as
well as possessor of a bank book that she was at liberty to use at her own
discretion, and this had much influence over Gussie.

Louie soon remarked the frequent visits of Guy Traverse, but was puzzled at
first to account for them. Gussie had told her that he was engaged to a
young lady in the city, and was only a particular friend of her father's;
but this did not prevent Louie from forming her own opinion on the matter.

She asked her mother one day, as she brushed out her hair, how it was that
her father had become so attached to such a young man, and if there were
not some other reason to account for his frequent visits.

"He was with your father when he was hurt, and your father thinks he saved
his life at the risk of his own, so I daresay that may account for the
attachment. I did hope at one time that Gussie might be able to secure him;
they would make a nice-looking couple. I have thought sometimes that he
pays Dexie sufficient attention to warrant her in thinking he means
something serious, but Hugh McNeil has some claim on her; he has been to
see her lately. You remember he had quite a fortune left him. I expect she
will keep a fine establishment when she is married. But I know nothing
about her affairs; she was always close-mouthed, and she is sure to do
something entirely different from what you expect."

"But, mamma, this Mr. Traverse seems to be more than just friendly to
Dexie. I am sure he is with her every chance he gets."

"Oh! that is nothing; he is seldom in her company outside of her father's
room. Besides, he is going to be married to someone in the city. He said as
much before us all. I am sure Dexie does not care for him in that way. If
you had heard the way she used to talk to him, you would see at once that
his visits mean nothing to her."

"Nevertheless, mother, I have my suspicions," said the quick-witted girl,
as she left the room.

"I'll corner Dexie sometime, see if I don't," she said to herself. "If
there is any love-making going on in this house, it will be a funny thing
if I do not find it out!"

But Dexie was well aware that there were a sharp pair of eyes about, and it
took considerable manoeuvring to get a word with Guy without having Louie
pounce in upon them at the most unexpected moment.

"Seems to me, Dexie," she said one day, as they were in their chamber
dressing for the afternoon, "if I was Mr. Traverse's young lady in the
city," and she made a grimace, "I would n