Hugh McNeil always had a share in the pleasures of the rest of the family, and no matter how many offered to fill his sleigh he always kept a seat for Gussie Sherwood, for he had paid her much attention from the first.  Gussie found it very pleasant to have someone to take her here and there, and feed her vanity with admiring looks and soft speeches; but if Gussie had a chance to secure another escort more to her mind, she thought nothing of snubbing Hugh unmercifully, yet was willing enough to smile him back to her side when no other gentleman offered his company.  But few men care to be made the plaything of a young girl’s caprice, and there came a time when Gussie’s smile lost its power to charm.  Her pretty face had been the attraction; but having ample opportunity of seeing Gussie under the different light of home-life, he could not help seeing the shallow nature that lay behind her outward sweetness, or that this sweetness was more ready to come to the front when self was to be gratified.

But Hugh’s heart had been touched for the first time, and when his eyes were opened he was loth to displace his idol, even though he knew that common clay was its substance.  For a long time he gave no sign of the change that had taken place in his feelings; he was to all appearances as devoted to Gussie as ever.

One day, along the first of March, Lancy Gurney walked hastily home from the store, and entering the Sherwood household, inquired for Dexie.

“What is it, Lancy?” said Dexie, peeping over the stair rail at Lancy in the hall below.

“Come down, Dexie; I want to speak to you.  Can you come for a drive with me?” he asked, as Dexie reached his side.  “Father wishes me to do a little business for him a few miles out of town, and I want company.  Will you come?”

“Yes, if you will take Elsie as well,” was the reply.  “How soon are you going, Lancy?”

“In about half an hour, if we can get ready; but I don’t want to take Elsie.  We will take the single sleigh, and three in a seat will not be comfortable.”

“It will be three in a seat or one, Sir Launcelot; so take your choice.  Run in and see if Elsie can go, then I will get ready also.  No use coaxing; your half an hour is rapidly passing,” she added, smilingly, as Lancy lingered, endeavoring to change her decision.

But “three in a seat” was not so uncomfortable as Lancy had imagined, and they were soon speeding over the road, and in due time reached their destination.

They were detained much longer than they expected, and so were late starting for home, and the snow which had been falling in fine, light particles, soon increased in volume, and it was quite apparent that a severe storm was upon them.

When they reached the open road, they found they were to suffer for the delay, for the sharp wind cut their faces and almost blinded them with the drifting snow.

All landmarks were soon obliterated, and, though the way was familiar under different circumstances, Lancy found it hard to distinguish the road from the open field, as the snow fell so thick they could see only a short distance beyond the horse’s head.