im aboot this man Plaisted, it micht keep him
frae daein' yer faither ony mischief. It wad dae nae harm, ony way."

"May I copy this letter written by Plaisted? I would like to show papa what
kind of a man this Plaisted is, for I think he trusts him too much."

"Weel, it canna be ony harm, shurely, jist to _copy_ the letter, but ye
needna mention the maitter to onyane; there's nae kennin' whit they wad
mak' o't."

Dexie soon had a copy of the letter and a general knowledge of a few others
in Plaisted's peculiar handwriting, and this proved of much value in
establishing certain facts that came up at a future time, the copied letter
proving the missing link in a chain of evidence that brought Plaisted's
misdoings to judgment.

Lancy was consulted about the box, and promised to see it safe into the
hands of the owner. Soon after they learned that this was the very box that
they had heard the town-crier proclaim as _lost_ when driving home from the
market-house.

With many regrets at leave-taking, both on the part of visitors and
entertainers, the little party drove away, unconscious of the fact that
under the seat of the carriage there were several substantial tokens of
regard, which were, however, discovered, when they arrived at Mrs.
Fremont's.

Mrs. Fremont congratulated them all on the benefit they had undoubtedly
received from their visit, particularly Elsie, who seemed to be a new
creature. Her pale cheeks had been painted by the sun a warm brown, and the
pure sea-air had created an appetite that told its story in rounded limbs
and wide-awake appearance that contrasted greatly with the languid
movements she had brought with her from Halifax.

Lancy sent word to his parents that they would return the following week,
and promised to telegraph the day of starting.

This was glad news to Hugh, who was present when the letter was read, and
heard its contents discussed.

Ever since Hugh had come into possession of his fortune he had looked
forward to the return of the party with much impatience. There were times
when he felt almost tempted to seek Dexie's presence, and try again to win
a word that would give him some hope. All his future plans seemed to depend
on the way Dexie treated him, and he waited her coming, uplifted sometimes
by hope, but more often depressed by fear, and with a restlessness that
made him almost irritable at times. He insisted on filling his usual place
in the store, glad enough to keep h