n considered great beauties have
not always had perfect features, or flawless complexions; but they held
sway by grace of manner, and that indefinable thing called charm. You
are of this class. I am telling you this, little girl, not to make you
vain, but to give you confidence. Do you know why no one has told you
this before?"

"No," replied Bee. "Why?"

"Because, while one feels it, there is a sort of carelessness in your
dress that detracts from your appearance."

Bee flushed scarlet, and put up her hand quickly to adjust her twisted
neck ribbon.

"I do just throw my things on," she murmured.

"A maiden should be exquisitely neat always. Even a scientific man will
be influenced by externals. Such a man might not be able to tell what
was wrong, but he would be conscious of some disturbing element. If you
are careless in your dress your father will unconsciously draw
comparisons between you and your cousin. No girl can afford to be dowdy
in appearance. She should make herself as neat and tidy as possible, and
then think no more of her dress. Just a few more remarks and I will have
finished my little sermon, if a talk on beauty may be called such. You
will not mind if I say now, that there is much, much truth in the homely
saying that you quoted: 'Handsome is that handsome does.' A winsome,
lovable personality is worth all the beauty in the world.

"It is a fact that the girl who thinks kind thoughts, and does good
deeds is a great deal more attractive than the one who thinks only of
herself. The face reflects the mind far more than girls realize, and as
a matter of looks alone a girl cannot afford to be other than sweet and
loving. Unselfishness, kindness, thoughtfulness, all help to make the
plainest face beautiful, and years will not detract from its charm."

She paused a moment, and then added:

"Not that I would decry loveliness of person child. It is a gift of
Heaven and should be valued as such, but that alone is not everything.
Cultivate exquisite neatness of person, and above all, be your own
bright self, and I feel sure that it will be but a short time until you
will be all in all to your father. And, child, when he looks at your
cousin, rise above any little hardness that you may feel toward her. He
looks at her as he would at some beautiful picture. It is the same
sensation, caused by the same appreciation of beauty. Do you do
likewise, and admire her with him. He will admit your good taste, and
en