A short time later Mr. Plaisted left the house, but his day’s experience still rankled, and he could truthfully say it was the most unpleasant day he had ever spent.  He mentally resolved that should he ever spend another hour in the society of Dexie Sherwood he would treat her with the greatest respect, for his day’s punishment would be a lasting reminder of her power of retaliation.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

Among the many social gatherings which the “Sherwood twins” attended were the weekly meetings of the Temperance and Benevolent Society, or the “T. and B.,” as it was usually styled.

This society included among its members most of the young people connected with the best families in the town.

It was not so aggressive in the temperance cause as some of the other existing societies, but it had its place, as its ever-increasing membership clearly showed.  It accepted no one as a member who had at any time been addicted to the use of liquor, and it kept many young men from falling into the pernicious habit of using intoxicants.

Among the number who had lately signed their names to the constitution of the society was Guy Traverse, the young manager of a large furniture establishment in the town.  He had but recently been appointed to the position, but his pleasant, affable manners won him friends from all quarters.

He was quite an acquisition to the T. and B. Society:  a fine reader, a good declaimer, witty and quick at repartee, the Social Committee of the society soon learned his value, and a smile of welcome greeted him wherever he made his appearance.

Being on the Social Committee, Dexie Sherwood was frequently thrown into his society, but by some mistake or unintentional oversight they had never been introduced, and there was something in Dexie’s manner that forbade him to make any advances without this formal introduction.

As it was taken for granted that all the members had been duly presented to each other, no one gave the matter a thought, and though the committee held several meetings, at which both were present, no one noticed the fact that these two were the only ones who did not exchange ideas on the matters before them.

One evening after the usual business matters were disposed of, the society proceeded to elect new officers for the ensuing quarter, and Guy Traverse’s popularity was sufficient to place him in the highest office in the gift of the society.  When asked if he would like to name his own assistant, he turned to the speaker and smilingly replied: 

“I would be happy to have the assistance of the society’s organist, but as we have not yet been introduced, perhaps she would prefer that I did not give her name.”

“What! do you mean to say that you have never been presented to Miss Sherwood!  How did that happen?  Come with me at once.”  There was much merriment over the long delayed introduction, and Dexie smilingly consented to accept the office of assistant, in addition to that of organist.  This gave Guy Traverse the chance he had long been looking for, and at the close of the meeting he offered himself as her escort home.