; "glad to see you. Fine
morning."

Julia did not deign to reply, for Mr. Dunn's familiarity was exceedingly
disgusting to her. She, however, handed him her letter, which he looked at
in some surprise, and said in a low tone, "Is this letter from Fanny, or
you?"

"From me; send it," answered Julia, at the same time managing to slip an
eagle into the hands of the honest clerk.

Leaving the office, the young lady proceeded homeward, thinking to
herself, "There, that will settle him, I hope. I am getting on
swimmingly."

When Mr. Miller entered his room, on his return from the office, Kate
said, "In the course of two weeks, you or Fanny or both, will hear from
Dr. Lacey."

"Do not be too sanguine, Katy," answered Mr. Miller: "you may be
disappointed."

"Well," continued Kate, "if he pays no attention to your letter, I shall
be satisfied that he really is undeserving of Fanny's esteem. I'll not
tell her that you have written, for fear of the consequence."

So days came and went, week followed week, in rapid succession, until five
weeks were numbered with the past since Mr. Miller's letter had been
dispatched. Kate had waited and watched until even her sanguine nature had
ceased to hope; for there had come no tidings from the far off Crescent
City, and both she and her husband had unwillingly come to the conclusion
that Dr. Lacey was really false. Kate manifested her disappointment by an
increased tenderness of manner toward Fanny, whom she sincerely loved, and
by a more gracious deportment toward Julia, whom she began to fear she had
wronged by suspecting her of being accessory to Dr. Lacey's conduct.

CHAPTER XIV

FANNY AND JULIA'S UNCLE ARRIVES FROM INDIA

It was now the first day of May, and as it was also Fanny's seventeenth
birthday, her school companions determined to celebrate it by a May party,
of which Fanny was unanimously chosen queen. The fete took place in a
handsome grove on a hillside which overlooked the city of Frankfort. All
of Mr. Miller's pupils were present, together with most of their parents
and many of their friends. Mrs. Miller had taken great pains that Fanny
should be arrayed becomingly for the occasion, and many and flattering
were the compliments paid to the youthful queen, who indeed looked
bewitchingly beautiful.

Her dress was a white muslin, festooned with wild flowers, some of which
were fastened here and there by a pe