"I have never met anyone yet that I like better," and she lifted her eyes to his as she said this, but she dropped them at once, and a strange, uneasy feeling possessed her that she could not understand.
"Thank you, Miss Dexie, for your confidence. Now, let the understanding be mutual. Will you give me the privilege you have so long denied me of being your friend and protector _pro tem._, as it were? Neither you nor I have anyone here to claim our society, and I get very tired of my own company; I would like to have one special lady friend. Will you not hereafter accept my company without that inward protest which I always feel you have for me?"
"You are very kind, Mr. Traverse, but I would prefer matters as they are. I do not mind going about alone in the least."
"Oh! I know that, Miss Independence, but I mind it; so say that I may occupy the place of the absent friend, to some extent at least. I"ll write to him and demand permission, if you object," and he laughed pleasantly as he took her hand a moment in his own.
Just then the sound of footsteps warned them that their interview was over, and Guy rose to his feet and stood by the window as the rest entered the room.
"h.e.l.lo, Traverse! we missed you in the supper-room," and Fenerty came over to his side. "Have you found all your persuasions in vain, Miss Dexie?"
pointing to the untasted repast on the tray.
"Man alive! do you think a man"s appet.i.te can survive everything?" said Traverse, with a frown.
"Forgive me, Traverse! I did not mean to add to your feelings. I don"t wonder you feel cut up," said Fenerty, whispering his apologies.
"Mr. Fenerty, take him out in the dining-room. My presence has prevented him from partaking of the refreshments I brought him. Try and make him forget the unpleasantness that has occurred," and Dexie looked up with a smile at Traverse, as he followed his friend from the room, and then turned to her other guests.
She was glad to see that Gussie was doing all she could to win her way back into favor, for she pa.s.sed from group to group with a pleasant word and a smile for all. Fingers and needles were soon busy again, and the unfinished badges were attacked with renewed vigor.
"That was a nasty trick of Miss Gussie"s, Traverse," young Fenerty was saying, as he waited upon his friend in the dining-room, "but I am sure she never suspected that the letter belonged to you."
"What difference did that make? The act was unpardonable when she knew it was not her own property. I suppose I will never hear the last of it."
""Pon honor, Traverse, I hope you do not think any of us are mean enough to refer to the matter again. But come away to the rest, if you are through; they are at work again, I believe."
"It is all right, Miss Dexie," nodding to her as she appeared in the door.
"He will soon get over it. Is there any objection to a little carpet dance to finish the evening? That will make Traverse forget to be melancholy if anything will," he added, in a low voice.
"Very well; as soon as they finish the badges you can help clear the room."
Dexie cast a backward look at Traverse and saw his amused smile, and it was hard to control her features when his face a.s.sumed such a mournful expression directly Fenerty addressed him.
Half an hour later, tables and chairs were set aside, and the sound that came forth from the piano, at Dexie"s bidding, set agoing the feet of the dancers. She had played through several dances when Guy came up to her side with Ada Chester.
"I have brought someone to take your place, Miss Dexie. Play a waltz for us, Miss Chester," and Guy took Dexie from her seat.
The couple made the circuit of the room several times before anyone joined them; it was a pleasure to watch the well-matched pair swaying to the delightful music.
"We seem to have the floor to ourselves," Dexie said with a smile.
"If they knew the bliss of a perfect waltz, we would be crowded out, Miss Dexie. I begin to think I never waltzed before; your step is perfect--what, you are not tired?" as Dexie stopped and led the way back to the piano.
"No, but I will relieve Miss Chester; she is very fond of dancing."
Dexie did not care to confess how much she had enjoyed the little dance, but she was beginning to think that there was some strange spell in the voice and manner of her partner that drew her very thoughts from her. She must get away from his presence, so turned to Miss Chester, saying:
"I can recommend Mr. Traverse as a superb waltzer, Ada, so let me give you the pleasure of a few turns around the room with him to the same music. Mr.
Traverse, do let Miss Chester know for once what waltzing really is," and she struck the keys and sent them floating from her side.
The evening"s pleasure closed all too quickly, and as the last good-byes were spoken Guy lingered to whisper:
"I shall call and take you to choir practice in good season, so do not run away before I come for you. Good-night, Miss Dexie."
The warm clasp of the hand, and the earnest look in his dark grey eyes, lingered in Dexie"s memory until sleep had put all thoughts aside and mixed the real with the unreal in troubled dreams.
CHAPTER x.x.xVII.
One bright summer morning, while the dew still glistened like diamonds on gra.s.s blades and flower petals, Dexie and her father were to be seen walking quickly in the direction of the depot, and, on arriving there, were surprised to see Mr. Traverse waiting on the platform.
"What, Traverse, are you off this morning too?" said Mr. Sherwood.
"Yes, I have business in Boston; some machinery to order. And you, Miss Dexie, are you going on a journey as well?"
"Oh, no; I have come to see papa safely on board the train, and to jog his memory about a few trifles I want him to bring me home from the Hub."
"Ha, ha; a few trifles, indeed! If you expect me to bring back half the things you have mentioned, you had better come along with me, for I"ve forgotten them already," her father laughingly replied.
"I thought that would be the way," Dexie replied with a smile, "but you will not get off so easily as you think. Here is my book, and the list is on the last pages, so you have no excuse to forget one of the articles, papa," and she slipped the little book inside his vest-pocket.
"Glad to have your company, Traverse. How long do you stay?"
"Well, I am not particular to a day or two. I expect to be ready to return on Friday."
"And this is Monday; well, we can arrange to return together, so, Dexie, you can make your mind easy. Your old dad will have someone to look after him both ways."
"That is very nice. Take good care of him, Mr. Traverse," and she gave him her hand as he said good-bye.
Her father bent his head and kissed her, saying playfully:
"Now, don"t run off with the gardener, or do any other dreadful thing while I am gone, and I will try and get your commissions filled, even to the box of chocolates."
They stepped on the cars, and with the usual ear-splitting shriek the train moved away, leaving Dexie on the platform looking after them. The two men stood at the rear door and waved a farewell, and Dexie returned home, never thinking that she had seen her father well and strong for the last time.
Mr. Sherwood had not been away from home since they had moved to Lennoxville, and Dexie planned to have a dainty repast awaiting his return, and she was in the kitchen when a telegraph messenger appeared at the door.
"A telegram for Mrs. Sherwood, and one for Miss Dexie Sherwood."
Dexie tore hers open, and her heart seemed to stop beating as she read:
"There has been an accident, and your father is hurt, but not fatally. He cannot be moved at present. Can you come at once?
"GUY TRAVERSE."
Dexie rushed up the stairs, her white face telling of trouble, and as soon as her mother saw her she asked in alarm: