using to their acquaintances, many of whom had witnessed Mrs.
Cameron's manner at the party and had since learned a part of the story.
It was strange how soon Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude discovered how many fine
qualities Fanny possessed. Even the "odious scarecrow of a father" was
transformed into an "odd old gentleman," and in speaking of him to one of
her acquaintances, Mrs. Cameron said "he was a very generous, wealthy, but
eccentric old man, and was one of the first citizens in Frankfort." The
good lady forgot that Uncle Joshua did not reside in Frankfort, but twelve
miles from that city! Her word, however, was not questioned, for of course
she would know all about the family of her son's intended wife.

Meanwhile the report of Frank's engagement was circulated freely, and the
whole matter would undoubtedly have been arranged, marriage ceremony and
all, had not Frank put an end to the matter by utterly denying the story.
Some young gentlemen were one morning congratulating him on his future
prospects, and declaring their intention of going to Kentucky, if there
were any more Fannys there, when Frank asked upon whose authority they
were repeating a story for which there was no foundation.

"Why," answered one of them, "my sister heard it from your sister
Gertrude."

"From Gertrude!" said Frank in amazement, "from Gertrude! Well, I cannot
answer for what Gertrude says, but I assure you I am not engaged to Miss
Middleton, and have never been."

This was in the morning, and that evening when Frank entered the sitting
room where his mother and sister were, they beset him to know why he had
denied his engagement with Fanny.

"Because," said he, rather indignantly, "there is no engagement between
us."

"Oh, Frank," said Gertrude, "you told us so."

"I never told you so," answered he, rather warmly. "I told you I had
proposed, and I did propose, and was refused."

"But why didn't you tell us?" continued Gertrude.

"Because you didn't ask me," replied Frank. "You supposed, of course, none
could refuse me, so jumped at conclusions and have got yourself into a
fine spot."

There was no need of telling this, for Mrs. Cameron readily saw it and
went off into a fit of hysterics, while Gertrude burst into tears.

"What a strange girl you are!" said Frank. "Once you cried because you
thought I was engaged to Fanny, and now you cry because I am not." So
saying he gave a low mocking whistle and left his mother and sister t