This Dexie politely declined, adding in her kindest tone,

“Our house is just at the corner, Mr. Traverse, so I will not trouble you,” and she slipped away.

The distance was short, for as Guy stood at the outer entrance of the T. and B. rooms he could hear the front gate shut after her, yet he would have enjoyed even that short walk with his fair assistant.

“She is not inclined to be friendly, it seems,” he soliloquized, as he stroked his long silken moustache.  “I must find out the reason.”

The next time opportunity offered he again asked permission to escort her home, but again his offer was so pleasantly declined that he could not feel offended, though it put him upon his mettle.  He determined to overcome her prejudice, or whatever it was that made her treat him with so much reserve.  As he turned to go home, Gussie came down the steps, and with his hand to his hat he said, smilingly,

“I almost fear to risk a second refusal to-night, Miss Sherwood, but will you accept the escort that your sister has declined?”

It was a blow to her pride that Dexie had been asked first, but such an eligible young man could not be snubbed on that account, so Gussie smiled her sweetest as she walked by his side.

“Have I done anything to displease your sister?” he asked, as they stood a few moments at the gate.  “I find her very hard to get acquainted with, though I can readily see that it is not her nature to be unfriendly.”

“You have not offended her, of that I am sure,” Gussie replied.

“Then you think she had no particular reason for refusing my company to-night?”

“She may have some objection to any company, but not yours in particular.”  “Has someone else a prior claim?” he smilingly asked.  “Believe me, Miss Sherwood,” he added, in an apologetic tone, “I am not asking out of curiosity alone.”

Gussie believed there was someone else, for Dexie had a gentleman correspondent.

“Then she is engaged, I suppose, but if the fortunate man is absent she might allow others the pleasure of her company occasionally.”

But the opportunity of meeting Dexie at his own pleasure came with an introduction to Mr. Sherwood, and on learning that Mr. Traverse was a good hand at chess (Mr. Sherwood’s one weakness) he was made right welcome and became a frequent visitor.

Mr. Sherwood’s residence was so centrally situated that the young people of both sexes found it very convenient to drop in for a few minutes on their way up or down town.  Mr. Sherwood loved to see the rooms filled with laughing faces, and encouraged this free-and-easy intercourse, and he looked forward to the evening’s pleasure with the ardor of a young man.  When Guy Traverse made his appearance he was sure of a hearty greeting, and the weeks flew by very pleasantly until summer was ushered in, and still there was little seeming difference in Dexie’s attitude toward her father’s friend.