Wilmot," said Fanny. "He looks so calm, so peaceful
and," she added in a low voice, "so forgiving."

"So forgiving!" quickly repeated Julia. "I wonder what he has to forgive.
If I had continued to love him, 'twould not have saved his life."

Fanny sighed and turned away from the hard-hearted girl, who was left
alone with her thoughts during all the long hours of that day. But to do
her justice, we must say, that after her mother and sister were gone, a
feeling of sadness stole over her; her stony heart somewhat softened, and
in the solitude of her chamber she wept for a long time; but whether for
Mr. Wilmot's death, her own conduct toward him, or the circumstances which
surrounded her, none can tell.

Let us now return to Frankfort, and go back for a few moments in our
story. Just as the funeral procession had left the house and was
proceeding toward the church, the steamboat Diana, which plies between
Cincinnati and Frankfort, appeared round a bend in the river. She was
loaded with passengers, who were all on the lookout as they neared the
landing place. Just at that moment the tolling bell rang out on the air.
Its tones fell sadly on the ear of a tall, beautiful girl, who was
impatiently pacing the deck, and looking anxiously in the direction of the
city. The knell was repeated, and she murmured, "Oh, what if that should
be for Richard!" The thought overpowered her, and sitting down on a seat
near her she burst into tears.

"Can I do anything for you?" said the captain, who at that moment passed
her.

"Nothing, except to land me in Frankfort as soon as possible," said the
young lady, whom the reader will readily suppose was Kate Wilmot.

"Are you in a great hurry?" asked the captain.

"Yes, sir," returned Kate. "My brother is dangerously sick and I am
anxious to get to him."

"Where does your brother live?" asked the captain.

"He boards with Mrs. Williams, on Elm street," answered Kate.

"Then," said the captain, "if you will show me your baggage, I will see
that it is sent there, for you probably will not wish to waste time in
looking after it when we land."

Kate thanked him for his kindness; and when they reached the shore the
kind-hearted man called one of his boatmen and ordered him to show Miss
Wilmot the way to Mrs. Williams' residence. As Kate approached the house
she noticed the air of desertion about it, and her heart sank for fear her
brother might be dead. Running hastily up the steps, she ran