do you mean to say that you have never been presented to Miss
Sherwood! How did that happen? Come with me at once." There was much
merriment over the long delayed introduction, and Dexie smilingly consented
to accept the office of assistant, in addition to that of organist. This
gave Guy Traverse the chance he had long been looking for, and at the close
of the meeting he offered himself as her escort home.

This Dexie politely declined, adding in her kindest tone,

"Our house is just at the corner, Mr. Traverse, so I will not trouble you,"
and she slipped away.

The distance was short, for as Guy stood at the outer entrance of the T.
and B. rooms he could hear the front gate shut after her, yet he would have
enjoyed even that short walk with his fair assistant.

"She is not inclined to be friendly, it seems," he soliloquized, as he
stroked his long silken moustache. "I must find out the reason."

The next time opportunity offered he again asked permission to escort her
home, but again his offer was so pleasantly declined that he could not feel
offended, though it put him upon his mettle. He determined to overcome her
prejudice, or whatever it was that made her treat him with so much reserve.
As he turned to go home, Gussie came down the steps, and with his hand to
his hat he said, smilingly,

"I almost fear to risk a second refusal to-night, Miss Sherwood, but will
you accept the escort that your sister has declined?"

It was a blow to her pride that Dexie had been asked first, but such an
eligible young man could not be snubbed on that account, so Gussie smiled
her sweetest as she walked by his side.

"Have I done anything to displease your sister?" he asked, as they stood a
few moments at the gate. "I find her very hard to get acquainted with,
though I can readily see that it is not her nature to be unfriendly."

"You have not offended her, of that I am sure," Gussie replied.

"Then you think she had no particular reason for refusing my company
to-night?"

"She may have some objection to any company, but not yours in particular."
"Has someone else a prior claim?" he smilingly asked. "Believe me, Miss
Sherwood," he added, in an apologetic tone, "I am not asking out of
curiosity alone."

Gussie believed there was someone else, for Dexie had a gentleman
correspondent.

"Then she is engaged, I suppose, but if the fortunate man is absent she
might allow others the pleasure of her company occasionally."

Bu