would ask her to
drive with him, for Hugh had a fine team of his own now.

But as Gussie hesitated about accepting, she saw Hugh turn to Dexie, and
with the air of a Chesterfield ask, "May I have the pleasure of your
company for the drive down, Miss Dexie?"

"Thank you, Mr. McNeil, but I daresay I am already engaged."

"No chance for you there, McNeil," said Fred Beverly, with a laugh; "Miss
Dexie is spoken for already."

"Did I understand you to say that you were _already_ engaged for the drive,
Miss Dexie?" said Hugh, persistently.

"Well, Lancy has not asked me yet, but since he has promised to go, my
invitation will come all in good time."

"But his team will be full. You had better take your chance with Hugh,"
said Fred.

"There will be room enough for me, never fear," said Dexie, smiling, "so
Mr. McNeil is free to offer his services to some other forlorn damsel."

"First come, first served, Miss Dexie," said Hugh. "I asked you first; come
with me," he added, bending over her chair.

"Couldn't think of it. We would be sure to quarrel all the way, and when I
go to a picnic I want to enjoy every minute."

"It takes two to make a quarrel, and I'll not be one of the pair,"
persisted Hugh. "Come with me, and let me prove to you how much I can add
to your pleasure, when you will let me."

"Prove it now by asking Fanny Beverly or Maud Seeton to drive with you, for
I decline the honor."

"Are you so wrapped up, heart and soul, in Lancy Gurney, that you cannot
spare a moment to anybody else?" said Hugh, angrily.

"Certainly!" Dexie replied, with flashing eyes, "and since you are going to
be so disagreeable, Mr. McNeil, I guess I will leave you," and she joined a
group near the table.

"Where is Lancy, that he is not here to arrange about this picnic, said
Fred Beverly to Cora Gurney, who was sitting by the table.

"Couldn't say. He promised to come in to-night."

"Listen! isn't that Lancy at the piano?" said Maud Harrington, as a sound
of music in staccato style reached their ears. "How plainly you can hear it
through the walls!"

There was a hush for a minute, when Dexie said as naturally as if it were
the most ordinary thing in the world,

"Yes, that is Lancy's call; he wants me for something. Will you excuse me,
friends, for a little while, till I see what is wanted?"

Looks were interchanged amongst some of the young people, and, hoping to
make Dexie feel vexed, Gussie said, "Lancy Gurney has only