she appears to dislike me heartily, but
I have grounds to hope that there will be a change very soon. The signs may
not be visible to others, but I am not in despair, by any means," and he
stopped by the couch and smiled down at Mr. Sherwood's face.

"Well, Traverse, though I ought not to say it, she will make you the better
wife of the two. You are not blind, and if a daughter is loving, unselfish
and sympathetic to her old father, she will make a good wife. Success to
your wooing, though it looks to me as if it might be a tough job. If you
win her, you shall have my blessing with her; but do not take her away from
me, Traverse. You will not have long to wait, and I should miss her sadly."

"Well, there seems to be no sign of a speedy marriage at present," was the
smiling reply, as he took a seat by the window, "but I hope your life will
be spared for a long while yet. Do not say anything about my calling here
this afternoon. Dexie does not seem in the humor to hear a proposal yet;
but I am going to take advantage of the first chance, so you may expect
news at any time."

"Well, Traverse, I shall watch the progress you make, _sub rosa_. It will
add quite an interest to the monotonous life I spend here on my back."

"You may not have long to wait, for I am going to press the matter at the
earliest opportunity, even though I may get a positive refusal for my
answer," was the laughing reply. "I have bought the ring, so you see I have
some hope."

"Well, upon my word, Traverse! that is taking time by the forelock, sure
enough. I must be even blinder than I thought, if there are enough signs
for you to go that far already. She wears a ring now that has given rise to
much gossip, but I cannot get at the truth of the matter. She will not tell
me her secrets as she used to do; so take care, Traverse, the giver of that
ring may be in your way, after all."

"I'll risk it, Mr. Sherwood," he said, smiling. "But the young ladies have
just turned the corner; I shall have to escape by the side-door. Good
afternoon, Mr. Sherwood, you have made me very happy," and after a cordial
hand-clasp Guy left the house.

"Strange that I never mistrusted that it was Dexie he was after all this
time," thought Mr. Sherwood. "Yet I might have guessed, if I had given it a
thought, for he never asks after Gussie when he calls, and it is always
Dexie he brings home when the girls are out--when she will let him," and he
laughed softly, as he remem