Dexie is very busy this morning, papa," Gussie replied, "but I am at +leisure, Mr. Traverse, if you are looking for company." + +"Busy, is she?" said Mr. Sherwood; "then go and relieve her, Gussie, for +she has been up half the night and needs a rest," and raising his voice, +called: + +"Dexie, Dexie; come here." + +Dexie was standing outside the door waiting for this summons, and she +entered the room, her head still enveloped in the enormous sun-bonnet, her +arms bare to the elbow, and her whole appearance proclaiming her a busy +little woman. + +"Did you call me, papa?" and she stepped to his side. + +The contrast between them was too painful, and Gussie blushed with +embarrassment, and hastily exclaimed: + +"Leave the room, Dexie, Mr. Traverse is here." + +"Where!" and the scoop-like bonnet was turned in his direction. + +"Oh, good morning, Mr. Traverse. Excuse my toilet, but we wash sometimes at +our house, and this is one of the times. Fine morning this for +washerwomen. Now, what do you want of me, papa?" and she turned leisurely +to her father again, much to Gussie's horror. + +"Well, Traverse called to take you for a drive, but I doubt if he will care +to ask you after seeing you in such a rig." + +"This is not my carriage dress, my dear papa, but my working suit; but +seeing that Mr. Traverse has been talking to me at the back gate in this +very _rig_ and survived the shock, I trust the second sight won't prove +disastrous. If you say you can spare me, I'll promise not to appear in this +costume in public. Thanks, papa. How soon do you wish to start, Mr. +Traverse?" + +"In half an hour, if possible," was the smiling answer. + +"You will find me waiting your appearance," and making a sweeping, +old-fashioned courtesy, she pulled her bonnet forward with a jerk and +danced out of the room. + +Traverse looked after her with a smile, and with a few pleasant words to +Mr. Sherwood, and a polite "good-morning" to Gussie, he bowed himself out. + +As soon as Guy was beyond hearing, Gussie's ill-humor found vent. She did +not see why Dexie should leave her work to go about the country with young +men, and Traverse must have regretted his invitation when he caught sight +of Dexie's ridiculous figure, her dress to the top of her boots and a +sun-bonnet that would disgrace a country-woman! But one never knew what +Dexie would do next. Awhile ago she could scarcely speak a civil word to +Mr. Traverse, but now that she knows he expects to be married, her manner +is just the reverse. Reproaches like these fell on Mr. Sherwood's ears +unheeded, but a kindly smile lit up his face when Dexie made her +appearance, looking as dainty as if right out of a band-box, and as she +drew on her gloves a handsome buggy drove up to the door. + +Giving her father a hasty kiss, she whispered: + +"I wish you were able to go in my place," then ran down the steps, and a +few minutes later the high-spirited horse carried them out of sight. + +They did not return for some hours, and Dexie enjoyed the little excursion +exceedingly; she was grieved to find on her return that her father had +spent a very sick day, and she regretted leaving him for her own pleasure. + +"You needed the change, my dear," her father assured her. "You are losing +your roses by waiting on me so constantly, and this hand is thinner than it +was six months ago," and he patted the hand that rested in his own. + +Mr. Sherwood was daily growing weaker, and had to keep his bed the greater +part of the time. The old pain returned oftener, and was so very severe +while it lasted that it kept them all in a constant state of alarm. This so +worked on Mrs. Sherwood's nerves that her fancied illness threatened to +develop into something not quite so imaginative, and she required almost as +much care as her husband. It became necessary for Gussie to spend a part of +her time in her mother's room, and this she disliked very much, for Mrs. +Sherwood was not a patient sufferer, and Gussie chaffed and fretted against +the restraint to her liberty. Her extreme selfishness was so apparent that +her mother received her half-hearted services with little thanks. + +The constant care and attention which divided Dexie's time between her +father's and her mother's room made it very hard to keep domestic matters +running smoothly, and Gussie's obstinate refusal to take any part of the +labor of the household or care of the children upon her own shoulders, gave +Dexie little chance to get the rest she needed. This was telling on her +health, and she was fast losing her rounded cheeks, and her eyes began to +look so large and black that it made Guy's heart ache to look at her. He +wished to tell Mrs. Sherwood of their engagement, and even attempted to +persuade Dexie into marrying him at once, so that he would have the right +to protect her against some of the needless burdens that were put upon her +young shoulders, but Dexie would not hear of it. + +"Mother is aware that I expect to be married by and by; if she is making a +mistake as to the man let it be for the present. Were the truth known, my +life would be unbearable. It is all I can do to keep the true state of +affairs from coming to papa's ears, and he has enough to bear without +family troubles being put upon him." + +"My dear little girl, do you think I am going to let you stay here and be +at the beck and call of everyone? Let me claim you at once; that will be +the best way to settle the difficulty, and your father would say the same +if he knew about it." + +"But he must not know it, Guy; think how unhappy it would make him. It +would never do, dear; but I have a good mind to write and ask Louie to come +home. Surely aunt would let her come for a few weeks. I have written to her +about it before, but she would not let her come unless she was positively +needed, and I do think she is now. She must be quite a young lady by this +time, and would be such a help and comfort. I believe I will write and ask +her again." + +That night, while Dexie sat up with her father, the letter was written, and +Guy dropped it in the letter-box on his way home, and in less than a week, +to Dexie's great joy, Louie came rushing into the house, as fresh and +strong as any little country lassie. + +Her coming did, indeed, make a great difference in the house, as Dexie +expected. She brought such a new atmosphere into it with her quick, +outspoken criticisms, that she worked quite a revolution. + +Then she had so much that was new to tell them all, and it was told in such +a breezy way, that her father brightened up as he listened. Her aunt had +not sent her empty-handed either, for she had a loving and tender heart +under a rather harsh exterior, the cold looks with which all sentiment was +frowned down seemed but the rough, hard shell which covered a noble and +generous disposition. But this rather severe aunt had refused Louie +permission to make many visits at her father's home, on account of the +displeasure with which she regarded her mother. She had never been pleased +at her brother's marriage, and when Louie had been given over to her care +she determined to cut off all connection with the mother's influence. +Dexie's letter had revealed more than she was aware to the keen, +sharp-sighted woman, and Louie was sent to help wait on her father, with +many admonitions as to her conduct at home. She was given a "month's leave +of absence," as Louie laughingly expressed it, but when alone with Dexie +she admitted that her aunt would extend the time if her father should seem +to be near the end. + +Louie was very practical in many things, wasting little sentiment on +trifles, and Mrs. Sherwood reaped the benefit of Louie's strict bringing +up, which she had received at the hands of her aunt. + +"Now, mother," she said one day, as she displayed some of the handsome +garments her aunt had provided her with, "do try and get well as quickly as +you can. I have only a month to stay, and I brought these dresses to wear, +and I cannot do that if I am to be a nurse for you. I will get everything, +and do everything for you, that you really need, but I cannot run up and +down stairs all the time on useless errands. I can't think how Dexie has a +foot left to stand on, the way she is called hither and thither. Of course, +she must have a rest, now that I am home, or she will be laid up, and that +would be a calamity for this house, I fancy. Now, you sit up, and I'll +brush your hair and fix you up so nice that you will long to get downstairs +to the rest of us, for I am going to spend the next hour with papa," and +she bustled about the room and set everything in order to her mother's +hand. + +To the surprise of the family, Mrs. Sherwood made her appearance downstairs +before Louie had been in the house a week; and as she continued to improve, +Louie quietly ordered an easy carriage to be at the door at a certain hour, +and when that hour arrived she made her appearance in such becoming attire +that she had little trouble to induce her mother to step into the carriage +with her, and as these outings became quite frequent they soon had a +beneficial effect on her mother's health and spirits. + +Louie's home-coming made a difference that was quite remarkable in Gussie +also. She took so much for granted that Gussie was constrained to exert +herself. It was rather amusing to watch Gussie's face when Louie would say, +as they rose from the breakfast table: + +"Now, Gussie, come on. I'm not going to be a mere visitor, you know; so +I'll help you set the rooms in order. You will be no time over them, with +my help;" and not wishing it to be known that all such things were left to +Dexie, she would follow Louie, and join in the task for very shame sake. + +But Dexie enjoyed Louie's visit more than anyone, for she not only kept +Gussie's hands employed, but her presence forbade the continual +fault-finding which she had hitherto freely indulged in; for Louie was a +person of some consequence, being the heiress of considerable property, as +well as possessor of a bank book that she was at liberty to use at her own +discretion, and this had much influence over Gussie. + +Louie soon remarked the frequent visits of Guy Traverse, but was puzzled at +first to account for them. Gussie had told her that he was engaged to a +young lady in the city, and was only a particular friend of her father's; +but this did not prevent Louie from forming her own opinion on the matter. + +She asked her mother one day, as she brushed out her hair, how it was that +her father had become so attached to such a young man, and if there were +not some other reason to account for his frequent visits. + +"He was with your father when he was hurt, and your father thinks he saved +his life at the risk of his own, so I daresay that may account for the +attachment. I did hope at one time that Gussie might be able to secure him; +they would make a nice-looking couple. I have thought sometimes that he +pays Dexie sufficient attention to warrant her in thinking he means +something serious, but Hugh McNeil has some claim on her; he has been to +see her lately. You remember he had quite a fortune left him. I expect she +will keep a fine establishment when she is married. But I know nothing +about her affairs; she was always close-mouthed, and she is sure to do +something entirely different from what you expect." + +"But, mamma, this Mr. Traverse seems to be more than just friendly to +Dexie. I am sure he is with her every chance he gets." + +"Oh! that is nothing; he is seldom in her company outside of her father's +room. Besides, he is going to be married to someone in the city. He said as +much before us all. I am sure Dexie does not care for him in that way. If +you had heard the way she used to talk to him, you would see at once that +his visits mean nothing to her." + +"Nevertheless, mother, I have my suspicions," said the quick-witted girl, +as she left the room. + +"I'll corner Dexie sometime, see if I don't," she said to herself. "If +there is any love-making going on in this house, it will be a funny thing +if I do not find it out!" + +But Dexie was well aware that there were a sharp pair of eyes about, and it +took considerable manoeuvring to get a word with Guy without having Louie +pounce in upon them at the most unexpected moment. + +"Seems to me, Dexie," she said one day, as they were in their chamber +dressing for the afternoon, "if I was Mr. Traverse's young lady in the +city," and she made a grimace, "I would not care to have my young man visit +so much in a house where there are marriageable young ladies. Do you think +she is aware of his frequent visits here?" + +"What lady do you refer to, Louie?" turning from the mirror, where a +blushing face was too freely reflected. + +"You know who I mean well enough! The lady that Gussie says he is going to +marry. I suppose you know that story as well as Gussie." + +"Oh, yes; it is quite an old thing now. I have had it dinned into my ears +till I am tired, both of the story and the lady as well," she carelessly +replied. + +"Oh, indeed!" said the laughing girl. "I suppose he has told you all about +her during one of your many interviews. When is the wedding to take place?" + +"The exact time was never mentioned, Louie. If you feel very curious about +it, why not ask Mr. Traverse yourself. He might give you an invitation to +the wedding, you know." + +"But, honestly, Dexie, does he ever talk to you about his future wife?" + +"Certainly! why shouldn't he? Didn't Gussie tell you that he announced his +approaching marriage before the whole family?" + +"Well, Dexie Sherwood, you can smile and smile and be--the young lady +yourself, after all," said Louie, not yet convinced, "and that ring looks +new, and I see no photograph of Hugh McNeil lying inside your favorite +book, so there!" + +"Well, you might have seen one in the album if you had looked for it, you +silly girl. And how many new rings has Gussie had since you were home, and +yet I hear no word of her engagement!" + +"That may be, my dear sister Dexie; but I have not seen any young man kiss +Gussie good-bye at the door, either; therefore I begin to think--" + +What her thoughts might be upon the matter, Dexie did not give her time to +express, but disappeared from the room as suddenly as if the cry of "Fire" +had been raised in the house. + +"Well, I may be mistaken; then, again, I may not," said Louie, +reflectively, as she found herself alone, "but appearances point to the +latter view. However, auntie says that 'circumstantial evidence is not +positive proof,' so I will wait for further developments. If it is so--all +right; if it is _not_ so, well--then I think they should not be _quite_ so +familiar when Dexie shows him out. He is quite a handsome young gentleman +and will make a distinguished-looking brother-in-law, and I am ready with +my approval and blessing as soon as they ask for it; but, by the way things +look to me, my approval and blessing have not been waited for." + +When Dexie entered her father's room, she found Mr. Hackett, the lawyer, +present, and she was about to withdraw when her father called her to his +side. + +"You will have to go over the papers in the desk with Mr. Hackett, Dexie," +he said. "There are one or two missing which I know I have put somewhere in +safety, so look carefully, dear; the loss of them would be rather serious +in a case that Mr. Hackett has yet to settle. In case I have not mentioned +it before, Mr. Hackett," and he turned towards the lawyer, "the old desk +with all its contents, excepting those bundles relating to business +matters, which you will take with you, belong to Dexie, here. There are +several unfinished manuscripts which you can easily finish yourself, Dexie, +and who knows but the beginning of your fame and fortune may be lying +there waiting for you in the old ink-stained desk. There, do not cry, +Dexie! It grieves me to see you fretting. You would not like to have your +poor father lying here suffering much longer, surely! Now, be my brave, +helpful little woman a little while longer, and help Mr. Hackett all you +can. I was speaking of the old desk, Dexie; do not part with it to anyone, +dear. Keep it as my last gift to you, and, if it ever needs repairing, have +it done under your own eyes. Do not forget this, Dexie." + +Dexie winked away her tears, and bent over to arrange his pillows more +comfortably, saying: + +"Do you want me to hunt up the papers now, papa? I will do so at once, if +Mr. Hackett will explain what they are about." + +"He will help you, then you can get through more quickly. You had better +explain to my daughter, Mr. Hackett, about the amount of income there will +be in the future. She is the housekeeper here, though I expect she will not +remain in that position very long after I am gone. I am glad I purchased +this property when we first moved here. It is increasing in value every +year, and, if they should ever find it necessary, they can sell it and be +comfortable in a smaller place, but this will not be needful for some +years, if things are properly managed. There is another thing, Mr. Hackett, +which I wish you would see about for them. Look around and find a +respectable middle-aged couple that will be capable of giving the necessary +help about the house and grounds. The place needs a man around it to keep +it in order, and if his wife looked after the work in the house they would +give better satisfaction than single people, I fancy. I cannot think what +they will do when Dexie has left the house," and he sighed heavily. + +When Mr. Hackett departed with the missing papers, Mr. Sherwood called her +to his side and explained many things which would have to be seen to after +his death, and Dexie sat and listened with quivering lips and hands +clasped, palms downwards, across her lap, in an agony of mind, until she +fell on her knees beside his couch, crying, "Oh! papa! dear papa! what +shall I do without you!" + +Her father stroked the ruffled hair and soothed her by his tender words +till her tears flowed less freely and her sobs were checked, when he added: + +"Now, I want to speak of yourself, Dexie. Do not keep Traverse waiting for +you after I am gone. He has been very patient, and it has been on my +account that he has waited so long for you. I am not blind to the trouble +which you have borne so bravely and quietly these few months back; you have +had little time to prepare anything for your new life, as most girls like +to do, but this shall be made up to you, my dear. I have thought sometimes +I would ask you to have your marriage performed here before me, but I will +not be so selfish; that should be the happiest hour of a woman's life, and +it would not be so to you under such circumstances. Louie has brightened +the house by her coming, but she will soon be returning to her aunt, and +then I am afraid you will find it harder than ever, my dear little Dexie." + +Mrs. Sherwood came into the room, and finding Dexie sobbing on her father's +pillow, was much alarmed. + +"What is it? Are you worse, Clarence?" she cried, hysterically. + +"No, no, dear wife, not that. But I have been giving Dexie some directions +regarding matters after I am gone, and it makes her feel badly, poor little +girl! She has been a good daughter to us, wife; so do not forget it when +she needs your help and sympathy, and that time may be nearer than you +think." + +Dexie could bear no more, but she must not grieve her father by her tears; +so rose hurriedly, and kissing his brow, left the room. She met Louie in +the hall, and alarmed her by her grief. + +"Is papa worse, Dexie?" + +"I do not think so, but he has been talking to me about things which must +be done when he is gone, and it breaks my heart! Poor papa! he is so kind +and thoughtful, he seems to remember the smallest thing that we shall need +to look after, and advises about them. I am afraid it will not be many +days, Louie, before it is all over, and I believe he thinks so himself," +and she went to her room to sob away her grief. + +It was evident to them all the next day that Mr. Sherwood was rapidly +sinking, and Dexie scarcely left his side for a moment. + +Once when he woke from a troubled sleep he smiled into her face, and said +faintly: + +"She sang it very well, didn't she, Dexie? the 'pastures green,' you know. +I never have forgotten it. Can you sing it now for me?" + +"Try to tell me a little more, dear papa. Where was it you heard it?" +trying in vain to think what had called forth this request. + +"At Dr. Grant's church that Sunday morning in Halifax. You know--the new +singer you wanted to hear. I know all about the 'pastures green' now, +Dexie, but sing about it." + +Instantly the Sunday morning so long ago flashed back to her mind, and with +one arm around her father's neck, as she kneeled by his side, she sang: + + "The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want. + He makes me down to lie + In pastures green; he leadeth me + The quiet waters by." + +Her voice trembled, but there was a happy ring to it withal, and presently +she saw that he slept again, his face looking happy and peaceful as it +rested on the pillows. + +When the doctor made his usual visit, he stayed a long time in the room, +and he looked very serious as he called Dexie to the door. + +"You realize how ill your father is, do you not, Miss Sherwood?" and he +looked earnestly into her face. "Ah! I see you do. I wished to prepare you +for the worst. I will come in later in the day and see if I can be of use." + +"You think there is immediate danger, Dr. Brown?" + +"He may live through the day--not much longer, I fear. You have been +expecting this, have you not?" + +"I was afraid of it," and she hid her face in her hands. + +"Is there anyone I can send for, for you? If I can be of use in any way, +Miss Sherwood, command me." + +"Someone must tell mamma; she does not believe the end is so very near. +Would you do it? Does papa know it himself, doctor?" she added, after a +pause. + +"Yes, and he wished me to make it known to the rest. Be brave a little +while longer. Now, go back to your father. You can rely on Jarvis; she +knows what to do, and has been through many trying scenes before to-day." + +"Shall we send for you if--" She could not say it, but the doctor knew what +she meant. + +"Yes, if you like. I can do little, if anything, more; but he will not +suffer any. Now I will see your mother," and he turned and left her to her +grief. + +It took some time for Mrs. Sherwood to fully realize the truth, for she +listened to the doctor as if dazed. It was the first trouble that had ever +really touched her, and at the suggestion of Jarvis she went to her room, +where by degrees she grew calmer, as the terrible truth came home to heart +that she was soon to be left a widow and her children fatherless. + +When Louie came into her father's room a few moments later, and learned the +truth, she threw her arms around Dexie's neck and wept with her. This was +the darkest hour they had ever known. But there was no time to indulge in +grief at present--that would come later--and Dexie whispered: + +"Take Gussie up to her room, Louie, and tell her there, and do not let her +come down till she is quiet. Warn Georgie not to go away from the house; +papa may ask for him any minute. I am so thankful the doctor has told +mamma! Watch the door, Louie, and when the minister calls to-day try and +persuade mamma to see him. She would not see him the last time he was here. +Oh, dear! I shall be so glad when Guy comes in!" + +"Give me one little bit of comfort to cheer my heart this sad day, Dexie. +Tell me, what is Guy Traverse to you--do, Dexie?" + +"Dear Louie, you _shall_ know, if you think it will comfort you any. He is +my promised husband." + +"I thought so all the time, and I am so glad!" and she turned away to +prepare Gussie for the dreaded hour. + +The time passed heavily and sadly, until the day drew near its close. Mrs. +Jarvis was sitting near the bed, watching, with the eyes of an experienced +nurse, for any change, and presently she bent over Dexie, who was kneeling +by the bedside, and whispered: + +"I think I had better bring back your mother. Do you think she can bear +it?" + +"She _must_ bear it!" Dexie answered, with a sob. + +As Jarvis left the room, Guy quietly entered it, and saw at a glance that +the end was near. Dexie gave him one appealing look as he came beside her. + +Bending over, he laid his arm across her shoulder, and whispered: + +"Is there anything I can do, darling?" + +Dexie shook her head, and the look on her face told of the anguish that was +wringing her heart. + +Seeing that her father had opened his eyes, she bent nearer. + +"Are you in pain, dear papa?" + +"No, dear child; and I shall soon be where that question is never asked." + +Lifting his eyes, he saw Guy, and his lips parted in a smile. + +"So glad you have come, my boy!" and he held out his hand. "You have indeed +been like a son to me from the very first. You will be good to my little +girl, and do not wait to claim her; take her very soon, and do not let her +fret for me. Raise me up, Traverse! Ah! that is easier," as Guy seated +himself on the bed, and raised his head and shoulders on a pillow with his +arm. + +Supported by Guy's arm, and with his head leaning against Guy's shoulder, +Mr. Sherwood embraced his wife, who was led to the bedside by Jarvis, and +Dexie bowed her head from the sight of the despair written on her mother's +face. + +The family were soon assembled around the bed. Mrs. Jarvis lifted Flossie +in her arms, and telling her to "kiss papa good-night," laid her on the bed +beside him a moment, then carried her from the room, and the few loving +words spoken to Georgie did much to make him grow up a true, good man. + +Gussie was overcome with grief when she realized that her father was dying, +but Louie's loving arm was thrown around her, and she restrained her sobs +to hear her father's last few words. + +It was a sad scene. The dying father, supported in the arms of Guy +Traverse, was looking for the last time on the faces of his family. Dexie, +kneeling close to where Guy sat, with one of her father's hands clasped in +both her own, was silently weeping. Mrs. Sherwood was kneeling on the +opposite side of the bed, her face hidden against her dying husband's +breast. Louie and Gussie stood near, their arms around each other's waists; +while Mrs. Jarvis stood behind them, her arms extended across their +shoulders, as if she would willingly protect them from this anguish if she +could. Poor Georgie sobbed at the foot of the bed, a picture of childish +woe. + +The minister's words of peace and comfort, spoken at this moment, were +sorely needed, for the prayer had scarcely ended when Mrs. Sherwood raised +her eyes to her husband's face and saw the change that passed over it. A +few murmured words fell from his lips as he looked into her face, then his +eyes closed and his spirit was gone to the God who gave it. + +Guy laid the form gently back on the bed, and something in his face must +have told the stricken wife that all was over, for her piercing shriek +chilled everyone to the heart. + +Guy was just in time to catch Dexie's fainting form and bear her from the +room, when the children round the bedside understood that they were +fatherless. + + + + +CHAPTER XLIII. + + +Many changes took place in the household during the weeks following Mr. +Sherwood's death. It was a sorrowful time to live through, and a most +unpleasant memory to look back upon. + +These were days of trial to Dexie. There was no one in the house that she +could turn to for sympathy, for Louie had returned home the week after the +funeral, and the house seemed desolate. + +Mrs. Jarvis was called away by a case of sickness in another household, and +Gussie, finding herself free from all restraint, made so many unreasonable +demands on the patient and willing domestic that she refused to submit to +it longer, and left the house; consequently, the actual work of the +household, as well as the care and responsibility, rested on Dexie's +shoulders. + +Mrs. Sherwood had not left her room since the day her husband was buried, +and her frequent hysterical attacks were very alarming to the rest of the +family. She seemed as fretful and helpless as a child, and quite as +unreasonable, almost blaming her husband for dying and leaving her alone in +the world. + +When Dexie tried to draw her thoughts away from their sad bereavement, she +charged her daughter with being hard-hearted and unsympathizing in the +extreme, and it seemed as if she did not wish to be comforted. + +Lawyer Hackett attended the funeral, but as Mrs. Sherwood was not able to +discuss business matters at that unhappy time, he promised to return later +on and explain all things necessary. + +Dexie awaited his return with much anxiety, for the expenses of the +funeral, together with their necessary mourning, left little ready money to +meet the daily expenses, and it was only by the strictest economy that she +managed at all. Her "scrimping," as Gussie called it, met with no favor +from anyone; and though Mrs. Sherwood talked of "ordering" this and that +from the store, Dexie positively refused to be the mouthpiece of the order. +They could do very well till Mr. Hackett arrived, she said. + +Dexie missed her father sorely, and the one bright spot in the long, +toilsome day was when Guy came in the evening. Then they would walk out +together through the quiet streets to the country beyond, and she always +returned refreshed and strengthened to bear the burden of another day. + +As yet they had made no definite plans for their future. Dexie wished to +see the household matters settled in a more satisfactory state before +attempting anything that would benefit her own condition. + +When the lawyer had explained to her mother the business matters which she +had refused to discuss during her husband's lifetime, then it would be time +enough to lay her own plans before her. + +The appearance of the couple whom Mr. Hackett had secured to assist in the +house and garden was daily expected, and Dexie looked forward to more +freedom on their arrival. + +One day, as Gussie answered the summons to dinner, she surveyed the table +scornfully. + +"Is this all that you have for dinner? This is the third day, Dexie, that +you have given us no meat. _You_ may like a vegetable diet, but I am sure +no one else in the house does. We might as well dine at the poorhouse." + +"Well, Gussie, you know it is not my fault," Dexie said, sinking into a +chair with a tired sigh. "I cannot make things out of nothing, and my +housekeeping money has come to an end. If you had not insisted on those +extra dresses for yourself, the money would have lasted until Mr. Hackett +arrived. I am sure he was not aware how little ready money there was on +hand or he would have arranged for the expenses that were necessary. It is +no use to fret, Gussie; there is plenty in the house to keep us for weeks +yet, if we live plainly. It is a shame to worry and find fault because you +have not everything you want when we have such a comfortable home left to +us." + +"But we can't eat the house or the furniture in it," Gussie snappishly +replied, "and I am just tired and sick of the things you have given us to +eat lately. I haven't the least appetite for your 'plain dishes' that you +spend so much time over." + +"Very well, Gussie, if you can prepare something better out of what there +is to cook, I wish you would do it. I do not prepare your meals from +choice. I have work of my own to do, and would prefer to keep out of the +kitchen altogether, if it were possible." + +"Well, I guess you'll be pretty hungry before _I'll_ go in the kitchen to +cook!" said Gussie, with uplifted nose. "I have no intention of messing +myself up for other people." + +"You do not need to 'mess yourself up.' I don't; and you may have to do +more disagreeable things than that yet. I am going away for a rest as soon +as the woman comes and gets used to the house, and she will not be able to +see after everything without some help. Those starched clothes that you put +into the wash every week with so little thought of the extra work they +make--she will not be able to do them, if she has to see about everything +else. There is a whole basketful there now, waiting for you to iron." + +"Waiting for _me_ to iron, indeed! Why didn't you do them when you ironed +the rest of the clothes?" her temper rising at the bare suggestion that she +should do them herself. + +"I had too much else to do, Gussie, as you might know if you would give the +matter a thought. You must see after them yourself, Gussie--while we are +without a girl, anyway." + +"We will just see about that! I never had to iron my clothes yet, and I am +not going to begin now. I want my tucked skirts to-morrow, so see that you +have them ready for me," and she rose to leave the room as if the matter +settled. + +"You will find your clothes in the basket, Gussie, whenever you choose to +iron them," Dexie quietly replied, unmoved by Gussie's insolent manner, +"and remember, Gussie, I positively refuse to do them for you again--never +once again, remember!" + +Glancing out the window she saw Guy Traverse approaching the house, and not +wishing him to see Gussie in her present humor she took her hat, intending +to meet him at the door and take him to the garden; but her mother called +her just then, and when she came downstairs Guy was standing in the hall. + +"You are not going out, surely, Dexie?" said Gussie, coming out to see who +she was talking to. "Mamma would not let you go if she knew that you +refused to do what I told you. It would be better for you to go to the +kitchen and finish your work, instead of gadding about with the men." + +"My work is done for the day, Gussie; it is your work that is waiting in +the kitchen," and she hurried down the steps, with Guy closely following, +his face dark with anger at the insulting words he had heard used to his +promised wife. + +"And this is the way they treat you, my darling!" he said, as he reached +her side. "I understand why you never want me to come in and spend an hour +with you; you are afraid I shall hear how they talk to you. I have a good +mind to take you to the minister's this very afternoon, and make you my +wife, so I can look after you." + +"Do not mind it, Guy," trying to keep back the tears. "Gussie was vexed +because she did not find her clothes done up for her as usual." + +"And she is actually imposing on you to such an extent as that, is she? +That explains that pale, tired face! My dear little girl, I cannot allow +it! Do you love me well enough to come and live in a set of rooms until we +can get a decent house ready?" and he looked tenderly into her face. + +"I could live happy with you in one room, Guy, if I could leave home, but I +cannot do that just yet. I must stay until Mr. Hackett comes back. I know +they cannot do without me just now, dear. I would go with you willingly if +I could, for I feel so tired and discouraged. Mamma thinks I neglect her if +I am not constantly waiting upon her; but there are the children to see to. +They are good little things, but they take up the time, you know, and the +hours seem to more than fly." + +"But if you were not there, dear, perhaps your mother would rouse herself; +and I do think that would do her more good than all the doctoring she is +getting, and Gussie should be able to be of as much assistance as +yourself." + +"Perhaps you are right, Guy, but it does not seem right for me to leave +them now, and so soon after papa's death, too," and her eyes filled again. + +"But you know your father said we were not to let that delay our marriage, +dear. I feel quite sure he knew you would not have a happy life, so wished +you under my protection." + +"Don't tempt me anymore, Guy," said the quivering lips. "You do not know +how my heart cries out for the comfort and relief that you offer me. I know +very well I am only tolerated at home on account of my usefulness, but they +do not understand what it would be like if I were not there. Gussie has not +the necessary practice to make her the help she might be, and mamma would +be sure to suffer if I left them before the new help arrives. Besides, Guy, +I have not had time to prepare a thing for myself yet," she added, in a +low, shy voice. + +"You have not had time to get the rest you need, darling, and that is of +more account than anything else. You must not think I am going to let you +stay home and have Gussie abuse you while you make up a lot of finery. Be +my little wife in earnest, darling, and whatever you want you can get just +as easily after you are married as before. I never could see the sense in +women making up such a quantity of new clothes just before their marriage; +it always looks to me as if they were afraid their future husbands would +not give them what they required when they were married." + +"Let me speak to your mother to-day, Dexie, dear," he added, "and I will +tell her that it was your father's wish that we should not delay our +marriage; and I must insist that you be used with more consideration. I +really cannot let matters go on without some protest; it would not be right +for me to allow it, either." + +"Very well, Guy, do as you think best; they cannot make it much more +uncomfortable than it is at present." + +But in this Dexie found she was mistaken. + +Mrs. Sherwood listened to Guy's manly and straightforward declaration in +silence, though her raised eyebrows showed something of her surprise as +well as displeasure. She admitted she had no right to refuse her permission +for their marriage if her father approved of it, but it was "quite like +Dexie to keep her in ignorance of the true state of affairs." Of course, +the marriage must not take place for some months yet. The impropriety of it +so soon after her father's death was quite shocking, even to hear it +suggested; besides, Dexie could not be spared from home. When Guy reminded +her that Dexie should have the rest she evidently needed, her manner became +icy at once, though she kept her indignation well in check until Guy had +left the house. + +"So you have been complaining to Mr. Traverse, have you?" she said angrily +to Dexie. "We will see hereafter if you do not have something to complain +about! If you are thinking of getting married to Mr. Traverse on purpose to +shirk your duties at home, I will see to it that you _earn_ your wedding +while you _are_ home. As for being married in the near future, your +father's death will certainly forbid that, and I think Mr. Traverse will +find that you are still under my authority, and that I am not quite so fond +of him as your father was." + +"Do not have any fear, mamma, that I will ever ask for a wedding that would +be so grudgingly given," said Dexie, with quiet dignity; "but I think I +have already fairly _earned_ my wedding, if that is the way you choose to +put it. I hardly think anyone will ever hear you suggest that Gussie must +_earn_ her wedding before her marriage can take place, and I think I have +been as good a daughter to you as Gussie has--I have tried to be, anyway, +mamma." + +"Gussie will never have the low tastes and plebeian ways that have made you +such an eyesore to me. She is too much of a lady to delight in the domestic +economy that you always aspired to, and when her time comes I shall see +that she has a wedding that shall fill your heart with envy!" said the now +thoroughly angry woman. + +"I think that will not be possible, mamma," said the low, quiet tones, so +unlike the Dexie of old. "It is not to the wedding I am looking forward +with so much happiness, but to the loving husband I shall gain thereby, and +the future happy life I shall spend with him. I am thankful to say that I +do not need a grand wedding to make me perfectly happy," and Dexie left the +room, her face white and sad as the result of the interview. + +Gussie soon learned the true state of affairs, and Dexie had reason to be +thankful that Guy had not spoken at an earlier day. + +To most mothers, the few months or weeks previous to a daughter's marriage, +the heart is full of loving consideration for her; the new position which +her daughter is soon to fill arouses all her tenderness, and she is full of +love that is not unmixed with pity. But mothers are not all cast in the +same mould, and Mrs. Sherwood thought of Dexie's marriage only in the light +in which it affected herself. Dexie was a necessity in the household, and +she would see that Dexie had no spare moments; she must make herself doubly +useful, and prepare for _their_ future comfort; and as Gussie held to the +same opinion, only declared it more frequently, Dexie had anything but an +easy time of it. + +One day when Gussie was harping on the same string, yet found it impossible +to get Dexie to tell of her future plans, she retorted: + +"Well, I think you have acted shamefully! I wonder what Hugh McNeil will +say when he hears you have thrown him over again!--but I warned him! I told +him just how you had been flirting with Traverse, and I am quite sure Hugh +spoke to him about it, too! But you have been like the dog in the +manger--you would neither take Hugh yourself nor give anyone else the +chance of getting him. I might have had the benefit of his money if it had +not been for you! I suppose you think you are smart to 'cut out' Guy +Traverse's city girl, but it just shows how mean you are, though I can't +see for the life of me what any man sees in _you_ to admire!" + +Dexie looked at her sister with flashing eyes. She longed to tell her what +a ridiculous mess of mistakes she had got into. But what was the use! she +would not give way to her temper if she could help it, though it was a +temptation hard to resist. + +"Sometime, Gussie, you shall know all about Guy's city girl, if for no +other reason than to make you thoroughly ashamed of yourself; and if you +only knew how far from the truth all your surmises are, you would not be so +free to talk. You make yourself ridiculous, if you only knew it!" + +The next day, much to Dexie's delight, Mr. Hackett made his appearance, and +easily explained the cause of his delay; and as he wished to have a final +examination of all the papers in her father's desk, he asked Dexie's +assistance, giving as a reason that a certain Mr. Plaisted had put in his +claims for a large amount as soon as her father's death had been published. +After explaining the matter to Dexie, she knew at once where to look for +the proof needed to refute such claims, and placing the copy of the letter +she had brought home from Prince Edward Island into the hands of the +lawyer, she told him all the circumstances connected with it, and the break +in the business intercourse with her father in consequence of it. + +"Well, that Plaisted is a regular scamp!" said the lawyer. "I will take +this letter with me, and with the knowledge I have now of him and his +doings I fancy he will not care to face a judge and jury to enforce his +claims, as he so boldly announces his intention. If I had known of this, or +had taken this bundle of papers with me before, it would have saved me much +time and annoyance. However, this time I will leave nothing but what you +can claim as your father's gift, Miss Sherwood. The desk and its contents +are now yours." + +"Now, Miss Sherwood," said he, later, "I am ready to see your mother and +have a talk with her; and if you will bring along the bills, which I +daresay are rather heavy, I will see to their settlement." + +"There are no bills to settle, Mr. Hackett--none, at least, that I know of; +everything was paid for as it was ordered. I must confess we are about +penniless, though," she smilingly said, "and if you had delayed coming for +many more days we would have been like Mother Hubbard, with a bare +cupboard." + +"Why, you do not mean it, surely! Well, well! I never thought of such a +possibility! But, then, I never thought you would try to settle the bills +out of the money left for other purposes. Other things might have waited +till I came to look after them myself." + +"It has not hurt us to practise economy, and I did not want people to think +that papa did not leave us enough to pay our expenses, so I paid the bills +as long as the money held out. I had a little saved up, and that came in +very handy, but I shall be glad to get something on the housekeeping +account. They have all been protesting against the lack of variety on the +table, till my sister thinks she is boarding at the poorhouse." + +"Oh, not quite so bad as that! not quite so bad, I hope! But you should +have written to me, my dear Miss Sherwood, and told me about it. You have +managed wonderfully. I have come prepared to settle all accounts and +arrange about the future; but, by the way, I have something here for +yourself," taking a package from his breast-pocket, and handing it to her. +"Your father directed me to give you this. Oh, it is all right!" as Dexie +exposed a roll of bills. "Your father explained it to me the last time I +saw him, and I think myself it is only fair that the daughter who watched +over him and waited on him so faithfully should be especially remembered. +It is all right, and will come in very handy when the wedding comes off. +There! don't mind me! Your father told me all about it, and explained many +things which I need not have known if there had been any chance of his +recovery. But he knew someone must take an interest in you as a family, and +I am paid to do it, so it is all right, and the money is justly your own, +for you helped to earn it--yes, this was received from his publishers for +the work you helped him to do." + +"But I have a twin sister, Mr. Hackett," Dexie began, as she counted the +bills in her hand, "and I ought to share this with her." + +"Not at all! not at all, Miss Sherwood," was the decided answer. "Your +mother will supply your sister's wants willingly, which I fear would not be +the case with yourself, if you were left to her generosity. Pardon my +plain-speaking, Miss Sherwood; it is sometimes necessary, and I know what I +am talking about. It is your father's gift--a wedding present, if you like +to call it--and is intended for yourself alone, and in my opinion is not +half what you deserve, there! I am an old man, comparatively speaking, but +my eyes are young yet." + +Dexie led the way to Mrs. Sherwood's room, where her mother was anxiously +awaiting the appearance of the lawyer. She had become quite alarmed at the +want of money, and insisted that Dexie must have been wilfully extravagant. +But as Dexie produced all the accounts, and went over them before Mr. +Hackett, Mrs. Sherwood was obliged to confess that the blame was not all on +Dexie's shoulders, though she thought some of the bills extremely +exorbitant, and could not be convinced that the extras which Gussie had +ordered made such a difference. + +Mrs. Sherwood found the interview with the lawyer very satisfactory, and +she viewed with pleasure the roll of bills he left for their immediate use; +and, at the sight of it, Gussie made a mental list of various luxurious +articles she had long desired to possess. + +Dexie was putting the desk in order when Mr. Hackett returned through the +room, and he stopped for a few minutes' conversation with her while he drew +on his gloves. + +"I omitted to tell your mother, Miss Sherwood, that the woman to whom I +referred when I was here before, will be ready to engage with you in about +two weeks. Both she and her husband have excellent references, and I think +they will suit very well. I believe you will find them both very +trustworthy and worth waiting for. Do not hesitate to write to me if any +difficulty should arise," and bidding her a cordial "Good-bye" he left the +house. + +Gussie was not pleased over the fact that Dexie had to "waste all the +morning over those old papers," though she had not dared to remonstrate in +Mr. Hackett's hearing, for she stood very much in awe of the lynx-eyed +lawyer, who seemed to read her through and through with his keen grey eyes. + +"How much longer are you going to be over those papers, I'd like to know?" +she said, as she heard the front door close behind him. "The idea of you +sitting there, and the dishes not washed yet!" + +"Well, Gussie, you might have washed them before this; you have had plenty +of time. I must put away these papers while I have them sorted out; then I +will do what I can in the kitchen. Try to manage till I am done, Gussie; I +won't be long now," and she looked up with a smile, as she tied a package +of MSS. together and laid it away snugly in the drawer. + +"You can finish those papers after you see to your work," said Gussie +authoritatively. "You need not think you are going to be allowed to sit +here all the afternoon, for Mr. Hackett left mamma a lot of money, and I +guess we'll see who is going to run the house after this." + +"Well, Gussie, that last remark of yours suggests good news," said Dexie, +with a good-humored smile. "I will be delighted, indeed, if someone will +take my place, for I feel sadly in need of a rest." + +"Oh! I did not say you were to give up any part of the work! I guess you'll +have to do that, whether you want to or not; but mamma says that I am to be +the housekeeper and do the ordering after this," and there was a triumphant +ring in her tone. + +"Well, I was afraid that you would never care to do that, Gussie, and I am +glad to see you are willing to undertake the difficult task; but the woman +that Mr. Hackett is sending us cannot come for two weeks, so we must look +up someone to do the work until she comes. Janet Robinson goes out by the +day; I think we had better send for her." + +"Well, the idea! Hire a girl so you can sit in the parlor with Traverse, I +suppose! You managed well enough since Eliza left, and I guess you will get +no chance to play the lady in this house! The kitchen is your place, and +that is all you are fit for!" + +"Then I throw up the situation from this moment!" said Dexie, hotly, +thoroughly aroused at last. "It is quite time I turned my attention to +something higher--to the making of blue or green dogs on canvas, for +instance! Hire a servant to wait on you before night, for I will not step +my foot into the kitchen again! I'll find something to do in a more +congenial latitude," and Dexie thrust the remaining papers into the desk in +startling confusion, locking the several drawers with a snap. + +As Gussie left the room she rose to her feet, intending to send word to Guy +to come and take her away, but, as she turned about, he caught her in his +strong arms and held her close to him. + +"Oh, Guy! how long have you been here?" and she burst into tears. + +"Long enough to make up my mind that Gussie shall never get the chance to +insult you again as she has done in my hearing. Dexie! it makes my blood +boil to know that you are treated in this manner! You must come away with +me! I cannot leave you in the house after hearing those words said to you. +You must not refuse, darling!" and he wiped away her tears and kissed the +white face in his arms. + +"Oh, Guy! if you only _would_ take me," she sobbed. "I was just going to +send for you, and beg of you to take me at once." + +"I ran in to tell you that I am called to the city on business, and must go +on the 5.30 train, so come with me, darling. I have a married sister living +in Boston, who will make you right welcome, and we will be married as soon +as the ceremony can be performed. Will you agree to this plan, my darling?" + +"Yes, and bless you for the chance of getting away so quickly; but oh, Guy! +I seem to be all alone since papa died!" and the tears fell afresh. + +"You will not be able to say that in a few hours' time, dear; but I must +hasten--I have an appointment at my office this minute. I will be back for +you in less than an hour, and will see your mother then. Now, go and get +ready for your journey, my little wifie," and with a tender embrace he +hurried away, and Dexie flew upstairs to her room. + +She had barely time to lock the door when Gussie came towards it. + +"Open this door at once," she said, as she found it locked. "Mamma says you +are to go to the kitchen and finish the work, and if you make any more fuss +about it you will be sorry for it." + +No answer, for Dexie had swiftly turned the contents of her trunk out on +the floor, in one promiscuous heap, and was repacking it with a swift and +practised hand. + +"Do you hear what I say, Dexter, or shall I repeat it?" + +"I have resigned my place in the kitchen, Gussie," came the reply, "and do +not intend to enter it again; besides, I have accepted a better situation +since I saw you downstairs. I am packing my trunk to leave the house, so +you see I cannot be disturbed." + +Gussie stood dumb with astonishment at this unexpected announcement, but of +course it could not be true! + +"Oh! never mind your high tragedy airs just now; open the door at once." + +"I fancy that the tragedy part of this performance will be enacted by +yourself, Gussie," was the reply. "I shall not open the door till I get my +clothes packed; if you choose to wait till I am done, pray do so. I will +not be any longer than I can help, as I intend to take the first train for +the city." + +Gussie applied her eye to the keyhole, and the limited view she had of the +room was enough to convince her that Dexie was certainly packing her trunk, +and she flew to her mother's room with the news. + +Mrs. Sherwood could not believe it. Leave the house just when they needed +her the most! Impossible! She sent Gussie back to the door with a +peremptory message for Dexie to come to her room immediately. + +"Tell mamma I will be there in a few minutes. I am almost through packing, +and if I were you, Gussie, I would go at once and see if that Robinson girl +will come and stay with you till the new cook arrives; and do have a care +how you speak to her, for mamma's sake. Do not imagine that something will +happen to prevent me going away, for that is a settled fact!" + +Gussie hastened back to her mother in alarm. + +"She is really going, mamma, and says she won't come out of her room until +she gets her trunk packed. Oh! what shall we do with no one in the house to +do a thing for us! I did not mean to vex her when I spoke to her as I did," +bursting into tears. + +"So it is your fault that, she is going! Are my troubles not heavy enough +that you drive the only help I have away from me? What will become of us if +Dexie leaves us, for you are as useless as you are extravagant!" And the +mother scolded and complained as if Gussie alone were responsible for the +trouble. "Go at once and make some amends for your ill-tempered words," she +added, "and perhaps Dexie will overlook it, for my sake." + +Gussie returned to the closed door, and in contrite tones begged for +admittance. + +"Do let me come in, Dexie. I am sorry I vexed you, and you are not in +earnest about going away, surely, for you know we cannot spare you." + +Dexie threw open the door, saying: "Come in and judge for yourself, Gussie. +You see I really am going," she said, snapping the catch of her travelling +bag. "If my sudden departure puts the rest of the family to inconvenience, +you can blame yourself for it, Gussie; but you are just as strong as I am, +and should be able to fill my place. However, if you think yourself above +being useful, I hope you will not delay in getting someone else here, for +you know you could not have driven me out at a more inconvenient time, for +there is literally nothing cooked in the house." + +"But where are you going? Not to auntie's with Louie, surely?" + +"No. I should not like auntie to have a worse opinion of you than she has +already. In leaving home I am consulting my own happiness, and I am going +where I shall be kindly treated and warmly welcomed." + +"Well, I'm sorry now I said anything to vex you, Dexie; so you need not go, +after all." + +"Your repentance comes too late, Gussie, for my plans are made; but I do +not want to go away with any ill-feelings to any one, so here is my hand, +Gussie." + +"Oh, if you are really going, I'll not shake hands and make up with you! If +we only had some help in the house I would be glad to get rid of you. I +don't believe mamma will let you go, anyway," and with a toss of her head +she left the room, saying to herself: "She'll have to unpack her things +when mamma gets hold of her, so why need I humble myself to her." + +Dexie was soon in her mother's room, listening to the reproaches that were +heaped upon her without stint; but as no reply was given to them, Mrs. +Sherwood looked at her intently, and something in the mother's heart +brought to her attention the wan, white face of her daughter. She had not +noticed that Dexie looked so worn and thin, and for a moment her heart +smote her. + +"What is this I hear, Dexie?" she said at last. "Do you think I am going to +allow you to leave the house like this? You are forgetting that you are +still under my authority." + +"But you do not use your authority fairly, mamma. You have made my life +very hard and unhappy since papa died, and permit Gussie to be impudent to +me, even when I am doing everything for her comfort. I would have stayed a +few weeks longer, but Gussie has gone too far and made it impossible for me +to stay another day, so I am going away to be married." + +"Married! Dexie, are you crazy?" + +"No, I think no one else will think so, when they know that I am exchanging +my present life for one so much happier." + +"But, Dexie, I will not allow this! To be married in such haste, and away +from home, without any preparations whatever! I forbid you to leave the +house with such an absurd intention." + +"I am sorry to have to deliberately disobey you, mamma, but I have passed +my word and have no wish to take it back. I admit it would have given me +much happiness to have been married from home, but it is doubtful if I +could live long enough to _earn_ a wedding, so it is best as it is." + +"And you talk of being married, and your father not dead three months yet! +Oh! you heartless girl! And you pretended to care so much for him! You +shall not do this shameful thing! Fancy how people would talk!" + +Dexie burst into tears at the mention of her father, and turning to leave +the room, she heard Guy's voice in the hall below. + +"Are you nearly ready, my darling?" as she ran down the stairs to meet +him. + +"All ready, but mamma is not going to let me go without some trouble, Guy." + +"Take me to her at once, dear, and do not be alarmed. She will not forbid +our marriage, so dry those pretty eyes." + +Mrs. Sherwood found she could not talk to this stern-faced man as she did +to Dexie. She felt embarrassed at his replies to her many objections, and +the truths that Guy put so plainly she could neither deny nor refute. + +"It was Mr. Sherwood's wish that our marriage should not be delayed," was +his answer to this objection, "and according to Dexie's wishes it will be +strictly private. As to the unkind remarks which you fear will be made +about our rather hasty marriage, I will take it upon myself to silence +them, directly they reach my ears, by explaining Dexie's unpleasant +position at home since she has been without her father's protection." + +Mrs. Sherwood saw it was the best policy to give her sanction to the +marriage, seeing she had no power to prevent it; but when she offered, +after some hesitation, to give Dexie a sum of money to provide her with an +outfit, Guy refused to allow Dexie to accept it. + +"It is no matter, mamma," Dexie said through her tears, for the interview +had been most distressing. "Papa gave me the money he received from his +published sketches, so I will do very well." + +Mrs. Sherwood did not care to ask what the sum amounted to; but having a +poor opinion of her husband's literary efforts, she considered that it +could not be much. + +"I hope you will not regret this hasty step, Dexie," as Dexie came to her +side to wish her good-bye. "You cannot expect me to think kindly of you +when you leave me in such a way as this." + +"Well, mamma, you know I am obliged to seek the protection of a husband +that has been denied me as a daughter; I hope you will not miss me very +much. Will you not kiss me good-bye?" + +Her mother turned her cheek, but Dexie waited in vain for the kind parting +word she longed for. + +"I am sorry to leave you, mamma. Think kindly of me sometimes. Guy takes me +because he thinks I need his love and care." + +"Go to him, then! You have made your choice!" + +With this dismissal, Dexie hurried to the hall where Guy was awaiting her, +wiping her eyes as she went. + +"Well, for my part, I'm glad to see the last of you," said Gussie, +following slowly after her sister. "You have always stood in my way, and +your Puritanical notions have spoiled many pleasures for me; so whatever +tears _I_ shed will be tears of joy." + +"Thank you, Gussie; that speech is all that is needed to remove every +vestige of regret I may have felt at leaving home," was Dexie's reply, an +unusual light in her dark eyes. "Come, Guy, I am quite ready," and without +turning her head she passed out the door of her own home to the untried +future that she was to share with Guy Traverse. + +"My heart aches for you, my darling," and Guy pressed the hand that rested +on his arm. "Let Gussie shed her tears of joy while she can, for, if I am +not mistaken, they will flow for another cause before the week is out." + + + + +CHAPTER XLIV. + + +A kinder welcome could not be imagined than Dexie received from Guy's +sister when they arrived in Boston, for Mrs. Graham had heard so much of +Guy's "little girl" that she took Dexie to her heart at once. + +The mental disquietude and physical weariness that she had passed through +kept Dexie confined to her room for two days, but on the morning of her +third day in Boston she stepped out the church-door a willing, happy bride. + +"Really, I can hardly believe that I have been turned into a married woman +since I entered the church," she said softly, as Guy seated her in the +carriage. "Does it seem real to you, Guy?" + +"Well, hardly, dearest; but I am going to prove the reality of it, and use +the authority just granted to me, by insisting that you put aside the +thoughts that have made your face so sad. Let us think of the new, happy +life before us, and forget the trials we have passed through. We are going +to be very happy together, my little wife." + +"Yes, I am sure of that. I believe our quiet and unconventional wedding +will bring us quite as much happiness as if we had been married with all +the fuss that generally attends affairs of this kind." + +(They were driving back to Mrs. Graham's, where a few friends had been +invited to meet them before they left for a short trip.) + +"Yes, indeed," was the reply; "and I think we will enjoy it in a greater +degree than if we were surrounded by a crowd of distracting friends, though +I believe it is usually considered the one time in a person's life when +friends are most appreciated. Why it should be so I cannot see, if all love +is like ours. I have obtained my heart's desire at last. This happy day has +been long delayed, but is none the less dear for the waiting, and you can +never say again that you feel 'alone' in the world." + +Dexie gave him a grateful look, as there was no time for words before the +carriage stopped at Mrs. Graham's hospitable doorway, where smiling faces +awaited them. Kisses and congratulations were not wanting, and the few +friends who had accompanied them to church followed them into the house. A +few hours later the happy married pair left for New York, where they spent +a pleasant season viewing the sights of the metropolis. + +On returning to Boston, Guy was offered a position in a large +establishment, the headquarters of the firm, doing business in Lennoxville, +in which he was previously engaged. This arrangement proved agreeable to +all parties, and made it unnecessary for Dexie to return to the scene of +her former trials. + +Dexie soon found herself mistress of a charming little house, situated in +one of Boston's beautiful suburbs, where her windows looked out on a lovely +prospect. Here the time flew by so rapidly in caring for her dainty rooms +and blossoming borders that her thoughts seldom dwelt on the unhappy weeks +which preceded her marriage. + +It was a delightful surprise when the dear old piano came with the rest of +her belongings from home, but the grateful letter of thanks which Mrs. +Sherwood received was tossed aside without a word, though the letter had +not failed to touch the mother's heart. + +The piano had been a silent rebuke, and Mrs. Sherwood had been pleased to +remove it out of her sight, wishing in her heart that the memories which +troubled her could be as easily banished. + +But no other piano could have been half so dear to the heart of Dexie, and +when she sat down before her beloved instrument the first chords she struck +brought happy tears. It was like the greeting of a dear friend long absent. +Little wonder her fingers lingered lovingly over the keys as piece followed +piece. + +"Dexie," said Guy, coming over to her side and leaning one arm on the +piano, "do you remember playing for your father and me one evening and +refusing us a certain piece? I have often wondered at the reason of that +refusal. May I ask if you will play it for me now, darling?" + +Dexie dropped her hands into her lap and lifted a flushed face to her +husband's gaze. + +"Dear Guy, I wish you had not asked me, for I do not think I can." + +"What! not for me!" said he, laughing. "Not for your own husband! Come now, +Dexie, have I found a cause to be jealous already?" + +Dexie's arms were around his neck in a moment. + +"Do not say such words, dearest, not even in jest; you do not know how it +hurts me. Do you think I would have refused to play that piece for papa for +a slight reason, Guy?" + +"No, but tell me the reason, wifie. Come, no secrets from your hubby, +mind," looking into her eyes with a teasing glance. "You know you told me +you only played it when you were sentimentally inclined, and you must only +be 'sentimentally inclined' in my direction now, so what is the secret?" +kissing the lips so temptingly near. + +"You are welcome to the secret, dearest, if I can put it into words, but +not to the music, I fear, unless you will stand where I shall not see that +you are watching me. There are some things hard to explain, and the effect +of that piece of music upon me is one of them. Had I played it for papa, +it would have grieved instead of pleased him, for it generally makes me +cry; though why it has such power over me I do not quite understand. I have +only played it before one person, and he understood it; so I did not mind." + +"Now you have made me more curious than ever, little wife. You have played +it for one person, and that person a gentleman, and yet you cannot play it +for me. Now, Dexie, how could you break my heart by such a confession!" +said he, laughing. + +"It was only Lancy Gurney, so don't be foolish," leaning her head +confidingly on his shoulder. + +"_Only_ Lancy Gurney! Worse and worse!" laughing gaily, as he held up her +face to meet his gaze. "Don't tell me you are 'sentimentally inclined' in +_his_ direction yet, or I shall do something desperate." + +"How can I tell you about it, if you laugh? I am afraid you will not +understand it, if you look at it seriously!" + +"Well, try me, anyway," and he drew her on to his knee. + +"I fear it needs a musician's heart to understand it. I do not mean that +the piece is so very difficult, but it has such strange, peculiar chords, +which sound so exquisitely sweet, that it makes the tears come, no matter +how hard I try to repress them. It affected Lancy the same way, so I did +not mind playing it before him, but you see I could not give any reasonable +explanation for my tears had I played it for you at papa's request." + +"Say no more, little wife. I'll not tease you about it again; but let me +confess a little sin. I listened to you one night through the open window +when you were playing that piece, and I saw you in tears, too, but I did +not rightly guess the cause of them." + +"But I have not told you all yet! What will you say when I tell you that I +gave Lancy Gurney one promise which I have not been able to break! +Possibly, Lancy and I _were_ 'sentimentally inclined' when he exacted it of +me, but we agreed not to play that piece for other people, and I doubt if +he finds that promise any easier to break than I do, for he would not care +to let others see his emotion. I have often wondered what was in the heart +of the composer, for it touches my heart like no other piece of music has +power to do. I fear I have not made it very plain to you, dear, but I wish +you understood it as Lancy did." + +"Little wife, I believe you care for him yet," lifting her face and kissing +her lips. + +"Yes, of course I do, but not as I care for you. It is only the musical +corner of my heart that he has touched, for apart from music I never give +him a thought. My love for you is different; it seems to fill my life." + +"You shall not find me exacting, dearest. Lancy is quite welcome to that +musical corner, while I have such a heart full of love for my own. I would +not have spoken about that music had I known what it was to you. I will +remember after this," he added, smiling, "that it is 'sacred to the memory +of--Lancy Gurney,' and I am quite willing to have it so," and he drew her +close to his side. + +"It is kind of you, dear, to respect this, my one bit of private property. +I could never tell you what that music has been to me, for though it brings +tears to my eyes it has the power to comfort. It seems to soothe and +sympathize with me in my little troubles, and during that unhappy time +after papa died I do not know what I should have done without the piano to +talk to; it seemed the only bit of comfort left to me." + +Guy raised the drooping head, and gazing tenderly into her tear-filled eyes +said, gently: + +"Dearest love! I do not believe that I half know you yet! There seem depths +in your nature that I have never reached, and thoughts in your heart that I +have never shared; they are so far above me. Trust me as far as you will, +darling, and do not think that I wish you to break a promise that seems +more sacred than sentimental," and he drew her to his heart again. + +A few days later Guy brought home a thick letter to Dexie bearing the +postmark of Halifax, and as Dexie read it a troubled look spread over her +face, but she said nothing until the lamp had been lit and the curtains +drawn; then she drew close to her husband's side, saying: + +"Elsie has sent me very unpleasant news, dear." + +"Then I wish she had not written; I do not like to see my little wife look +sad over anything. May I know what it is, dear? but do not tell me if you +had rather not, Dexie," and he drew her down to his knee. + +"I do not think Elsie knew that her news would trouble me, for she seldom +sees beneath the surface of things. My marriage has given her mother a +great deal of trouble, and as she is the dearest little woman that I ever +knew, I feel very sorry." + +"For your marriage or the 'little woman'?" + +"What a tease you are!" joining in his laugh. "But there is a ludicrous +side to Elsie's story, too, though it is the unpleasant part of it that +strikes me first. Do you remember the threat that Hugh McNeil made when we +told him we were going to be married? Well, he has carried it out, and has +married Nina Gordon, my double, that I told you about. Oh, it is a shame! a +cruel shame! What a life she will lead with that passionate man, with no +love between them to soften his feelings! Hugh could never listen to her +patiently five minutes at a time; that is why he said he wished she was +dumb! Oh, Guy! I feel so grieved. She is so sensitive at heart, for all her +silliness, while Hugh is hasty and hot-tempered. How cruel of him to spoil +her life, if he only married her for the chance resemblance to me, and it +would be just like Hugh to tell her of it in one of his outbursts of +temper. It has made me feel so unhappy that I could not finish my letter; I +feel as if I were to blame in some way." + +"Do not feel so troubled about it, my little wife; perhaps she will so +improve under Hugh's tuition that she will be glad that her chance likeness +was the means of making her his wife. I have often wondered, Dexie, how you +refused him yourself. He seemed so persistent it is a wonder that he did +not take you from me," drawing her closer to his side. "He seemed to have +every quality that women most admire in a man." + +"Well, I did admire him--at a distance--a _long_ distance, you know," she +laughingly answered, "but directly we were near enough to talk to each +other, we were sure to disagree. What a charming married couple we would +have made!" and both laughed at the mental picture. "Poor Nina! she has not +the spirit to stand the first unkind word. I do hope Hugh will not be rough +with her." + +"I have a better opinion of Hugh McNeil than to think he will be rough with +his own wife. From what I saw of him I rather admired him, and I hope he +will be happy in his married life." + +"I hope so, too, but--I fear for Nina. Let me read Elsie's letter to you, +and you will understand the situation, for she is such an innocent little +kitten that she has disclosed more than she is aware of": + +"I cannot call you by your new name yet, but I hope you will not mind, for +you will always be just 'Dexie' to me. I know that I ought to begin my +letter with best wishes and congratulations, but I cannot do it honestly, +so it would not be honor bright. Your marriage has made such a disturbance +here that I do not know what to think, only that I am sure you are not to +blame for it; so I wish you to know the story, even though Cora often says, +'I hope Dexie will never hear about this.' + +"When I received the papers you sent me containing the announcement of your +marriage, I, very naturally, read it out for the benefit of the rest in the +room, never thinking I was doing anything out of the way; but that horrid +Hugh McNeil was present, and before I had quite finished reading it he +jumped to his feet and glared at me till I screamed with fright. Then he +snatched the paper from me, and tore it in a thousand pieces, and stamped +and stormed about the room till I felt sure he was crazy, then I ran from +the room in terror. Then, as if that were not enough, Cora followed me out +and said she had a good mind to box my ears for reading it out before Hugh, +and yet I am quite sure that she likes you as much as ever. Well, we had an +awful time with Hugh that night. He attempted to shoot himself, and mother +cried and father scolded, and Lancy had to come and watch him till +daylight. We were getting over our scare, and I was beginning to think it +was a 'temporary fit of insanity,' as Cora said, when we were startled by +another fit that is anything but 'temporary' this time, for Hugh asked papa +to rent him the other half of the house where you lived, stating that he +was going to be married immediately! Of course we wanted to know the name +of the lady, and you can imagine our surprise and dismay when he said it +was Nina Gordon. We all felt badly about it, for no one can imagine for a +minute that he cares for her. As soon as he had rented the house he started +off to Montreal, taking Mrs. Gordon and her daughter with him, and he +returned about a fortnight ago, bringing Nina as his wife. Mrs. Gordon is +to live in Montreal, and however Nina will manage without her mother at her +elbow, is what puzzles everybody. + +"I did not see Mrs. McNeil till a few days ago, for I was huffy at Hugh and +would not be friendly with his wife; but when I did call I got such a +surprise that for a few minutes I stood still in astonishment, for, if you +will believe me, Dexie, they have got the house fixed up just as it used to +look when you lived there--the same pattern of carpets and curtains, the +pictures on the wall seem to be the very same, even to 'George Washington' +that you used to make fun of. A piano occupies the same spot, and in the +midst of it all there sat Nina with one of your pretty dresses on. Well, I +suppose, the dress _was_ her own, but I cannot understand how she happened +to get it made so much like yours. Of course I made remarks, how could I +help it when everything was so much like old times! but, in the most +unexpected moment, in came Hugh, and the way he went on at me was something +fearful! I am sure I never hinted that he had not a right to furnish his +house to suit himself, but when I went home he followed me and had a long +talk to mother about me. Nasty thing, that he is! and now I am forbidden to +mention to anyone the astonishing resemblances that I see next door. They +have sent me to my room for an hour because I _looked_ surprised at a +remarkable thing, so I thought I would sit down and tell you how badly I am +treated, for I am snubbed at every turn, and no one likes to be continually +snubbed. + +"We like Lancy's wife very much, though she is different from what we +expected. It is quite plain that she is very much in love with Lancy, so he +ought to be pleased. I suppose it will not be 'the correct thing,' as Nina +says, if I tell you why we felt so disappointed over his marriage, but we +all expected his wife would be the dear girl we used to know and love. I +often think that Lancy misses her, for his wife is not a bit musical; but +everything is contrary here. There! I am called, and my hour is not yet up, +so that's odd, too." + +"That is only the first part of the letter, but it contains news enough for +a dozen," said Dexie, as she laid the closely-written sheets on the table +before her. "I am sure you see now what a trouble my marriage has been to +dear Mrs. Gurney." + +"Yet we imagined it was a very quiet affair, eh, Dexie?" regarding her with +an amused smile: "However, do not take it so seriously, darling. Things +have, no doubt, quieted down by now, and everyone will not see Hugh's wife +and home with Elsie's eyes." + +"But I have not finished the letter yet; wait till you hear the rest." + +"There is a postscript, I suppose, and like every other woman's letter, it +needs to be read first," was the smiling reply. "Well, let us hear the +conclusion of the matter." + +Taking up the remaining pages, Dexie read: + +"I was called downstairs to see Mrs. McNeil, who was in the parlor and had +asked to see me especially, and as my eyes rested upon her the word 'Dexie' +sprang to my lips. She had on your garnet velvet suit, and looked as well +in it as ever you did. I intended to treat her very coolly, for I had not +forgiven Hugh, though I have been to church twice since he offended me; but +she was so very friendly, and so anxious to make amends for Hugh's +behavior, that my coolness melted away. She begged me to try and like her +'for Dexie's sake,' and as Hugh had sent regrets for his hasty words and +wished me to run in as freely as I did in the old times, I feel as if I can +repeat the responses in church this evening without feeling so terribly +wicked over it. I fancy, from what Nina says, that Hugh is often quite +stern and cold in his way of speaking to her, and she admitted that he has +already made her cry. I feel very sorry for her, for I did not know when I +began this letter why Hugh was so put out at your marriage, but I do now, +and I think that since you would not have Lancy it is a good thing that you +are safely married; but take care that Hugh does not run away with you some +day. He is quite equal to it yet." + +"There is no danger of that," said Guy, referring to the concluding +passage. "I can read another story between the lines of Elsie's letter, and +I think, dear, that Hugh's wife will not blame you if her marriage should +not prove a happy one." + +"I hope you are right, Guy; but how could I bear it if I thought you +married me just because I resembled someone that you knew and loved, but +could not marry," and she put her arms around his neck and looked into his +eyes. + +"But you know that my heart has been yours since I first saw you, so why +need you borrow trouble, my little wife? There! lie still in my arms and +rest content," drawing her close to his breast with a tenderness that gave +a fresh assurance of his love. + +"Do you know, Dexie, dear," he added presently, "something in that letter +tells me that Hugh explained everything to Nina before he married her, and +she could have refused him if she objected to the conditions. Hugh's money +would overbalance many difficulties, and I have no doubt that Mrs. Gordon +urged her daughter to accept him, with a full knowledge of his reasons for +wishing to marry her. I feel sure that Nina is willing and anxious to +please Hugh, and he may yet find much happiness in the society of your +double. Few men would care to do such a thing, I admit, but if he finds any +solace in his disappointment in surrounding himself with things that are +dear to his memory and in making his wife a second Dexie, it is well." + + + + +POSTSCRIPT. + + +Having happily married my heroine and disposed of her lovers, it occurs to +me that I have reached the place where story-writers usually make a big +flourish, write "Finis," and then lay down the pen. + +But the story of a person's life does not end with marriage, as some would +have us think, for marriage generally brings out one's best qualities or +develops the worst, and is sure to make or mar the life of every woman; +consequently, this story is not yet finished. Yet why should I trouble +myself to write out the remainder of it until I have discovered if the +reading public are interested in Dexie's life so far as it has been already +told? It may be that no one cares to follow her fortunes any further, or +feels the least desire to know what the future has in store for her, to say +nothing of the friends who have been associated with her; and as I have no +wish to bore you, dear reader, gentle or otherwise, it rests with you to +say if their married lives shall be laid bare or not. + +I am aware that the marriage of my heroine lacked the _eclat_ which usually +attends events of that kind--in story books--but I fancy the average reader +is well acquainted with all the details of an elaborate wedding, and must +be surfeited with the various accounts of them by this time. However, if +that is the style of wedding you prefer, I can give the names of several +volumes which contain everything you can possibly desire in the way of +description of gorgeous wedding costumes and all the rest of the +paraphernalia that goes along with them, and you can read any account that +suits you better, then take up my story further along. See? + +Those that take objection to Dexie's home-life--particularly to that +immediately preceding her marriage--are reminded that such lives do exist. +When death visits a family, and removes the restraining head, the petty +faults of the remaining inmates are apt to grow apace, unless the Angel of +Death has touched their hearts with divine grace. Lacking this, the +development of character has a downward tendency. It does not make pleasant +reading, but I have not told an impossible tale. But who knows "how the +other half lives?" + +The question is--Do you care to know if Dexie has chosen her life as wisely +as she might have done? Would her married life have been happier if she had +married Lancy Gurney? The affection they had for each other was akin to +love; there was a sympathy between them which those who have an intense +love for music can alone understand, and which might have proved a source +of happiness, even during a life-long existence. They might not have +experienced the rapture of heartfelt love, but their lives might have been +more peaceful and contented without it, for deep love often means keen +sorrow. + +Or would it have been better if she had accepted the love as well as the +money which Hugh McNeil was so anxious to lay at her feet? She might have +learned to care for him in time, and to have found pleasure in a life +surrounded by all the joys that wealth can bestow. To have an abundance of +worldly goods, and to be exempt from the petty cares and economies which a +limited income necessitates, is a condition much to be desired, even where +no love exists to soften the heart of husband and wife, and in this case +Hugh McNeil could not be charged with possessing an unloving heart. + +Dexie thinks she has made the wisest choice in accepting Guy Traverse and +marrying for love, but she has yet to face the question--Is mutual love +alone essential to secure a happy married life? or in the language of the +world: + +"Does it pay to marry for love alone?" + + * * * * * + +ABOUT SHORTHAND! + +The need of a simpler and swifter mode of writing is felt by all who have +much writing to do--by newspaper men, by legal gentlemen, by clergymen, by +students in taking class lectures and making notes of many things valuable +for future "refreshment," authors and scientific men in recording important +facts. + +Amanuenses are in demand as corresponding clerks and secretaries in all +important mercantile and literary offices, at salaries much higher than is +paid in any similar employment. Indeed, many of the leading business and +professional men owe their prosperity to their knowledge of Shorthand and +Typewriting. + +If a young man or woman desires a business or profession, light, pleasant, +what is more congenial than stenography? Other occupations are crowded, and +the income for years is small. But stenography, on the other hand, is an +opening through which one can enter any business or profession with rewards +equal to ability and capacity. + +Which System? + +There are a dozen or more different systems of shorthand. Each one is best +to somebody. Which is best for you? Eleven are hard to learn, and harder to +practise; who will learn them? One is simple and easy--children learn it. +The one is + +Simple Shorthand + +best, because simplest, easiest, quickest learned, most legible of all, and +fully answers every purpose for which shorthand is desired. + +Shorthand must be learned quickly, or most people cannot afford the time. +There has never been a satisfactory system till now. Previous systems have +been too complicated, and people get an idea that shorthand is very +difficult--it is not. Simple Shorthand is not. + +Simple Shorthand excels the difficult systems in all their good points, and +seems to have none of their faults. Therefore I cannot be too exact in +describing it. The several advantages are: + +No shading, no positions, no arbitrary characters, and the vowels are +written in their natural order without lifting the pencil; as in longhand, +no depending upon "context." + +If you could learn the Pitman system (100 words a minute) in six months, +you could easier learn Simple Shorthand in three months. Our scholars learn +Simple Shorthand in a week, then use it writing up their book-keeping. It +saves more than half their time. + +You can learn shorthand by mail just as well. I guarantee success in every +case, or return the money. I send lessons, instructions, criticise and +correct all exercises, until you can write 100 words a minute, for $10, +payable at beginning. + +Lesson free, write for it. + +SNELL'S ACTUAL BUSINESS AND SHORTHAND COLLEGE, + +TRURO, N.S. + + * * * * * + +R.J. TURNER, + +VICTORIA SQUARE, TRURO, N.S., + +Direct Importer of + +Hardware, Crockery and Groceries. + +THREE SEPARATE DEPARTMENTS UNDER ONE ROOF. + +FRENCH, ENGLISH AND AUSTRIAN CHINA GOODS A SPECIALTY. + +Blanchard, Bentley & Co., + +IMPORTERS OF + + DRY GOODS, + + MILLINERY, + + CARPETS, Etc., + +WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. + +Large Assortment, Small Profits and Strictly One Price. + + TRURO AND NEW GLASGOW, + NOVA SCOTIA. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS DEXIE *** + +***** This file should be named 16993.txt or 16993.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/9/9/16993/ + +Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Josephine Paolucci and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net. +(This file was produced from images generously made +available by the Canadian Institute for Historical +Microreproductions (www.canadiana.org)) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** + diff --git a/16993.zip b/16993.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5d83674 --- /dev/null +++ b/16993.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2192e17 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #16993 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16993) |