f
his intention her hands were seized in his strong grasp as he poured out
his heart in a torrent of passionate words.

Dexie was moved in spite of herself. She looked into the face so near her,
and asked herself the question, "Why could she not love him?" He surely
loved her truly, or he would not speak so earnestly. A future such as he
could give her would be eagerly grasped by many young girls. She had never
thought his face half so expressive as it now appeared to her. Yes, he was
very handsome after all; his very soul seemed shining through his eyes, and
as he talked she dropped hers before his earnest gaze.

"It is no use," she said at last, in a low tone. "I cannot, I cannot--

'I do not love you, Dr. Fell,
The reason why I cannot tell.'"

But, low as the words were, Hugh heard them.

"Never mind the love, Dexie; marry me, and the love will come afterwards."

"No, Mr. McNeil, I will not risk it," was her low reply, as she pulled her
hands from his close grasp. "I am quite sure we could not live a week in
peace and happiness. There is something in your very presence that raises
up the worst feelings in me, and why should I knowingly spoil all my life?"

"It is no risk, Dexie; you shall never have any reason to be vexed with me.
Your father is quite ready to accept me as a son-in-law; he trusts me, why
cannot you? My darling, you have had time to think it over. Give me your
promise; it need not be fulfilled until you wish it."

"I cannot give a promise I have no wish or intention of keeping, and how
can you ask such a thing? How can you want an unwilling bride?"

"Never mind me, Dexie. Say you will be my wife sometime, and that will be
enough. You will never regret it."

Dexie covered her face with her hands, and thought it over. The few
minutes' silence was broken by Hugh, who hoarsely asked:

"Will you give me your promise, Dexie?"

"No, I will not!"

"But you shall! I swear it! Do you think I am not in earnest?" and the
love-light in his eyes was dimmed by a harder and fiercer look. "You will
return home my promised wife, or not at all!"

CHAPTER XXIX.

They had drifted on and on.

A little to the left a vessel was riding at anchor, and Dexie felt sure
there must be someone on board who would help her. If she could only alter
the course of the boat and get into the current, it might bring them near
enough to attract attention, then she would shout for help.

There was a long silen