ct that not one in a hundred would have dared to do.
No wonder she loves you. But away so far from her, it seemed that I could
not bear my life if I did not tell her, even on paper, what was in my
heart. I am glad to know you, Traverse; if I cannot win her myself, it is a
comfort to know she is in such good keeping."

At last Hugh rose to go, and the hands of the accepted and the rejected
lover met in a warm, friendly grasp.

The next day when Hugh made his appearance at Mr. Sherwood's, and made
known the fact that he had spent the forenoon with Guy at his office, Dexie
looked her surprise, but she blushed with pleasure to hear his words of
praise when speaking of her lover.

Hugh remained several days in Lennoxville, but he seldom made his
appearance at the house unless in company with Guy.

Gussie could not understand this at all, but her spiteful remarks were so
wide of the mark that they were only amusing.

She needed no one to tell her that Hugh was as much in love with Dexie as
ever, yet why he allowed Guy Traverse to monopolize her was a mystery that
was incomprehensible.

Hugh spent the last evening of his stay at the Sherwoods', and, in spite of
Gussie's raillery, he was silent and sad; even Guy could not rouse him into
cheerfulness.

During the evening he obtained a few minutes' conversation with Mr.
Sherwood, and his low, earnest words brought a mist to the eyes of the sick
man.

"I am truly sorry for your disappointment, Hugh," was the low reply, "but
you prove beyond a doubt that her happiness is still dear to you when you
propose to do such a thing. But wait awhile, and think it over. You may
form other ties, and there may be others who will have a stronger claim on
you than the wife of Guy Traverse. Oh, yes! yes! I know the money is your
own, and you can do what you like with it, but Dexie would not approve of
this, neither would Traverse."

A few minutes before it was time to leave for the train Guy came behind
Hugh and whispered a few words in his ear, words that sent a flash of light
and joy into his dark, sad face.

"God bless you, Traverse, for this kindness; I was getting desperate; five
minutes will suffice," was the reply, and he slipped out of the room,
crossed the hall, and a moment more was standing by Dexie's side.

"Traverse told me you were here, Dexie, and that I might come and say
good-bye to you alone," and taking her hands in his own, added:

"Dexie, if there should come a