umber
should participate. She had watched Lancy as he drove away to the store in
the large open sleigh which was termed "the delivery team," and a few
whispered words to Elsie were hint enough.

A short time before Lancy could be expected home, Dexie and Elsie, well
wrapped in furs, were making their way towards Mr. Gurney's store on
Granville Street; but meeting Maud Harrington and Fanny Beverly, they
stopped a moment to speak to them.

"Which way are you going, girls?" Dexie asked, her eyes sparkling with
mischief.

"We are on our way home, just now," said Fanny, "but it is a wonder that
you girls are not taking advantage of the sleighing, when it will last only
a day or two at the most."

"Oh! we expect to have a drive later on," said Elsie. "Be on the lookout
for us, and if you are not over-fastidious as to the style of the turnout,
there will be a chance for you to have a drive as well."

"Oh! I'll not refuse a sleigh-drive; I would accept a seat on a bob-sled
rather than miss the first sleighing," said Fanny, with a laugh.

Lancy was surprised when Dexie and his sister made their appearance in the
store; but as Dexie carried some parcels with her, he supposed she had been
out to do some shopping.

"I am almost ready to go home, girls, so sit down and wait for me," he
said, as he brought forward some seats, "and if you will accept a drive in
the delivery, it will save you the walk home."

Of course they would wait and drive back with him; so Lancy went out and
placed some temporary seats in the big sleigh, making them soft and
comfortable by the aid of rugs and robes.

"Are you coming back with us, Hugh?" as Hugh made his appearance from the
booking-room.

"Well--yes--if I may," and he looked over to the window where Dexie was
standing, as if to ask her permission.

"Well, there is plenty of room, Mr. McNeil," she said, with a smile, "so
you won't crowd us."

Lancy helped Dexie into the seat beside himself, so Hugh and Elsie took the
seat behind.

"Really, this is very comfortable, Lancy," said Dexie, as they flew along
the street. "I don't see what better accommodation one could ask than this.
Don't drive straight home; let us have our drive without changing the
sleigh," she added, in a low voice.

"No, I want you alone; there is too much room here to please me," he
replied, with a smile.

"Oh! stop a minute, Lancy," cried Elsie, a moment later. "There is Maud
Harrington and Fanny Beverly; I wa