He smiled with pleasure as he rose to depart.

“I will set you down for the new piece you were running over last evening, Miss Sherwood,” said he, “and Mr. Gurney will play your accompaniment.  If you do as well at the concert as you did last night when you first saw the music, I shall be well satisfied.”

“But what if I should fail, papa?” said Dexie, when she found herself alone with her father.  “How can I stand before so many strange people and whistle?  Oh!  I’m sure I cannot.  No young lady whistles in public, and I feel sure they will hiss me off the stage!”

CHAPTER XIV.

The time slipped by bringing the eventful evening.  In many homes nimble fingers had been busy for days fashioning certain garments that were to make the wearers quite fascinating to beholders.  But Dexie declared that as her best gown was very becoming, she had no intention of getting a new one on purpose for the occasion, a few extra touches would make it quite presentable.  On the morning of the concert, she found there were still some minor things needed to complete her toilet, so she went down-town to do a little shopping.

As she stood in a store waiting for her parcel, her eyes rested on a handbill lying near, and as she read it her face flushed angrily, then turned pale to the lips, for those great, staring letters announced the evening’s performance, and she was referred to as one of the chief attractions, but in terms that aroused her temper to its highest pitch.

Who could have worded that awful handbill?  She longed to stamp her foot, or scream, or give vent to her angry feelings in some way.  How dared they single her out by such a nickname?  She snatched the parcel from the hands of the astonished clerk and left the store with more speed than grace.

While she is flying homeward, her angry eyes shining like stars from her pale, set face, let us read the cause of her displeasure.

“Temperance Hall.  Temperance Hall.

To-night.

The Halifax Song and Glee Club will give their
Annual Concert
In Temperance Hall To-night.

Full Opening Chorus by the Members.

First Appearance of
THE AMERICAN WARBLER,
The only songster ever known to whistle popular airs to
piano accompaniment.

Don’t Miss It.

Programme to consist of Solos, Duets, Quartettes
and
Full Choruses.

God Save the Queen.”

When Dexie reached home she flung open the door and rushed up the stairs to her own room in a perfect fury.

Gussie had watched her swift approach from the window, and fearing that some awful calamity must have happened, followed her sister upstairs, and found her walking the floor like a caged tiger, her eyes positively fierce as they looked straight before her, though seeing nothing.

“What is the matter, Dexie?” she asked in alarm.