One evening as he entered the parlor he found the family assembled and busy over various trifles:  Gussie, with a basket of colored wools, was picking out some needed shade; Mrs. Sherwood was by the fire with some fleecy knitting work in her hands, while Flossie sat at her feet intent on fitting a brilliant dress on her newest doll.

Traverse stood in the doorway looking at the family group for some moments until Dexie, who was reading the evening paper to her father, lifted her eyes and acknowledged his presence with a bow.  She perused the paper silently, while her father and Mr. Traverse entered into a discussion concerning certain charges made in it against one of the public officers of the State, and at her father’s request Dexie read again the article that had called forth the discussion.

When she had finished she lifted her eyes, and a wave of color spread to her very brow as she met Guy’s earnest gaze.  If there was more animation in the remarks that followed, Mr. Sherwood did not guess the cause of the change.

Wishing for a certain volume that had reference to the matter, Dexie rose to get it from the bookcase, but not finding it readily Traverse came over to assist her.  The search went on in silence for some time, when Guy said in a low tone: 

“Is there any quarrel between us, Miss Dexie, that we so seldom speak to each other?”

“Not that I know of, Mr. Traverse,” Dexie replied, dropping her eyes to the lowest shelf.

“Then, why are you so silent when I am near?  We used to be good friends, but now you cut me to the heart by your cold looks and cruel speeches.  What has come between us?”

“Nothing that I know of, Mr. Traverse, and if my words and looks do not please you there is a way to keep out of the reach of both.”

“You are an enigma hard to solve, Miss Dexie,” was the smiling reply; “but I intend to find the solution, and until then you will not find it easy to drive me away.”

“As you please,” and catching sight of the book she was looking for, she turned hastily from him and seated herself by her father’s side.

Guy felt in little humor to continue the discussion.  He felt that Dexie’s manner was but a cloak to hide her true feelings from him, and finding it impossible to draw her into further conversation he rose to leave the room.

“May I speak to you a few moments in the hall?” he quietly asked, as he bent over her chair.

But Dexie shrank from such an interview, and replied: 

“Please excuse me; papa needs me just now.”

“No, I don’t,” came the unexpected reply from her father, who had heard the request as well as the refusal.

Dexie rose slowly to her feet, a look of indecision on her face.

“Go at once,” said her father; “Mr. Traverse is waiting for you, Dexie,” then she followed him out of the room.

Her cheeks were pink with embarrassment as she waited in silence for Mr. Traverse to speak, and her heart beat wildly as he regarded her with earnest eyes.