The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Dexie, by Stanford Eveleth

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Title: Miss Dexie
       A Romance of the Provinces

Author: Stanford Eveleth

Release Date: November 3, 2005 [EBook #16993]

Language: English

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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,