th regarding it was quite
astonishing.

"Why, where did you get it, Dexie? It is just a beauty; mine look quite
common beside it! That is the second new ring you have worn lately, Dexie,
but I hope there is not so much mystery about this one as there was about
the other. Lend me your ring for this evening, will you, Dexie?" she added,
coming over to her sister's side.

"No, thank you," and Dexie turned away. "You have half-a-dozen rings of
your own, and you know your own motto is 'What's mine is mine,' so I'll
neither borrow nor lend," laughing good-naturedly.

"Keep your old ring, you stingy thing!" Then, fearing that Traverse might
have heard her, she said sweetly:

"Have you noticed Dexie's new ring, Mr. Traverse? It is a mystery to me
where she gets them, for I am sure she would never buy them herself.
Perhaps Hugh McNeil sent it, eh, Dexie? It looks just like one he would
send," and she regarded her sister closely.

Dexie colored painfully at this interrogation, and Guy, who was amused at
Gussie's inquisitiveness, said in feigned surprise:

"Are you really guilty of wearing a new ring, Dexie?" the corners of his
mouth twitching suspiciously. "I hope you are as happy in possessing it as
the donor was in bestowing it."

"Thank you, Mr. Traverse, I think I can truthfully say that I am."

"Oh, Dexie! was it really given to you by a gentleman? Was it Lancy Gurney
who sent it?"

"Hardly, Gussie, or some other young lady would have a right to complain,"
smiling at Gussie's look of surprise.

"Then it was Hugh McNeil, as I thought. I always said you would repent your
behavior to him. Then I suppose the affair is settled. Where _is_ Hugh,
Dexie?"

Dexie did not answer at once, but clasped her hands, palms downward, in
that convulsive grasp that always told of some mental struggle. Something
of the old terror filled her heart at the very mention of Hugh's name, and
her answer was evidently uttered with much reluctance, not unmixed with
fear:

"He is probably on his way to New York, Gussie. Is there anything else you
would like to know?" forcing a smile to her lips.

Guy felt that something unusual had brought that look of alarm to Dexie's
face; he would ask the cause at the first opportunity.

Gussie felt sure that she knew all about it now, so began to twit her
sister about "giving in at last." She had been in a bad humor all day, and
was glad of the chance to get rid of her ill-feelings by teasing Dexie in