sung from so many different quarters that her dislike to
him was fast melting away, and seated by Gussie's side she could look on
him with favor. But Hugh was merely biding his time, and was constantly on
the watch for a favorable opportunity to press his suit personally and
alone, in spite of the fact that Dexie considered the matter forever
settled between them.

CHAPTER XXVII.

The auction rooms on Barrington Street were full to overflowing. A stock of
goods was going under the hammer at ridiculously low prices, and among the
bidders Hugh McNeil was conspicuous. As he turned to speak to a friend, he
was much surprised to see Dexie Sherwood among the crowd. She was alone and
not a little frightened at finding herself jostled about, and she welcomed
Hugh with a smile as he made his way to her side.

"I am so glad to see you, Mr. McNeil. I was just wondering if I should be
able to get out of this alive."

"How did you happen to come here at all; curiosity, I suppose?" and he
smiled down into her face.

"Oh, no, indeed; I came on business, but I did not know what a hard time I
was going to have of it. I heard Mr. Gurney talking about this sale last
night, so I thought I might take advantage of it as well as the rest. I am
Commissary-General now, you know, so I am on the lookout for bargains in my
line," and she laughed softly.

"You want to bid for something, then; come and show me. Take my arm, so we
will not get separated in the crowd," and for the first time in her life
she placed her hand on Hugh's arm and followed his leading, and this
thought came to Dexie with added force as Hugh pressed the hand in token of
the pleasure granted him.

More than one person noted the bright young face that eagerly watched the
several assortments fall under the hammer, and the light that shone in
Hugh's dark eyes was not all caused by the excitement of the sale.

"I feel quite proud of my bargains," said Dexie, as they left the building
and turned towards home. "I am ever so much obliged for your help; it will
make such a difference in my accounts. Oh, you can't think how economical I
am getting to be," said she, with a rippling laugh.

Then Dexie found herself telling her companion how she had gone with the
Fremont girls to purchase household supplies, how they all enjoyed the
excitement of the sales, and how sometimes no one would bid against them,
much to the auctioneer's chagrin; how she was profiting by the Fre