and return in unexpected company. I am
bewildered by the thoughts and suggestions that crowd into my mind."

"Let me tell the story briefly, and she can relate the details later on.
Here it is: Your fair warbler finds herself afloat, and unintentionally
alone with a desperate lover, who demands her heart and hand at the point
of a revolver, with the alternative of a death in his arms. Choosing
neither, said American warbler skilfully guides the boat to a vessel
anchored near, hoping to find a rescuer. This failing her, she takes
advantage of a moment when the aforesaid lover's back is turned, and
escapes to the vessel by aid of a rope ladder, and effectually keeps at bay
the aforesaid lover by a judicious use of the revolver, which had
previously been turned against herself. Then finding himself worsted, the
afore-mentioned desperate lover hies himself away, and your humble servant
turns up in the nick of time, and rescues the almost despairing warbler,
and returns her to the arms of--well--a waiting friend; quite a romance, my
wife will say."

Lancy listened to the story with amazement.

"Dexie, is this possible? or is the lieutenant only joking?"

"It has been no joke to me, Lancy; I can say that," was the reply in a
quivering voice. "I was not off the vessel ten minutes, before we met the
vessel's crew going towards her. I can't bear to think of it."

"But the revolver; surely that is an exaggeration!"

"It is here," and the lieutenant held it towards Lancy, who drew back with
a shudder.

"Heavens! is it possible? I can hardly realize how Hugh was capable of such
an act."

"You had better take this Mr. Gurney, and give it to the owner," said the
lieutenant, still holding out the weapon.

"No!" said Dexie quickly, "he shall not have it back! If you will not keep
it, Lieutenant Wilbur, I will throw it into the harbor the first chance I
get!"

"I will keep it then, fair warbler," and he replaced it in his pocket.

"Does he not know your name?" said Lancy, in a low tone.

"No, but he saw us both in the hall, and remembers me."

"Well, it is but fair, lieutenant," said Lancy aloud, "that you should know
the name of the lady you rescued. This is Miss Dexie Sherwood."

"Ah! happy to know you at last, Miss Sherwood," was the laughing reply, as
he bent over her a moment; "but I must bid you good-bye, as I get off
here," and signalling the driver he lifted his cap, and was soon out of
sight.

They reached ho