urpassing loveliness of the
picture. At last he passed it to Fanny, who was eagerly waiting for it,
and then turning to Wilmot, he said, "Yes, Richard, she has the handsomest
face I ever saw."

"And the handsomest face I ever saw with one exception," said Mr. Wilmot,
glancing admiringly toward Julia. Mr. Miller followed the direction of his
eyes and as he saw the brilliant beauty of Julia, he sighed for fear his
young friend might or had already become entangled in her dark meshes.

Just then Fanny exclaimed, "Oh, how handsome; look mother--Julia, isn't she
perfectly beautiful!" And then she added, "But, Mr. Wilmot, is she as good
as she is beautiful?"

"How absurd," said Julia hastily; "just as though one cannot be handsome
and good too."

"I didn't say they couldn't, sister," said Fanny; "but I thought--yes, I'm
sure she looks a little selfish!"

"Upon my word you're very polite," said Julia. "Mr. Wilmot will doubtless
feel complimented by what you say of his sister."

"Never mind, Fanny," said Mr. Wilmot; "never mind; you are more of a
physiognomist than I thought you were, for Kate's great fault is being too
selfish; but she will overcome that in time, I think."

"Oh, I am sure so," quickly rejoined Fanny, regretting her words and
anxious to do away with any unfavorable impression she might have made. So
she went up to Mr. Wilmot and laying her hand on his shoulder, said, "I am
sorry if I said anything bad of your sister. She is very beautiful and I
think I should love her very much. Do you think she will ever come to
Kentucky?"

"I hardly think she will," said Mr. Wilmot; "but I think you would like
her, and I am sure she would love you. I often write to her about my two
Kentucky sisters."

"Oh, do you," said Fanny, clapping her white, dimpled hands, "do you
really call us both sisters? And do you tell her how much handsomer Julia
is than I am, and how much more she knows?"

"And how much more does she know?" said Mr. Miller, who was always
interested in whatever Fanny said.

"Oh, she knows a 'heap' more than I do," said Fanny, "I fear I haven't
improved much since you left, for Mr. Wilmot is so very indulgent that he
never scolds when my lessons are but half-learned, but consoles himself, I
suppose, with Julia's great long yarns."

"And are Julia's lessons so very long?" asked Mr. Miller.

"Yes, sir," replied Fanny. "It is the wonder of all the girls how she
manages to commit so much to memory in s