'sacred to the memory
of--Lancy Gurney,' and I am quite willing to have it so," and he drew her
close to his side.

"It is kind of you, dear, to respect this, my one bit of private property.
I could never tell you what that music has been to me, for though it brings
tears to my eyes it has the power to comfort. It seems to soothe and
sympathize with me in my little troubles, and during that unhappy time
after papa died I do not know what I should have done without the piano to
talk to; it seemed the only bit of comfort left to me."

Guy raised the drooping head, and gazing tenderly into her tear-filled eyes
said, gently:

"Dearest love! I do not believe that I half know you yet! There seem depths
in your nature that I have never reached, and thoughts in your heart that I
have never shared; they are so far above me. Trust me as far as you will,
darling, and do not think that I wish you to break a promise that seems
more sacred than sentimental," and he drew her to his heart again.

A few days later Guy brought home a thick letter to Dexie bearing the
postmark of Halifax, and as Dexie read it a troubled look spread over her
face, but she said nothing until the lamp had been lit and the curtains
drawn; then she drew close to her husband's side, saying:

"Elsie has sent me very unpleasant news, dear."

"Then I wish she had not written; I do not like to see my little wife look
sad over anything. May I know what it is, dear? but do not tell me if you
had rather not, Dexie," and he drew her down to his knee.

"I do not think Elsie knew that her news would trouble me, for she seldom
sees beneath the surface of things. My marriage has given her mother a
great deal of trouble, and as she is the dearest little woman that I ever
knew, I feel very sorry."

"For your marriage or the 'little woman'?"

"What a tease you are!" joining in his laugh. "But there is a ludicrous
side to Elsie's story, too, though it is the unpleasant part of it that
strikes me first. Do you remember the threat that Hugh McNeil made when we
told him we were going to be married? Well, he has carried it out, and has
married Nina Gordon, my double, that I told you about. Oh, it is a shame! a
cruel shame! What a life she will lead with that passionate man, with no
love between them to soften his feelings! Hugh could never listen to her
patiently five minutes at a time; that is why he said he wished she was
dumb! Oh, Guy! I feel so grieved. She is so sens