nt to speak to them. Do ask them to come
for a drive."

"Elsie, are you crazy?--in this sleigh? Good evening, ladies" (this to the
laughing girls on the sidewalk). "I am delivering some lively freight, you
see. Don't you admire my turnout?"

"Yes; it is superb. May we get on board?"

"Well, if you would care to--I don't mind," was the hesitating reply; "but
I have nothing but boards for seats, you know."

"Oh! no matter. The first sleigh-drive of the season is always the most
enjoyable, no matter what sort of a sleigh carries you along."

Lancy soon had them seated as comfortably as circumstances would permit,
and they drove off with many expressions of delight.

"Turn up Spring Garden Road, Lancy," said Hugh, entering into the spirit of
the fun; "perhaps we will meet another friend or two who would enjoy a
spin."

Presently they came up with Fred Beverly and May Deblois, as they were
stepping briskly along the sidewalk, who started in surprise as the sleigh
drove up and they recognized the occupants.

"Will you have a drive?" was Lancy's greeting.

"Most willingly," replied Fred, laughing. "Really, this is kind of you,
Gurney, to give your friends a drive on the first snow."

"Oh! you need not give _me_ any credit, for you had better believe I never
intended to form a sleighing party when I started out with _this_ team."

"Unexpected blessings thankfully received," said Fred, laughing. "The going
is fine, but it won't last long, unfortunately."

On they went, their merry laughter chiming with the jingling of the sleigh
bells, and more than one person turned to look after them with a feeling of
envy.

"Oh! that was Mrs. Gordon we just passed at the corner," said Elsie, in a
whisper. "How horrified she would be if she knew who we were!"

"Do let us call for Nina," said Dexie; "there is room for one more, and I'm
sure she would enjoy it."

"But she would not consider it 'the correct thing,'" said Fred, with a
laugh, "so you would have your trouble for nothing."

"Oh, I am sure she would _love_ to come! do let me run in and ask her!" she
urged, as they neared the house. "Ten to one she will not come until her
mamma comes home to tell her if it is 'the correct thing' or not," said
Fred, teasingly.

"Yes, that will be just it; she will not know what to wear for this special
occasion, and it is a pity to lose a moment of this beautiful evening,"
said Fanny.

"I'll run the risk, and stand responsible for