waiting for you to iron."

"Waiting for _me_ to iron, indeed! Why didn't you do them when you ironed
the rest of the clothes?" her temper rising at the bare suggestion that she
should do them herself.

"I had too much else to do, Gussie, as you might know if you would give the
matter a thought. You must see after them yourself, Gussie--while we are
without a girl, anyway."

"We will just see about that! I never had to iron my clothes yet, and I am
not going to begin now. I want my tucked skirts to-morrow, so see that you
have them ready for me," and she rose to leave the room as if the matter
settled.

"You will find your clothes in the basket, Gussie, whenever you choose to
iron them," Dexie quietly replied, unmoved by Gussie's insolent manner,
"and remember, Gussie, I positively refuse to do them for you again--never
once again, remember!"

Glancing out the window she saw Guy Traverse approaching the house, and not
wishing him to see Gussie in her present humor she took her hat, intending
to meet him at the door and take him to the garden; but her mother called
her just then, and when she came downstairs Guy was standing in the hall.

"You are not going out, surely, Dexie?" said Gussie, coming out to see who
she was talking to. "Mamma would not let you go if she knew that you
refused to do what I told you. It would be better for you to go to the
kitchen and finish your work, instead of gadding about with the men."

"My work is done for the day, Gussie; it is your work that is waiting in
the kitchen," and she hurried down the steps, with Guy closely following,
his face dark with anger at the insulting words he had heard used to his
promised wife.

"And this is the way they treat you, my darling!" he said, as he reached
her side. "I understand why you never want me to come in and spend an hour
with you; you are afraid I shall hear how they talk to you. I have a good
mind to take you to the minister's this very afternoon, and make you my
wife, so I can look after you."

"Do not mind it, Guy," trying to keep back the tears. "Gussie was vexed
because she did not find her clothes done up for her as usual."

"And she is actually imposing on you to such an extent as that, is she?
That explains that pale, tired face! My dear little girl, I cannot allow
it! Do you love me well enough to come and live in a set of rooms until we
can get a decent house ready?" and he looked tenderly into her face.

"I could live happy