o the wharf Hugh was so silent that Gussie began to banter
him on his gloomy countenance.

"You don't look as if you enjoyed the prospect of an afternoon on the
water, after all!" she said, laughing.

Hugh took no notice of her remarks, but handed the girls into the boat,
threw the shawls on a seat, and shoved off.

"I hope the wind will rise a little," said Dexie, as they seated
themselves. "You will find it rather tiresome to row all the time."

"We will catch a slight breeze after we get out a bit," replied Hugh.

But Gussie no sooner felt the motion of the boat than she repented her
decision in coming. She was a veritable coward on the water; the least
ripple made her shrink with fear, and nothing but her anxiety to keep Hugh
and Dexie apart would have allowed her to overcome her dread. But once on
the water, fear and sickness overmastered all else.

"Oh! do be careful!" she cried in alarm, as Hugh stepped forward to adjust
the sail, causing the little craft to dip slightly on one side.

"No danger, Gussie," said Dexie; "the boat will not tip as easily as you
suppose."

"But do you not think it is getting rough?" she asked, as a slight ripple
came towards them. "Oh! I wish I had not come. Do let us go back."

"The idea! Why, we have not been out ten minutes," said Dexie, who
thoroughly enjoyed the motion that sent the color from Gussie's face.
"Gussie, are you frightened, or sick?" she added, looking into her sister's
face.

"Both. Do ask Hugh to return; I am in misery."

Hugh lost no time in doing as he was requested, and they soon reached the
wharf. Gussie stepped ashore at once, glad to reach _terra firma_ again;
but as Dexie stepped forward to join her, Hugh turned sharply:

"Are you frightened, too? I thought you were made of something better."

The taunt aroused Dexie, and she replied:

"No, I'm not afraid. It was not I that asked to return."

Instantly Hugh stepped into the boat and, gave it a shove that sent it
several rods, saying:

"Then we'll not lose our sail on Gussie's account," and he bent to the
oars, sending the little boat far out into the stream.

Gussie stood on the wharf until she saw that they really meant to leave her
there, and then walked thoughtfully home.

"I wonder what this means?" was Dexie's inward comment when she found
herself alone with Hugh. "There is some method in this madness, for I see
it in his eyes."

She did not offer to begin the conversation until she