ising Fanny
that she would see Julia as soon as possible after her return home. Ere
long Mrs. Cameron too was seized with a desire to return to the city. The
remainder of the party made no objections, and accordingly Mr. and Mrs.
Stanton, Mrs. Cameron, Frank and Gertrude were soon in New York.

Soon after their return, Mrs. Cameron said, in speaking of Fanny, "that
'twas quite doubtful whether Frank would marry her or not. She was so
young, and had, too, so many suitors in Kentucky that she probably would
soon forget him, and for her part she was pleased to have it so!"

CHAPTER XIX

JULIA ANNOUNCES HER ENGAGEMENT TO DR. LACEY

Summer was gone and the bright, sunny days of autumn had come.

Again in Kate Wilmot's home were tears wept and blessings breathed, as Mr.
and Mrs. Wilmot bade farewell to their "children," as they affectionately
called all three of the individuals who were that morning to start for
their home in Kentucky.

"God bless you, Kate, my darling Kate," said Mrs. Wilmot as she fondly
kissed her only child. Then turning to Fanny, she said, "And you, too, my
other daughter, you have my love and earnest prayers for your happiness."

Mr. Wilmot could not speak, but his feelings were not less deep, as he
embraced his child and shook the hands of Mr. Miller and Fanny. Old
Hector, too, shared in the general sorrow, but for some undefinable reason
he seemed to cling more closely to Fanny. He would look up in her face and
howl, as if he knew she was leaving him forever. "Noble Hector!" said
Fanny, "and do you indeed love me so well?" Then kneeling down by him, she
drew from her neck a tiny locket, in which was a daguerreotype of herself.
To this she attached a blue ribbon, which she fastened around Hector's
neck, saying, "I cannot stay with you, Hector, but you shall have my
likeness." Afterward when strangers visited the house and marvelled at
Hector's unusual neck gear, they were shown the fair, sweet face, which
looked forth from the golden casing, and were told the story of the young
girl, whose presence had been like Sunshine in Richard Wilmot's darkened
home.

Mr. Miller was not willing that Fanny should leave New York without first
visiting Niagara Falls. Accordingly, they stopped at the Falls, and were
there joined by Mr. and Mrs. Stanton and Frank, the latter of whom was
desirous of seeing Fanny as long as possible. He accompanied them to