ave
horsewhipped him if it had cost me my life!" And he dug his heel into the
gravel, as if he had his enemy beneath it.

"Don't, Lancy; it is all over, so try to forget it. I know that Hugh felt
sorry for his burst of temper the moment after, but he could not unsay the
words, and I would not forgive them--that is why he felt so badly when we
parted on the train. I did not intend to tell you of it, Lancy; so do not
look so vexed."

"Oh! if I only could lay my hands on him, I would pay him for his impudence
and brutality! but, Dexie, were you not very frightened?" and he clasped
her hands in his own, and looked earnestly into her face.

"For the moment, when I turned my head and saw the stones beneath me, I was
almost sick with fear, but I think my temper saved my life just then, for I
turned on him and dared him! Oh! I could have torn him limb from limb, I
was that angry! I broke the commandment a dozen times as I stood there
before him--I mean the one that says 'Thou shalt do no murder.' I killed
him in my heart, I mean. However, I feel real pleased to hear of his good
fortune, so I think I must have repented; but I'm not quite sure," she
laughingly added.

"My brave Dexie! that is no easy matter to forgive!" said Lancy earnestly.

"Oh, well! I am going to forgive everything, and be as amiable as possible
to my future brother-in-law. You see, Gussie has claimed him already. Now,
you must keep this to yourself, Lancy, or I will never tell you anything
again; but you see how foolish it is to hold up Hugh as my possible lover.
Are you satisfied now?"

"No, not quite, Dexie, but if you will tell me what you refused to tell
Hugh, then I will be," and he drew nearer her side.

"Then I guess you can remain unsatisfied, Sir Launcelot, for I will not
confess to a feeling I am not sure of possessing."

"But you will confess that no one else holds the first place--that you love
no one else? You will tell me that much, surely, Dexie?" and he tried to
read the answer in her dark eyes.

"Well, yes, Lancy. I can safely concede that much without committing
myself, but you need not begin to build air castles on that!"

A step sounded on the gravel walk, and Elsie's head appeared through the
swinging vines at the door.

"Here I have been searching for you for half an hour! Whatever have you two
been doing here, all by yourselves? Not love-making, surely; but your face
looks guilty, Dexie," and she looked keenly at her brothe