. Judge Fulton, who is Miss
Ashton's guardian, has recently removed to the city. I know him well, and
have been introduced to Miss Helen. Stanton has already invited us all to
his wedding, and as Miss Ashton will of course repeat the invitation,
Fanny will thus have an opportunity of seeing a little of the gay world in
New York."

"You seem to think any praise bestowed upon Fanny as so much credit for
yourself," said Kate, mischievously.

Frank made no reply, and soon bidding good-by to his friends, he was on
his way to the city. On reaching home he found his mother and sister in a
state of great anxiety concerning "the odious old scarecrow's corncake
daughter," as Gertrude styled Fanny. Her first question, after asking
about Kate, was, "Well, Frank, tell me, did you propose to Miss
Middleton?"

"Most certainly I did. That was one object in going," was Frank's quiet
reply.

The horrified Mrs. Cameron, throwing up both hands in a most theatrical
manner, exclaimed, "Mon Dieu!" It was the only French phrase she knew, and
she used it upon all occasions. This time, however, it was accompanied by
a loud call for her vineagrette and for air, at the same time declaring it
was of no use trying to restore her, for her heart was broken and she was
going to faint.

"Let me wash these red spots off from your cheek. You can't faint
gracefully with so much color," said Frank gravely, at the same time
literally deluging his mother's face with cologne, much against the
blooming lady's inclination. This little scene determined Frank not to
tell that he was rejected. At first he had intended to disclose all, but
now he decided otherwise. "They may as well fret about that as anything
else," thought he, "and when they see Fanny, I shall have a glorious
triumph." So he kept his own secret, and commenced teasing Gertrude about
going to Saratoga with himself, their cousin Kate and Fanny.

"I shall do no such thing, Master Frank," said Gertrude. "I am willing
enough to see Kate, and invite her here too, for she is fine looking and
appears well, even if she is a music teacher; but this Fanny
Middleton--Ugh! I'll never associate with her on terms of equality, or own
her as my sister either."

"I do not think you will," said Frank; but Gertrude knew not what cause he
had for so saying.

After he had quitted the apartment, Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude tried to
think of some way to let Fanny know that she was not wanted in their
family. "Dea