e, but
I can well believe that I am far in the shade so far as music goes. I
cannot tell you what you ask, Lancy, for my love has not been asked for in
words; but I am very happy, and if my future holds nothing brighter than my
present life, it will be well worth living, for the only shadow is the
thought of poor papa's sufferings. And now, dear Lancy, good-bye. This is
my last letter to you, but if we ever meet again I think you will find that
I am the same old Dexie."

The letter had such a kind, honest ring to it that it quite relieved
Lancy's mind, and he wondered what Dexie would say if she knew that his
ladylove was only a passable singer, and had no talent for music at all.
Truly, he had fallen in love with his opposite.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

"I say, Traverse! I believe you are getting melancholy," said Mr. Fenerty,
as, seated in Guy Traverse's office, he watched Guy bend over the papers on
the desk before him, yet seeming to accomplish nothing.

Getting no response to his repeated sallies, he added:

"What's up! out with it! If that pile of papers is in a tangle, say the
word, and I'll bring my mighty brain to bear on them, and set them in order
for you in no time! No? Are the men going out on a strike, then? or is your
great-grandma down with the measles? Then, for Heaven's sake, why such a
doleful expression? It is enough to give one the blues to look at you!" and
he re-crossed his legs and looked searchingly at his friend.

"That's all your nonsense, Fenerty! I'm all right! What's the news?" and
Traverse leaned back in his chair as if to resign himself to the
inevitable.

"News! he asks for news, when I have come here expecting to find him
boiling over with anxiety to impart news to someone!" and Fenerty rolled up
his eyes in astonishment. "However, now that I have looked at you, and seen
the settled melancholy of those features, I am obliged to own that you do
not look like a man to be congratulated."

"Why should I be congratulated, and for what? What joke are you struggling
to get rid of, Fenerty?"

"'Pon honor, Traverse, I believe you are right! The congratulations are due
in some other quarter, yet who is he?"

"I am as much in the dark as yourself, Fenerty. I own that I hoped to win
her myself, and I feel the disappointment--keenly."

"Traverse, I hope you will not think me a meddling fool; but I would like
to know if it is all up with the other one--she of the letter, I mean. You
migh