"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 to whistle, and Dexie will run like a dog at a call." But Dexie took it all in good part, saying, with a smile: "Well, even a faithful dog is not a despised creature, you know, and it is something to know that Lancy will not whistle for anyone else while I am around," and turning at the door she added, "In case I do not come back, let me say you can count on me for anything I can do towards the success of the picnic. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," and, as Hugh lifted his eyes, she swept him an elaborate courtesy. Hugh was too vexed to take any further part in the discussion, and he soon withdrew, intending to find out what it was that drew Dexie away from the pleasant gathering. When Dexie entered the parlor next door, she found Lancy seated at the piano, looking quite unlike himself. "What is it, Lancy?" going over to his side. "Why did you not come into our house to-night?" "I have come across something unusual, Dexie, and I could not leave the piano until I mastered it. Sit here and listen." Lancy's hands moved across the keys, drawing forth such thrilling chords that her heart was stirred to its lowest depths.