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diff --git a/17260-h/17260-h.htm b/17260-h/17260-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6c0dda2 --- /dev/null +++ b/17260-h/17260-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12776 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /><link rel="schema.DC" href="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" /><meta name="DC.Creator" content="Mary J. Holmes" /><meta name="DC.Title" content="Tempest and Sunshine" /><meta name="DC.Date" content="2005-12" /><meta name="DC.Language" content="English" /><meta name="DC.Publisher" content="Project Gutenberg" /><meta name="DC.Identifier" content="http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17260" /><meta name="DC.Rights" content="This text is in the public domain." /><title>The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tempest and Sunshine by Mary J. Holmes</title><style type="text/css">/* +The Gnutenberg Press - default CSS2 stylesheet + +Any generated element will have a class "tei" and a class "tei-elem" +where elem is the element name in TEI. +The order of statements is important !!! +*/ + +.tei { margin: 0; padding: 0; + font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal } + +.block { display: block; } +.inline { display: inline; } +.floatleft { float: left; margin: 1em 2em 1em 0; } +.floatright { float: right; margin: 1em 0 1em 2em; } +.shaded { margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + padding: 1em; background-color: #eee; } +.boxed { margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + padding: 1em; border: 1px solid black; } + +body.tei { margin: 4ex 10%; text-align: justify } +div.tei { margin: 2em 0em } +p.tei { margin: 0em 0em 1em 0em; text-indent: 0em; } +blockquote.tei { margin: 2em 4em } + +div.tei-lg { margin: 1em 0em; } +div.tei-l { margin: 0em; text-align: left; } +div.tei-tb { text-align: center; } +div.tei-epigraph { margin: 0em 0em 1em 10em; } +div.tei-dateline { margin: 1ex 0em; text-align: right } +div.tei-salute { margin: 1ex 0em; } +div.tei-signed { margin: 1ex 0em; text-align: right } +div.tei-byline { margin: 1ex 0em; } + + /* calculate from size of body = 80% */ +div.tei-marginnote { margin: 0em 0em 0em -12%; width: 11%; float: left; } + +div.tei-sp { margin: 1em 0em 1em 2em } +div.tei-speaker { margin: 0em 0em 1em -2em; + font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0em } +div.tei-stage { margin: 1em 0em; font-weight: normal; font-style: italic } +span.tei-stage { font-weight: normal; font-style: italic } + +div.tei-eg { padding: 1em; + color: black; background-color: #eee } + +hr.doublepage { margin: 4em 0em; height: 5px; } +hr.page { margin: 4em 0em; height: 2px; } + +ul.tei-index { list-style-type: none } + +dl.tei { margin: 1em 0em } + +dt.tei-notelabel { font-weight: normal; text-align: right; + float: left; width: 3em } +dd.tei-notetext { margin: 0em 0em 1ex 4em } + +span.tei-pb { position: absolute; left: 1%; width: 8%; + font-style: normal; } + +span.code { font-family: monospace; font-size: 110%; } + +ul.tei-castlist { margin: 0em; list-style-type: none } +li.tei-castitem { margin: 0em; } +table.tei-castgroup { margin: 0em; } +ul.tei-castgroup { margin: 0em; list-style-type: none; + padding-right: 2em; border-right: solid black 2px; } +caption.tei-castgroup-head { caption-side: right; width: 50%; text-align: left; + vertical-align: middle; padding-left: 2em; } +*.tei-roledesc { font-style: italic } +*.tei-set { font-style: italic } + +table.rules { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.rules caption, +table.rules th, +table.rules td { border: 1px solid black; } + +table.tei { border-collapse: collapse; } +table.tei-list { width: 100% } + +th.tei-head-table { padding: 0.5ex 1em } + +th.tei-cell { padding: 0em 1em } +td.tei-cell { padding: 0em 1em } + +td.tei-item { padding: 0; font-weight: normal; + vertical-align: top; text-align: left; } +th.tei-label, +td.tei-label { width: 3em; padding: 0; font-weight: normal; + vertical-align: top; text-align: right; } + +th.tei-label-gloss, +td.tei-label-gloss { text-align: left } + +td.tei-item-gloss, +th.tei-headItem-gloss { padding-left: 4em; } + +img.tei-formula { vertical-align: middle; } + +</style></head><body class="tei"> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE ***</div> + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-titlePage"> + <h1>Tempest and Sunshine</h1> + <div class="tei tei-byline"> + <br />By <span class="tei tei-docAuthor">Mary J. Holmes</span><br /> + </div> + <span class="tei tei-docImprint"> + New York<br /> + J. H. Sears & Company<br /> + 1909 + </span> + </div> + + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="pdf1" id="pdf1"></a> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Contents</span></h1> + <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-toc"><li><a href="#toc2">Chapter I</a></li><li><a href="#toc4">Chapter II</a></li><li><a href="#toc6">Chapter III</a></li><li><a href="#toc8">Chapter IV</a></li><li><a href="#toc10">Chapter V</a></li><li><a href="#toc12">Chapter VI</a></li><li><a href="#toc14">Chapter VII</a></li><li><a href="#toc16">Chapter VIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc18">Chapter IX</a></li><li><a href="#toc20">Chapter X</a></li><li><a href="#toc22">Chapter XI</a></li><li><a href="#toc24">Chapter XII</a></li><li><a href="#toc26">Chapter XIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc28">Chapter XIV</a></li><li><a href="#toc30">Chapter XV</a></li><li><a href="#toc32">Chapter XVI</a></li><li><a href="#toc34">Chapter XVII</a></li><li><a href="#toc36">Chapter XVIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc38">Chapter XIX</a></li><li><a href="#toc40">Chapter XX</a></li><li><a href="#toc42">Chapter XXI</a></li><li><a href="#toc44">Chapter XXII</a></li><li><a href="#toc46">Chapter XXIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc48">Chapter XXIV</a></li><li><a href="#toc50">Chapter XXV</a></li><li><a href="#toc52">Chapter XXVI</a></li></ul> + </div> + +<div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + +<hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page001">[pg 001]</span><a name="Pg001" id="Pg001" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Tempest and Sunshine</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc2" id="toc2"></a><a name="pdf3" id="pdf3"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter I</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">mr. wilmot arrives at mr. middleton's</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was the afternoon of a bright October day. The old town +clock had just tolled the hour of four, when the Lexington +and Frankfort daily stage was heard rattling over the stony +pavement in the small town of V——, Kentucky. In a few +moments the four panting steeds were reined up before the +door of The Eagle, the principal hotel in the place. "Mine +host," a middle-aged, pleasant-looking man, came hustling out +to inspect the newcomers, and calculate how many would do +justice to his beefsteaks, strong coffee, sweet potatoes and +corn cakes, which were being prepared in the kitchen by Aunt +Esther.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This good dame divided her time between squeezing the +steaks, turning the corn cakes, kicking the dogs and administering +various cuffs to sundry little black urchins, who were +on the lookout to snatch a bit of the "hoe cake" whenever +they could elude the argus eyes of Aunt Esther. When the +rattling of the stage was heard, there ensued a general +scrambling to ascertain which would be first to see who had +come. At length, by a series of somersaults, helped on by +Aunt Esther's brawny hand, the kitchen was cleared and +Aunt Esther was "monarch of all she surveyed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The passengers this afternoon were few and far between, +for there was but one inside and one on the box with the +driver. The one inside alighted and ordered his baggage to +be carried into the hotel. The stranger was a young man, +apparently about twenty-five years of age. He was tall, well-proportioned +and every way prepossessing in his appearance. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page002">[pg 002]</span><a name="Pg002" id="Pg002" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>At least the set of idlers in the +barroom thought so, for the +moment he entered they all directed their eyes and tobacco +juice toward him!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time he had uttered a dozen words, they had come to +the conclusion that he was a stranger in the place and was +from the East. One of the men, a Mr. Edson, was, to use his +own words, "mighty skeary of Northern folks," and as soon +as he became convinced that the stranger was from that way, +he got up, thinking to himself, "Some confounded Abolitionist, +I'll warrant. The sooner I go home and get my gang together, +the better 'twill be." But on second thought he concluded +that "his gang" was safe, for the present at least; +so he'd just sit down and hear what his neighbor, Mr. Woodburn, +was saying to the newcomer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Kentuckians are as famous as the Yankees for inquisitiveness, +but if they inquire into your history, they are equally +ready to give theirs to you, and you cannot feel as much annoyed +by the kind, confiding manner with which a Kentuckian +will draw you out, as by the cool, quizzing way with which +a Yankee will "guess" out your affairs.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the present occasion, Mr. Woodburn had conjectured +the young man's business, and was anxious to know who he +was, and, if possible, to render him assistance. It took but a +short time for the stranger to tell that he was from the East, +from New York; that his name was Wilmot, and that he was +in quest of a school; and in as short a time Mr. Woodburn +had welcomed young Wilmot to Kentucky, but expressed his +regrets that he did not come sooner, for all the schools were +engaged. "But," added he, "you had better remain around +here awhile and get acquainted, and then there will be no +doubt of your eventually getting a situation. Meantime, as +you are a stranger here, you are welcome to make my house +your home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such kindness from an entire stranger was unlooked for by +Wilmot. He knew not what to make of it; it was so different +from the cold, money-making men of the North. He tried +to stammer out his thanks, when Mr. Edson interrupted him +by nudging Mr. Woodburn and saying: "Don't you mind old +Middleton. He's been tarin' round after a Yankee teacher +these six weeks. I reckon this chap'll suit."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Woodburn hesitated. He did not like to send Mr. Wilmot +to such a place as Mr. Middleton's, for though Mr. +Middleton was a very kind man, he was very rough and uncouth +in his manner and thought his money much better applied +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page003">[pg 003]</span><a name="Pg003" id="Pg003" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>when at interest than when +employed to make his house and family more comfortable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length Mr. Woodburn replied: "True, I did not think +of Mr. Middleton, but I hardly like to send a stranger there. +However, Mr. Wilmot, you must not judge all Kentuckians +by him, for though he is very hospitable to strangers, he is +extremely rough."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot thanked them for their information and said he +thought he would go to Mr. Middleton's that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord knows how you'll get there," said Mr. Edson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, is it far?" asked Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not very far," said Mr. Edson, "little better than four +miles, but a mighty mean road at any time and a heap worse +since the rains. For a spell you can get on right smart, but +then, again, you'll go in co-slush!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot smiled, but said he "thought he would try the +road if Mr. Edson would give him the direction."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed a host of directions, of which the most +prominent to Wilmot were, that "about two miles from the +house is an old hemp factory, full of niggers, singing like all +fury; then comes a piece of woods, in the middle of which is +a gate on the left hand; open that gate and follow the road +straight till you come to the mightiest, mean-looking house +you ever seen, I reckon; one chimbley tumbled down, and +t'other trying to. That is Middleton's."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Woodburn said, "That as the road was so bad, +and it was getting late, Mr. Wilmot had better stay at his +house that night and the next day they would send him to +Middleton's."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before Mr. Wilmot had time to reply, Mr. Edson called out, +"Halloo! Just in time, Wilmot!" Then rushing to the door +he screamed, "Ho! Jim Crow, you jackanapes, what you +ridin' Prince full jump down the pike for? Say, you scapegrace, +come up here!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot looked from the window and saw a fine looking +black boy of about sixteen years of age riding a beautiful +horse at full speed through the street. He readily divined that +the boy was the property of Mr. Edson, and as he had brought +from home a little abolitionism safely packed away, he expected +to see a few cuffs dealt out to the young African. But +when the young hopeful, at the command of his master, +wheeled his horse up to the door, gave a flourish with his +rimless old hat and a loud whistle with his pouting lips, Mr. +Wilmot observed that his master gave the bystanders a knowing +wink, as much as to say, "Isn't he smart?" Then turning +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page004">[pg 004]</span><a name="Pg004" id="Pg004" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to the boy he said, "How now, you Jim, what are you here +for, riding Prince to death?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I begs marster's pardon berry much," said the negro, "but +you see how I done toted all the taters you told me, and missis +she 'vise me to ride Prince a leetle, 'case he's gettin' oneasy +like when Miss Carline rides him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Likely story," said Mr. Edson; "but for once you are in +the way when I want you. You know where Mr. Middleton +lives?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster, reckon I does."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, this young man wants to go there. Now jump down +quick and help him on. Do you hear?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster," said the negro, and in a moment he was on +the ground, holding the stirrup for Mr. Wilmot to mount.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Wilmot hesitated for two causes. The first was, he was not +a good horseman and did not like to attempt mounting the +spirited animal before so many pairs of eyes. He looked wistfully +at the horse block, but did not dare propose having the +horse led up to it. The second reason was he did not know +whether to accept or decline the kindness of Mr. Edson; but +that man reassured him by saying:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come! What are you waiting for? Jump up. I'd a heap +rather Jim would go with you than ride Prince to death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Woodburn spoke. He knew that New York +people were, comparatively speaking, inferior riders, and he +conjectured why Mr. Wilmot hesitated; so he said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Here, Jim, lead the horse up to the block for the gentleman"; +then turning to the bystanders, said, as if apologizing +for Wilmot: "You know it is so thickly settled in New York +that they do not ride as much as we do, and probably the +young man has always been at school."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was satisfactory to the white portion of the audience, +but not to the group of blacks, who were assembled at the +corner of the house. They thought it a shame not to be a +good rider and when they saw the awkward manner in which +Mr. Wilmot finally mounted the horse and the ludicrous +face of Jim Crow as he sprang up behind him, they were, as +they afterward told Aunt Esther, "dreffully tickled and would +have larfed, sartin, if they hadn't knowed marster would have +slapped their jaws."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And sarved you right," was the rejoinder of Aunt Esther.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But to return to Mr. Edson. As soon as Mr. Wilmot, Jim +and Prince had disappeared, he felt a return of his fears concerning +the "confounded Abolitionist." Thought he, "What a +fool I was to let Prince and Jim Crow, too, go off with that +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page005">[pg 005]</span><a name="Pg005" id="Pg005" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ar' chap! Thar's Prince, worth a hundred and fifty, and +Jim, at the least calculation, 'll fetch eight hundred. Well, +anyway, they can't get far on that dirt road, so if Jim isn't +home by nine, I'll go after 'em, that's so." Having settled +the matter thus satisfactorily in his own mind, he called for +his horse and started for home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime Mr. Wilmot was slowly wending his way toward +Mr. Middleton's. It took but a short time for him to ascertain +that the road was fully equal to the description given of it by +Mr. Edson. At times he could scarcely keep his head, and +he felt conscious, too, that the black machine behind him was +inwardly convulsed with laughter at his awkward attempts to +guide the horse in the best part of the road. At length he +ventured a remark:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Jim, is this animal ugly?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ugly! Lor' bless you, marster, is you blind? As handsome +a creetur as thar is in the country!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot understood that he had used the word ugly in +its wrong sense, so he said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not mean to ask if the horse is ill-looking, but is he +skittish?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"If marster means by that will he throw him off, I don't +think he will as long as I'm on him, but sometimes he is a +leetle contrary like. Reckon marster ain't much used to +ridin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time they had reached the gate spoken of by Mr. +Edson. To Mr. Wilmot's great surprise the horse walked tip +to it and tried to open it with his mouth! Mr. Wilmot was so +much amused that he would not suffer Jim to get down and +open the gate, as he wished to see if the horse could do it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, marster, he'll do it easy," said the negro; and sure +enough, in a moment the well-trained animal lifted the latch +and pushed open the gate! But it was a rickety old thing, +and before Prince had got fairly through it tumbled down, +hitting his heels and causing him to jump sideways, so as to +leave Mr. Wilmot riding the gate and Jim Crow in quiet possession +of the saddle! With a great effort Jim forced down +his desire to scream and merely showed twenty-eight very +large, white teeth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Springing from the horse he offered to assist Mr. Wilmot +to mount again, but he had no inclination to do so. He preferred +walking the rest of the way, he said, and as he could +now easily find the house, Jim could return home. This was not +what Jim wanted. He had anticipated a nice time in relating +his adventures to Mr. Middleton's negroes, but as Mr. Wilmot +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page006">[pg 006]</span><a name="Pg006" id="Pg006" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +slipped a quarter into his hand, he felt consoled for the +loss of his "yarn"; so mounting Prince again, he gave his +old palm leaf three flourishes round his head, and with a loud +whoop, started the horse with a tremendous speed down the +road and was soon out of sight, leaving Mr. Wilmot to find his +way alone through the wood. This he found no difficulty in +doing, for he soon came in sight of a house, which he readily +took for Mr. Middleton's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a large, old-fashioned stone building, with one chimney +fallen down, as Mr. Edson had said, and its companion +looked likely to follow suit at the first high wind. The windows +of the upper story were two-thirds of them destitute of +glass, but its place was supplied by shingles, which kept the +cold out if they did not let the light in. Scattered about the +yard, which was very large, were corn cribs, hay racks, pig +troughs, carts, wagons, old plows, horses, mules, cows, hens, +chickens, turkeys, geese, negroes, and dogs, the latter of +which rushed ferociously at Mr. Wilmot, who was about to +beat a retreat from so uninviting quarters, when one of the +negroes called out, "Ho, marster, don't be feared, 'case I'll +hold Tiger." So Wilmot advanced with some misgivings toward +the negro and dog.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He asked the negro if his master were at home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar, marster's done gone away, but Miss Nancy, she's +at home. Jist walk right in thar, whar you see the pile of +saddles in the entry."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, Mr. Wilmot "walked in where the pile of +saddles were," and knocked at a side door. It was opened by +a very handsome young girl, who politely asked the stranger +to enter. He did so and found within a mild-looking, middle-aged +lady, whose dark eyes and hair showed her at once to be +the mother of the young lady who had opened the door for +him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton, for she it was, arose, and offering her hand +to the stranger, asked him to be seated in the large stuffed +chair which stood before the cheerful blazing fire. In a few +moments he had introduced himself, told his business and inquired +for Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My husband is absent," said Mrs. Middleton, "but he will +be at home tonight and we shall be glad to have you remain +with us till tomorrow at least, and as much longer as you like, +for I think Mr. Middleton will be glad to assist you in getting +a school."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot accepted the invitation and then looked round +the room to see if the interior of the house corresponded with +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page007">[pg 007]</span><a name="Pg007" id="Pg007" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the exterior, It did not, for the room, though large, was very +comfortable. The floor was covered with a bright-colored +home-made carpet. In one corner stood a bed, the counterpane +of which was as white as snow, and the curtains of the +windows were of the same hue. In another corner was a +small bookcase, well filled with books and on a stand near a +window were several house plants.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He concluded that the books and the plants were the property +of the young lady, whom Mrs. Middleton introduced to +him as her eldest daughter Julia. She was an intelligent-looking +girl, and Mr. Wilmot instantly felt interested in her, but +when he attempted to converse with her, she stole quietly out +of the room, leaving her mother to entertain the visitor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last supper was brought in by old Aunt Judy, who +courtesied so low to the "young marster," that she upset the +coffee pot, the contents of which fell upon a spaniel, which lay +before the fire. The outcries of the dog brought Miss Julia +from the kitchen, and this time she was accompanied by her +younger sister, Fanny, who together with Julia and Aunt +Judy, lamented over the wounded animal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I didn't go to do it, sartin, Miss July," said Aunt Judy, +"Lor' knows I didn't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who said you did, you black thing, you?" said Julia, who +in her grief for her favorite, and her anger at Aunt Judy, forgot +the stranger, and her bashfulness, too. "You were careless, +I know you were," she continued, "or you never could +have tipped the coffee over in this manner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never mind, sister," said Fanny, "never mind; of course, +Aunt Judy didn't mean to do it, for she likes Dido as well as +we do."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lor' bless Miss Fanny's sweet face, that I do like Dido," +said Aunt Judy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, that you do," repeated Julia mockingly, "just as +though you could like anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mrs. Middleton interposed and ordered Julia and +Fanny to take their seats at the table, while Judy cleared away +all traces of the disaster. Julia complied with an ill-grace, +muttering something about "the hateful negroes," while +Fanny obeyed readily, and laughingly made some remark to +Mr. Wilmot about their making so much ado over a dog, +"but," said she, "we are silly girls, and of course do silly +things. Probably we shall do better when we get old like you—no, +like mother, I mean."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here she stopped, blushing deeply at having called Mr. Wilmot +old, when in fact she thought him quite young, and very +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page008">[pg 008]</span><a name="Pg008" id="Pg008" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +handsome—in short, "just the thing." She thought to herself, +"There, I've done it now! Julia and I have both introduced +ourselves to him in a pretty light, but it's just like me—however, +I'll not say another word tonight!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The little incident of the coffee pot gave Mr. Wilmot something +of an insight into the character and disposition of the +two girls. And surely nothing could have been more unlike +than their personal appearance, as they sat side by side at the +supper table. Julia was about seventeen years of age and +was called very handsome, for there was something peculiarly +fascinating in the ever-varying expression of her large black +eyes. She was a brunette, but there was on her cheek so +rich and changeable a color that one forgot in looking at her, +whether she were dark or light. Her disposition was something +like her complexion—dark and variable. Her father +was a native of South Carolina, and from him she inherited a +quick, passionate temper. At times she was as gentle as a lamb, +but when anything occurred to trouble her, all her Southern +blood boiled up, and she was as Fanny said, "always ready to +fire up at a moment's warning." Mr. Middleton called her +"Tempest," while to Fanny he gave the pet name of "Sunshine," +and truly, compared with her sister, Fanny's presence +in the house was like a ray of sunshine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was two years younger than Julia and entirely different +from her, both in looks and disposition. Her face was +very pale and her bright golden hair fell in soft curls around +her neck and shoulders, giving her something the appearance +of a fairy. Her eyes were very large and very dark blue, and +ever mirrored forth the feelings of her soul.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the servants Julia was feared and dreaded; but Fanny was +a favorite with all. Not a man, woman or child on the +plantation but was ready to do anything for "darling Miss +Fanny." And they thought, too, every one must love her as +well as they did, for they said "she showed by her face +that she was an angel." This was the opinion of the blacks, +and it was also the partially formed opinion of Mr. Wilmot +before he finished his supper; and yet he could not help +thinking there was something wondrously attractive in the +glance of Julia's large, dark eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After supper he tried to engage the girls in conversation in +order to ascertain which had the better mind. He found +Fanny most ready to converse. She had forgotten her resolution +not to talk, and before the evening was half spent seemed +perfectly well acquainted with him. She had discovered that +his name was Richard, that he had a sister Kate, who called +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page009">[pg 009]</span><a name="Pg009" id="Pg009" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him Dick, that he was as yet possessor of his own heart, but +was in danger of losing it! The compliment Fanny very generously +gave to her sister Julia, because she observed that Mr. +Wilmot's eyes were often directed toward the corner where +the dark beauty sat, silent and immovable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia had taken but little part in the conversation and Mr. +Wilmot's efforts to "draw her out" had proved ineffectual. +She felt piqued that Fanny should engross so much attention +and resolved on revenge; so she determined to show Mr. Wilmot +that she could talk but not upon such silly subjects as +pleased Fanny. Accordingly, when books were mentioned, she +seemed suddenly aroused into life. She was really very intelligent +and a very good scholar. She had a great taste for +reading, and what books she could not prevail on her father +to buy, she would borrow, so she had a tolerably good knowledge +of all the standard works. Mr. Wilmot was surprised +and pleased to find her so well informed and in the spirited +conversation which followed poor Fanny was cast entirely +into the background.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny, however, attributed it to her sister's superior knowledge +of Latin, and inwardly "thanked her stars" that she knew +nothing of that language further than the verb Amo, to love. +The practical part of that verb she understood, even if she +did not its conjugation. She sat quietly listening to Mr. Wilmot +and her sister, but her cogitations were far different from +what Julia's had been.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was building castles—in all of which Mr. Wilmot +and Julia were the hero and heroine. She gazed admiringly +at her sister, whose face grew handsomer each moment as +she became more animated, and she thought, "What a nice-looking +couple Julia and Mr. Wilmot would make! And they +would be so happy, too—that is if sister didn't get angry, +and I am sure she wouldn't with Mr. Wilmot. Then they +would have a nicer house than this old shell, and perhaps they +would let me live with them!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here her reverie was interrupted by Mr. Wilmot, who asked +her if she ever studied Latin. Fanny hesitated; she did not +wish to confess that she had once studied it six months, but +at the end of that time she was so heartily tired of its "long-tailed +verbs," as she called them, that she had thrown her +grammar out of the window and afterward given it to Aunt +Judy to start the oven with!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This story was told, however, by Julia, with many embellishments, +for she delighted in making Fanny appear ridiculous. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page010">[pg 010]</span><a name="Pg010" id="Pg010" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +She was going on swimmingly when she received a +drawback from her mother, who said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Julia, what do you want to talk so for? You know that +while Fanny studied Latin, Mr. Miller said she learned her +lessons more readily than you did and recited them better, and +he said, too, that she was quite as good a French scholar as +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia curled her lip scornfully and said, "she didn't know +what her mother knew about Fanny's scholarship." Meantime +Fanny was blushing deeply and thinking that she had appeared +to great disadvantage in Mr. Wilmot's eyes; but he +very kindly changed the conversation by asking who Mr. +Miller was, and was told that he was a young man from Albany, +New York, who taught in their neighborhood the winter +before.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The appearance of some nice red apples just then turned the +attention of the little company in another channel and before +they were aware of it the clock struck ten. Mr. Middleton +had not returned and as it was doubtful whether he came at +all that night, Julia went into the kitchen for Luce, to show +Mr. Wilmot to his room. She was gone some time, and when +she returned was accompanied by a bright-looking mulatto +girl, who, as soon as she had conducted Mr. Wilmot into his +room, commenced making excuses about "marster's old house! +Things was drefful all round it, but 'twasn't Miss Julia's fault, +for if she could have her way 'twould be fixed up, sartin. She +was a born'd lady, anybody could see; so different from Miss +Fanny, who cared nothing how things looked if she could go +into the kitchen and turn hoe cakes for Aunt Judy, or tend the +baby!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time Luce had arranged the room all it wanted arranging, +and as Mr. Wilmot had no further need of her services, +she left him to think of what she had said. He did not know +that the bright red ribbon, which appeared on Luce's neck +next morning, was the gift of Julia, who had bribed her to +say what she did to him. Julia knew that she had made a +favorable impression on Mr. Wilmot by making him think +meanly of Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">What Luce said had its effect upon him, too. He was accustomed +to the refinements of the North and he could not +help respecting a young lady more who showed a taste for +neatness. That night he dreamed that a bright pair of dark +eves were looking at him from each pane of shingle in the +window, and that a golden-haired fairy was dancing the Polka +in Aunt Judy's hoe cake batter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter2" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc4" id="toc4"></a><a name="pdf5" id="pdf5"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter II</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">getting up a subscription school</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page011">[pg 011]</span><a name="Pg011" id="Pg011" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Next morning before daybreak Mr. Wilmot was aroused +from a sound slumber by what he thought was the worst +noise he had ever heard. He instantly concluded that the +house was on fire, and springing up, endeavored to find his +clothes, but in the deep darkness of the room such a thing +was impossible; so he waited a while and tried to find out +what the noise could be.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last it assumed something of a definite form, and he +found it was the voice of a man calling out in thunder-like +tones, "Ho, Jebediah! Come out with ye! Do you hear? +Are you coming?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed a long catalogue of names, such as Sam, Joe, +Jack, Jim, Ike, Jerry, Nehemiah, Ezariah, Judy, Tilda, Martha, +Rachel, Luce and Phema, and at the end of each name was the +same list of questions which had preceded that of Jebediah; +and ever from the negro quarters came the same response, +"Yes, marster, comin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time all the hens, geese, turkeys and dogs were +wide awake and joining their voices in the chorus, made the +night, or rather the morning, hideous with their outcries. At +last the noise subsided. Silence settled around the house and +Wilmot tried to compose himself to sleep. When he again +awoke the sun was shining brightly into his room. He arose +and dressed himself, but felt in no hurry to see "his host," +who had come home, he was sure, and had given such tremendous +demonstrations of the strength of his lungs.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot finally descended to the sitting room, where the +first object which presented itself was a man who was certainly +six and a half feet high, and large in proportion. His +face was dark and its natural color was increased by a beard +of at least four weeks' growth! He had on his head an old +slouched hat, from under which a few gray locks were visible. +As soon as Wilmot appeared, the uncouth figure advanced toward +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page012">[pg 012]</span><a name="Pg012" id="Pg012" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him, and seizing his hand, gave a grip, which, if continued +long, would certainly have crushed every bone! He +began with—</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, so you are Mr. Wilmot from New York, hey? Of +course a red-hot Abolitionist, but I don't care for that if you'll +only keep your ideas to yourself and not try to preach your +notions to me. I've heard of you before."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Heard of me, sir?" said Mr. Wilmot in surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, of you; and why not? Thar's many a man, not as +good as you, judging by your looks, has had a hearing in his +day; but, however, I haint heard of you by the papers. As I +was coming home last night I got along to old man Edson's, +and I seen him swarin' and tarin' round so says I, 'Ho, old +man, what's the row?' 'Oh,' says he, 'that you, Middleton? +Nuff's the row. I've done let my best horse and nigger go off +with a man from the free States, who said he's going to your +house, and here 'tis after nine and Jim not at home yet. Of +course they've put out for the river.' 'Now,' says I, 'don't be a +fool, Edson; if that ar chap said he's goin' to my house, he's +goin' thar, I'll bet all my land and niggers he's honest. Likely +Jim's stopped somewhar. You come along with me and we'll +find him.' So we jogged along on the pike till of a sudden +we met Prince coming home all alone! This looked dark, but +I told Edson to say nothin' and keep on; so we came to +Woodburn's fine house, and thar in the cabins we seen a +bright light, and heard the niggers larfin like five hundred, and +thought we could distinguish Jim Crow's voice; so we crept +slyly up to the window and looked in and, sure enough, there +was Jim, telling a great yarn about the way you rode and +how you got flung onto the gate. It seems he didn't half +hitch Prince, who got oneasy like, and started for home. +Edson hollered to Jim, who came out and told how he didn't +go clear here with you, cause you said you could find the +way, and he might go back. Then old man Edson turned right +round and said you were a likely man, and he hoped I'd do all +I could for you. So that's the way I heard of you; and now +welcome to old Kentuck, and welcome to my house, such as it +is. It's mighty mean, though, as 'Tempest' says."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he turned to Julia, who had just entered the room. +Then he went on: "Yes, Tempest raves and tars about the +house and can hardly wait till I'm dead before she spends my +money in fool fixin's. Devil of a cent she'll get though if +she rides as high a horse as she generally does! I'll give it +all to 'Sunshine'; yes, I will. She's more gentle-like and +comes coaxin' round me, and puttin' her soft arms round my +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page013">[pg 013]</span><a name="Pg013" id="Pg013" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +old shaggy neck says, 'Please, pa, if I'll learn to make a nice +pudding or pie of Aunt Judy, will you buy us a new looking-glass +or rocking chair?' And then 'tisn't in my natur to refuse. +Oh, yes; Sunshine is a darling," said he, laying his +hand caressingly on Fanny's head, who just at that moment +showed her sunny face in the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During breakfast Mr. Middleton inquired more particularly +into Mr. Wilmot's plans and wishes, and told him there +was no doubt that he could obtain a good school in that immediate +neighborhood. "Your best way," said he, "will be to +write a subscription paper. The people then see what for a +fist you write, and half the folks in Kentuck will judge you +by that. In the paper you must tell what you know and what +you ask to tell it to others. I'll head the list with my two gals +and give you a horse to go round with, and I'll bet Tempest, +and Sunshine, too, that you'll get a full school afore night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the last part of this speech Julia curled her lips and tried +to look indignant, while Fanny laughingly said, "Pa, what +makes you always bet sister and me, just as though you could +sell us like horses? It's bad enough to bet and sell the blacks, +I think."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ho, ho! So you've got some free State notions already, +have you?" said Mr. Middleton. "Well, honey, you're more'n +half right, I reckon." So saying, he for the fourth time +passed up his coffee cup.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Breakfast being over, he took his young friend to the stable +and bade him select for his own use any horse he chose. Mr. +Wilmot declined, saying he was not much accustomed to +horses; he preferred that Mr. Middleton should choose any +horse he pleased.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very well," said Mr. Middleton; "from the accounts I +have heard of your horsemanship it may be improved; so I +reckon I'll not give you a very skeary horse to begin with. +Thar's Aleck'll just suit you. He'll not throw you on the gate, +for he doesn't trot as fast as a black ant can walk!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly Aleck was saddled and bridled and Mr. Wilmot +was soon mounted and, with his subscription paper in his +pocket, was riding off after subscribers. He was very successful; +and when at night he turned his face homeward, he +had the names of fifteen scholars and the partial promise of +five more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, my boy, what luck?" said Mr. Middleton, as Wilmot +entered the sitting room that evening.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very good success," returned Mr. Wilmot; "I am sure of +fifteen scholars and have a promise for five more."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page014">[pg 014]</span><a name="Pg014" id="Pg014" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Yes, pretty good," said Mr. Middleton; "fifteen sartin, and +five unsartin. Who are the unsartin ones?—old Thornton's?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot replied that he believed it was a Mr. Thornton +who had hesitated about signing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He'll sign," said Mr. Middleton. "I's thar after you was, +and he told me you might put down five for him. I pay for +two on 'em. He lives on my premises; and if he doesn't pay +up for t'other three, why, he'll jog, that's all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot said he hoped no one would send to school +against their wishes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord, no," rejoined Mr. Middleton; "old Thornton wants +to send bad enough, only he's stingy like. Let me see your +paper, boy."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot handed him the paper, and he went on: "Thar's +ten scholars at eight dollars—that makes eighty; then thar's five +at eleven dollars, and fifty-five and eighty makes a hundred +and thirty-five; then thar's five more at fifteen dollars; five +times fifteen; five times five is twenty-five—seventy-five dollars;—seventy-five +and a hundred and thirty-five;—five and +five is ten, one to seven is eight, eight and three is eleven—two +hundred and ten dollars! Why, quite a heap! Of +course you've got clothes enough to last a spell, so you can +put two hundred out at interest. I'll take it and give you +ten per cent."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot smiled at seeing his money so carefully disposed +of before it was earned, but he merely said, "There's +my board to be deducted."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Your what?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My board, sir. I have no other means of paying it. I find +I can get boarded for a dollar and a half a week."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The deuce you can," said Mr. Middleton. "Who'll board +you for that?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot gave the name of the gentleman, to which +Mr. Middleton replied, "I want to know if he will board you +so very cheap!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes. Do you think I should pay more?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pay more!" replied Middleton. "Don't be a fool! Why, +here's this infernal old shell of a house wants filling up, and +thar's heaps of horses and niggers lounging round with +nothing to do; then I've plenty of potatoes, bacon and corn +meal—and such fare as we have you're welcome to, without a +dollar and a half, or even a cent and a half."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot remonstrated at receiving so much at Mr. Middleton's +hands, but that good man put an end to all further +argument by saying, "Do let me act as I like. You see, I've +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page015">[pg 015]</span><a name="Pg015" id="Pg015" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +taken a liking to you, and because I see you trying to help +yourself, I am willing to try and help you. They say, or +Tempest says they say, I'm a rough old bear, and maybe I +am; but I'm not all bad; it's a streak o' fat and a streak o' +lean; and if I want to do you a kindness, pray let me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So it was settled that Mr. Wilmot should remain in Mr. +Middleton's family during the winter. To Julia this arrangement +gave secret satisfaction. She had from the first liked Mr. +Wilmot, and the idea of having him near her all the time was +perfectly delightful. She resolved to gain his good opinion, +cost what it would. To do this, she knew she must appear to +be amiable, and that she determined to do—before him at +least. She had also seen enough of him to know that he set +a great value upon talent, and she resolved to surprise him +with her superior scholarship and ability to learn. She, however, +felt some misgivings lest Fanny should rival her in his +esteem; but she hoped by negro bribery and various little +artifices to deter him from thinking too highly of her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following Monday, Mr. Wilmot repaired to his schoolroom, +where he found assembled all his pupils. It was comparatively +easy to arrange them into classes and ere the close +of the day the school was pretty generally organized. Weeks +passed on and each day the "Yankee schoolmaster" gained in +the love of his scholars, and one of them, at least, gained in +the affections of the teacher. Julia had adhered to her resolution +of appearing amiable and of surprising Mr. Wilmot with +her wonderful powers of learning. This last she did to perfection. +No lesson was so long but it was readily learned and +its substance admirably told in words of her own. She preferred +reciting alone and she so far outstripped the others in +the length of her lessons, it seemed necessary that she should +do so. Mr. Wilmot often wondered at her marvelous capacity +for learning so much in so short a space of time, for she +never took home her books at night, and she said she had +plenty of time for her lessons during school hours.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With Fanny it was just the reverse. She got her lessons at +home and played all day at school! Sometimes a reprimand +from Mr. Wilmot would bring the tears into her eyes and +she would wonder why it was she could not behave and make +Mr. Wilmot like her as well as he did Julia. Then she would +resolve not to make any more faces at that booby, Bill Jeffrey, +for the girls to laugh at, nor to draw any more pictures on +her slate of the Dame Sobriety, as she called Julia, and lastly, +not to pin any more chalk rags on the boys' coats. But she +was a dear lover of fun and her resolutions were soon for +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page016">[pg 016]</span><a name="Pg016" id="Pg016" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +gotten. +Her lessons, however, were generally well-learned, +and well recited; but she could not compete with Julia, neither +did she wish to. She often wondered how her sister could +learn so long lessons, and, secretly, she had her own suspicions +on the subject, but chose to keep them to herself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime the winter was passing rapidly and, to Mr. Wilmot, +very agreeably away. He liked his boarding place much +and one of its inmates had almost, without his knowledge, +wound herself strongly around his heart. For a time he +struggled against it, for his first acquaintance with Julia had +not left a very favorable impression on his mind. But since +that night she had been perfectly pleasant before him and had +given out but one demonstration of her passionate temper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was one evening at the supper table. Zuba, a mulatto +girl, brought in some preserves and, in passing them, very +carelessly spilled them upon Julia's new blue merino. In +the anger of the moment Mr. Wilmot and his good opinion +were forgotten. Springing up, she gave the girl a blow which +sent her half across the room and caused her to drop the dish, +which was broken in twenty pieces. At the same time she exclaimed +in a loud, angry tone, "Devil take you, Zube!" The +loss of the dish elicited a series of oaths from Mr. Middleton, +who called his daughter such names as "lucifer match," +"volcano," "powder mill," and so forth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For her father's swearing Julia cared nothing, but it was +the sorrowful, disappointed expression of Mr. Wilmot's face +which cooled her down. Particularly did she wish to recall +what she had done when she saw that Fanny also had received +some of the preserves on her merino; but instead of raging +like a fury, she arose and quietly wiped it off, and then burst +into a loud laugh, which she afterward told her mother was +occasioned by the mournful look which Mr. Wilmot's face assumed +when he saw that Julia's temper was not dead, but +merely covered up with ashes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From this remark of Fanny's the reader will understand +that she was well aware of the part her sister was playing. +And she was perfectly satisfied that it should be so, for by +this means she occasionally got a pleasant word from Julia. +She, however, often wished that Mr. Wilmot could be constantly +with her sister, for his presence in the house did not +prevent her from expending her wrath upon both Fanny and +the blacks.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For some days after the affair of the preserves, Mr. Wilmot +was somewhat cool in his manner toward Julia, who had +discernment enough to attribute the change to the right cause. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page017">[pg 017]</span><a name="Pg017" id="Pg017" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Earnestly did she desire to win back his esteem, and she accordingly +cast about for some method by which she could undo +what she had done. She could think of no way except to acknowledge +her error to Mr. Wilmot and promise to do better +in the future. So one evening when her father, mother and +Fanny were absent, and she was alone with him, she adroitly +led the conversation to the circumstance of her spoiled merino. +She acknowledged that it was very unamiable and unladylike +to manifest such passionate feelings, said she knew she had +a quick temper, but she tried hard to govern it; and if Mr. +Wilmot would, as her teacher and friend, aid her by his advice +and influence, she was sure she would in time succeed. +So nicely did she manage each part of her confession that +Mr. Wilmot was thoroughly deceived. He believed her perfectly +sincere, and greatly admired what he thought to be her +frank, confiding disposition.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time she was dearer to him than ever and Julia, +again sure of his esteem, placed a double guard upon her +temper, and in his presence was the very "pink" of amiability! +Affairs were gliding smoothly on, when the family received a +visit from a gentleman, whom Julia would rather not have +seen. This was Mr. Miller, whom we have mentioned as +having taught in that neighborhood the winter before. Mr. +Wilmot found him in the sitting room one night, on his return +from school. When the young men were introduced they +regarded each other a moment in silence, then their hands +were cordially extended, and the words, "Richard Wilmot," +"Joseph Miller," were simultaneously uttered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It seems that, years before, they had been roommates and +warmly attached friends in the Academy of Canandaigua, +New York, and now, after the lapse of ten years, they met +for the first time far off in Kentucky. A long conversation +followed, relative to what had occurred to each since the +bright June morning when they parted with so much regret +in the old academic halls of Canandaigua.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length Mr. Miller said: "Richard, what has become of +that sister of yours, of whose marvelous beauty you used to +tell us boys such big stories?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My sister Kate," said Mr. Wilmot, "is at present at +school in New Haven."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And is she still as beautiful as you used to try to make us +think she was?" asked Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will show you her likeness," returned Wilmot, "and you +can judge for yourself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he drew from his pocket a richly cased daguerreotype, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page018">[pg 018]</span><a name="Pg018" id="Pg018" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and handed it to Mr. Miller. It was a face of uncommon +beauty which met Mr. Miller's eye, and he gazed +enraptured on the surpassing 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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How absurd," said Julia hastily; "just as though one cannot +be handsome and good too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I didn't say they couldn't, sister," said Fanny; "but I +thought—yes, I'm sure she looks a little selfish!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Upon my word you're very polite," said Julia. "Mr. Wilmot +will doubtless feel complimented by what you say of his +sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And how much more does she know?" said Mr. Miller, +who was always interested in whatever Fanny said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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 +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page019">[pg 019]</span><a name="Pg019" id="Pg019" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +but half-learned, but consoles himself, I suppose, with Julia's +great long yarns."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And are Julia's lessons so very long?" asked Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," replied Fanny. "It is the wonder of all the girls +how she manages to commit so much to memory in so short +a time, for she never brings home her books and she spends +two-thirds of her time, during school hours, in writing something +on a sheet of foolscap. We girls have our own suspicions +about that paper, for when her lesson is very hard +we notice that she is unusually confined to her notes."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Julia angrily exclaimed, "Fanny, what do you mean? +Do you intend to insinuate that I write my lesson down and +then read it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fire and fury," said Mr. Middleton, who had been an attentive +listener, "what's all this about? Tempest, do you +write down your task? Good reason why you don't bring home +your books. Speak, girl, quick—are you guilty of such meanness?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia burst into tears, and said: "No, father, I am not; and +I think it too bad that I should be suspected of such a thing, +when I am trying to do as well as I can."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think so too," said Mr. Wilmot, whose sympathies were +all with Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller thought otherwise, but he said nothing. Julia +had never been a favorite with him. He understood her character +perfectly well and he felt grieved that his friend should +be so deceived in her. Perhaps Julia read something of what +was passing in his mind; for she felt very uneasy for fear he +might tell Mr. Wilmot something unfavorable of her. Nor +was she mistaken in her conjectures, for after the young men +had retired for the night, their conversation naturally enough +turned upon the family and the two girls, both of whom Mr. +Wilmot spoke of in the highest terms. Mr. Miller agreed +with him as long as his remarks were confined to Fanny, but +when he came to speak of Julia, and of her superior beauty, +intellect and agreeable manners, he ventured to disagree with +him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Said he, "As to Julia's beauty, there can be but one opinion, +for she is very handsome; but the interior of the casket does +not correspond with the exterior; she is as false as fair. Then, +as to her intellect, I never thought it greatly superior to +Fanny's. To be sure, she has a way of showing off all she +does know, while Fanny is more retiring."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Wilmot spoke of the faculty she possessed for +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page020">[pg 020]</span><a name="Pg020" id="Pg020" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +learning so long lessons. "Even your favorite Fanny," said +he, "admitted that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"True," returned Mr. Miller, "but have you forgotten the +notes? Do you not think there may be something in that?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is it possible," said Mr. Wilmot, rather warmly, "is it possible +you think the high-souled Julia capable of such meanness? +You do not know her as well as I do, if you think she +would stoop to such deception. You shall go to school with +me tomorrow, and then you can see for yourself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I will do so," said Mr. Miller, and then as he saw Mr. +Wilmot seemed somewhat excited, he changed the conversation, +which had been heard by other ears. Adjoining the +room of Mr. Wilmot was a long dark closet, the door of +which opened into the apartment of Julia and Fanny. This +closet was used for a kind of lumber room, in which were +stored promiscuously old barrels, trunks, hats, boots and so +forth. It originally had a window, but the glass had long +been broken and its place supplied by a large board, which +failed to keep out the wind and rain, so that during the winter +season the closet was a cold, cheerless place.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But on the night of which we were speaking, it contained +a novel piece of lumber. Crouched behind an old barrel sat +Julia, listening eagerly to the conversation between her teacher +and Mr. Miller. When it ceased she arose from her dark hiding +place and muttered to herself: "So you'll see, will you? +You old torment! I wish the Old Scratch had got you before +you ever came here. If I dared to I'd—but no, I +wouldn't do that, bad as I am. However, I'll cheat you +for once, you hateful limb! But what shall I do?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She indeed was in a dilemma; but she had often boasted +that she never yet was in so straitened a spot that she could +not devise some means of extricating herself, and she relied +on the Master she served to aid her in this difficulty. She +never brought her books home and as the reader will ere this +have surmised, she was in the daily habit of writing a +sketch of her lesson on foolscap, and then reading it off. When +school first commenced she had asked the privilege of sitting +in her seat while reciting and by this means she could hold +the paper under her desk and thus avoid Mr. Wilmot's suspicion. +Her lessons for the next day were unusually long and +hard, and as Mr. Miller would be present, she dared not resort +to her usual artifice, particularly after what had been +said about her "notes." She knew she never could learn all +that long lesson in school hours, neither would she fail of +having it for anything. What could she do? For some time +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page021">[pg 021]</span><a name="Pg021" id="Pg021" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +she sat by the dying embers, with her dark face buried in her +hands, revolving in her mind the best scheme by which to +outwit Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last she rose up and a malicious smile of exultation passed +over her features. She looked at the clock and saw it was +already half-past ten, and then stealing softly to the bedside +where Fanny lay quietly sleeping, she bent down and assured +herself that her sister really was unconscious of her +movements. She then hastily threw on her overshoes, cloak +and hood and stealing noiselessly down the stairs, was soon in +the open air alone in the darkness of the night. Just as she +shut the door of the house, the watch dog, Tiger, came bounding +furiously toward her with an angry growl. She silenced +the fierce animal by saying, "Down, Tiger—poor Tige—don't +you know me?" After quieting the dog, she proceeded +on her strange errand, which was to obtain her books +from the schoolhouse, which was more than half a mile distant.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The mud, which was very deep, was not more than half +frozen, and at each step she sank into a mixture of mud, +snow and ice. Still she kept fearlessly on, till at last she +found herself in the midst of the thick woods. Here her +courage somewhat failed her, for she called to mind all the +stories she had ever heard of runaways, who were said to +walk abroad at this dark hour of the night. Once she thought +she saw the giant form of a negro standing in her path, but it +proved to be a black stump, and she was about laughing at +her fears, when her ear detected the sound of a light, rapid +tread coming toward her. Almost paralyzed with terror, she +stood perfectly still and listened for the sound to be repeated, +but all was silent, and again she went on her way, +and soon reached the school house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But here a new difficulty presented itself. The house was +locked and the key was in Mr. Wilmot's pocket; but the old +adage, "where there's a will, there's a way," came into her +mind, so she felt around on the half frozen ground till she +found a long rail, which she placed against a window; then +climbing up, she raised the sash, and in a moment was in the +schoolroom. The atmosphere of the room was still comfortable +and she stopped for a moment at the stove to warm her +benumbed fingers, then groping her way to her desk, she easily +found her books and made her way out of the house in the +same manner that she had entered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just as she reached the ground a large, dark object sprang +toward her and two glittering eyes looked up into her face. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page022">[pg 022]</span><a name="Pg022" id="Pg022" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +She uttered a loud shriek and was answered by a low whine, +which she instantly recognized as belonging to Tiger. "Why, +Tiger," she exclaimed, "how you frightened me! What did +you follow me for?" It seems Tiger had thought there must +be something wrong, or his mistress would not be out at this +unreasonable hour, so he had followed on after her. She was +noways displeased at this, for she liked not the idea of again +going alone through the wood, but with Tiger for a companion +she went fearlessly on and reached home just an hour after +she had left it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On entering her room she struck a light and then tried to +warm her chilled limbs over a few faint coals which still +glimmered on the hearth; but there was no wood in the room +and she dared not go for any, so she sat down with her cloak +still around her, and for four long hours studied as she had +never done before in all her life. At the end of that time her +lessons were very nearly learned, and sick with cold and +fatigue, she threw aside her books and prepared for bed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Her movements awoke Fanny, who, on seeing her sister up +at that late hour of the night, started with surprise, and exclaimed, +"What is it, Julia? What is the matter?" Julia immediately +extinguished the light, lest her sister should discover +the books and then said, "Nothing, Fanny, nothing; only I +have the toothache, and I got up for the camphor, but I cannot +find the bottle anywhere."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The camphor is downstairs," said Fanny, "but I will go +for it if you wish me to. Does your tooth ache very much?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, rather," said Julia, and her kind-hearted sister arose +and found her way in the dark downstairs to her mother's +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What in thunder's come now?" called out Mr. Middleton. +"'Pears like somebody's been tousing round the house all +night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's only I, father," said Fanny. "Julia has the toothache, +and I am after the camphor bottle."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, it's you, Sunshine, is it? The camphire's on the +mantletry. Be keerful and not break it, honey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Fanny was after the camphor, Julia arose, and seizing +her books, threw them hastily into her bureau drawer. +She then sprang back into bed and when Fanny came in she +was making a very appropriate moaning on account of her +aching tooth!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How cold you are, sister," said Fanny; "let me warm my +shawl and put it around you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page023">[pg 023]</span><a name="Pg023" id="Pg023" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"You can't warm it, for their is neither fire nor wood," said +Julia; "and besides, my tooth is much better now."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Fanny lay down by her sister, and the two, purity and +guilt, were soon fast asleep, side by side, and the angel of innocence +spread his broad wing protectingly over the yellow +locks of the one, while a serpent lay coiled in the dark tresses +of the other.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter3" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc6" id="toc6"></a><a name="pdf7" id="pdf7"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter III</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">resulting in a betrothal and a tempest</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page024">[pg 024]</span><a name="Pg024" id="Pg024" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>At the breakfast table next morning Julia's pale face was +noticed and commented upon.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She had a violent toothache last night, which kept her +awake," said Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now I think of it," said Mr. Middleton, "I wonder, Tempest, +how you can have the toothache, for you are always +bragging about your handsome, healthy teeth, and say you +hain't a rotten fang in your head."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia colored, for what her father said was true, neither +did she remember of ever having had the toothache in her life; +but quickly recovering herself, she said, "Neither have I a decayed +tooth. It was more of a faceache, I suppose, than the +genuine toothache."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Probably you have taken some cold," said Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think quite likely I have," retorted Julia, and so the +toothache matter was dismissed for the time. Mr. Miller, +however, thought he could see in it a plan of Julia's to avoid +going to school that day and when he heard Mrs. Middleton +say, "Julia, as it is so cold and chilly, perhaps you had +better not go out," he was rather surprised to hear her reply, +"Oh, no, mother; Mr. Miller is going with us and I would +not miss of being there for anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the party proceeded together to the schoolhouse. When +school commenced Julia took her books and going up to Mr. +Wilmot, said, loudly enough for Mr. Miller to hear: "Mr. +Wilmot, do you know that you gave me a very hard lesson for +today?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, Julia," said he, "I know it is hard and long, and as +you do not seem well, I will excuse you from as much of it as +you choose, or from the whole of it, if you like."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, no," said Julia; "Mr. Miller is here and I would like +to show him that I have improved since last winter, when, as +I fear, I was often sadly remiss in my studies. All I want to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page025">[pg 025]</span><a name="Pg025" id="Pg025" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tell you is that if I do not recite as well as usual, you mustn't +scold me a bit; will you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, certainly not," said Mr. Wilmot, and then he added in +a tone so low that no one heard but Julia, "I could not scold +you, dear Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus flattered, the young lady took her seat and for a time +seemed very intensely occupied with her lessons. At last she +opened her portfolio and, taking from it a sheet of foolscap, +cast an exulting glance toward Fanny and Mr. Miller, the +latter of whom was watching her movements. She then took +her gold pencil and commenced scribbling something on the +paper. By the time her lesson was called she laid the paper +on the desk, and prepared to do honor to herself and teacher. +The moving of the paper attracted Mr. Wilmot's notice, and +going toward her, he very gently said, "I presume you have +no objection to letting me see what you have written here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She at first put out her hand as if to prevent him from +taking it, but at last she suffered him to do so, but tried to look +interestingly confused. Mr. Wilmot read what was written +and then smiling passed it to his friend, who looked at it and +saw that it was a piece of tolerably good blank verse.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is this your composition, Julia?" said Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," she replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And have your 'notes' always been of this nature?" asked +Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That, or something similar," said Julia. "I find no difficulty +in learning my lesson by once reading, and as I am very +fond of poetry, I like to employ the rest of my time in trying +my powers at it!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot looked at Mr. Miller, as much as to say, "I +hope you are satisfied," and then proceeded to hear Julia's +lesson, which was well-learned and well-recited. Julia's recitation +being over, Fanny's class was called. Fanny came +hesitatingly, for she knew her lesson was but poorly learned. +That morning she had found under her desk a love letter +from Bill Jeffrey, and she and some of the other girls had +spent so much time in laughing over it, and preparing an answer, +that she had scarcely thought of her lesson. She got +through with it, however, as well as she could, and was returning +to her seat when Mr. Miller called her to him and +said reprovingly, "Fanny, why did you not have a better +lesson?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Mr. Miller," she said, almost crying, "I did intend to, +but I forgot all about your being here"; and then, as a new +thought struck her, she said mischievously, "and besides I +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page026">[pg 026]</span><a name="Pg026" id="Pg026" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have spent all the morning writing an answer to Bill Jeffrey's +love letter!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this unlooked-for speech, all the scholars burst into a +laugh and directed their eyes toward the crestfallen Bill, who +seemed so painfully embarrassed that Fanny regretted what +she had said, and as soon as school was out for the morning +she went to him and told him she was sorry for so thoughtlessly +exposing him to ridicule; "but," added she, "Billy, I'll +tell you what, you mustn't write me any more love letters, for +'tis not right to do such things at school; neither need you +bring me any more candy or raisins. I don't object to your +giving me a nice big apple occasionally, but candy and raisins +you had better give to the little children. And now to prove +that I am really your friend, if you will get that old dogeared +arithmetic of yours, I will show you how to do some +of those hard sums which trouble you so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Billy was surprised. The butt of the school, he was accustomed +to the jeers of his companions, but such kindness, +and from Fanny, too, was unexpected. He, however, drew +from his desk his old slate and arithmetic and he and Fanny +were soon deep in the mysteries of compound fractions. A +half hour passed away and at the end of that time Billy's +sums were done.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now, Billy," said Fanny, "see that you do not send me +any more letters, and mind, too, and not wink at me so often; +you will remember?" Bill gave the required promise and +Fanny bounded away in quest of her schoolmates, who laughed +at her for taking so much pains with such a dolt as Bill Jeffrey. +That afternoon Fanny resolved to retrieve her character +as a scholar; so she applied herself closely to her task, +and before recitation hour arrived she had learned every word +of her lesson. But alas for poor Fanny. She was always +stumbling into some new difficulty, and fate, this afternoon, +seemed resolved to play a sorry trick upon her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The schoolhouse stood at the foot of a long, steep hill, +which would have been chosen for a capital sliding place by +New York boys; but in Kentucky the winters are, comparatively +speaking, so mild that the boys know but little of that +rare fun, "sliding down hill." The winter of which we are +speaking was, however, unusually severe, and the schoolboys +had persevered until they had succeeded in making a tolerably +nice sliding place, and they had also furnished themselves +with a goodly number of rather rough-looking sleds, of +which Bill Jeffrey owned the largest. The girls were all +anxious to try a ride down the hill, and none more so than +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page027">[pg 027]</span><a name="Pg027" id="Pg027" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Fanny; but the boys would not lend their sleds, and the girls +would not ride with the boys, and as the latter always hid their +precious sleighs, the girls had as yet never succeeded in their +wishes. But on this day, Bill Jeffrey, touched by Fanny's unlooked-for +kindness, whispered to her, just as school was commencing, +that she might take his big sled at recess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was a treat indeed, and when recess came, Fanny, with +half a dozen other girls, climbed to the top of the hill, and +began piling on to Bill's old sled. It was settled that Fanny +should guide the craft, and numerous were the cautions of +the girls that she should "mind and steer straight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, I'll do that," said Fanny; "but wouldn't it be +funny," added she, "if we should make a mistake and go +plump into the schoolhouse!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last all was ready, and the vehicle got under way. At +first it moved slowly, and the loud, merry laugh of the girls +rang out on the clear, cool air; but each moment it increased +in swiftness, and by the time it was half-way down the hill, +was moving at an astonishingly rapid rate. Fanny lost her +presence of mind and, with it, her ability to guide the sled, so +that they passed the point where they should have turned and +made directly for the schoolhouse door, which flew open, as +once did the gates for the famous John Gilpin. There was no +entryway to the building, but as the sled struck the door the +jolt threw off all the girls except Fanny, who manfully kept +her seat; and so made her grand entrance into the schoolroom, +stopping not till she reached the stove, and partially upsetting +it, to the great astonishment of the teacher, visitor, and boys, +the latter of whom set up a loud huzza. Poor Fanny! 'Twas +her first sled ride, and she felt sure it would be her last; but +she resolved to make the best of it, so she looked up from +under her curls and said very demurely, "Please, Mr. Wilmot, +may I stop at this station? I do not like being so near the +engine!" meaning the stove, whose proximity made her quarters +a little uncomfortable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot gave her permission to take her seat, which +she readily did, wondering why it was that she always managed +to do something which made her appear ridiculous, just +when she wanted to appear the best. Her mishap gave secret +pleasure to Julia, who delighted to have Fanny appear as +badly as possible, and she felt particularly pleased when she +saw that Fanny's strange ride had scattered all the ideas from +her head, for the afternoon's lessons were but little better recited +than the morning, and at its close Julia gave her a look +of malicious triumph, which Mr. Miller observing, said, as if +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page028">[pg 028]</span><a name="Pg028" id="Pg028" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +apologising for Fanny, that he was sure that she had every +word of her lesson before recess, but it was no wonder she +was somewhat disconcerted at the unexpected termination of +her ride. Fanny smiled gratefully upon him through her +tears, which she could not restrain; but her tears were like +April showers—they did not last long, and that night, at +the supper table, when Mr. Miller related her adventure to +her father, she joined as gayly as any one in the laugh which +followed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was much displeased to think that Fanny's "ridiculous +conduct," as she called it, should be told of and laughed at as if +it were something amusing. She was anxious, too, that Mr. +Miller should draw his visit to a close, but as he did not +seem inclined to do so, she resolved to make the most of it, +and give him a few new ideas. She knew that Fanny had +ever been his favorite and she very naturally supposed that the +reason of his preference was because he thought she possessed +a very lovely, amiable disposition. She determined to make +him think otherwise, and set herself at work to execute a plan, +which fully showed the heartless deception which almost always +characterized her actions.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fortune seemed to favor her, for after supper her father +and mother announced their intention of spending the evening +at one of the neighbors', and soon after they left Mr. Wilmot, +who had letters to write, retired to his room, together +with Mr. Miller. As soon as they were gone Julia repaired +to the negro quarters and, by dint of threats, flattery and +promises of reward, finally prevailed upon Luce to join with +her in her dark plot. They then went to Julia's sleeping room +and carefully opened the closet door, so that every word of +their conversation could be heard in the adjoining room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's voice was strangely like her sister's, and by means +of imitating her she hoped to deceive both Mr. Wilmot and +Mr. Miller, who were startled by a loud, angry voice, exclaiming, +"Come, you black imp, no more lies, you know +you've stolen it, so just confess, and tell me where it is."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young gentlemen looked at each other in surprise, for +the voice was like Fanny's, and yet it was so unnatural for her +to be in such a passion that they thought it impossible. Their +fears were, however, soon confirmed by Luce, who said, "Oh, +Miss Fanny, Lor' knows I never tached it. Now, sartin I +knows nothin' 'bout it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Hold your jaw, or I'll slap your mouth for you, you lying +thief!" said Julia (alias Fanny). "Of course you've got it, +for no one else has been in here; so tell where you hid it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page029">[pg 029]</span><a name="Pg029" id="Pg029" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Lordy massy! How can I tell, when I dun know nothin' +whar 'tis," said Luce.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There, take, that to brighten up your ideas," said Fanny, +and at the same time there was, the sound of a blow, which +was followed by an outcry from Luce, who exclaimed, "Oh—oh—oh—Miss +Fanny, don't go for to whip me, 'case I haint +nothin to tell; if I had I'd tell right off. I haint seed your +hankercher 'tall. Mebby you've done drapped it somewhar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then the door opened, and Julia, again speaking naturally, +was heard to say, "Why, Fanny, what are you doing +just as soon as mother is gone? Luce, what is the matter?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Miss Julia," replied Luce, "Miss Fanny done lost her +fine hankercher, and she say how I stole it, but I haint."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What makes you think Luce has got your handkerchief, +Fanny?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because I left it on the table, and 'tisn't there now; and +no one has been in the room except Luce," replied Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very likely you have put it in your drawer and forgotten +it; let me look," said Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was a moment's silence, and then Julia was heard to +exclaim, "There it is, just as I thought. Here it is, safe in +your box. I do wish, sister, you would not be quite so hasty, +but stop a little before you condemn others." So saying, the +party left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While this scene was taking place, Fanny was quietly seated +by the fire in the sitting room, getting her lesson for the next +day. At last her eye chanced to fall upon a purse which +Julia was knitting for her father and which she had promised +to finish that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I wonder," said Fanny to herself—"I wonder where Julia +is gone so long? She told father she would finish his purse +this evening, and he will scold so, if it is not done, that I believe +I'll knit on it till she returns."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suiting the action to the word, she caught up the purse, +and when Julia returned to the sitting room, she found her +sister busily engaged in knitting for her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Julia," said Fanny, "where have you been so long; +I though you were never coming back, so I have been knitting +on your purse, for I was afraid you would not get it done, +and then father would scold, you know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Julia looked into her sister's bright, innocent face and +thought of all her kindness, her conscience smote her for the +wrong she had done, but quickly hushing the faithful monitor, +she thought, "Never mind; it is natural for me to be bad. I +cannot help it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page030">[pg 030]</span><a name="Pg030" id="Pg030" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Meantime the gentlemen above were discussing the conversation +which they had overheard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is it possible," said Mr. Miller, "that I have been so deceived +in Fanny, and that, after all, she is as passionate as her +sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"As passionate as her sister," repeated Mr. Wilmot; "I +think we have good proof that she is much more so. I hope +you are now convinced that Fanny is not infallible, though I +will confess I am surprised and disappointed, for I thought +she was really of a very gentle nature."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller did not reply directly, but went on, as if speaking +to himself, "Oh, Fanny, Fanny, how has my idol fallen! +I never would have believed it, but for such convincing evidence."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He was indeed sorely disappointed. He had always thought +of Fanny as the embodiment of almost every female virtue, +and although she was so young, hope had often whispered to +him of a joyous future when she, whom her father designated +as "Sunshine," should also shed a halo of sunlight around another +fireside. But now the illusion was painfully dispelled, +for sooner would he have taken the Egyptian asp to his bosom +than chosen for a companion one whom he knew to possess a +hasty, violent temper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning he took leave of Mr. Middleton's family. +When it came Fanny's turn to bid him good-by, she noticed +the absence of his accustomed cordiality, and wondered much +what she had done to displease him. That night she wept herself +to sleep thinking of it, while Julia, secretly exulting in +her sister's uneasiness, laughed at her for her foolishness, and +said, "It was probably a mere fancy, and even if it were not; +what matter was it? What did she care for Mr. Miller's +good or bad opinion? She mustn't expect everybody to pet +and caress her just as her father did, who was an old fool +anyway, and petted her and her dogs alternately." This kind +of reasoning did not convince Fanny, and for many days her +face wore a sad, troubled expression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the winter passed away. Spring came, and with it +came an offer to Mr. Wilmot of a very lucrative situation as +teacher in a school in Frankfort. At first he hesitated about +accepting it, for there was, in the old rough stone house, an +attraction far greater than the mere consideration of dollars +and cents. Julia at, last settled the matter, by requesting him +to accept the offer, and then urge her father to let her go to +Frankfort to school also.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page031">[pg 031]</span><a name="Pg031" id="Pg031" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"And why do you wish to go there, Julia?" said Mr. Wilmot, +laying his hand on her dark, glossy hair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," she answered, "it will be so lonely here when +you are gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why will it be lonely, dearest Julia?" continued he.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said she, looking up very innocently in his face, "you +are the only person who understands me; by all others, whatever +I do or say is construed into something bad. I wish +you were my brother, for then I might have been better than I +am."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I do not wish I was your brother," said Mr. Wilmot, +"for then I could never have claimed a dearer title, which I +hope now to do at some future time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed a declaration of love, which Julia had long +waited most anxiously for. Most eloquently did Mr. Wilmot +pour out the whole tide of his affection for the beautiful but +sinful girl, who, in a very becoming and appropriate manner, +murmured an acknowledgment of requited love. Thus +the two were betrothed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And truly it was a fitting time for such a betrothal. The air +had been hot and sultry all day, and now the sky was overspread +with dark clouds, while everything indicated an approaching +storm. While Mr. Wilmot was yet speaking, it +burst upon them with great violence. Peal after peal of thunder +followed each other, in rapid succession, and just as Julia +whispered a promise to be Mr. Wilmot's forever, a blinding +sheet of lightning lit up for a moment her dark features, and +was instantly succeeded by a crash, which shook the whole +house from its foundation, and drew from Julia a cry of terror, +which brought Fanny to see what was the matter, and +made Mr. Middleton swear, "Thar was noise enough from the +tempest outdoors, without the 'Tempest' in the house raising +such a devil of a fuss!"</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter4" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc8" id="toc8"></a><a name="pdf9" id="pdf9"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter IV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">dr. lacey appears upon the scene</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page032">[pg 032]</span><a name="Pg032" id="Pg032" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>When Mr. Middleton was spoken to on the subject of sending +Julia to Frankfort, he at first refused outright. "No," +said he, "indeed she shan't go! What does she want of any +more flummerdiddle notions? What she does know is a damage +to her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But do you not wish to give your daughters every possible +advantage?" said Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who's said anything about my daughters?" said Mr. +Middleton. "It's nobody but Tempest, and she's always kickin' +up some boobery. Now if 'twas Sunshine, why, I might—but +no, neither of 'em shall go. It's all stuff, the whole on't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he turned on his heel and walked off, while Julia +burst into tears and repaired to her own room, whither she +was soon followed by her mother, who tried to console her. +Said she, "Why, Julia, you don't take the right course with +your father. Why do you not propose having your sister accompany +you? For, if you go, she will, and you know she +can always coax father to do as she pleases."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was rather humiliating to Julia, but she concluded it +was her only alternative, so she dried her eyes, and seeking +out her sister, very soon talked her into a strong desire to try +the mysteries of a school in Frankfort, and also drew from +her a promise to try her powers of argument upon her father. +Accordingly, that evening Fanny made an attack upon him, and +as her mother had predicted, she was perfectly successful. It +was settled that she and Julia should both go, and the +next morning early Mr. Middleton set off for Frankfort to +find "as smart a boarding place for his gals as anybody had." +There was as yet no boarding house connected with the school, +and he was obliged to find a place for them in some one of the +numerous boarding houses with which Frankfort abounds. He +at last decided upon a very genteel establishment, kept by a +Mrs. Crane, who at first hesitated about receiving into her +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page033">[pg 033]</span><a name="Pg033" id="Pg033" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +family persons who possessed so rough and shabby-looking a +father.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Mr. Middleton brought her to a decision by saying, +"what the deuce you waiting for? Is it because I've got on +cowhide stogies and a home-made coat? Thunder and lightning! +Don't you know I'm old Middleton, worth at least two +hundred thousand?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This announcement changed the current of Mrs. Crane's +ideas. The daughters were not rough, if the father was, so +she decided to take them, and for the very moderate sum of +seven dollars per week, promised to give them all the privileges +of her house. The first day of June was fixed on for +them to leave home and at sunrise Mr. Middleton's carriage +stood at the door, waiting for the young ladies to make their +appearance. Julia had long been ready and was waiting impatiently +for Fanny, who was bidding the servants an affectionate +good-bye. Each one had received from her some little +token of love, and now they all stood in one corner of the +yard, to look at their darling as long as possible.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lor' bless her," said one; "Kentuck hain't many like her, +nor never will have."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, nor Frankfort nuther," said a second. While a third +added, "No, and I reckon heaven hadn't nuther!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To which a fourth responded, "Amen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here old Aunt Katy, who had nursed Mr. Middieton and +his children after him, hobbled up to Fanny, and laying her +hard, shriveled black hand on her young mistress' bright locks, +said, "The Lord who makes the wind blow easy like on the +sheared lamb, take keer of my sweet child and bring her +back agin to poor old Aunt Katy, who'll be all dark and lonesome, +when Sunshine's done gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was regarded as a wonderful speech by the negroes, +and as none of them could hope to equal it, they contented +themselves by lustily blowing their trombones and wiping the +same on their shirt sleeves, or the corner of their aprons. At +last the good-byes were all said, Julia merely noticed the +blacks with a slight nod, and then sprang nimbly into the carriage, +which disappeared from view just as the negroes struck +up in a loud, clear and not unmusical tone:</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">"Oh, it's lonesome now on the old plantation,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">It's lonesome now on the old plantation,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">It's lonesome now on the old plantation,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">Case Sunshine's gone away."</div> +</div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page034">[pg 034]</span><a name="Pg034" id="Pg034" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Stop your yelp, can't you?" said Mr. Middleton, but his +voice indicated that he would not be very much displeased even +if they did not obey, so they tuned their pipes still louder, and +this time the six dogs joined in the chorus, with a long and +mournful howl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar, that'll do," said Mr. Middleton, "now to your work, +quick; and mind the one that works best this week shall +go Saturday and carry Miss Crane some strawberries!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The negroes needed no other incentive to work than the +prospect before them of going to see Fanny. Never had Mr. +Middleton had so much accomplished in one week. When +Friday night came, it was hard telling which was the favored +one. At last it was settled that Ike should go to Frankfort, +and the rest should have a sort of holiday. Ike was a +sprightly negro boy of seventeen, and almost idolized his +young mistress Fanny. Long before "sun up" (a favorite expression +in Kentucky for sunrise), he had filled his basket +with strawberries, and just as the first rays of sunlight +streaked the eastern hills, he started on his mission, laden +with numerous messages of love for "sweet Miss Fanny," +and a big cranberry pie from Aunt Judy, who was "sartin +the baby wanted some of old Judy's jimcracks by this time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime Julia and Fanny had become tolerably well established +both in school and at Mrs. Crane's. Julia was perfectly +delighted with her new quarters, for she said "everything +was in style, just as it should be," and she readily +adopted all the "city notions." But poor Fanny was continually +committing some blunder. She would forget to use +her napkin, or persist in using her knife instead of her four-tined +silver fork. These little things annoyed Julia excessively, +and numerous were the lectures given in secret to +Fanny, who would laugh merrily at her sister's distress and +say she really wished her father would dine some day at Mrs. +Crane's table.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Heaven forbid that he should!" said Julia. "I should be +mortified to death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"They would not mind his oddities," said Fanny, "for I +overheard Mrs. Crane telling the exquisitely fashionable Mrs. +Carrington that our father was 'a quizzical old savage, but +rich as a nabob, and we should undoubtedly inherit a hundred +thousand dollars apiece.' And then Mrs. Carrington said, 'Oh, +is it possible? One can afford to patronize them.' And then +she added something else which I think I'll not tell you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, do," said Julia. "It too bad to raise my curiosity and +not gratify it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page035">[pg 035]</span><a name="Pg035" id="Pg035" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Well, then," said Fanny, "Mrs. Carrington said, 'There is +a rumor that the eldest Miss Middleton is engaged to Mr. Wilmot. +I wonder at it, for with her extreme beauty and great +fortune, she could command a more eligible match than a poor +pedagogue.'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next morning at breakfast Mrs. Crane informed her +boarders that she expected a new arrival the next day, Friday. +She said, "It is a new gentleman from New Orleans. His +name is Dr. Lacey. His parents were natives of Boston, +Massachusetts, but he was born in New Orleans, and will inherit +from his father a large fortune; but as he wished for a +profession, he chose that of medicine. He is a graduate of +Yale College and usually spends his summers North, so this +season he stops in Frankfort, and honors my house with his +presence. He is very handsome and agreeable, and these young +ladies might put a lock and key on their hearts."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The last part of this speech was directed to Julia, who blushed +deeply, and secretly wondered if Dr. Lacey were as handsome +as Mr. Wilmot. She frequently found herself thinking +about him during the day, but Fanny never gave him a +thought until evening, when, as she and her sister were together +in their room, the latter suddenly exclaimed, "I wonder +if Dr. Lacey will be here at breakfast tomorrow morning."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And if he is," said Fanny, "I suppose you want me to be +very careful to use my fork, and break my egg correctly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think it would be well for you always to try and show +as much good breeding as possible," said Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," returned Fanny, "I reckon this Dr. Lacing or Dr. +Lacework—what's his name?—will ever be anything to us, for +I am sure he'd never think of me, and you are engaged to a +man who is much better than any of your New Orleans pill +bags."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Little did Fanny dream how closely the "New Orleans pill +bags" were to be connected with the rest of her life. Julia +said nothing but probably thought more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the young ladies entered the breakfast room next +morning they noticed seated opposite them a tall, dark, handsome +young man, whom Mrs. Carrington introduced to them +as Dr. Lacey. There was something remarkably pleasing in +his manner, and before breakfast was over he had completely +won Fanny's good opinion by kindly breaking her egg for her, +and when she had the misfortune to drop the fork, he drew +the attention of the company from her by relating an anecdote +on himself, which was that he was once invited to a +dinner party at the Hon. Henry Clay's, and as he was trying +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page036">[pg 036]</span><a name="Pg036" id="Pg036" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to be very graceful and polite, he unfortunately upset his plate, +the contents of which, together with his knife and fork, were +deposited in his lap. This story raised such a laugh that all +forgot Fanny, who gave Dr. Lacey such a look of gratitude +that after breakfast he asked Mrs. Crane who the pale, blue-eyed +girl was, and received about the same information that +Mrs. Carrington had received concerning her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That day Mr. Wilmot's eyes were not as handsome nor his +teeth as white as usual in the estimation of Julia, who often +found herself wondering why he did not wear whiskers. That +evening he called at Mrs. Crane's and for the first time in her +life Julia was not much pleased to see him. He, however, +rose ten per cent in her estimation when she saw the familiar +and cordial manner with which Dr. Lacey treated him. They +talked as though they were old and dear friends.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After Mr. Wilmot had left, Dr. Lacey said, "Why, that +Wilmot is a remarkably intelligent man and very agreeable."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then turning to Mrs. Carrington, he added, "Let me see—is +he a teacher?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Mrs. Carrington, "and these young ladies are +his pupils, and report says he looks after the heart of one of +them as well as the head."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," continued he, "whichever one is favored with his +preference should feel honored, for he is a capital fellow." +Just then his eye fell upon an elegant piano which stood in the +room and he asked Mrs. Carrington to favor him with some +music.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Perhaps Miss Middleton will oblige you," said Mrs. Carrington, +looking at Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thank you," said Julia, "I am just taking lessons," so Mrs. +Carrington sat down to the instrument, and as Julia saw how +skillfully her white, jewelled fingers touched the keys, she +resolved to spare no pains to become as fine a player as Mrs. +Carrington, particularly as she saw that Dr. Lacey was very +fond of music and kept calling for piece after piece till the +evening was somewhat advanced.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You ought to play, golden locks," said he to Fanny, at the +same time taking one of her long yellow curls in his hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am taking lessons," said Fanny, "but I make awkward +work, for my fingers are all thumbs, as you might know by +my dropping that four-tined pitchfork this morning!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey laughed heartily at this and called her an "original +little piece," at the same time saying, "You remind me of +my sister Anna."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where does she live?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page037">[pg 037]</span><a name="Pg037" id="Pg037" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Dr. Lacey sighed as he answered, "For three years she has +lived in heaven; three long years to us, who loved her so +dearly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny observed that he seemed agitated while speaking of +his sister, so she dared not ask him more about her, although +she wished very much to do so. Perhaps he read her wishes +in her face, for he went on to tell her more of his sister, +who, he said, drooped day by day, and they took her to Cuba, +but she daily grew worse, and often spoke of dying and +heaven, and then one bright summer morning she passed +away from them, and they buried her under a group of dark +orange trees. That night Fanny dreamed of sweet Anna +Lacey, sleeping so quietly in her lone grave, far off 'neath +the orange trees of Cuba. Julia had dreams, too, but of a different +nature. In her fancy she beheld Dr. Lacey at her feet, +with his handsome person, princely fortune, and magnificent +home near New Orleans, while off in the dim distance loomed +up a dark coffin, in which was the cold, pale form of one +whom she knew too well. Was her dream an omen of the +coming future? We shall see.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning just as the town clock rang out the hour of +eight, a strange-looking vehicle, to which was attached a remarkably +poor-looking horse, was seen picking its way slowly +through the upper part of Main street, Frankfort. The driver +of this establishment was a negro boy, whom we readily recognize +as our friend Ike. He was taking it leisurely through +the town, stopping before every large "smart" looking house +to reconnoiter, and see if it resembled the one his master had +described.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last he was accosted by a young African, who called out, +"Ho, thar, old boy! What you keepin' yer eyes peeled and +yer' mouth open for? Is you catchin' flies?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar," replied Ike. "I's tryin' to find Miss Crane's +boardin' house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes; wall, it's up t'other way. You jist turn that old +rackerbone of your'n straight round and turn down that ar +street, whar you see that steeple, and, the fust house on the +corner is Miss Crane's. But say, is you and that ar quadruped +jist out of the ark?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I dun know nothin' 'bout yer ark," said Ike, whose Scripture +knowledge was rather limited, "but I 'longs to Marster +Josh, and I'm goin' to see Miss Fanny—and now I think of +it, won't you ride?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord, no," said the negro; "I'm in a great hurry; goin' +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page038">[pg 038]</span><a name="Pg038" id="Pg038" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +arter the doctor for ole miss, who's sartin she's goin' for to +die this time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You don't seem in much of a hurry," said Ike.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," returned the other; "old miss has died a heap o' +times, by spells, so I reckon she'll hang on this time till I git +back, jist so she can jaw me for being gone so long."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So they parted, the stranger negro to go for the doctor and +Ike to go to Mrs. Crane's, with his berries, and Aunt Judy's +cranberry pie. He had often wondered during his ride +whether Fanny would not give him a piece of the pie. As +often as this thought entered his brain, he would turn down +the white napkin, and take a peep at the tempting pastry; +then he would touch it with his fingers and finally take it up +and smell of it just a little!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While he was making his way into Mrs. Crane's kitchen, +Julia and Fanny were in their room, the windows of which +were open and looked out upon a balcony, which extended entirely +around the house. There was no school that day, and +Fanny was just wishing she could hear from home when a +servant entered the room and said there was a boy in the +kitchen, who wished to see Miss Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"A boy want to see me," said Fanny; "who can it be?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Reckon he's from yer home 'case he says how he belongs +to Marster Middleton," said the negro girl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, joy!" exclaimed Fanny, "somebody from home; how +glad I am. Come, Julia, won't you go down, too?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, indeed," said Julia, scornfully, "I am not so anxious +to see a greasy nigger. I hope you will not take it into your +head to ask him up here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Fanny did not answer, for she was already half-way +down the stairs. Going to the kitchen she found Ike and seemed +as delighted to see him as though his skin had been snowy +white. Ike delivered all his messages and then presented Aunt +Judy's pie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear Aunt Judy," said Fanny, "how kind she is." Then +seizing a knife she cut a liberal piece for Ike, who received +it with many thanks.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now, Ike," said she, "you must remain here until I go out +and get a ribbon for Aunt Judy's cap, and some tobacco for +old Aunt Katy." So saying she ran upstairs to her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When she entered it, Julia exclaimed, "In the name of the +people, what have you got now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, a pie, which Aunt Judy sent me," said Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How ridiculous," answered Julia; "I don't think Mrs. +Crane would thank Aunt Judy for sending pies to her house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page039">[pg 039]</span><a name="Pg039" id="Pg039" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Mrs. Crane need know nothing about it, and would not +care if she did," said Fanny, and then she added, "Ike is downstairs, +and he says father is coming after us in two or three +weeks."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Good heavens," said Julia; "what is he coming for? Why +does he not send a servant?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why cannot father come?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered Julia, "who wants that old codger +here? A pretty figure he'd cut, I think. I should be ashamed +of him; and so would you, if you knew anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know he is odd," said Fanny; "but he is my father, and +as such I would not be ashamed of him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, I am ashamed to own that he is my father, anyway," +answered Julia; "but where are you going now?" she continued, +as she saw her sister putting on her bonnet.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am going to buy some ribbon for Aunt Judy, some tobacco +for Aunt Katy, and some candy for the children," answered +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, I do believe you haven't common sense," said Julia, +"but where is your money to buy all these things?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Fanny, "I've concluded not to go and hear +Fanny Kemble tonight. I'd rather spend the money for the +servants; it will do them so much good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You certainly are a fool," said Julia. Fanny had been +told that often, so she did not reply, but hastened downstairs +and was soon in the street. As she turned the corner she +could see the windows of her room, and the whole length of +the balcony on that side of the building. Looking in that +direction she saw Dr. Lacey sitting out on the balcony and so +near her window that he must have heard all the conversation +between herself and her sister! She thought, "Well, he of +course thinks me a silly little dunce; but I do like our blacks, +and if I ever own any of them, I'll first teach them to read +and then send them all to Liberia." Full of this new plan, +she forgot Dr. Lacey and ere she was aware of it had reached +the store. She procured the articles she wished for, and returning +to Mrs. Crane's, gave them to Ike, who was soon on +his way home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At supper that evening the conversation turned upon +Fanny Kemble and the expected entertainment. "I suppose +you are all going," said Mrs. Crane to her boarders. They +all answered in the affirmative except Fanny, who was about +to reply, when Dr. Lacey interrupted her by saying, "Miss +Fanny, will you allow me to accompany you to hear Mrs. Butler +this evening?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page040">[pg 040]</span><a name="Pg040" id="Pg040" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Fanny was amazed. Was it possible that the elegant Dr. +Lacey had honored her with an invitation to accompany him +to the literary treat! She was too much surprised to answer +him, until he said, "Do not refuse me, Miss Fanny, for I am +resolved to have you go!" She then gracefully accepted his +polite invitation, and at the same time glancing toward Julia +and Mrs. Carrington, she saw that the former frowned darkly, +while the latter looked displeased. This dampened her happiness +somewhat, and as soon as supper was over she hurried to +her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington was a gay, fashionable woman, and was +just as willing to receive attention from unmarried gentlemen +now as she had been in her girlish days. Her husband was an +officer in the United States army and was absent a great part +of the time, but she had never cared much for him, so she +managed to pass the time of his absence very happily in flirting +with every handsome wealthy young gentleman who came +in her way. When Dr. Lacey appeared, she immediately appropriated +him to herself. 'Tis true, she somewhat feared +Julia might become a rival, but of the modest, unassuming +little Fanny, she had never once thought, and was greatly surprised +when Dr. Lacey offered to escort her to the reading. +She had resolved on having his company herself, and when +she saw the frown on Julia's face, she flattered herself that +she could yet prevent Fanny's going.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, after supper, she asked Julia to go with her +for a moment to her room. Julia had become perfectly +charmed with the fascinating manners of Mrs. Carrington, so +she cheerfully assented, and the two proceeded together to her +richly furnished apartments. When there, Mrs. Carrington +said, "Miss Middleton, do you not think your sister too young +to accept the attentions of any gentleman, at least one +who is so much of a stranger to the family?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia well knew that the fact of Dr. Lacey's being a +stranger was of no consequence in Mrs. Carrington's estimation, +but she quickly answered, "Yes, I do; but what can be +done now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Mrs. Carrington, "your sister is very gentle and +if we go to her and state the case as it is, I am confident she +will yield."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So they went to Fanny's room, where they found her sitting +by the window, thinking how much pleasure she would enjoy +that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia commenced operations by saying, "Fanny, what made +you promise Dr. Lacey that you would go with him tonight?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page041">[pg 041]</span><a name="Pg041" id="Pg041" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Why," said Fanny, "was there anything wrong in it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mrs. Carrington's soft voice chimed in, "Nothing +very wrong, dear Fanny, but it is hardly proper for a young +school girl to appear in public, attended by a gentleman who is +not her brother or cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Fanny! Her heart sank, for she was afraid she would +have to give up going after all; but a thought struck her, +and she said, "Well, then, it is not proper for Julia to go +with Mr. Wilmot, and she has promised to do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That is very different," said Mrs. Carrington; "Julia is +engaged to Mr. Wilmot, and unless you are engaged to Dr. +Lacey," continued she, sarcastically, "it will not be proper at +all for you to go with him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But I promised I would," said Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That you can easily remedy," answered Mrs. Carrington. +"Just write him a note and I will send it to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus beset, poor Fanny sat down and wrote, as Mrs. Carrington +dictated, the following note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Dr. Lacey:</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Sir</span></span>—Upon further reflection I think it proper to decline +your polite invitation for tonight.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yours very respectfully,</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Fanny Middleton.</span></span>"</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That will do," said Mrs. Carrington; and ringing the bell, +she dispatched a servant to carry the note to Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are a good girl to submit so readily," said Mrs. Carrington, +laying her white hand on Fanny's head. But Fanny's +eyes were full of tears, and she did not answer; and Mrs. +Carrington, sure of Dr. Lacey's attendance that evening, left +the room exulting in the result of her plan. In a short time +she deserted to the parlor, where she found Mr. Wilmot with +Julia, but no Dr. Lacey, neither did he make his appearance +at all, and after waiting impatiently for a time, she was at +last obliged to accept the arm of the poor pedagogue, which +was rather unwillingly offered, for Mr. Wilmot greatly preferred +having Julia all to himself. She had become as dear +to him as his own life and, in his opinion, her character was +like her face—perfect. Deluded man! 'Twas well that he +died before he had come to a knowledge of her sinfulness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But to return to Fanny. After she was left alone by her +sister, she threw herself upon the sofa, and burst into tears; +but at length, wiping them away, she arose and went down to +the parlor, determined to have a nice time practicing her +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page042">[pg 042]</span><a name="Pg042" id="Pg042" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +music lesson. It was rather hard and with untiring patience +she played it over and over, until she was suddenly startled by +a voice behind her, saying, "Really, Miss Fanny, you are persevering." +Looking up she saw Dr. Lacey, who had entered +unperceived.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Dr. Lacey," said she, "how you frightened me! +Why are you not at the reading?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered he, "when my lady breaks her engagement, +I think I, too, can remain at home. But why did you +change your mind, Miss Fanny? I thought you were anxious +to go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny blushed painfully, and the tears came to her eyes, +but she replied, "I was anxious to go, but they thought I had +better not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And who is they?" asked the doctor; "and why did they +think you had better not go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered, "Mrs. Carrington and Julia said I was +too young to go out with—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With such a bad man as I am," said Dr. Lacey, laughing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no," said Fanny; "they do not think you bad; they +said with any gentleman."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Too young, are you?" said Dr. Lacey. "How old are you, +Fanny?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I was sixteen last May," she replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Sixteen; just as old as Anna was when she died, and just +as old as my mother was when she was married; so it seems +you are not too young to die, or to be married either, if you +are too young to go out with me," said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply; and he continued, "Whom would you +have gone with if you had not spent your money this morning +for those old aunts?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny started; and giving him a searching look, was about +to reply, when he anticipated her by saying, "Yes, Fanny, I +overheard your conversation this morning, and I cannot sufficiently +admire your generous self-denial. I have heard Fanny +Kemble two or three times, so I did not care to hear her +again; but I decided to go for the pleasure of having you hear +her; but as you did not choose to go, I have remained here +with you, and wish to have you tell me something about your +parents and your home, and also wish you to ask me to go +there some time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered, hesitatingly, "I am afraid you would not +like to go there, Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not?" said he. "Do you not like your home?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, very much," she replied; "but father is a little +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page043">[pg 043]</span><a name="Pg043" id="Pg043" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +odd, and you might feel inclined to laugh at him; but he is +very kind, and if you could forget his roughness, you would +like him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know I shall like him, just because he is your father," +said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then turned the conversation upon other subjects, and +Fanny found him so agreeable that she never thought of the +hour until Mr. Wilmot, Mrs. Carrington and Julia suddenly +entered the parlor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Upon my word," said Mrs. Carrington, "you have both +stolen a march upon us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hope you have been agreeably entertained, Dr. Lacey," +said Julia, in an ironical tone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I assure you I have," said he, warmly "I do not remember +having passed so pleasant an evening for a long, long +time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I dare say not; Fanny is usually very interesting," was, +Julia's contemptuous reply, and as Mr. Wilmot just then took +his leave, she very haughtily left the room and went upstairs, +muttering to herself, "Foiled for the first time in my +life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From this time nothing of particular importance occurred +for two or three weeks, except that Dr. Lacey seemed each +day to grow fonder of Fanny, which greatly annoyed Mrs. +Carrington and Julia, both of whom spared no pains to make +Fanny appear in as bad a light as possible. But Dr. Lacey +understood their maneuvers, and whenever they were present +seemed to take delight in being very attentive to Fanny. He +ardently desired to see the father of the two girls, and ere +long his wish was gratified. But of this we will speak in another +chapter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter5" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc10" id="toc10"></a><a name="pdf11" id="pdf11"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter V</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the fatal letter</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page044">[pg 044]</span><a name="Pg044" id="Pg044" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia and Fanny had been gone from home about four +weeks when Mr. Middleton suddenly determined "to go and +see his gals" and bring them home. Accordingly he "fixed up +right smart," as he thought, which meant that he took off his +beard and put on "a bran new pair of jeens." He preferred +driving his own carriage, so he set off alone for Frankfort.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was Friday morning, and as his daughters were in school, +he stalked into Mrs. Crane's parlor to wait for them. Spying +the piano, he sat down to it, and commenced producing a +series of unearthly sounds, not altogether unlike the fashionable +music of the present day. Mrs. Carrington chanced to +be crossing the hall and, hearing the noise from the parlor, +looked in. As her eye fell upon the strange-looking, giant form +of Mr. Middleton, she uttered a very delicate scream, and as +she just then saw Dr. Lacey entering the house, she staggered +back a few paces, and tried to faint very gracefully. But the +doctor caught her in his arms just in time to restore her to +consciousness!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton now came toward them, exclaiming, "Lightning +guns! What's to pay now? Skeered at me, are you, +madam or miss, whichever you be? I won't hurt a har of +your soft skull!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ugh-u-u!" said Mrs. Carrington, shrinking from him in +disgust, as he advanced toward her, and laid his large hand +on her head, "just to see," as he said, "if she were made of +anything besides jewelry, curls and paint."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this allusion to her brilliant color, Mrs. Carrington relieved +Dr. Lacey from the delightful duty of supporting her, +and disappeared up the stairs, saying in no very gentle tones, +"What an old brute!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fire away thar," called our Mr. Middleton. "I am an old +brute, I suppose."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But your right name is Mr. Middleton, I conclude," said +Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page045">[pg 045]</span><a name="Pg045" id="Pg045" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mr. Middleton started and answered, "How d'ye know that? +Just as you'd know his satanic majesty, if he should appear to +you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Something upon that principle," said Dr. Lacey, laughing, +"but," he continued, "I am glad to see you, Mr. Middleton. I +suppose you have come to visit your daughters."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, and to take them home and let their mother and the +rest of the blacks see them," answered Mr. Middleton; then +after a pause he added, "They'll be right glad to see me, I +reckon, or at least Sunshine will."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who is Sunshine?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, now," said Mr. Middleton, "here you've lived with +'em four weeks and don't know that I call one Tempest and +t'other Sunshine, and if you've any wit, you'll know which is +Sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then a voice was heard to exclaim, "There, I told you +father was here. I hear him now talking about Sunshine," +and Fanny rushed in, and throwing her arms around her +father's neck, kissed again and again his rough cheek, while +he suddenly felt the need of his red and yellow cotton handkerchief, +and muttered something about the "roads" being so +infernal dusty that they made a fellow's eyes smart!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then turning to Julia, who still stood in the door, he said, +"Come, Tempest, none of your pranks! Come here and shake +your old pap's paw. You needn't be afeared of this young +spark, for he knows I'm your pap, and he hain't laughed at +me neither." So Julia advanced and shook her father's hand +with a tolerably good grace.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'm come for you to go home and see the folks," said Mr. +Middleton; "so you pick up your duds—and mind not to take +a cussed bandbox—and after dinner we'll start for home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It wants an hour of dinner time," said Julia, "and as we +are not hungry, we can start in a few moments, if you like."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fury-ation," said Mr. Middleton, "I wonder if we can. +Well, start on then afoot, if you're in such a hurry. I shan't +budge an inch till I've had my dinner; besides, I want to see +Mr. Wilmot."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia saw that she must submit to the mortification of seeing +her father at Mrs. Crane's dinner table, and with a beating +heart she heard the bell summon them to the dining room. +Mrs. Carrington did not appear—her nerves had received too +great a shock—and for that Julia was thankful. Dr. Lacey +sat by her father and paid him every possible attention.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Will you take soup, Mr. Middleton?" asked Mrs. Crane.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What kind of soup? Beef soup, or mud turkle?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page046">[pg 046]</span><a name="Pg046" id="Pg046" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"It is vermicelli," said Mrs. Crane, hardly able to keep her +face straight.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Vermifuge—vermifuge," repeated Mr. Middleton. "That's +almighty queer stuff to make soup on. No. I'm 'bleeged to +you; I ain't in need of that ar medicine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia reddened, while Fanny burst into a laugh and said, +"Father isn't much used to French soups, I think."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Use your napkin, father," softly whispered Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What shall I use that for?" said he. "My trousers are all +tobacco spit now, and grease won't hurt 'em any now. Halloo! +Here waiter, bring me a decent fork, for Lord knows I can't +eat with this here shovel and if I take my fingers Tempest'll +raise a row de dow."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The servant looked at his mistress, who said, "Samuel, bring +Mr. Middleton a steel fork."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the dessert was brought in Mr. Middleton again exclaimed, +as he took his plate of pudding, "Now what can this +be?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is tapioca pudding," said Mrs. Crane.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Tap-an-oakky," returned Mr. Middleton. "Well, if you +don't have the queerest things to eat! You ought to come to +my house. We don't have any your chicken fixin's nor little +three-cornered hankerchers laid out at each plate."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last, to Julia's great relief, dinner was over, and she got +her father started for home. Suddenly Mr. Middleton exclaimed, +"That ar doctor is a mighty fine chap. Why don't +you set your cap for him, Sunshine?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It would be of no use, father," answered Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Wall, if I'm not mistaken, he's laid his snare for a bird, +and I don't care how soon you fall into it, darling," said Mr. +Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How ridiculous!" exclaimed Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ho now, jealous, are you, Tempest?" said her father. +"What in thunder do you think he'll want of you, who are engaged +to Mr. Wilmot?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was a truth which had troubled Julia, and she greatly +regretted her engagement, for she well knew Dr. Lacey never +would think of her as long as he thought she belonged to another. +She had watched with a jealous eye the growing intimacy +between him and Fanny, and resolved to leave no +means untried to prevent a union between them, and to secure +the doctor for herself. To do this she knew she must +break her engagement with Mr. Wilmot, and also give Dr. +Lacey a bad opinion of her sister. She felt sure of success, +for when did she undertake anything and fail? Sinful girl! +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page047">[pg 047]</span><a name="Pg047" id="Pg047" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +She was freed from her engagement in a way she little +dreamed of.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Four weeks from the time of her first visit home, word came +that Mr. Wilmot was sick and would not be able to teach that +day. He had been unwell for several days, and next morning +it was announced that he had the typhoid fever. Fanny's first +impulse was to go and see him, but Julia prevented her by saying +that he would send for her when he wanted her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening Dr. Lacey told Julia that Mr. Wilmot had +expressed a wish to see her. She went rather unwillingly, +and something in her manner must have betrayed it, for he +seemed troubled, and regarded her with an anxious look. She +however manifested no affection, and but very little interest +for him, and inwardly resolved that when she came again her +sister should accompany her. That night he grew worse, and +as there was of course no school, Julia hired some one to take +herself and sister home. Earnestly did Fanny entreat her to +remain and watch over Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I shall do no such thing," said Julia. "It would not be +proper, and I should be talked about."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then," said Fanny, "I shall stay till mother sends for +me. I do not care if I am talked about."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This rather pleased Julia, who said, "Well, you can stay if +you like. I dare say you care more for him than I do, and +you can tell him so, if you please."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Julia," said Fanny, "what has changed you so toward +Mr. Wilmot?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing in particular," replied Julia. "I never liked him +very much."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Julia started for home, while Fanny took her station by +the bedside of her beloved teacher. When Julia reached home, +she found that her father had left the day before for Missouri. +He owned land there, and as he had gone to make some improvements +on it, he would probably be absent two months. +Julia carelessly told her mother of Mr. Wilmot's illness, and +that Fanny had stayed to watch him. When Mrs. Middleton +heard this, her maternal fears were roused lest her daughter +should take the fever, and in a few days she went herself to +Frankfort to bring Fanny home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She found Mr. Wilmot very ill, but not as yet dangerously +so, and after staying a day, she announced her intention of +taking Fanny home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not leave her?" said Dr. Lacey. "She seems peculiarly +adapted to a sick room, and will do him more good than +a dozen physicians."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page048">[pg 048]</span><a name="Pg048" id="Pg048" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Yes, let her stay," said Mr. Wilmot, and drawing Mrs. +Middleton closely to him, he whispered, "Tell Julia to come to +me, will you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton promised that she would, but persisted in +taking Fanny. When Mr. Wilmot's message was given to +Julia, she said, "No, indeed, I'll not go. I could do him no +good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ike was sent to Frankfort every day to inquire after Mr. +Wilmot, and see if anything was wanted, and each night +Fanny waited anxiously for his return. As soon as she saw +him enter the wood, she would run to him, and inquire for +Mr. Wilmot. Julia, however, manifested no anxiety whatever. +She would not have acknowledged that she hoped he would +die, and yet each time that she heard he was better her spirits +sank, for fear he would yet live. At last Ike brought to +Fanny the joyful intelligence that the crisis was passed, and +Mr. Wilmot was out of danger.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night, in the solitude of her chamber, Julia communed +with herself as follows: "And so he'll live after all. +Well, I may as well let him know at once that I will not +marry him." So saying, she opened her portfolio, and wrote +the following note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Mr. Wilmot:</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Sir—When I became engaged to you I was very young +and am still so; consequently, you will hardly be surprised +when you learn that I have changed my mind and wish to have +our engagement dissolved.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yours truly, as a friend,</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Julia Middleton</span></span>."</p> +<br /> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ike did not go to Frankfort again for two or three days, +but when he did, he was the bearer of this heartless note. Mr. +Wilmot was indeed better and when he heard Ike was in the +house he expressed a desire to see him, as he wished to send +some word to Julia. When Ike was ushered into the sick +room, he immediately handed his young mistress' letter to Mr. +Wilmot, who eagerly took it, for he recognized the handwriting +of his idol. Hastily breaking the seal, he read twice +the cruel lines before he was convinced that he read aright; +then the paleness on his cheek grew paler, and was succeeded +by a deep flush.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Ike asked what he should tell the folks at home, Mr. +Wilmot's voice was husky as he answered, "Nothing, Ike, tell +them nothing." Ike was alarmed at the change which had +come over his young master, and called for assistance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time Mr. Wilmot hourly grew worse. Mrs. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page049">[pg 049]</span><a name="Pg049" id="Pg049" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Middleton was sent for, and a telegram was forwarded to his +friends in New York, bidding them come soon if they would +see him alive. Mr. Miller, who was teaching in a distant part +of the country, dismissed his school to attend his dying friend. +It was heartrending to hear Mr. Wilmot in his delirium, call +for Julia to come to him—to let him look on her face once +more before he died. Then he would fancy himself at home +and would describe Julia to his sister in all the passionate +fervor of a devoted lover; then he would think it was Julia +who was sick, and would beg of those around him to save +her, and not let his loved one die. At last Mrs. Middleton +could bear his pleadings no longer. She resolved to go home +and persuade her hard-hearted daughter, if possible, to go to +the dying man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just before she was ready to leave, consciousness returned +to him for a few moments, and calling her to his bedside, he +asked her where she was going. On being told he replied, +"Mrs. Middleton, I am dying. When you return I shall not +be in this world; but I know that my Redeemer liveth, and I +am not afraid to die, for I feel assured of rest beyond the +grave; but there is one thing I would have. Ere I go hence +I would see Julia once more. I have loved her perhaps too +well, and for this I must die. Tell, oh tell her, how I missed +her when the fever scorched my brow, and bid her hasten to +me ere it be too late! But if she will not come, give her my +blessing, and tell her my last prayer was for her, and that in +Heaven she will be mine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With many tears Mrs. Middleton promised him that every +word of his message should be delivered to Julia, and that +she should come to him. On reaching home her swollen eyelids +attracted Fanny's attention, and excited her fear. Springing +up, she exclaimed, "Mother, mother, how is Mr. Wilmot? +Is he dead?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," answered her mother, "he is not dead, but is dying."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then she repeated to Julia his request, and added, "You had +better go immediately, if you wish to see him alive, for he cannot +live until morning. Fanny will call Ike to go with you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny arose to do her mother's bidding, but Julia stopped +her by saying, "You needn't trouble yourself to call him, +Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not?" said Fanny, looking wonderingly in Julia's +face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because I am not going," said Julia coolly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not going!" exclaimed Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page050">[pg 050]</span><a name="Pg050" id="Pg050" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Not going!" echoed Mrs. Middleton. "Why do you say +so? You are going, you must go!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There is no must about it," answered Julia; "I do not +choose to go, and I shall not go!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Are you in earnest, Julia?" asked Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"As much in earnest as I ever was in my life," replied Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then," returned the mother in a decided tone, "you +shall go; I command you to go, and I must be obeyed!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd like to see your commands enforced, Madam," said +Julia, her beautiful face dark with rage. "Yes, I'd like to +see anybody make me go if I did not wish to. Mr. Wilmot +is nothing to me, and I would hardly go to save his life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Julia, Julia!" said Mrs. Middleton bitterly, "has it +come to this? I can see it all now!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What all can you see so distinctly?" asked Julia scornfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I can understand what part you have had in causing Mr. +Wilmot's death," answered Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia turned ashy pale, and her mother continued—"Often +in his ravings he spoke of a letter, a cruel letter he called it, +and I heard it hinted that it was the receipt of that letter +which brought on a relapse. Now you will tell me whether +you wrote that letter, and if so, what were its contents?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I wonder how I'm expected to know what letter you mean," +said Julia. "However, I did write to him and ask to be released +from my engagement, and I had my reasons for so +doing."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton sighed and said, "It is as I feared; on +you, Julia, rests in a measure the cause of his death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Better call me a murderer at once. But I'll not stay for +more abuse," said Julia, as she left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When she was gone Mrs. Middleton buried her face in her +hands, and sent forth sob after sob from her crushed heart—crushed +by the sinfulness and mocking disobedience of her +first born. While she was still weeping, Fanny stole softly +from the apartment and went in quest of her sister. +She found her, as she had expected, in her room, and going +up to her threw her arms around her neck, and plead long and +earnestly that she would go to Mr. Wilmot. But Julia's answer +was ever the same, "No, I will not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why will you not?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," replied Julia, "Mr. Wilmot is nothing to me, +and there is no reason why I should go to him, more than to +any other lovesick youth who takes a fancy to send for me. +You would not feel obliged to run if Bill Jeffrey should have +the measles and send for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page051">[pg 051]</span><a name="Pg051" id="Pg051" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Oh, stop, stop," said Fanny, "you shall not liken Bill +Jeffrey to Mr. Wilmot, who is so good, so noble. You loved +him once, and for the sake of that love go to him now; it can +do you no harm."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It would seriously affect my plans for the future; and once +for all, I tell you I will not go," replied Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then I will," said Fanny, "and show him that I, at least, +have not forgotten him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This idea pleased Julia, and she answered, "I wish you +would, for your presence will do as much good as mine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny hastily ran down stairs and, going to her mother, +said, "Mother, Julia will not go, but I will. I should like to +very much. Will you let me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton was too much engrossed in her painful +thoughts to give much heed to what Fanny said. She only +knew that she wished her to consent to something, and she +mechanically answered, "Yes, yes, go." It was then after +sunset, and as the sky had all day been cloudy, darkness was +fast gathering over the earth, but Fanny heeded it not. She +bade Ike make haste, and in a few moments her favorite pony +was saddled. Ike's horse was then got in readiness, and they +were soon galloping off in the direction of Frankfort. 'Twas +a long ride of twelve miles and the darkness increased every +moment, while a steady, drizzling rain commenced falling. +Still Fanny kept perseveringly on, occasionally speaking an +encouraging word to Ike, who pulled his old cap closely over +his ears and muttered, "Lord bless young miss. Seems like +'twas her was done promised to young marster, a puttin' out +this desput night to see him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Fanny kept her thoughts to herself, and while she is +making her way to Frankfort, we will precede her and see +what is taking place in the sick room. The large drops of +sweat which stood upon Mr. Wilmot's high, white forehead, +showed that the hour of dissolution was at hand. His mind +was wandering, but still the burden of his soul was, "Julia, +Julia, oh, will she not come?" Mr. Miller stood by him and +endeavored as far as possible to quiet him, and once, during a +lucid interval, he asked, "If Julia does not come, what shall I +tell her when I see her?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot's eyes opened wide and for a moment he looked +wistfully at his friend, and then said mournfully, "I cannot see +you, Joseph, my vision has departed forever, and if Julia +comes, I cannot now look on her loved features, but if I die +ere she arrives, ask her if she wrote that letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page052">[pg 052]</span><a name="Pg052" id="Pg052" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Just then there was a noise without, and the sound of +horses' feet was heard coming up the graveled walk. Some +one in the room whispered, "It must be Miss Middleton." The +sound caught the dying man's ear and he wildly exclaimed, +"Has she come? Oh! Has she come?" Fanny was now +heard speaking in the hall. We have said that her voice was +strangely like her sister's, so it was no wonder that Mr. Wilmot, +in his feverish delirium, mistook it. Clasping his hands +together, he exclaimed, "Thank God she has come! She has +come!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The excitement was too much for him and for a few +moments he was unconscious. When at last animation was +restored, Fanny was hanging over his pillow, and Fanny's +tears were upon his cheek; but he thought it was Julia, and +drawing her to him, he imprinted a burning kiss upon her fair +brow, saying, "God bless you for coming, precious Julia, I +knew you would come; and now tell me, do you not love me +as well as you always have?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was bewildered, and looked imploringly at Mr. +Miller, who said, "Richard, do you think it is Julia who is +standing by you now?" The sick man gave a startled look and +almost shrieked out, "Julia? Yes, is it not Julia? Speak +quick and tell me, isn't Julia here?" Mr. Miller's eyes filled +with tears as he answered sadly, "No, Richard, Julia is not +here; it is Fanny who has come." A deathly paleness passed +over Mr. Wilmot's face and a paroxysm of delirium ensued +more violent than any which had preceded it. At last it +partially passed off and he became comparatively calm, but +still persisted in thinking it was Julia whose hand he held in +his and whose breath was upon his cheek. "Heaven bless +you for coming, beloved one," he would say, "I knew you +would come, and still the dreadful thought has haunted me, +that you might be false, for that was a cruel letter; but you +did not write it, did you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered through her tears, "No, Mr. Wilmot, I did +not write it. It is Fanny who is speaking to you." But Mr. +Wilmot understood only the first part of what she said, and +continued, "I knew you did not, I am satisfied now to die; +and yet 'tis hard to die when I am so young and so far from +home, but it is sweet to know that I have your love to the last. +When I am dead, you will tell them at home how I loved and +prayed for them. My mother will weep bitterly for her son, +who died so far away, but she does not love me as well as you +do, does she, dearest?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then Dr. Lacey entered the room. He seemed surprised +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page053">[pg 053]</span><a name="Pg053" id="Pg053" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to see Fanny there, and to hear the words of endearment +addressed to her by Mr. Wilmot, but Mr. Miller softly +told him of the mistake. This seemed to satisfy him, but he +anxiously noted every change of Fanny's countenance. At +last Mr. Wilmot said, "If you did not write that letter, who +did? Was it, could it have been your sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no! No!" said Fanny, "I did not write it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know you did not, dearest," said he; "you would not do +such a thing, but who did? I cannot think it was Fanny, who +was always so gentle, so guileless."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Fanny! She felt that her beloved teacher was dying +with a suspicion of her innocence, and she wept most bitterly. +At last a change passed over Mr. Wilmot's face, a +change which showed that the last trying moment had come. +It frequently occurs with dying persons that at the last their +faculties are for a moment fully restored. So it was with Mr. +Wilmot. A bright smile broke over his face and looking up +at Mr. Miller, he said, "I thank my Heavenly Father I can +see again. Now, where is Julia? I would look on her face +once more."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I told you," said Mr. Miller, "that you were mistaken; it is +not Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not Julia!" said Mr. Wilmot, again becoming delirious. +"Not Julia! It cannot be true." Then drawing Fanny toward +him he looked earnestly in her face. Slowly the bitter +truth broke over his mind, and he said, "Yes, I was mistaken! +But I bless you for coming; but Julia, my too dearly loved +Julia—she is not here. Oh, if I can never see her in this +world, shall I see her in heaven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were the last words he ever uttered. Falling back on +his pillow, he drew Fanny's face to his, and with his last +breath kissed her quivering lips, and all was over. Sadly Mr. +Miller closed the eyes of his departed friend, and smoothing +the covering about him, left him to the care of the servants. +A few hours later, Fanny entered the room with Dr. Lacey, +again to look on the face of Mr. Wilmot. The sun was just +rising, and its first red rays fell upon the marble features of +the dead. There was on his face an expression so calm and +heavenly that Fanny held her breath while looking at him, +lest she should disturb his peaceful repose. At length she +kissed his cold forehead, and silently left the room which contained +the pale sleeper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of a few hours she returned home, bearing the +sad tidings, which was received by her mother with a burst +of tears; but Julia preserved the same indifference which had +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page054">[pg 054]</span><a name="Pg054" id="Pg054" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +been manifested throughout all Mr. Wilmot's illness. Hard-hearted +as she was, there came a time in after years when +that proud head was bowed with grief, and those dark eyes +were bedimmed by tears of penitence, which could not atone +for the past; for they were of no avail to bring back the +dead from their silent resting place.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter6" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc12" id="toc12"></a><a name="pdf13" id="pdf13"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter VI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">sunshine has two graves upon which to plant flowers</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page055">[pg 055]</span><a name="Pg055" id="Pg055" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mr. Wilmot's death occurred on Tuesday morning, and the +following Thursday was appointed for his burial. It was +the 1st of September, and a bright, beautiful day; but its sunlight +fell on many aching hearts, for though he who lay in his +low coffin, so cold and still, was a "stranger in a strange +land," there were many whose tears fell like summer rain for +one who had thus early passed away. He had during his lifetime +been a member of the Episcopal church, and his funeral +services were to take place at Ascension Church.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The house was filled to overflowing. Mr. Middleton, Mr. +Miller, Dr. Lacey and Fanny occupied the front seat, as principal +mourners for the deceased. Many searching eyes were +bent on the fair young girl, whose white forehead gleamed +from under the folds of her veil, and whose eyelids, wet with +tears, drooped heavily upon her pale cheek. Madam Rumor +had been busy with her thousand tongues, and the scene at +the deathbed had been told and retold in twenty different +forms, until at last it had become settled that on Fanny's part +there was some secret attachment, or she never would have +evinced so much interest in Mr. Wilmot. She, however, was +ignorant of all this, and sat there wholly unconscious of the +interest she was exciting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was not there. She had again defied her mother's +commands, and resisted all Fanny's entreaties, that she would +go to the funeral.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You ought to see Mr. Wilmot," said Fanny. "He looks so +calm, so peaceful and," she added in a low voice, "so forgiving."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"So forgiving!" quickly repeated Julia. "I wonder what +he has to forgive. If I had continued to love him, 'twould +not have saved his life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny sighed and turned away from the hard-hearted girl, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page056">[pg 056]</span><a name="Pg056" id="Pg056" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +who was left alone with her thoughts during all the long +hours of that day. But to do her justice, we must say, that +after her mother and sister were gone, a feeling of sadness +stole over her; her stony heart somewhat softened, and in +the solitude of her chamber she wept for a long time; but +whether for Mr. Wilmot's death, her own conduct toward him, +or the circumstances which surrounded her, none can tell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Let us now return to Frankfort, and go back for a few +moments in our story. Just as the funeral procession had left +the house and was proceeding toward the church, the steamboat +Diana, which plies between Cincinnati and Frankfort, appeared +round a bend in the river. She was loaded with passengers, +who were all on the lookout as they neared the landing +place. Just at that moment the tolling bell rang out on +the air. Its tones fell sadly on the ear of a tall, beautiful girl, +who was impatiently pacing the deck, and looking anxiously +in the direction of the city. The knell was repeated, and she +murmured, "Oh, what if that should be for Richard!" The +thought overpowered her, and sitting down on a seat near +her she burst into tears.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Can I do anything for you?" said the captain, who at that +moment passed her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing, except to land me in Frankfort as soon as possible," +said the young lady, whom the reader will readily +suppose was Kate Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Are you in a great hurry?" asked the captain.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," returned Kate. "My brother is dangerously sick +and I am anxious to get to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where does your brother live?" asked the captain.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He boards with Mrs. Williams, on Elm street," answered +Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then," said the captain, "if you will show me your baggage, +I will see that it is sent there, for you probably will not +wish to waste time in looking after it when we land."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate thanked him for his kindness; and when they reached +the shore the kind-hearted man called one of his boatmen and +ordered him to show Miss Wilmot the way to Mrs. Williams' +residence. As Kate approached the house she noticed the air +of desertion about it, and her heart sank for fear her brother +might be dead. Running hastily up the steps, she rang the +bell, which was answered by a female domestic, who was too +old and too infirm to attend the funeral. Kate accosted her by +saying, "Does Mr. Wilmot live here?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old lady replied by lifting up her hand and exclaiming, +while the tears coursed their way down her cheeks, "Lord +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page057">[pg 057]</span><a name="Pg057" id="Pg057" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +bless me if it isn't young marster's sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, yes," said Kate impatiently, "I am his sister. But tell +me, is he dead? Am I too late?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The woman replied, "Not too late to see him, if you're right +spry. They've carried him to the church."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where? What church is it?" asked Kate wildly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Right yender; that ar brick house with the tall steeple."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate waited for no more, but darted off in the direction of +the church. Meanwhile the services were ended, and the +friends of the deceased were taking their last leave of him. +Mrs. Middleton and Mr. Miller stood on one side of the coffin, +while Dr. Lacey and Fanny were on the other. Fanny gazed +long and earnestly upon the face of her teacher, as if she +would stamp his likeness with daguerrean accuracy upon her +heart.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was turning sadly away, when a noise at the door +caused all eyes to be directed that way. A pale, lovely face +was seen looking anxiously in, and then a slight female figure +advanced through the crowd, which gave way for her to pass. +She passed up the aisle till she reached the coffin, then bursting +into a flood of tears, she wrung her hands, exclaiming, +"My brother, oh my brother—are you indeed dead?" She then +imprinted kiss after kiss upon the cold lips of him who never +before disregarded her caresses; and as the full force of her +loss came over her, she uttered a piercing cry of anguish, and +fell fainting into the arms of Mr. Miller, who recognized in her +beautiful features the original of the picture which Mr. Wilmot +had shown him a few months before.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He bore her out into the open air, where he was instantly +surrounded by half a dozen ladies, each insisting that the fair +stranger should be taken to her house. First among these was +Mrs. Crane, who saw by a glance at Kate that her presence +would not be derogatory to any house, so she determined to +have her taken to her own dwelling, and urged her claim so +hard that Mr. Miller at last consented, thinking that Mrs. +Williams must be wearied with the recent illness of Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, when Kate was again restored to consciousness, +she found herself in an elegantly furnished room, with +a gaily dressed, handsome lady sitting by her. This was Mrs. +Carrington, whose delicate nerves would not suffer her to attend +a funeral. On seeing Kate move, she spoke to her and +asked her if she felt better.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, much better," said Kate; "but where am I? What +has happened?" And then as the recollection of what had +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page058">[pg 058]</span><a name="Pg058" id="Pg058" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +occurred came over her, she burst into tears and said, "My +brother—they have buried him, I suppose, and I cannot see +him again."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington answered, "I think they have not gone to +the cemetery yet. I will dispatch a servant and ask them to +delay the burial a few moments, if you desire it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate thanked her; but at that moment a messenger came +from Mr. Miller. He had anticipated Kate's wishes, and sent +word that a carriage was waiting to convey her to the church, +where she would have another opportunity of seeing her +brother. Mrs. Carrington felt constrained to offer to accompany +her, and the two proceeded to the church and thence to +the cemetery.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Although Mrs. Carrington had not visited Mr. Wilmot +during his illness, she was by no means ignorant of Fanny's +attentions. She had taken great pains to comment upon them +in Dr. Lacey's presence, saying, "that she had often suspected +Fanny of possessing a more than ordinary affection for Mr. +Wilmot, and she had sometimes thought her affection returned. +For her part, she did not blame Julia for absenting herself +from him, for she had probably discovered his preference for +her sister." Her object in doing this was to make Dr. Lacey +think less favorably of Fanny, for with her practised eye +she had discovered that for no other female did he feel such +an interest as for "Little Fanny Middleton," as she always +termed her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the grave she noticed Fanny's pale face and swollen +eyes, and found occasion to say to her, loud enough for Dr. +Lacey to hear, "I am astonished, Fanny, to see you show to +the world how much you loved your sister's betrothed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This remark had no effect upon Fanny, except causing her +to look at Mrs. Carrington in surprise and to wonder what she +meant. With Dr. Lacey it was different. Imperceptibly, +"Little Fanny Middleton" had won a place in his heart which +no other one had ever possessed. At first he admired her for +her frank, confiding nature, and afterward he learned to love +her for the many lovely traits of her character. He had +thought it perfectly natural that she should feel a great interest +in Mr. Wilmot, who was for so long a time a member of +her father's family; but the wrong construction which was put +upon her motives annoyed him, and even made him fearful +that her heart might be more interested in Mr. Wilmot than +he was willing to believe. As he stood by the open grave into +which the cold earth was heavily falling, there rested upon his +brow a deeper shade of sadness than was occasioned by the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page059">[pg 059]</span><a name="Pg059" id="Pg059" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +mere death of his friend. Mrs. Carrington observed it, and +resolved to follow up the train of thought which she saw was +awakened in his mind.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the burial Kate returned to Mrs. Crane's, where she +was treated with every possible attention which politeness or +sympathy could dictate. A few days after the funeral she one +evening casually asked, if that fair, delicate-looking girl +at her brother's grave were not Miss Middleton?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," replied Mrs. Carrington. "Did you not think from +her manner that she was a sincere mourner?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate was about to reply, when Dr. Lacey prevented her by +saying, "Pardon me, Mrs. Carrington; but I think you have +given Miss Wilmot a wrong impression. She doubtless thinks +it was Miss Julia Middleton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Kate, "I thought it was Miss Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied that it was Fanny—Julia's younger sister; +and then he told how faithfully she had watched over Mr. +Wilmot during his illness. Of Julia he said nothing, and although +Kate wished very much to know something concerning +her, she determined not to question Dr. Lacey, but to wait and +ask Mr. Miller, who, for some reason, seemed nearer to her +than any other one of the strangers by whom she was surrounded. +He had been solicited to take charge of the school, +which was now destitute of a teacher, and as the situation +pleased him, he readily accepted the offer and accepted Mrs. +Crane's as his boarding place. Perhaps one inducement which +led him to do this was the presence of the beautiful Kate, in +whom he daily became more interested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Years before, when but a boy in the boarding school at +Canandaigua, he had often fancied that the time would come +when he should both see and know the sister whom Richard +Wilmot used to describe in such glowing terms. Since then +another image had filled his heart and he had dreamed of another +face—not so fair, perhaps, but quite as innocent. But +now the dream was sadly over, and he had never thought of +the gentle Fanny for a wife since that night when, as he supposed, +he saw the dark side of her character. He, however, +could not conquer his old partiality, and always spoke of her +in the highest terms. Consequently, from his description of +her, Kate received a very favorable impression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He said little of Julia; but told Kate that he would take her +to Mr. Middleton's the first fine day. He wished to go there +in order to induce Mrs. Middleton to send her daughters back +to school. The next Saturday was fixed upon for the visit, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page060">[pg 060]</span><a name="Pg060" id="Pg060" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and at an early hour Mr. Miller and Kate were on their way +to Mr. Middleton's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate Wilmot was not only handsome, but was also very intelligent +and agreeable, and by the time their ride was half-completed, +Mr. Miller was more than half in love and was +building air castles just as he had done months before when +Fanny was mistress of them all.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About noon they reached Mr. Middleton's, where they were +received very kindly by Mrs. Middleton, very joyfully by +Fanny, and very coldly by Julia, whose face always wore a +darker frown whenever Mr. Miller was present; but he apparently +did not notice it, and went on conversing upon +different subjects. At last he asked when Mr. Middleton +was expected home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am expecting him every day," said Mrs. Middleton, +"and," she added in a lower tone, "I almost dread to have him +come, for I do not know that he has ever heard a word of +Richard's illness and death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, have you never written to him?" asked Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," replied she; "but it is so uncertain as to what place +he is in, or how long he will remain there, that it is doubtful +whether he ever received the letter. We heard from him a +few days ago. He was then in Indiana, and as he said nothing +about Mr. Wilmot, I presume he has not heard of his +death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just as she had finished speaking, the dogs set up a great +barking, and the negroes uttered the joyful cry of "Marster's +come! Marster's come!" The family ran to the door to meet +him; but Fanny could not wait for him to enter the house, +neither could she stop to unfasten the gate, but clearing it +with one bound, she was soon in the arms of her father, who +uttered his usual, "Ha, ha," and said, "Well done, darling; +you'll do for a cirkis rider. Are you glad to see your old +pap?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The blacks then gathered round, and he shook hands with +all, saying, "How d'ye, boys? How d'ye? Have you worked +right smart since I've been gone? If you have, you may +have a play spell the rest of the arternoon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he entered the house, where after greeting his +wife, Julia and Mr. Miller, he was introduced to "Miss Wilmot." +He took her hand and looking at her for a moment, +said, "Wilmot, Wilmot! Are you Dick's sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate's eyes filled with tears as she exclaimed, "Yes, sir, +Richard was my brother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Richard was your brother! Great Moses! What does +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page061">[pg 061]</span><a name="Pg061" id="Pg061" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +this mean? And you in black and crying!" Then looking at +his wife, who was also in tears, he added impatiently, "What +in thun—" but instantly recollecting himself, he said more +gently, "Can't anybody tell me what has happened?" And the +old man's cheek paled, and his voice trembled, as the dread +of what might have happened stole over him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny at last went up to him and said softly, "Father, Mr. +Wilmot is dead!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton sank into the nearest chair, and covering his +rough face with his hands, wept as freely as a little child. He +had loved Mr. Wilmot with almost a father's love, and during +his absence had not been unmindful of him. Safely stowed +away in his carpet bag were several costly books, which he +had purchased as a present for Richard. He had also hoped +that as Julia's husband he would have a good influence over +her, and improve her fractious disposition; and many were +the plans which he had formed as to what he would do when +Richard was really his son. But now he was gone forever. +The blow was so sudden, so unexpected, that for several +minutes he was stunned by its force and wept on in silence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last, lifting up his head, he turned to Kate and said, +"You must not think me a silly old fool, child, for Lord +knows old Josh Middleton hain't shed such tears since he was +a little shaver and cried when they buried up his dead mother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate could not reply, but from that time she felt for Mr. +Middleton a respect and esteem which nothing could ever +change.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After Mr. Middleton had become calm, he proceeded to +enumerate to Mr. Miller the many good qualities of Mr. Wilmot. +Said he, "He was a capital feller; allus just so. Lively +as a cricket; none of your stuck-up, fiddle-faddle notions. +And then he was such a good boarder—not a bit particular +what he eat; why, he was the greatest kind of a man—eat +corn bread, turnip greens, or anything!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this speech Kate smiled in spite of her tears, and Mr. +Middleton went on: "But he warn't as handsome as his +sister, and I'll be skinned if I ever seen anybody that was. +Tempest can't hold a candle to her, for all she feels so crank. +Why, Kit, or Kate, what's yer name? You're as handsome +as a pictur!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller probably thought so too, if the admiring look +which he gave her was any criterion. Mr. Middleton observed +it, and forgetting for a moment the death of his friend, +he slapped Mr. Miller on his shoulder, saying, "I tell you +what, my boy; it's a mighty mean wind that blows nobody +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page062">[pg 062]</span><a name="Pg062" id="Pg062" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +any good fortin. Miss Kate warn't sent to Kentuck for +nothin', and unless you're a bigger logger-head than I think +you be, you'll try to find out what she come for, and how +long she's goin' to stay."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller smiled and said, "I hope we shall be able to keep +Miss Wilmot all winter, for the people of Frankfort are +wanting a music teacher, and have solicited her to remain in +that capacity."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"By Jove," said Mr. Middleton, "that's just the thing! And +you have taken Dick's place in school—poor, boy, to die so +soon!" The tears were again moistening his immense beard, +but this time he hastily brushed them away, and went on, +"Yes, that's a capital idee, and you want me to patternize +you by sending my two gals—hey? Well, I reckon I can't +do better, if they want to go. Ho! Tempest—Sunshine—what +d'ye say? D'ye want to go back to Frankfort and +board at Miss Crane's, 'long of Mr. Miller, Dr. Lacey, Katy +did, and that other infernal Katy didn't, what fainted spang +away at the sight of old Josh! But though she was so +dreadfully skeered, the pooty color didn't leave her cheeks an +atom. Lightnin' spikes! Let me catch my gals paintin' and +I'll—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But he was prevented from telling what he'd do by Fanny, +who clapped her hands and said, "Oh, father, you are a dear +good man; may we really go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I thought Fanny would be pleased with the idea," said Mr. +Miller, "and even if she had objected, I was going to send +the doctor out, and I know he would bring her to terms."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny blushed and her father said, "Do you think so? +Well, I'm glad on't. I'd as soon she'd have him as anybody, +and she's worthy of him too, for if she can love such a +hideous old clown as I am, she'll stick to such a nice man as +Dr. Lacey through thick and thin. But what do you say to +goin', Tempest?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia had at first thought that nothing could induce her to +become a pupil of Mr. Miller, but his allusion to Dr. Lacey +decided her otherwise. It was necessary that she should go, +for she did not dare trust her sister alone with the doctor; +so she swallowed her dislike to Mr. Miller, and said she +should be delighted to return to school.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was settled that they should go during the next week.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This arrangement gave great pleasure to Dr. Lacey, who +found it very lonely in Frankfort without Fanny, and had several +times spoken of returning to New Orleans. But when +he learned that Fanny was coming back, he suddenly changed +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page063">[pg 063]</span><a name="Pg063" id="Pg063" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +his mind and concluded that Frankfort would be a charming +winter residence. This was laughingly told to Fanny by +Kate, who had learned to love her very much. Julia she disliked, +for she had at last drawn from Mr. Miller the whole +history of her proceedings, and she could but look upon the +false-hearted girl as accessory to her brother's death.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia knew that by the fair Northern beauty she was +secretly despised, but she did not care, for she had conceived +a great friendship for Mrs. Carrington, whom she often +amused with her remarks about New York people. Once she +said, "I do wish New York would die, or stop taking emetics, +and sending the contents of her bilious stomach to Kentucky +in the shape of teachers!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington smiled and said, "I think you prefer +Louisiana emetics, do you not?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia blushed as she answered, "Yes, but what can I do. +There's Mr. Miller ready to back up whatever Fanny does, +and put down whatever I do. I'd thank him to mind his own +business, and stay at his own home!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington did not reply, for she, too, was greatly annoyed +by the presence of Mr. Miller and Kate. The latter +she looked upon as a rival, for she was said by every one to +have the most beautiful face in Frankfort. This greatly displeased +Mrs. Carrington, who, before Kate's arrival, had been +considered the belle of the town, so far as beauty was concerned. +She also felt great contempt for Kate's occupation +as a teacher, and said, "She didn't see why folks should make +such an ado over a poor music teacher."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Once, in speaking on the subject to Dr. Lacey, she said, +"I am glad I was not born in New York, for then I should +have been obliged to pick up chips, split wood, dig potatoes, +wash dishes and teach school!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey's reply to this remark was, "I think, Mrs. Carrington, +you will admit that the young ladies who come here +from the North almost always possess superior education. +Now if they spent much time in splitting wood and digging +potatoes, I am sure they could not acquire so much knowledge."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington answered, "Of course you feel interested +in New Yorkers, for Fanny has taken a great fancy to them, +and whatever she likes you must like, of course."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I know Fanny likes our New York friends very +much," said Dr. Lacey. "And I think you will allow that +she shows good taste in the choice of her associates."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, admirable," returned Mrs. Carrington, "almost as +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page064">[pg 064]</span><a name="Pg064" id="Pg064" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +good taste as some of my acquaintance show in preferring +her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What do you mean?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, I mean," said Mrs. Carrington, "that I am puzzled +to know what attraction such a simple-minded girl as Fanny +can have for a person of your intelligence."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey bit his lip, but forcing down his anger said, +"She possesses the same attraction which every guileless, innocent +person has."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Guileless and innocent," repeated Mrs. Carrington; "rather +call her artful and designing. Depend upon it, doctor, you +have only seen the bright side of her disposition. You +should see her in her room, and know how much trouble her +sister has with her!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She might have said more, but Dr. Lacey stopped her by +saying rather warmly, "Mrs. Carrington, you shall not talk so +about Fanny. I know you do not like her, and consequently, +whatever you can say of her will have no effect upon me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he quitted the apartment, leaving Mrs. Carrington +to her own reflections. They were not very pleasant, for +Dr. Lacey's manner had said as plainly as words could say +that she had better mind her own business, and she began to +think so herself, for she muttered, "After all, what is it to me +if he does like Fanny? I am bound fast, but oh, if I were +free, I'd compass heaven and earth to secure him." Her +wish to be free was soon realized.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That afternoon, when the Sea Gull came up from Louisville, +it brought home her husband, wearied, worn out and +sick. He took his bed, and never left his room again until +strong men carried him out and laid him down to sleep in +the silent graveyard. The close of his life was calm and +peaceful, for he had early chosen the better part, and he +looked upon the grave as but a stepping stone from earth to +heaven.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His life was a dreary pilgrimage, for though he possessed +for his young, giddy wife, a strong, ardent affection, he had +long known that it was not returned, and he felt that she +would be happier if he were dead. She, however, paid him +as much attention during his illness as the gay life she led +would allow; but she was often away, and night after night +was he left alone with his Bible and his God, while she was +in the midst of some fashionable amusement. Her neglect +was, however, partly made up to him by the kind care of +Fanny, who gave him all the time she could possibly spare +from her school duties. Mrs. Carrington found it very convenient +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page065">[pg 065]</span><a name="Pg065" id="Pg065" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to call upon her, whenever she wished to be absent, +and hour after hour the fair young girl sat by the sick man's +bedside, employed either with her needle, her books or drawing. +Mr. Carrington was a fine scholar and gave her much +assistance in her studies.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he grew too weak to read, she would read to him +from the Bible, stopping occasionally, while he explained some +obscure passage, or endeavored to impress on her mind some +solemn truth. Thus were the seeds of righteousness sown, +which afterward sprang up and bore fruit unto everlasting +life.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last the chilling dews came upon his head, his eye grew +dim with the mists of death, and then he laid his cold, white +hand on Fanny's head and prayed most earnestly that heaven's +choicest blessings, both here and hereafter, might descend +upon one who had so kindly smoothed his dark pathway down +to the valley of death. A few words of affectionate farewell +to his wife and he was gone. His crushed, aching heart had +ceased to beat and in a few days the green sod was growing +above his early grave.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny begged so earnestly to have him buried by the side +of Mr. Wilmot that Mrs. Carrington finally consented, and +the two, who had never seen each other on earth, now lay +peacefully side by side. When the springtime came, the same +fair hands planted flowers over the graves of her brothers, +as she loved to call the two men, each of whom had blessed +her with his dying breath. Thither would she often go with +Dr. Lacey, who was each day learning to love her more and +more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington contented herself with having a few hysterical +fits, shedding a few tears, dressing herself in an expensive +suit of mourning, and erecting to the memory of her +husband a magnificent monument. When Mr. Middleton saw +the latter, he said, "Why the plague can't Dick have as good a +gravestun as that young lieutenant? He desarves it jest as +much"; so out came his purse, and when Mrs. Carrington +went next to visit the costly marble at her husband's grave, +she was chagrined to see by its side a still more splendid one. +But there was no help for it, so she had to endure it in silence, +consoling herself with thinking how becomingly she would +dress and how many conquests she would make, when the term +of her mourning should have expired!</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter7" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc14" id="toc14"></a><a name="pdf15" id="pdf15"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter VII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia's plot to break fanny's engagement</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page066">[pg 066]</span><a name="Pg066" id="Pg066" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Our readers will not be sorry, if after a chapter of sadness +and death, we turn to a more joyous one, and tell them of the +bridal of Kate Wilmot and Mr. Miller. Kate wished to defer +it a few months, on account of the recent death of her brother, +but her lover urged his claim so strongly that she at last +yielded, and their marriage took place on Christmas eve. +Mr. W——, one of the wealthiest men in Frankfort, very +kindly offered to give Kate a splendid wedding party, but she +politely declined his generous offer, as she did not feel like +entering into such a scene of gayety as would necessarily attend +a large party.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few of her most intimate friends assembled in Mrs. +Crane's parlor, and thence proceeded to the church, which +was crowded with anxious spectators, many of whom almost +envied Mr. Miller his beautiful bride, while others envied her +the fine-looking man who stood there as the bridegroom, and +all were unanimous in pronouncing it an excellent match. +Kate's happiness on this occasion was not unmingled with +sadness, for her thoughts went back to the time when, with a +heart bursting with anguish, she had first entered that church +and passed up its broad aisle until she reached the side of her +darling brother, who lay shrouded in his coffin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Now the scene was changed; she was there as the happy +bride of one to whom she had given the undivided affection +of her heart, and as the solemn words were uttered which +made her his forever, she felt that her brother's spirit hovered +near, to bless her union with one who had ever been his true +friend. So she requested that Fanny should be her bridesmaid, +and the young girl now stood at the altar, with her +bright face beaming with happiness, for Dr. Lacey, who was +by her side, had, the night before, told her all his love, and +had won from her a promise that at some future time she +would be his. He told her that he would speak to her father +the next evening.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page067">[pg 067]</span><a name="Pg067" id="Pg067" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Accordingly, after the wedding party had returned to Mrs. +Crane's, he invited Mr. Middleton to go with him for a few +minutes to his room. Fanny was sure of her father's consent, +but she could not help feeling nervous when she saw +him leave the parlor, accompanied by Dr. Lacey. A few +moments after, she observed that Julia also was missing, and +she trembled lest she might have suspected something and +gone to listen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor was she mistaken in her fears; for Mrs. Carrington +and Julia both had an inkling of what was going on, and +when the latter heard Dr. Lacey say something to her father +in a low tone, and then saw them leave the room together, she +arose and stealthily followed them upstairs. Going out on +the balcony, she stole softly up to Dr. Lacey's window, and +there, unobserved, listened to a conversation which confirmed +her worst fears. In a firm, decided tone, Dr. Lacey told Mr. +Middleton of his love for his daughter, and said she had promised +to be his if her father would consent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton replied, "And so it's my darter you want. +Of course it's Sunshine?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly, sir," answered Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, I'm glad on't. I've seen it all along; but I didn't +know but mebby Tempest had come it over you with her +pretty face—but devil of a life you'd lead with her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey did not reply, but Julia did; and though the +tones of her voice were too low to be heard, they were none +the less emphatic, as she said, "And devil of a life I'll make +you lead if you do not have me." And at the same time she +ground her glittering teeth and shook her clenched fist at the +two men, who were unconscious of the rage they were exciting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton continued, "Yes, I'll give you Sunshine, I +reckon, and a hundred thousand dollars beside."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's Fanny I want, not her money," said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, I know," answered Mr. Middleton; "but I reckon +you won't object to a few thousand, unless you are as rich as +a Jew."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied: "I am not as rich as a Jew, but I am the +only child of my father, who is said to be worth half a +million."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Half a million!" repeated Mr. Middleton in astonishment. +"Golly-ludy, man, what made you ever think of a poor girl +like Sunshine?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because I love her," answered Dr. Lacey, "and I would +marry her just as soon if she were not worth one dime."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page068">[pg 068]</span><a name="Pg068" id="Pg068" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Maybe you would and maybe you wouldn't," muttered +Julia; "and perhaps you'll have her, and perhaps you won't. +You've got me to deal with, and I'd like to see the person who +can cross my path with impunity." So saying, she glided from +her hiding place and went down stairs to the parlor, leaving +her father and Dr. Lacey to finish their conversation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey proposed that Fanny should continue at school +two years longer, and at the end of that time he would claim +her as his wife.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," said Mr. Middleton; "I s'pose I understand; +you want her to be more accomplished like, afore you take +her down to New Orleans. Well, it's perfectly nateral, and +old Josh'll spar no pains nor money."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so the conference ended. When Dr. Lacey re-entered +the parlor Fanny read success in his face. In a short time he +managed to get near her, and bending down, whispered to her, +"My own dear Fanny, forever." At these words a beautiful +flush suffused Fanny's usually pale cheek. It was noticed by +Julia, who was watching the doctor and her sister with a feeling +of almost fiendish hatred. When she saw the bright look +of joy which passed over Fanny's face as the doctor whispered +to her, she pressed her small white hands together until +her long transparent nails left their impress in her flesh!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then Mr. Miller, with his wife upon his arm, approached +the spot where the doctor was standing, and said, +"Why, doctor, what has happened? You look almost as happy +as I feel. And little Fanny, too, is really looking quite rosy. +I should not be surprised if my wedding should be a prelude +to another."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia could hear no more, but sick with anger, she turned +away, heartily wishing Mr. Miller was in California digging +gold with the water six feet deep all around him! When the +company began to disperse Dr. Lacey whispered to Fanny that +he wished her to remain a few moments, as he had something +to say to her. Accordingly, after the parlor was deserted, he +drew her to the sofa and placing his arm around her, told her +of the plan which he had marked out for her improvement +during the next two years. To all that he required Fanny +promised a cheerful compliance, and he proceeded to tell her +how he would in the meantime beautify his Southern home, +and fill it up with every luxury which could please a refined, +delicate female. By the time he had finished Fanny was weeping +from excess of happiness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It seems so strange," said she, "that you should prefer me +to any one else, me, who am so plain looking, so—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page069">[pg 069]</span><a name="Pg069" id="Pg069" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"So pure-minded and innocent," interrupted Dr. Lacey, +"and so lovely, too, for to me you are very handsome. Not +as beautiful, perhaps, as Mrs. Miller, for there are few who +are, and yet I like your looks quite as well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply; after a moment's silence he said, +"Fanny, I shall be obliged to go to New Orleans soon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Go to New Orleans," said Fanny. "Oh, no, don't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But I must," answered he. "Business of importance calls +me there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How soon must you go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In two weeks," he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And how long will you be gone?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Probably three months," he answered. "But I shall write +to you often; twice a week, perhaps, and you will find enough +to do to answer my letters and attend to your studies, besides +practicing your music lessons. By the way, Fanny, I wish +you to pay particular attention to music, for you know I am +very fond of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny promised that she would, and they separated for the +night. While Fanny was going to her room, she determined +she would tell Julia all her future prospects; but she found her +sister either asleep or pretending to be (the latter was the +fact); so she said nothing, but lay down without disturbing +her. She could not sleep, however, and toward morning Julia +called out, in no very gentle tones, "Do lie still, Fan, or else +get up and go down in the parlor and have another tete-a-tete +with Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny saw that her sister was awake, and she resolved to +improve the opportunity, even if Julia were not in a very +gentle mood. So she said, "Sister, I want to tell you something; +wake up, won't you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Wake up!" answered Julia. "I should like to know who's +been asleep, or who can sleep where you are? What is the +great secret you wish to tell me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With many blushes and some stammering Fanny got +through with her story. After she had finished Julia was +silent a few moments and then said, "Well, what of it? What +if Dr. Lacey has promised to marry you? Is that any reason +why you should keep me awake all night?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not answer, and as her mind was relieved from +the weighty matter of telling her sister, she soon fell asleep, +and when she awoke the sun was high in the heavens, and +Mrs. Miller was bending over her, wishing her a "Merry +Christmas!" That day there was sent to Mrs. Crane's a +large box, which Dr. Lacey was very particular to have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page070">[pg 070]</span><a name="Pg070" id="Pg070" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +handled carefully. When it was opened it was found to contain +an elegant rosewood piano, and a note in which was +written, "A Christmas Gift for Fanny." The delighted girl +did not ask who was the giver, for she well knew; and resolved +to apply herself closely to music, so as to do justice to +the beautiful present.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The two weeks of Dr. Lacey's stay passed rapidly away, +and at their close he bade Fanny an affectionate good-by, promising +to write regularly twice a week, and to return, if possible, +at the end of three months. After he was gone, it +seemed to Fanny that one-half of her life had left her, and she +felt very unhappy. There was something in her sister's manner +which she could not define, and as Julia seemed anxious +to avoid her, she spent much of her time with Mrs. Miller, +who each day grew fonder of her little "Kentucky sister," as +she often called her in imitation of her brother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile Julia spent all her leisure hours with Mrs. Carrington, +to whom she confided her feelings and wishes. Mrs. +Carrington was not displeased to find that Julia was determined +to break the engagement between Dr. Lacey and Fanny, +and secretly hoped she would succeed. Not that she wished to +aid Julia in securing the doctor, for such was not her intention. +Neither did she look upon such an event as possible, for +she felt sure that Dr. Lacey never would fancy Julia, even if +there were no Fannys in the world; and supposing he did, she +could easily remedy it by exposing Julia's wickedness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In due course of time a letter arrived for Fanny from Dr. +Lacey. It was a well-filled sheet and so full of affection and +kind suggestions for her improvement, that Fanny felt an increased +pleasure in thinking that she was the object of Dr. +Lacey's love. Julia watched her with an evil eye, as she read +the letter, and when she saw the look of joy which lit up +every feature, she thought, "Yes, read on and enjoy it—do—for +you'll not get many more such!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That day after school she started out for the purpose of +laying the foundation for the fulfillment of a part of her plans. +There was in the post-office a clerk whose name was Joseph +Dunn. He was an awkward, rawboned young man, about six +feet two inches high. Until within a few months he had lived +near Mr. Middleton. He had a yellow face, yellow hair and +yellow teeth, the latter of which projected over his under lip. +He also drove a very yellow horse and rode in a yellow +buggy. In his own estimation he was perfectly irresistible, +and imagined he had only to say the word and all the girls in +the country would eagerly accept the offer of being mistress +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page071">[pg 071]</span><a name="Pg071" id="Pg071" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of his fancy colored horse and person. For Fanny he had +conceived a violent passion and wondered much that she +should repel all his serious advances. At last he wrote her a +letter saying that on a certain afternoon he would visit her +and make a formal offer of his hand. He bade her weigh +the matter seriously, so that she would have no one to blame +but herself, if she should ever regret answering in the affirmative.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was very much annoyed by this letter and when on +the afternoon specified she saw old "sorrel" coming up to the +gate, she said, "Father, there is Joe coming here to offer me +the honor of becoming Mrs. Dunn. He troubles me exceedingly +with his attentions, and I wish you would manage to +make him keep away."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus enlightened, Mr. Middleton was ready for any emergency, +and he answered Joe's confident knock in person. The +young man greeted him with a very polite, "Good afternoon," +to which Mr. Middleton returned with a significant "umph!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is your daughter Fanny at home?" asked Mr. Dunn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, she's at home," said Mr. Middleton. "What d'ye +want of her?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I should like to have a few moments' private conference +with her, if you've no objection, sir," replied Mr. Dunn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"A few moments private fiddlestick," answered Mr. Middleton. +"What the devil—whose little boy are you? Ain't you +Miss Dunn's little boy? You'd better scratch gravel for home, +and if I catch you here again dickerin' after Fanny, I'll pull +every corn-colored hair out of your head!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This rebuff somewhat cooled the ardor of Joseph's attachment, +and as he felt sure that Fanny had told her father of +his coming, he from that time disliked her as much as he had +before admired her. Not long after the sad finale of his +affaire de coeur, he left his home in the country, and going +to Frankfort became a clerk in the post office. Julia well +knew the old grudge which he had toward Fanny, and as he +did not possess the best principles in the world, she had strong +hopes of procuring his services for the accomplishment of her +purpose. Accordingly, at about half past five she bent her +steps in the direction of the post office, hoping to see him in +the street, for she knew that he usually went to his supper at +that hour. She had not gone far beyond the post office when +he overtook her. She greeted him with her blandest smile, +and as she seemed inclined to be very sociable, he slackened +his pace for the sake of walking with her. They had not proceeded +far when she said, "Mr. Dunn, if you are not in a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page072">[pg 072]</span><a name="Pg072" id="Pg072" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +particular hurry, I should like to have you walk on with me, +as I have something to communicate to you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Joseph was delighted, and yet he knew not what to think. +The haughty Julia had formerly treated him with disdain; but +within a week or two her conduct toward him had changed, +and she seemed to seek his society, and now she had even +asked him to walk with her. What could it mean? He was +not long kept in ignorance, for in a few words Julia explained +her wishes. "You know, Mr. Dunn," said she, "that I +have money and I am willing to pay you almost any amount, +and then it is such a rare opportunity for being revenged upon +Fanny, who did abuse you shamefully, and even now makes all +manner of fun of you. It will not be much trouble for you," +she continued, "for you can watch our box, and whenever a +letter arrives from Dr. Lacey, you can lay it aside until you +have an opportunity of giving it to me, and you can do the +same with Fanny's letters!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Joseph did not hesitate long, for the love of money was +strong in him, and he also had a desire for revenging his +fancied insult. Julia's manner toward him was not without +its effect, for he felt greatly flattered that she should choose +him for a confidant; so at last he promised to accede to her +proposal on condition that he was well paid.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It will be well enough," said Julia, "to let her have three +or four letters, as it would not be natural for him to forget +her immediately, you know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, ma'am," said Mr. Dunn, "I understand how to do +it. Never fear but I'll fix it right."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then, here is a part of your pay in advance," said +Julia, as she slipped a ten-dollar note into his hand. At first +he seemed inclined not to take it but finally did so, saying, "I +suppose I ought to be paid, for it's mighty ticklish business."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After having arranged affairs to her satisfaction, Julia bade +Mr. Dunn a very friendly good night, and returned home +where she found Fanny employed in writing an answer to Dr. +Lacey's letter. Here, for the present, we will leave them, until +Julia's plot has time to ripen.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter8" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc16" id="toc16"></a><a name="pdf17" id="pdf17"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter VIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">mr. middleton has more callers from new york</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page073">[pg 073]</span><a name="Pg073" id="Pg073" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The reader will now accompany us to Geneva, one of the +most beautiful villages in Western New York. On arriving at +the depot we are beset by a host of runners, who call out +lustily, "Temperance House!" "Franklin House!" "Geneva +Hotel!" "Carriage to any part of the village for a shilling!" +But we prefer walking, and passing up Water Street, and +Seneca street, we soon come to Main street, which we follow +until we come to a large, elegant mansion, the property of +Judge Fulton, who is that evening entertaining a fashionable +party. No matter if we are not invited, we can enter unperceived +and note down what is taking place.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Our attention is first directed toward the judge and his accomplished +lady, who are doing the honors of the evening. As +we scan their looks closely, we are struck with their features, +and we feel sure that to them wealth was not given in vain, +and that the beggar never left their door unfed or uncared for.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Fulton's countenance looks very familiar to us, and we +wonder much where we have seen her before, or if we never +have seen her, who it is that she so strongly reminds us of. +Before we can solve the mystery, we observe across the room +a face which makes us start up and exclaim, "Is it possible! +Can that be Dr. Lacey?" A second look at the gentleman in +question convinces us that he is two inches shorter than Dr. +Lacey, and also that he wears glasses; still be bears a striking +resemblance to the doctor, and we inquire who he is. We are +told that his name is Robert Stanton. He is a graduate of +Yale and a brother of Mrs. Fulton, He is intending in a few +days to start for Kentucky, in company with Frederic Raymond, +who was a classmate of his.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As we watch young Stanton's movements, we observe a certain +restlessness in his eye, as it wanders over the crowded +room, seemingly in quest of some one who is not there. At +last there is a new arrival, and Miss Warner, a very prim +lady and a teacher in the seminary, is announced, together +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page074">[pg 074]</span><a name="Pg074" id="Pg074" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +with three of her pupils. As the young girls enter the parlor, +Mr. Stanton seems suddenly animated with new life, and we +feel sure that one of those young ladies has a great attraction +for him. Nor are we mistaken, for he soon crosses the room, +and going up to one of them, a rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed girl, +he says in a low tone, "I am glad you have come, Nellie. I +had almost given you up, and concluded you were doing penance +for some misdemeanor, and so could not come out." Then +taking her upon his arm, he kept her near him all the evening.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was a strange history connected with Helen Ashton, +or Nellie, as she was more familiarly called, but of this we +will speak hereafter. She was formerly a member of the +young ladies' school in New Haven, where she had become +acquainted with Robert Stanton, who was in college. An intimacy +sprang up between them which at last ripened into an +agreement. Stanton's home was near Geneva, and when he +left college he suddenly discovered that the Geneva Seminary +was superior to any other, and with but little trouble he persuaded +Nellie to go there to school.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She had now been an inmate of the seminary in that place +little more than a year, during which time Robert had pursued +the study of law in Judge Fulton's office. He had always possessed +a great desire to visit Kentucky, and had finally concluded +to do so, determining if he liked it to make it his permanent +residence. He was to return the next autumn for +Nellie, who was to remain in school until that time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they stood together that evening conversing about Kentucky, +Nellie said, "I have an old schoolmate in Frankfort. It +is Kate Wilmot. Do you remember having seen her in New +Haven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is she very beautiful?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, exceedingly so. She turned half the students' +heads," answered Nellie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I remember her perfectly well," said Frederic Raymond, +who was standing near, "and so does Bob, but he wants +to pretend he does not. By the way, Miss Ashton," continued +he, "are you not afraid that Kate's marvelous beauty will endanger +your claim upon Robert's heart, when he shall be near +her constantly, and can only think of your blue eyes as 'over +the hills and far away?'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Helen blushed, but did not answer, and Stanton said, "Never +fear for me, Fred, but rather keep your own heart safely +locked away, for fear some of those dark-eyed Kentucky girls +will, ere you are aware, rifle you of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I shall do no such thing," returned Frederic. "I am going +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page075">[pg 075]</span><a name="Pg075" id="Pg075" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +there for the express purpose of losing my heart, and +the first Kentucky girl which pleases me shall be my wife, +any way."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Whether she likes you or not?" asked Nellie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, whether she likes me or not," answered Frederic, "I +shall marry her first, and make her like me afterward."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying he sauntered off to another part of the room, little +thinking that what he had spoken in jest would afterward +prove true. At a late hour the company began to disperse, +Miss Warner keeping a watchful eye upon her pupils, lest +some lawless collegiate should relieve her from the trouble of +seeing them safely home. This perpendicular maiden had +lived forty years on this mundane sphere without ever having +had an offer, and she had come to think of gentlemen as a race +of intruding bipeds which the world would be much better +without. However, if there were any of the species which +she could tolerate, it was Judge Fulton and Robert Stanton. +The former she liked, because everybody liked him, and said +he was a "nice man, and what everybody said must be true." +Her partiality for the latter arose from the fact that he had +several times complimented her fine figure and dignified manners; +so when he that night asked the privilege of walking +home with Nellie, she raised no very strong opposition, but +yielded the point by merely saying something about "child's +play." She, however, kept near enough to them to hear every +word of their conversation; but they consoled themselves by +thinking that the wide-open ears could not penetrate the recesses +of their well-filled letters which they saw in the future.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few days Stanton and Raymond started for Kentucky. +The evening before they left was spent by Stanton in Nellie's +company. Mrs. Fulton had invited her to pass the night with +her, as the Judge was absent from home. About ten o'clock +Mrs. Fulton very considerately grew sleepy, and retired to her +own room. But long after the town clock rang out the hour +of midnight, a light might have been seen gleaming from the +windows of Judge Fulton's sitting room, in which sat Robert +and Nellie, repeating for the hundredth time vows of eternal +constancy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next morning when the last rumbling sound of the +eastern train died away in the streets of Geneva, Nellie Ashton +sat weeping in her little room at the seminary. She felt +that now she was again alone in the wide, wide world. Eight +years before she had in the short space of three weeks followed +both father and mother to their last resting place, and +upon their newly-made graves she had prayed the orphan's +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page076">[pg 076]</span><a name="Pg076" id="Pg076" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +prayer, that God would protect one who was without father, +mother, brother or sister in the world.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The little property of her father was sold for the payment +of his debts, and Nellie, who was then but twelve years old, +was obliged to labor both early and late for her daily bread. +Her father had lived near the city of New York, and not long +after his death she procured a situation in a wealthy family +of that city. She was called "the girl to do chores," which +meant that she was kept running from garret to cellar, from +parlor to kitchen, first here and then there, from earliest +dawn to latest evening. It was almost always eleven o'clock +before she could steal away to her low bed in the dark garret, +and often, in the loneliness of the night, would the desolate +child pray that the God with whom her parents dwelt would +look in pity upon the helpless orphan.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ere long her prayer was answered, for there came to the +house where she lived a gentleman and lady, who saw the +"little kitchen girl." Something there was in her sad but intelligent +face which attracted their notice, and they inquired +her history of Mrs. Stanley, the lady with whom she lived.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is," said Mrs. Stanley, "a good enough girl, if she +would only let books alone; but she seems to have a passion +for study, quite unsuitable for one in her station. When she +is cleaning the knives she will have a book before her; and +instead of singing the baby to sleep, she will get down and +read to her, or repeat something which she has learned."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And has she no relatives?" asked the gentleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"None living that I know of," said Mrs. Stanley; and then +she added, "Nellie says she had a brother who was several +years older than herself, and that three years ago he was one +morning missing, and they found on his table a letter, saying +that he had gone to sea on a whaling voyage, and would be +gone three years. Her father afterward heard that the vessel +in which his son sailed was supposed to be lost with all its +crew. This is her story; but you can never tell how much to +believe of the stories which such girls tell."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did you ever detect her in a falsehood?" asked the gentleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, no, I never did; but of course she will equivocate, +for all such paupers will."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With whom did she live before she came here?" continued +the gentleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With a Mr. Barnard," answered Mrs. Stanley; and she +continued laughingly, "You had better inquire about her of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page077">[pg 077]</span><a name="Pg077" id="Pg077" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him, as you seem so much interested in her. He lives out a +few miles in the country."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The result of the conversation was that the Mr. Barnard +mentioned above received the next day a call from a stranger, +who made particular inquiry about little Helen Ashton. He +seemed satisfied with the result, and as he had before learned +that Mr. Barnard was a very good, honest man, he handed him +five hundred dollars, telling him to take Nellie home—as she +called Mr. Barnard's house—and to send her for two years to +the district school. At the end of that time he would furnish +funds for her to be educated in New Haven.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was great excitement in Mrs. Stanley's family when +it was known that Nellie was to go away and be sent to +school in New Haven. "I wonder," said Mrs. Stanley, "who +pays the expenses? It can't be Judge —— (naming the gentleman +who had seemed so much interested in Nellie), for I am +sure he would not be stupid enough to take a street beggar, as +it were, and educate her." A second thought convinced her +that it must be the said gentleman, and she suddenly felt an +inclination to do something herself for the hitherto neglected +kitchen girl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, Nellie was summoned to the parlor and the +state of her wardrobe inquired into. It was found to be lamentably +deficient in even the necessary articles of clothing. +Mrs. Stanley then turned her rag bag inside out and rummaged +through several boxes in the garret which had not seen +the light for several years. The result of her search was three +or four cast-off garments, which the cook said "were so bad +the rag man would hardly buy them." Mrs. Stanley, however, +thought they were quite a gift, and gave Nellie many injunctions +as to when she should wear them. Nellie thought it +doubtful whether she should wear them all; but she said +nothing, and in a few days she left Mrs. Stanley's house for +a more pleasant home at Mr. Barnard's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a great mystery to Nellie who it could be that had +befriended her; but if Mr. Barnard knew, he kept the knowledge +to himself, and Nellie was obliged to remain in ignorance. +She was, however, satisfied that the gentleman, whoever +he was, was both able and willing to carry out his plan, +for money for the payment of her school bills was regularly +remitted to Mr. Barnard. At the time when she wished to +leave New Haven, she had written to Mr. Barnard on the subject, +and in due time had received from him a letter saying +that the gentleman who was educating her was not only willing +but anxious to have her sent to Geneva.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page078">[pg 078]</span><a name="Pg078" id="Pg078" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Soon after her arrival there she chanced to meet Judge Fulton +and his wife. Something in their looks seemed familiar, +and also awoke a painful reminiscence of the dark kitchen and +the lone garret far off in the great city. She could not remember +ever having seen them, and so dismissed the subject +from her mind, merely wondering if they knew that she who +was to be their brother's wife once lighted fires and cleaned +potatoes as a common servant girl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The reader will perhaps have imagined that the gentleman +who befriended Nellie was none other than Judge Fulton. He +was incited to this act of kindness by the same benevolent feeling +which prompted all his deeds of charity. He had no +daughters, and his intention was, first to see what improvement +she would make of her advantages, and if he were satisfied, +he would take her home as his adopted daughter. He was +somewhat surprised when, two years before the time of which +we are speaking, he received through Mr. Barnard a letter +from Nellie addressed to, "My unknown benefactor," and desiring +his consent to an engagement between herself and +Robert Stanton. The same mail brought a letter from Robert, +saying that he had just made an offer of his hand to a Miss +Helen Ashton, who was only waiting for her guardian to +sanction her choice. Judge Fulton's consent was given, and +he wrote to Nellie that before she was married he would make +himself known to her, and give her a wedding at his own +house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few days before Robert left for Kentucky Judge Fulton +received another letter from Nellie, saying that it was Mr. +Stanton's wish to be married the ensuing autumn. To this the +judge gave his approval and determined as soon as Robert +was gone to enlighten Nellie as to who her guardian was. +This, then, was the history of Nellie Ashton, whom we will +leave for a time, and as our readers are probably anxious to +return to the bland climate of Kentucky, we will follow young +Stanton and Raymond on their journey. Having arrived at +Buffalo, they took passage in the steamboat Saratoga, which +landed them safely in Sandusky after a trip of about twenty-four +hours. At Sandusky they took the cars for Cincinnati.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they neared the Queen City, they noticed at one of the +stations a tall, intelligent, but rather reckless-looking young +man, who entered the cars and took a seat directly opposite +them. There was something peculiarly attractive to Raymond +in the confident, self-possessed manner of the stranger, and +ere long he had, to use a Yankee expression, "scraped acquaintance" +with him, and learned that his name was Henry +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page079">[pg 079]</span><a name="Pg079" id="Pg079" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Ashton, and that he too was on his way to Frankfort, where +he resided. As the young man told his name, Raymond turned +to Stanton and said, "I should think that you'd feel acquainted +with this gentleman, you are so partial to his name."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton did not answer, and Raymond proceeded to question +Mr. Ashton about Frankfort and its inhabitants. "By the +way," said he, "are there any pretty girls there? Substantial +ones, I mean, who have a purse long enough to pay a fellow +for the trouble of marrying them?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Ashton smiled and answered, "Yes, we have a good +many, and rich ones too; but the belle of the city when I left +was a Mrs. Carrington—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The plague it was!" interrupted Raymond, "and can't we +get rid of her husband somehow? Won't he die of yellow +fever, cholera or something? Or is he a gouty old wretch, +who will live forever?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You prevented me from telling you," said Mr. Ashton, +"that Mr. Carrington has died since I left there. But you +will hardly win this fair, haughty lady, unless you can plank +about a million. But there are other faces quite as pretty, I +think. There is a Julia Middleton, who is attending school. +She is a great beauty, but, if report speaks truly, she would +keep you busily employed in curbing her high temper."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No matter about the temper—has she got the dimes?" said +Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"About one hundred thousand dollars, I think," answered +Ashton; "but one would need to be paid that much for having +such a fury as she is, and such a queer old rat as her father."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then proceeded to enumerate some of Mr. Middleton's +oddities, at all of which his auditors laughed heartily, and expressed +their determination to make the old man's acquaintance +as soon as possible. When the young men reached Cincinnati, +they concluded to take the stage route to Lexington +and Versailles, and to pay Mr. Middleton a visit before they +proceeded to Frankfort. Accordingly on Thursday afternoon, +just as the sun was setting, they entered Mr. Middleton's yard, +where they were received by the dogs, with just such a demonstration +of anger as had greeted Mr. Wilmot more than +a year before.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The master of the house was this time at home, and soon +appearing at the door, he called out to the negroes who were +in the yard, "Ho, thar, boys! Stuff your woolly heads down +them tarnal dogs' throats and make them stop their yellin'! +Glad to see you—walk in. Moses and Aaron! If this ain't +Ashton from Frankfort. How d'ye do? How d'ye do?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page080">[pg 080]</span><a name="Pg080" id="Pg080" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mr. Ashton shook hands with him, and then introduced his +companions, saying they were from New York. The word +New York seemed to thrill Mr. Middleton's nerves like an +electric shock. He seized both hands of the young men and +exclaimed, "From New York, hey? Then thrice welcome to +my old cabin and hominy; old Josh's door is allus wide open +to folks from New York." Then leading the way to the sitting +room, he continued, "Yes, my own noble boy was from +New York, but he died (this is my old woman Nancy, gentlemen). +I don't see why in the old Harry he couldn't of lived. +But he died and they kivered him up while I was gone, and I +never seen him no more. Ho! Here, Tilda, fetch some hot +water and make a little sling for these chaps. It'll do 'em +good, as it's mighty cold and raw like out o' door."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sling was made, and Ashton and Raymond drank +readily and freely; but when it was offered to Stanton, he +modestly but firmly refused. "What upon airth!" said Mr. +Middleton, "not drink when a friend asks you? Why, boy, +just take a swaller."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Raymond, who was ready to adopt Mr. Middleton's +language and manners, exclaimed, "I'll tell you what, old boy, +Bob's left a sweetheart in New York, and I fancy she lectured +him on intemperance, for you know the women are dead set +against it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton looked first at Raymond, then at Stanton +and said, "Well, he knows good sense by not touchin' on't, I +reckon. Got a sweetheart, hey? That's better than to come +here and marry some of our spitfires. Poor boy! Dick was +engaged to one of 'em, and I've hearn that she raised a tantareen +and broke his heart. But I'll fix her! I'll dock off +fifty thousand to pay for that caper."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Ashton asked if Mr. Middleton's daughters were +still at Frankfort. "Yes," returned Mr. Middleton, "both +thar, study in' all the flat things you can think on, and thummin' +away on the pianner. You'll see 'em thar; but mind me +one and all, mind I say, don't fall in love with Sunshine, for +she's engaged, and I've gin my consent, and whoever meddles +in that match'll find Josh after 'em!" By way of adding emphasis +to his words he brought his fist back against a work-stand, +on which stood his wife's work basket. The stand was +upset, and all the articles of the basket rolled on the floor. +"Great Peter!" said Mr. Middleton, "ho, Tilda, come pick up +these 'ere things!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Tilda came at the call of her master. While she was replacing +the articles in her mistress' basket, Raymond, who +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page081">[pg 081]</span><a name="Pg081" id="Pg081" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +wished to show that he was ready to adopt all the peculiarities +of the State, said, "That's a valuable looking negro girl. I +suppose your property mostly consists in such as she. I don't +wonder that you object to give them up just to please the +North. Have you many such?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, quite a heap on 'em. Why? Want to steal 'em, hey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond reddened. His attempts at anti-abolition had not +succeeded as well as he anticipated; but he soon rallied and +said, "Certainly not; I shouldn't know what to do with your +slaves if I had them; besides I have no inclination to interfere +with your Southern institutions. I am too much of a +pro-slavery man myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Likely enough," said Mr. Middleton, rather gruffly, for he +did not much like the appearance of Raymond, "likely enough. +But, young man, let old Josh give you a little advice. I've +seen more than double your years, I reckon, and I never seen +a man come from the free states that wasn't a little teched +with abolitionism. It's nateral like and onnateral to change their +mind so mighty soon. So I advise you to keep your +opinions to yourself for a spell, any way. A heap on 'em +come here, and are surprised not to find a whippin' post stuck +up in a corner of every yard. I don't say you are one of 'em; +but we don't think no better of a body when they jine in with +us so soon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This speech somewhat disconcerted young Raymond, who +was anxious to get into Mr. Middleton's good graces; but his +discomfiture was soon removed by his saying, "Boy, don't +take what I've said in high dudgeon. Folks allus see the +roughest side of me first; I'm a friend to you, and allus will +be as long as you do well." Then chancing to think his +guests were hungry, he called out, "Saints and angels! Why +don't you bring in supper, you lazy bones thar in the kitchen? +Do you hear?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster," said three or four negroes at once, "supper'll +be ready d'rectly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few moments the nicely-cooked spare-rib was smoking +on the table, together with hot coffee, boiled turnips and egg +bread, which Southern cooks know so well how to make. Besides +this there was the golden-colored butter, white flaky +honeycomb, and the Sunday pitcher overflowing with rich +creamy milk. "Come, boys, set by and have some fodder!" +said Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young gentlemen took their seats at the table and Mr. +Middleton continued, "Now lay into 't and help yourselves. I +ain't used to perlite strains, and if I should try you'd all larf +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page082">[pg 082]</span><a name="Pg082" id="Pg082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +at me—mebby you want to now. Tempest say's I'm enough +to make a dog larf."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who is Tempest? One of your servants?" asked Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Christopher Columbus! One of my servants!" answered +Mr. Middleton. "How Tempest would rar to hear that. Why, +she's my oldest gal."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I beg your pardon," said Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not a bit on't," answered Mr. Middleton. "I don't wonder +you thought so, such an oudun name! Her real name is +Julia, but I call her Tempest, 'case that's jist like her. She's +a regular thunderstorm of lightning, hail and iron slugs. +You'll see her in Frankfort. Goin' into the law thar, are +you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton answered that he thought he should.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," said Mr. Middleton, "I'll give you all my suits, +just because you wouldn't drink and tell a lie to that little gal +at home. I despise liars. Let me catch a body telling me a +lie, I tell you—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he lifted up his huge foot which was encased in a +cowhide boot, something smaller than a canal-boat. He +gave the table a kick which set all the spoons, knives and +forks to dancing, spilt the milk and upset the gravy pot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Mr. Middleton!" interposed his wife.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am sorry, honey," said he, "but I'll be hanged if that ar +sling ain't gettin' the better of the old man."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After supper was over and the effects of the sling had +left Mr. Middleton's head, he inquired further into the intentions +of his guests. On learning that Mr. Raymond +would teach, if he could get the chance, Mr. Middleton said, +"I reckon you can teach in Mr. Miller's school. I'll write +to him about you, and I reckon he can make room for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was well for Raymond that Mr. Middleton did not observe +his smile of contempt at the idea of being recommended +by such an "old cur," as he secretly styled him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a late hour Mr. Middleton conducted the young men to +their room, saying as they entered it, "This was Dick's room, +poor dear boy! For his sake I wish 'twas better, for it was +sometimes cold like in the winter; but he's warm enough +now, I reckon, poor fellow!" So saying, he left the room; +but Stanton noticed upon the old tin candlestick which his +host had put upon the table something which looked very +much like tears, so large that he was sure no one but Mr. +Middleton could have wept them.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter9" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc18" id="toc18"></a><a name="pdf19" id="pdf19"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter IX</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the resemblance of the cousins</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page083">[pg 083]</span><a name="Pg083" id="Pg083" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Among Mr. Middleton's negroes there was a boy twelve +years of age whose name was Bob. On the morning following +the incidents narrated in the last chapter, Bob was sent +up to make a fire for "the young marsters." He had just +coaxed the coal and kindlings into a blaze, when Raymond +awoke, and spying the negro, called out, "Hello, there! Tom, +Dick, Harry, what may be your name?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My name is Bob, sar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Bob is it? Bob what? Have you no other name?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar, 'cept it's Marster Josh. I 'longs to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Belong to Master Josh, do you? His name isn't Josh, it +is Joshua."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then, Bob, if his name is Joshua, what must yours +be?" said Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dun know, unless it's Bobaway," answered the negro, +with a broad grin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Bobaway! That's rich," said Raymond, laughing heartily +at the rapid advancement of his pupil.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment's pause, he again called out, "I say, Bobaway, +did it snow last night?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar, it didn't snow; it done frosted," said Bob.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Done frosted, hey?" said Raymond. "You're a smart +boy, Bob. What'll you sell yourself for?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dun know; hain't nothing to sell 'cept my t'other hat and +a bushel of hickory-nuts," answered Bob; "but I reckon how +marster ax about five hundred, 'case I's right spry when I +hain't got the rheumatiz."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Got the rheumatiz, have you, Bob? Where?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In my belly, sar," answered Bob. Here the young men +burst into a loud laugh, and Raymond said, "Five hundred is +cheap, Bob; I'll give more than that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bob opened his large white eyes to their utmost extent, +and looking keenly at Raymond slowly quitted the room. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page084">[pg 084]</span><a name="Pg084" id="Pg084" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +On reaching the kitchen he told Aunt Judy, who was his +mother, "that ef marster ever acted like he was goin' for to +sell him to that ar chap, what poked fun at him, he'd run +away, sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And be cotched and git shet up," said Aunt Judy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd a heap rather be shet up 'tarnally than to 'long to anybody +'sides Marster Josh," said Bob.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During breakfast Mr. Middleton suddenly exclaimed, +while looking at Stanton, "I've been tryin' ever since you've +been here to think who you look like, and I've jest thought. +It's Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who, sir?" said Stanton in some surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey. D'ye know him?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey of New Orleans?" asked Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The same," returned Mr. Middleton. "You look as much +like him as two peas, only you wear goggles. Connection of +your'n I reckon?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," answered Stanton, "he is my cousin. I have +been told that we resemble each other."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"By Jupiter!" said Mr. Middleton, "that's just the checker. +No wonder I like you so well. And Dr. Lacey goin' to +marry Sunshine, too. Your sweetheart ought to look like +Fanny. Got her picter, hey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton handed him Nellie's daguerreotype, and he pretended +to discover a close resemblance between her and +Fanny; but neither Mrs. Middleton, nor Mr. Ashton could +trace any, for which Mr. Middleton called them both blockheads.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think," said Mrs. Middleton, "that she looks more like +Mr. Ashton than she does like Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is similarity of name which makes her resemble him," +said Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, is her name Ashton?" asked Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," said Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Mebbe she's your sister, Ashton. But Lord knows she +don't look no more like you than she does like old Josh."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She cannot be my sister," said Ashton, "for I had but +one, and she is dead."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After breakfast Mr. Middleton ordered out his carriage +and bade Ike drive the gentlemen to Frankfort.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd go myself," said he, "but I've got a fetched headache. +Give my love to my gals and tell them I'm comin' to see 'em +shortly. You'd better go to the Whizzakor House, till you +find out whether or not Miss Crane 'll board you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young men thanked him for his hospitality, and bade +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page085">[pg 085]</span><a name="Pg085" id="Pg085" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him good morning. As they were leaving the yard they +passed Bob, who was still limping with the "rheumatiz." Raymond +bade Ike stop, while he threw "Bobaway" some +pennies. Bob picked them up and looked at them with a +rueful face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What's the matter, Bobaway?" asked Raymond. "Don't +they suit?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir," said Bob. "I like fopences; I don't want nothin' +of these old iron rocks."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Each of the men threw Bob a sixpence, for which they +were rewarded with a sight of his ivories and a loud +"thank-ee-sar." After a ride of two hours they reached the +Weisiger House in Frankfort. Soon after arriving there, +Mr. Ashton introduced Stanton into one of the best law +offices in the town, and then repaired to his former lodgings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of the afternoon Raymond sought out Mr. +Miller, and with a somewhat quizzical face handed him Mr. +Middleton's letter of introduction. After reading it, Mr. +Miller offered his hand to Raymond, and said, "I am glad, +Mr. Raymond, that you happened here just at this time, for +my school is large, and I am in want of a classical teacher. +You are a graduate of Yale, it seems?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," returned Raymond; "and by the way, Mr. +Middleton told me that you had won a New Haven girl—Miss +Kate Wilmot. I knew her very well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ah, is it possible?" said Mr. Miller, his face beaming. +"Come with me to Mrs. Crane's," said he. "Kate will be +glad to see an old friend."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thank you," answered Raymond; "but I have a companion +with me, a Mr. Stanton, who also knew Miss Wilmot. +He is going into a law office here. We both of us intend +calling at Mrs. Crane's this evening, and if possible we shall +procure board there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So they parted, and Raymond returned to the Weisiger +House, while Mr. Miller hastened home to make some inquiries +concerning his new assistant, and to inform Mrs. +Crane of her prospect for more boarders.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening Stanton and Raymond called. They found +assembled in Mrs. Crane's parlor, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Mrs. +Carrington and Julia. Kate instantly recognized the young +gentlemen as old acquaintances, and presented them to her +friends. When Stanton entered the room all observed the +strong resemblance between him and Dr. Lacey. At last Mr. +Miller spoke of it, and Stanton replied, "Yes, I've been told +so before. Dr. Lacey is my cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page086">[pg 086]</span><a name="Pg086" id="Pg086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Indeed!" said Mr. Miller. Then turning to his wife, he +added, "Where is Fanny? She ought to be here. It might +do her as much good as seeing the doctor himself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I should like to see Miss Fanny," said Stanton, "as I am +told she is to be my cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A malicious smile curled Julia's lip, as she thought, "I +think it is very doubtful whether she is ever your cousin"; +but Mrs. Miller arose and said, "I think she is in her room. +I will call her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Going to Fanny's room she knocked gently at the door; +there was no response, and she knocked again more loudly. +But still there was no answer; and Mrs. Miller thought she +could distinguish a low, stifled sob. Pushing open the door, +she saw the usually gay-hearted Fanny seated on the floor, +her head resting on a chair, over which her hair fell like a +golden gleam of sunlight. A second glance convinced Kate +that Fanny was weeping.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Fanny," said she, "what is the matter? What are +you crying for?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply, but as Mrs. Miller drew her up from +the floor and placed her on the sofa, she laid her head in +Kate's lap and wept still more passionately. At length Mrs. +Miller succeeded in soothing her, and then insisted on knowing +what was the cause of her distress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Fanny, "do not ask me, for I can only tell you +that nobody loves me long at a time—nobody but my dear old +father, mother, and the blacks."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You should not say so, Fanny dear," said Kate. "You +know we all love you very much, and you say that within a +few weeks Julia has been uniformly kind and affectionate to +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I know she is, but—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But what?" said Mrs. Miller. "Anything the trouble +with Dr. Lacey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, that's it! That's it!" said Fanny in a low voice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, what's the matter? Is he sick?" asked Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no. If he were I would go to him. But, Mrs. Miller, +for four long weeks he has not written me one word. Now +if he were sick or dead, somebody would write to me; but it +isn't that—I am afraid he's false. Julia thinks he is, and +she is sorry for me, there is some comfort in that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not written in four weeks? Perhaps he has written and +his letters have been miscarried," said Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no, that cannot be," answered Fanny. "His first +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page087">[pg 087]</span><a name="Pg087" id="Pg087" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +four letters came in the course of two weeks, but since then +I have not had a word."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you written to him since his letters ceased?" asked +Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, once, and I am sorry I did," answered Fanny; "but +I asked Julia if I had better, and she said it would do no +harm."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Perhaps," said Mrs. Miller, "he is intending to return +soon and wishes to surprise you, or it may be he is testing +the strength of your attachment. But I would not suffer myself +to be so much distressed until I was sure he was false. +Come, dry your eyes and go with me to the parlor. There +are some young gentlemen here from New York. One of +them is Dr. Lacey's cousin. He wishes to see you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no, no!" said Fanny, quickly. "I cannot go down. +You must excuse me to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Mrs. Miller returned to the parlor, and said Fanny was +not feeling very well and wished to be excused.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton and Raymond passed a very pleasant evening, and +ere its close they had arranged with Mrs. Crane for rooms +and board. On their way to the hotel, Raymond suddenly +exclaimed, "I say, Bob, I'm head over heels in love!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In love with whom?" was Stanton's quiet reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In love with whom?" repeated Raymond. "Why, Bob, is +it possible your head is so full of Nellie Ashton that you do +not know that we have been in company this evening with +a perfect Hebe, an angel, a divine creature?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Please stop," said Stanton, "and not deal in so many +superlatives. Which of the fair ladies made such havoc with +your heart? Was it Mrs. Crane?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Mrs. Crane! Witch of Endor just as soon," answered +Raymond. "Why, man alive, 'twas the beautiful Mrs. Carrington. +I tell you what, Bob, my destiny is upon me and +she is its star. I see in her my future wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Fred," said Mr. Stanton, "are you crazy? Mrs. +Carrington is at least nearly thirty-five, and you are not yet +twenty-five."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I don't care for that," replied Raymond. "She may be +thirty, and she may be a hundred, but she looks sixteen. Such +glorious eyes I never saw. And she almost annihilated me +with one of her captivating smiles. Her name, too, is my +favorite."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Her name? Pray, how did you learn her name?" asked +Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," answered Raymond, "you know we were talking +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page088">[pg 088]</span><a name="Pg088" id="Pg088" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +together a part of the evening. Our conversation turned +upon names, and I remarked that Ida was my favorite. Bob, +you ought to have seen her smile as she told me Ida was her +own name. Perhaps I said something foolish, for I replied +that Ida was a beautiful name and only fitted for such as she; +but she smiled still more sweetly and said I knew how to +flatter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," answered Stanton. "I hardly think you will win +her, if what our friend Ashton said is true. You have no +million to offer her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, fly on your million!" said Raymond. "She's got to +have me any way. If I can't get her by fair means, I'll resort +to stratagem."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the young man raved for nearly half an hour about +Mrs. Carrington, whose handsome features, glossy curls, +bright eyes, brilliant complexion and agreeable manners had +nearly turned his head. Mrs. Carrington, too, had received +an impression. There was something in Raymond's dashing +manner, which she called "air," and she felt greatly pleased +with his flattering compliments. She thought he would be +a very pleasant companion to flirt with for an hour or two; +but could she have known what his real intentions concerning +her were she would have spurned him with contempt—as +she afterward did.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next day at dinner Stanton and Raymond took their +seats at Mrs. Crane's table. To Raymond's great delight +Mrs. Carrington sat opposite him. Stanton occupied Dr. +Lacey's seat, which brought Fanny directly in front of him. +Fanny had been prepared in a measure for the striking resemblance +between Stanton and Dr. Lacey; but when she +was introduced to him, his looks brought Dr. Lacey so +forcibly before her that she instantly grew pale and half +wished to leave the room. But a look from Mrs. Miller reassured +her, and she took her accustomed place at the table.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ere dinner was over she had forgotten for the time her +lover's neglect, and was in the midst of an animated conversation +with Stanton, who was much pleased with his cousin's +choice. Stanton's looks and manners were so much like Dr. +Lacey's that Fanny felt herself irresistibly drawn toward +him and her face assumed a brighter aspect than it had worn +for many days. Julia watched her closely and felt that +nothing could please her better than a flirtation between +Stanton and her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But such was not a part of Fanny's intentions. She liked +Stanton because he was agreeable, intelligent and Dr. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page089">[pg 089]</span><a name="Pg089" id="Pg089" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Lacey's cousin; but she would sooner have parted with her +right hand than have done anything inconsistent with her +engagement with Dr. Lacey. On the other hand, Stanton's +heart was too strongly fortified with Nellie's charms to admit +of an entrance to the gentle Fanny. But he admired her +very much, and seemed to think that she had some claim +upon him in the absence of his cousin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus, as days went on, his polite attentions toward Fanny +increased, and Julia resolved to make this fact work for +the accomplishment of her designs.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter10" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc20" id="toc20"></a><a name="pdf21" id="pdf21"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter X</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">tempest forges a letter and its results</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page090">[pg 090]</span><a name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Let us now go back for a few weeks and watch Julia's +plot as it progresses. We have learned from Fanny that +four letters arrived from Dr. Lacey; but the fifth she was +destined never to receive. She was expecting it on Tuesday +and was about going to the post office, when Julia said, +"Fanny, I feel just like walking this morning; suppose you +let me run round to the post office and get your expected +letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very well," answered Fanny; "but don't be gone long."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I won't," said Julia, gaily. "You sit down by the window +and when I come round the corner on my return home. I +will hold up your letter, and you will know you have one at +least a minute before I reach home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying she departed, and Fanny sat down by the window +to await her return. For several days past there had +been a change in Julia's deportment. She was very amiable +and kind to the household in general and to Fanny in particular. +This was a part of her plan, so that in the catastrophe +that was about to follow, she might not be suspected +of foul play.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Fanny was surprised at her affectionate advances, +but it was so pleasant to have a sister who would love her +that she did not ask the reason of so sudden a change, and +when Julia very humbly asked forgiveness for all her former +unkindness, the innocent-hearted Fanny burst into tears, +and declared she had nothing to forgive, if her sister would +only continue to love her always. Julia placed a Judas-like +kiss on Fanny's pure brow, and gave a promise that she +would try to be good; but she thought to herself, "this seeming +change will make a favorable impression on Dr. Lacey +when he hears of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She knew that Fanny was expecting a letter on the Tuesday +morning of which we have spoken, and fearing that by +some means Mr. Dunn might fail of securing it, she determined<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page091">[pg 091]</span><a name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to go herself for the mail. When she reached the +post office the sinister smile with which Mr. Dunn greeted +her assured her that he had something for her, and she +readily conjectured that it was Fanny's expected letter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Good morning, Mr. Dunn!" said she. "Anything for me +this morning?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, ma'am," answered Dunn, with a very low bow; and +casting a furtive glance around to make sure that no one +saw him, he drew from his pocket a letter, on which Julia instantly +recognized Dr. Lacey's handwriting. She took it +and placed it in the pocket of her dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On her way home, conscience clamored loudly in behalf +of Fanny's rights. It said, "Beware what you do! Give +Fanny her letter. It is a crime to withhold it." But again +the monitress was stilled, and the crafty girl kept on her +way, firm in her sinful purpose, until she reached the corner +which brought her in sight of the window where Fanny was +impatiently watching for her. The sight of that bright, joyous +face, as it looked from the window, anxious for the expected +sight of her letter, made Julia for a moment waver. +She thought how gentle and loving Fanny had always been +to her and involuntarily her hand sought the letter which +lay like a crushing weight in her pocket. It was half +drawn from its hiding place when the spirit of evil which +seemed ever to follow Julia's footsteps whispered, "Let it +alone. You have gone too far to retreat. You have Dr. +Lacey to win, and it can be done in no other way."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia listened to the tempter, her hand was withdrawn, and +Fanny looked in vain for her letter. A faint sickness stole +over her for a moment but she thought, "Perhaps Julia +means to tease me. I will appear very unconcerned and not +ask for it." So when Julia entered the room, she found +that her sister's attention was suddenly, distracted by something +in the street; but Fanny was not accustomed to dissemble +and the rosy flush on her cheek showed how anxious +she was.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last Julia said, "Why do you not ask for your letter, +Fanny?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Oh, how eager was the expression of the sweet, pale face +which was instantly turned toward the speaker. Springing +up she exclaimed, "Oh, Julia, you have got me one, haven't +you? Please give it to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will tomorrow when it arrives," said Julia. "It has +probably been delayed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page092">[pg 092]</span><a name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Fanny's countenance fell and she said, "Then you haven't +got me a letter? Oh, I'm so sorry!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never mind, sister," said Julia. "It will come tomorrow, +and will seem all the better for waiting."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Tomorrow came, but with it came no letter, and days wore +on, until at last it was Saturday night. Alone in her room +poor Fanny was weeping bitterly. Was Dr. Lacey sick or +dead? This was the question which she continually asked +herself. A suspicion of his unfaithfulness had not yet +entered her mind. While she was yet weeping an arm was +thrown affectionately round her, and a voice whispered in +the sweetest possible tones, "Dear sister, do not weep so. If +he were dead, some one would inform you. And now I think +of it, why do you not write to him? There would be no +harm in doing so. Come, sit down, and write him a few +lines before dark, and I will take them to the office."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Fanny sat down to her writing desk, and the few lines +proved to be a long letter ere she had finished. It was a +most touchingly sad letter, and ought to have drawn tears +from Julia, instead of forcing the malicious smile which +played around her mouth while reading her sister's effusion. +It is needless to say that, although Julia went to the post +office, this letter never did but was placed in a little box by +the side of two others, which had arrived from Dr. Lacey +that week.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After Julia returned from her walk that evening she said, +"Fanny, if I were you I would not tell any one that I did +not hear from Dr. Lacey, for you know it's just possible that +he may not be sick, and in that case your best way would be +to seem quite as forgetful of him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Forgetful!" said Fanny. "Why, Julia, what do you +mean? You cannot—Oh, no, I know you do not think Dr. +Lacey untrue to me?" And Fanny's large blue eyes were +fixed on her sister with as much earnestness as though her +answer could decide her fate forever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not like to think so, any more than you do," said +Julia. "But Dr. Lacey is now in the gay city of New Orleans, +surrounded by beauty and fashion, and were I his +betrothed, I should not think it strange if he did not remain +true to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered slowly, as if speaking were painful to +her, "Oh, no, no! He cannot be false—anything but that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a new idea to her, and that night a weight of sadness, +heavier than she had ever known before, filled her +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page093">[pg 093]</span><a name="Pg093" id="Pg093" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +heart. She thought, "I will wait and see if he answers my +letter before I believe him unfaithful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next day was the Sabbath. About church time Julia +announced her intentions of remaining at home on the plea +of a violent headache. Fanny immediately offered to stay +with her, but Julia declined, saying that sooner than both +should be absent from church she would go herself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly Julia was left alone. She watched her sister +until she disappeared down the street. Then she arose, +and locking the door, drew from her pocket a small key, +and unlocking a rosewood box, took from it one of Dr. +Lacey's letters. Going to her writing desk, she sat down +and commenced imitating his handwriting. She was very +skillful in the art of imitation, and was delighted to find +herself rapidly succeeding in her attempts at counterfeiting. +So busily engaged was she that she did not heed +the lapse of time, until her sister's footsteps were heard +ascending the stairs. She sprang hastily up, and thrusting +her writing materials into the box locked it, and had just +time to throw herself upon the sofa when Fanny knocked +at the door. Julia allowed her to knock twice, and then +getting up she unfastened the door, at the same time +yawning and rubbing her eyes as if just awakened from +a sound slumber.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, sister, I woke you up, didn't I?" said Fanny. +"I am sorry."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No matter," answered Julia, with another yawn, "I feel +better. My nap has done my head good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the afternoon Fanny again went to church, and Julia +resumed the occupation of the morning. She succeeded so +well that before church was out she felt sure that after a +few more attempts she could imitate Dr. Lacey's writing so +exactly as to thoroughly deceive Fanny. "But not yet," said +she to herself; "I do not wish to test my skill yet. It is +hardly time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the days glided away. Nearly two weeks passed, and +there came no answer to Fanny's letter. She did not know +that regularly, twice a week, letters had arrived from New +Orleans, and had been handed to Julia by Mr. Dunn. In the +last of these letters, Dr. Lacey complained because Fanny +had neglected writing so long. We will give the following +extract:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">My Precious Sunshine:</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"—Can it be that you are sick? I do not wish to think +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page094">[pg 094]</span><a name="Pg094" id="Pg094" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +so; and yet what else can prevent your writing? I have +not a thought that you are forgetful of me, for you are too +pure, too innocent to play me false. And yet I am sometimes +haunted by a vague fear that all is not right, for a +dark shadow seems resting over me. One line from you, +dearest Fanny, will fill my heart with sunshine again—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus wrote the doctor, and Julia commented on it as follows: +"Yes, you are haunted, and I am glad of it. The pill +is working well; I'll see whether 'Sunshine,' as you and my +old fool father call her, will steal away everybody's love +for me. I suppose I'm the dark shadow, for father calls me +a spirit of darkness, and yet, perhaps, if he had been more +gentle with me, I might have been better; but now it's too +late." And the letter was placed in the rosewood box by +the side of its companions.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Slowly but surely the painful conviction fixed itself upon +Fanny's mind that Dr. Lacey was false. It was dreadful to +think so, but there seemed no other alternative, and Fanny's +heart grew sadder, and her step less joyous and elastic, while +her merry laugh was now seldom heard ringing out in its +clear, silvery tones, making the servants stop their work to +listen and exclaim, "How lonesome t'would be without Miss +Fanny; she's the life of the house, Lor' bless her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The change was noticed and spoken of by the inmates of +Mrs. Crane's dwelling. Mr. Miller attributed it to a too +close application to books, and recommended her to relax +somewhat in her studies. Fanny had too much of woman's +pride to allow anyone except Julia to know the real cause of +her sadness, and was glad to have her languor ascribed to +over-exertion. On the night when Kate had found her weeping +she had involuntarily told her secret, but she went to +Mrs. Miller the next morning and won from her a promise +not to mention what she had revealed, even to her husband.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stanton's presence seemed to divert Fanny's mind, +and the two weeks following his arrival passed away more +pleasantly than she had thought two weeks could pass, uncheered +by a line from Dr. Lacey. At the end of that time +it pleased Julia that Fanny should have a pretended letter +from New Orleans. Several days were spent in preparing it, +but at last it was completed, folded, sealed and directed. +Mr. Dunn pronounced the deception perfect. He stamped +it with the Frankfort postmark so slightly that one would as +soon have called it "New Orleans" as anything else.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was seated in the parlor in company with Stanton +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page095">[pg 095]</span><a name="Pg095" id="Pg095" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +when Julia suddenly entered the room and said, "Oh, here +you are, sister. I've looked everywhere for you. Here is a +letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One glance at the superscription assured her that it was +from Dr. Lacey. A bright, beautiful flush suffused Fanny's +face, which became irradiated with sudden joy. Asking Mr. +Stanton to excuse her, she went to her rooms, so as to be +alone when she perused the precious document. After she +was gone, Julia spoke of Dr. Lacey and asked Stanton if +he had ever heard from him. Stanton replied, "While Dr. +Lacey was in college he spent a part of his vacations at my +father's; but I almost always chanced to be absent at school, +and consequently we are not much acquainted. He did write +to me a few times while I was in college, but our correspondence +gradually ceased and I have not heard from him +in a long time. I hope he will return to Frankfort, for I +should like to renew our acquaintance."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This answer gave Julia great relief; she had feared Stanton +might write to Dr. Lacey, and that by some means her +scheme might be ruined. But all was safe, and in a few +moments she arose to go to her room and witness the result +of the letter. Let us go before her and see the result for +ourselves.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On reaching her apartment, Fanny sat down on the sofa, +while a tremulous nervousness shook her frame. She +dreaded to open the letter, for a strange forboding of evil +came over her. At last the seal was broken and Fanny's +heart stood still, and a dizziness crept over her as she read. +For the reader's benefit we will look over her shoulder and +read with her the following:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">My once +dear and still much admired Fanny</span></span>: +I hardly know how to write what I wish to tell you. If I knew +exactly your opinion concerning me, I might feel differently. +As it is I ardently hope that your extreme youth prevented +my foolish, but then sincere, attentions from making any +very lasting impression on you. But why not come to the +point at once. Fanny, you must try and forget that you ever +knew one so wholly unworthy of you as I am. It gives me +great pain to write it, but I am about to engage myself to +another.</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do not condemn me unheard. There is a young lady in +this city, who is beautiful, wealthy and accomplished. Between +her father's family and mine there has long existed an +intimacy which our fathers seem anxious to strengthen by +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page096">[pg 096]</span><a name="Pg096" id="Pg096" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a union between myself and the young lady I have mentioned. +For a time I resisted manfully. For, ever between +me and the tempting bait came the image of a pale, bright-haired +girl, whose blue eyes looked mournfully into mine and +whispered, 'Do not leave me.' But at last I yielded, and now, +Fanny, will you forgive me? It cost me more anguish to +give you up than I hope you will ever feel. Be happy, +Fanny, and some time when I am traveling through Kentucky, +let me find you the cheerful, contented wife of some +one more suitable for you than I am. With kind wishes for +your happiness, I remain,</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Your true friend,</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">George Lacey.</span></span>"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"P.S.—It is just possible that the young lady and myself +may not become engaged, but if we do not, after what has +passed, it will be best for you and me to try to forget each +other. Give my compliments to your sister Julia. By the +way, do you know that I always admired her very much? +What a sensation she would make in the fashionable world +of New Orleans. But pshaw! What nonsense I'm writing."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Alas for Fanny! She did not need to read the letter twice, +for every syllable had burned into her soul, and she could +have repeated each word of the cruel message. This, then, +was the end of her bright dream of bliss! She did not weep, +for she could not. The fountain of her tears seemed dried +up. A heavy weight had suddenly fallen on all her faculties. +The objects in the room chased each other in rapid +circles, while Dr. Lacey stood in the distance mocking her +anguish. A faint feeling gathered round her heart. She +uttered a low cry and fell heavily forward.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Julia entered the room she found her sister extended +on the floor, cold and white as a piece of marble, +while the blood was gushing from her nostrils and moistening +the curls of her long hair. Julia's first feeling was one +of intense horror, or fear her sister might be dead, but a +touch assured her that Fanny had only fainted. So she lifted +her up, and bearing her to the window applied the usual restoratives. +As Julia looked on the death-like face of her +young sister she murmured, "Had I thought she loved him +so well, never would I have done so wickedly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But she made no promise to repair the mischief, and stifled +all the better impulses of her nature by saying, "It is too +late now: it is too late."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page097">[pg 097]</span><a name="Pg097" id="Pg097" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>At last Fanny opened her eyes. Her first thought was for +her letter, which was still tightly clenched in her hand. Passing +it to Julia she said, faintly, "Read it, sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia took it, and pretending to read it, burst into a violent +passion, abusing Dr. Lacey for his meanness, and ending by +telling Fanny that she ought to consider herself fortunate in +escaping from such a man. Fanny seemed disturbed to hear +evil spoken of Dr. Lacey, so Julia changed her manner, and +said, "I do not wonder you feel badly, Fanny. You and I +can sympathize together now."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny looked at her sister in some surprise, but at last +answered, "Oh no, you cannot know how I feel. Mr. Wilmot +loved you to the last. Dr. Lacey is not dead, but—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Julia interrupted her by saying, "I do not mean to +refer to Mr. Wilmot. I was flattered by his attentions, but +I never knew what it was to love until I saw Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey!—You love Dr. Lacey!" said Fanny, and +again she fell back cold and motionless. A second time Julia +restored her to consciousness, but for an hour she did not +speak or scarcely move. At the end of that time, calling her +sister to her, in a low, subdued tone, she said, "Tell me all, +Julia. I can bear it. I am calm now."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The traitress kissed her cheek, and taking one of the +little hands in hers, told her how truly she had loved Dr. +Lacey, and how she had struggled against it when she saw +that he loved another. "I have," said she, "lain awake many +a night, and while you slept sweetly, dreaming, perhaps, of +your lover, I have wept bitter tears because I must go +alone through the cold world, unloved and uncared for. And +forgive me, Fanny, but sometimes I have felt angered at +you, because you seemed to steal everybody's love from me. +Our old father never speaks to me with the same affection +which marks his manner when addressing you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know it, I know it," said Fanny. "I wish he would not +do so, but Dr. Lacey—Dr. Lacey—I never thought you +wanted him to love you; if I had—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What would you have done?" asked Julia, with noticeable +eagerness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The voice was mournfully low which replied, "I would +have given him up for you. I could not have married one +whom my sister loved." And then she suddenly added, "It +seems doubtful whether he marries that young lady. If +anything should happen to prevent it, he may yet make you +his wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And you, what would you do?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page098">[pg 098]</span><a name="Pg098" id="Pg098" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Oh, it is impossible for me to marry him now," said +Fanny. "But if you were happy with him, I would try to be +happy, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God bless you, sweet sister," said Julia; "but it will never +be."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply, and after a moment's silence Julia +said, "Sister, if I were you I would keep all this a secret, +and even if I were unhappy, I would try to assume a forced +cheerfulness, for fear people would suspect the truth, and +call me lovesick."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply to this either. She was trying to still +the painful throbs of her aching heart. Through all the +long, weary hours of that night she was awake. Sometimes +she would watch the myriad host of stars, as they kept on +their unwearied course through the clear, blue sky, and +would wonder if there was room beyond them for one so +unhappy as she was, and would muse on the past days of +happiness now forever gone, and although a choking sensation +was in her throat, not a tear moistened her cheek. "I +shall never weep again," thought she, "and why should I? +The world will not know what I suffer. I will be as gay and +merry as ever." And a fearful laugh rang through the room +as she said, "Yes, how gayly I'll dance at the wedding. I'll +hold my heart so fast that none shall ever know in how many +pieces it is broken."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus she talked on. Delirium was stealing over her, and +when morning broke, the rapid moving of her bright eye, +and the crimson spot which burned on either cheek, showed +that brain fever was doing its work.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A physician was immediately called and by the means of +powerful remedies the progress of the disease was checked, +so that Fanny was seriously ill for only a week. She was +delirious a great part of the time, but Julia was delighted to +find out that not one word of Dr. Lacey ever passed her lips. +At the commencement of her illness her father and mother +were sent for. The old man came quickly, for Fanny was +his idol, and if she should die, he would be bereaved indeed. +With untiring love he watched by her bedside until the crisis +was passed. He would fan her fevered brow, moisten her +parched lips, chafe her hot, burning hands, smooth her +tumbled pillow, and when at last he succeeded in soothing her +into a troubled slumber, he would sit by her and gaze on her +wan face with an earnestness which seemed to say that she +was his all of earth, his more than all of heaven. Julia too +was all attention. Nothing tired her, and with unwearied +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page099">[pg 099]</span><a name="Pg099" id="Pg099" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +patience she came and went at her father's bidding, doing a +thousand little offices pertaining to a sick chamber. For once +her father's manner softened toward her and the tones +of his voice were gentle and his words kind while speaking +to his first born. Could he have known what part she had +in causing the illness of his "darling Sunshine," all Frankfort +would have shaken with the heavy artillery of oaths and +execrations, which would have been disgorged from his +huge lungs, like the eruption of some long pent-up volcano! +But he did not suspect the truth, and in speaking of Fanny's +illness, he said, "It is studyin' so close that ailed her. As +soon as ever she can bar to be moved, we will carry her +home, and Aunt Katy'll nuss her up quicker."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, as soon as the physician pronounced it safe +to move her, she was taken home, and by her mother's assiduous +care, and Aunt Katy's skilful nursing, her physical health +was soon much improved. But no medicine could reach the +plague spot which preyed upon her heart and cast a dark +shadow over every feeling of pleasure. As soon as her health +was fully restored, she asked permission to return to school. +At first Mr. Middleton refused, but not long did he ever withstand +any request which "Sunshine" made. So at last he +consented, on condition that she would give up the study of +Latin, and promise not to apply herself too closely to anything. +To this Fanny readily agreed, and in a few days she +was in Frankfort, occupying her accustomed seat at Mrs. +Crane's and bending over her task in the old schoolroom, +which seemed suddenly illuminated by her presence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The schoolgirls welcomed back their young companion with +many demonstrations of joy, for they said, "the schoolroom +seemed dark and lonely when she was absent." Dear little +Fanny! There was love enough left for her in the hearts of +all who knew her, but it did not satisfy. There was still an +aching void, which one love alone could fill, and that love she +thought was lost to her forever. She was mistaken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During her illness she thought much of what Julia had said +relative to concealing her disappointment with an assumed +gayety, and she resolved to do so, partly from wounded pride, +and partly from love of her dear old father, who seemed distressed +whenever anything troubled his "Sunshine." When +she returned to Frankfort none but the most acute observer +would have suspected that the sparkling eye and dancing footstep +were the disguise of a desolate, aching heart and that the +merry laugh and witty repartee were but the echoes of a knell +of sadness, whose deepest tones were stifled ere they reached +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page100">[pg 100]</span><a name="Pg100" id="Pg100" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the ear of the listener. In the darkness of night however, all +was changed. The Sunshine was obscured, and Julia alone +knew what anguish Fanny endured. Still the cruel girl never +wavered in her purpose. "The worst is over," said she. "She +will not die now, even if she saw him wedded to me." So she +suffered her sister's cheek to grow paler, and her delicate form +thinner, at the supposed desertion of her lover. Little did +Fanny think that he, whose false-heartedness she deplored, +dreamed each night of his distant dear one, and that each day +his warm heart beat more quickly, because no tidings came +from her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few days after Fanny's return there came cards of invitation +for a large party at the residence of a Mr. C——. The +evening was propitious, and at the usual hour Mrs. C——'s +parlors were filled with the beauty and fashion of the city. +Among all the belles who that evening graced the brilliantly +lighted drawing rooms, none was so much admired as Julia +Middleton, who appeared dressed in a rich crimson velvet +robe, tastefully trimmed with ermine. Magnificent bracelets, +which had cost her father almost as many oaths as dollars, +glittered on her white, rounded arms. Her snowy neck, which +was also uncovered, was without ornament. Her glossy hair, +dark as night, was arranged in the most becoming manner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the time Mr. Middleton had given Julia her bracelets, he +had presented Fanny with a bandeau of pearls. But Julia +found it an easy task to persuade her sister that pearls were +not becoming to her style of beauty; so on the evening of the +party they gleamed amid the heavy braids of Julia's hair. +Wherever she went she was followed by a train of admirers, +who had little thought that that soft smile and beautiful face +concealed a heart as hard as the flinty rock.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Contrary to all the rules of propriety, the heartless Mrs. +Carrington was there, dealing out her fascinating smiles and +bland words. She had thrown aside her mourning for the +occasion and was arrayed in a dress of black velvet. An elegant +lace bertha covered her white, beautiful neck, while one +of her fair arms was clasped by a diamond bracelet. To this +bracelet was attached a small locket which contained the +daguerreotype of him, upon whose quiet grave the suns of +scarce five months had risen and set. Amid that brilliant +scene she had no thought for the dead, but others wondered +much that he should be so soon forgotten. She was attended +by Raymond, who scarcely left her side during the whole +evening, although she made several ineffectual attempts to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page101">[pg 101]</span><a name="Pg101" id="Pg101" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +shake him off, for she did not care to be too much noticed by +a "poor Yankee schoolmaster."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Henry Ashton was also there, but his attention was wholly +engrossed in the bright eyes and sunny face of Florence +Woodburn, who had recently returned from Philadelphia, +where she had been attending for the last two years. Florence +was the only daughter of the Mr. Woodburn, who was +mentioned in the first chapter of this narrative. Her father +lived several miles from the city, but she had friends in town +and spent much of her time there. She was very handsome +and very agreeable, and as she would probably be quite an +heiress, her appearance in the fashionable world created a +great sensation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the evening, as she was standing by Ashton and +commenting on Julia's wondrous beauty, she said, "Where is +the younger Miss Middleton? Is she as handsome as her +sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton replied, "She is not called half as beautiful, but she is +much more amiable; but see there she comes," continued he, as +Fanny entered the room leaning on Stanton's arm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was so pale that her skin seemed almost transparent, +but the excitement of the evening brought a bright glow to her +cheek which greatly enhanced her loveliness. She was simply +attired in a plain white muslin, low at the neck, which was +veiled by the soft curls of her silken hair. Her arms were encircled +by a plain band of gold, and a white, half-opened rosebud +was fastened to the bosom of her dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she entered the room many admiring eyes were turned +toward her, and Miss Woodburn exclaimed, "Oh, how lovely +she is. Her sister seems more like the flashing diamond, while +Fanny's beauty is like the soft lustre of the pearl. But tell +me," she continued, "is she not engaged to a Dr. Lacey of +New Orleans?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, or, that is, it was so rumored," answered Ashton, "but +he has gone home, and since then I have heard nothing of it. +Young Stanton seems very attentive. I should not wonder if +something grows out of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Always making matches, Mr. Ashton," said Mrs. Carrington, +who for a moment rid herself of Raymond and now came +near Ashton and Florence. She had heard them speak of Dr. +Lacey and Fanny, and as she knew Florence was soon going +to New Orleans, she wished to give her a little Frankfort +gossip to take with her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Mrs. Carrington," said Mr. Ashton, bowing politely, +"allow me to introduce Miss Woodburn. We were just talking +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page102">[pg 102]</span><a name="Pg102" id="Pg102" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of the probability of Miss Fanny's being engaged to Dr. +Lacey. Perhaps you can enlighten us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Mrs. Carrington, "I assure you I know but little +about the matter. It is rather uncertain whom Miss Fanny +likes or dislikes. It is currently reported that she was in love +with a Mr. Wilmot, who died, and who was known to be engaged +to her sister. Since then Dr. Lacey has flirted with +her, whether seriously or not I cannot tell; I should rather +think not, however, for Mr. Stanton now seems to be the +favored one."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Mr. Ashton, "I never supposed Fanny was so +much of a coquette."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Neither do I think she is," said Florence, whose heart +warmed toward Fanny as soon as she saw her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Perhaps she is not," said Mrs. Carrington. "Fanny is very +young yet, but when fully matured will perhaps make a noble +woman, but she has not the solidity of her sister, who tries +hard to keep her from assuming the appearance of a flirt." +Then turning to Florence, she said, "I believe you are soon +going to New Orleans?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, madam," answered Florence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You will probably meet Dr. Lacey there," continued Mrs. +Carrington. "Perhaps you had better say nothing to him +about Fanny's flirtation with Stanton, for he would hardly believe +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence merely nodded, thinking to herself that she should +do as she chose about it. From the first she had been attracted +toward Fanny. There was something in her face, and in the +expression of her eye, which interested Florence. It seemed +to her that Fanny would gladly have left the scene of gayety, +and going out by herself, would have poured out all her soul in +tears. She earnestly desired an introduction, and at last it +was obtained. There must have been some secret magnet +which attracted these young girls toward each other, for in a +few moments they were arm in arm, talking familiarly upon +different topics as though they had been acquainted a lifetime.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence was a warm-hearted, affectionate girl, and after a +time she said, "Miss Middleton, I am going to New Orleans +soon. I believe you have an acquaintance there. If I see him +what shall I tell him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's voice trembled slightly as she answered, "Tell +whom?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Miss Middleton," said Florence, laughing gayly, "how +that blush becomes you! Tell whom? Why, whom should it +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page103">[pg 103]</span><a name="Pg103" id="Pg103" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +be but Dr. Lacey, who everybody, except Mrs. Carrington, +says is engaged to you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The fire shot in to Fanny's eyes, but one look at the open +face at her side assured her, and she answered, "I am not answerable +for what the world pleases to say of me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am to consider the report true, then," persisted Florence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A momentary struggle took place in Fanny's mind. Love +and resentment strove for the mastery. The latter conquered, +and the voice was calm and decided which replied, "I assure +you, Miss Woodburn, that Dr. Lacey bears no relation to me +except that of a common acquaintance."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Indeed," said Florence. "I am sorry, for I was anticipating +much pleasure in describing Dr. Lacey's intended lady +to the New Orleans girls."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not answer, and as Stanton just then approached, +and asked her to go to the music room, she took his arm +readily, glad to escape so painful a conversation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is a strange girl," thought Florence, "and yet I know I +should love her. I wonder what makes her so sad. Can it +be that she really loved that Mr. Wilmot? At any rate, I +am sorry for her and hope she will marry Mr. Stanton, who +seems much pleased with her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was the impression left on Florence's mind, which +was productive of much mischief. At a late hour the company +dispersed. Fanny returned home, weary and sick at +heart. Her conversation with Florence had awakened painful +reminiscences of the past, and the gray daylight was +beginning to streak the eastern horizon ere her heavy lids +closed in slumber. In a few days Florence Woodburn departed +for New Orleans, where her mother's brother resided. +We will take passage with her and pay a visit to Dr. Lacey in +his Southern home.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter11" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc22" id="toc22"></a><a name="pdf23" id="pdf23"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">a glance at new orleans society</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page104">[pg 104]</span><a name="Pg104" id="Pg104" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The house which Dr. Lacey occupied was situated on one +of the pleasantest streets of New Orleans. It was a large, +airy structure, which had formerly been owned by a wealthy +French gentleman who had spared neither money nor pains +to adorn it with every elegance which could minister to the +luxurious habits common to a Southern clime. When it passed +into the hands of Dr. Lacey's father, he gratified his Northern +taste, and fitted it up with every possible convenience, molding +its somewhat ancient aspect into a more modern style.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Dr. Lacey reached the age of twenty-one, his father +made him the owner of the house, he himself removing to another +part of the city. At the time of which we are speaking, +nothing could exceed the beauty of the house and grounds.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The yard which surrounded the building was large, and +laid out with all the taste of a perfect connoisseur. In its center +was a fountain, whose limpid waters fell into a large +marble basin, while the spray which constantly arose from the +falling stream seemed to render the heat of that sultry climate +less oppressive. Scattered throughout the yard were the +numerous trees and flowering shrubs which grow in profusion +at the "sunny South." Here the beautiful magnolia shook its +white blossoms in the evening breeze, and there the dark green +foliage of the orange trees formed an effectual screen from +the mid-day sun.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The building was surrounded on all sides by a double piazza, +the slender pillars of which were entwined by the flowering +honeysuckle and luxuriant passion-flower, which gave the +house the appearance of a closely wreathed arbor. Within the +piazza was filled with rare tropical plants. The beautiful +oleander, magnificent rose and sweet-scented geranium, here +united their fragrance, while the scarlet verbenum and brilliant +heliotrope added beauty to the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The interior of the building corresponded with the exterior. +The rooms, large and airy, were carpeted with velvet, and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page105">[pg 105]</span><a name="Pg105" id="Pg105" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +adorned with costly marble and rosewood furniture. The +windows, which were constructed in the French style, that is, +reaching to the floor, were curtained with richly-embroidered +lace. Let us ascend the winding staircase, and enter the dressing +room of the owner of all this splendor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Half reclining on a crimson lounge sits Dr. Lacey, dressed in +a fashionable brocade morning gown. On first glancing at +him we think there is no change in his countenance since we +last saw him on Mrs. Crane's steps in Frankfort, but as we +note the expression of his face we can perceive a shade of +anxiety resting there. At last he rises and rather impatiently +pulls the bell rope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His summons is immediately answered by an exquisite +dandy, who is neither African, European, French, nor Spanish, +but an odd mixture of the four. He is dressed in the extreme +of fashion, and on entering the room bows most gracefully, +at the same time casting an admiring glance at himself +in the large mirror, and passing his hand carelessly +through his perfumed locks. With the utmost deference, he +awaits the commands of his master.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, Rondeau," said Dr. Lacey, "haven't you finished +breakfast yet?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster," answered Rondeau, with a very low bow. +"I've got through a moment since. What can I do for you. +Will you ride this morning?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," answered Dr. Lacey, "I do not wish to ride, but I +want you to go to the post office and back immediately; remember +now, and not stop to gossip."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly not," said the negro. "When marster's in a +hurry, Rondeau is never foolin' away time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And don't stop more than an hour in the kitchen to talk to +Leffie. Do you understand?" continued the doctor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, I won't," said Rondeau, extending his mouth into +a broad grin at his master's allusion to Leffie, a bright-looking, +handsome, mulatto girl, whom next to himself, Rondeau +thought was the prettiest creature in the world.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last he bowed himself out of the room, and proceeded to +execute his master's commands. On passing the kitchen, he +"just looked in a little," and the sight of Leffie's bright +eyes and rosy lips made him forgetful of his promise. Going +up to her, he announced his intention of kissing her. A violent +squabble ensued, in which the large china dish which +Leffie held in her hand was broken, two pickle jars thrown +down, chairs upset, the baby scalded, and the dog Tasso's +tail nearly crushed! At last Aunt Dilsey, the head cook and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page106">[pg 106]</span><a name="Pg106" id="Pg106" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +mother of Leffie, interposed, and seizing the soup ladle as the +first thing near her, she laid about her right and left, dealing +no very gentle blows at the well-oiled hair of Rondeau, who +was glad to beat a retreat from the kitchen, amid the loud +laughter of the blacks who had witnessed the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leaving the house he was soon on his way to the post office, +and having procured his master's mail he started for home. At +length, slackening his pace, he took from his pocket the letters +and carefully scrutinized the inscription of each. He was +in the habit of going to the post office, and after his master's +return from Kentucky, he had noticed two or three letters +written in what he called "a mighty fineified hand," and he +had whispered to Leffie as a great secret that "'twere his private +opinion marster was going to marry some Kentucky girl." +Recently he had noticed the absence of those letters, and also +the absence of his master's accustomed cheerfulness. Rondeau +was pretty keen, and putting the two circumstances together, +he again had a whispered conference with Leffie, +whom he told that "most probably the Kentucky girl had +flunked, for marster hadn't had a letter in ever so long, and +every time he didn't get one he looked as blue as a whetstone!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Glad on't," said Leffie. "Hope he won't have any your +foreigners. Allus did wish he'd have Miss Mortimer. Next +to old marster and young marster Lacey, her father's the toppinest +man in New Orleans. And it's a pity for young marster +to stoop."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After examining all the letters closely, Rondeau came to the +conclusion that the right one wasn't there, and he thought, +"Well, Leffie'll be glad, and marster'll be sorry, and hang me +if I ain't sorry too, for marster's a plaguey fine chap, and desarves +anybody there is in Kentucky."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile Dr. Lacey was anxiously awaiting Rondeau's +return, and when he caught sight of him, coming at an unusually +rapid pace toward the house, he thought, "Surely +Rondeau would never hurry so if he had not good news for +me," but the next thought was, "How should he know what it +is I am so anxious to get?" Still he waited rather impatiently +for Rondeau to make his appearance. In a moment he entered +the room, and commenced pulling the letters from his pocket, +saying, "I've got a heap this time, marster."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then laid them one by one on the marble dressing table, +counting them as he did so; "Thar's one, thar's two, thar's +three, thar's four."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Stop counting them, can't you, and give me all you have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page107">[pg 107]</span><a name="Pg107" id="Pg107" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +directly," said Dr. Lacey, as his eye ran hurriedly over the +superscription of each, and found not the one he sought.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That's jist what I've done, marster," said Rondeau, bowing. +"The one you want wasn't thar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey glanced hastily at his servant, and felt assured +that the quick-witted negro was in possession of his secret. +"You may go," said he, "and mind, never let me hear of your +commenting about my letters."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, marster, never; 'strue's I live," said Rondeau, who left +the room and went in quest of Leffie. But he did not dare +to repeat the scene of the morning, for Aunt Dilsey was +present, bending over a large tub of boiling suds, and he felt +sure that any misdemeanor on his part would call forth a +more affectionate shower bath than he cared about receiving. +So he concluded to bring about his purpose by complimenting +Aunt Dilsey on her fine figure (she weighed just two hundred!).</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Aunt Dilsey," said he, "'pears to me you have an uncommon +good form, for one as plump and healthy-like as you +are."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey was quite sensitive whenever her size was +alluded to, and she replied rather sharply: "You git along, +you bar's ile skullcap. 'Twon't be healthy for you to poke fun +at me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"'Pon my word," said the mischievous Rondeau, "I ain't +poking fun at you. I do really think so. I thought of it last +Sunday, when you had on that new gown, that becomes you +so well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Which one?" said Aunt Dilsey, a little mollified, "the blue +and yaller one?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The same," answered Rondeau. "It fits you good. Your +arm looks real small in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie was nearly convulsed with laughter, for she had tried +the experiment, and found that the distance round her mother's +arm was just the distance round her own slender waist.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do tell!" said Aunt Dilsey, stopping from her work and +wiping the drops of perspiration from her shining forehead. +"Do tell! It feels drefful sleek on me, but my old man Claib +says it's too tight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not an atom too tight," answered Rondeau, at the same +time getting nearer and nearer to Leffie, and laying his hand +on her shoulder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before she was aware of his intention, he stole the kiss he +was seeking for. Leffie rewarded him by spitting in his face, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page108">[pg 108]</span><a name="Pg108" id="Pg108" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +while Aunt Dilsey called out, "Ain't you 'shamed to act so, +Leffie? Don't make a fool of yourself!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Assured by this speech, Rondeau turned, and kissing Aunt +Dilsey herself, was off just in time to escape a basin of hot +suds which that highly-scandalized lady hurled after him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'll tell marster this minute," said she, "and see if he hain't +got nothin' to set the lazy lout a-doin'." So saying, the old +lady waddled into the house, and going upstairs, knocked at +Dr. Lacey's door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come in," said the doctor, and Aunt Dilsey entered. In a +very sad tone, she commenced telling how "that 'tarnal Rondeau +was raising Cain in the kitchen. He's kissed Leffie, and +me too!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Kissed you, has he?" said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sar, he done that ar very thing, spang on the mouth," +said Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, Dilsey," said the doctor with a roguish twinkle of +the eye, "don't you think he ought to be paid?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey began to cry, and said, "I never thought that +marster would laugh at old Aunt Dilsey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Neither will I," said the doctor. Then tossing her a +picayune, he said, "take that, Aunt Dilsey. I reckon it will +pay for the kiss. I'll see that Rondeau does not repeat his +offense, on you at least."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey went back to the kitchen, thinking that "Marster +George was the funniest and best marster on earth."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Rondeau was carrying on his flirtation in the kitchen, +Dr. Lacey was differently employed. Hope deferred had well +nigh made his heart sick. "What can be the reason," thought +he, "that Fanny does not write? I have written repeatedly +for the last two months and have had no answer." Then as a +new idea struck him, he added, "Yes, I'll write to Mr. Miller, +and ask him what has happened." Suiting the action to the +word, he drew up his writing desk, and in a short time a letter +was written and directed to Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He arose to summon Rondeau to take it to the office; but +ere he had touched the bell rope, pride whispered, "Don't send +that letter; don't let Mr. Miller into your private affairs. If +Fanny were sick, some one would write to you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the bell was not rung, and during the next half-hour +Dr. Lacey amused himself by mechanically tearing it into +small fragments. Ah, Dr. Lacey, 'twas a sorry moment when +you listened to the whispering of that pride! Had that letter +been sent, it would have saved you many sleepless nights of +sorrow. But it was not to be.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page109">[pg 109]</span><a name="Pg109" id="Pg109" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>That night there was to be a large party at the house of Mr. +Mortimer, whom Leffie had mentioned as second to the Laceys +in wealth. Mr. Mortimer was the uncle at whose house Florence +Woodburn was visiting, and the party was given in +honor of her arrival, and partly to celebrate Mabel Mortimer's +birthday. Mabel was an intelligent, accomplished girl, +and besides being something of a beauty, was the heiress expectant +of several hundred thousand. This constituted her +quite a belle, and for three or four years past she and Dr. +Lacey had been given to each other by the clever gossips of +New Orleans. Mr. Lacey senior was also rather anxious +that his son should marry Mabel; so Julia was not far out of +the way when she wrote to Fanny that Dr. Lacey's parents +wished to secure a match between him and a New Orleans +belle. Had Dr. Lacey never seen Fanny, he possibly might +have wedded Mabel. But his was a heart which could love +but once, and although the object of his love should prove +untrue, his affections could not easily be transferred to another; +so that it was all in vain that Mabel Mortimer, on the +evening of the party, stood before her mirror arranging and +rearranging the long curls of her dark hair and the folds of +her rich white satin, wondering all the while if Dr. Lacey +would approve her style of dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Turning to Florence, she said, "Cousin, did you see Dr. +Lacey while he was in Frankfort?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No; I did not," answered Florence; "but I do hope he will +be here tonight, for I am all impatient to see this lion who has +turned all your heads."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A slight shade of displeasure passed over Mabel's fine features, +but quickly casting it off she said, "Why are you so +anxious, Florence? Have you any designs on him? If you +have, they will do you no good, for I have a prior claim, and +you must not interfere."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear me, how charmingly you look!" said Florence. "But, +fair coz, do not be too sanguine. Suppose I should tell you +that far off in old Kentuck, as the negroes say, there is a +golden-haired little girl, who has—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Stop, stop," said Mabel. "You shall not tell me. I will +not hear it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At that instant the doorbell rang, and in a moment several +young girls entered the dressing room, and in the chattering +and laughing and fixing which followed, Mabel forgot what +her cousin had been saying. After a time the young ladies +descended to the spacious drawing rooms, which were rapidly +filling with the elite of the city.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page110">[pg 110]</span><a name="Pg110" id="Pg110" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mabel's eye took in at a glance all the gentlemen, and she +felt chagrined to find Dr. Lacey absent. "What if he should +not come?" thought she. "The party would be a dreadfully +dull affair to me." Some time after, she missed Florence and +two or three other girls, and thinking they were in the parlor +above, she went in search of them. She found them on the +balcony not far from the gentlemen's dressing room, the windows +of which were open. As she approached them, they +called out, "Oh, here you are, Mabel! Florence is just going +to tell us about Dr. Lacey's sweetheart."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey's sweetheart!" repeated Mabel. "Who is Dr. +Lacey's sweetheart, pray?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do not blush so, Mabel; we do not mean you," said Lida +Gibson, a bright-eyed, witty girl, with a sprinkling of malice +in her nature.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Of course you do not mean me," said Mabel, laughingly. +"But come, cousin; what of her?" And the young girls drew +nearer to each other, and waited anxiously for Florence's +story.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Little did they suspect that another individual, with flushed +brow, compressed lip and beating heart was listening to hear +tidings of her whom Florence had designated as his sweetheart. +Dr. Lacey had entered the gentlemen's dressing room +unobserved. He heard the sound of merry voices on the balcony, +and was about to step out and surprise the girls when he +caught the sound of his own name coupled with that of Fanny +Middleton. His curiosity was aroused and he became a listener +to the following conversation:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come, Florence," said Lida, "do not keep us in suspense +any longer. Tell us whether she is black or white, fat or +lean, rich or poor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But first," said Mabel, "tell us how you know she is anything +to Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That is what I don't know," said Florence. "I am only +speaking of what has been."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then," said Mabel, more gayly, "go on,"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"This Fanny Middleton," said Florence, "looks just as you +would imagine a bright angel to look."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">How Dr. Lacey blessed her for these words.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But," continued Florence, "there is a singularly sad expression +on her marble face."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I never observed it," thought Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What makes her sad?" asked Lida.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That is a mystery to me," answered Florence. "Report +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page111">[pg 111]</span><a name="Pg111" id="Pg111" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +says that she loved a Mr. Wilmot, who was engaged to her +sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Engaged to her sister!" repeated Mabel. "How strange! +But won't it make trouble?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It cannot," said Florence. "Mr. Wilmot is dead, and it is +whispered that Fanny's heart was buried with him. I should +not be surprised if it were so, for Fanny has the saddest face +I ever saw. It made me want to cry when I looked at her. I +should have pitied her more, however, had she not been so well +cared for by a Mr. Stanton, of New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Large drops of perspiration stood thickly on Dr. Lacey's +forehead, and his hands, convulsively clasped, were pressed +against his heart; still he did not lose a syllable as Florence +continued, "I did not blame her for liking Stanton, for he +would break half your hearts and turn the rest of you crazy."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But the sister," asked all the young ladies, "how was she +affected to think Fanny loved her betrothed?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, that sister!" said Florence. "You ought to see her! +She is beautiful beyond anything I can describe. She eclipsed +everything and everybody."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And she is as agreeable as handsome?" asked Mabel, +whose fears were aroused that Julia might be the rival, instead +of Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence replied, "I was told that she was formerly very +passionate, so much so that her father nicknamed her Tempest. +Within a few months she has entirely changed, and is +now very amiable; but I like Fanny's looks the best."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But Dr. Lacey—what had he to do with Fanny?" asked +Lida.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It was said they were engaged; but I do not think they +are. In fact, I know they are not, from what Fanny said herself; +for she assured me that Dr. Lacey was nothing to her +more than a common acquaintance; and the sad but sweet +smile which broke over her face whenever she raised, her soft +blue eyes to Stanton's animated countenance confirmed what +she said."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"So, Mabel, you can have the doctor after all," said Lida. +"You know you used to say that it was all settled, for your +parents and his had arranged it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey waited for no more. He knew of a back stairway +down which he could escape into the open air unobserved. +In a moment he stood alone in Mr. Mortimer's garden, but the +evening breeze, although it cooled his brow, failed to calm his +excited feelings. Suddenly it occurred to him that his absence +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg 112]</span><a name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +from Mr. Mortimer's would excite attention in those who saw +him enter, so he made a desperate effort to be calm, and retracing +his steps, was soon in the drawing room with Mabel +Mortimer on his arm, much to that young lady's satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they passed near a group of girls, in the center of which +stood Florence Woodburn, Mabel suddenly said, "Oh, Dr. +Lacey, let me introduce you to cousin Florence. She has just +come from Frankfort and knows some of your acquaintances +there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, she drew him toward Florence, who had all the +evening been waiting for an introduction to him. Dr. Lacey +rather wished to avoid making Florence's acquaintance, fearing +that she might say something to him of Fanny. But there +was no escape, and he greeted Florence with a smile and a +bow, which, to use her own words, "nearly drove every idea +from her head."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Once during the evening he found himself standing with +Florence, alone, near an open window. Florence improved +her opportunity, and raising her bewitching hazel eyes to the +doctor's face, said, "Why do you not ask me about your Kentucky +friends, Dr. Lacey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Had Florence observed her companion closely, she would +have noticed the pallor which for an instant overspread his +face. It passed away, and he replied with an assumed gayety, +"How should I know that we have any acquaintances in common +in Frankfort?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before Florence had time to reply, Mabel joined them. She +was unwilling to risk a tete-a-tete between the doctor and +her fascinating cousin, and as soon as she found them standing +alone she went up to them. Her example was followed by +several other young ladies, among whom was Lida Gibson, +who began by saying, "Doctor, do you know that Miss Florence +has told us all about your love affairs, and also described +the Golden Fairy? Now, why didn't you fall in love with +her sister? Florence says she is far more beautiful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey answered calmly, "What reason has Miss Woodburn +to think I am in love with either."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No reason," said Mabel, quickly; "neither does she think +you are in love with her either."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear me," said Lida. "Of course you do not wish me to +think so, and we all know why; but never mind frowning so +dreadfully, Mabel; I won't tell!" and the mischievous girl +glided away, laughing to think that she had succeeded so well +in teasing Mabel Mortimer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment, Dr. Lacey turned to Florence and said "It +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113">[pg 113]</span><a name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +seems you saw Julia Middleton. Do you not think her very +handsome?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, very," answered Florence; "but I liked Fanny's looks +the best."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A pang shot through Dr. Lacey's heart at the mention of +Fanny's name, but he continued to inquire concerning his +friends in Kentucky. Before the party closed, Florence, +Mabel and Lida had each managed to repeat to him all the +conversation which he had overheard in the first part of the +evening, never once thinking how desolate was the heart +which beat beneath the calm manner and gay laugh of him +who listened to their thoughtless raillery.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length the party drew to a close. Dr. Lacey was among +the first that left. He longed to be alone with his troubled +thoughts. Mechanically bidding Mabel "Good night," he ran +down the marble steps, and stepping into his carriage, ordered +Claib, the coachman, to drive home as soon as possible. +There was no particular necessity for this command, for Claib +had been fretting for the last hour about "White folks settin' +up all night and keepin' niggers awake. Darned if he didn't +run the horses home like Satan, and sleep over next day, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With such a driver the horses sped swiftly over the smooth +road and in a very few minutes Dr. Lacey was at home, alone +in his room. Then the full tide of his sorrow burst forth. He +did not weep. He would scorn to do that. But could one +have seen him as he hurriedly paced the apartment, he would +have said, his was a sorrow which could not vent itself in +tears. Occasionally he would whisper to himself, "My Fanny +false!—she whom I believed so truthful, so loving, so innocent! +And she loves another—one, too, whom it were almost +a sin to love. Fool, that I did not see it before, for what but +love could have drawn such devotion to him on his deathbed? +And yet she assured me that I was the first, the only one, she +had ever loved; and I believed it, and gave her the entire affection +of my heart."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then came a reaction. Resentment toward Fanny for thus +deceiving him mingling with his grief. But he had loved +her too deeply, too truly, to cherish an unkind feeling toward +her long. Throwing himself upon the sofa, and burying his +face in his hands, he went back in fancy through all the many +happy hours he had spent in her society. While doing this +sleep descended upon him and in his dreams he saw again his +darling Fanny, not false and faithless as he had feared, but +arrayed in a spotless bridal robe. She stood by his side as his +own wedded wife. Was that dream ever realized? We shall see.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter12" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc24" id="toc24"></a><a name="pdf25" id="pdf25"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the letter that was not delivered</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg 114]</span><a name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The next morning, Rondeau waited for a long time for his +master's usual orders that he should go to the post office, but +no such commands came, and as Dr. Lacey had not been +heard moving in his room yet, Rondeau concluded to go at all +events.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know,", said he, "that'll be the first thing he'll tell me to +do, and I may as well go on my own hook, as to wait and be +sent."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly he again started for the post office, thinking to +himself, "I hope that marster'll get a letter this time, for he +don't seem no more like the wide-awake chap he did when he +first come from Kentuck, than nothin'. I don't want him to +have Miss Mabel nohow; for their niggers say she's awful +spunky."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time this soliloquy was ended, he had reached the +office. The clerk handed him two letters, both of which Rondeau +eyed sharply. On looking at the second, the cavity between +the ears widened to an enormous extent, and he gave +vent to his joy by uttering aloud, "Crackee, this is just the +thing!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What's the matter, Rondeau? Can you read writing?" +asked the clerk in some surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir, not but a little," said Rondeau; "but I know this +hand write, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a twinkling, he was in the street. "This is a fine morning," +thought he. "I've got the right letter this time, so I +won't hurry home, for marster ain't goin' to find any fault if +I don't git thar till noon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the next hour was spent in gossiping with all the +blacks which could be found lounging round the streets. Suddenly +one of the negroes called out, "Ho, Rondeau! Thar's +yer old marster Lace comin'. You'd better cut stick for home, +or he'll be in yer har."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau instantly started for home, where he was greeted +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page115">[pg 115]</span><a name="Pg115" id="Pg115" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +by Aunt Dilsey with a torrent of abuse, that good lady rating +him soundly for being gone too long. "Warn't he 'shamed to +be foolin' away his time? 'Twan't his time nuther, 'twas +marster's time. Was that ar fulfillin' of Scripter, which says, +'we must be all eye sarvants,' which means ye must all keep +clus where yer marsters can see you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">How long Aunt Dilsey might have gone expounding Scripture +is not known, for Rondeau interrupted her by saying, +"Don't scold so, old lady. Marster ain't a-goin' to care for +I've got him something this time better than victuals or +drink."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What is it?" said Leffie, coming forward. "Have you got +him a letter from Kentuck?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hain't got nothin' else, Miss Leffie Lacey, if you please," +said Rondeau, snapping his fingers in her face, and giving +Aunt Dilsey's elbow a slight jostle, just enough to spill the +oil, with which she was filling a lamp.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Rondeau, I 'clar' for't," said Aunt Dilsey, setting down her +oil can. "If marster don't crack your head, my old man Claib +shall, if he ever gits up agin. Thar he is in his bunk, snorin' +like he was a steamboat; and marster's asleep upstairs, I +reckon. Well, 'tain't no way to live. Things would go to rack +and ruin if I didn't sweat and work to keep 'em right end up, +sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey was really a very valuable servant, and had +some reason for thinking herself the main spoke in the wheel +which kept her master's household together. She had lived +in the family ever since Dr. Lacey's early recollection, and as +she had nursed him when an infant, he naturally felt a great +affection for her, and intrusted her with the exclusive management +of the culinary department, little negroes and all. His +confidence in her was not misplaced, for from morning till +night she was faithful to her trust, and woe to any luckless +woolly head who was found wasting "marster's" sweetmeats +and pickles.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the first hand Aunt Dilsey was very sensitive, for being +naturally active and stirring herself, "She," to use her own +words, "couldn't bar to see folks lazin' round like thar was +nothin' to do, but to git up and stuff themselves till they's fit +to bust." She also felt annoyed whenever her young master +indulged himself in a morning nap. "Ought to be up," she +said, "and airin' hisself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning following the party, her patience was +severely taxed in two ways. First, Claib, her husband, had +adhered to his resolution of sleeping over, and long after the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg 116]</span><a name="Pg116" id="Pg116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +clock struck eleven he was sleeping profoundly. He had resisted +all Aunt Dilsey's efforts to rouse him. Her scoldings, +sprinklings with hot and cold water, punching with the carving +fork, had all proved ineffectual, and as a last resort, she +put the baby on his bed, thinking "that would surely fetch him +up standin', for 'twasn't in natur to sleep with the baby wollopin' +and mowin' over him." Her master, too, troubled her. +Why he couldn't get up she couldn't see. "His breakfast was +as cold as a grave stun, and she didn't keer if 'twas. She had +enough to do 'tendin' to other affairs, without keepin' the +niggers and dogs from porkin' thar noses in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a late hour Dr. Lacey awoke from his uneasy slumber. +The return of morning brought comparative calmness to his +troubled spirit. Hope whispered that what he had heard +might be a mistake. At least he would wait for further confirmation. +He did not know how near that confirmation was. +Rondeau had been waiting for his masters summons until his +patience was exhausted. So, relying on the letter to counteract +any apparent disrespect, he stalked upstairs and knocked +at Dr. Lacey's door, just as that gentleman was about ringing +for him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as he entered the room, he called out, "Here, master, +I've got 'em this time!" at the same time extending a letter, +the superscription of which made Dr. Lacey turn pale, for +he recognized, as he supposed, Fanny's delicate handwriting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You may leave me alone, Rondeau," said he, "and I will +ring for you when I want you." So Rondeau departed with +the remaining letter in his pocket. He had forgotten to deliver +it, but it was not missed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Oh, Rondeau, Rondeau! It was very unfortunate that you +forgot that letter, and suffered it to remain in your pocket unheeded +for so many days. Its contents would have scattered +the dark, desolating tempest which was fast gathering over +your young master's pathway.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as Dr. Lacey was alone, he sat down, anxious, yet +fearing to know the contents of his letter. At last he resolutely +broke the seal, thinking to himself, "It cannot contain +anything worse than I already know." One glance at the beginning +and end of the letter confirmed his fears, and for a +few moments he was unable to read a line; then summoning +all his remaining courage, he calmly read the letter through, +not omitting a single word, but comprehending the meaning of +each sentence. It was as follows:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Frankfort, March 25th, 18—.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Dr. Lacey</span></span>:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg 117]</span><a name="Pg117" id="Pg117" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Sir</span></span>—Have you, during some weeks past, ever wondered +why I did not write to you? And in enumerating to yourself +the many reasons which could prevent my writing, has it ever +occurred to you that possibly I might be false? Can you forgive +me, Dr. Lacey, when I tell you that the love I once +fancied I bore for you has wholly subsided, and I now feel +for you a friendship, which I trust will be more lasting than +my transient girlish love?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do you ask how I came to change so suddenly? I can only +answer by another confession still more painful and humiliating +to me. When I bade you adieu, I thought I loved you as +well as I ever could again. I say again, for—but how shall +I tell you? How confess that my first affection was not +given to you? Yes, ere I had ever seen you, I loved another, +and one, too, whom some would say it were sinful to love.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why harrow my feelings by awakening the past? Suffice +it to say that he whom I loved is dead. We both saw him +die, and I received upon my lips his last breath. Truly if he +were Julia's in life, he was mine in death. Did you never +suspect how truly I loved Mr. Wilmot? You were blinded by +your misplaced affection for me, if you did not. Julia, my +noble-hearted sister Julia, knew it all. I confessed my love +to her, and on my knees begged her not to go to him, but to +let me take her place at his bedside. She complied with my +request, and then bravely bore in silence the reproaches of +the world for her seeming coldness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear Julia! She seems strangely changed recently, and +you would hardly know her, she is so gentle, so obliging, so +amiable. You ought to have heard her plead your cause with +me. She besought me almost with tears not to prove unfaithful +to you, and when I convinced her that 'twas impossible +for me to love another as I had Mr. Wilmot, she insisted on +my writing, and not keeping you in suspense any longer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey, if you could transfer your affection from me—, +but no, why should I speak of such a thing! You will probably +despise all my family. Yet do not, I beseech you, cast +them off for your poor Fanny's sin. They respect you highly, +and Julia would be angry if she knew that I am about to tell +you how she admires a certain Southern friend, who probably, +by this time, thinks with contempt of little</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Fanny Middleton.</span></span>"</p> +<br /> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no perceptible change in Dr. Lacey's manner +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span><a name="Pg118" id="Pg118" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +after reading the heartless forgery, but the iron had entered +his soul, and for a time he seemed benumbed with its force. +Then came a moment of reflection. His love had been +trampled upon, and thrown back as a thing of naught by her +who had fallen from the high pedestal on which he had enthroned +the idol of his heart's deepest affection.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I could have pitied, and admired her, too," thought he, +"had she candidly confessed her love for Mr. Wilmot; but to +be so basely deceived by one whom I thought incapable of deception +is too much."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Seizing the letter, he again read it through, and this time +he felt his wounded pride somewhat soothed by thinking that +the beautiful Julia admired and sympathized with him. "But +pshaw!" he exclaimed, "most likely Julia is as hollow-hearted +as her sister, and yet many dark spots on her character seem +wiped away by Fanny's confession." Throwing the letter +aside he rang the bell, and ordered his breakfast to be sent up +to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That afternoon he called on Mabel Mortimer and her +cousin. He found the young ladies in the drawing room, and +with them a dark, fine-looking, middle-aged gentleman, whom +Mabel introduced as Mr. Middleton. Something in the looks +as well as name of the stranger made Dr. Lacey involuntarily +start with surprise, and he secretly wondered whether; +this gentleman was in any way connected with the Middletons +of Kentucky. He was not kept long in doubt, for Florence, +who was very talkative, soon said, "We were just speaking of +you, Dr. Lacey, and Mr. Middleton seems inclined to claim +you as an acquaintance, on the ground of your having been +intimate with his brother's family in Kentucky."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Indeed!" said Dr. Lacey; then turning to Mr. Middleton, +he said, "Is it possible that you are a brother of Mr. Joshua +Middleton?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," returned the stranger, eyeing Dr. Lacey closely; +"Joshua is my brother, but for more than twenty years I have +not seen him, or scarcely heard from him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ah," answered Dr. Lacey, in some astonishment, and then, +as he fancied there was something in Mr. Middleton's former +life which he wished to conceal, he changed the subject by +asking Mr. Middleton if he had been long in the city.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Only two weeks," he replied, and he proceeded to speak +of himself, saying, "For many years past I have been in the +Indies. About the time my brother Joshua married, my father +died. When his will was opened, I thought it a very unjust +one, for it gave, to my brother a much larger share than was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page119">[pg 119]</span><a name="Pg119" id="Pg119" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +given to me. In a fit of anger, I declared I would never touch +a penny of my portion, and leaving college, where I was already +in my senior year, I went to New York, and getting on +board a vessel bound for the East Indies, I tried by amassing +wealth in a distant land, to forget that I ever had a home this +side of the Atlantic. During the first years of my absence my +brother wrote to me frequently, and most of his letters I answered, +for I really bore him no malice on account of the will. +I had not heard from him for a long time, until I reached this +city."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Are you going to visit Kentucky?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is my present intention to do so," answered Mr. Middleton; +"but first I wish to purchase a summer residence near the +Lake, and after fitting it up tastefully, I shall invite my nieces +to visit me. You are acquainted with them, I believe."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey answered in the affirmative, and Mr. Middleton +continued, "I am told by Miss Woodburn that they are very +beautiful, especially one of them, and quite accomplished. Is +it so?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied very calmly, "The world, I believe, unites +in calling Miss Julia beautiful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But what of the other one?" asked Mr. Middleton. "I am +prepossessed in her favor, for she bears the name of the only +sister I ever had."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey sighed, for he remembered the time when he was +drawn toward Fanny, because he fancied she resembled the +only sister he ever had. Mr. Middleton observed it, and immediately +said, "Does it make you sigh just to mention +Fanny? What is the matter? Has she jilted you? If she +has, she does not partake of the nature of the Middletons, for +they could never stoop to deceit."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Florence came to Dr. Lacey's relief by saying, "Why, +Dr. Lacey, Mr. Middleton wants you to repeat what I have already +told him, that Julia is exceedingly beautiful and that +Fanny is as lovely as a Houri, and has the saddest, sweetest +face I ever saw, and the softest, mildest blue eye."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey laughingly said, "Thank you, Miss Florence; Mr. +Middleton will please take what you have said as my opinion +concerning his fair nieces."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton bowed and then said, "How does my brother +appear? He used to be very rough and abrupt in his manner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey laughed. He could not help it. His risible faculties +were always excited when he thought of Joshua Middleton, +and he answered, that although he highly esteemed Mr. +Middleton, he feared his manners were not much improved.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span><a name="Pg120" id="Pg120" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"I dare say not," said the brother. "When he was at home, +he was always saying things which our mother called 'impolite,' +our father 'outlandish,' and the blacks 'right down +heathenish.' However, with all his roughness, I believe there +never was a more truly honorable man, or a more sincere +friend."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a few moments of general conversation, Mr. Middleton +said, turning to Dr. Lacey, "I feel some anxiety about +this summer residence which I intend purchasing. I am told +that you have fine taste both in selecting a good locality and +in laying out grounds. If you have leisure, suppose you accompany +me on my exploring excursion, and I will reward +you by an invitation to spend as much time with me as you +like after my nieces arrive."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey thanked Mr. Middleton for the compliment paid +to his taste, and he politely expressed his willingness to assist +his friend in the selection of a country seat. "By the way," +continued he, "you are stopping at the St. Charles, I believe. +Suppose you exchange your rooms at the hotel for a home +with me, and become my guest until you leave the city for +Kentucky?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton accepted Dr. Lacey's invitation willingly, +and the three weeks which he spent at his residence passed +rapidly and pleasantly away. During that time Dr. Lacey +met with a gentleman who owned a very handsome villa near +the lake shore. This he wished to dispose of, and Mr. Middleton +and Dr. Lacey went down to inspect it. They found it +every way desirable, and Mr. Middleton finally purchased it +at an enormous price, and called it the "Indian Nest." "Here," +said he, speaking to Dr. Lacey, "here I shall at last find that +happiness which I have sought for in vain during forty years. +I shall have both my nieces with me, besides Miss Mortimer +and Miss Woodburn. I suppose I shall have to invite some +other young gentleman besides yourself, for the girls will +hardly fancy the old Indian for a beau."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey did not reply. He was thinking how much +pleasure such an arrangement would have given him a few +months ago; but now all was changed, and the thought of +again meeting Fanny afforded him more pain than pleasure.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton noticed his silence, and as he was slightly +tinctured with the abruptness which characterized his brother, +he said, "Why, young man, what is the matter? Have you +been disappointed, or what makes you manifest so much indifference +to spending the summer, or a part of it, with four +agreeable girls?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page121">[pg 121]</span><a name="Pg121" id="Pg121" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Dr. Lacey saw the necessity of rousing himself from his +melancholy mood, and assuming a gayety he did not feel, he +said, "I feel very much flattered, Mr. Middleton, with the +honor you confer upon me, but I have for some time past been +subject to low spirits; so you must not mind it if I am not +always gay. Come, let us go into the garden and see what improvements +are needed there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, they turned together into the large terraced garden. +While they were engaged in walking over the handsome +grounds which surrounded "The Indian Nest," Rondeau, who +had accompanied his master, was differently occupied. Strolling +down to the lake shore, he amused himself for a time by +watching the waves as they dashed against the pebbly beach, +and by fancying that each of them reflected the image of +Leffie's bright, round face. Then buttoning up his coat he +would strut back and forth, admiring his shadow, and thinking +how much more the coat became him than it did his young +master. It had been given to him by Dr. Lacey, with the order +"not to wear it out in two days"; so Rondeau had not worn it +before since the morning when he gave his master one letter +and forgot the other. He had brought it with him to the lake, +and was trying the effect of his elegant appearance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Chancing to thrust his hand in his pocket, he felt the long-forgotten +letter and drew it forth, then looking at it with wide +open eyes and mouth, gave vent to his surprise as follows: +"Who'd a b'leved it! Here's this letter been in my pocket +two weeks. I deserve to be cracked over the head, and anybody +but marster would do it. I'll run and give it to him now—but +no, I won't," said he, suddenly slackening his pace, +"I've heard him say he could always trust me, and if I own +up this time, he'll lose his—what's the word? Conference?—Yes, +conference in me. I don't believe this letter's of any account, +for its a great big letter, just like a man's handwrite. +Any way, I'll wait till I get home and consult Leffie."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The letter was accordingly put in his pocket, and in a few +moments he rejoined his master and Mr. Middleton. The +next day they returned home. Rondeau's first act was to draw +Leffie aside, and after winning from her various strong promises +of secrecy, he imparted to her the astounding fact that, +"He had found one of marster's letters in his trousers—no, +his coat pocket. It had been there two weeks, and he didn't +know what in cain to do with it. If he gave it to marster +now, 'twould make him lose faith in him, and so forth."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie heard him through, and then fully agreed with him +that 'twas best not to tell marster at this late hour. "But," +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page122">[pg 122]</span><a name="Pg122" id="Pg122" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +said she, "I'd put it out of the way, so 'twouldn't be poppin' +out in sight some time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Shall I burn it?" asked Rondeau.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no," said Leffie; "keep it so marster can have it, if he +ever hears of it. There's your cigar box, take it and bury the +letter in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Whew-ew," said Rondeau, with a prolonged whistle, "it +takes you women to calculate anything cute!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cigar box was brought out, and in a few moments the +poor letter was lying quietly under a foot and a half of earth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There," said Leffie, as Rondeau laid over the spot a piece +of fresh green turf, "nobody'll ever have any idee whose grave +this is."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau rolled up his eyes, and assuming a most doleful expression, +said, "Couldn't you manage to bust a tear or two, +just to make it seem like a real buryin'?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie answered him by a sound box on his ear, at the same +time threatening to expose his wickedness at the next class +meeting. Aunt Dilsey's voice was now heard calling out, +"Leffie, Leffie, is you stun deaf and blind now that fetched +Rondeau's done gone home? Come here this minute!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau and Leffie returned to the house, leaving buried a +letter, the reading of which would have changed the tenor of +their master's feelings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a knowledge of its contents as well of its author, we +must go back for a time to Frankfort whence it came, promising +that Mr. Middleton will follow us in a few days.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter13" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc26" id="toc26"></a><a name="pdf27" id="pdf27"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">letters written but never received</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page123">[pg 123]</span><a name="Pg123" id="Pg123" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>In order to keep the threads of our narrative connected, it +is necessary that we go back for a time, and again open the +scene in Frankfort, on the 24th of March, several days after +the party, at which Florence Woodburn met Fanny Middleton. +Seated at her work table, in one of the upper rooms of +Mrs. Crane's boarding house, is our old friend, Kate Miller. +Her dazzling beauty seems enhanced by the striking contrast +between the clearness of her complexion and the sable of her +robe.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On a low stool, at her feet, sits Fanny. Her head is resting +on Mrs. Miller's lap, and she seems to be sleeping. She has +been excused from school this afternoon, on account of a sick, +nervous headache, to which she has recently been frequently +subject. Finding the solitude of her own chamber rather irksome, +she had sought Mrs. Miller's room, where she was ever +a welcome visitor. To Kate she had imparted a knowledge of +the letter which she supposed Dr. Lacey had written.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Miller's sympathy for her young friend was as deep +and sincere as was her resentment against the supposed author +of this letter. As yet, she had kept Fanny's secret inviolate, +and not even her husband had ever suspected the cause of +Fanny's failing strength. But, this afternoon, as she looked +on the fair girl's sad, white face, which seemed to grow +whiter and thinner each day, she felt her heart swell with indignation +toward one who had wrought this fearful change. +"Surely," thought she, "if Dr. Lacey could know the almost +fatal consequence of his faithlessness he would relent; and he +must, he shall know it. I will tell Mr. Miller and he I know +will write immediately." Then came the thought that she had +promised not to betray Fanny's confidence; but she did not +despair of gaining her consent, that Mr. Miller should also +know the secret.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a time Fanny slept on sweetly and quietly; then she +moved uneasily in her slumber, and finally awoke.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg 124]</span><a name="Pg124" id="Pg124" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"How is your head now?" asked Mrs. Miller, at the same +time smoothing the disordered ringlets which lay in such profusion +over her lap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, much better," said Fanny. "I had a nice sleep, and +so pleasant dreams, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did you dream of him?" asked Mrs. Miller, in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Quick as thought the crimson tide stained Fanny's cheek +and forehead, but she answered, somewhat bitterly, "Oh, no, +no! I never dream of him now, and I am trying hard to forget +him. I do not think I love him half as well now as I once +thought I did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor little Fanny! How deceived she was! After a time +Mrs. Miller said, "Fanny, Mr. Miller seems very anxious about +your altered and languid appearance. May I not tell him the +truth? He will sympathize with you as truly as I do; for he +feels for you almost the affection of a brother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Fanny objected. "I know," said she, "that Mr. +Miller would only think me a weak, silly girl." Mrs. Miller, +however, finally gained permission to tell everything to her +husband. "I know, though," persisted Fanny, "that he will +laugh at me. You say he likes me; I know he did once; but +since the time when he visited my father's, more than a year +ago, he has not treated me with the same confidence he did before. +I never knew the reason, unless it was that foolish, +romping mistake which I made one afternoon by riding into +the schoolhouse!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With many tears and some laughing—for the remembrance +of the exploit always excited her mirth—Fanny told a part +of what we already know concerning Mr. Miller's visit at her +father's the winter previous. She related the adventure of +the sled ride, and said that the morning after she noticed a +change in Mr. Miller's manner toward her. The unsuspecting +girl little thought what was the true reason of that change.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While she was yet speaking, Mr. Miller entered the room. +On seeing Fanny there, and weeping, he said: "What, Sunshine +in tears? That is hardly the remedy I would prescribe +for headache. But come, Fanny, tell me what is the matter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I cannot, I cannot!" said Fanny, and again she buried +her face in Kate's lap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller looked inquiringly at his wife, who had not yet +ceased laughing at Fanny's ludicrous description of her sled +ride; but overcoming her merriment, she at length found voice +to say, "Fanny is crying because she thinks you do not like her +as well as you used to."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate had never dreamed that her husband had once felt +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page125">[pg 125]</span><a name="Pg125" id="Pg125" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +more than a brother's love for the weeping girl before her, and +she did not know what pain her words inflicted on his noble +heart. Neither did she think there was the least ground for +Fanny's supposition, and she desired her husband to say so.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cannot say so and tell the truth," said Mr. Miller, "but I +can assure you that Bill Jeffrey's sled had nothing to do with +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What was it then?" asked Kate and Fanny, both in the +same breath.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller drew Fanny toward him with the freedom of an +elder brother, and, in a low, earnest tone, said: "Did nothing +else occur during my visit, which could have changed my +opinion of you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny lifted her large blue eyes to Mr. Miller's face with +so truthful, wondering a gaze that he was puzzled. "Can it +be," thought he, "that I did not hear aright, that I was deceived? +I will, at least, ask her how she spent that evening," +so he said: "Fanny, do you remember where you were, or how +you were occupied during the last evening of my stay at your +father's?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Fanny seemed trying to recall the events of that +night; then she said: "Oh, yes, I remember now perfectly +well. You and Mr. Wilmot had letters to write, and went to +your room early, while father and mother went to one of the +neighbors, leaving Julia and me alone in the sitting room."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did you both remain in the sitting room during the evening?" +continued Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Fanny, "or, that is, I stayed there all the time; +but Julia was gone a long time, and when she returned she +would not tell me where she had been."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But were not you and Luce in your room at all that evening?" +continued Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Luce!" said Fanny; "I do not remember having seen her +once that night; neither was I in my room until bedtime."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was so much frankness and apparent truth in Fanny's +face and manner that Mr. Miller never for a moment doubted +her. His first feeling was one of intense happiness at finding +that Fanny was, indeed, all he had once fancied her to be. +Back through the channels of his heart rolled, for an instant, +the full tide of his once secretly nurtured affection for her. It +was for an instant, however; for one look at the beautiful +Kate convinced him that the love he once bore the gentle, +timid girl at his side was nought, when compared with the +deep, ardent affection which he now felt for his own cherished +wife. "Fanny," said he, "I have wronged you in +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span><a name="Pg126" id="Pg126" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +thought, but never in word or deed, to my knowledge. I was, +however, grossly deceived, although I can see no object for +the deception."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What can you mean?" asked Kate, rather anxiously. "Do +explain yourself, and not deal in mysteries any longer. What +dreadful thing did you imagine Fanny had done—set the +stables on fire, or abused the blacks—which?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller did not immediately answer; and Fanny said: +"Come, Mr. Miller, it is not fair to suspect me of evil and +not tell what it is. You should be more frank."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will tell you," said Mr. Miller; and, in as few words as +possible he repeated to Fanny the conversation which he had +overheard, between Luce and herself, as he supposed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he finished speaking, both Kate and Fanny were +silent for a moment; then Kate said: "It was Julia, I know it +was. Did you ever notice how much alike their voices are? +And, besides, I once heard Julia lay a wager with Mr. Raymond +that she could imitate her sister's voice so exactly that +one, not seeing her, would be thoroughly deceived."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Mrs. Miller," said Fanny, "it cannot be! Why should +Julia wish to do so wicked a thing? And yet I now remember +that when I was sick, Luce came to me one night and asked +me to forgive her for everything bad she had ever done to +me. I assured her I knew of nothing to forgive; and then she +cried, and said I did not know all she did about her wickedness. +She must have referred to that night. I can forgive +her; for she is a poor ignorant girl, and much afraid of Julia. +But how could my own sister do me so great a wrong, and +what could have been her object?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Fanny burst into tears, while Kate gave vent to her +indignation by expressing her opinion pretty freely of Miss +Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I can see," said she, "what Julia's object was. I fancy she +was always fearful lest my brother should like Fanny the best; +and she probably took this method to make you both think +meanly of Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Your idea is, probably, the correct one," said Mr. Miller, +who would have added more, but Kate interrupted him by +saying, "Yes, I think I understand it all now. Julia is, probably, +at the foundation of Dr. Lacey's neglect. Most likely +she's been writing him some base falsehood."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey's neglect!" repeated Mr. Miller. "What do +you mean?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate commenced an explanation, but Fanny started up, saying: +"Please, Mrs. Miller, wait until I am gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page127">[pg 127]</span><a name="Pg127" id="Pg127" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>She then quitted the apartment, and sought her own room, +of which Julia had been sole occupant for more than an hour. +On her return from school this hopeful young lady was +pleased to find her sister absent. Seating herself near the +window, with paper and pencil, she began the composition of +that letter, which, as we have said, widened the breach between +Dr. Lacey and Fanny. This unhallowed work cost her a +world of pains. Many times were the lines crossed out and +rewritten, before they quite suited her. The letter was but +half completed, when Fanny was heard coming slowly through +the upper hall. Springing up, Julia darted through the window +out upon the balcony, and by the time Fanny reached the +room she was seated at the furthest end of the veranda, busily +engaged with her forgery.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When she at last returned to the room, and tried to converse +with her sister, she observed that Fanny shrank from +her approach and that she had been weeping. In a very +ironical tone Julia said, "What now is the matter? I declare, +Fan, I believe you are a perfect little simpleton. I wouldn't +be such a cry baby, anyway; and make so much fuss about +one good-for-nothing doctor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny replied very calmly, and without once taking her +eyes from her sister's face, "If you think I have been crying +about Dr. Lacey, you are mistaken."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pray what did you cry for?" said Julia, laughingly. "Did +somebody look sideways at you, or omit to call you by some +pet baby name?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cried," said Fanny, "because I feared you had been acting +very wickedly toward me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In an instant Julia's assurance left her. The bright color +forsook her cheek, which became perfectly white. Fanny +noticed the change, and it confirmed her fears. She did not +know that the circumstances to which she alluded had long +since faded from Julia's memory, and that her present agitation +arose from the fear that she might have been detected in +her work of deception, and that, after all, she might be +foiled and entangled in her own meshes. A glance of intense +anger flashed from her large black eye, as she muttered between +her closed teeth: "Has the wretch dared to betray me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny supposed she referred to Luce; and her first feeling +was to save the helpless servant girl from Julia's displeasure; +so she said, "Do not condemn Luce; she did not tell me. I +received my information from our teacher, Mr. Miller."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Luce! Mr. Miller! What do you mean?" asked Julia, her +eyes lessening to their usual size, and the color again coming +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span><a name="Pg128" id="Pg128" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to her cheeks and lips. This sudden change in her sister's +appearance puzzled Fanny; but she proceeded to relate what +she had just heard from Mr. Miller. Julia was so much relieved +to find her fears unfounded, and her darling secret safe, +that she burst into a loud laugh, which she continued for some +time. During this fit of laughter, she was determining +whether it were best to confess the whole and seem sorry for +it, or to strenuously deny it. Finally, she decided on the +former, but resolved not to give the right reason for her conduct; +so she said, with an air of great penitence: "Yes, +Fanny, I am guilty, and I am glad you know it, too. I have +been on the point of acknowledging it to you many times, but +shame kept me silent."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How could you do it, and what did you do it for?" asked +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia replied, "Truth compels me to say that I feared your +influence over Mr. Wilmot. I knew how much he admired +amiability in females, and I wished to make him think you +were no more amiable than other people."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And yet you say you never cared for his love," continued +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Miss Julia was getting cornered; but her evil genius did not +forsake her, and she answered, "True, I did not care much for +him; but I felt flattered with his attentions and I ardently desired +to have one person prefer me to you. I know it was +wicked in me to do what I did, but you will forgive me, will +you not? And I will promise never again to act so deceitfully +toward you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Always sincere in what she said herself, Fanny could not +think her sister otherwise; so her hand was extended in token +of forgiveness. Julia took it, and raising it to her lips, kept it +there for an instant, in order to conceal the treacherous smile +of exultation which played round her mouth. "I shall yet +triumph," thought she, and, in the exuberance of her joy, she +kissed again the soft hand which she held in her grasp. Could +Fanny have looked into the heart of her sister, and beheld all +its dark designs, she would have fled from her presence as +from a poisonous serpent. But, though she was deceived, +there was one, the All-seeing One, whose eye was ever upon +the sinful girl; and though for a while she seemed to prosper, +the same mighty Power so ordered it, that after a time, she +who had sown the tempest reaped the whirlwind; and the +clouds which hung so heavy and dark around the pathway of +her innocent victim, afterward burst with terrific violence +upon her own head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg 129]</span><a name="Pg129" id="Pg129" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>We will now return to Mrs. Miller, whom we left relating +to her husband the supposed neglect of Dr. Lacey. She +finished her narrative by saying, "I cannot help thinking that +by some means, Julia is at the foundation of all this mischief. +You and Dr. Lacey were good friends; suppose you +write to him, and then we shall at least know the truth of the +matter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I will," said Mr. Miller; "tomorrow."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why not write tonight?" asked Kate, who was in a +hurry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered Mr. Miller, "I shall be engaged tonight +and tomorrow will do as well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate could not help feeling that, possibly, "tomorrow" might +not do as well; but she said no more on the subject, and waited +patiently for the morrow, when, true to his promise, her husband +commenced the important letter. We have said that Mr. +Miller had never liked Julia. In this letter, however, he spoke +as favorably of her as he could; but he told how basely she +had once deceived himself and Mr. Wilmot, with regard to +Fanny, and also hinted his own and his wife's suspicion, that, +in some way or other, Julia was connected with Dr. Lacey's +long silence, as well as with the heartless letter which Fanny +had received from New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, this will do," said Kate, as she read what her husband +had written. "But," she added, "I cannot help feeling sorry +that it was not sent yesterday."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Kate," said Mr. Miller, gayly, "your anxiety for +Fanny has made you nervous, and now you are almost superstitious. +One day can make no possible difference in the result +of this letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Afterward, when it was too late, he learned how much difference +the delay of one day caused. By its means, that letter +which would have set all right, was sent in the same package +with Julia's amiable production, and, as we have seen, was +not received by its owner, but was safely stowed away in a +cigar box under ground.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon after Mr. Miller deposited his letter in the post office, +a young girl, closely veiled, entered the same building, and +looked anxiously round until her eye fell upon her accomplice, +Mr. Dunn. That worthy young man instantly came forward, +grinning and bowing, and almost upsetting another clerk, who +was also hastening to wait upon the beautiful Miss Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Good morning, Miss Julia!" said Mr. Dunn; "glad to see +you. Fine morning."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia did not deign to reply, for Mr. Dunn's familiarity was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page130">[pg 130]</span><a name="Pg130" id="Pg130" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +exceedingly disgusting to her. She, however, handed him +her letter, which he looked at in some surprise, and said in a +low tone, "Is this letter from Fanny, or you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"From me; send it," answered Julia, at the same time managing +to slip an eagle into the hands of the honest clerk.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leaving the office, the young lady proceeded homeward, +thinking to herself, "There, that will settle him, I hope. I am +getting on swimmingly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Mr. Miller entered his room, on his return from the +office, Kate said, "In the course of two weeks, you or Fanny +or both, will hear from Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do not be too sanguine, Katy," answered Mr. Miller: +"you may be disappointed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," continued Kate, "if he pays no attention to your letter, +I shall be satisfied that he really is undeserving of Fanny's +esteem. I'll not tell her that you have written, for fear of +the consequence."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So days came and went, week followed week, in rapid succession, +until five weeks were numbered with the past since +Mr. Miller's letter had been dispatched. Kate had waited and +watched until even her sanguine nature had ceased to hope; +for there had come no tidings from the far off Crescent City, +and both she and her husband had unwillingly come to the +conclusion that Dr. Lacey was really false. Kate manifested +her disappointment by an increased tenderness of manner toward +Fanny, whom she sincerely loved, and by a more gracious +deportment toward Julia, whom she began to fear she +had wronged by suspecting her of being accessory to Dr. +Lacey's conduct.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter14" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc28" id="toc28"></a><a name="pdf29" id="pdf29"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XIV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny and julia's uncle arrives from india</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page131">[pg 131]</span><a name="Pg131" id="Pg131" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>It was now the first day of May, and as it was also Fanny's +seventeenth birthday, her school companions determined to +celebrate it by a May party, of which Fanny was unanimously +chosen queen. The fete took place in a handsome grove on +a hillside which overlooked the city of Frankfort. All of Mr. +Miller's pupils were present, together with most of their +parents and many of their friends. Mrs. Miller had taken +great pains that Fanny should be arrayed becomingly for the +occasion, and many and flattering were the compliments paid +to the youthful queen, who indeed looked bewitchingly beautiful.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Her dress was a white muslin, festooned with wild flowers, +some of which were fastened here and there by a pearl or +brilliant. The gayety of the little party was at its height, and +when Fanny, gracefully kneeling, received upon her head the +crown, and was proclaimed "Queen of the May," a strange +voice called out in loud, musical tones, "Viva la Reine." The +whole company instantly caught up the words, and "Long live +the Queen" was echoed and re-echoed on all sides.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the tumult had somewhat subsided the eyes of those +present were turned toward the spot whence the words "Viva +la Reine" had proceeded. Leaning against one of the tall +shade trees were two gentlemen, who had joined them unobserved. +The elder of the strangers was a middle-aged man, +in whose piercing black eyes and dark complexion we recognize +the Mr. Middleton whom we left with Dr. Lacey in New +Orleans. His companion was many years younger, and there +was something in his appearance which instantly interested +and attracted the notice of strangers. There was a nobleness +in the intellectual cast of his high, white forehead, round +which his rich brown hair lay in thick masses, as if unwilling +to part with the curl which must have been natural to it in +childhood.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No sooner did Kate's eyes fall on the young man than she +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg 132]</span><a name="Pg132" id="Pg132" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +darted forward with a cry of recognition and exclaimed, +"Why, Frank Cameron, how came you here?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But before he answers Kate's question, we will introduce +him to our readers. Frank Cameron was a cousin of Kate +Wilmot. His father, who was a lawyer by profession, had +amassed a large fortune, on the interest of which he was now +living in elegant style in the city of New York. Frank, who +was the eldest child, had chosen the profession of his father, +contrary to the wishes of his proud lady mother, who looked +upon all professions as too plebeian to suit her ideas of gentility. +This aristocratic lady had forgotten the time when, +with blue cotton umbrella and thick India rubbers, she had +plodded through the mud and water of the streets in Albany, +giving music lessons for her own and widowed mother's maintenance. +One of her pupils was Kate Wilmot's mother, Lucy +Cameron. While giving lessons to her she first met Lucy's +brother, Arthur Cameron, who afterward became her husband. +He was attracted by her extreme beauty and his admiration +was increased on learning her praiseworthy efforts +to maintain herself and mother. They were married, and with +increasing years came increasing wealth, until at length Mr. +Cameron was a millionaire and retired from business.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As riches increased, so did Mrs. Cameron's proud spirit, +until she came to look upon herself as somewhat above the +common order of her fellow-beings. She endeavored to instil +her ideas of exclusiveness into the minds of her children. +With her daughter Gertrude, she succeeded admirably, and by +the time that young lady had reached her eighteenth year, she +fancied herself a kind of queen to whom all must pay homage. +But Frank the poor mother found perfectly incorrigible. He +was too much like his father to think himself better than his +neighbor on account of his wealth. Poor Mrs. Cameron had +long given him up, only asking as a favor that he would not +disgrace his family by marrying the washerwoman's daughter. +Frank promised he would not, unless perchance he should +fall in love with her, "And then," said he, with a wicked +twinkle of his handsome hazel eyes, "then, my dear Mrs. +Cameron, I cannot be answerable for consequences."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had always greatly admired his cousin Kate, and often +horrified his mother by declaring that if Kate were not his +cousin, he would surely marry her. "Thank the Lord, then, +that she is so near a relative! For now you will not stoop to +marry a music teacher," said Mrs. Cameron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old roguish expression danced in Frank's eye, as he +said, "Most noble mother Adelaide, will you tell me whether +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page133">[pg 133]</span><a name="Pg133" id="Pg133" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +it wrenched father's back much when he stooped to a music +teacher?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The highly indignant lady was silent, for Frank had a way +of reminding her of the past, which she did not quite relish; +so she let him alone, secretly praying that he would not make +a fool of himself in his choice of a wife. He bade her be +easy on that point, for 'twasn't likely he would ever marry, +for he probably would never find a wife who would suit him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such was Frank Cameron. Business for his father had +taken him to Louisville, and he determined to visit his cousin +Kate ere he returned home. He took passage in the Blue +Wing, on board of which was Mr. Middleton, who soon made +his acquaintance. As they were bound for the same place, +they kept together, and on reaching Frankfort, went immediately +to Mrs. Crane's, where they were entertained by Mrs. +Carrington, who wondered much who the distinguished looking +strangers could be. Concluding that the older one must +of course be married, she turned her attention to Frank, who +was much amused at her airs and coquettish manners. He +had inquired for Mrs. Miller, and at length Mrs. Carrington +asked if she were an acquaintance of his.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, ma'am," answered Frank with great gravity, "she is +my wife's cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In an instant Mrs. Carrington's coquetry vanished, and +rising upon her dignity, she soon gave the gentlemen directions +where to find the May party. As they were proceeding +thither, Mr. Middleton said, "Why, Cameron, I understood +you to say on the boat that you were not married."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Neither am I," answered Frank. "I merely wished to get +a dissolving view of that lady's maneuvers. Besides, I was +actually afraid of being annihilated by her eyes and smiles. +I'll manage to let her know that you are marketable, and then +she'll turn her artillery toward you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But was it quite right," said Mr. Middleton, "to give her a +wrong impression?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, I suppose not," answered Frank. "But if I ever +marry, Kate will be my wife's cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time they had reached the entrance of the grove and +caught sight of the fair queen. "The fates protect me!" said +Frank, suddenly stopping and planting himself against a +tree. "It would be suicide to advance another step. And she +is your niece, you say. Pray intercede for me, or in less than +a month I shall be making faces through the iron grating of +some madhouse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton did not reply. His eyes were riveted on +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page134">[pg 134]</span><a name="Pg134" id="Pg134" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Fanny, whose face and figure recalled to his remembrance his +only sister, who was the playmate of his childish years. Many +long years had rolled away since that bright summer morning, +when with a sad heart he bade adieu to that sister, who, +a young happy bride, was leaving her native land for a home +on a foreign shore. Weeks passed, and there came intelligence +that the ill-fated vessel in which she embarked was a +total wreck. Among the lost were his sister and her husband, +who now slept quietly beneath the billowy surf of the Atlantic.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny so strongly resembled her Aunt that it was not +strange Mr. Middleton for an instant fancied he again looked +on the features of his long-lost sister. But the illusion soon +vanished, and when Kate bounded forward and saluted her +cousin, his eye was wandering over the group of young girls +in quest of his other niece. He, however, looked in vain. +Julia was not there. When urged to attend the party, she had +tossed her head in scorn saying that she unfortunately had no +taste for child's play. She preferred remaining at home, +where she could spend her time more profitably. Oh, Julia, +Julia! It is a pity you did not assign your true reason for +absenting yourself from the party. Of this reason we will +speak hereafter. We are not quite through with the May +party.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We left Kate interrogating her cousin as to how he chanced +to be there, and the remainder of the company looked in wonder +upon the strangers, who seemed so suddenly to have +dropped in their midst. After Frank had answered his +cousin's question, he introduced his companion and said, "He +has two nieces here, I believe. He has recognized one of them +in your charming queen. Will you please point out the other +and introduce him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am sorry to say Julia is not present," answered Kate. +"But come with me, Mr. Middleton," continued she, "and I +will present you to Fanny." Then turning to Frank, she +added, "I remember you to be a woman-hater, master Frank, +so you can remain where you are."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd laugh to see myself doing it," answered Frank, as he +followed his gay cousin to the spot where Fanny was standing. +All eyes were upon them, while Kate introduced the tall, distinguished-looking +gentleman to Fanny as her uncle.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My uncle!" said Fanny, in some surprise. "My uncle!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A slight shade of disappointment was visible on Mr. +Middleton's face, as he took the offered hand of his niece, but +he said, "Yes, your uncle. Did you never hear your father +speak of his brother Bill?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page135">[pg 135]</span><a name="Pg135" id="Pg135" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Oh, yes, yes," said Fanny joyfully. "I do know you now. +You are my Uncle William from the Indies. Father will be +delighted to see you, for he has long feared you were dead." +At the same time the affectionate girl again took her uncle's +hand and raised it to her lips.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The tears started to Mr. Middleton's eyes, but hastily dashing +them away, he said, "I suppose the fair Queen Fanny +knows that bad bills always return?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny replied by again kissing the sunburned hand of her +uncle. "King Ferdinand!" thought Frank, "I'd endure the +rack for the sake of being in the old fellow's boots." Frank +had been standing near Fanny, fixing upon her a gaze so intensely +earnest that when she at last raised her eyes to his she +blushed deeply, for there was no mistaking the look of deep +admiration with which he regarded her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate immediately introduced him. Fanny received him +very politely, but said playfully, "I was in hopes, Mr. Cameron, +that you would prove to be my cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton immediately answered, "No, dear Fanny, he +is not your cousin, but he seems very desirous of becoming +my nephew."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not apply this to herself, but answered very demurely, +"I don't know what he'll do, uncle. You'll have to +talk the matter over with sister Julia, who unfortunately is not +here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are a modest little puss," said Mr. Middleton. "But +do you give up everything so quietly to Julia?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered somewhat sadly, "I've nothing to give."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Miller joined them, and said it was time to make +preparations for returning' home. Accordingly in a short time +the company were dispersing. When our party reached Mrs. +Crane's, Fanny went directly to Julia, whom she found most +becomingly dressed, and apparently anxiously awaiting her +return.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That excellent young lady had heard from Mrs. Carrington +of the strangers' visit, and she was impatient to know +who they were and had dispatched a negro girl to reconnoiter +and report. The girl soon came back, her eyes projecting like +coffee saucers, and the little braided tags of her hair seemingly +standing upright.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Miss Julia!" said she, "that ar' tall, black man—no, I +ax yer pardon, miss—that ar' tall, yaller man, done shook +hands 'long of Miss Fanny, who kissed him, and called him +Uncle William. She said how he done been with the Injuns."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page136">[pg 136]</span><a name="Pg136" id="Pg136" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Her Uncle William!" repeated Julia, in amazement. "And +who is the other man? His son?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, reckon so," said the negro. "They done call him Mr. +Camel, or Camlet, or suthin. I tell you he's han'some; and I +reckon he's tuk with Miss Fanny. Jiminy hoecake! Ain't +she pooty? She looked a heap han'somer than you—no, I +don't mean so—I axes pardon agin." And the negro bobbed +out of the door just in time to dodge a ball of soap which +Julia hurled at her head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's no use fretting so," said Mrs. Carrington, who was +present. "The young man is married, for he spoke of his +wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia did not answer, and Mrs. Carrington soon after left +the room. When she was gone, Julia muttered to herself, +"Uncle William, from the Indies; rich as Crœsus, of course. +What a fool I was not to go to the party. Most likely Fanny +has won his good graces by this time. However, I'll dress +myself and surprise him with my beauty, if nothing else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, the next hour was spent in decorating her person, +and when Fanny came for her she was ready to make +an assault upon the good opinion of her rich uncle. Not a +thing was out of place, from the shining braids of her dark +hair to the tiny slipper on her delicate foot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's first exclamation on entering the room was, "How +beautiful you look, Julia! It is exceedingly fortunate that you +are dressed so becomingly; for, will you believe it, Uncle William +is down stairs!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is it possible?" said Julia, affecting much surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered Fanny. "You know father thinks him +dead. But come, he is anxious to see you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia arose to go with her sister, and said, "Isn't there a +young man with him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How did you know that?" asked Fanny, in some astonishment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I saw them from the window," was Julia's ready reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not think of doubting her sister, and she answered, +"It is a Mr. Cameron. He is cousin to Mrs. Miller."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time they had reached the parlor, which was open. +Here Julia thought proper to be seized with a fit of modest +indifference, and hesitated a moment before entering the room. +Her uncle, however, immediately came forward, and relieved +her from all embarrassment by saying, "And this, I suppose, is +Julia. My brother is a happy man to be father of such charming +girls."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia received him graciously, but rather haughtily offered +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page137">[pg 137]</span><a name="Pg137" id="Pg137" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him her cold white hand. "I will not kiss him," thought she; +"Fanny did that. It's too childish. I'll he more dignified." +Could she have known the contrast which her uncle was drawing +between her own and Fanny's reception of him she would +not have felt much flattered; but before her uncle had time to +say anything further, Fanny introduced her to Frank, whose +keen eye had read her character at a glance, and read it aright, +too. His ideas and words were after the following fashion:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pshaw! What a bundle of pride and stuck-up-ishness! +She's handsome, though, but it isn't to be named the same day +with Fanny,"—"How do you do, Miss Middleton?"—"What an +affected little courtesy!"—"Hope to see you well, ma'am."—"I'd +laugh to see her trip and fall flat."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such were Frank's thoughts while undergoing the ceremony +of an introduction to Julia, who never for a moment doubted +she was making an impression upon the handsome young +stranger, his supposed wife to the contrary notwithstanding. +The introduction being over, Julia seated herself on the sofa, +while Fanny took a seat on a low ottoman near her uncle, but +partially behind him. She had chosen this place, because she +fancied it would screen her somewhat from Frank's eyes, +which she felt, rather than saw, were fixed upon her constantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the conversation which followed, Julia, as if by +mere accident, mentioned New Orleans. She was anxious to +know whether her uncle saw or heard of Dr. Lacey. Her +curiosity was soon gratified, for, at the mention of New Orleans, +as if suddenly recollecting himself, said, turning to +Fanny, "I saw two of your acquaintances in New Orleans, +and one of them gave me a most glowing description of you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I wonder if it were a gentleman," thought Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's thoughts were similar, and she bit her lip, while +Fanny's cheek glowed with unwonted brilliancy as she quietly +asked, "Pray, who was it uncle?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It was Miss Woodburn who praised you so highly," answered +Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia immediately asked, "And who was the other acquaintance?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey," answered her uncle. "I spent three weeks at +his house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Without knowing it, Fanny drew nearer to her uncle and +laid her hand on his. He seemed dearer to her from the fact +that he had spent so much time with one whose image was +ever before her, and whom she vainly fancied she was trying +to forget.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page138">[pg 138]</span><a name="Pg138" id="Pg138" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Frank noticed Fanny's manner, and interpreted it according +to his fears. "There's mischief here," thought he. "I hope +this doctor lives in a good locality for yellow fever."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is Dr. Lacey about to be married?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Married," repeated Mr. Middleton; "I should say matrimony +was very far from his thoughts at present. I fancied +he had met with some disappointment and I sometimes feared +lest the fair, deceitful one were one of my nieces. Can any +one set me right on the subject?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton had no idea how painfully his words affected +her who sat by his side, and looked up so imploringly in his +face, as if begging him to stop. There was an embarrassing +silence, which Julia presently broke, by saying, "While Dr. +Lacey was here, he and Fanny got up a flirtation; but nothing +serious will result from it, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's Fanny's own fault, then, I imagine," said Mr. Middleton, +laying his hand on the head which had drooped lower +and lower, until at last it rested heavily on his knee.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny made no reply; but when she lifted up her head there +was something so sad in the expression of her face that Mr. +Middleton immediately surmised that there was, or had been, +something between Dr. Lacey and Fanny more serious than a +mere flirtation; so he very kindly changed the conversation, +which now turned upon indifferent subjects, until the supper +bell rang out its summons, when they all repaired to the dining +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the supper table Mr. Middleton and Frank were introduced +to Mrs. Carrington, Mr. Stanton and Raymond. Mrs. +Carrington acknowledged her introduction to Mr. Cameron +merely by a haughty, disdainful bow. She had learned from +Kate that he was not married; and feeling indignant at the +deception he attempted to practice upon her, she resolved to +treat him with contempt. Accordingly, although seated opposite +him, she deigned him neither look nor word, but divided +her time between laughing and coquetting with Raymond, and +trying the power of her charms upon Mr. Middleton, who, +she had been told, was a bachelor, and possessed of unbounded +wealth. With the old Indian, however, she made but little +headway; and Frank was right when he thought, "You'll get +tired of that play, madam; the game is too old to be caught +with chaff." With Raymond she succeeded better. He was +delighted with her unusually flattering notice; and ere supper +was over he had, in Frank's estimation, made a perfect fool of +himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank's attention was, however, soon diverted toward Mr. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page139">[pg 139]</span><a name="Pg139" id="Pg139" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Middleton, who said, speaking to Stanton, "Were it not for +your name and glasses, I would address you as Dr. Lacey. +Are you related to him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton replied, "Yes, sir; he is my cousin. I think I must +resemble him, as I have been told so frequently."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton then spoke of Dr. Lacey in the highest terms +of commendation, and concluded his remarks by saying, "I +have recently purchased a residence, near Lake Pontchartrain, +and am beating up recruits to spend the summer there with +me. I am sure of Dr. Lacey, Miss Woodburn, and her cousin, +Miss Mortimer. My nieces I shall take back with me, any +way, and shall be happy to prevail on you, Mr. Stanton, to accompany +me also."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton thanked him for his kind invitation, but at the +same time declined it, saying that business would call him to +New York in the autumn. The deep blush which accompanied +these words caused Raymond to burst into a laugh. Mr. +Middleton looked inquiringly at him and he said, "Pardon me +for laughing; I was thinking of the important business which +calls Bob to New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing bad, I hope," said Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing worse than going for a wife," answered Raymond. +"He is not suited with Kentucky girls, but must needs +plod back to New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"If appearances do not deceive, you, at least, seem likely to +be suited by a Kentuckian," replied Mr. Middleton, at the same +time turning his black eyes on Mrs. Carrington with something +of a quizzical expression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond colored. He did not know how the speech would +be received by the fair lady. She soon satisfied him, however; +for tossing her head proudly, she said, "As far as my experience +goes, New Yorkers are more easily suited than Kentuckians; +at least, I find them to be exceedingly disagreeable."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am afraid some of them are so easily suited that they +catch a Tartar sometimes," said Frank, whose feelings were +roused at hearing this rude speech.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington gave him a look which she meant should +say, "I wonder who you think you are. I'd thank you to mind +your own business."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Frank thought he was minding his business; for he was +looking at Fanny, who had not taken her eyes from her plate +since her uncle had proposed taking herself and Julia to New +Orleans. Her first feeling was one of joy. She would go, +for she would then see Dr. Lacey; but the next thought was, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page140">[pg 140]</span><a name="Pg140" id="Pg140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +"No, I will not. He has spurned me, and why should I put +myself in his way?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's feelings were different. She could scarcely conceal +her delight. Her artful mind took in the future at a glance. +She felt sure that Fanny would not go; but she would, and +could thus make Dr. Lacey believe that she, of all others, was +just suited for him. Here we may as well give Julia's real +reason for absenting herself from the May party. She had +begun to fear that all her fine scheming might come to +naught; for in all probability Dr. Lacey would not return to +Kentucky in a long time. What could she do? She would +write him a letter in her own name. In it she would modestly +express her opinion of Fanny's conduct; sympathize with +him in his disappointment, and end by inviting him to Frankfort, +saying she hoped he would not absent himself from his +friends on Fanny's account; for there were many who would +welcome him back to Kentucky with pleasure. It was for the +sake of manufacturing this letter that Julia had remained at +home. But now there was no need of sending it, for she was +going to New Orleans herself. She would win him. He +would yet be hers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On returning to the parlor after supper she seated herself +close to her uncle, upon whom she lavished so many caresses +that he wondered much what had come over her, and began +to think that he was mistaken in supposing her to be cold-hearted +and indifferent to him. As he looked at her beautiful, +animated face, and the sparkling brilliancy of her eyes, he felt +a moment's vanity in thinking how proud he would be to introduce +her as his niece among the fashionables of New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the evening Mr. Ashton called. He had heard of +the arrival of a Mr. Middleton from the Indies, and he had +his own particular reason for wishing to see him. Soon after +entering the room, he addressed Mr. Middleton, saying, "Were +you in Calcutta twelve years ago?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir; I was there twenty years ago," answered Mr. +Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do you remember transacting business with the captain of +the English vessel 'Delphine'?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton thought a moment and then answered, "Yes, +I remember that vessel and its captain well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And do you remember a poor cabin boy, who was sick +and worn out with the ship fever?" continued Mr. Ashton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, yes; I remember him well," said Mr. Middleton. +"I had him removed to my own house, and nursed him until +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page141">[pg 141]</span><a name="Pg141" id="Pg141" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he was nearly well; and then, he one night ran away from me. +I have never heard from him since; but there was an American +vessel anchored near the shore, and I always supposed he +went on board and sailed for home. I would give much to +know what became of him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He stands before you," said Mr. Ashton, rising and grasping +Mr. Middleton's hand. "He is here to thank you for your +kindness, and is both able and willing to repay you for the +care you took of him who was alone and friendless in a distant +land."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Can it be," said Mr. Middleton, with much emotion, "that +you really are Henry Ashton? I should never have recognized +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I presume not," answered Ashton. "Twelve years have +transformed the pale, emaciated youth into the tall, full-grown +man. But I should have known you anywhere."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Raymond called out, "Why Ashton, have you been to +the Indies? Why did you never tell us?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," replied Ashton, "there was so much of homesickness +and suffering attending that voyage to India that I +never like to speak of it." Then turning to Mr. Middleton, +he said, "I have met your brother often, but never suspected +him to be a relative of yours. Have you seen him yet?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I have not," answered Mr. Middleton. "I intend visiting +him tomorrow, and shall be glad, to take as many of you with +me as are willing to go. I wish to be introduced to him as a +Mr. Stafford from New Orleans."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After some further conversation it was arranged that Mr. +Miller, Ashton, Stanton, Raymond and Cameron should all accompany +Mr. Middleton on his projected visit to his brother. +Soon after Mr. Ashton departed for his boarding place, and +the remainder of the company separated for the night.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter15" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc30" id="toc30"></a><a name="pdf31" id="pdf31"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">mr. middleton's brother</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span><a name="Pg142" id="Pg142" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia's first exclamation, on waking the next morning, was, +"I am glad I am not expected to go home with uncle today, +and see father make a precious fool of himself, as he surely +will."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How can you say so, Julia?" answered Fanny. "I wish I +was going, for I think I could smooth father down a little if +he got to using too strong language."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nonsense, Fan," said Julia. "Why don't you confess that you +wish to go because that handsome Cameron is going? Didn't +I see how much he looked at you, and how you blushed, too? +But no matter. I would get him, if I were you!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was getting very generous, now that she thought herself +sure of Dr. Lacey. Further remark from her, however, +was prevented by the ringing of the breakfast bell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What shall I tell your parents?" said Mr. Middleton to his +nieces, as he stood in the hall, waiting for the driver to open +the carriage door and let down the steps.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia made no reply, but Fanny said, "Give them my love, +and tell them I am getting better every day, and shall want to +come home soon," and then she added, in a lower tone, "You +will not laugh at father much, will you, or make fun of him +either, if he acts oddly?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God bless you, sweet girl," said Mr. Middleton, stooping to +kiss the innocent face which looked up into his with so much +earnestness. "For your sake, if for no other, your father +shall not be laughed at."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the carriage drove off, Julia turned to Fanny and said, +"Won't they have fun, though, with the old man? I can +fancy it all. Father's beard will probably be long enough to +do up in papers, and it will be a miracle if he does not have on +those horrid old bagging pants of his."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was only too fearful it would all be as Julia predicted, +but she made no answer, and soon returned to her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We will now follow the carriage, which, with its load of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page143">[pg 143]</span><a name="Pg143" id="Pg143" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +gentlemen, was proceeding rapidly toward the house of our +friend Uncle Joshua. Mr. William Middleton, or Mr. Stafford, +as we will call him for a time, seemed to grow excited +as he approached nearer to a brother whose face he had +not looked upon for more than twenty long years.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I say, boys," said he, speaking to his companions, "you +must help me, and when I begin to ask Joshua concerning his +parents and brothers, you, too, must talk, or he will suspect I +have some design in questioning him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gentlemen all promised to do their best, except Frank, +who could promise nothing, because he knew nothing concerning +the man they were going to visit. His curiosity, however, +was aroused, and forgetting the presence of Mr. William +Middleton, "Do they keep the old fellow caged? And must we +pay anything for seeing him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These questions were greeted by a burst of laughter, and +Raymond said, "No—admittance is free, but you'll be more +amused to see him and hear him talk than you would in +visiting Barnum's Museum!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time the carriage had entered the woods, and they +came in sight of the house. Mr. Stafford leaned from the +window, and said, "Is it possible that my brother, with all +his wealth, lives in such a heathen place as this?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"When you see him," said Raymond, "you'll think the nest +just suited the bird."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were now in the yard, which was so filled with farming +utensils that the driver found it difficult to effect a passage +up to the door. The gentlemen were about concluding to +alight where they were, when Mr. Middleton was heard calling +out, "Ho, thar, driver, don't run agin that ar ox-cart; +turn a leetle to the right, can't ye? Now be keerful and not +run afoul of the plaguey lye leech. I b'lieve the niggers would +move the hut, Josh and all, into the yard, if they could only +make a raise!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stafford and Frank looked eagerly out at the speaker, +who fully realized Frank's idea of him. His beard was as +long and black as a rapid growth of three weeks could make +it. As Julia had feared, he was dressed in his favorite bagging +pants, which hung loosely, even around his huge proportions, +and looked as if fitted to some of his outbuildings. He was +very warm and he wore neither coat nor vest, while his feet, +whose dimensions we have mentioned before, were minus +either shoes or stockings. He appeared in the doorway buttoning +one of his suspenders. The truth was he had spied the +carriage in the distance, and as his linen was none the cleanest +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg 144]</span><a name="Pg144" id="Pg144" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he hastened to change, and was now putting the finishing +touch to his toilet. When he caught sight of the occupants +of the carriage he thought to himself, "Thar's a heap on 'em. +Nancy'll have to rout the whole gang of niggers, field hands +and all, to huntin' hin's nests after eggs enough for dinner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time the gentlemen had alighted, and Mr. Middleton +went forward to receive them. "How d'ye do, how d'ye do?" +said he; "I'm mighty glad you've come. I wish you'd brought +the whole city."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"We came pretty near it, I think," said Mr. Miller, at the +same time presenting Mr. Stafford and Mr. Cameron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton continued talking, as if replying to Mr. +Miller's first remark. "No consequence, no consequence, Mr. +Stafford, Mr. Cameron, how are you? The more the merrier. +I s'pose they've told you all about Josh, so I needn't make +b'lieve any—but come in—the house looks better inside than +it does out." "Ho, Luce," continued he, "where the old boy is +your mistress? Tell her thar's heaps of folks here, and mind +tell Aunt Judy to get us up a whalin' dinner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he stopped to take breath for a moment, and then proceeded. +"You must excuse my rig, gentlemen, or rather, you +must excuse what ain't rigged; mebby if I'd known all you +city buggers was comin', I'd a kivered my bar feet."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You go barefoot for comfort?" said Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes, mainly for that, I suppose," answered Mr. +Middleton, "for I've got such fetchin' big corns on my feet +that I ain't goin' to be cramped with none of your toggery. +My feet happen to be clean, for I washed them in the watering +trough this mornin'. How d'ye leave my gals?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"They are well," answered Mr. Miller, "or rather Julia is, +and Fanny is improving every day."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I've often wondered," said Mr. Middleton, "what 'twas +ailded Sunshine when she was sick. She didn't seem to have +no disease in particular, and I reckon nothin's on her mind, +for all's straight between her and Dr. Lacey, as far as I +know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey!" repeated Frank, without knowing what he +said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, Dr. Lacey; know him?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir," answered Frank, and Ashton rejoined, "I imagine +he wishes Fanny had never known him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton turned, and for a moment regarded Frank +intently. Frank stood the inspection manfully, and Mr. +Middleton said, "You are from New York, hey? I like New +Yorkers, and if Sunshine wasn't promised to Dr. Lacey and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span><a name="Pg145" id="Pg145" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +never had seen him, and I liked you, I'd as soon you'd have +her as anybody."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stafford now said that he was acquainted with Dr. +Lacey, and proceeded to speak of the pleasant time he had +spent with him. This occupied the time until dinner was +ready.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come, haul up," said Mr. Middleton, "haul up; we didn't +expect so many to dinner, but the old table'll stretch and you +must set clus; but don't none of you step on my corns, for +thunder's sake!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank thought if his host kept on talking he should not be +able to eat for laughing, but the old man was but just getting +into the merits of the case!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When his guests were seated, he said to Mr. Stafford, "Your +white neck cloth looks like you might belong to the clergy. +If you do, you can say a short prayer over the eggs and bacon, +but Lord's sake be spry, for I'm blarsted hungry!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But for the remembrance of his promise to Fanny, Mr. +Stafford would have screamed. It is needless to say that he +declined his host's invitation, and the company began their +dinner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly Mr. Stafford asked if Mr. Middleton had any +brothers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes—no, or, that is, I had one once," answered Mr. +Middleton, "but he's deader than a door nail afore this, I +reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And what makes you think he is dead?" asked Stafford.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, you see," returned Mr. Middleton, "when our old +pap died, something in the will stuck crossways in Bill's +swaller, and he left college and put to sea, and I hain't heard +from him in fifteen years."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did he look like you?" said Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He was four years younger than I," answered Mr. Middleton, +"but no more like me than Sunshine's pet kitten is like our +old watch dog, Tige. He was soft like in his ways and took +to book larnin mightily, and I'm—but everybody knows what +old Josh is. Hold on thar! Save the pieces!" said he to +Frank, who, unable longer to restrain his mirth, had deluged +his plate with coffee.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pray excuse me," said Frank, mortified beyond measure at +his mishap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His discomfiture was, however, somewhat relieved by his +companions, all of whom burst into a fit of laughter, in which +Mr. Stafford heartily joined, forgetful of his promise to +Fanny. By this time dinner was over and the company repaired +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg 146]</span><a name="Pg146" id="Pg146" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to the porch, where Ashton and Raymond betook themselves +to their cigars, while Mr. Middleton puffed away at his +old cob pipe.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stafford at length resumed the dinner table conversation +by saying, "If I were you, Mr. Middleton, I would not +give up my brother yet; 'Hope on, hope ever,' is my motto."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Hope on," repeated Mr. Middleton. "I have hoped on till +I am tired on't, and by spells I have dreams in which it seems +like my brother was alive and had come back, and then my +old gourd shell of a heart gives a thunderin' thump, and +fetches me up wide awake. I hate dreams mightily, for it +takes me an all-fired while to get to sleep all over, and when +I do I hate to be waked up by a dream."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hope you'll live to see your brother, though," said Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, I shan't," answered Mr. Middleton, again filling his +cob pipe. "Everything that I loved has always died."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you lost many friends?" asked Mr. Stafford.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Considerable many," said Mr. Middleton, "considering how +few I ever had. First, thar was mother died, when Bill and +I was little boys; I remember how we cried when we stood by +her grave, and I was so feared Bill would bust his jacket open +that I whispered to him not to take on so, for I'd be his +mother now. And then that night, which was the longest and +darkest I ever knew, we took turn rocking and singing to our +little baby sister, just as we had seen mother do."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he stopped a moment, and Raymond, who was rather +impatient, said, "Don't stop; go on."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old man wiped his eyes, and said, "Heavens and arth, +don't hurry a feller so; can't you let him wait till the big +bumps get out of his throat, or would you have me bellerin' +here like a calf?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Take your time, Mr. Middleton," said Mr. Stafford, who +was as much affected as his brother at the remembrance of +that sad night, when he first felt what it was to be motherless.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After an instant, Mr. Middleton continued, "Directly that +sister got big enough, she was married and started to go to +England, but the vessel went to smash and the crew went to +the bottom. Poor gal, she always hated salt, but she's used to +it by this time, I reckon. Then there was pap died next, but +he was old and gray-headed, and sick-hearted like, and he +wanted to go, but it made it jest as bad for me. Then thar +was Bill."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Stafford moved his chair so as to hide his face +from the speaker, who continued, "I did think I might have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page147">[pg 147]</span><a name="Pg147" id="Pg147" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +one left, but 'twasn't to be. He went, too, and Josh was left +alone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton cleared his throat a little, refilled his cob +pipe, and proceeded. "The Lord gin me two gals, and then +he sent me as noble a boy as ever was, I don't care where +t'other comes from. He wasn't mine, but I loved him all the +same. You, Mr. Miller, knew him, but you don't know—no, +nor begin to know, how old Josh loved him, and what a tremendous +wrench it gin my old heart when I come home and +found he was dead. But, Lord, hain't he got a fine gravestun, +though! You go to the cimetery at Frankford, and +you'll see it right along side of Leftenant Carrington's, whose +widow's a flirtin' with everybody in creation anyway, and +Frankford sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I've now told you of all that's dead," continued he, striking +the ashes out of his pipe and wiping it on his bagging trousers, +"but I hain't told you yit what troubles me more than all. +Thar's something haunts old Josh, and makes his heart stand +still with mortal fear. Thar's Sunshine, dearer to her old pap +than his own life. You've all seen her, and I reckon she's +made some of your hearts ache; but something's come over +her. She seems delicate like, and is fadin' away."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here two big tears, that couldn't be mistaken, rolled down +Mr. Middleton's cheeks, as he added emphatically, "and by +Jehu, if Sunshine goes, old Josh'll bust up and go, too!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The winding up of Uncle Joshua's story was so odd and unexpected +that all the gentlemen, Mr. Stafford included, laughed +loudly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"'Tain't no laughin' matter, boys," said Mr. Middleton, +"and so you'll all think if you ever have a gal as sweet and +lovin' like as Sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Stafford said, "Your sister's name was Fanny, +I believe."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, 'twas; who told you?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No one. I knew it myself," answered Mr. Stafford, looking +his brother earnestly in the face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton seemed puzzled, and after closely scrutinizing +Mr. Stafford's features, he said, "Confound it, am I in a +nightmare? I thought for a minute—but no, it can't be +neither, for you've got too thunderin' black a hide to be Bill."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before Mr. Stafford replies to this remark we will take the +reader to the kitchen, where a group of negroes are assembled +round old Aunt Katy, and are listening with breathless interest +to what she is saying. Aunt Katy was so infirm that +she kept her bed for the greater part of the time, but on this +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg 148]</span><a name="Pg148" id="Pg148" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +day she was sitting-up, and from her low cabin window she +caught a view of the visitors as they alighted from the carriage. +When Mr. Stafford appeared, she half started from +her chair and said aloud, "Who upon airth can that be, and +whar have I seen him? Somewhar, sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It then occurred to her that she would go to the kitchen and +inquire who "that tall, darkish-looking gentleman was." Accordingly +she hobbled out to make the inquiry. She was +much disappointed when she heard the name. "No," said she, +"'tain't nobody I ever knowed, and yet how like he is to +somebody I've seen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not long after the old negress again muttered to herself, +"Go way now; what makes me keep a thinkin' so of Marster +William this mornin'? 'Pears like he keeps hauntin' me." +Then rising she went to an old cupboard, and took from it a +cracked earthen teapot. From this teapot she drew a piece +of brown paper, and opening it gazed fondly on a little lock +of soft brown hair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Bless the boy," said she, "I mind jest how he looked when +I cut this har from his head, the very day his mother was +buried. Poor Marster William," continued she, "most likely +he's gone to 'tarnity 'fore this time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she said this tears, which were none the less sincere because +she who wept them belonged to Africa's sable race, fell +upon the once bright but now faded lock of hair, which +the faithful creature had for more than forty years preserved +as a memento of him whom she had long since looked upon as +dead, although she had never ceased to pray for him, and always +ended her accustomed prayer, "Now I lay me—" +with the petition that "God would take keer of Marster William +and bring him home again." Who shall say that the +prayer was not answered?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Going back to her seat, she took up her knitting and was +soon living over the past, when she was young and dwelt +with "the old folks at home." Suddenly there came from the +house the sound of merry laughter. High above all the rest +was a voice, whose clear, ringing tones made Katy start up +so quickly that, as she afterward described it, "a sudden +misery cotched her in the back, and pulled her down quicker." +There was something in the sound of that laugh, which seemed +to Katy like an echo of the past. "But," thought she, "I'm +deaf like and mebby didn't hear straight. I'll go to the kitchen +agin and hark."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few minutes she was in the kitchen and dropping down +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page149">[pg 149]</span><a name="Pg149" id="Pg149" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +on the meal chest as the first seat handy, she said, "Ho, Judy, +is you noticed the strange gentleman's laugh?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hain't noticed nothing" answered Judy, who chanced to +be out of sorts, because, as she said, "the white folks had done +et up every atom of egg; they didn't even leave her the yaller +of one!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, suthin in his laugh kerried me back to the old plantation +in Carlina, and I b'lieve, between you and me, Judy, that +Marster William's here," said Katy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Marster William, Marster William; what on airth do you +mean?" asked Judy, forgetting the eggs in her surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of "Marster William," who was looked upon +as a great man, but a dead one, the little negroes gathered +around, and one of them, our old friend, Bobaway, said, "Oh, +Laddy, I hope 'tis Marster William, for Marster Josh'll be so +tickled that he won't keer if we don't do nothin' for a week; +and I needn't milk the little heifer, nuther! Oh, good, good!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You go long, you Bob," said Aunt Judy, seizing a lock of +his wool between her thumb and finger, "let me catch you not +milking the heifer, and I'll crack you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Again there was the sound of laughter, and this time Judy +dropped her dishcloth, while Katy sprang up, saying, "'Tis, I +know 'tis; any way, I'll walk round thar as if for a little airin', +and can see for myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, old Katy appeared around the corner of the +house just as Mr. Middleton had spoken to his brother of his +color. The moment Mr. Stafford's eye rested on his old +nurse, he knew her. Twenty years had not changed her as +much as it had him. Starting up he exclaimed, "Katy, dear +old mammy Katy," while she uttered a wild, exultant cry of +joy, and springing forward threw her thin, shriveled arms +around his neck, exclaiming, "My darling boy, my sweet +Marster William. I knowed 'twas you. I knowed your voice. +You are alive, I've seen you, and now old Katy's ready to +die."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">White as ashes grew the face of Uncle Joshua. The truth +had flashed upon him, and almost rendered him powerless. +Pale and motionless he sat, until William, freeing himself +from Aunt Katy, came forward and said, "Joshua, I am William, +your brother; don't you know me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then the floodgates of Uncle Joshua's heart seemed unlocked, +and the long, fervent embrace which followed between +the rough old man and his newly-found brother made more +than one of the lookers on turn away his face lest his companion +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg 150]</span><a name="Pg150" id="Pg150" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +should detect the moisture in his eyes, which seriously +threatened to assume the form of tears.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the first joy and surprise of this unexpected meeting +was over, Mr. Joshua Middleton said, as if apologizing for +his emotion, "I'm dumbly afeard, Bill, that I acted mighty +baby-like, but hang me if I could help it. Such a day as this +I never expected to see, and yet I have lain awake o' nights +thinkin' mebby you'd come back. But such ideas didn't last +long, and I'd soon give you up as a goner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That's jest what I never did," said Aunt Katy, who still +stood near.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the excitement of the moment she had forgotten that she +had long thought of "Marster William" as dead; she continued, +"A heap of prars I said for him, and it's chiefly owin' +to them prars, I reckon, that he's done fished up out of the +sea."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I've never been in the sea yet, Aunt Katy," said Mr. +Middleton, desirous of removing from her mind the fancy that +any special miracle had been wrought in his behalf.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Whar in fury have you been, and what's the reason you +hain't writ these dozen years? Come, give us the history of +your carryin's on," said Mr. Joshua Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not now," answered his brother. "Let us wait until evening, +and then you shall hear my adventures; now let me pay +my respects to your wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While he was introducing himself to Mrs. Middleton, Katy +went back to the kitchen, whither the news had preceded her, +causing Bob in his joy to turn several somersaults. In the +last of these he was very unfortunate, for his heels, in their +descent, chanced to hit and overturn a churn full of buttermilk! +When Aunt Katy entered she found Bob bemoaning +the backache, which his mother had unsparingly given him! +Aunt Judy herself, having cleared away the buttermilk, by +sweeping it out of doors, was waiting eagerly to know "if +Marster William done axed arter her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, no, Judy," said Katy, somewhat elated because she +had been first to recognize and welcome the stranger. "Why, +no, I can't say he did, and 'tain't nateral like that he should set +so much store by you, as by me. Ain't I got twenty years +the start on you; and didn't I nuss him, and arter his mother +died didn't I larn him all his manners?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Judy was on the point of crying, when who should +walk in but "Marster William" himself. "I am told," said he, +"that Judy is here, Judy, that I used to play with."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lor' bless you, Marster William," exclaimed Judy, at the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page151">[pg 151]</span><a name="Pg151" id="Pg151" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +same time covering his hand with tears and kisses, "It's Judy, +I is, I know'd you hadn't done forgot me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no, Judy," said he, "I have not forgotten one of you, +but I did not know whether you were living or not, so I did +not bring you presents, but I'll get you something, in a few +days. Meantime take this," said he, slipping a silver dollar +into the hands of Aunt Katy and Aunt Judy, each of whom +showered upon him so many blessings and "thankes" that he +was glad to leave the kitchen and return to his companions, +who were talking to Uncle Joshua without getting any definite +answer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His brother's sudden return had operated strangely upon +him, and for a time he seemed to be in a kind of trance. He +would draw his chair up closely to William, and, after gazing +intently at him for a time, would pass his large rough hand +over his hair, muttering to himself, "Yes, it is Bill, and no +mistake, but who'd a thought it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last rousing himself he turned to his other guests, and +said, "You mustn't think hard on me, if I ain't as peart and +talkin' like for a spell; Bill's comin' home has kinder oversot +the old man, and I'm thinkin' of the past when we's little +boys and lived at home on pap's old plantation afore any of +us was dead."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young gentlemen readily excused the old man's silence, +and when the slanting beams of the setting sun betokened the +approach of night, they all, with the exception of Ashton, +began to speak of returning home. Mr. Middleton urged +them to stay, saying, "What's the use of goin'? Nancy's got +beds enough, I reckon, and will be right glad of a chance to +show her new calico kiverlids, and besides we are goin' to +have some briled hen in the morning, so stay."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But as the next day was the Sabbath, the gentlemen declined +the invitation, and bidding the host "good-bye," they were +soon on their way homeward, each declaring that he had +seldom spent a pleasanter day. As they can undoubtedly find +their way to Frankfort without our assistance, we will remain +at Uncle Joshua's together with Mr. William Middleton +and Ashton. The latter felt as if he had suddenly found +an old friend, and as nothing of importance required his presence +at home, he decided to remain where he was until Monday.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening, after everything was "put to rights" and Mr. +Middleton had yelled out his usual amount of orders, he returned +to the porch, where his brother and Ashton were +still seated. Lighting his old cob pipe he said, "Come, Bill, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg 152]</span><a name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Nancy'll fetch out her rockin' cheer and knittin' work, and +we'll hear the story of your doin's in that heathenish land, +but be kinder short, for pears like I'd lived a year today, +and I feel mighty like goin' to sleep."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment's silence Mr. Middleton commenced: "I +shall not attempt to justify myself for running away as I did, +and yet I cannot say that I have ever seriously regretted visiting +those countries, which I probably shall never look upon +again. I think I wrote to you, Joshua, that I took passage +on the ship Santiago, which was bound for the East Indies. +Never shall I forget the feeling of loneliness which crept +over me, on the night when I first entered the city of Calcutta, +and felt that I was indeed alone in a foreign land, and +that more than an ocean's breadth rolled between me and +my childhood's home. But it was worse than useless to dwell +upon the past. I had my fortune to make, and I began to look +about for some employment. At last I chanced to fall in with +an intelligent Spaniard, Signor de Castello. He was a +wealthy merchant, and for several years had resided in Calcutta. +As he spoke the English language fluently, I found no +trouble in making his acquaintance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He seemed pleased with me and offered me the situation +of clerk in his counting room. I accepted his offer, and also +became an inmate of his dwelling, which was adorned with +every conceivable luxury. His family consisted of himself +and his daughter, Inez."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of Inez, Ashton half started from his chair, +but immediately reseating himself, listened while Mr. Middleton +proceeded: "I will not attempt to describe Inez, for I am +too old now to even feel young again, by picturing to your +imagination the beauty of that fair Spaniard. I will only +say that I never saw one, whose style of beauty would begin +to compare with hers, until I beheld my niece, Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord knows, I hope she wan't like Tempest," said Uncle +Joshua, at the same time relieving his mouth of its overflowing +contents.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not know whether she were or not," answered Mr. +Middleton, "I only know that Inez seemed too beautiful, too +gentle, for one to suspect that treachery lurked beneath the +soft glance of her dark eyes. I know not why it was, but +Castello, from the first seemed to entertain for me a strong +friendship, and at last I fully believe the affection he felt for +me was second only to what he felt for his daughter. But he +could not remain with us, and in eighteen months after I first +knew him, he took one of the fevers common to that sultry +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page153">[pg 153]</span><a name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +climate, and in the course of a few days he was dead. I +wrote to you of his death, but I did not tell you that he had +left a will, in which all his immense wealth was equally +divided between myself and Inez. He did not express his +desire that we should marry, but I understood it so, and +thenceforth looked upon Inez as belonging exclusively to myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You didn't marry her, though, I take it," said Joshua, +making a thrust at an enormous mosquito, which had unceremoniously +alighted upon his brawny foot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," answered William, "I did not marry her, but 'twas +not my fault. She played me false. Six months after her +father's death we were to be married. The evening previous +to our wedding arrived. I was perfectly happy, but Inez +seemed low-spirited, and when I inquired the cause she answered, +'Nothing, except a little nervous excitement.' I +readily believed her; but when the morning came the cause +of her low spirits was explained. The bird had flown, with +a young Englishman, Sir Arthur Effingham, who had been a +frequent guest at my house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That was one of Tempest's capers to a dot," said Uncle +Joshua, "but go on, Bill, and tell us whether the disappointment +killed you or not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So William proceeded: "Instead of my bride, I found a +note from Inez, in which she asked pardon for what she had +done, saying she had long loved Sir Arthur, but did not dare +tell me so. They were going to England, whither she wished +me to send a part of her portion, as her husband was not +wealthy. I could understand Inez's character perfectly, and +could readily see that she preferred a titled but poor Englishman +to a wealthy, but plain American, so I gave her up +quietly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And was mighty glad to get shut of her so," interrupted +Joshua.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"From that time," continued William, "I gave up all +thoughts of marriage, and devoted myself to increasing my +wealth, and spending it for my own comfort and the good of +others. Twelve years ago I chanced to go on board the Delphine, +and there I found Ashton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Look at him, for gracious sake," said Uncle Joshua, pointing +toward Ashton. "Why man, you are as white as one of +Judy's biscuit; what ails you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing," answered Ashton, who really was much affected +by Mr. Middleton's narrative; but he said, "I am only thinking +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span><a name="Pg154" id="Pg154" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of the long, weary days I passed in the Delphine before +Mr. Middleton kindly cared for me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This seemed quite natural, and Mr. Middleton continued: +"Ashton was wasted to a mere skeleton by ship fever, and +my heart yearned toward him. Perhaps I felt a stronger +sympathy for him when I learned that he was an American. +He, like myself, had run away. The vessel, in which he had +embarked, had been wrecked, and he, with two others, were +saved in a small boat. For days they floated above the broad +expanse of waters until at length the Delphine picked them +up, and brought them to India. I had Ashton removed to my +house, but as soon as he recovered, he took French leave of +me. From that time I lived alone. I wrote to you frequently, +but got no answer. My letters must have been lost, but I +then concluded you were dead. At last I began to have such +an ardent desire to tread my native soil once more that I disposed +of my property and set out for home, so here I am +and have told you my history; what do you think of it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no answer save the sound of heavy breathing; +Uncle Joshua had probably got to sleep "all over." The +cessation of his brother's voice awoke him, and rubbing his +eyes he said, "Yes, yes, Ashton had the ship fever. I hope +he can't give it now, for I'm mortal feared on't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton assured him there was no danger, and then, turning +to William, said, "Have you ever heard from Inez?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Mr. Middleton. "About a year after her marriage +I heard of the birth of a daughter, whom she called Inez +Middleton. I have heard of them once or twice since, but +not recently."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment's silence Ashton, with some hesitation, said, +"If I mistake not, I know Inez Effingham well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You know Inez, my Inez—where—how—tell me all," said +Mr. Middleton, grasping Ashton's hand as if a new link +suddenly added to the chain of friendship which already +bound them together.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You probably remember," said Ashton, "that when I left +you so suddenly there was an American vessel in port. I +was anxious to return home, but fancied you would oppose it, +so I left without a word, and went on board the ship. During +the voyage, I found that one of the crew was from my native +town. I eagerly inquired after my parents and my little sister +Nellie, whom you so often heard me mention. Judge of my +feelings when told that they were all dead. In the agony of +the moment, I attempted to throw myself overboard, but was +prevented. From that time all desire to return was gone, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page155">[pg 155]</span><a name="Pg155" id="Pg155" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and when at last we stopped at one of the ports in England, I +left the vessel to try my fortune in the mother country."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But Inez," said Mr. Middleton, "what of Inez?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will tell you," answered Ashton. "After remaining in +England some years I became acquainted with her father, Sir +Arthur Effingham, who lived forty miles from London. He +invited me to visit his house and there I first saw Inez and +her mother. To know Inez was to love her, but I could not +hope to win the haughty Englishman's daughter, and besides +she was so young that I did not believe I had made any impression +upon her. But, encouraged by Lady Effingham, I +at length ventured to ask Inez of her father. I did not wish +to marry her then, as she was only fourteen, but her father +spurned me with contempt, and bade me never again enter his +house. I obeyed, but tried many times to procure an interview +with Inez. I succeeded, and told her I was about to +leave England for America, but should never forget her. I +would not suffer her to bind herself to me by any promise, but +expressed my belief that at some future time she would be +mine. It is three years since we parted. I came immediately +to America, but I could not bear to return to my old home, +and see it occupied by others, so I wandered this way and at +last settled in Frankfort as a merchant."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he stopped and Mr. Middleton said, "You have not +told me of the mother. Does she still live?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton answered, "She was living when I left England, but +Inez has since written me of her death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That will do, Ashton; that will do. I do not wish to hear +any more now," said Mr. William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Mr. Middleton and Ashton were relating their adventures, +Aunt Katy was busily engaged in superintending +the arrangement of "Marster William's" sleeping room. Mrs. +Middleton had bidden Judy to see that everything was put in +order, but Aunt Katy seemed to think nothing could be done +right unless she had an oversight of it. So she was walking +back and forth, consulting with Judy a little and ordering her +a good deal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now, Judy," said she, "hain't you no more idees of +ilegance than to push the bedstead smack up agin the clarbuds; +just pull it out a foot or two, as old Miss use to do."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Judy complied with her request and she continued: "Lordy +sakes—don't Miss Nancy know better than to put Marster +William to sleep in such coarse sheets," at the same time +casting a rueful glance at the linens which Judy had put upon +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page156">[pg 156]</span><a name="Pg156" id="Pg156" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the bed. "You set down, Judy," said Aunt Katy, "and I'll +tend to the bed myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying she hobbled off to her cabin and opening her "old +red chist," drew from it a pair of half-worn, but very fine +linen sheets. These she shook most lustily in order to free +them from the rose leaves, lavender sprigs and tobacco, which +she had placed between their folds. With the former she +thought to perfume them, while the latter was put there for +the purpose of keeping out moths. The old creature had +heard that tobacco was good to keep moths from woolens, +and she knew of no reason why it would not answer every +purpose for linen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar," said she, on returning to the house, "these begins +to look a little like Marster William. They was gin to me by +old marster, jest afore he died. They 'longed to old Miss, and +if any one on us could read, I reckon we should find her +name on 'em somewhar writ in brawdery."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the bed and room were adjusted to her satisfaction, +she went down to the kitchen and took a seat there. Here +Aunt Judy found her about ten o'clock that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What on airth you sittin' here for?" said she.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I's only waitin' till Marster William gets a little used +to his room afore I axes him how he likes it and does he want +anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, not long after, Aunt Katy stole upstairs and +opening the door called out, "Ho, Marster William, does you +want anything, and is you got enough kiver?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But "Marster William's" senses were too soundly locked in +sleep to heed the faithful creature, and after standing still a +moment, she said to herself, "I'm mighty feared he'll cotch +cold."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So back she went to her cabin and from the same "red chist" +took a many-colored patchwork quilt. This she carried to the +house and spread carefully over Mr. Middleton, saying, "He +won't be none too comfortable, and in the mornin' he'll see it, +and I'll tell him I done pieced and quilted it my own self."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The consequence of this extra covering was that Mr. +Middleton awoke in the night with the impression that he was +being suffocated in the hot climate of Calcutta! He did not +know that she, to whom he was indebted for his warm berth, +was now sleeping quietly and dreaming "how tickled Marster +William would be when he knew she had lent him her spare +sheets and bedquilt!"</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter16" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc32" id="toc32"></a><a name="pdf33" id="pdf33"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XVI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny refuses to go to new orleans</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page157">[pg 157]</span><a name="Pg157" id="Pg157" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The next day was the Sabbath. Contrary to their usual +custom on such mornings, Mr. Middleton and his negroes were +astir at an early hour. The female portion of the latter were +occupied in preparing a great breakfast in honor of "Marster +William's" arrival, while Mr. Middleton busied himself in removing +a part of his dark, heavy beard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When William made his appearance in the sitting room, he +was greeted by his brother with, "How are you, Bill? Hope +you slept better than I did, for 'pears like I couldn't get asleep +nohow, till toward mornin' and then I was mighty skeary +about wakin' up, for fear I should find it all moonshine, and +no Bill here after all." After a moment's pause, he added, +"Whar's t'other chap? If he don't come down directly, the +hen'll spile, for Judy's had it ready better than half an hour."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton soon appeared, and the party did ample justice to +Aunt Judy's well-cooked breakfast. That meal being over, +Mr. Middleton said, "Now, boys, what do you say to goin' to +meetin'? The Baptists have preachin', and I've a mind to go. +How the folk'll stare though to see Bill. Say, will you go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gentlemen signified their assent, and at the usual hour +they proceeded to the church, which was situated about two +miles from Mr. Middleton's. We are sorry for it, but truth +compels us to say that on this day Uncle Joshua was not +quite as devotional as usual. He was looking over the congregation +to see what effect his brother's presence was producing. +When he saw that no one exclaimed or turned pale, +and that even the minister kept on the even tenor of his discourse, +he inwardly accused them all of being "doughheads," +and wondered he had never before discovered how little they +knew. However, when meeting was over, the neighbors +crowded around the old man, congratulating him on the unexpected +return of his brother, whom they welcomed so +warmly that Uncle Joshua began to think he had been too +hasty in condemning them, for "after all, they knew a heap."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg 158]</span><a name="Pg158" id="Pg158" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>That night, after supper, Mr. Middleton was again seated +in the little porch with his guests. They had been speaking of +the sermon they had heard, when Mr. Middleton said, "That's +the right kind of meetin' to my notion. A feller can sleep a +bit if he feels like it; but whar my gals go, in Frankford, +they have the queerest doin's—keep a gittin' up and sittin' +down; 'pears like you don't moren't git fairly sot afore you +have to hist up again, and you can't sleep to save you. Then +they have streaked yaller and black prar books and keep +a-readin' all meetin' time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do your daughters prefer that church?" asked William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," returned his brother; "or, that is, Dick, poor +boy Dick, belonged thar; so did the young Leftenant Carrington; +so does Dr. Lacey; and that's reason enough why +Sunshine should prefer it. Tempest goes thar, I reckon, because +its fashionable, and she can have a nice prar-book to +show. You ought to see the one I bought for Sunshine. It's +all velvety, and has gold clasps, with jest the word 'Sunshine' +writ on it. Tempest has got a more common one. It didn't +cost half as much."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I notice that you make quite a distinction between your +daughters," said William. "May I ask why you do it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton stopped smoking and said, "If you please, +Bill, I'd rather say nothin' about that now. I make it a rule +never to swar Sundays, and if I got to goin' it about Tempest +and the way she used poor Dick, I should have to swar and no +mistake. Mebby you think I'd better not swar any time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered William; "I should be glad if you would +not. It is a bad habit, and I wish you would discontinue it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well now, Bill," said Mr. Middleton, "Lord knows—no, I +mean I know I've tried a heap of times to break off, and now +I'll try again. I'll not cuss a word till I forget. Dick used to +want me to stop, and when he died I promised myself I would; +but the pigs and horses got into the corn, and fust I knew I +was swarin' wus than ever. I wish you had seen Dick; it +can't be; he's gone forever."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you no daguerreotype of him?" asked William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, I hain't, but his folks have; and Mr. Miller and Kate +are going home this summer, and they'll fetch me one. That +makes me think Sunshine is so puny and sick like, that I'm +goin' to let her go North with them. It'll do her good; and +I'm going to buy her four silk gowns to go with, but for +Lord's—no, for land's sake don't tell Tempest."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hope you are not very anxious to have Fanny go North," +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span><a name="Pg159" id="Pg159" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +said William; "for it will seriously affect a plan which I have +formed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, what is it?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">William then told of the house he had purchased, and of his +intention to take both his nieces back with him. "I know," said +he, "that it seems strange to take them there in hot weather; +but down by the lake it will be pleasant and cool, and I must +have them with me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you said anything to them about it?" asked Mr. +Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered his brother. "I have mentioned it to +them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What did they say?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fanny said nothing, but Julia seemed much pleased with +the idea," said William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'll warrant that," returned Mr. Middleton. "She's tickled +enough, and in her own mind she's run up a bill agin me for +at least five hundred. Sunshine is so modest, I s'pose, because +Dr. Lacey will be there, that she does not want to seem very +glad; but she'll go. I'll have them come home tomorrow, and +will talk the matter over. I'd as soon have her go to New Orleans +as to New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here the conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Middleton, +who came to tell her husband that it was past nine. Mr. +Middleton had a great horror of being up after that hour, so +he hastily bade his brother and Ashton good night, saying to +the former, "Now I've got kind of used to your being alive, +Bill, I hope I shan't have such pesky work goin' to sleep."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning Ashton returned to Frankfort in the carriage +which Mr. Middleton had sent for the purpose of bringing his +daughters home. For once in her life, Julia was delighted with +the idea of visiting her parents. She had learned from a note +which her mother had written that the reason of their being +sent for was to talk over the matter of going to New Orleans. +Fanny felt differently. She wished, yet dreaded, to go home. +She too knew why they were sent for; and as she was determined +not to go to New Orleans, it would be necessary at last +to tell her father the true reason. She was certain he would +be unsparing in his wrath against Dr. Lacey, and she almost +trembled for the consequences.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When at last she was ready she descended to the parlor, and +sitting down to her piano ran her fingers lightly over the +keys. At that moment Frank Cameron entered. He had +learned from his cousin, Kate, enough of Fanny's history to +make him fear that she never could be aught to him; and yet +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page160">[pg 160]</span><a name="Pg160" id="Pg160" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the knowledge that he could not, must not, hope to win her, +only rendered the attraction stronger. He was intending to +start for home the next day, and had now come to spend a +few minutes alone with Fanny ere he bade her good-by. As +he entered the room she ceased playing, and said, "I believe +you leave town tomorrow, do you not?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do," replied Frank, "and am come to bid you good-by +now; for when you return I shall probably be looking on the +dust, smoke and chimneys of the Empire City." As Fanny +made no answer, Frank continued, "Miss Middleton, we shall +meet again, I trust. Kate tells me that you are to accompany +them to New York this summer. I shall expect you and shall +watch anxiously for your coming."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny replied, "I have thought of going North with Mrs. +Miller, but it is possible I may be disappointed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Disappointed!" repeated Frank; "you must not be disappointed, +or disappoint me either. I would hardly be willing +to leave Frankfort if I did not hope to see you again. And +yet if we never do meet, I shall know that I am a better man +for having once seen and known you; and I shall look back +upon the few days spent in Kentucky as upon one of the +bright spots in my life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We do not know what Fanny would have replied; for ere +she had time to answer Julia appeared in the door, calling out, +"Come, Fan, the carriage is ready. But, pray excuse me," +continued she, as she saw Frank, "I had no idea that I was +interrupting so interesting a conversation as your looks seem +to indicate."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This increased Fanny's confusion, but she endeavored to +appear at ease; and rising up, she offered Frank her hand, +saying, "I must bid you farewell, Mr. Cameron."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank took her hand, and quick as thought raised it to his +lips. Fanny's cheeks reddened as she hastily withdrew her +hand, saying rather indignantly, "Mr. Cameron, I am surprised!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank expected as much, and he said, rather gayly, "Pardon +me, Miss Middleton, I could not help it, and would not if I +could. It is all I ever hope to receive from you; and years +hence, when I am a lone, lorn old bachelor, I shall love to +think of the morning when I bade good-by to and kissed +Fanny Middleton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A moment more and the carriage drove rapidly away. +Frank watched it until it disappeared down the street; then +turning away, he thought, "I have met and parted with the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page161">[pg 161]</span><a name="Pg161" id="Pg161" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +only person on earth who has power to awaken in me any +deeper feeling than that of respect."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Julia and Fanny reached home, they were greeted +kindly by both their parents and uncle. The latter had resolved +to watch them closely, in order to ascertain, if possible, +the reason of his brother's evident preference for Fanny. +During the morning nothing was said of the projected visit to +New Orleans; and Julia was becoming very impatient, but +she knew better than to broach the subject herself; so she was +obliged to wait.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening the family, as usual, assembled on the little +porch. Fanny occupied her accustomed seat and low stool by +the side of her father, whose pipe she filled and refilled; for +he said, "The tobacker tasted a heap better after Sunshine had +handled it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia could wait no longer, and she began the conversation +by asking her uncle something about New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar, I knew 'twould be so," said Mr. Middleton; "Tempest +is in a desput hurry to know whether I'm going to +cash over and send her to market in New Orleans."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, father," said Julia, coaxingly, "you are going to let +Fanny and me go with Uncle William I know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was lucky for Julia that she chanced to mention her +sister; for however much her father might be inclined to tease +her, the word "Fanny" mollified him at once, and he answered, +"Why, yes, I may as well let you go as to keep you here doing +nothing, and eating up my corn bread." Then drawing Fanny +nearer to him, he said, "I've talked some of letting Sunshine +go to New York, but she'll jump at the chance of going to +New Orleans, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no answer, and as Julia was not particularly desirous +of having her sister's silence questioned, she rattled on +about her expected visit, and even went so far as to caress her +father, because he had given his consent to her going. It was +decided that Mr. William Middleton should return, as he had +intended, in two weeks' time, so as to have everything in +readiness for the reception of his nieces, who were to come +on as soon as school closed, which would be about the tenth +of June.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During all this time Fanny said not a word; and at last it +occurred to her father that she had neither expressed her desire +nor willingness to go; so he said, "Come, Sunshine, why +don't you hold up your head and talk about it? We all know +you want to go mightily, and see that little doctor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny knew it was of no use delaying longer and she answered +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page162">[pg 162]</span><a name="Pg162" id="Pg162" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +gently, but decidedly, "Father, I have no desire to go +to New Orleans. I cannot go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fudge on being so very modest," replied Mr. Middleton. +"It is nateral-like that you should want to see him, and nobody'll +think less of you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered, "You know I have thought of going to +New York with Mr. and Mrs. Miller. I am still anxious to +do so; but to New Orleans I cannot, shall not go, unless you +command me to do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Saint Peter!" said Mr. Middleton. "What's the row now? +What's happened to make little Sunshine spirt up so? Don't +you want to see Dr. Lacey, child?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, father; I never desire to see him again."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old cob pipe dropped from Mr. Middleton's mouth, and +springing up, he confronted Fanny, saying, "What in fury is +this racket? You not wish to go to New Orleans, or see Dr. +Lacey either! I half wish you was Tempest for a spell, so I +could storm at you; but as it is Sunshine, I can't even feel +mad."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, father, father!" cried Fanny, weeping; "if you knew +all that has occurred, you would not blame me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What do you mean, darling?" asked Mr. Middleton, suddenly +becoming cool. "What has happened?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then looking at Julia, whose face was crimson, a new idea +struck him, and he exclaimed more wrathfully, "How now, +Tempest? What makes you turn as red as a hickory fire? +Have you been raising a rumpus between Dr. Lacey and Sunshine? +Out with it if you have."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was now Julia's turn to cry and appeal to her uncle, if +it were not unjust in her father always to suspect her of evil, +if anything were wrong. William very wisely kept silent, but +Fanny said, "Do not accuse Julia, for she is not guilty. She +knows it all, however, and is sorry for it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Knows what? Sorry for what? Why don't you tell?" +said Mr. Middleton, stalking back and forth through the +porch, and setting down his feet as heavily as if he would +crush everything which might fall beneath his tread.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cannot tell you now," said Fanny; "but when we are +alone, you shall know all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few moments William thought proper to retire, and as +his example was soon followed by Julia, Fanny was left alone +with her parents. Drawing her stool nearer to her father, and +laying her hot, feverish forehead on his hand, she said, "Before +I give any explanation, I wish you to make me a promise."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg 163]</span><a name="Pg163" id="Pg163" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Promise of what?" asked her father and mother, simultaneously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is not probable," answered Fanny, "that you will ever +see Dr. Lacey again, but if you do, I wish you never to mention +to him what I am about to tell you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The promise was readily given by Mrs. Middleton, but her +husband demurred, saying, "I shan't commit myself until I +know what 'tis. If Dr. Lacey has been cuttin' up, why I'll +cowhide him, that's all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then I shall not tell you," was Fanny's firm reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Her father saw she was in earnest, and replied, "What's got +your back up so high, Sunshine? I never knew you had so +much grit. What's the reason you don't want Dr. Lacey to +hear of it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," said Fanny, hesitatingly, "because I do not wish +him to know how much I care about it; and besides, it can do +no possible good. Now, father, promise you will not tell him +or any one else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton was finally persuaded, and his promise given, +Fanny knew it would not be broken, for her father prided +himself on keeping his word. So she gave an account of Dr. +Lacey's conduct, and ended her narrative by producing a +letter, which she supposed came from him. Up to the moment +Mr. Middleton had sat perfectly still; but meantime his wrath +had waxed warmer and warmer, until at last it could no longer +be restrained, but burst forth in such a storm of fury as made +Fanny stop her ears.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She, however, caught the words, "And I was fool enough +to promise not to say a word. Well, thank the Lord, I didn't +promise not to shoot the puppy. Let me catch him within +pistol shot of me, and I'll pop him over as I would a woodchuck. +And if he don't come back, I'll go all the way to New +Orleans for the sake of doin' on't. I'll larn him to fool with +my gal; yes, I will!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's fears for Dr. Lacey's safety were immediately +roused; and again were her arms wound round the neck of +her enraged father, while she begged of him to be quiet, and +think reasonably of the matter. Not long could one resist the +arguments of Fanny; and in less than half an hour her father +grew calm, and said more gently, "I shouldn't have been so +rarin' mad, if it had been anybody but you, Sunshine. I +s'pose I did go on high, and swar like a pirate. I didn't mean +to do that, for I promised Bill I'd try and leave off."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Leave swearing?" said Fanny. "Oh, I'm so glad. I hope +you will. Now promise that you will, dear father, and say +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page164">[pg 164]</span><a name="Pg164" id="Pg164" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +again that you will not mention Dr. Lacey's conduct either to +him or to any one else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I have promised once," said Mr. Middleton, "and one +promise is as good as forty. Old Josh'll never break his word +as long as he has his senses. But that paltry doctor owes his +life to you, Sunshine. Half an hour ago I was as fully set to +knock him over as I am now determined to let the varmint go +to destruction in his own way."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny shuddered at the idea of her father becoming the +murderer of Dr. Lacey, and Mrs. Middleton rejoined, "I am +glad, husband, to hear you talk more sensibly. It can do no +possible good for you to shoot Dr. Lacey, and then lose your +own life, as you assuredly would; besides, I think the less +we say of the matter, the better it will be."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I reckon you are right, Nancy," said Mr. Middleton; "but +hang it all, what excuse shall I give Bill for not lettin' the gals +go to New Orleans?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But, father," said Fanny, "you will let Julia go, of course. +Uncle knows I do not intend to go, and consequently will +think nothing of that; and there is no reason why Julia should +not go to New Orleans, and I to New York. Now, say we +may; that's a dear father."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I s'pose I'll have to, honey," answered Mr. Middleton; "but +if I can see ahead an inch, you're bitin' your own nose off by +sending Tempest to New Orleans without you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Afterward Fanny remembered this speech, and understood +it, too; but now she was prevented from giving it a thought by +her father, who continued, "Doesn't that Cameron chap live +some'us in New York?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no reason for it, but Fanny blushed deeply as she +replied, "Yes, sir; Mr. Cameron lives in New York City; but +I am not going to see him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Mebby not," answered her father; "but my name ain't +Josh if he won't be on the lookout for you. And 'twixt us, +darling, now the doctor's sarved you such a scaly trick, I +shouldn't pitch and drive much if I heard that you and +Cameron were on good terms."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That will never, never be," answered Fanny. "I shall +always live at home with you and mother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are a blessed daughter," said Mr. Middleton, "and I +hope there's better fortin in store for you than to stay hived +up with us two old crones; and I can't help thinkin' that you'll +have Dr. Lacey yet, or somebody a heap better. Now go to +bed, child, for your eyes are gettin' red like, and heavy."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny obeyed and retired to her room, where she found +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page165">[pg 165]</span><a name="Pg165" id="Pg165" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Julia sitting up and waiting for her. As soon as Fanny appeared +she began, "Fan, you are a real good girl. I was +pleased to hear you talk. Nobody but you could have done +anything with the old heathen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What are you talking about?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," said Julia, "I had my head out of the window, +listening all the time, and overheard what you said. Once I +trembled for fear father would take it into his head not to let +me go any way; but you fixed it all right, and I thank you +for it." As Fanny made no answer, Julia continued, "I heard, +too, all about Frank Cameron. Now, Fan, I know he admires +you, and I really hope you'll not be silly enough to discourage +him. I shall expect you to write that you have become Mrs. +Cameron."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Will you please, Julia, say no more on that subject," said +Fanny. "I do not suppose Frank Cameron has any particular +regard for me; if he has it will do no good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the conversation ended for that night. The next day +Mr. William Middleton was informed that Julia would spend +the summer in New Orleans, but that Fanny preferred going +North. He was rather disappointed. His preference, if any +he had, was for Fanny. She was so quiet, so gentle, he could +not help loving her; but Julia puzzled him. There was a certain +bold assurance in her manner which he disliked. Besides, +he could not help fearing there was some good reason why +her father censured her so much. "I will watch her closely," +thought he, "and if possible, discover her faults and help her +correct them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It would seem that Julia suspected her uncle's intentions, for +she intended to be very correct and amiable in her deportment, +whenever he was present. Thought she, "I will thus retain +his good opinion; and by so doing I shall more easily win +Dr. Lacey's regard."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of a few days Fanny and Julia returned to +school; the one, elated with the prospect of going to New Orleans, +and the other, quietly anticipating a pleasant but rather +sad journey to New York. Two weeks after their return to +Frankfort their uncle called upon them on his way South. He +again repeated his invitation that Stanton and Ashton would +spend a part of the summer with him. Ashton consented, but +Stanton still pleaded his important business North, and his excuse +was considered a sufficient one.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington, who had become rather weary of Raymond's +attentions and was longing for a change of place and +scene, now tried by every possible maneuver to induce Mr. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg 166]</span><a name="Pg166" id="Pg166" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Middleton to invite her also. Julia readily understood her; +and as she feared Mrs. Carrington's presence would frustrate +her plans, she resolutely determined that she should not +be invited. Consequently, when that lady talked to Mr. +Middleton of New Orleans, and the desire she had of again +visiting that city, Julia would adroitly change the conversation +to some other subject; and once when Mr. Middleton had +actually opened his mouth and commenced giving the desired +invitation, Julia, as if suddenly recollecting herself, started up, +saying, "Excuse me, uncle, but I have a painting in my room +which I wish you to see. Pray, come with me now, for I +cannot bring it down, and as it is getting dark, there is no +time to be lost."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton arose and followed his niece, who congratulated +herself on the success of her stratagem. After reaching +her room, and exhibiting her painting, she said to her +uncle, "I do hope you will not ask Mrs. Carrington to go to +New Orleans this summer."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not?" said Mr. Middleton. "She seems anxious that +I should do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know it," answered Julia; "but I am afraid she is not a +good woman. At least she had a bad influence over me, and +I always feel wicked after being with her awhile."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Julia had supposed, this had the desired effect. Mr. +Middleton would not ask one to visit him whose influence +over his niece was bad. Consequently, all Mrs. Carrington's +hints were unnoticed or misunderstood. She, however, knew +tolerably well to whom she was indebted for the slight; and +when, after Mr. Middleton's departure, Julia said to her, "I +wonder uncle did not invite you, too; I thought he was going +to do so," she replied, rather sharply, "I fancy I should +have been under no obligations to you, Miss Julia, if I had +received an invitation." Then turning, she hastily entered her +room, and throwing herself upon the sofa, she tried to devise +some scheme by which she could undermine Julia, provided +Dr. Lacey should show her any marked attention.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington was not in a very enviable mood. The +night before Raymond had offered her his heart and hand, +and of course had been rejected. He was in the parlor when +Julia so abruptly took her uncle away. As there was no one +present besides Mrs. Carrington, he seized upon that moment +to declare his love. It is impossible to describe the loathing +and contempt which she pretended to feel for him who sued +so earnestly for her hand, even if her heart did not accompany +it. Nothing daunted by her haughty refusal, Raymond arose, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page167">[pg 167]</span><a name="Pg167" id="Pg167" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and standing proudly before the indignant lady said, "Ida +Carrington, however much dislike you may pretend to feel for +me I do not believe it. I know I am not wholly disagreeable +to you, and were I possessed of thousands, you would gladly +seize the golden bait. I do not ask you to love me, for it is +not in your nature to love anything. You are ambitious, and +even now are dreaming of one whom you will never win; for +just as sure as yon sun shall set again, so sure you, proud +lady, shall one day be my wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Mrs. Carrington had recovered a little from the surprise +into which Raymond's fiery speech had thrown her, he +was gone and she was alone. "Impudent puppy!" said she; +"and yet he was right in saying he was not disagreeable to me. +But I'll never be his wife. I'd die first!" Still, do what she +would, a feeling haunted her that Raymond's prediction would +prove true. Perhaps it was this which made her so determined +to supplant Julia in Dr. Lacey's good opinion, should +he ever presume to think favorably of her. How she succeeded +we shall see hereafter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter17" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc34" id="toc34"></a><a name="pdf35" id="pdf35"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XVII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny middleton arrives in new york</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page168">[pg 168]</span><a name="Pg168" id="Pg168" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Three weeks after Mr. Middleton's departure for New Orleans, +Mr. Miller's school closed. Uncle Joshua was present +at the examination, and congratulated himself much because +he did not feel at all "stuck up" at seeing both Julia and +Fanny acquit themselves so creditably. After the exercises +were concluded, he returned with Mr. Miller to Mrs. Crane's. +Just before he started for home he drew from his sheepskin +pocketbook five hundred dollars, which he divided equally +between his daughters, saying, "Here, gals, I reckon this will +be enough to pay for all the furbelows you've bought or will +want to buy. I'll leave you here the rest of the week to see to +fixin' up your rig, but Saturday I shall send for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was surprised at her father's unlooked-for generosity, +and thanked him again and again. Julia was silent, +but her face told how vexed and disappointed she was. As +soon as her father was gone, her rage burst forth. "Stingy +old thing," said she, "and yet he thinks he's done something +wonderful. Why, my bill at C——'s already amounts to two +hundred, and I want as much more. What I am to do, I don't +know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She would have said more, but Fanny quieted her by saying, +"Don't talk so about father, Julia. It was very liberal, and +really I do not know what to do with all mine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But we will not continue this conversation. Suffice it to say +that when Julia retired that night, her own money was safe +in her purse, and by the side of it lay the hundred dollars +she had coaxed from Fanny. As they were preparing to return +home on Saturday, Julia said to her sister, "Fan, don't +let father know that you gave me a hundred dollars, for I fear +all your powers of persuasion would be of no avail to stay the +storm he would consider it his bounden duty to raise."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no need of this caution, for Fanny was not one +to do a generous act, and then boast of it, neither did her +father ask her how she had disposed of her money. He was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page169">[pg 169]</span><a name="Pg169" id="Pg169" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +satisfied to know that the "four silk gowns" were purchased, +as, in his estimation they constituted the essential part of a +young lady's wardrobe.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Since Fanny had disclosed the heartless desertion of Dr. +Lacey, she seemed to be doubly dear to her father; for pity +now mingled with the intense love he always had for his +youngest and best-loved daughter. Often during the last +three days she passed at home prior to her departure for New +York, he would sit and gaze fondly upon her until the tears +would blind his vision, then springing up, he would pace the +floor, impetuously muttering, "The scamp—the vagabond—but +he'll get his pay fast enough—and I'd pay him, too, if I +hadn't promised not to. But 'tain't worth a while, for I reckon +'twould only make her face grow whiter and thinner if I did +anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length the morning came on which Julia and Fanny were +to leave for the first time their native state. Side by side near +the landing at Frankfort lay the two boats, Blue Wing and +Diana. The one was to bear Fanny on her Northern tour, +and the other would convey Julia as far as Louisville on her +way South. Mr. Woodburn, who had business in New Orleans, +was to take Julia under his protection.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now but a short time remained ere the Diana would +loose her moorings and be under way. These few moments +were moments of sorrow to Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, who had +accompanied their daughters to Frankfort. Uncle Joshua +particularly was much depressed, and scarce took his eyes +from his treasure, who might be leaving him forever. In his +estimation the far-off North was a barren, chilly region, and +although he did not quite believe his Fanny would be frozen to +death, he could not rid himself of the fear that something +would befall her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You'll take good keer of her, won't you, Miller?" said he, +"and bring her safely back to us?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller gave the promise, and then observing that there +was something else on Mr. Middleton's mind, he said, "What +is it, Mr. Middleton? What more do you wish to say?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton struggled hard with his feelings, and his +voice sank to a whisper as he answered, "I wanted to tell you +that if—if she should die, bring her home—bring her back; +don't leave her there all alone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old man could say no more, for the bell rang out its last +warning. The parting between Fanny and her parents was a +sad one, and even Julia wept as she kissed her sister, and +thought it might be for the last time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page170">[pg 170]</span><a name="Pg170" id="Pg170" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Soon after the Diana, with its precious freight disappeared +from view, Mr. Middleton was called upon to bid another +farewell to his eldest daughter. "Reckon the old fellow likes +one girl better than the other," said a bystander, who had witnessed +both partings. And yet Mr. Middleton did well, and +his look and manner was very affectionate as he bade Julia +good-bye, and charged her "not to be giddy and act like a +fool, nor try to come it over Dr. Lacey." "Though," thought +he, "it'll be sarvin the rascal right if he should have to live +with Tempest all his life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is not our intention at present to follow Julia in her +passage to New Orleans. In another chapter we will take up +the subject, and narrate her adventures. Now we prefer going +North with the other party, which consisted of Mr. and +Mrs. Miller, Fanny and Raymond. The latter had, in a fit +of desperation, determined to quit Frankfort, and go no one +knew whither. He accompanied his friends as far as Cincinnati, +and there bade them adieu, saying that they would hear +of him again in a way they little dreamed of.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller was sorry to part with one who had proved so +valuable an assistant in his school, but all his arguments had +failed and he was obliged to give him up, saying, "I hope, +Raymond, that all your laudable enterprises may be successful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I shall succeed," were Raymond's emphatic words; "and +she, the haughty woman, who tried to smile so scornfully when +I bade her farewell, will yet be proud to say she has had a +smile from me, a poor school master."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, Raymond," said Mr. Miller, "you have my good +wishes, and if you ever run for President, I'll vote for you. +So now good-by."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond rung his friend's hand, and then stepped from the +cars, which soon rolled heavily from the depot. Faster and +faster sped the train on its pathway over streamlet and valley, +meadow and woodland, until at last the Queen City, with its +numerous spires, was left far behind. From the car windows +Fanny watched the long blue line of hills, which marks the +Kentucky shore, until they, too, disappeared from view.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a time now we will leave her to the tender mercies of +the Ohio railroad, and a Lake Erie steamer, and hurrying on +in advance, we will introduce the reader to the home where +once had sported Richard Wilmot and his sister Kate. It +stood about a half a mile from the pleasant rural village of +C——, in the eastern part of New York. The house was +large and handsome, and had about it an air of thrift and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page171">[pg 171]</span><a name="Pg171" id="Pg171" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +neatness, which showed its owner to be a farmer, who not +only understood his business, but also attended to it himself. +Between the house and the road was a large grassy lawn, on +which was growing many a tall, stately maple and elm, under +whose wide-spreading branches Kate and her brother had +often played during the gladsome days of their childhood. A +long piazza ran around two sides of the building. Upon this +piazza the family sitting room opened.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Could we have entered that sitting room the day on which +our travelers arrived, we should have seen a fine-looking, +middle-aged lady, whose form and features would instantly +have convinced us that we looked upon the mother of Kate. +Yes, what Kate Miller is now, her mother was once; but time +and sorrow have made inroads upon her dazzling beauty, and +here and there the once bright locks of auburn are now silvered +over, and across the high white brow are drawn many +deep-cut lines. Since Kate last saw her mother, these lines +have increased, for the bursting heart has swelled with +anguish, and the dark eye has wept bitter tears for the son +who died far away from his childhood's home. Even now the +remembrance of the noble youth, who scarce two years ago, +left her full of life and health, makes the tear drop start as +she says aloud, "How can I welcome back my darling Kate, +and know that he will never come again!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sound of her voice aroused old Hector, the watchdog, +who had been lying in the sun upon the piazza. Stretching his +huge limbs and shaking his shaggy sides, he stalked into the +sitting room, and going up to his mistress laid his head caressingly +in her lap. The sight of Hector made Mrs. Wilmot's +tears flow afresh, for during many years he had been the +faithful companion of Richard, whose long absence he seemed +seriously to mourn. For days and weeks he had watched +by the gate, through which he had seen his young master pass, +and when at last the darkness of night forbade a longer watch, +he would lay his head on the ground and give vent to his evident +disappointment in a low, mournful howl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Wilmot was not superstitious; but when, day after day, +the same sad cry was repeated, it became to her an omen of +coming evil; and thus the shock of her son's death, though +none the less painful, was not quite as great as it would otherwise +have been. For Kate, too, old Hector had wept, but not +so long or so mournfully; still he remembered her, and always +evinced his joy whenever her name was spoken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning of the day on which she was expected +home, a boy who had lived in the family when she went away, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg 172]</span><a name="Pg172" id="Pg172" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +called Hector to him, and endeavored, by showing him some +garment which Kate had worn and by repeating her name, to +make him understand that she was coming home. We will +not say that Hector understood him, but we know that during +the day he never for a moment left the house or yard, but +lay upon the piazza, looking eagerly toward the road which +led from the village. Whenever he saw a carriage coming, he +would start up and gaze wistfully at it until it had passed, +then he would again lie down and resume his watch. Mrs. +Wilmot noticed this, and when Hector, as we have seen, +walked up to her and looked so sympathizingly in her face, +she patted his head, saying, "Poor Hector; you will see Kate +at least today."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor was she mistaken, for about three that afternoon, an +omnibus drew up before the gate. Kate immediately sprang +out, and was followed by Mr. Miller and Fanny. Their arrival +was first made known to Mrs. Wilmot by the cry of joy +which Hector sent forth at sight of Kate. With lightning +speed he bounded over the lawn to meet the travelers. Fanny, +who was accustomed to the savage watchdogs of Kentucky, +sprang back in terror and clung to Mr. Miller for protection; +but Kate cried out, "Do not fear; it is only Hector, and he +wouldn't harm you for the world." Then she ran forward to +meet him, and embraced him as fondly as though he had really +been a human being, and understood and appreciated it all. +And he did seem to, for after caressing Kate, he looked about +as if in quest of the missing one. Gradually he seemed to become +convinced that Richard was not there; again was heard +the old wailing howl; but this time it was more prolonged, +more despairing. Faithful creature! Know you not that +summer's gentle gale and winter's howling storm have swept +over the grave of him whom you so piteously bemoan.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny stopped her ears to shut out the bitter cry, but if +Kate heard it, she heeded it not, and bounded on over the +graveled walk toward her mother, who was eagerly waiting for +her. In an instant parent and child were weeping in +each other's arms.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My Kate, my darling Kate, are you indeed here?" said +Mrs. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate's only answer was a still more passionate embrace. +Then recollecting herself, she took her husband's hand and +presented him to her mother, saying, "Mother, I could not +bring you Richard, but I have brought you another son. Will +you not give him room in your heart?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Wilmot had never seen Mr. Miller before, but she was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page173">[pg 173]</span><a name="Pg173" id="Pg173" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +prepared to like him, not only because he was her daughter's +choice, but because he had been the devoted friend of her son; +consequently she greeted him with a most kind and affectionate +welcome.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During all this time Fanny was leaning against one of the +pillars of the piazza, but her thoughts were far away. She +was thinking of her distant Kentucky home, and a half feeling +of homesickness crept over her, as she thought how joyfully +she would be greeted there, should she ever return. Her +reverie was of short duration, for Kate approached, and leading +her to her mother, simply said, "Mother, this is Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">'Twas enough. The word Fanny had a power to open the +fountains of that mother's heart. She had heard the story of +the young girl, who had watched so unweariedly by the bedside +of Richard—she had heard, too, of the generous old man, +whose noble heart had cared for and cherished the stranger, +and she knew that she, who advanced toward her so timidly, +was the same young girl, the same old man's daughter; and +could Mr. Middleton have witnessed her reception of his Sunshine, +he would have been satisfied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A messenger was dispatched for Mr. Wilmot, who was +superintending some workmen in a field not far from the +house. Mr. Wilmot was a tall, noble-looking man, whose fine +figure was slightly bowed by the frosts of sixty winters. As +he advanced with breathless haste toward the house, Kate ran +to meet him, and the tears which the strong man wept, told +how dear to him was this, his beautiful daughter, and how +forcibly her presence reminded him of his first-born, only son, +who went away to die among strangers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he was presented to Mr. Miller and Fanny, a scene +similar to the one we have already described took place. As +he blessed Fanny for Richard's sake, she felt that though in +a strange land, she was not alone or unloved. Her homesickness +soon vanished; for how could she be lonely and sad, +where all were so kind, and where each seemed to vie with +the other in trying to make everything agreeable to her. It +was strange how soon even Hector learned to love the fair +Kentuckian. He would follow her footsteps wherever she +went, and affectionately kiss her hands. But then, as Kate +said, "Hector had more common sense than half the people in +the world," and he seemed to know by instinct that she whom +he so fondly caressed had once watched over his young master, +who was now sleeping in his silent grave, unmindful that +in his home he was still sincerely mourned even by old Hector.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not many days after Fanny's arrival at Mr. Wilmot's she +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page174">[pg 174]</span><a name="Pg174" id="Pg174" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was told that a gentleman wished to see her in the parlor. On +entering the room how surprised she was at beholding Frank +Cameron. He had learned by letter from Kate that Fanny +was in C——, and he immediately started for his uncle's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Since his return from Kentucky he had thoughts of little else +save Fanny Middleton. Waking or sleeping, she was constantly +in his mind, and still with a happy thought of her there +ever came a sadder feeling, a fear that his love for her would +be in vain. But since the morning when he bade her adieu, +her name had never once passed his lips.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When his sister Gertrude questioned him concerning the +Kentucky girls, he had described to her in glowing terms the +extreme beauty of Julia, and the handsome eyes of "the +widder," as he called Mrs. Carrington, but of Fanny he had +never spoken. He could not bear that even his own sister +should mention Fanny in connection with any one else. How +ever, when Kate's letter arrived, he passed it over to Gertrude, +whose curiosity was instantly roused, and she poured +forth a torrent of questions as to who that Fanny Middleton +was.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I suppose she must be old Mr. Middleton's daughter," was +Frank's teasing reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Of course I know that," said Gertrude, "but what of her? +who is she?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, I've told you once, she is Fanny Middleton," said +Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These and similar answers were all Gertrude could draw +from him, and she fell into a fit of pouting; but Frank was +accustomed to that, and consequently did not mind it. Next he +announced his intention to visit his Uncle Wilmot. Gertrude +instantly exclaimed, "Now, Frank, you are too bad. Just as +soon as you hear Fanny Middleton is in New York, you start +off to see her, without even telling me who she is, or what +she is. In my opinion you are in love with her, and do not +wish us to know it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This started up Mrs. Cameron's ideas, and she said, "Frank, +I am inclined to believe Gertrude is right; but you surely +will be respectful enough to me to answer my questions +civilly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly," said Frank. "Ask anything you please; only +be quick, for it is almost car time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well then, do you intend to make this Miss Middleton your +wife?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do, if she will have me," said Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span><a name="Pg175" id="Pg175" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The distressed lady groaned audibly, but continued, "One +more question, Frank. Is she rich and well connected?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank passed his hand through the thick curls of his brown +hair, and seemed to be trying hard to think of something. +Finally he answered, "Why, really, mother, I never once +thought to ask that question."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But," persisted Mrs. Cameron, "you can judge by her appearance, +and that of her parents. Did you not see them?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank laughed loudly as the image of Uncle Joshua as he +first saw him in the door, buttoning his suspender, presented +itself to his remembrance; but he answered, "Yes, mother, I +did see her father, and 'twas the richest sight I ever saw."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then proceeded to give a description of Mr. Middleton +to his astonished sister and mother, the latter of whom exhibited +such distress that Frank very compassionately asked, +"if she had the toothache."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before she had time to answer, Frank was gone, leaving his +mother to lament over the strange infatuation which always +led Frank in pursuit of somebody beneath him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know," said she to Gertrude, "that this Fanny Middleton +is from a horrid low family, and is as poor as a church +mouse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So while Frank was hurrying toward the village of C——, +his mother and sister were brooding over the disgrace which +they feared threatened them. They could have spared all +their painful feelings, for she of the "low family" was destined +to be another's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During Frank's ride to C—— he determined, ere his return, +to know the worst. "She can but refuse me," thought he, +"and even if she does, I shall feel better than I do now." +When he met Fanny his manner was so calm and collected +that she never dreamed how deep was the affection she had +kindled in his heart. She received him with real pleasure, for +he seemed like a friend from Kentucky. He staid with her +but three days, and when he left he bore a sadder heart than +he had ever felt before. Fanny had refused him; not exultingly, +as if a fresh laurel had been won only to be boasted of, +but so kindly, so delicately, that Frank felt almost willing to +act it all over again for the sake of once more hearing +Fanny's voice, as she told him how utterly impossible it was +for her ever again to love as a husband should be loved.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then," said Frank, somewhat bitterly, "you acknowledge +that you have loved another."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered Fanny, "but no other circumstances could +have wrung the confession from me. I have loved and been +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg 176]</span><a name="Pg176" id="Pg176" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +deceived. I will not say my faith in man's honor is wholly +gone, for I believe you, Mr. Cameron, to be perfectly sincere +and honorable in your professions of regard. Had we met +earlier all might have been different, but now it is too late. +If my friendship is worth having, it is yours. I have never +had a brother, but will look upon and love you as one; with +that, you must be satisfied."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And he did try to be satisfied, but only because there was +no other alternative. Still he felt a pleasure in being near +her, in breathing the same atmosphere and gazing on the same +scenes. Before he returned home he had decided upon accompanying +her, together, with Mr. and Mrs. Miller, on their +contemplated trip to Saratoga; thence they would go on to +New York City, and visit at his father's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am sorry," said he, "that it is not the season for parties, +as I should love dearly to show off Fanny in opposition to our +practised city belles, and now I think of it," continued he, +"isn't Mr. Stanton coming North this summer after a certain +Miss Ashton?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I believe he is," answered Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now then," said Frank. "I have it exactly. 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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You seem to think any praise bestowed upon Fanny as +so much credit for yourself," said Kate, mischievously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Most certainly I did. That was one object in going," was +Frank's quiet reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg 177]</span><a name="Pg177" id="Pg177" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not think you will," said Frank; but Gertrude knew +not what cause he had for so saying.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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. "Dear me," said Gertrude, +"I will not go to Saratoga, and be obliged to see Frank +make a dolt of himself with this plebian Kentuckian. If she +were only rich and accomplished, why, it would be different, +and the fact of her being from Kentucky would increase her +attractions. But now it is too bad!" And Gertrude actually +cried with vexation and mortified pride. Poor creature! +How mistaken she was with regard to Fanny Middleton, and +so she one day learned.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But as the reader is doubtless anxious to hear of Fanny's +introduction to Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude, we will give a +description of it in the next chapter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter18" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc36" id="toc36"></a><a name="pdf37" id="pdf37"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XVIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny welcomed by mrs. cameron</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page178">[pg 178]</span><a name="Pg178" id="Pg178" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Contrary to his first intention, Stanton concluded to come +North in July. He had of course learned from Nellie that her +mysterious guardian had proved to be Judge Fulton, his +sister's husband. And more recently she had written to him +of Judge Fulton's removal to New York City. Mr. Miller +was apprised of Stanton's return by a letter, in which he was +also informed that the wedding would take place in Grace +Church on the morning of the 22d.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not long after there came invitations for himself, wife and +Fanny to attend the bridal party, at the residence of Judge +Fulton, on the evening of July 25. Frank, who was also invited, +had his own reason for not wishing his mother or sister +to see Fanny until they met her at Judge Fulton's. Consequently +he was not sorry when both ladies graciously informed +him that Miss Middleton would not be invited by them +to visit at their house. "Of course," said Mrs. Cameron, "we +shall invite Kate and her husband, and shall be glad to see +them. If you choose, you can in your own name invite Fanny, +but if she knows anything she will not come."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank knew there was no possible danger of Fanny's accepting +an invitation, which came simply from himself, but +he did not say so, and next day he started again for his +Uncle Wilmot's. To his cousin Kate he imparted a knowledge +of his mother's and Gertrude's feelings and also told of his +own plans. Kate readily fell in with them and when Frank +returned to the city he was accompanied by Mr. Miller, Kate +and Fanny, who took rooms at the Astor House. As soon as +Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude learned that Kate was in the city, +they called upon her. Fanny they of course did not see, +neither did they mention her name. Kate expected as much, +but nevertheless felt vexed, and when they urged her to spend +the remainder of her time with them, she replied, "I have a +young friend from Kentucky with me, and unless you invite +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page179">[pg 179]</span><a name="Pg179" id="Pg179" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +her too, I do not feel at liberty to accept your polite invitation."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In answer to this, Gertrude muttered something about "not +wishing to enlarge the circle of her acquaintance," while Mrs. +Cameron said nothing, and the two ladies soon swept haughtily +out of the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never mind," said Frank, to whom Kate related her adventure, +"they will both sing another tune ere long," and he +was right too.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The 25th of July at last arrived. Frank had informed Gertrude +that she must look to her father for a beau that evening, +as he should be otherwise engaged; so she was not surprised +when her brother, long before sunset, left the house all +equipped for the party. She well knew where he was going +and for whose society she was deserted. One hour later found +her seated in a large armchair before the mirror in her dressing +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gertrude was a tall, fine-looking girl, but in the expression +of her handsome features there was something wanting. She +lacked soul, and no one ever looked on the cold, proud face +of Gertrude Cameron, without being convinced that she was +altogether heartless and selfish.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On this occasion, as she sat in the large armchair, she said +to her waiting maid, "I say, Jane, you must do your best tonight +to have me splendidly dressed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, ma'am, I understand," said Jane, and she proceeded +to bedeck her young mistress with all sorts of finery. Her +dress consisted of a rich, white satin, over which was thrown +a skirt of handsomely embroidered lace. All the ornaments +of gold and diamonds for which a place could possibly be +found were heaped upon her, and when her toilet was completed, +she seemed one gorgeous mass of jewelry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There, that will do," said she, as Jane clasped the last +diamond bracelet on her arm. "I presume this Fanny Middleton +has never dreamed of so costly a dress as I shall appear +in tonight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile in another part of the city, another toilet was +being made, but of a different nature. Kate and Frank both +were anxious that for once Fanny should deviate from her +usually simple style of dress, and adopt something more in +keeping with her father's wealth. At first Fanny hesitated, +but was finally persuaded, and gave Kate permission to select +for her anything she chose.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As, on the evening of the party, she glanced at the image +which her mirror reflected, she was pardonable for feeling a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span><a name="Pg180" id="Pg180" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +slight thrill of pleasure. Frank was in raptures, declaring +nothing had ever been seen in New York so perfectly lovely. +And truly, Fanny was beautiful as she stood there arrayed +for the party.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was dressed in a French robe of white tarlatan, embroidered +in boquets of lilies of the valley in silver. A single +japonica rested among the curls of her bright hair, while her +neck was encircled by a necklace of pearls, and costly bracelets +of the same clasped her white, slender wrists.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Fanny," said Mr. Miller, "how beautiful you look. +What would your father say could he see you now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of her father's name the teardrops glistened +for a moment in Fanny's eye, and she felt how gladly she +would have foregone all the expected pleasure of that night for +the pleasure of again seeing her distant father. She, however, +dashed the tears away, and replied, "I fear he would think his +Sunshine wholly covered up and spoiled by trumpery, as +he calls fashionable dress."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank noticed her emotion when speaking of her father, +and he thought how priceless must be the love of one who +thus so truly honored her parents. A feeling of sadness was +blended with his admiration of Fanny, for constantly in his +heart was the knowledge that she never would be his. And +here Frank showed how truly noble he was, for he could still +love and cling to Fanny, although he knew that for him there +was no hope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Let us now transport our readers to the elegant residence +of Judge Fulton, which was situated upon Fifth Avenue. +Stanton, with his fair bride, had returned from visiting his +parents near Geneva, and now in the large parlors of Judge +Fulton, they were receiving the congratulations of their +friends, whose numbers each moment increased, until the +rooms were filled to overflowing. Frank and his party had not +yet arrived. He designed to be late, for he well knew his +mother and sister would not be early, and he wished to give +them the full benefit of Fanny's introduction into the drawing +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But a part of his scheme was frustrated, for his mother, +who was suffering with a violent headache, was obliged to remain +above stairs for a time, and Gertrude alone witnessed +her brother's triumph. She was standing near Mr. and Mrs. +Stanton, carelessly twirling a costly boquet, which one of +her obsequious beaux had given her, when she overheard +Nellie say to her husband, "I do hope she will come, for I am +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg 181]</span><a name="Pg181" id="Pg181" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +all impatience to see one whom you have praised until I am +half jealous."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gertrude wondered much whom Mrs. Stanton could mean, +but her wonder soon ceased, for there was a stir at the door. +The crowd around it fell back as Frank Cameron walked +proudly into the room, bearing upon his arm Fanny Middleton. +Her fame had preceded her, for many of those present +had learned that a Kentucky belle and heiress was stopping +at the Astor, and would be present at the party. As she advanced +into the room, Gertrude felt, rather than heard the +murmur of admiration which ran round the room, and her +quick ear caught the words, "Yes, that's she; that's the +heiress; that's Miss Middleton from Frankfort."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gladly would Gertrude have escaped her brother's eye, +which instantly sought her out; but she felt unable to move, +and stood watching the animated face and graceful manners +of Fanny, who, in being presented to Mrs. Fulton and Stanton, +passed near her. Every article of Fanny's dress was +noted, and an estimate made as to its probable cost. "She +must be wealthy," thought she, "or she could not dress so expensively." +Suddenly one of Gertrude's acquaintances touched +her elbow, and said, "Come, Miss Gertrude, do gratify our +curiosity and tell us about this Kentucky belle. Of course you +know her, as she is attended by your brother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Deeply mortified Gertrude was obliged to confess that she +had no acquaintance with her. "That's strange," said the lady. +"We all supposed she stopped at your father's with your +cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A new idea entered Gertrude's mind, and instead of replying +to this last remark, she said, "I shall know her well, +though, for Frank has proposed to her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did she accept him?" asked the lady eagerly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Of course," was Gertrude's haughty answer. "Do you +think he would offer himself unless sure of success?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ten minutes more and dozens of persons were gossiping +about the engagement between Frank Cameron and the beautiful +Kentuckian. Scores of questions were poured in upon +Gertrude relative to her future sister-in-law, but none of +them could she answer. Vexed at her own ignorance, she ran +upstairs to her mother, whom she told to "come down immediately +and see what fools they had made of themselves."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, what is the matter, child?" said Mrs. Cameron, much +alarmed at Gertrude's excited looks and manners.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"All the city is ready to fall down and worship this Fanny +Middleton, whom we have treated with such neglect," said +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page182">[pg 182]</span><a name="Pg182" id="Pg182" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Gertrude, and then she added what was of more consequence +than all the rest, "Why, mother, she's the most elegantly +dressed lady in the room!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a moment Mrs. Cameron was descending the broad staircase. +There was the sound of the piano and someone singing. +Gertrude pressed forward until she caught sight of the singer, +then pulling her mother's sleeve, she whispered, "This way, +mother; that is Miss Middleton playing."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron's first emotion, on beholding Fanny and the +flattering attentions she everywhere received, was one of intense +mortification, to think she had not been first to notice +and chaperone her. "I will, however, make all possible +amends now," thought she, and finding Frank she desired for +herself and Gertrude an introduction to Miss Middleton; but +Frank did not feel disposed to grant his mother's request immediately, +and he said, "Pardon me, mother, but you see Miss +Middleton is very much engaged at present with some of her +friends, so you must wait awhile."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron was too proud to ask any one else to introduce +her, and it seemed that she and Gertrude were not likely +to make Fanny's acquaintance at all. Toward the close of +the party, however, Frank thought proper to introduce them. +Mrs. Cameron determined to do her best, and she overwhelmed +Fanny with so much flattery, that the poor girl +longed for some way of escape, thinking to herself, "Is it possible +that Frank Cameron's mother is such a silly woman?" +Once Mrs. Cameron went so far as to hint the probability that +Miss Middleton would one day be her daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What can she possibly mean?" thought Fanny; at the +same time gracefully excusing herself she ran upstairs after +her shawl and veil, as Kate had signified her intention of returning +home. But Mrs. Cameron was not to be thus foiled. +She started in pursuit, and reaching the bonnet room as soon +as Fanny, insisted that she and Kate should stop with her during +the remainder of her stay in the city. As Frank soon +appeared and joined his entreaties with those of his mother, +Fanny said she would do just as Mrs. Miller thought proper. +Kate, who had expected a similar denouement, expressed her +perfect willingness to visit at her uncle's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, the next morning they left their rooms at the +Astor House and repaired to Mrs. Cameron's, where they were +most affectionately received by Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude. +And now commenced a series of toadyism which was vastly +amusing to their acquaintances, many of whom had witnessed +Mrs. Cameron's manner at the party and had since +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg 183]</span><a name="Pg183" id="Pg183" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," answered one of them, "my sister heard it from +your sister Gertrude."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," said he, rather indignantly, "there is no engagement +between us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Frank," said Gertrude, "you told us so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I never told you so," answered he, rather warmly. "I +told you I had proposed, and I did propose, and was refused."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why didn't you tell us?" continued Gertrude.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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 +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page184">[pg 184]</span><a name="Pg184" id="Pg184" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +whistle and left his mother and sister to console themselves +as best they could.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We will not weary the reader by repeating the conversation +between Gertrude and her mother. We will only say that Mrs. +Cameron decided to go as soon as possible to Saratoga, "and +when once there," said she, "I will use all my influence with +Miss Middleton; nay, if necessary, I will even beg her to +marry Frank, for I know she likes him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gertrude was delighted with this idea. She had forgotten +how determined she once was not to visit Saratoga with Fanny +Middleton. Next morning Mrs. Cameron proposed to her +guests that as the weather was getting warm, they should +start directly for the Springs. The visitors of course could +make no objections, and as Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, who were +to accompany them, also acquiesced in the plan, two days more +found our friends at Saratoga, together with crowds more of +the fashionable from the north, south, east and west.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the first day of their arrival, Fanny noticed seated opposite +her at the dinner table, a dark-eyed, sprightly looking +girl, whose eyes so constantly met hers, that at last both +blushed and the stranger girl half smiled. By her side sat a +gentleman, whom Fanny concluded was the young lady's +brother. Something in their appearance interested Fanny, and +she could not help thinking that they were from the South. +That evening as she was walking alone upon the piazza, she +was suddenly joined by the unknown lady, who accosted her +with, "Pardon me, ma'am, but am I not speaking to Miss +Middleton from Kentucky?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was too much surprised to answer immediately, but +soon recovering her self-possession, she answered, "You are, +but I have not the pleasure of knowing you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I presume not," said the lady. "We have never met before, +and yet I knew you instantly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Knew me! How?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"From description," replied the lady. "You have been so +accurately described to me by our mutual friend Miss Woodburn, +of New Orleans, that I could not mistake you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Florence Woodburn! New Orleans!" exclaimed Fanny. +"And are you from New Orleans, and do you know Florence, +and have you seen Julia?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To all these questions the stranger answered "Yes," continuing, +"and now let me introduce myself. I am Lida Gibson, +but I might as well be John Smith for any idea my name will +convey. However, I am from New Orleans, and know Florence +and your Uncle William well. Just before I left the city, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span><a name="Pg185" id="Pg185" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I made your sister's acquaintance. When she learned I was +coming this way, she said I might possibly see you, and made +me the bearer of many messages of love."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny had never heard of Lida Gibson, but it was sufficient +that she knew her uncle and Julia, so her hand was immediately +offered, and the remainder of the evening the two young +girls promenaded the piazza arm in arm, talking of their distant +homes and absent friends.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where did you see Julia?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Your uncle's house was not quite ready, consequently he +and Julia were spending a few days at the residence of Dr. +Lacey," answered Lida.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey!" said Fanny, in some surprise. "Julia at Dr. +Lacey's?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, why not?" said Lida, laughing merrily at Fanny's +manner. "There is nothing improper about that, for Dr. +Lacey's father was then absent, and his mother, for the time, +stayed with her son. I fancied it was not at all unpleasant +either to Dr. Lacey or Julia, that they were thus thrown together, +and I should not wonder if the doctor should one day +call you sister!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lida Gibson, whom our readers will recollect as having +met at Mabel Mortimer's party in New Orleans, was a +thoughtless, but kind-hearted girl, and never felt happier than +when employed in canvassing matches. On the morning when +the Cameron party arrived at the Springs, she had sent her +brother to learn the names of the newcomers. On his return +he mentioned Fanny Middleton as being one of the new +arrivals, so 'twas not surprising that Lida should so readily +recognize her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As days passed on Lida too heard of the supposed engagement +between Fanny and Frank Cameron, and for once kept +silent upon the subject, at least in Fanny's presence. Dearly +as she loved to discuss such matters, she felt there was something +in the character of her new friend which forbade an approach +to anything like jesting about so personal an affair as +one's own engagement. She, however, fully believed the report, +for everything she saw tended to confirm it, and she was +anxious to return home that she might carry the important +news to Julia and Dr. Lacey. Poor Fanny! The clouds were +gathering darkly about her, but she, all unconscious of the +consequence, talked, laughed, rode and sang with Frank, never +thinking that she was thus confirming Lida in a belief which +would tend to remove Dr. Lacey farther and farther from her. +Could Lida have heard a conversation which one evening took +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg 186]</span><a name="Pg186" id="Pg186" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +place between Mrs. Cameron and Fanny, different, very different +would have been the report which she carried back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One evening as Fanny, Lida and Gertrude were walking +upon the piazza, a servant came, saying that Mrs. Cameron +desired to see Miss Middleton in her room. Fanny immediately +obeyed the summons, and as soon as she was gone, Lida +laughingly congratulated Gertrude upon the project of having +so pleasant a sister. Gertrude smilingly received Miss Gibson's +congratulations. "For," thought she, "even if Fanny does not +marry Frank, Miss Gibson will probably never know it, as +she is to leave in a few days."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Let us now with Fanny repair to Mrs. Cameron's room, but +not like her wondering why she was sent for. We well +know why, and consequently are prepared for the look of +mingled indignation and astonishment which appeared on +Fanny's face when she learned that Mrs. Cameron was pleading +the cause of her son! Fanny answered, "Madam, I have +always entertained the highest respect for your son, but I +must confess it is lessened if it is with his knowledge you +are speaking to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron, who had at first intimated that it was +Frank's request that she should thus intercede for him, now +saw her mistake, and veering about, declared what was indeed +true, that Frank was wholly ignorant of the whole. Then +followed a long, eloquent speech, in which Mrs. Cameron by +turns tried to coax, flatter, importune, or frighten Fanny into +a compliance with her wishes, but Fanny could only repeat +her first answer. "I cannot, Mrs. Cameron, I cannot marry +Frank. I acknowledge that I like him, but only as I would +love a brother. Further remonstrance is useless, for I shall +never marry him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why not?" asked Mrs. Cameron. "Do you love another? +Are you engaged to another?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cannot answer these questions," said Fanny. "Frank +knows my reason and has my permission to give it to you." +Then rising, she added, "I suppose our conference is now +ended, and with your leave I will retire."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron nodded her head in assent, and Fanny immediately +left the room. A moment after she quitted the +apartment, Gertrude entered, all impatient to know her +mother's success.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Baffled, baffled," was Mrs. Cameron's reply to her interrogatories. +"I can do nothing with her. She is as stubborn +as a mule, and we shall either have to conjure up for some +reason why the engagement was broken off, or else run the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page187">[pg 187]</span><a name="Pg187" id="Pg187" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +risk of being well laughed at among our circle in New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few days after this, Lida Gibson started for the South, +promising 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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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!"</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter19" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc38" id="toc38"></a><a name="pdf39" id="pdf39"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XIX</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia announces her engagement to dr. lacey</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Summer was gone and the bright, sunny days of autumn +had come.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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 +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page188">[pg 188]</span><a name="Pg188" id="Pg188" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +golden casing, and were told the story of the young girl, whose +presence had been like Sunshine in Richard Wilmot's darkened +home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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 Buffalo, +and stayed upon the boat which was to bear them away until +the last bell rang out its warning. As he was leaving them +Kate playfully asked if they were taking anything of his +with them. "Yes, everything, everything," he answered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon the steamer was moving proudly over the blue waters +of Lake Erie. On the upper deck our Kentucky friends were +waving their handkerchiefs to Frank, who stood upon the +wharf as long as one bright-haired girl could be distinguished +by the light of the harvest moon, whose rays fell calmly upon +the placid waters.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few days Mr. Middleton again folded to his bosom his +Sunshine, now more precious than ever, because, as he said, +"He'd lain awake a heap o' nights, worryin' about her. The +dogs had howled, the death watches had ticked on the wall, +and everything had carried on, t'other side up, ever since she'd +been gone. But look, Nancy," he continued to his wife, "she's +fattin' up right smart. Her journey has done her a heap of +good, and I'm glad I let her go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The blacks now crowded round, delighted to welcome home +their young mistress, who had a kind word and some little +gift for each. Particularly were Aunt Katy and Aunt Judy +pleased with the present of a tasty lace cap, whose value was +greatly increased from the fact that they were bought in New +York City. In these simple creatures' estimation, New York +and Frankfort were the largest places in the world. "I s'pose," +said Aunt Katy, "that this New York is mighty nigh three +times as large as Frankfort."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Three times as large!" repeated Fanny. "Why, yes, Katy, +forty times as large."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time Aunt Katy looked upon Fanny as one not +long for this world. "'Tain't in natur," said she, "that she +should stay long. Allus was peart like and forrud, and now +has been ridin' in the railroad all over the airth, and hain't +got lost nuther, besides a-sailin' along in the steam engine +over the salt water."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was indeed marvelous how much Fanny had seen, and +when she came to tell the wonder-stricken negroes of the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page189">[pg 189]</span><a name="Pg189" id="Pg189" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +cataract of Niagara, their amazement knew no bounds. Our +friend Bobaway did not fail to ease himself by a round of +somersaults, his usual manner of expressing surprise or +pleasure. At the same time he whispered to Lucy that "He's +mistaken if Miss Fanny wan't tellin' 'em a stretcher this time," +for which declaration Lucy rewarded him with a smart box +on the ear, saying, "Is you no better manners than to 'cuse +white folks of lyin'? Miss Fanny never'd got as well as she +is if she's picked up a mess of lies to tell us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's health was indeed much improved, and for a day +or two after her return home, she bounded about the house +and grounds as lightly and merrily as she had done in childhood. +Mr. Middleton noticed the change and was delighted. +"I b'lieve she's forgettin' that paltry doctor," said he, but he +was wrong.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The third day after her return she was sitting with her +parents, relating to them an account of her journey, when Ike +entered the room. He had been sent to the post office and now +came up to Fanny, saying, "Here, I done got this air," at the +same time handing her a letter, which she instantly saw was +from her sister. Eagerly taking it, she said, "A letter from +Julia. I am delighted. It is a long time since I have heard +from her." Then quickly breaking the seal, she commenced +reading it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gradually as she read there stole over her face a strange +expression. It was a look of despair—of hope utterly crushed, +but she finished the letter and then mechanically passing it to +her father, she said, "Read it; it concerns us all," and then +rising she went to her room, leaving her father to read and +swear over Julia's letter at his leisure. That he did so no +one will doubt when they learn its contents.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first page contained assurances of love; the second congratulated +Fanny upon her engagement with Frank, but +chided her for suffering Lida Gibson to be the bearer of the +news. "Why did you not write to me yourself?" she said—"that +is the way I shall do, and now to prove my words, you +will see how confiding I am." Then followed the intelligence +that Dr. Lacey had the night before offered his heart and +hand and of course had been accepted. "You will not wonder +at it," she wrote, "for you know how much I have always loved +him. I was, however, greatly surprised when he told me he +always preferred me to you, but was prevented from telling +me so by my silly engagement with Mr. Wilmot and my supposed +affection for him." The letter ended by saying that +Dr. Lacey would accompany her home some time during the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page190">[pg 190]</span><a name="Pg190" id="Pg190" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +latter part of October, when their marriage would take place. +There was also a "P.S.," in which Julia wrote, "Do, Fan, use +your influence with the old man and make him fix up the infernal +old air castle. I'd as soon be married in the horse +barn as there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This, then, was the letter which affected Fanny so, and +called all of Uncle Joshua's biggest oaths into use. Mrs. +Middleton tried to calm her husband and remind him of his +promise not to swear. "I know it," said he, "I know I promised +not to swear, and for better than two months I hain't +swore, but I can't help it now. And yet I expected it. I +know'd 'twould be so when I let Tempest go to New Orleans. +But he'll run himself into a hornet's nest, and I ain't sure but +it's just the punishment for him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, then, do you rave so?" asked Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered her husband, "when I let Tempest go, +I'd no idee Sunshine cared so much for him. If I had, I'd +have slung a halter round Tempest's neck and tied her up +in the hoss barn she likes so well!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old man was evidently piqued at Julia's thrust at the +old house. "Fix up! A heap I'll fix up for her to be +married," continued he.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then you'll give your consent?" said Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Consent! Who's asked any consent?" replied he, "and +'tain't likely they will nuther; and if I should refuse, Tempest +wouldn't mind clamberin' out of the chimbly to run away, and +the doctor has showed himself jest as mean. No; he may have +her and go to the old boy for all of Josh. But what's this +about Cameron? I hope 'tis so, but I'm mighty feared it +ain't. Sunshine can't love two at a time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Mr. Middleton was thus expending his fury, Fanny +was alone in her room, struggling hard to subdue the bitter +feelings which were rising in her heart. Until now she had +not been aware how much she loved Dr. Lacey. True, she +had said it was impossible she could ever marry him; and +she had believed she was trying to forget him; but ever in her +heart she had, perhaps unconsciously, cherished a half formed +belief that all would yet be well, and when she refused the +noble, generous heart which Frank Cameron laid at her feet, +it was with a vague hope that Dr. Lacey would yet be hers. +But now every hope was gone. "There is nothing left for +me," said Fanny, "but woe, woe!" 'Twas fearful—the tide of +sorrow which swept over the young girl, but amid the wild +storm of passion came the echo of a still, small voice, whispering +of one who loves with more than an earthly love, who +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page191">[pg 191]</span><a name="Pg191" id="Pg191" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +never proves faithless—never fails. Fanny listened to the +Spirit's pleadings and resolved that henceforth she would +seek to place her affections where "there is no variableness, +neither shadow of turning."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The whirlwind of excitement passed over, leaving no trace +to mark its passage, save a fixed calm expression, which a +more violent demonstration of feeling would not have done.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The week following the receipt of Julia's letter Mr. Middleton +had business which took him to Frankfort. Fanny accompanied +him and remained several days. The morning after +her arrival she and Mr. Stanton were walking upon the upper +balcony at Mrs. Crane's, when they were joined by Ashton, +who had returned from New Orleans a few days before. He +had always been a frequent visitor there, but since his +return, his visits had been more frequent and of longer +duration. There was to him something very fascinating about +Stanton's fair bride, and yet he always felt uneasy when +with her, for her manners and appearance reminded him of +the past.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This morning, however, the mystery was explained, but in +what way he could not tell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon after he appeared on the balcony, Nellie pointed to +a gentleman who was crossing the street and inquired his +name. On being told she replied: "He looks very much like +a Mr. Barnard I used to know years ago in ——," mentioning +the town where she was born.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Used to know where?" asked Ashton quickly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nellie repeated the name and Ashton said, "Why, that's my +native town, and I knew Mr. Barnard well." Then as if the +light of a sudden revelation fell upon him, he added, "And +your name, too, was Nellie Ashton? I once had a sister +Nellie, on whose rosy cheeks I dropped a tear the night I ran +away to sea. Can it be that you are that Nellie?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few moments more sufficed them to discover what we +have long surmized, viz., that Henry Ashton and Nellie Stanton +were brother and sister. The surprise and pleasure of +their recognition is better imagined than described. We will +only say that when Stanton, on his return from the office, +stepped out upon the balcony in quest of his wife, he was +greatly shocked at beholding her in Ashton's arms, and his +amazement was increased when he saw that she not only +suffered his caresses, but also returned them in a manner +highly displeasing to the young husband. Fanny, however, +soon explained all, and Stanton gladly received Ashton as a +newly found brother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page192">[pg 192]</span><a name="Pg192" id="Pg192" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>It is unnecessary for us to repeat what Nellie and her +brother had to relate concerning themselves since the night +when Ashton so unceremoniously took leave of his home. +With the important points in their history the reader is already +acquainted, so for the present we leave them, while +we take a brief glance at Mrs. Carrington. The reader will +doubtless think that for once in her life that estimable lady +has done a good deed, although her motive was not the best +in the world. Before Julia went to New Orleans, Mrs. Carrington +so far overcame her dislike as to ask her to write. +Julia did not promise to do so, but probably concluded she +would, for soon after her arrival in New Orleans she +wrote to her a letter, in which she hinted at the probable result +of her visit. She was then a guest of Dr. Lacey, and she +spoke of his attention and politeness in the most extravagant +terms. This so provoked Mrs. Carrington that she determined +at once to write to Dr. Lacey, and give him an insight +into Julia's real character.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The letter was accordingly written. We must do Mrs. Carrington +the justice to say that though her object in writing +was purely selfish, she asserted nothing in her letter but what +she knew to be strictly true. She was ignorant of Julia's conduct +concerning Fanny, consequently she said nothing upon +that head, but she spoke of her generally deceitful character, +and mentioned several instances in which she had not hesitated +to stoop to the basest falsehood for the accomplishment +of her purpose.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she was folding the letter it occurred to her that by some +accident Julia might possibly get hold of it. "And then," +thought she, "she will recognize my handwriting, and curiosity +will impel her to open the letter, after which she wouldn't +hesitate a moment to destroy it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next moment Mrs. Carrington was rapping at the door +of Mrs. Miller's room. Kate opened it and was greatly surprised +at beholding her visitor, who seldom came there. Mrs. +Carrington, however, smilingly presented her letter to Mr. +Miller, saying that she had business with Dr. Lacey, which +rendered it necessary for her to write to him, and as she did +not care to have the post office clerks gossip about her writing +to a gentleman, she wished him to direct it for her. Mr. +Miller complied with her request and the next morning the important +document was on its way to New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As our readers have twice made the voyage of the Mississippi, +they will not refuse, again, to run the risk of its floating +snags, sandbars and boat races; so stepping on board the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page193">[pg 193]</span><a name="Pg193" id="Pg193" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +same steamer which bears Mrs. Carrington's letter, we will +once more, visit Louisiana, and stopping with Dr. Lacey, will +see how much of Julia's letter to her sister was true.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter20" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc40" id="toc40"></a><a name="pdf41" id="pdf41"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XX</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">rondeau digs up the missing letter</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first three weeks of Julia's stay in New Orleans were, +as we have learned, spent at the house of Dr. Lacey. His +mother was present, and although she readily acknowledged +the uncommon beauty of her fair visitor, yet from the first she +disliked her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The servants, too, as if adopting the opinion of their mistress, +felt and expressed among themselves an aversion to the +"evil-eyed lady," as they termed Julia. Aunt Dilsey, in particular, +soon had her own reason for disliking her. The +second day after Julia's arrival, as she was strolling through +the yard, she encountered Jackson, a bright little fellow, three +years of age, and Aunt Dilsey's only son. Jack, as he was +usually called, was amusing himself by seeing how far he +could spit! Unfortunately he spit too far, and hit Miss Julia's +pink muslin. In an instant her white, slender fingers were +buried in his wool. His screams soon brought Aunt Dilsey +to the rescue. Upon learning the dreadful crime of which +Jack had been guilty, she snatched him from Julia's grasp, +and hurried him into the house without a word. From that +time Dilsey was Julia's sworn enemy, and Jack was taught +to make up faces at her, whenever he could do so without being +discovered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The servants, however, were too well trained to manifest +any open disrespect, for they knew she was "marster's guest," +and as such was entitled to every possible attention.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When first she arrived Dr. Lacey felt exceedingly uncomfortable, +for her presence constantly reminded him of the past, +and his reminiscences of Julia were not particularly pleasant. +Gradually this feeling wore away, for she appeared greatly +changed. There was a softness, a gentleness, in her manner, +which seemed to Dr. Lacey like Fanny, and then her voice, +too, was so like her sister's that ere long she ceased to be disagreeable +to him, and instead of avoiding her society, as at +first he had done, he now sought it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg 194]</span><a name="Pg194" id="Pg194" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia saw her advantage, and determined to follow it up. +Nothing could exceed her extreme amiability, and apparent +sweetness of disposition. Even Mrs. Lacey was partially +deceived, and concluded she had been too hasty in her estimation +of Miss Middleton. Still she watched her son's movements +narrowly, and hoped he had no intentions of making +Julia his wife.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was in New Orleans three weeks before her uncle's +house was in readiness; but at the end of that time she, together +with Dr. Lacey, Mabel Mortimer and Florence Woodburn +were about to exchange the heat and dust of the city for +a cooler residence near the lake. The day before they left +was hot and sultry, and in the morning Julia sought the shade +of a large vine-wreathed summer house, which stood in the +garden, near by the tree under which Rondeau had buried his +master's letter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One word now about our old friend Rondeau. The buried +letter had cost him a world of trouble. He was constantly fearful +lest he should be detected. Particularly was he afraid +that the author of the letter, failing to receive an answer, +would write again, and thus he might be exposed. Twice had +he dug up the epistle upon occasions when he fancied some one +of his master's letters bore a similar superscription. In this +way he had become tolerably familiar with Mr. Miller's handwriting, +which was rather peculiar, being a large, heavy, +black hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning when Julia was snugly esconced in the summer +house, Rondeau returned from the post office in great +tribulation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What's up now?" asked Leffie, whom Rondeau drew aside, +with a dolefully grave face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing's up," answered Rondeau, "but the letter has got +to come up! I ain't going to feel like I was a whipped dog +any longer. I'll confess all to Marster George, for see, here's +another like the buried one." So saying, he held up Mrs. +Carrington's letter, on the envelope of which was Mr. Miller's +writing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie offered no remonstrance, and as Aunt Dilsey just then +screamed for her, Rondeau went alone to the garden and proceeded +to disinter the buried document. 'Twas but the work +of a moment, and could Julia have been cooling herself in +Greenland, as she ought to have been, all would have ended +well. And now I suppose some indignant reader will say, +"Why didn't you put her in Greenland, then, or some worse +place?" But patience, patience, a little longer. You would +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page195">[pg 195]</span><a name="Pg195" id="Pg195" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have us tell things just as they were, I suppose, so we must +not only suffer Miss Julia to be in the summer house, but we +must also allow her to be a spectator of Rondeau's proceedings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was greatly surprised when she saw him take from the +cigar box a much soiled, yellowish-looking letter, and she +could not help feeling that in some way it concerned herself. +Suddenly appearing, she startled Rondeau by saying, "What +are you doing? Whose is that? Give it to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau was anxious to conceal from her his long-buried +treasure, and he passed her the other. She took it and recognizing +Mr. Miller's writing, knew also that Rondeau had +given her the wrong one, so she said in a commanding tone, +"What does all this mean? Give me the other one immediately."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The submissive African, ever obedient to his superiors, +handed her the other letter, and then in a few words told his +story, and announced his intention of confessing all to his +master, at the same time extending his hand to take the +letters. But Julia did not mean he should have them, and she +said, coaxingly, "You have done very wrong, Rondeau, and +your master will undoubtedly be very angry, but I will take +them to him and intercede for you, as you are on the whole +a pretty fine fellow. He'll forgive you for me. I know he +will, but mind, don't you say anything to him about it until +you've seen me again."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, she returned to the house and, going to her room, +bolted the door. After which, breaking the seal of the oldest +letter, she deliberately read it through, occasionally uttering a +malediction against Mr. Miller, thanking the good luck which +brought it to her hands instead of Dr. Lacey's, and making +remarks generally. Said she, "Mighty good opinion Mr. +Quilting-frames has of me (alluding to Mr. Miller's height), +glad I know his mind. A heap of good the answer to this did +him, and his doll wife, too. Hadn't I better answer it myself? +I'd write after this fashion: 'Mr. Miller—At first I thought +I would treat your letter with silent contempt, but recently I +have concluded to write and thank you to mind your own +business. By order of George Lacey, Esq.—Julia Middleton, +Secretary.' Yes, that would serve the meddling old Yankee +Dictionary right," continued she, and then, as her eye fell +upon the remaining letter, she added, "Yes, I'll read this one +too, and see what new thing I'm guilty of!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as she broke it open and glanced at the handwriting, +she knew it to be from Mrs. Carrington. "What now?" said +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page196">[pg 196]</span><a name="Pg196" id="Pg196" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +she, "what has Mrs. Carrington got to say about me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A rapid perusal of the letter showed her what Mrs. Carrington +had to say, and she continued her remarks as follows: +"She has described me quite accurately. I didn't suppose +she knew me so well. I wonder who'll write next! It seems +everybody is in league against me, but I'm enough for anybody +there is in Kentucky; and," she added, in a lower tone, +"I wouldn't hesitate to try my strength with Satan himself;" +but even then the dark girl trembled as she thought there was +a God, whom none could withstand, and who, one day, would +inevitably overtake her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Quickly as possible she drove such unpleasant thoughts from +her mind, and then tried to devise the best plan for managing +Mrs. Carrington. "For Mr. Miller's letter," said she, "I care +nothing. It was written so long ago that he has ceased expecting +an answer, but I well know Mrs. Carrington's designs, +and she will continue to write until she receives some reply. +I have once successfully counterfeited Dr. Lacey's handwriting, +and can do it again. I'll send her something that +will quiet her nerves better than assafœtida!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This settled, she went in quest of Rondeau, whom she told +that, as she had expected, his master was very much displeased. +"But," said she, "after I interceded awhile for you, +he said he would forgive you on condition that you were never +guilty of the like again, and never mention the subject to him +in any way, as it makes him angry to talk about it." To both +these conditions Rondeau readily agreed, and Julia left him, +thinking she was safe in that quarter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Several days after, Mrs. Carrington received a letter which +she supposed came from Dr. Lacey. In it she was coolly requested +not to interfere in other people's matters, and told +that any efforts on her part to engraft herself into Dr. Lacey's +good graces by maligning Julia, would be useless, and only +serve to confirm him in his present low opinion of her, while +at the same time it would increase the high estimation in +which he held Miss Middleton!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After that Mrs. Carrington troubled Dr. Lacey with no +more letters, but busied herself in anticipating the capture of +a wealthy gentleman, who Ashton told her was, in the course +of two or three months, coming on from Charleston, South +Carolina.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The scene now changes from Dr. Lacey's to the "Indian +Nest," on the lake shore. It was a charming spot, and looked +as if intended only for the inhabitation of the pure and innocent. +Yet even there was crafty ambition and base deceit. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page197">[pg 197]</span><a name="Pg197" id="Pg197" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Julia was there, eagerly seeking to wind her coils securely +around her long watched-for prey. To all eyes but her own +she seemed not likely to succeed, for though Dr. Lacey admired +her and possibly treated her with more attention than +he did either Mabel or Florence, yet his heart still turned to +Fanny, and for hours he would sit, talking to Julia of her +sister, while she schooled herself to answer all his questions +without one sign of impatience.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Occasionally she would speak to Dr. Lacey of his cousin, +young Stanton, and would tell how much pleasure Fanny +seemed to take in his society. But this produced no effect, for +Dr. Lacey had learned from Stanton himself of his approaching +marriage with Miss Ashton. Then Julia pulled another +string and expatiated so largely upon Frank Cameron's sayings +and doings that Dr. Lacey became really uneasy, for recently +he had thought seriously of again writing to Fanny, and now +he determined to do so.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Without knowing it, Julia was herself the means of causing +this determination to be carried into effect. One night she +and Dr. Lacey had been strolling for more than an hour +through the many delightful walks in the garden, which lay +upon the lake shore. To her great satisfaction, they were entirely +alone, for Mr. Middleton and Florence were engaged +in their favorite game of chess, while Mabel was eagerly +listening to Ashton, who was relating to her some of his +India adventures. Mabel had good sense enough to know that +her efforts to win Dr. Lacey would be useless, and rather reluctantly +she had given him up. Now her eyes grew brighter +and her heart beat faster whenever Ashton approached. But, +fair Mabel, your hopes are all in vain.</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">For Inez, the Spaniard,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 12.00em">Is o'er the sea,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">And the heart thou wouldst win</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 12.00em">Is not destined for thee.</div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As we have before said, Julia was delighted at having Dr. +Lacey thus to herself, and she resolved to increase the favorable +impression she knew she had already made upon him. +Most admirably was her part played. Fanny herself could +not have been more gentle and agreeable than was Julia, as, +together with Dr. Lacey, she traversed the broad walks of +the garden. Sweet and soothing were the words she poured +into his ear, occasionally administering a little well-timed +flattery, and wishing, as she had once done before to another +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg 198]</span><a name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +individual in similar circumstances, that Dr. Lacey had been +her brother. He did not, like Mr. Wilmot, follow up this +wish by a proposition that as he was not her brother she +would accept him for a husband, but he pressed the hand, +which, with seeming unconsciousness, had been placed on his, +and said, "God knows how ardently I once hoped to be your +brother, Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And would you then have loved me?" asked Julia, "me +whom few have ever loved, because they did not know me; +say, would you have loved me as a sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The face of her who awaited Dr. Lacey's answer was very +beautiful, while tears moistened the long eyelashes, which +veiled the large, bright eyes, and the tones of her voice, now +more like Fanny's than ever, thrilled his every nerve. What +wonder, then, that his lips for the first time touched the +polished brow of the tempter, as he said, "It would be no hard +task, Julia, to love you with more than a brother's love."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"One more well-aimed blow," thought Julia, "and I shall +have him at my feet"; but she was mistaken. Between herself +and Dr. Lacey there arose the image of one, the remembrance +of whom had a power to prevent the utterance of +words which otherwise might have been spoken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Abruptly changing the conversation, he drew her rather reluctantly +toward the house, which they reached just in time +to hear Florence exclaim, as she scattered the chessmen over +the floor, "Why, Uncle Billy Middleton, what do you mean? +Put yourself up to be played for, and then beat me; shame, +shame."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What is this all about?" asked Dr. Lacey, having some +inkling of the truth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," answered Florence, "you see, Mr. Middleton has +conceived a fatherly affection for me, and as he is rather rusty +in such matters, he could think of no better way of proposing +than to put himself up as a prize, and tell me if I beat him in +playing chess, he would be mine, or in other words, make me +Mrs. Billy Middleton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And who beat?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Mr. Middleton was ill-mannered enough to win," +said Florence, "but then, it was such fun to see how desperately +he played, for fear I should get him! Now, Dr. +Lacey, I suppose you have been proposing to Julia in the real +old, orthodox way, but that is too common. You must sit +down at the chessboard and let Julia play for you," and she +pushed them both toward the chairs, which she and Mr. +Middleton had just vacated.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg 199]</span><a name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia did not refuse, but Dr. Lacey, freeing himself from +Florence, said, "Excuse me tonight, Miss Woodburn. Perhaps +at some other time I will comply with your request," then bowing, +he left the veranda and went to his own room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When there he strove to recall the events of the evening, +and the words he had involuntarily spoken to Julia. "Why is +it," said he, "that I feel so uneasy whenever I am alone with +her? Is it that I love her and am afraid I shall tell her so? +No, that cannot be. I do not love her; and yet, next to Fanny, +she is more agreeable to me than any one else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Memories of other days came thronging about him, and he +then resolved again to write and beseech Fanny at least to +grant him her second love, even if her first, best affections had +been given to another.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Suppose she refuses you," seemed whispered in his ear.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It must have been some evil spirit which prompted the reply, +"Then I will marry Julia, as being next and nearest to Fanny." +His resolution once taken, he proceeded to carry it into effect. +The letter was written and over Dr. Lacey came a sense of +relief—a feeling that he had escaped from something, he +knew not what. But she, who was upon his track, was more +wily, more crafty than anything he had ever imagined.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This time, however, her interference was not necessary, for +early next morning a carriage drew up in front of the Indian +Nest. From it sprang Lida Gibson, who had recently returned +from New York. She was full of talk, and within an hour +after her arrival the story of Fanny's engagement with Frank +Cameron had been repeated in Dr. Lacey's hearing at least +three times.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It must be true," said Lida, "for every one said so, and +their actions proclaimed it, if nothing more; besides, Mr. +Cameron's sister, Gertrude herself, told me it was so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am not surprised," said Julia and her uncle both.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For Julia's opinion Dr. Lacey possibly might not have cared, +but when Mr. Middleton too added his testimony, the matter +was settled. The letter was not sent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the day Lida wondered much why Dr. Lacey stayed +so closely in his room. "I should think he would roast in +there," said she. "I do wonder what he is about?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I fancy," answered Florence, "that he still loves Fanny, +and now that she is engaged he is staying alone until he gets +his rebellious heart tied up."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Lida afterward learned the truth, she expressed a +wish that her tongue might have been cut out ere she had +been the bearer of news which caused so much trouble.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page200">[pg 200]</span><a name="Pg200" id="Pg200" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>While Dr. Lacey was securely bolted in his room, nerving +himself to bear this fresh disappointment and striving to drive +each thought of Fanny from him, Julia too was alone and +busily engaged. What pains she took to rub and soil those +tiny sheets of paper, until they assumed a worn and crumpled +look! Then dipping her finger in the silver goblet at her side, +what perfect tear blots she made, and how she exulted over the +probable success of her morning's work! When it was +finished she placed it in her portfolio, and waited for a favorable +opportunity.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It came not that day, however, for save at meal time Dr. +Lacey made not his appearance. To Mr. Middleton's inquiries +concerning the reason of his seclusion, he replied, +"that he was busy with important matters"; but his abstracted +manner led Mr. Middleton to believe what he had long suspected, +viz., that Dr. Lacey's heart was wholly centered upon +Fanny, and that the news of her coming marriage was the +cause of his unhappiness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning's sun rose clear and bright, but it brought a +day which Dr. Lacey long, long remembered, and which Julia, +in the bitterness of her heart, cursed many and many a time. +In the early part of the morning Dr. Lacey wandered down to +a small arbor, which stood at the foot of the garden. He had +not been there long before Julia, too, came tripping down the +walk, with her portfolio and drawing pencil. So absorbed +was she in her own thoughts that she of course did not see +Dr. Lacey until she had entered the arbor; then, with a +most becoming blush and start, she said, "Pray pardon me for +disturbing you. I had no idea you were here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey, of course, insisted upon her staying. She knew +he would, and sitting down, she busied herself in looking over +the contents of her portfolio. Suddenly she heaved a deep +sigh, and Dr. Lacey looked up just in time to see her wipe +something from her eyes, or pretend to, which must have been +tears. At the same time she hastily thrust a paper back into +her portfolio, which she immediately shut.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What is the matter?" asked Dr. Lacey. "For whom was +that sigh and those tears?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"For poor Fan," answered Julia. "I have accidently found +a part of an old journal, which she kept while Mr. Wilmot was +living."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"May I see it?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia seemed at first reluctant, but finally replied, "Perhaps +it will be as well to let you do so, for you may then judge +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span><a name="Pg201" id="Pg201" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +more kindly of Fanny"; and she placed in his hands the +soiled sheets of paper which we saw in her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leaning back she watched him while he read. As we have +as much right to read Fanny's journal as Dr. Lacey, we will +here give a few brief extracts:</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">April—"Cease your wild beatings, my heart. Mr. Wilmot +is promised to Julia. He will never be mine, but nought can +prevent my loving him; ay, forever and ever."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">August 1st—"I do not believe I am indifferent to Mr. Wilmot, +but he will be true to his vows—he will wed Julia; and +this doctor that bothers me so, what of him? Why, he is +wealthy, and high, and handsome—but I do not love him; yet +if he offers himself I shall say yes, for, as Mrs. Carrington +says, 'he is a great catch.'"</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sept. 5—"Mr. Wilmot is dead, and with him died my poor, +poor heart. Had he lived, he possibly might have turned to +me, for Julia knew how much I loved him. Dear, generous +Julia, how I wish Dr. Lacey would love her, for she is more +worthy of him than I am."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jan. 1—"Heigh ho, I'm engaged to Dr. Lacey! Who would +think it? Now I am happy! Oh, no. Out in the graveyard +lies one who could have made me happy. Ought I thus to deceive +Dr. Lacey? Why, yes; if he is satisfied, it is well +enough. I am ambitious, and if I can't marry for love, I will +for money. And then he's given me so beautiful a piano. Oh, +I hope he'll send me more presents after he gets home!"</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jan. 15—"Dr. Lacey has gone and I feel relieved. But just +think of it—Julia loves him devotedly. I wish he knew it. +She has always loved him and tries to make me do the same. +She read me a sermon today two hours long about my duty. +Fudge on my duty! As long as I can make Joshua and Dr. +Lacey think I'm all sunshine, it's no matter if my love is all +moonshine."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This journal was interspersed here and there with tears, +and was so exact an imitation of Fanny's writing that Dr. +Lacey was completely duped. He, however, wondered that +Julia should show it to him. She had foreseen this, and as he +was reading the last few lines she was looking over her portfolio. +Suddenly springing up, she snatched the paper from +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg 202]</span><a name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +his hands, saying, "Oh, what have I done? I've shown you +the wrong part of the journal. I did not mean you to see +this. What shall I do? You'll hate Fanny and despise me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why despise you?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," replied Julia, "you will dislike me for the foolish +thing which Fan wrote about me. I could not help her writing +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And is it true?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, you must not ask me that—I can't tell—I shan't tell—" +and seizing her portfolio Julia started off toward the house, +thinking possibly she should be pursued. But she was not.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the reading of the journal Dr. Lacey's heart seemed +to go through a benumbing process, which rendered it perfectly +palsied. No emotion either of love or anger did he +feel toward Fanny. She was nought to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And how did the knowledge that Julia loved him affect him? +Answer, any man, whether your wounded pride is never +soothed by woman's sympathy, and love, come in what garb +it may. And in Dr. Lacey's case it was a being of wondrous +beauty, who knew well what she was about and had marked +each inch of ground ere she trod upon it. What marvel then +that Dr. Lacey turned toward her. You would have done so; +ay, perchance sooner than he did.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening after supper, as Dr. Lacey was walking upon +the veranda, Florence approached him, saying, "Come, Dr. +Lacey, now fulfill your promise of playing with Julia," at the +same time leading him toward the place where her companions +were seated. "Now," said she, placing the chessboard +in his hands, "I am mistress of ceremonies. We will have a +fair understanding. If Julia beats, you shall be hers; if you +beat, Mabel and Lida shall draw cuts for you. Do you +agree to it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly," was Dr. Lacey's reply, at the same time seating +himself opposite Julia, who gave him a look of searching +inquiry. He understood her and in a low tone answered, "I +am in earnest. Do your best."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And she did her best. With one strong effort of the will +she concentrated all her energies upon that game, which she +felt would decide her fate. Dr. Lacey, too, as if resolved +to conquer, played most skillfully. The bystanders for a time +looked on, and as Lida noticed the livid hue of Julia's face, +she said, "Pray, Julia, don't burst a blood vessel, for maybe +Dr. Lacey will have you, even if you do not beat."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the ear she addressed was deaf save to the quiet sound +of the chessmen. The contest was long and severe. Nine, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page203">[pg 203]</span><a name="Pg203" id="Pg203" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ten, eleven, struck the little clock in the hall. One by one the +spectators stole away. Florence's parting words were, "If +Dr. Lacey beats, be sure and wake us, Julia, so Mabel and +Lida can draw cuts."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now they were alone. Once and only once Julia +glanced at the face of her antagonist. It was white and colorless +as her own hand, which wandered steadily over the chessboard. +The final spell was upon him, and he seemed striving +hard to shake it off. 'Twas all in vain. The little clock +struck the hour of midnight. The game was ended. Julia had +won. Dr. Lacey was checkmated!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With one hand he rapidly swept the board of its occupants, +while the other he extended toward Julia, saying: "Take it. +'Tis all I can offer, for you well know I have no heart to give. +My hand and name you have won—they are yours."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A person less intriguing or determined than Julia would +have scorned to receive a hand so coldly offered. But not so +with her. She did not expect any protestations of love, for +she knew he felt none. Yet she was hardly satisfied, and resolved +upon one movement more ere she accepted what she +felt was reluctantly given.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are mistaken in me," said she, "if you think I will +play for a husband, and then expect him to comply with the +terms unless he chooses to do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied, "When I consented to play, I knew what +I was about, and I knew, too, that you love me. I cannot say +the same to you in return, but you are far from being indifferent +to me. When I first knew you I disliked you, for I +believed you to be passionate, jealous and designing; nor do +I think my opinion of you then was wrong; but you are +changed, very much changed. Continue to be what you are +now, and we may be happy, for I may learn to love you, but +never as fondly, as madly, as I loved your sister; ay, as I +could love her again; but enough of this. She was false; +she deceived me, and now I will wed you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And what said Julia to all this? Why, she sat bolt upright, +listening attentively while Dr. Lacey expressed his former +and present opinion of her. When he had finished, she +ventured to acknowledge her love for him; said she had always +loved him, and that as his wife she would try to make +him happy. Perhaps she was sincere in this, for she did love +Dr. Lacey as well as her selfish nature would suffer her to +love any one, and she had resolved, if she ever married him, +to do all in her power to atone, if possible, for the past.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A half hour longer they conversed of the future, and arranged +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page204">[pg 204]</span><a name="Pg204" id="Pg204" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the plan, which Julia next day wrote to her sister. At +last Dr. Lacey exclaimed, "Come, Julia, you must go now; +it is getting late, for see,"—pointing to the little clock; but as +if astonished at what it had heard, the clock had stopped!</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter21" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc42" id="toc42"></a><a name="pdf43" id="pdf43"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">stirring events</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Great was Mr. Middleton's surprise when informed by Dr. +Lacey of his engagement with Julia. Something in his countenance +must have betrayed it, for Dr. Lacey said, "You seem +astonished, sir. Are you displeased?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly not; I am glad," answered Mr. Middleton. "Yet +I confess I was surprised, for I had never thought of such +a thing. Once I had hoped you would marry Fanny, but since +Frank Cameron has rendered that impossible, you cannot do +better than take Julia. She is intelligent, accomplished and +handsome, and although she has some faults, your influence +over her will lead her to correct them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Unlike this was the reception which the intelligence met +with from Dr. Lacey's negroes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What that ar you sayin'," asked Aunt Dilsey of Rondeau, +who was communicating the important news to Leffie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You'd better ask," replied Rondeau. "Who do you suppose +Marster George is goin' to fetch here to crack our heads +for us?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dun know—Miss Mabel, maybe," said Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir; Miss Mabel is bad enough, but she can't hold a +candle to this one," answered Rondeau.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You don't mean Miss July," shrieked rather than asked +Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I don't mean nobody else, mother Dilsey," said Rondeau.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Up flew Aunt Dilsey's hands in amazement, and up rolled +her eyes in dismay. "I 'clar for't," said she, "if Marster +George has done made such a fool of hisself, I hope she'll +pull his bar a heap worse than she did Jack's."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No danger but what she will, and yours too," was Rondeau's +consoling reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord knows," said Aunt Dilsey, "fust time she sasses me, +I'll run away long of Jack and the baby. I'll tie up my new +gown and cap in a handkerchief this night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page205">[pg 205]</span><a name="Pg205" id="Pg205" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Leffie now proposed that her mother should defer her intended +flight until the arrival of the dreaded Julia, while Rondeau +added, "Besides, Dilsey, if you should run away your +delicate body couldn't get further than the swamp, where you'd +go in up to your neck first lunge, and all marster's horses +couldn't draw you out."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This allusion to her size changed the current of Aunt Dilsey's +wrath, which now turned and spent itself on Rondeau. +Her impression of Julia, however, never changed, although +she was not called upon to run away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Lacey, too, received the news of her son's engagement +with evident dissatisfaction; but she thought remonstrance +would be useless, and she kept silent, secretly praying +that Julia might prove better than her fears. In due course +of time there came from Kentucky a letter of congratulation +from Fanny; but she was so unaccustomed to say or write +what she did not feel that the letter, so far as congratulations +were concerned, was a total failure. She, however, +denied her engagement with Frank, and this, if nothing else, +was sufficient reason why Julia refused to show it to Dr. +Lacey. Julia knew the chain by which she held him was +brittle and might at any time be broken, and it was not strange +that she longed for the last days of October, when with +Dr. Lacey she would return to Kentucky.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They came at last, and one bright, cloudless morning Uncle +Joshua got out his carriage and proceeded to Frankfort, +where, as he had expected, he met Julia and his expected son-in-law. +His greeting of the former was kind and fatherly +enough, but the moment he saw the latter, he felt, as he afterward +said, an almost unconquerable desire to flatten his nose, +gouge his eyes, knock out his teeth and so forth, which operations +would doubtless have greatly astonished Dr. Lacey and +given him what almost every man has, viz., a most formidable +idea of his wife's relations.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He, however, restrained his wrath, and when, at a convenient +time, Dr. Lacey, with a few ominous "ahems" and +made-up coughs, indicated his intention of asking for Julia, +Uncle Joshua cut him short by saying, "Never mind, I know +what you want. You may have her and welcome. I only +wish she would make as good a wife as you will husband. +But mind now, when you find out what for a fury you've got, +don't come whinin' round me, for I give you fa'r warnin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Dr. Lacey thought proper to say that possibly Mr. +Middleton did not understand his daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not understand her?" repeated Mr. Middleton. "What's to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page206">[pg 206]</span><a name="Pg206" id="Pg206" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hinder? She's my own gal, and I like her well enough; but +don't I know she's as fiery as a baker's oven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is greatly changed," continued Dr. Lacey. "Don't you +give her credit for that?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Changed?" replied Mr. Middleton. "So's lightnin' +changed! It's one of her tricks. Depend on it, you'll find it +so." And Mr. Middleton walked off in search of his promising +daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Strange as it may seem, the old man's remarks had no other +effect on Dr. Lacey than to cause him to pity Julia, who he +fancied was misunderstood and misused. He believed her +reformation to be sincere, and could not help feeling that Mr. +Middleton was mistaken in his opinion of both his daughters.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After tramping all over the house, banging doors and shouting +at least a dozen times, "Ho, Tempest, whar for gracious +sakes are you?" Mr. Middleton at length found his daughter +in Mrs. Miller's room consulting with Kate about her bridal +dress. Kate, too, was wholly deceived by Julia's gentleness +and apparent frankness of manner, and readily complied with +her request that she should be with her the two days preceding +the marriage, for the purpose of assisting in the arrangement +of affairs. This being settled, Mr. Middleton and his daughter +started for home, which they reached about sunset.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia leaped gayly from the carriage, and running into the +house, embraced her mother, and received the blacks as affectionately +as Fanny herself could have done; then missing her +sister, she asked, "Where is Fan? Why does she not come +to meet me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton looked inquiringly at her husband, who replied, +"No, I hain't told her, jest because she didn't ask me. +Sunshine is sick—sick in bed, and has had the potecary three +times."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fanny sick," said Julia. "Where is she? In her room? +I will go to her immediately."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But in going to Fanny, it was necessary to pass the parlor, +and Julia could not resist the temptation to look in and see "if +the old man had fixed up any."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, how neat, how pleasant!" was her first exclamation, +and truly the cheerless old room had undergone a great renovation. +It had been thoroughly cleaned and repainted. The +walls were hung with bright, cheerful-looking paper. A handsome +carpet covered the floor, while curtains of corresponding +beauty shaded the windows. The furniture, tastefully arranged, +was nearly all new, and in the waxen flowers, which +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page207">[pg 207]</span><a name="Pg207" id="Pg207" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +filled the vases on the mantelpiece, Julia recognized the handiwork +of her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yes, Fanny's love had wrought this change. At first her +father had refused to do anything. "No, I won't," said he. +"It's good enough, and if it don't suit Lady Tempest, she can go +to the hoss barn; that's just fit for 'em."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then, father," said Fanny, "do it for my sake. It would +please me to have a pleasanter parlor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was sufficient. A well-filled purse was placed in +Fanny's hands, with liberty to do as she pleased. Then with +untiring love, aching heart and throbbing temples, she worked +on day after day, until all was completed, parlor, bridal chamber +and all. The hangings and drapery of the latter were as +white and pure as was she who so patiently worked on, while +each fresh beauty added to the room pierced her heart with a +deeper anguish, as she thought what and whom it was for. +When her mother remonstrated against such unceasing toil, +she would smile a sweet, sad smile and say, "Don't hinder me, +dear mother, 'tis all I can do to show my love for Julia, and +after I am gone they will perhaps think more kindly of me, +when they know how I worked for them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last all was done; the finishing stroke was given, and +then came a reaction. Fanny took her bed, and her father, instantly, +alarmed, called the nearest physician. Dr. Gordon +readily saw that Fanny's disease was in her mind, and in +reply to Mrs. Middleton's inquiries, he frankly told his +opinion, and said that unless the cause of her melancholy could +be removed, the consequence might be fatal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Don't tell my husband," said Mrs. Middleton, "his life is +bound up in Fanny, and the day that sees her dead will, I fear, +also make me a widow." Accordingly, Mr. Middleton was +deceived into a belief that Fanny's illness was the result of +over-exertion, and that she would soon recover.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a day or two she seemed better, but was not able to come +downstairs. Instead, she had no desire or intention of doing +so until after the wedding, for she felt she could not, would +not, see Dr. Lacey for the world. Since the receipt of her +sister's letter she had been given a holier love, a firmer faith, +than aught on earth can bestow, and she was now under the +influence of religion; of lasting, true religion. This then was +the reason why she welcomed her sister so affectionately, and +felt no emotion either of resentment or anger toward those +who were thus trampling on the bleeding fibers of her heart.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Julia kissed the almost transparent brow of her sister, +and clasped her thin, white fingers, tears gathered in her eyes +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg 208]</span><a name="Pg208" id="Pg208" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and she thought, "This ruin have I wrought, and for it I +must answer"; but not long did she ever suffer her conscience +to trouble her, and the next hour she was chatting away to +Fanny about the preparations for her wedding, which was to +take place one week from that day. Fanny listened as one +who heard not. She was praying for more grace, more +strength to endure yet a little longer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Slowly to Julia dragged the days of that week, while to +Fanny they sped on rapid wing. And now everything within +and without the house betokened the coming event. Servants +scampered hither and thither, thinking they were doing it all, +while in reality they were doing nothing. Mrs. Middleton +scolded the blacks, and Uncle Joshua scolded Mrs. Middleton, +at the same time walking mechanically from the kitchen to the +parlor, from the parlor to Fanny's sick room and from +Fanny's sick room back to the kitchen, occasionally kicking +from his path some luckless kitten, dog or black baby, which +latter set up most lusty yells, just to vary the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the midst of all this Fanny lay calmly and quietly on her +low bed, counting each succeeding sun as it rose and set, +bringing nearer and nearer a day she so much dreaded. True +to her promise, Kate Miller came two days before the wedding. +Fanny was asleep when she entered the room to see +her, but on the white, wasted face Kate's tears fell as she said, +"Poor Fanny! I did not know she was so ill."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton, who was present, muttered: "Yes, cursed be +the one who made her so!" He knew not that he cursed his +own child.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next day Mr. William Middleton arrived, bringing the +intelligence that Florence and Mabel had accompanied him, +and would next evening be present at the wedding. Slowly the +last rays of a bright October sun faded in the west, giving +no sign of the stormy day which was to succeed. Long after +midnight a lone watcher sat by the window in Fanny's room, +gazing at the stars, which looked so quietly on from their distant +homes, and praying, not for herself, but for Dr. Lacey, +that he might be happy with her he had chosen. At last, +chilled with the night air, she crept shivering to her pillow, +nor woke again until aroused by the fierce moaning of the +autumn wind, which shook the casement, and by the sound of +the driving rain which beat against the pane. Yes, the morning +which dawned on Julia's bridal day was wild and stormy, +but before noon the clouds cleared away and the afternoon was +dry, hot and oppressive, a precursor to the mightier and more +wrathful storm which followed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page209">[pg 209]</span><a name="Pg209" id="Pg209" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>About five o'clock there was a noise in the yard, and Kate, +who was in Fanny's room, arranging her young friend's hair, +looked from the window and said, "It is Dr. Lacey. Julia has +looked for him for more than three hours."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Quickly Fanny hurried to the window. She could not meet +Dr. Lacey face to face, but she wished to look at him once +more. She was too late, however. He had entered the house, +and soon the sound of his voice reached her ear. He had not +been there long ere he asked for Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On being told she was sick, he seemed rather disturbed. +Possibly, however, he felt relieved to know she would not be +present when he took upon him vows which should have been +breathed to her. Ashton, Florence and Mabel now arrived, +and soon after came Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, accompanied by +Mrs. Carrington, who had been invited because it would not +do to slight her, and who came because she had a mind to!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ceremony was to take place at seven o'clock, and guests +each moment arrived, until the parlor seemed almost full. +Alone in her chamber sat Fanny, listening to the sounds of +mirth, which grated on her ear. Night, dark and stormy, was +gathering over the earth, but a darker night lay round the +heart of the young girl, as she watched from her pillow a +dense, black pile of clouds, which had appeared in the west, +and now increased until the whole sky was overspread, as +with a pall of darkness, while distant peals of muttered thunder +announced the coming storm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now louder roared the howling wind and brighter the +glaring lightning flashed, while fiercer grew the conflict in +Fanny's bosom. Her faith was weak, and well nigh blotted +with tears of human weakness. But He, whose power could +stay the storm without, could also still the agony within, and +o'er the troubled waters of that aching heart there fell a peaceful +calm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly the door opened and a creature of wondrous, +dazzling beauty appeared. It was Julia, in her bridal robe. +She would fain have her sister's blessing ere she descended to +the parlor. The struggle was over and the blessing which +Fanny gave her sister was sincere, but when Julia asked forgiveness +for all the evil she had ever done, the reply was +prevented by a crash of thunder so terrific that Julia trembled +with terror, and hastily left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a moment there was a light step upon the stair. Fanny +knew it was Dr. Lacey, for he soon returned with Julia, and +as they passed her door she heard the merry laugh of Florence, +who was bridesmaid. In an instant they were in the parlor, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg 210]</span><a name="Pg210" id="Pg210" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +throughout which a general gloom seemed to reign. Perhaps +it was owing to the wildness of the storm, which each moment +increased in fury. The bridal party took their places and +Uncle Joshua shut his eyes, while the marriage ceremony commenced.</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"><hr style="width: 50%" /></div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The reader may now accompany me to the border of yonder +wood, where stands a low-roofed building, the property of +Mrs. Dunn. There in a darkened room lay the widow's only +son, raving in the madness of delirium. The fever flame +burned in each vein, and as he tossed from side to side he +would shriek out, "Quick, I tell you or you are too late. She +must not wed him. Don't you know she's doubly, trebly +steeped in guilt? Go quick, I tell you, and stop it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Dunn could only weep, for she knew not, dreamed not, +what her son could mean. Soon he grew calm, and fell into a +deep sleep. When he awoke Billy Jeffrey, who lived near, +was sitting by him. To Mrs. Dunn's delight, Joseph was sane, +and calling her to him he said, "Isn't Julia Middleton to be +married tonight?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is," answered his mother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"At what hour?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"At seven."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What time is it now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Half-past six," replied Mrs. Dunn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It must not be," said Joseph, and turning to Bill he added, +"listen, William, to what I have to tell, then speed along on +the lightning's wing, and tear her from the altar—take her +from his side, I say, and put there the other one, the pale, +golden-haired one"; then, as he noticed the vacant look on +Bill's face, he added, "oh, no, you can't tell it. You wouldn't +understand it. Mother, bring me a pen and some paper."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The paper was brought, and as soon as possible Joseph +wrote a confession of his own and Julia's guilt. "Now, Bill," +said he, "run for your life, and give this to Dr. Lacey. Do +it for the sake of Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bill needed no second bidding. His obtuse intellect had +gathered that in some way Fanny was in danger, and away he +flew over bushes, briers, rocks and ditches. But alas! The +way was long and dark, and ere he was aware of it, he was +precipitated into one of the sink holes which are so common +in the limestone soil of Kentucky. The fall sprained his ankle, +but gathering himself up, he continued on, slowly and painfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime delirium had again crept over Joseph Dunn, and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg 211]</span><a name="Pg211" id="Pg211" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he forgot that he sent Billy, but concluded he must go himself. +Watching a time when his mother was from the room, he +rose, and throwing on his double gown, went forth into the +storm, and was soon far on his road toward Mr. Middleton.</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"><hr style="width: 50%" /></div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The man of God had scarcely finished the second paragraph +of the Episcopal ceremony, beginning with, "I require and +charge you both," etc., when a shriek, wild and unearthly and +horrid, rent the air. It was succeeded by a thunder crash so +deafening that the ladies paled with terror. The large maple +tree, which stood by the front door, and which Julia had +called hers, was shivered by lightning, but no one heeded it, +for again was heard that fearful, maniacal shriek, and this +time could be distinguished the sound as of some one +struggling with the blacks, who were huddled together in the +hall.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Let me go, I tell you," said the voice. "It shall not go on!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All eyes turned toward the door, as Joseph Dunn appeared, +shouting, "Stop it! Stop it! She forged those letters. She +broke her sister's heart. Stop it, I say!" Every person in the +room seemed terror-stricken at the wild spectacle he presented. +His face, wasted to a mere skeleton, was ghastly +white, while his long yellow hair hung in matted locks about +his brow, and a look of wild frenzy was in his eye, as darting +toward the paralyzed Julia, he seized her as with a lion's grasp +and shook her most furiously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bill Jeffrey was close behind. He had lost his hat and the +rain had soaked his thick hair until it clung closely to his head, +giving him, too, a strange appearance. Mr. William Middleton +now came forward to ask an explanation of Joseph, who, +chancing to see Bill, said, "He's got the letter—my confession. +Read that—I am too exhausted," and he fell upon the floor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No one noticed him, for all gazed intently at Bill, who drew +from his pocket a paper and presented it to Dr. Lacey. In a +calm, clear voice, Dr. Lacey read aloud the confession, in the +midst of thunder, lightning, groans, cries and oaths, the latter +of which were the spontaneous production of Uncle Joshua, +who sat still in his chair until the confession was read +through; then with one bound he reached Julia, and raising +her from the floor, said, "Speak, Satan, and tell if this is +true!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was overtaken, surrounded on all sides, and there was +no way of escape. Mechanically, she answered, "I am guilty," +while a burst of execration ran round the room. A stifled +moan of agony came from Dr. Lacey's parted lips, and he +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg 212]</span><a name="Pg212" id="Pg212" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +asked in a voice which plainly told his suffering, "Oh, why +was I suffered to go thus far? Why, why did no one write?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I did," answered Mrs. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And I, too," repeated Mrs. Carrington, "but you spurned +my letter and treated me with contempt."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never, never," scarcely articulated Dr. Lacey. "I never +received them; but call Rondeau; he must know something of +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau, who had accompanied his master, was called. Explanation +followed explanation, testimony crowded upon testimony, +and Julia acknowledged all, until at length Dr. Lacey, +frantic with the sense of wrong done him, turned to her and +said, "Base woman, why have you done this? Your sin has +found you out ere it was too late; for, thank God, you are +not my wife, nor ever will be!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia now lost all command of herself. Tearing the bridal +veil from her brow, she rent it in twain; then from her arm +she snatched her diamond bracelet, and trampled it under her +feet, while a stream of blood issued from her mouth and +stained her white satin dress. A moment more, and she too +was extended on the floor by the side of her ally.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Where during this exciting scene was Fanny? The direful +sounds had reached her ear, and now at the head of the stairs +she listened to the Babel which reigned in the parlor. High +above all other voices she distinguished her father's, who, in +his uncontrollable fury, was calling to use all the oaths he had +ever heard of, besides manufacturing some expressly for the +occasion! Then there was a heavy fall, accompanied by a +cry from Mrs. Middleton of, "Lift her up—carry her out. +Don't you see she is dying?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny hesitated no longer, but quickly descending the stairs, +she forced her way through the blacks into the parlor, where +she stood appalled at the scene before her. On the floor lay +Julia, who a few moments before stood there resplendent in +beauty. Near her sat the maniac, Joseph Dunn. He had recovered +from his fainting fit, and was now crouching over +the prostrate form of Julia, laughing in delirious glee, as he +wiped from her lips the red drops of blood! In a corner of +the room a group had gathered, near an open window, through +which they were bearing an inanimate object. It was Florence, +who had fainted, and as it seemed impossible to effect a +passage through the hall, so filled was it with terrified servants, +they had sought the window as the best means of egress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly over that excited assembly there came a deep +silence. It was caused by the appearance of Fanny, who, with +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page213">[pg 213]</span><a name="Pg213" id="Pg213" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +her loose white muslin wrapper, and long curls, which floated +over her shoulders, seemed like some being from another +world, come to stay that storm of passion. Mabel, who was +occupied with her cousin, looked back as the calm hush fell +upon them, and then and there she first saw Fanny Middleton. +The scene was too much for Fanny, and she, too, would have +fainted had not Dr. Lacey caught her in his arms. Clasping +her slight form passionately to his bosom, he exclaimed, "My +own—my Fanny—my wife, for such you are, and such you +will be!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. William Middleton and Mr. Miller, who were bearing +Julia from the room, now passed them. Dr. Lacey glanced +once at the corpse-like face over which the heavy braids of +long black hair had fallen, then with a shudder he again +strained Fanny to his heart, saying, "Thank God, thank God, +I escaped her in time!" Then turning to the minister, who +all this time had stood looking on in mute astonishment, he +added, in an authoritative manner, "Go on with the ceremony, +sir, and make her my wife." But a new thought entering his +mind, he released Fanny, and said, "Pardon me, dear Fanny; +sorrow has well nigh bereft me of my senses. In my first +joy in finding you innocent, I forgot that you could not be +mine, for you belong to another—to Mr. Cameron."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Cameron go to Thunder!" exclaimed Uncle Joshua, who +was still standing near. "That's another of Tempest's lies. +She never was engaged to him; never loved him, or any other +mortal man, save yourself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here, Fanny, who, it will be remembered, was all this time +ignorant of the truth, asked if some one would not explain +what she saw and heard. "I will," said Dr. Lacey, "it is my +duty to do so," and he led her to a window, where he hurriedly +told her all—everything which he himself knew, intermingling +his words with so much passionate embraces that his sanity +was much to be doubted. He had scarcely finished his story +when Kate approached him, saying, "For humanity's sake, Dr. +Lacey, if you have any skill, exert it in behalf of Julia, who +seems to be dying."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey arose, and winding his arm about Fanny, as if +afraid he might lose sight of her, moved toward the room +where Julia lay. They had borne her to the bridal chamber, +which Fanny had arranged with so much care, and as Dr. +Lacey appeared at the door, Uncle Joshua met him and said, +"I know she sarved you mean, but I would not have her die. +She is my own child, and you must save her if you can." At +the same time he pointed to Julia, who lay in the same death-like +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page214">[pg 214]</span><a name="Pg214" id="Pg214" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +trance, with the blood still issuing slowly from her livid +lips. All that Dr. Lacey could do, he did, but when Dr. Gordon +arrived, he gladly gave up his charge to him, and turned +his attention toward Fanny, who, overcome by what she had +seen and heard, had fainted, and been carried to her own +room, where she was surrounded by Mrs. Carrington, Florence +and Mabel. These ladies ran against each other, upset +the camphor bottle, dropped the lamp and spilled half the +cologne, in their zealous efforts to take care of their patient!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the midst of their confusion Dr. Lacey entered, and they +immediately gave up to him the task of restoring her. This +he soon did, for it would seem that his very voice had a power +to recall Fanny's suspended faculties. Slowly her eyes unclosed; +then, as if wearied out, she again closed them, and for +a time slept sweetly, calmly, on Dr. Lacey's bosom.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The guests now began to depart, and Bill Jeffrey, who had +been sent to inform Mrs. Dunn of her son, returned with +some of the neighbors, and carried Joseph away. Owing to +the darkness of the night, the company from Frankfort remained +until morning, but no eyelid closed in sleep. With +maternal solicitude, Mrs. Middleton sat by the bedside of her +daughter Julia, whose eyes opened once, but on seeing Dr. +Lacey standing near by, she closed them again with a shudder, +and a faint wail of anguish escaped her. She had ruptured a +small blood vessel, but Dr. Gordon said there was no danger +if she could be kept quiet for a few days.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Uncle Joshua thus relieved from alarm concerning her, +walked back and forth from her room to Fanny's swearing +that he "knew the devil was let loose that night for his special +benefit, and that he had come up there to see how much of a +row he could get up!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He succeeded admirably, I think," said Florence, who, +having recovered from her first fright, was now ready to extract +whatever fun could be gathered from the surrounding +circumstances.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the kitchen the blacks canvassed the matter after their +fashion. Aunt Judy lamented because none of the tempting +supper in the dining room was touched, while Bob did not +fail to turn his usual round of somersaults, thus evincing his +joy that so many good things were left for him to eat, +"'Cause," said he, "in course we allus has all that comes off +the table."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Katy took occasion to lecture the young black girls on +the awful sin of "conceit," as she called it, pointing them for +an example to Julia, "who," she said, "would most likely have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page215">[pg 215]</span><a name="Pg215" id="Pg215" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to live an old maid all her days." She couldn't have threatened +a worse punishment, for many of the negresses had already +their own preferences in favor of certain mulatto boys +on their master's plantation and others adjoining.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau seemed to think his sympathy was only needed by +his young master, whom he looked upon as a much-abused +man. From the first he had felt great contempt for the old +house, its master, servants and all; and had come to the conclusion +that "they were of no 'count anyhow." This opinion +would doubtless have been reserved for Leffie's ear had not +affairs taken so unexpected a turn. Now, however, Rondeau +felt at liberty to express his mind so freely that Ike considered +it his duty to resent the insult.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A regular negro fight ensued, in which Aunt Katy, who was +not very active, was thrown down, and as she loudly protested, +"every atom of breath was kicked out of her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The big chicken pie was also turned over into Rondeau's +new hat, greatly to the satisfaction of Tiger and the other +dogs, who had mingled in the fracas! The riot was finally +quelled by Mr. William Middleton and Dr. Lacey, Uncle +Joshua declaring he "wouldn't interfere that night if the niggers +all fit till they killed themselves."</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter22" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc44" id="toc44"></a><a name="pdf45" id="pdf45"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia is found drowned</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The morning which succeeded the events narrated in the +last chapter was clear and bright. Nature, beautiful as ever, +looked as if laughing defiance at the fearful storm which so +lately had swept over the earth. Beautifully over hill and +valley fell the sun's red rays, but when they penetrated the +dwelling of Mr. Middleton, they shone on the anxious, careworn +faces of those who had been sleepless during the dark +hours of that dreadful night. Even the merry-hearted Florence +seemed sad and spiritless as she hurried from room to +room, urging Ashton to accelerate their departure. By eight +o'clock the last guest was gone. Around the old stone house a +gloomy silence settled, broken only by the heavy tramp of +Uncle Joshua, whose cowhides came down with a vengeance, +as up and down the yard he strode, talking to Dr. Lacey, who +walked by his side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page216">[pg 216]</span><a name="Pg216" id="Pg216" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Now," said he, "if this isn't a little the all-firedest muss a +feller ever got into, Josh ain't no judge. Of course the papers +have nothing to do but flout it all over the country. For myself +I don't care a copper, but 'twill be mighty mortifyin' to +you, though I think you desarve some mortifyin', for how in +thunder a chap of your sense ever come to be made such a +precious fool of is more'n I can tell."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"If you knew all the arts she employed, you would not wonder +quite so much," said Dr. Lacey. And Mr. Middleton +answered, "Know all her arts? Don't I know 'em? Don't I +know that she rummaged heaven and arth for ways and +means?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hardly think she went to the former place for assistance," +said Dr. Lacey; and Mr. Middleton continued, "You are right, +but I'll be bound Satan hadn't any tricks but what he told her +of. 'Pears like she's been possessed ever since she first opened +her big black eyes in the very room where the row was last +night. Oh, how happy I was," he continued, "when I took her +in my arms a little baby, and knew she was mine and Nancy's, +and thought what a comfort she'd be to me; but George, I tell +you what," said he, as he placed one hand on Dr. Lacey's +arm and passed the other through the grizzled locks which lay +around his brow, "I tell you what, these gray hairs come a +heap too soon, and all for her, for her. Oh, Julia, Julia, what +trouble have you not caused me!" and in his hands Uncle +Joshua buried his face, while through his large red fingers +the tears trickled slowly, and fell upon the ground. For a +moment he wept, and then wiping his eyes, said, "But wasn't it +lucky that long-legged, salmon-colored Joe got here as he did! +Another minute and you'd have been clinched, but now the +tempest has blowed over, and for the rest of your life you'll +have nothing but sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The overseer now approached to ask orders concerning a +piece of work in which the negroes were employed. Mr. +Middleton accompanied him to the field, while Dr. Lacey returned +to the house in quest of Fanny. He was told that she +was with Julia, and with an involuntary shudder, he approached +the chamber which contained one who had well nigh +been his wife! His wife! The very idea filled him with +loathing when associated with her, and still he pitied the suffering +girl, who, divested of her bridal attire, now lay moaning +in pain. With coming day had come a burning fever, +which increased so rapidly that Dr. Gordon shook his head +when questioned as to the result.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The change of affairs had also wrought a change in Fanny, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page217">[pg 217]</span><a name="Pg217" id="Pg217" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +who seemed and really was better than she had been for many +days. Gladly would she have stayed with Dr. Lacey, but she +felt that duty called her to Julia's bedside. With unwearying +devotion she hung over the pillow of her sister, who seemed +more quiet when she knew Fanny was near. Once she looked +wistfully in her face, and appeared as if anxious to speak, +but Fanny gently laid her hand on her lips, saying, "No, no, +Julia; you must not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She did, however, and the word "forgive" met Fanny's ear. +Had Fanny been less of a Christian, forgiveness might have +been hard, but now she answered sincerely, truthfully, "As I +hope for pardon in heaven, so do I forgive you for the great +wrong you have done me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of the word "heaven," Julia shuddered, and +after a time repeated, "Heaven! You will find it, but I—never—never!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Earnestly then did Fanny speak of a Savior's love, which +receives all, pardons all, who come to him. Julia shook her +head despairingly, and as the conversation seemed to annoy +her, Fanny ceased talking, while a voice behind her said, +"Teach me, too, the way of life, for I fear I have never +walked in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was Dr. Lacey, who, unobserved by either of the girls, +had entered and been a listener to what Fanny said. As Julia +heard the sound of voices she turned toward him a look so imploring, +so full of contrition and entreaty, that he was moved, +and approaching the bedside, took the vacant seat near Fanny. +But he did not, like her, breathe words of forgiveness, for his +heart was full of bitterness toward her. As he sat there, +gazing coldly, sternly at her, she again spoke, "If you can, if +you will only forgive me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey's brow grew dark and his manner excited, as he +replied, "Forgive you! In time I may learn to do so, but to +forget will take me my lifetime, and yet I blame myself not +less than I do you for having been so duped."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A low sob was Julia's only answer as Dr. Lacey arose to +leave, announcing to Fanny his intention of visiting Joseph +Dunn, who was said to be dying. As he entered the house +where Joseph lay, tossing in feverish agony, the sick man's +eyes glared wildly upon him as he shrieked, "Why have you +come to taunt me with my crime? Is it not enough that the +room is full of little devils who creep over my pillow, and +shout in my ear as they hold to view the letters I withheld? I +did not do it alone. She bribed me with gold, and now when +I am dead, who will take care of my mother? She will be +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page218">[pg 218]</span><a name="Pg218" id="Pg218" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +cold when the winter winds blow, and hungry when the summer +corn ripens."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey drew nearer to him and stooping down, whispered, +"Is your mother very poor and you all her dependence?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, yes," answered Joseph, whose almost only virtue was +the love he bore his mother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fear not, then," said Dr. Lacey, "I will care for her; for +though you did me a great wrong, you saved me from being +today the most wretched of men."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night as the October sun went down there was heard +beneath that lonely roof the piteous cry of a widowed mother, +for Joseph, her first-born, her only child, was dead. Next day +they buried him, as is frequently the custom in Kentucky, beneath +a large shade tree in the garden. Many words of sympathy +were spoken to the bereaved mother, but none fell so +soothingly on her ear as did those of Dr. Lacey, who was +present at the funeral, and led the weeping mother to the +grave.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the burial was over he whispered to her, "I will surely +remember you, for, erring though your son may have been, I +owe him a debt of gratitude." So saying, he walked hastily +away toward Mr. Middleton's, where he was met by alarmed +faces, soft footsteps, and subdued whispers. In reply to his +inquiries, he was told by Aunt Judy, that "somehow or 'nother, +Miss Julia had got wind of Mr. Dunn's death, and it had +gone to her head, makin' her ravin' mad, and the doctor said +she wouldn't get well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Judy was right; Julia had accidently heard of Mr. +Dunn's death, and it added greatly to the nervous excitement +which she was already suffering, and when Dr. Gordon came +he was surprised to find the dangerous symptoms of his patient +increased to an alarming extent. The fever had settled upon +her brain, and for many days she lay at the very gates of +death.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Incessantly she talked of Dr. Lacey, Fanny and Mr. Wilmot, +the latter of whom, in her disordered imagination, was +constantly pursuing her. "Go back—go back to your grave," +she would say; "there are tears enough shed for you, but none +will fall for me when I am dead. He will laugh and be +glad, and the first moon that shines on my grave will light the +marriage train to the altar." Then, as if the phantom still +were near her, she would cry out, "Take him away, I tell you! +What have I to do with coffins, and white faces, and broken +hearts? I killed him, I know, and he loved me, too, as no one +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page219">[pg 219]</span><a name="Pg219" id="Pg219" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +else ever has, but I madly loved another, and now he hates me, +spurns me!" Then turning to Fanny she would say, "I broke +your heart too, and still pressed on when I saw it was killing +you, but you forgave me, and now you must plead with +him, who loves the air you breathe, to think compassionately +of me. I do not ask him to love me, for I know that is impossible; +but he can, at least, forgive and forget the past."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sometimes she would speak of her father, saying, "He will +be glad when the tempest is still and ceases to trouble him, for +he never loved me, never spoke to me as he did to Fanny. +I know I did not deserve his love, but I should have been +better if he had given me a little, yes, just a little."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God knows she speaks the truth," said Uncle Joshua, +wiping away the tears he was not ashamed to weep. "I have +been mighty hard on her, but I never s'posed she cared."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such were the scenes which daily occurred in Julia's sick +room until at last, from utter exhaustion, she became still, +and for many days she lay in a dreamy kind of sleep.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Will she live?" asked Mr. Middleton of Dr. Gordon, as +he one day left the sick room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With proper care, I think she may," was the answer; and +then Dr. Lacey again urged the request he had once before +made of Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Uncle Joshua answered, "No, George, wait a little +longer. Nuthin' 'll come betwixt you again, I reckon, and I +wouldn't have you marry her while t'other one is so low."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Dr. Lacey was obliged to wait, but though he would +much rather have remained near Fanny he deemed it expedient +to change his abode and remove to Mrs. Crane's. He was +partly induced to do this on Rondeau's account, who, being +Ike's sworn enemy, was the cause of no little annoyance to Mr. +Middleton, who, with his negroes, was much nettled by the +air of superiority which that young gentleman thought proper +to assume.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Greatly was Rondeau delighted to exchange the crazy old +stone house, with its corn-bread and fried bacon, for Mrs. +Crane's elegant place, with its oyster soups and ice creams, a +part of which the head cook always reserved for the +"colored gentleman from New Orleans," who assured her, +that though when at home he didn't exactly eat at the same +table with his master, he still lived on the top shelf! Not +long, however, did Rondeau enjoy his new quarters, for about +that time Mr. William Middleton returned to New Orleans, +and Dr. Lacey sent with him his servant Rondeau, nothing +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page220">[pg 220]</span><a name="Pg220" id="Pg220" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +loath to return home, for Leffie's face of late had haunted him +not a little.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey's return to Mrs. Crane's gave great satisfaction +to Mrs. Carrington, who, though she had no hopes of winning +him, still, to use her own words, "took great delight in +reminding him of the snare into which he had fallen, notwithstanding +his profound wisdom and boasted foresight." +It required all the good breeding he was master of to answer +politely when, after returning from a visit to Mr. Middleton's, +she would jeeringly ask him concerning "his bride's health!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Mrs. Carrington's levity was brought to an end by an +unforeseen circumstance. It was now six weeks since the +evening of the denouement, and Julia's health was so much +improved that Dr. Lacey began to speak confidently of the +day when Fanny would be his own. Uncle Joshua had given +his consent, and preparations for the marriage had actually +commenced, when Julia, in whose room Mrs. Middleton had +been in the habit of sleeping, insisted upon being left alone. +"I am well now," she said, "and do not need you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton was finally persuaded, but charged her +daughter to be sure and call her if she wished for her during +the night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Over Julia's face a meaning smile flitted as she answered, "I +hope to trouble no one much longer," but it was unnoticed by +Mrs. Middleton, and Julia was left alone. Early next morning +Luce went as usual to make a fire for her young mistress, +after which she softly drew back the bed curtains to see if +Julia slept. She was surprised to find no Julia there, neither +were there signs of her having been there during the night. +With a loud cry Luce summoned to the room both Mr. and +Mrs. Middleton, the former of whom on seeing how matters +stood, exclaimed, "So ho! Up to her tricks again. I thought +she couldn't hold good long."</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">"'The de'il when sick, a saint would be,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">But when he got well, the de'il a saint was he.'"</div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Don't, husband," said Mrs. Middleton; "perhaps she will +never come back alive, and then you will be sorry."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Uncle Joshua readily guessed his wife's meaning, and turning +to Luce, said, "Rout out the whole gang and set 'em to +huntin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In less than two hours scores of men on horseback were +seen hunting in all directions, looking, as Bob expressed it, +"for all the world like they was huntin' a runaway."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page221">[pg 221]</span><a name="Pg221" id="Pg221" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Ere long the news reached Frankfort, causing Mrs. Carrington +to sneeringly advise Dr. Lacey "by all means to join +in the hunt." He deigned her no reply, but mounting his +horse took the road to Mr. Middleton's, where he was welcomed +with tears by Mrs. Middleton and Fanny, whose fears +he strove to allay.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile the search went on, headed by Uncle Joshua, +who, late in the afternoon, unconsciously led a part of the +company to the banks of the river, not far from a point called +Woodford Landing. Dismounting, he strolled along the shore +for several rods, when suddenly a loud cry turned toward him +the attention of the party. Near the water's edge he had discovered +a shawl, which he knew belonged to Julia, and near +by lay a pair of slippers, on the inside of which her name was +marked. Instantly the conviction flashed upon all—Julia was +drowned!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Upon a large flat rock Uncle Joshua sat down, while his +long gray locks were tossed by the November wind which +swept mournfully by, bearing on its wing the bitter tones +with which the stricken father bewailed his loss. "Everything +goes ag'in me," said he, "everything—she's dead and, worse +than all, died by her own hand." Then, as if void of reason, +he arose, and over the craggy hillside and down the dark, rolling +river echoed the loud, shrill cry of, "Julia, Julia, oh, my +child! Come back, come back! Why was you left to break +your old father's heart?" And to that wail of sorrow only the +moaning wind replied, and faster the waters of the Kentucky +rolled on.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They took the old man home, and long weary days went by, +during which the river near the landing was dragged again +and again, and still no trace of the missing girl was found. +Then, as hope began to whisper that possibly she was not +dead, the papers far and near contained advertisements for +her, and by the side of that appeared another for a lunatic girl, +who had escaped from the asylum at Lexington.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Four weeks went by, and the waters of the Kentucky +frowned angrily "in the gray December light," making Uncle +Joshua shudder whenever he chanced to pass by, and thought +perhaps his daughter lay sleeping in their cold embrace. A +gloomy drizzly day was settling into a dark rainy night, when +two young men, who, either for business or pleasure, had +rowed across the river some miles from Woodford Landing, +started to return home. They had stepped into their boat and +were about pushing off when among some driftwood which +lay not far from the shore, they thought they descried a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page222">[pg 222]</span><a name="Pg222" id="Pg222" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +female's garment floating on the water. The spot was soon +reached, and to their horror they discovered the body of a +young girl, which, from its appearance, must have been in the +water some time. They had heard the story of Julia, and +readily concluded that the bloated, disfigured form before them +must have been she. Taking her to the nearest dwelling, they +dispatched a messenger for Mr. Middleton, who, now that his +worst fears were confirmed, seemed paralyzed with the shock.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I cannot go!" said he, "I cannot. Is there no one to +do it for me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey, who chanced to be present, said, "For your sake, +sir, and for Fanny's, I will go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God bless you, George!" answered Mr. Middleton, and in +a few moments Dr. Lacey departed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a thrill of horror he looked upon the swollen, discolored +face, round which the long black hair clung, matted +and slimy from being so long saturated with water, and +thought that this was once the beautiful Julia, though now +so fearfully changed that no one could possibly have recognized +her. Owing to the state which the body was in, Dr. +Lacey thought proper to produce a coffin before removing her +home; consequently it was nearly ten o'clock the following +morning ere the little procession slowly entered the yard, from +which, with wonderful forethought, Mr. Middleton had ordered +to be removed some half dozen carts, corn cribs, etc. +Fanny was pressing forward to look at her unfortunate sister, +when Dr. Lacey, gently but firmly, led her away, saying, "No, +Fanny, you must not see her. The sight would haunt you for +months and years." Then, as her tears fell fast, he strove in +various way to divert her mind from Julia's untimely end.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About noon a middle-aged man came to the house and asked +permission to see the body. His request was granted, but he +almost immediately turned away from the coffin, saying, by +way of explanation, "I am the father of the maniac girl who +some time since escaped from Lexington, and I thought perhaps +this might be my daughter; but it is not, and even if it +were I could not recognize her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On Mr. Middleton's farm, and not far from the house, was +a small yard which had been enclosed as a burial place for +the family. On this spot Fanny had expended much time and +labor. Roses and honeysuckles ever bloomed there for a +season, while the dark evergreen and weeping willow waved +their branches and beckoned the passer-by to rest beneath +their shadow. In one corner was a tall forest maple, where +Julia and Fanny often had played, and where Fanny once, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page223">[pg 223]</span><a name="Pg223" id="Pg223" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +when dangerously ill in childhood, had asked to be laid. As +yet no mound had rendered that spot dearer for the sake of +the lost one who slept there, but now in the scarcely frozen +ground the ringing of the spade was heard; shovelful after +shovelful of earth was thrown up, and into that cold, damp +grave, as the sun was setting, they lowered the remains of +Julia, who once little thought that she first of all would break +the turf of the family graveyard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night was fast merging into the hours of morning ere +the sound of Uncle Joshua's footsteps ceased, as again and +again he traversed the length and breadth of his sleeping +room, occasionally stopping before the window and peering +out in the darkness toward the spot where he knew lay that +newly-made grave. Memory was busily at work, and in the +events which marked Julia's short life, oh, how much he saw +for which to blame himself. Remorse mingled in the old +man's cup of affliction, and while the hot tears rolled down his +cheeks he exclaimed, "If she could only come back and I +could do it over, I'd love her more, and maybe she'd be better. +But I treated her mean. I gin her only harsh words and cross +looks." Then as his wife's tears mingled with his, he took +her hand, saying, "Don't take on so, Nancy, you've nothin' to +cry for. You's always good to her and kind o' took up for +her when I got sot ag'in her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton could only answer by her tears to this +touching attempt at sympathy, but she finally succeeded in +quieting her husband, and before daybreak, he had forgotten +in sleep the injustice done to Julia. All thoughts of Fanny's +marriage for the present were of course given up, although +Mr. Middleton promised that when the autumn came round +again he would surely give his treasure to the care of another.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Two weeks after Julia's burial, all of which time was passed +at Mr. Middleton's, Dr. Lacey went back to New Orleans, +having first placed in Mr. Middleton's care a sum of money +for the benefit of Mrs. Dunn, promising Fanny that with the +spring he would come again. He bade her adieu, praying +that nothing might come between them again. Heavily now +dragged the days at Mr. Middleton's, until Uncle Joshua hit +upon a plan which would not only give pleasure to Fanny, but +would also relieve the tedium of his own life. It was nothing +more nor less than the erection of a new house on a grassy +lawn, which Fanny had frequently pointed out as being a +good location. Long he revolved in his mind the for and +against, but the remembrance of Julia's wish to have the "old +shell fixed up," finally decided him. "If 'twasn't good enough +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page224">[pg 224]</span><a name="Pg224" id="Pg224" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +for her to be married in, it surely wasn't good enough for +Sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the breakfast table he first announced his intention, +causing Fanny in her surprise and joy not only to drop her +knife, but also to upset her coffee. "All right," said he, "I'll +do it, if it breaks me. We'll have a buster," said he, "marble +mantletrys, windows that come to the floor, Brussels carpets, +and if you're a mind to, you may have them four-legged split +things, though, Lord knows I'll never eat with them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a short time the necessary arrangements were completed. +A large number of men were hired and matters progressed so +rapidly that there was every probability of the house being +completed early in June, should the winter season prove favorable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here we may as well relate a little circumstance which occurred +to Fanny during the winter. Bill Jeffrey, who, it will +be remembered, had always felt a predilection for her, emboldened +by the kindness of her manner, now determined to +make his wishes known. Accordingly, he sent her numerous +little cakes of maple sugar, besides giving her many knowing +winks, his usual method of showing his preference.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she was one day strolling in the woods she suddenly encountered +Bill, who thought this was as favorable an opportunity +as he would probably have. He was rather awkward +and unaccustomed to love-making, but he resolved to do his +best. Planting his foot upon a log, he with one hand drew +from his head his old wool cap and thrust it under his arm, +while with the other he twirled a huge brass watchkey, which +hung suspended from his pocket. (He had the day before +traded off an old jack knife, two puppies, and a cracked fiddle, +for a brass watch which would only go by shaking.)</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Tiger, who had accompanied Fanny, eyed Bill's movements +uneasily. He was, however, unnoticed by the young man, who +had got his mouth open, and at last found courage to say, "I +always liked you, Fanny, 'cause you never laughed at me, nor +called me a fool, and now if you'll have me, you may carry +my watch, and I'll work for your father two seasons in the +hemp field." This last was wonderful, for Bill was notoriously +lazy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Involuntarily Fanny laughed, but Bill construed it into approval, +and was about to sit down by her, when Tiger, with an +angry growl, sprang forward and precipitated the wooing +swain over the log into the dirt. Fanny called off the dog, +and Bill gathered himself up, carefully brushing the dirt from +his Sunday suit. Fearing he would repeat his offer, Fanny +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page225">[pg 225]</span><a name="Pg225" id="Pg225" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +said, "I appreciate your kindness, Billy, but you see Tiger +doesn't seem to approve of your proposal, and as I have great +confidence in his judgment, I think I, too, must follow his +example, and though I shan't knock you down, I shall have to +tell you 'No.'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She might as well have knocked him down, for he instantly +sat down, and covering his face with his hands, burst into such +a fit of crying that Fanny, half-laughing at and half-pitying +him, said, "Poor Billy, I am sorry for you, and though I cannot +marry you, I will like you just as well as you fancy I +always have."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This failed to quiet Bill, who kept on crying until Tiger +made so many threatening demonstrations of anger, that Bill +thought it was wise to leave before he got another tumble.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had hardly disappeared when a loud voice called out, +"Bravo, Tiger! You know how to fix 'em." Looking around, +Fanny saw her father, who had been a silent spectator of the +scene, and now came forward laughing heartily at his would-be +son-in-law. "Pretty well done, Sunshine," said he. "Let's +see, how many offers does this make? Thar's Joe's one, the +doctor's two; Yankee Carmeron's three; and lubberin' Bill +Jeffrey's four, and you not quite eighteen. That'll do; that'll +do!" Afterward, when Mr. Middleton wished to entertain +his visitors with anything extra, he would rehearse to them, +with some exaggerations, Bill Jeffrey's proposal to Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Glancing backward a few pages, we find we have omitted to +repeat what happened among Dr. Lacey's blacks during the +days when they were anxiously but vainly watching for the +coming of their young master and his bride. For a week Aunt +Dilsey was unusually crusty, and all her attempts at cookery +invariably failed, plainly showing her mind to be in a disturbed +state.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I don't keer," she would say, "if the cakes is all dough and +the 'sarves all froth. They's good enough for her, any day." +Then she would call out, "Get along you, Jack, pokin' your +fingers into the 'lasses cup; make yourself scarce in this +kitchen, or I'll crack your head mighty nigh as hard as the +new Miss will." Then she would scold Leffie, who, she said, +"was of no more account than a burnt stick, now she was +spectin' Rondeau. Pity but the boat he come on wouldn't +blow up and let 'em all into perdition together."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie knew her mother didn't mean more than half what +she said, but she chose to keep silent, hoping each morning that +the close of the day would bring the long absent Rondeau. +Thus, between scolding and fretting, cooking and sweating, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page226">[pg 226]</span><a name="Pg226" id="Pg226" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Aunt Dilsey passed the time until the day arrived on which, +as she said, "they'd come if they ever did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Lacey, whose husband had not yet received his son's +letter announcing the catastrophe, came out to superintend affairs +and receive her new daughter. In the large, handsome +dining room, the supper table was neatly spread, while Aunt +Dilsey bustled about with the air of one who felt her time was +short, but was determined to contest every inch of ground ere +yielding it to another. She had condescended to put on her +new calico gown (the one she proposed taking with her in a +"handkerchief") and had even washed the grease and molasses +from Jack's and the baby's face, telling the former that "he +needn't mind about making up faces at the lady that night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Claib had gone to the landing, and now Mrs. Lacey and the +servants were gathered upon the upper piazza, waiting his return. +Suddenly Dilsey, whose eyesight seemed wonderfully +sharpened, exclaimed, "Thar, that's Claib. I could tell my old +man if I should meet him at a camp meeting!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Lacey looked in the direction of the city and saw the +carriage which Dilsey had pointed out. It proved to be Claib; +and Leffie, who was rather near-sighted, strained her eyes to +see if Rondeau, too, was on the box.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar's nobody in that ar," said Dilsey. "Reckon the boat +has run into the ground, or bust her riggin'; so, Leffie, you've +put on your pink dress for nothin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The elder Mr. Lacey, was, however, in the carriage, and +alighting, he advanced toward his wife and gave her the +letter he had just received from his son. Mrs. Lacey read it, +while the blacks crowded around Claib asking him scores of +foolish questions, such as, "Was Marster George in the boat? +And why wasn't he thar? And when would he be thar?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Mrs. Lacey finished reading the letter she said to +Leffie, who was still standing near, "Rondeau is well, and will +be home in a few days."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"When's the new miss a comin'?" asked Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not at all," was Mrs. Lacey's reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Glad on't," said Dilsey, "for now Jack can spit as fur and +as big spits as he wants to."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nothing more was known by the blacks until many days +after, when Rondeau returned home, and related the whole +story with many embellishments. He omitted to tell of the +whipping which Ike had given him, but spoke with unqualified +contempt of the old house and everything belonging to it, except +Miss Fanny, who, he said, "Looked just like an angel, +only a heap better."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page227">[pg 227]</span><a name="Pg227" id="Pg227" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"You ought to have seen her," said he, "that night when +every thing was t'other side up; folks a yellin' like they was +crazy, and one man was stark mad. Miss Julia lay on the +floor, the blood pourin' out of her eyes and mouth by pails +full; Miss Florence, she fainted, and they had to throw her +out the window, glass and all, because there was so many low, +ill-mannered niggers crowded in the hall."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I s'pose you's one of the niggers?" said Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," returned Rondeau; "but then I was helpin' and +was tryin' to push them all back so I could get to marster, +who was feelin' so bad that they sent for me, because nobody +else could comfort him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Rondeau began to fumble in his pocket, as if in search +of something. Having found it, he continued, "Marster got +hold of her hand and grabbed off her wedding ring so quick +that it broke her finger. Then he threw it from him and I +picked it up. Here 'tis," said he, holding up a ring.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That's a likely story," interrupted Aunt Dilsey "If they +wasn't married, how came the ring on her finger?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau saw he had stretched a trifle too much, but he answered, +"Well, anyhow, he throwed it away, and I'm goin' to +keep it till—till, you know when, Dilsey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Keep it till you're gray," said Aunt Dilsey. "Leffie ain't +goin' to be married with no such flummery."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Leffie, anxious to change the conversation, asked, +"What of Miss Fanny?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," answered Rondeau, "that's what I'm going to +tell. Right in the middle of the fuss I heard something moving +softly down the stairs, and I saw a thing all as white as +snow. Her hair, which was about the color of Leffie's neck—real +handsome—was hanging in long curls down her back. +I thought it was an angel, and kinder touched her as she +passed, to see if she had wings. But the niggers said, 'It's +Miss Fanny,' and next I heard 'twas all as still in the room, +and marster was huggin' and kissin' her and cryin' over her. +Then, when I tried to get nearer and see more, they crowded +me into such a little spot that I didn't breathe again for a +week."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why didn't you get out of the crowd then?" asked Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How could I?" answered Rondeau. "Lord, Dilsey, I'd like +to have seen you there; but then there wouldn't have been +room for anybody else, for the hall wouldn't more than hold +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here the conversation ended, but for a long time Rondeau +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page228">[pg 228]</span><a name="Pg228" id="Pg228" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +carried on his arm the marks of Aunt Dilsey's finger and +thumb.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter23" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc46" id="toc46"></a><a name="pdf47" id="pdf47"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny's illness leads to her father's repentance</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From the grassy hillside and bright green plains of Kentucky +the frosts of winter were gone. By the dancing brook +and in the shady nooks of the quiet valleys, the warm spring +sun had sought out and brought to life thousands of sweet wild +blossoms, which in turn had faded away, giving place to other +flowers of a brighter and gayer hue.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Each night from the upper balcony of her father's handsome +dwelling Fanny watched in vain for the coming of Dr. +Lacey, whose promised return had long been delayed by the +dangerous illness of his father. Over the wooded hills the breath +of summer was floating, hot, arid and laden with disease. +Death was abroad in the land, and as each day exaggerated +rumors of the havoc made by cholera in the sultry climate of +Louisiana reached Fanny, fearful misgivings filled her mind +lest Dr. Lacey, too, should fall a victim to the plague.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For herself she had no fears, though slowly but surely +through her veins the fever flame was creeping, scorching her +blood, poisoning her breath and burning her cheek, until her +father, alarmed at her altered and languid appearance, inquired +for the cause of the change. "Nothing but a slight +headache," was the reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next to the cholera, Mr. Middleton most feared the typhoid +fever, several cases of which had recently occurred in the +neighborhood, and fearing lest the disease might be stealing +upon his darling, he proposed calling the physician. But this +Fanny would not suffer, and persisted in saying that she was +well, until at last she lay all day upon the sofa, and Aunt Katy, +when her favorite herb teas failed of effecting their wonted +cure, shook her head, saying, "I knew 'twould be so. I always +telled you we couldn't keep her long."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Gordon was finally called and pronounced her disease +to be typhoid in its worst form. Days went by, and so rapid +was the progress of the fever that Mr. Middleton trembled +lest of him it had been decreed: "He shall be childless." To +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page229">[pg 229]</span><a name="Pg229" id="Pg229" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Fanny the thought of death was familiar. For her it had no +terrors, and as her outward strength decayed, her faith in the +Eternal grew stronger and brighter, yet she could not die +without an assurance that again in the better world she would +meet the father she so much loved. For her mother she had +no fears, for during many years she had been a patient, self-denying +Christian.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Mr. Middleton listened in silence to Fanny's gentle +words of entreaty, but when she spoke to him of her own +death, and the love which alone could sustain him then, he +clasped her tightly to his heart, as if his arm alone could keep +her there forever, saying, "Oh, no, you must not tell me that; +you will not die. Even now you are better." And the anxious +father did try to deceive himself into the belief that Fanny +was better, but when each morning's light revealed some fresh +ravage the disease had made—when the flush on her cheek +grew deeper and the light of her eye wilder and more startling, +an agonized fear held the old man's heart in thrall. Many and +many a weary night found him sleepless, as he wet his pillow +with tears. Not such tears as he wept when Richard Wilmot +died, nor such as fell upon the grave of his first-born, for oh, +his grief then was naught compared with what he now felt +for his Sunshine, his idol, his precious Fanny. "I cannot, +cannot let her die," was the cry which hourly welled up from +the depths of that fond father's aching heart. "Take all, take +everything I own, but leave me Sunshine; she mustn't, mustn't +die."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Earnestly did Fanny pray that her father might be enabled +better to bear his affliction. But he turned a deaf ear alike to +her and his gentle, enduring wife, who, bowed with sorrow, +yet sought to soothe her grief-stricken husband. Sadly he +would turn away saying, "It's no use talking. I can't be pious +if they take Fanny away. I can see why t'other one died. +'Twas to bring me to my senses, and show me how bad I used +her; but Fanny, my Sunshine, what has Josh done that she +should leave him too? Oh, it's more than I can bar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At Dr. Gordon's request a council of physicians in Frankfort +was called. As the one who came last was about to enter +her room, Mr. Middleton detained him while he said, "Save +her, doctor, save her, and you shall have all I'm worth." Impatiently +he awaited the decision. It came, but alas, it brought +no hope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. William Middleton, who had recently come from New +Orleans, broke the news to his unhappy brother. Terrible was +the anguish of Uncle Joshua, when he became convinced that +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page230">[pg 230]</span><a name="Pg230" id="Pg230" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he must lose her. Nothing could induce him to leave her +room; and as if endowed with superhuman strength, he +watched by her constantly, only leaving her once each day to +visit the quiet grave, the bed of his other daughter, where +now the long green grass was waving, and the summer flowers +were blooming, flowers which Fanny's hand had planted and +the father's tears had watered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One night they were alone, the old man and his child.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For several hours Fanny had turned uneasily upon her +pillow, but she at last fell into a deep sleep. For a time her +father sat quietly listening to the sound of her breathing, then +arising, he softly drew aside the curtains and looked long and +anxiously at her as she slept.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly lifting his hands he exclaimed, "Oh, God, save +her, or help me to bear it if she dies." It was the first prayer +which for long, long years had passed his lips, but it had a +power to bring back the olden feeling, when a happy boy, he +had knelt at his mother's side, and was not ashamed to pray. +Falling on his knees, he tried to recall the words of prayer his +mother had taught him, but one petition alone came from his +heart in that dark, midnight hour. "Oh, don't let Fanny die, +don't let her die, for who will comfort old Joshua when she +is gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The Saviour; He who once wept at the grave of Lazarus +will be more to you than I ever was, or ever can be," said +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In her sleep she dreamed that her father prayed. She awoke +and found it true. "Come nearer to me, father," said she. He +did so, and then among his thick gray locks she laid her thin +white hand and prayed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a beautiful sight, and methinks the angels hovered +round as that young disciple, apparently so near the portals of +heaven, sought to lead her weeping father to the same glad +world. Her words were soothing, and o'er his darkened mind +a ray of light seemed feebly, faintly shining. Before the +morning dawned he had resolved that if there still was hope +for him he would find it. Many a time during the succeeding +days he prayed in secret, not that Fanny might be spared, but +that he might be reconciled to God. His prayer at length was +answered, and Uncle Joshua was a changed man. He showed +it in everything, in the expression of his face and in the words +he uttered. For his Sunshine he still wept, but with a chastened +grief, for now he knew that if she died he would see +her in heaven.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Where now was Dr. Lacey? Knew he not of the threatened +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page231">[pg 231]</span><a name="Pg231" id="Pg231" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +danger? At his father's bedside, where for many days his +place had been, he had received from Mr. William Middleton +a letter announcing Fanny's illness, which, however, was not +then considered dangerous. On learning the contents of the +letter, the elder Mr. Lacey said, turning to his son, "Go, +George, go; I would not keep you from her a moment." The +doctor needed no second bidding, and the first steamer which +left New Orleans bore him upon its deck, anxious and impatient.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fast the days rolled on, and they who watched Fanny alternately +hoped and feared, as she one day seemed better and the +next worst. Of those days we will not speak. We hasten to +a night three weeks from the commencement of her illness, +when gathered in her room were anxious friends, who feared +the next day's sun would see her dead. Florence, Kate and +Mrs. Miller were there, with tearful eyes and saddened faces. +Frank Cameron, too, was there. Business, either real or +fancied, had again taken him to Kentucky, and hearing of +Fanny's illness, he had hastened to her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She had requested to be raised up, and now, leaning against +her Uncle William, she lay in a deep slumber. In a corner +of the room sat Uncle Joshua, his head bowed down, his face +covered by his hands, while the large tears fell upon the carpeting, +as he sadly whispered, "It'll be lonesome at night; it'll +be lonesome in the morning; it'll be lonesome everywhar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence stood by him, and tried by gently smoothing his +tangled hair to express the sympathy she could not speak. +Suddenly there was the sound of fast-coming wheels, and +Kate, thinking it must be Dr. Gordon, whom they were each +moment expecting, ran out to meet him. Nearer and nearer +came the carriage, and as Kate was peering through the darkness +to see if it were the expected physician, Dr. Lacey sprang +quickly to her side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In Frankfort he had heard that Fanny could not live, and +now he eagerly asked, "Tell me, Mrs. Miller, is she yet alive?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate replied by leading him directly toward the sick chamber. +As he entered the room Uncle Joshua burst into a fresh +flood of tears, saying as he took the doctor's offered hand, +"Poor boy! Poor George. You're losing a great deal, but not +as much as I, for you can find another Fanny, but for me +thar's no more Sunshine, when they carry her away."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Gordon now came and after feeling her pulse and listening +to the sound of her breathing, he said, "When she wakes +from this sleep, I think the matter will be decided. She will +be better or worse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page232">[pg 232]</span><a name="Pg232" id="Pg232" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>And he was right, although the old clock in the hall told the +hour of midnight ere she roused from the deep slumber which +had seemed so much like the long last sleep of death. Her +first words were for "water, water," and as she put up her +hand to take the offered glass, Dr. Gordon whispered to Dr. +Lacey: "She is better, but must not see you tonight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a twinkling Mr. Middleton's large hand was laid on Dr. +Lacey's shoulder, and hurrying him into the adjoining room, +he said, "Stay here till mornin', and neither breathe nor stir!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey complied with the request as far as it was possible, +though never seemed a night so long, and never dawned +a morning so bright as did the succeeding one, when through +the house the joyous tidings ran that the crisis was past, and +Fanny would live.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of the morning, Fanny asked Kate, who alone +was attending her, if Dr. Lacey were not there?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What makes you think so?" asked Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered Fanny, "I either heard him or dreamed +that I did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And if he is here, could you bear to see him now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, yes," was the eager answer, and the next moment +Dr. Lacey was by her side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Intuitively Kate left the room, consequently we have no +means of knowing what occurred during that interview, when +Dr. Lacey, as it were, received back from the arms of death +his Fanny, whose recovery from that time was sure though +slow. Mr. Middleton, in the exuberance of his joy at having +his Sunshine restored, seemed hardly sane, but frequently kept +muttering to himself, "Yes, yes, I remember—I'll do it, only give +me a little time"; at the same time his elbow moved impatiently, +as if nudging off some unseen visitor. What it was that he remembered +and would do, was not known for several days +and then he informed his wife that when at first he feared +that Fanny should not live, he had racked his brain to know +why this fresh evil was brought upon him, and had concluded +that it was partly to punish him for his ill-treatment of Julia +when living, and partly because that now she was dead he had +neglected to purchase for her any gravestones. "And I promised," +said he, "that if she was spar'd, I'd buy as nice a gravestun +as I would if 'twas Sunshine." Three weeks from that +time there stood by the mound in the little graveyard a plain, +handsome monument, on which was simply inscribed, "Julia, +aged twenty."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One after another those who had been with Fanny during +her illness departed to their homes. Frank Cameron lingered +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page233">[pg 233]</span><a name="Pg233" id="Pg233" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +several weeks in Frankfort. Florence, too, was there with +some relatives. Now, reader, if you value our friendship, you +will not accuse him of being fickle. He had loved Fanny long +and faithfully, but he knew the time was coming when he +would see her the wife of another. What wonder was it, then, +if he suffered his eye occasionally to rest admiringly upon +Florence Woodburn's happy face, or that he frequently found +himself trying to trace some resemblance between the dark +hazel of Florence's eyes and the deep blue of Fanny's?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With woman's quick perception, Florence divined Frank's +thoughts, and although she professed herself to be "terribly +afraid of his Presbyterian smile and deaconish ways," she +took good care not to discourage him. But she teased him unmercifully, +and played him many sorry tricks. He bore it all +good-humoredly, and when he started for New York he had +with him a tiny casing, from which peeped the merry face of +Florence, looking as if just meditating some fresh mischief.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And what of Florence? Why, safely stowed away at the +bottom of her bureau drawer, under a promiscuous pile of +gloves, ribbons, laces and handkerchiefs, was a big daguerreotype; +but as Florence guarded that drawer most carefully, +always keeping the key in her pocket, we are unable to say +anything certain upon the subject. Up to this day we don't +know exactly whose face it was that led Florence to the +drawer so many times a day, but we are safe in saying that it +looked frank enough to be Frank himself!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here for a time we leave her, and return to Mr. Middleton's +where Fanny was improving each day. Dr. Lacey +watched her recovery anxiously, fearing continually lest some +new calamity should happen to take his treasure from him. +Owing to the protracted illness of his father, it became necessary +that he should go back to New Orleans; but as soon as +possible he would return, and then—Fanny could have told +you what then, and so, too, could we, but we prefer keeping +you in suspense.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter24" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc48" id="toc48"></a><a name="pdf49" id="pdf49"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXIV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the wedding</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page234">[pg 234]</span><a name="Pg234" id="Pg234" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The autumn months were gone; December had come and +"Christmas was coming." The negroes far and near had +counted the days which must pass before their expected holidays. +In Uncle Joshua's kitchen there was much talking and +laughing, fixing and fussing, and some crying. Had you +asked the cause of the crying, you would have been told that +Miss Fanny was to be married Christmas Eve, and the week +following she would leave them and start for New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Preparations commenced on a large scale; for Uncle Joshua, +a little proud, it may be, of his handsome house, had determined +on a large party. The old gentleman even went so far +as to order for himself a new suit of broadcloth, saying by +way of apology that, "though the jeens coat and bagging +pants did well enough for Josh, they wouldn't answer nohow +for the father of Mrs. Dr. George Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A week before the wedding Florence, who loved dearly to +be in a bustle, came laden with bandboxes and carpet bags. +Hourly through the house rang her merry laugh, as she flitted +hither and thither, actually doing nothing in her zeal to do +everything. She had consented to be bridesmaid on condition +that she should choose her own groomsman, who she said +should be "Uncle Billy," as she always called Mr. William +Middleton, "unless Providence sent her some one she liked +better." Whether it were owing to Providence or to an invitation +which went from Florence to New York we are unable +to say, but two days before the 24th Uncle Joshua surprised +Florence and Fanny by opening the door of the room +where they were sitting, and saying, "Ho, my boy, here they +be—come on."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The girls started up, and in a moment Frank stood between +them, with an arm thrown around each. "Why, Mr. Cameron," +said Florence, "what did you come for, and who knew +you were coming?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I came to see you, and you knew I was coming," answered +Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page235">[pg 235]</span><a name="Pg235" id="Pg235" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Well, then," returned Florence, "if you came to see me, do +look at me, and not keep your eyes fixed so continually on +Fanny. In a few days you will be breaking the commandment +which says: 'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's +wife.'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Possibly I might had I never seen you," answered Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a late hour that night Florence moved with soft footsteps +about her sleeping room, fearing lest she should awaken +Fanny. Her precautions were useless, for Fanny was awake; +looking at Florence, she said, "Oh, Flory, you naughty girl, +what makes you blush so dreadfully?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next half hour was spent by Florence in telling Fanny +what Frank had just asked her in four or five words, and +which she had answered in one, viz., if she would be his wife. +"But then," said Florence, pretending to pout, "he was so conscientious +that he had to tell me what I already knew, which +was that he once loved you better than he should ever love +another."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank had asked Florence to share his lot through life, and +she, like any other good, prompt Kentucky girl, had readily +answered "yes," although she was frightened next moment for +fear she had been too easily won by the "cold Yankee," as she +called him, and she proposed taking back what she said just +for the sake of being teased. Mr. Woodburn came next day +to bring Florence some article of dress, which she would need. +He was not surprised when Frank, taking him aside, modestly +asked for his daughter; he said, "Yes," almost as readily as +Florence had done, and then it was hard telling which seemed +most happy—Frank or Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The 24th of December came at last. We at the North who, +during six months of the year, blow our benumbed fingers, can +scarcely imagine how bright and beautiful are some of the +clear warm days of a Kentucky winter. On this occasion, as +if Nature had resolved to do her best, the day was soft and +sunny as in early autumn, presenting a striking contrast to the +wild, angry storm which rent the sky when once more 'neath +Uncle Joshua's roof a bridal party was assembled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As night approached, carriage after carriage rolled up the +long, graveled pathway, until Ike declared, "Thar was no more +room in the barns, and if any more came he'd have to drive +them into the kitchen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Up and down the broad stairway tripped light and joyous +footsteps until the rooms above, which Luce had put in so +exact order, presented a scene of complete confusion. Bandboxes +were turned bottom-side up and their contents indiscriminately +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page236">[pg 236]</span><a name="Pg236" id="Pg236" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +scattered until it was impossible to tell what was +yours and what wasn't.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length through the parlor door came Dr. Lacey and +Fanny, followed by Frank Cameron and Florence. Throughout +the rooms was a solemn hush as Fanny was made Dr. +Lacey's wife. Firmly Dr. Lacey held her hand until the last +word was spoken; then when he felt sure that she was his, he +stooped down and whispered in her ear, "Thank God that you +are mine at last."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Three days after the wedding Mr. Middleton's carriage +again stood before the door. When all was ready, Uncle +Joshua knelt down, and winding his arm around Fanny, +prayed in simple, touching language that God would protect +his Sunshine, and at last bring them all to the same home. +"All of us; and don't let one be missing thar." There was a +peculiar pathos in the tone of his voice as he said the last +words, and all knew to whom he referred.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Long and wearisome at Mr. Middleton's were the days succeeding +Fanny's departure, while in Dr. Lacey's home all was +joy and gladness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was about dark when Dr. Lacey arrived. Happy as a +bird, Fanny sprang up the steps. Everything about her seemed +homelike and cheerful. Kind, dusky faces peered at her from +every corner, while Aunt Dilsey, with a complacent smile, +stood ready to receive her. Fanny was prepared to like everything, +but there was something peculiarly pleasing to her in +Aunt Dilsey's broad, good-humored face. Going up to her +she took both her hands, and said, "I know we shall be good +friends. I shall like you and you shall love me a little, won't +you, just as the old aunties did I left in Kentucky?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey hadn't expected all this, and the poor creature +burst into tears, saying, "Lord bless the sweet miss! I'd die +for her this minute, I would."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau, Leffie and the other blacks belonging to the establishment, +now came forward, and in the crowd little Jack's +bow was entirely unappreciated; but Fanny next day made +amends by giving him nearly a pound of candy, which had +the effect of making him sick a week, but he got well in time +to be present at Leffie's wedding, which took place just a week +after Dr. Lacey's return.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie, who chanced to be just the size of her young mistress, +was thrown into ecstasies by the gift of a thin pink and white +silk dress, which Fanny presented to her for a bridal gown. +Aunt Dilsey, in order to show her thanks, went down on her +knees, a thing she never attempted again, as it took her such +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page237">[pg 237]</span><a name="Pg237" id="Pg237" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +an unheard-of length of time to recover a standing posture. +Dr. Lacey had made Leffie the present of a pair of gold earrings, +so that she was really a pretty bride, and Rondeau was +the happiest negro in all New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As weddings seem to be the order of this chapter, we may +here, as well as anywhere, dispose of Mrs. Carrington, whom, +you will remember, Raymond said he would one day marry. +When he left Frankfort, he had no definite idea as to what he +should do, but after reaching Cincinnati, it occured to him that +his mother had a wealthy old bachelor uncle living in St. +Louis, and thither he determined to go. This uncle, Mr. Dunlap, +received the young man cordially, for he was the first +relative he had met with in years. There was something, too, +in the manner with which Raymond introduced himself that +won for him a place in the crusty old man's good opinion.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am Fred Raymond," said he, "your niece Helen's son, +and as poor a jack as there is this side of California. They +say you are a stingy old customer, but I don't care for that. +You have got to give me some business, and a home, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond's method of approaching the old gentleman was +successful, and he at once gave him a good position, which +later developed into a partnership.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Feeling himself established and finding Mrs. Carrington in +St. Louis, Raymond pressed his suit, and they were eventually +married.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The couple were disappointed in their expectations of a fortune, +for within two years after the marriage Mr. Dunlap +suddenly died. He had intended to make his will and make +Raymond his heir, but like many other men he put it off until +it was too late, and his property, which was found to be less +than supposed, went back to his brothers and sisters, and from +them to their children and grandchildren, so that Raymond +got but a small share.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He, however, retained his position as a merchant, and +struggled hard to keep his wife in the same circumstances to +which she had been accustomed. She appreciated his kindness, +and when at the end of three years she was the mother +of three children, she concluded it was time to lay aside all +desire for fashionable amusements, and she became a tolerably +affectionate wife, and a wonderfully indulgent mother.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter25" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc50" id="toc50"></a><a name="pdf51" id="pdf51"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the wanderer</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page238">[pg 238]</span><a name="Pg238" id="Pg238" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>In Uncle Joshua's home there were sad, troubled faces and +anxious hearts, as the husband and daughter watched by the +wife and mother, whose life on earth was well-nigh ended. +From her mother's family Mrs. Middleton had inherited the +seeds of consumption, which had fastened upon her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Day by day, they watched her, and when at last she left +them it seemed so much like falling away to sleep that Mr. +Middleton, who sat by her, knew not the exact moment which +made him a lonely widower. The next afternoon sympathizing +friends and neighbors assembled to pay the last tribute +of respect to Mrs. Middleton, and many an eye overflowed, +and more than one heart ached as the gray-haired old man +bent sadly above the coffin, which contained the wife of his +early love. But he mourned not as one without hope, for +her end had been peace, and when upon her face his tears fell +he felt assured that again beyond the dark river of death he +should meet her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The night succeeding the burial Mr. Middleton's family, +overcome with fatigue and grief, retired early to their rooms, +but Fanny could not sleep, and between ten and eleven she +arose and throwing on her dressing gown nervously walked +up and down her sleeping room. It was a little over a year +after her marriage. Through the closed shutters the rays of +a bright September moon were stealing, and attracted by the +beauty of the night, Fanny opened the blinds and the room +was filled with a flood of soft, pale light. From the window +where she stood she could distinguish the little graveyard, with +its cypress and willow trees, and its white monument gleaming +through the silvery moonlight, and near that monument was +a dark spot, the grave of her beloved mother. "If all nights +were as lovely as this," thought she, "it would not seem half +so dreary to sleep in the cold dark grave," and then Fanny +fell into a fit of musing of the night that would surely come +when she would first be left alone in the shadowy graveyard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the midst of her reverie her attention was attracted by +a slight female figure, which from some quarters had approached +unperceived, and now upon the newly-made grave +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page239">[pg 239]</span><a name="Pg239" id="Pg239" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was bowing itself in apparent weeping. The size and form +of the girl were so much like Luce that Fanny concluded it +must be she, at the same time wondering how, with her superstitious +ideas, she ventured alone near a grave in the night +time. In a moment, however, she saw that Tiger, the watch +dog, was with her, and at the same instant the sound of a +suppressed sob fell on her ear. "Poor Luce," said she, "I did +not think she loved my mother so well. I will go to her and +mingle my tears with hers."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a short time Fanny was in the open air, and on her way +to the graveyard. As she approached her mother's grave, +she said gently, "Luce, Luce, why are you out so late?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The person addressed partially raised her head and answered +hurriedly, "Oh, Fanny, Fanny, do not be frightened +and leave me; I am not dead, and never was buried in that +grave, as you suppose, but I am here tonight a living, repentant +woman," and throwing back her bonnet, the thin, +white face of Julia Middleton was in the bright moonlight +perfectly distinguishable to Fanny, who at first recoiled in +fear and leaned for support against the marble pillar near +which she was standing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She, however, soon recovered her self-command and +glancing at the object on the grave, saw that she was caressing +Tiger, who seemed trying various ways to evince his joy +at finding one whom he had long missed, for he had ever been +Julia's favorite. Their fiery natures accorded well! Again +Julia spoke, "Fanny, dear Fanny. In an adjoining state I +heard of mother's illness and hastened to see her, but I am +too late. Now, do not think me a phantom, for see, Tiger +recognizes me and welcomes me home, and will not you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An instant Fanny wavered, then with a half-fearful, half-joyful +cry she went forward, and by the grave of the mother +that day lowered to the dust, the sisters met in a long, fervent +embrace.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Into the best chamber of their father's house Fanny led the +weeping, repentant girl, and gently removing her bonnet and +shawl, bade her lie down on the nicely-cushioned lounge, +while she went for her father. As she was leaving the room +Julia arose and laid her small, bony hand on Fanny's shoulder. +It had rested there before, for in the graveyard, with their +buried mother between them, Julia's arms had encircled her +sister's neck; but the first excitement was over, and now involuntarily +Fanny shrank from that touch, for in spite of +all her courage, she could not help associating Julia with the +grass-grown grave, and the large white monument.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page240">[pg 240]</span><a name="Pg240" id="Pg240" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"What is it, Julia?" she said calmly. "Do you wish to see +father?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, yes," answered Julia, "but not him, the other one—at +least not tonight. You understand."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do," said Fanny, and she glided down the stairs toward +her father's room. He was awake, for ere her hand touched +the doorknob, his sonorous "Who's thar?" fell on her ear. +This somewhat disconcerted her, for she had intended stopping +near his door, to devise the best means by which to break +the intelligence. But "Who's thar?" was again repeated, and +entering the room she said softly, "It's I, father."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, sure enough," said he, and then as the light from her +lamp fell on her features, he exclaimed, "why, how white you +be! What's the matter? Who's upstairs? Is George sick?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, George is not sick," said Fanny, "but—," and then as +well as she could she told him all she knew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Uncle Joshua's nervous system was unstrung, and his physical +health impaired by long nights of watching with his wife, +and now when this fresh shock came upon him, he fell back +half-fainting upon his pillow. Then rousing himself, he +said, "Alive and come back! I don't desarve this. But +where is she? I will go to her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny directed him where to find her, and then returned to +Julia, whither her father soon followed. Uncle Joshua was +not prepared for the change in his daughter. He did not even +think of her as he saw her last, wasted by sickness, but in +imagination he beheld her as she was in her days of health +and dazzling beauty, when with diabolical cunning she had +brought Dr. Lacey to her feet. Now, however, her face was +thin, white and haggard, for such a life as she had lived had +never conduced to the beauty and health of any one. Her +eyes, sunken in their sockets, and swollen with recent weeping, +looked frightfully large and wild, and to complete the metamorphosis, +her beautiful, glossy hair was now cut short on +her neck, and pushed far back from a brow, across which +lay more than one premature wrinkle.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sight of her for a time unsettled the old man's reason. +Taking her in his arms he alternately cried and laughed over +her, saying, "I knew you'd come. I expected it. I've waited +for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's altered appearance troubled him, and drawing her +head down upon his bosom, and laying his hand on her thin, +white face, he said, "Poor child, what has changed you so, +and whar have you been; and who did I buy that big stun for +if 'twasn't for you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page241">[pg 241]</span><a name="Pg241" id="Pg241" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Not tonight, dear father," answered Julia. "Let me rest +tonight and tomorrow I will tell you all."</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter26" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc52" id="toc52"></a><a name="pdf53" id="pdf53"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXVI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia at home again</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Overcome with fatigue and excitement, Julia immediately +after her father left her on the preceding night, had fallen +into a deep sleep, which was unbroken till long after dawn. +Then she was aroused by her father calling up the negroes. +Hastily starting up, she looked around her and, for a moment, +strove to remember what had happened. Soon she remembered +all, and burying her face in the pillows, she sobbed out: +"Father, I thank Thee; the prodigal is at last at home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hastily arising she proceeded with her toilet, which was +nearly completed when Fanny tapped gently at the door, and +immediately entered the room, saying, "Good morning, dear +Julia. I am so glad you really are here and that it is not a +dream. But come, breakfast is waiting and so is father, and +so is—so is—George."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I can't see him, I can't," said Julia, and Fanny answered, +"Oh, never mind him. I have told him all about it, +and he is ready to receive you as a sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, she led the reluctant girl down the long staircase, +through the wide hall to the door of the breakfast room, where +Mr. Middleton stood waiting for them. His tones and manner +were very affectionate as he kissed the wanderer, and said, +"I am so glad you're here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia could have wept, but she would not. There was yet +another to meet, and choking down her tears she nerved herself +for the trial. Of what occurred next she knew nothing +until her cold white hand was clasped by another so warm, +so life-giving in its touch that she raised her eyes and met the +calm, quiet gaze of Dr. Lacey. Neither of them spoke until +Julia, averting her eyes, said, "Am I forgiven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are," was the answer, and then Uncle Joshua exclaimed, +"thar, that'll do. Now come to your breakfast, children, +for I'm mighty hungry, and shan't wait another minute."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After breakfast Julia was greatly surprised at seeing her +father take from the bookcase the old family Bible, on whose +dark dusty covers she remembered having many a time written +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page242">[pg 242]</span><a name="Pg242" id="Pg242" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +her name. All was now explained. Her father's gentleness of +look and manner were accounted for; and as for the first time +in her life she knelt by his side and heard him as he prayed, +her heart swelled with emotion, and she longed to tell him, +though she dared not hope she was a Christian, she was still +trying to lead a different, a better life.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That afternoon in her chamber were seated Mr. Middleton +and Fanny, while Julia recounted the story of her wanderings. +"The idea of leaving my home," said she, "was not a sudden +impulse, else had I returned sooner, but it was the result of +long, bitter reflection. In the first days of my humiliation I +wished that I might die, for though the thought of death and +the dread hereafter made me tremble, it was preferable to the +scorn and contempt I should necessarily meet if I survived. +Then came a reaction, and when our angel mother glided so +noiselessly around my sick room; when you, darling Fanny, +nursed me with so much care, and even father's voice grew +low and kind as he addressed me, my better nature, if I had +any, was touched, and I thought I would like to live for +the sake of retrieving the past. But the evil spirit which +has haunted me from infancy whispered that as soon as I was +well all would be changed. You, Fanny, would hate me, and +father would treat me as he always had, only worse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Poor dear child! I didn't or'to do so, I know," said Uncle +Joshua, and Julia continued: "Then I thought how the world +would loathe, and despise and point at me, until I was almost +maddened, and when Dr. Gordon said I would live, the +tempter whispered suicide; but I dared not do that. About +that time I heard rumors of a marriage which would take +place as soon as I was well; and Fanny will you forgive me? +I tried to be sick as long as possible for the sake of delaying +your happiness."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A pressure of the hand was Fanny's only answer, and Julia +proceeded: "I could not see you married to him. I could not +meet the world and its censure, so I determined to go away. +I had thirty dollars in my purse, of which no one knew, and +taking that I started, I knew not where. On reaching the +schoolhouse something impelled me to enter it, and I found +there a young girl about my own size. Under other circumstances +I might have been frightened, but now utterly fearless, +I addressed her, and found from her answers that she was +crazy. A sudden idea entered my brain. I would change +clothes with her, and thus avoid discovery. She willingly acceded +to my proposition, and in my new attire I again started +toward Lexington, which I reached about four in the morning. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page243">[pg 243]</span><a name="Pg243" id="Pg243" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I had no definite idea as to where I wanted to go, but the sight +of the Cincinnati stage drawn up before the Phoenix determined +me. I had purposely kept my own bonnet and veil, as +the maniac girl wore neither. Drawing the latter over my +face, I kept it there while securing my place in the coach, +and until we were many miles from the city. Passengers entered +and left, and some looked inquisitively at me and my +slightly fantastic dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"We reached Cincinnati about ten in the morning, and with +a long glad breath I stepped from the coach, and felt that Kentucky +and my notorious character were behind. I stopped at +the —— Hotel, and the next two days were spent in procuring +myself a decent outfit. Each night I went to a different +house, for the sake of avoiding suspicion, and as my bills +were promptly paid, no questions were ever asked. At the +D—— House I saw in a paper an advertisement for a teacher +in a school in one of the interior towns. I had formed some +such plan for the future, and instantly determined personally +to apply for the situation. I did so, but credentials were required, +and I had none to give. Somewhat weary of my +adventure I returned to Cincinnati, and in passing through one +of the streets, my eye caught the sign 'Fashionable Dressmaking +and Millinery.' I knew I had a taste for that, and I +concluded to offer myself as an apprentice."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then she told how she had toiled on day after day with +dim eye and aching head for over a year in the unwholesome +atmosphere of a crowded workshop conducted by a slave-driving, +inconsiderate woman named Miss Dillon, while thoughts +of home and remorse for the past preyed on her heart.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why did you not come back?" asked Fanny. "We +would have received you most gladly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I felt that I could not do that," said Julia. "I knew that +you thought me dead, and I fancied that father, at least, would +feel relieved."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, child," groaned Uncle Joshua, "don't say so. I was +mighty mean, I know, but I never got to that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment Julia told them that she had had to deliver +a party dress to Florence Woodburn at Mr. Graham's house +one evening and, while waiting in the hall, had heard Florence +read a letter from Nellie Stanton aloud to Alice Graham. In +the letter, Nellie said that Mrs. Middleton was not expected +to live and that Dr. Lacey and Fanny from New Orleans +were with her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This news caused her to resign her position at Miss Dillon's +and hurry home. "I reached Lexington," said she, "about nine +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page244">[pg 244]</span><a name="Pg244" id="Pg244" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +o'clock in the evening, and as I thought my baggage might incommode +me, I purposely left it there, but hired a boy to +bring me home. When we reached the gate at the entrance +of the woods I told him he could return, as I preferred going +the remainder of the way alone. He seemed surprised, but +complied with my request. I had never heard of the new +house, and as I drew near I was puzzled, and fancied I was +wrong; but Tiger bounded forward, at first angrily, then joyfully, +and I knew I was right. All about the house was so +dark, so still, that a dreadful foreboding filled my heart—a +fear that mother might be dead. I remembered the little +graveyard and instantly bent my steps thither. I saw the +costly marble and the carefully kept grave, and a thrill of +joy ran through my veins, for they told me I was kindly remembered +in the home I had so darkened. But another object +riveted my attention. It was a fresh mound, and I knew +full well who rested there. Never have I shed such tears of +anguish as fell upon the sod which covers my sainted mother. +In the intensity of my grief I was not conscious of Fanny's +approach until she stood near me. The rest you know; and +now, father, will you receive to your home and affection one +who has so widely strayed?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Willin'ly, most willin'ly," said Uncle Joshua, as he folded +her to his bosom, "and if I had done as I or'to, a heap of this +wouldn't have happened. Oh, I didn't or'to do so, I didn't; +and I ain't goin' to any more. You shall live with me when +Sunshine's gone; and we would be so happy, if your poor +mother could only see us and know it all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time nothing could exceed Uncle Joshua's kindness +to his daughter. He seemed indeed trying to make up for +the past, and frequently he would whisper to himself, "No, I +didn't or'to do so. I see more and more that I didn't." +Still his fondness for Fanny was undiminished, and occasionally, +after looking earnestly at both his children, he would exclaim, +"Hang me, if I don't b'lieve Sunshine is a heap the +handsomest"; but if these words caused Julia any emotion, +'twas never betrayed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From Julia's story there could be no doubt that the maniac +girl was laid in the grave which Uncle Joshua had thought belonged +to his daughter. No tidings of her had been heard, +although one gentleman thought that he once had met with a +girl answering to her description in the stage coach between +Lexington and Cincinnati. All search in that quarter was unavailing, +and over her fate a dark mystery lay, until Julia +suddenly appeared and threw light on the matter. The afflicted +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page245">[pg 245]</span><a name="Pg245" id="Pg245" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +father (for she had no mother) was sent for, and when +told where his child was laid, asked permission to have her +disinterred and taken to his family burial place. His request +was granted, the grave was opened, and then refilled and +leveled with the earth. The monument Julia took care to have +carefully preserved as a memento of the olden time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As will be supposed, Julia's return furnished the neighborhood +and surrounding country with a topic of conversation for +many weeks. At first nearly all treated her with cool neglect, +but as she kept entirely at home, curiosity to see one who had, +as it were, come back from the dead triumphed over all other +things; and at last all who came to see Fanny asked also for +her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Among the few who at once hastened to give the penitent +girl the hand of friendship was Kate Miller; and as she +marked her gentle manner and the subdued glance of her still +somewhat haughty eyes, she wound her arm about her neck +and whispered, "I shall in time learn to love you dearly for +the sake of more than one."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia comprehended her, or thought she did, and answered, +"Oh, Mrs. Miller, that one dreadful crime has troubled me +more than all the rest. I killed him, your noble brother, and +from the moment I deliberately determined to do so I became +leagued with the tempter, who lured me madly on. But I +outdid myself, and was entangled in the snare my own hands +had laid."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is ever so," answered Kate. "Our most secret sins will +in the end find us out."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The reader is perhaps anxious to know whether back across +the Atlantic, Ashton brought his Spanish bride. Yes, he did. +Mr. William Middleton accompanied him to the house of Sir +Arthur Effingham, whom they found to be dying; his property +was gone, and he feared that he must leave the youthful Inez +to the cold charities of the world and a miserly brother. +When Mr. Middleton made himself known, the dying man +pointed to Inez, and said, "You once loved the mother; care +for the daughter when I am gone, will you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will," answered Mr. Middleton, "on condition that you +consent to having a young friend of mine share the care with +me." At the same time he presented Ashton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sir Arthur recognized him immediately and answered, +"Willingly, most willingly. I was a fool to spurn you once as +I did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few hours Sir Arthur was dead, and Inez was an orphan. +But her grief was soothed by the presence of Ashton, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page246">[pg 246]</span><a name="Pg246" id="Pg246" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +who, a few days before sailing for America, made her his +wife. During the voyage Mr. Middleton informed Ashton +that as soon as he reached home he intended making his will, +by which he should bequeath his property to Inez. Said he, +"I have spent so many years of my life in India that I find +the climate of New Orleans more congenial to my feelings +than a colder one would be, consequently I shall purchase a +house in that city, and as I look upon you and Inez as my +children, I shall insist upon your living with me if you have +no objection."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the winter Fanny wrote frequently to her father +urging him to visit her; but this he declined doing, and early +the following May, he stood one evening impatiently awaiting +the arrival of Ike, who had gone to Frankfort with the expectation +of meeting Fanny and her husband. Everything +had been put in readiness. The parlors and best chamber were +opened and aired. The carriage and carriage horses had been +brushed up, a new saddle had been bought for Fanny's pony, +and a new dress for each of the black women, and everything +and everybody seemed expecting a joyful time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the carriage approached the house Uncle Joshua looked +wistfully toward it, trying to catch a glimpse of "Sunshine," +whom he had not seen for nearly a year and a half. But only +the face of a little negro girl was seen looking from the window, +and Uncle Joshua exclaimed, "Now, what's possessed +them to fetch that yaller gal! I've got niggers enough to +wait on 'em."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the "yaller gal" knew very well why she was there, and +so ere long did Uncle Joshua. The steps were let down, and +there, blithesome and gay as ever, Fanny sprang from the +carriage and ran into the arms of her father, who kissed her +again and again, holding her off to look at her and then again +drawing her to him and saying, "You're handsomer than +ever."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During this process the yellow girl, Rose, had brought from +the carriage a mysterious looking bundle of flannel and white +cambric, which now in Dr. Lacey's arms was crowing with +delight as its little nurse bobbed up and down, making at it +all sorts of grimaces.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What the ——, no, I forgot, I didn't mean so. But what—is—that!" +said Uncle Joshua, releasing Fanny and advancing +toward Dr. Lacey, who proudly placed in his arms a beautiful +nine-month-old baby, saying, "We have brought you a +second Sunshine."</p> +</div> + +</div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/17260-h/17260-h.html b/17260-h/17260-h.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4a249a6 --- /dev/null +++ b/17260-h/17260-h.html @@ -0,0 +1,13050 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /><link rel="schema.DC" href="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" /><meta name="DC.Creator" content="Mary J. 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Holmes</p></div><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost + and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, + give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project + Gutenberg License <a href="#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this + eBook</a> or online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class="tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a></p></div><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">Title: Tempest and Sunshine + +Author: Mary J. Holmes + +Release Date: 2005-12 [Ebook #17260] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE*** +</pre></div> + </div> + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-titlePage"> + <span class="tei tei-docTitle"> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart"><span style="font-size: 120%">Tempest and Sunshine</span></span><br /> + </span> + <div class="tei tei-byline"> + <br />By <span class="tei tei-docAuthor">Mary J. Holmes</span><br /> + </div> + <span class="tei tei-docImprint"> + New York<br /> + J. H. Sears & Company<br /> + 1909 + </span> + </div> + + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="pdf1" id="pdf1"></a> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Contents</span></h1> + <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-toc"><li><a href="#toc2">Chapter I</a></li><li><a href="#toc4">Chapter II</a></li><li><a href="#toc6">Chapter III</a></li><li><a href="#toc8">Chapter IV</a></li><li><a href="#toc10">Chapter V</a></li><li><a href="#toc12">Chapter VI</a></li><li><a href="#toc14">Chapter VII</a></li><li><a href="#toc16">Chapter VIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc18">Chapter IX</a></li><li><a href="#toc20">Chapter X</a></li><li><a href="#toc22">Chapter XI</a></li><li><a href="#toc24">Chapter XII</a></li><li><a href="#toc26">Chapter XIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc28">Chapter XIV</a></li><li><a href="#toc30">Chapter XV</a></li><li><a href="#toc32">Chapter XVI</a></li><li><a href="#toc34">Chapter XVII</a></li><li><a href="#toc36">Chapter XVIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc38">Chapter XIX</a></li><li><a href="#toc40">Chapter XX</a></li><li><a href="#toc42">Chapter XXI</a></li><li><a href="#toc44">Chapter XXII</a></li><li><a href="#toc46">Chapter XXIII</a></li><li><a href="#toc48">Chapter XXIV</a></li><li><a href="#toc50">Chapter XXV</a></li><li><a href="#toc52">Chapter XXVI</a></li></ul> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + +<hr class="page" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page001">[pg 001]</span><a name="Pg001" id="Pg001" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Tempest and Sunshine</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"></p> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc2" id="toc2"></a><a name="pdf3" id="pdf3"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter I</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">mr. wilmot arrives at mr. middleton's</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was the afternoon of a bright October day. The old town +clock had just tolled the hour of four, when the Lexington +and Frankfort daily stage was heard rattling over the stony +pavement in the small town of V——, Kentucky. In a few +moments the four panting steeds were reined up before the +door of The Eagle, the principal hotel in the place. "Mine +host," a middle-aged, pleasant-looking man, came hustling out +to inspect the newcomers, and calculate how many would do +justice to his beefsteaks, strong coffee, sweet potatoes and +corn cakes, which were being prepared in the kitchen by Aunt +Esther.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This good dame divided her time between squeezing the +steaks, turning the corn cakes, kicking the dogs and administering +various cuffs to sundry little black urchins, who were +on the lookout to snatch a bit of the "hoe cake" whenever +they could elude the argus eyes of Aunt Esther. When the +rattling of the stage was heard, there ensued a general +scrambling to ascertain which would be first to see who had +come. At length, by a series of somersaults, helped on by +Aunt Esther's brawny hand, the kitchen was cleared and +Aunt Esther was "monarch of all she surveyed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The passengers this afternoon were few and far between, +for there was but one inside and one on the box with the +driver. The one inside alighted and ordered his baggage to +be carried into the hotel. The stranger was a young man, +apparently about twenty-five years of age. He was tall, well-proportioned +and every way prepossessing in his appearance. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page002">[pg 002]</span><a name="Pg002" id="Pg002" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>At least the set of idlers in the +barroom thought so, for the +moment he entered they all directed their eyes and tobacco +juice toward him!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time he had uttered a dozen words, they had come to +the conclusion that he was a stranger in the place and was +from the East. One of the men, a Mr. Edson, was, to use his +own words, "mighty skeary of Northern folks," and as soon +as he became convinced that the stranger was from that way, +he got up, thinking to himself, "Some confounded Abolitionist, +I'll warrant. The sooner I go home and get my gang together, +the better 'twill be." But on second thought he concluded +that "his gang" was safe, for the present at least; +so he'd just sit down and hear what his neighbor, Mr. Woodburn, +was saying to the newcomer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Kentuckians are as famous as the Yankees for inquisitiveness, +but if they inquire into your history, they are equally +ready to give theirs to you, and you cannot feel as much annoyed +by the kind, confiding manner with which a Kentuckian +will draw you out, as by the cool, quizzing way with which +a Yankee will "guess" out your affairs.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the present occasion, Mr. Woodburn had conjectured +the young man's business, and was anxious to know who he +was, and, if possible, to render him assistance. It took but a +short time for the stranger to tell that he was from the East, +from New York; that his name was Wilmot, and that he was +in quest of a school; and in as short a time Mr. Woodburn +had welcomed young Wilmot to Kentucky, but expressed his +regrets that he did not come sooner, for all the schools were +engaged. "But," added he, "you had better remain around +here awhile and get acquainted, and then there will be no +doubt of your eventually getting a situation. Meantime, as +you are a stranger here, you are welcome to make my house +your home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such kindness from an entire stranger was unlooked for by +Wilmot. He knew not what to make of it; it was so different +from the cold, money-making men of the North. He tried +to stammer out his thanks, when Mr. Edson interrupted him +by nudging Mr. Woodburn and saying: "Don't you mind old +Middleton. He's been tarin' round after a Yankee teacher +these six weeks. I reckon this chap'll suit."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Woodburn hesitated. He did not like to send Mr. Wilmot +to such a place as Mr. Middleton's, for though Mr. +Middleton was a very kind man, he was very rough and uncouth +in his manner and thought his money much better applied +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page003">[pg 003]</span><a name="Pg003" id="Pg003" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>when at interest than when +employed to make his house and family more comfortable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length Mr. Woodburn replied: "True, I did not think +of Mr. Middleton, but I hardly like to send a stranger there. +However, Mr. Wilmot, you must not judge all Kentuckians +by him, for though he is very hospitable to strangers, he is +extremely rough."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot thanked them for their information and said he +thought he would go to Mr. Middleton's that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord knows how you'll get there," said Mr. Edson.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, is it far?" asked Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not very far," said Mr. Edson, "little better than four +miles, but a mighty mean road at any time and a heap worse +since the rains. For a spell you can get on right smart, but +then, again, you'll go in co-slush!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot smiled, but said he "thought he would try the +road if Mr. Edson would give him the direction."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed a host of directions, of which the most +prominent to Wilmot were, that "about two miles from the +house is an old hemp factory, full of niggers, singing like all +fury; then comes a piece of woods, in the middle of which is +a gate on the left hand; open that gate and follow the road +straight till you come to the mightiest, mean-looking house +you ever seen, I reckon; one chimbley tumbled down, and +t'other trying to. That is Middleton's."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Woodburn said, "That as the road was so bad, +and it was getting late, Mr. Wilmot had better stay at his +house that night and the next day they would send him to +Middleton's."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before Mr. Wilmot had time to reply, Mr. Edson called out, +"Halloo! Just in time, Wilmot!" Then rushing to the door +he screamed, "Ho! Jim Crow, you jackanapes, what you +ridin' Prince full jump down the pike for? Say, you scapegrace, +come up here!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot looked from the window and saw a fine looking +black boy of about sixteen years of age riding a beautiful +horse at full speed through the street. He readily divined that +the boy was the property of Mr. Edson, and as he had brought +from home a little abolitionism safely packed away, he expected +to see a few cuffs dealt out to the young African. But +when the young hopeful, at the command of his master, +wheeled his horse up to the door, gave a flourish with his +rimless old hat and a loud whistle with his pouting lips, Mr. +Wilmot observed that his master gave the bystanders a knowing +wink, as much as to say, "Isn't he smart?" Then turning +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page004">[pg 004]</span><a name="Pg004" id="Pg004" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to the boy he said, "How now, you Jim, what are you here +for, riding Prince to death?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I begs marster's pardon berry much," said the negro, "but +you see how I done toted all the taters you told me, and missis +she 'vise me to ride Prince a leetle, 'case he's gettin' oneasy +like when Miss Carline rides him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Likely story," said Mr. Edson; "but for once you are in +the way when I want you. You know where Mr. Middleton +lives?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster, reckon I does."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, this young man wants to go there. Now jump down +quick and help him on. Do you hear?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster," said the negro, and in a moment he was on +the ground, holding the stirrup for Mr. Wilmot to mount.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Wilmot hesitated for two causes. The first was, he was not +a good horseman and did not like to attempt mounting the +spirited animal before so many pairs of eyes. He looked wistfully +at the horse block, but did not dare propose having the +horse led up to it. The second reason was he did not know +whether to accept or decline the kindness of Mr. Edson; but +that man reassured him by saying:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come! What are you waiting for? Jump up. I'd a heap +rather Jim would go with you than ride Prince to death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Woodburn spoke. He knew that New York +people were, comparatively speaking, inferior riders, and he +conjectured why Mr. Wilmot hesitated; so he said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Here, Jim, lead the horse up to the block for the gentleman"; +then turning to the bystanders, said, as if apologizing +for Wilmot: "You know it is so thickly settled in New York +that they do not ride as much as we do, and probably the +young man has always been at school."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was satisfactory to the white portion of the audience, +but not to the group of blacks, who were assembled at the +corner of the house. They thought it a shame not to be a +good rider and when they saw the awkward manner in which +Mr. Wilmot finally mounted the horse and the ludicrous +face of Jim Crow as he sprang up behind him, they were, as +they afterward told Aunt Esther, "dreffully tickled and would +have larfed, sartin, if they hadn't knowed marster would have +slapped their jaws."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And sarved you right," was the rejoinder of Aunt Esther.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But to return to Mr. Edson. As soon as Mr. Wilmot, Jim +and Prince had disappeared, he felt a return of his fears concerning +the "confounded Abolitionist." Thought he, "What a +fool I was to let Prince and Jim Crow, too, go off with that +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page005">[pg 005]</span><a name="Pg005" id="Pg005" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ar' chap! Thar's Prince, worth a hundred and fifty, and +Jim, at the least calculation, 'll fetch eight hundred. Well, +anyway, they can't get far on that dirt road, so if Jim isn't +home by nine, I'll go after 'em, that's so." Having settled +the matter thus satisfactorily in his own mind, he called for +his horse and started for home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime Mr. Wilmot was slowly wending his way toward +Mr. Middleton's. It took but a short time for him to ascertain +that the road was fully equal to the description given of it by +Mr. Edson. At times he could scarcely keep his head, and +he felt conscious, too, that the black machine behind him was +inwardly convulsed with laughter at his awkward attempts to +guide the horse in the best part of the road. At length he +ventured a remark:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Jim, is this animal ugly?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ugly! Lor' bless you, marster, is you blind? As handsome +a creetur as thar is in the country!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot understood that he had used the word ugly in +its wrong sense, so he said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not mean to ask if the horse is ill-looking, but is he +skittish?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"If marster means by that will he throw him off, I don't +think he will as long as I'm on him, but sometimes he is a +leetle contrary like. Reckon marster ain't much used to +ridin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time they had reached the gate spoken of by Mr. +Edson. To Mr. Wilmot's great surprise the horse walked tip +to it and tried to open it with his mouth! Mr. Wilmot was so +much amused that he would not suffer Jim to get down and +open the gate, as he wished to see if the horse could do it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, marster, he'll do it easy," said the negro; and sure +enough, in a moment the well-trained animal lifted the latch +and pushed open the gate! But it was a rickety old thing, +and before Prince had got fairly through it tumbled down, +hitting his heels and causing him to jump sideways, so as to +leave Mr. Wilmot riding the gate and Jim Crow in quiet possession +of the saddle! With a great effort Jim forced down +his desire to scream and merely showed twenty-eight very +large, white teeth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Springing from the horse he offered to assist Mr. Wilmot +to mount again, but he had no inclination to do so. He preferred +walking the rest of the way, he said, and as he could +now easily find the house, Jim could return home. This was not +what Jim wanted. He had anticipated a nice time in relating +his adventures to Mr. Middleton's negroes, but as Mr. Wilmot +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page006">[pg 006]</span><a name="Pg006" id="Pg006" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +slipped a quarter into his hand, he felt consoled for the +loss of his "yarn"; so mounting Prince again, he gave his +old palm leaf three flourishes round his head, and with a loud +whoop, started the horse with a tremendous speed down the +road and was soon out of sight, leaving Mr. Wilmot to find his +way alone through the wood. This he found no difficulty in +doing, for he soon came in sight of a house, which he readily +took for Mr. Middleton's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a large, old-fashioned stone building, with one chimney +fallen down, as Mr. Edson had said, and its companion +looked likely to follow suit at the first high wind. The windows +of the upper story were two-thirds of them destitute of +glass, but its place was supplied by shingles, which kept the +cold out if they did not let the light in. Scattered about the +yard, which was very large, were corn cribs, hay racks, pig +troughs, carts, wagons, old plows, horses, mules, cows, hens, +chickens, turkeys, geese, negroes, and dogs, the latter of +which rushed ferociously at Mr. Wilmot, who was about to +beat a retreat from so uninviting quarters, when one of the +negroes called out, "Ho, marster, don't be feared, 'case I'll +hold Tiger." So Wilmot advanced with some misgivings toward +the negro and dog.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He asked the negro if his master were at home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar, marster's done gone away, but Miss Nancy, she's +at home. Jist walk right in thar, whar you see the pile of +saddles in the entry."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, Mr. Wilmot "walked in where the pile of +saddles were," and knocked at a side door. It was opened by +a very handsome young girl, who politely asked the stranger +to enter. He did so and found within a mild-looking, middle-aged +lady, whose dark eyes and hair showed her at once to be +the mother of the young lady who had opened the door for +him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton, for she it was, arose, and offering her hand +to the stranger, asked him to be seated in the large stuffed +chair which stood before the cheerful blazing fire. In a few +moments he had introduced himself, told his business and inquired +for Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My husband is absent," said Mrs. Middleton, "but he will +be at home tonight and we shall be glad to have you remain +with us till tomorrow at least, and as much longer as you like, +for I think Mr. Middleton will be glad to assist you in getting +a school."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot accepted the invitation and then looked round +the room to see if the interior of the house corresponded with +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page007">[pg 007]</span><a name="Pg007" id="Pg007" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the exterior, It did not, for the room, though large, was very +comfortable. The floor was covered with a bright-colored +home-made carpet. In one corner stood a bed, the counterpane +of which was as white as snow, and the curtains of the +windows were of the same hue. In another corner was a +small bookcase, well filled with books and on a stand near a +window were several house plants.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He concluded that the books and the plants were the property +of the young lady, whom Mrs. Middleton introduced to +him as her eldest daughter Julia. She was an intelligent-looking +girl, and Mr. Wilmot instantly felt interested in her, but +when he attempted to converse with her, she stole quietly out +of the room, leaving her mother to entertain the visitor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last supper was brought in by old Aunt Judy, who +courtesied so low to the "young marster," that she upset the +coffee pot, the contents of which fell upon a spaniel, which lay +before the fire. The outcries of the dog brought Miss Julia +from the kitchen, and this time she was accompanied by her +younger sister, Fanny, who together with Julia and Aunt +Judy, lamented over the wounded animal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I didn't go to do it, sartin, Miss July," said Aunt Judy, +"Lor' knows I didn't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who said you did, you black thing, you?" said Julia, who +in her grief for her favorite, and her anger at Aunt Judy, forgot +the stranger, and her bashfulness, too. "You were careless, +I know you were," she continued, "or you never could +have tipped the coffee over in this manner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never mind, sister," said Fanny, "never mind; of course, +Aunt Judy didn't mean to do it, for she likes Dido as well as +we do."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lor' bless Miss Fanny's sweet face, that I do like Dido," +said Aunt Judy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, that you do," repeated Julia mockingly, "just as +though you could like anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mrs. Middleton interposed and ordered Julia and +Fanny to take their seats at the table, while Judy cleared away +all traces of the disaster. Julia complied with an ill-grace, +muttering something about "the hateful negroes," while +Fanny obeyed readily, and laughingly made some remark to +Mr. Wilmot about their making so much ado over a dog, +"but," said she, "we are silly girls, and of course do silly +things. Probably we shall do better when we get old like you—no, +like mother, I mean."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here she stopped, blushing deeply at having called Mr. Wilmot +old, when in fact she thought him quite young, and very +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page008">[pg 008]</span><a name="Pg008" id="Pg008" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +handsome—in short, "just the thing." She thought to herself, +"There, I've done it now! Julia and I have both introduced +ourselves to him in a pretty light, but it's just like me—however, +I'll not say another word tonight!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The little incident of the coffee pot gave Mr. Wilmot something +of an insight into the character and disposition of the +two girls. And surely nothing could have been more unlike +than their personal appearance, as they sat side by side at the +supper table. Julia was about seventeen years of age and +was called very handsome, for there was something peculiarly +fascinating in the ever-varying expression of her large black +eyes. She was a brunette, but there was on her cheek so +rich and changeable a color that one forgot in looking at her, +whether she were dark or light. Her disposition was something +like her complexion—dark and variable. Her father +was a native of South Carolina, and from him she inherited a +quick, passionate temper. At times she was as gentle as a lamb, +but when anything occurred to trouble her, all her Southern +blood boiled up, and she was as Fanny said, "always ready to +fire up at a moment's warning." Mr. Middleton called her +"Tempest," while to Fanny he gave the pet name of "Sunshine," +and truly, compared with her sister, Fanny's presence +in the house was like a ray of sunshine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was two years younger than Julia and entirely different +from her, both in looks and disposition. Her face was +very pale and her bright golden hair fell in soft curls around +her neck and shoulders, giving her something the appearance +of a fairy. Her eyes were very large and very dark blue, and +ever mirrored forth the feelings of her soul.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the servants Julia was feared and dreaded; but Fanny was +a favorite with all. Not a man, woman or child on the +plantation but was ready to do anything for "darling Miss +Fanny." And they thought, too, every one must love her as +well as they did, for they said "she showed by her face +that she was an angel." This was the opinion of the blacks, +and it was also the partially formed opinion of Mr. Wilmot +before he finished his supper; and yet he could not help +thinking there was something wondrously attractive in the +glance of Julia's large, dark eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After supper he tried to engage the girls in conversation in +order to ascertain which had the better mind. He found +Fanny most ready to converse. She had forgotten her resolution +not to talk, and before the evening was half spent seemed +perfectly well acquainted with him. She had discovered that +his name was Richard, that he had a sister Kate, who called +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page009">[pg 009]</span><a name="Pg009" id="Pg009" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him Dick, that he was as yet possessor of his own heart, but +was in danger of losing it! The compliment Fanny very generously +gave to her sister Julia, because she observed that Mr. +Wilmot's eyes were often directed toward the corner where +the dark beauty sat, silent and immovable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia had taken but little part in the conversation and Mr. +Wilmot's efforts to "draw her out" had proved ineffectual. +She felt piqued that Fanny should engross so much attention +and resolved on revenge; so she determined to show Mr. Wilmot +that she could talk but not upon such silly subjects as +pleased Fanny. Accordingly, when books were mentioned, she +seemed suddenly aroused into life. She was really very intelligent +and a very good scholar. She had a great taste for +reading, and what books she could not prevail on her father +to buy, she would borrow, so she had a tolerably good knowledge +of all the standard works. Mr. Wilmot was surprised +and pleased to find her so well informed and in the spirited +conversation which followed poor Fanny was cast entirely +into the background.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny, however, attributed it to her sister's superior knowledge +of Latin, and inwardly "thanked her stars" that she knew +nothing of that language further than the verb Amo, to love. +The practical part of that verb she understood, even if she +did not its conjugation. She sat quietly listening to Mr. Wilmot +and her sister, but her cogitations were far different from +what Julia's had been.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was building castles—in all of which Mr. Wilmot +and Julia were the hero and heroine. She gazed admiringly +at her sister, whose face grew handsomer each moment as +she became more animated, and she thought, "What a nice-looking +couple Julia and Mr. Wilmot would make! And they +would be so happy, too—that is if sister didn't get angry, +and I am sure she wouldn't with Mr. Wilmot. Then they +would have a nicer house than this old shell, and perhaps they +would let me live with them!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here her reverie was interrupted by Mr. Wilmot, who asked +her if she ever studied Latin. Fanny hesitated; she did not +wish to confess that she had once studied it six months, but +at the end of that time she was so heartily tired of its "long-tailed +verbs," as she called them, that she had thrown her +grammar out of the window and afterward given it to Aunt +Judy to start the oven with!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This story was told, however, by Julia, with many embellishments, +for she delighted in making Fanny appear ridiculous. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page010">[pg 010]</span><a name="Pg010" id="Pg010" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +She was going on swimmingly when she received a +drawback from her mother, who said:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Julia, what do you want to talk so for? You know that +while Fanny studied Latin, Mr. Miller said she learned her +lessons more readily than you did and recited them better, and +he said, too, that she was quite as good a French scholar as +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia curled her lip scornfully and said, "she didn't know +what her mother knew about Fanny's scholarship." Meantime +Fanny was blushing deeply and thinking that she had appeared +to great disadvantage in Mr. Wilmot's eyes; but he +very kindly changed the conversation by asking who Mr. +Miller was, and was told that he was a young man from Albany, +New York, who taught in their neighborhood the winter +before.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The appearance of some nice red apples just then turned the +attention of the little company in another channel and before +they were aware of it the clock struck ten. Mr. Middleton +had not returned and as it was doubtful whether he came at +all that night, Julia went into the kitchen for Luce, to show +Mr. Wilmot to his room. She was gone some time, and when +she returned was accompanied by a bright-looking mulatto +girl, who, as soon as she had conducted Mr. Wilmot into his +room, commenced making excuses about "marster's old house! +Things was drefful all round it, but 'twasn't Miss Julia's fault, +for if she could have her way 'twould be fixed up, sartin. She +was a born'd lady, anybody could see; so different from Miss +Fanny, who cared nothing how things looked if she could go +into the kitchen and turn hoe cakes for Aunt Judy, or tend the +baby!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time Luce had arranged the room all it wanted arranging, +and as Mr. Wilmot had no further need of her services, +she left him to think of what she had said. He did not know +that the bright red ribbon, which appeared on Luce's neck +next morning, was the gift of Julia, who had bribed her to +say what she did to him. Julia knew that she had made a +favorable impression on Mr. Wilmot by making him think +meanly of Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">What Luce said had its effect upon him, too. He was accustomed +to the refinements of the North and he could not +help respecting a young lady more who showed a taste for +neatness. That night he dreamed that a bright pair of dark +eves were looking at him from each pane of shingle in the +window, and that a golden-haired fairy was dancing the Polka +in Aunt Judy's hoe cake batter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter2" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc4" id="toc4"></a><a name="pdf5" id="pdf5"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter II</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">getting up a subscription school</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page011">[pg 011]</span><a name="Pg011" id="Pg011" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Next morning before daybreak Mr. Wilmot was aroused +from a sound slumber by what he thought was the worst +noise he had ever heard. He instantly concluded that the +house was on fire, and springing up, endeavored to find his +clothes, but in the deep darkness of the room such a thing +was impossible; so he waited a while and tried to find out +what the noise could be.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last it assumed something of a definite form, and he +found it was the voice of a man calling out in thunder-like +tones, "Ho, Jebediah! Come out with ye! Do you hear? +Are you coming?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed a long catalogue of names, such as Sam, Joe, +Jack, Jim, Ike, Jerry, Nehemiah, Ezariah, Judy, Tilda, Martha, +Rachel, Luce and Phema, and at the end of each name was the +same list of questions which had preceded that of Jebediah; +and ever from the negro quarters came the same response, +"Yes, marster, comin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time all the hens, geese, turkeys and dogs were +wide awake and joining their voices in the chorus, made the +night, or rather the morning, hideous with their outcries. At +last the noise subsided. Silence settled around the house and +Wilmot tried to compose himself to sleep. When he again +awoke the sun was shining brightly into his room. He arose +and dressed himself, but felt in no hurry to see "his host," +who had come home, he was sure, and had given such tremendous +demonstrations of the strength of his lungs.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot finally descended to the sitting room, where the +first object which presented itself was a man who was certainly +six and a half feet high, and large in proportion. His +face was dark and its natural color was increased by a beard +of at least four weeks' growth! He had on his head an old +slouched hat, from under which a few gray locks were visible. +As soon as Wilmot appeared, the uncouth figure advanced toward +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page012">[pg 012]</span><a name="Pg012" id="Pg012" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him, and seizing his hand, gave a grip, which, if continued +long, would certainly have crushed every bone! He +began with—</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, so you are Mr. Wilmot from New York, hey? Of +course a red-hot Abolitionist, but I don't care for that if you'll +only keep your ideas to yourself and not try to preach your +notions to me. I've heard of you before."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Heard of me, sir?" said Mr. Wilmot in surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, of you; and why not? Thar's many a man, not as +good as you, judging by your looks, has had a hearing in his +day; but, however, I haint heard of you by the papers. As I +was coming home last night I got along to old man Edson's, +and I seen him swarin' and tarin' round so says I, 'Ho, old +man, what's the row?' 'Oh,' says he, 'that you, Middleton? +Nuff's the row. I've done let my best horse and nigger go off +with a man from the free States, who said he's going to your +house, and here 'tis after nine and Jim not at home yet. Of +course they've put out for the river.' 'Now,' says I, 'don't be a +fool, Edson; if that ar chap said he's goin' to my house, he's +goin' thar, I'll bet all my land and niggers he's honest. Likely +Jim's stopped somewhar. You come along with me and we'll +find him.' So we jogged along on the pike till of a sudden +we met Prince coming home all alone! This looked dark, but +I told Edson to say nothin' and keep on; so we came to +Woodburn's fine house, and thar in the cabins we seen a +bright light, and heard the niggers larfin like five hundred, and +thought we could distinguish Jim Crow's voice; so we crept +slyly up to the window and looked in and, sure enough, there +was Jim, telling a great yarn about the way you rode and +how you got flung onto the gate. It seems he didn't half +hitch Prince, who got oneasy like, and started for home. +Edson hollered to Jim, who came out and told how he didn't +go clear here with you, cause you said you could find the +way, and he might go back. Then old man Edson turned right +round and said you were a likely man, and he hoped I'd do all +I could for you. So that's the way I heard of you; and now +welcome to old Kentuck, and welcome to my house, such as it +is. It's mighty mean, though, as 'Tempest' says."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he turned to Julia, who had just entered the room. +Then he went on: "Yes, Tempest raves and tars about the +house and can hardly wait till I'm dead before she spends my +money in fool fixin's. Devil of a cent she'll get though if +she rides as high a horse as she generally does! I'll give it +all to 'Sunshine'; yes, I will. She's more gentle-like and +comes coaxin' round me, and puttin' her soft arms round my +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page013">[pg 013]</span><a name="Pg013" id="Pg013" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +old shaggy neck says, 'Please, pa, if I'll learn to make a nice +pudding or pie of Aunt Judy, will you buy us a new looking-glass +or rocking chair?' And then 'tisn't in my natur to refuse. +Oh, yes; Sunshine is a darling," said he, laying his +hand caressingly on Fanny's head, who just at that moment +showed her sunny face in the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During breakfast Mr. Middleton inquired more particularly +into Mr. Wilmot's plans and wishes, and told him there +was no doubt that he could obtain a good school in that immediate +neighborhood. "Your best way," said he, "will be to +write a subscription paper. The people then see what for a +fist you write, and half the folks in Kentuck will judge you +by that. In the paper you must tell what you know and what +you ask to tell it to others. I'll head the list with my two gals +and give you a horse to go round with, and I'll bet Tempest, +and Sunshine, too, that you'll get a full school afore night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the last part of this speech Julia curled her lips and tried +to look indignant, while Fanny laughingly said, "Pa, what +makes you always bet sister and me, just as though you could +sell us like horses? It's bad enough to bet and sell the blacks, +I think."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ho, ho! So you've got some free State notions already, +have you?" said Mr. Middleton. "Well, honey, you're more'n +half right, I reckon." So saying, he for the fourth time +passed up his coffee cup.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Breakfast being over, he took his young friend to the stable +and bade him select for his own use any horse he chose. Mr. +Wilmot declined, saying he was not much accustomed to +horses; he preferred that Mr. Middleton should choose any +horse he pleased.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very well," said Mr. Middleton; "from the accounts I +have heard of your horsemanship it may be improved; so I +reckon I'll not give you a very skeary horse to begin with. +Thar's Aleck'll just suit you. He'll not throw you on the gate, +for he doesn't trot as fast as a black ant can walk!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly Aleck was saddled and bridled and Mr. Wilmot +was soon mounted and, with his subscription paper in his +pocket, was riding off after subscribers. He was very successful; +and when at night he turned his face homeward, he +had the names of fifteen scholars and the partial promise of +five more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, my boy, what luck?" said Mr. Middleton, as Wilmot +entered the sitting room that evening.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very good success," returned Mr. Wilmot; "I am sure of +fifteen scholars and have a promise for five more."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page014">[pg 014]</span><a name="Pg014" id="Pg014" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Yes, pretty good," said Mr. Middleton; "fifteen sartin, and +five unsartin. Who are the unsartin ones?—old Thornton's?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot replied that he believed it was a Mr. Thornton +who had hesitated about signing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He'll sign," said Mr. Middleton. "I's thar after you was, +and he told me you might put down five for him. I pay for +two on 'em. He lives on my premises; and if he doesn't pay +up for t'other three, why, he'll jog, that's all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot said he hoped no one would send to school +against their wishes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord, no," rejoined Mr. Middleton; "old Thornton wants +to send bad enough, only he's stingy like. Let me see your +paper, boy."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot handed him the paper, and he went on: "Thar's +ten scholars at eight dollars—that makes eighty; then thar's five +at eleven dollars, and fifty-five and eighty makes a hundred +and thirty-five; then thar's five more at fifteen dollars; five +times fifteen; five times five is twenty-five—seventy-five dollars;—seventy-five +and a hundred and thirty-five;—five and +five is ten, one to seven is eight, eight and three is eleven—two +hundred and ten dollars! Why, quite a heap! Of +course you've got clothes enough to last a spell, so you can +put two hundred out at interest. I'll take it and give you +ten per cent."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot smiled at seeing his money so carefully disposed +of before it was earned, but he merely said, "There's +my board to be deducted."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Your what?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My board, sir. I have no other means of paying it. I find +I can get boarded for a dollar and a half a week."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The deuce you can," said Mr. Middleton. "Who'll board +you for that?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot gave the name of the gentleman, to which +Mr. Middleton replied, "I want to know if he will board you +so very cheap!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes. Do you think I should pay more?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pay more!" replied Middleton. "Don't be a fool! Why, +here's this infernal old shell of a house wants filling up, and +thar's heaps of horses and niggers lounging round with +nothing to do; then I've plenty of potatoes, bacon and corn +meal—and such fare as we have you're welcome to, without a +dollar and a half, or even a cent and a half."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot remonstrated at receiving so much at Mr. Middleton's +hands, but that good man put an end to all further +argument by saying, "Do let me act as I like. You see, I've +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page015">[pg 015]</span><a name="Pg015" id="Pg015" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +taken a liking to you, and because I see you trying to help +yourself, I am willing to try and help you. They say, or +Tempest says they say, I'm a rough old bear, and maybe I +am; but I'm not all bad; it's a streak o' fat and a streak o' +lean; and if I want to do you a kindness, pray let me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So it was settled that Mr. Wilmot should remain in Mr. +Middleton's family during the winter. To Julia this arrangement +gave secret satisfaction. She had from the first liked Mr. +Wilmot, and the idea of having him near her all the time was +perfectly delightful. She resolved to gain his good opinion, +cost what it would. To do this, she knew she must appear to +be amiable, and that she determined to do—before him at +least. She had also seen enough of him to know that he set +a great value upon talent, and she resolved to surprise him +with her superior scholarship and ability to learn. She, however, +felt some misgivings lest Fanny should rival her in his +esteem; but she hoped by negro bribery and various little +artifices to deter him from thinking too highly of her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The following Monday, Mr. Wilmot repaired to his schoolroom, +where he found assembled all his pupils. It was comparatively +easy to arrange them into classes and ere the close +of the day the school was pretty generally organized. Weeks +passed on and each day the "Yankee schoolmaster" gained in +the love of his scholars, and one of them, at least, gained in +the affections of the teacher. Julia had adhered to her resolution +of appearing amiable and of surprising Mr. Wilmot with +her wonderful powers of learning. This last she did to perfection. +No lesson was so long but it was readily learned and +its substance admirably told in words of her own. She preferred +reciting alone and she so far outstripped the others in +the length of her lessons, it seemed necessary that she should +do so. Mr. Wilmot often wondered at her marvelous capacity +for learning so much in so short a space of time, for she +never took home her books at night, and she said she had +plenty of time for her lessons during school hours.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With Fanny it was just the reverse. She got her lessons at +home and played all day at school! Sometimes a reprimand +from Mr. Wilmot would bring the tears into her eyes and +she would wonder why it was she could not behave and make +Mr. Wilmot like her as well as he did Julia. Then she would +resolve not to make any more faces at that booby, Bill Jeffrey, +for the girls to laugh at, nor to draw any more pictures on +her slate of the Dame Sobriety, as she called Julia, and lastly, +not to pin any more chalk rags on the boys' coats. But she +was a dear lover of fun and her resolutions were soon for +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page016">[pg 016]</span><a name="Pg016" id="Pg016" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +gotten. +Her lessons, however, were generally well-learned, +and well recited; but she could not compete with Julia, neither +did she wish to. She often wondered how her sister could +learn so long lessons, and, secretly, she had her own suspicions +on the subject, but chose to keep them to herself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime the winter was passing rapidly and, to Mr. Wilmot, +very agreeably away. He liked his boarding place much +and one of its inmates had almost, without his knowledge, +wound herself strongly around his heart. For a time he +struggled against it, for his first acquaintance with Julia had +not left a very favorable impression on his mind. But since +that night she had been perfectly pleasant before him and had +given out but one demonstration of her passionate temper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was one evening at the supper table. Zuba, a mulatto +girl, brought in some preserves and, in passing them, very +carelessly spilled them upon Julia's new blue merino. In +the anger of the moment Mr. Wilmot and his good opinion +were forgotten. Springing up, she gave the girl a blow which +sent her half across the room and caused her to drop the dish, +which was broken in twenty pieces. At the same time she exclaimed +in a loud, angry tone, "Devil take you, Zube!" The +loss of the dish elicited a series of oaths from Mr. Middleton, +who called his daughter such names as "lucifer match," +"volcano," "powder mill," and so forth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For her father's swearing Julia cared nothing, but it was +the sorrowful, disappointed expression of Mr. Wilmot's face +which cooled her down. Particularly did she wish to recall +what she had done when she saw that Fanny also had received +some of the preserves on her merino; but instead of raging +like a fury, she arose and quietly wiped it off, and then burst +into a loud laugh, which she afterward told her mother was +occasioned by the mournful look which Mr. Wilmot's face assumed +when he saw that Julia's temper was not dead, but +merely covered up with ashes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From this remark of Fanny's the reader will understand +that she was well aware of the part her sister was playing. +And she was perfectly satisfied that it should be so, for by +this means she occasionally got a pleasant word from Julia. +She, however, often wished that Mr. Wilmot could be constantly +with her sister, for his presence in the house did not +prevent her from expending her wrath upon both Fanny and +the blacks.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For some days after the affair of the preserves, Mr. Wilmot +was somewhat cool in his manner toward Julia, who had +discernment enough to attribute the change to the right cause. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page017">[pg 017]</span><a name="Pg017" id="Pg017" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Earnestly did she desire to win back his esteem, and she accordingly +cast about for some method by which she could undo +what she had done. She could think of no way except to acknowledge +her error to Mr. Wilmot and promise to do better +in the future. So one evening when her father, mother and +Fanny were absent, and she was alone with him, she adroitly +led the conversation to the circumstance of her spoiled merino. +She acknowledged that it was very unamiable and unladylike +to manifest such passionate feelings, said she knew she had +a quick temper, but she tried hard to govern it; and if Mr. +Wilmot would, as her teacher and friend, aid her by his advice +and influence, she was sure she would in time succeed. +So nicely did she manage each part of her confession that +Mr. Wilmot was thoroughly deceived. He believed her perfectly +sincere, and greatly admired what he thought to be her +frank, confiding disposition.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time she was dearer to him than ever and Julia, +again sure of his esteem, placed a double guard upon her +temper, and in his presence was the very "pink" of amiability! +Affairs were gliding smoothly on, when the family received a +visit from a gentleman, whom Julia would rather not have +seen. This was Mr. Miller, whom we have mentioned as +having taught in that neighborhood the winter before. Mr. +Wilmot found him in the sitting room one night, on his return +from school. When the young men were introduced they +regarded each other a moment in silence, then their hands +were cordially extended, and the words, "Richard Wilmot," +"Joseph Miller," were simultaneously uttered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It seems that, years before, they had been roommates and +warmly attached friends in the Academy of Canandaigua, +New York, and now, after the lapse of ten years, they met +for the first time far off in Kentucky. A long conversation +followed, relative to what had occurred to each since the +bright June morning when they parted with so much regret +in the old academic halls of Canandaigua.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length Mr. Miller said: "Richard, what has become of +that sister of yours, of whose marvelous beauty you used to +tell us boys such big stories?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My sister Kate," said Mr. Wilmot, "is at present at +school in New Haven."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And is she still as beautiful as you used to try to make us +think she was?" asked Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will show you her likeness," returned Wilmot, "and you +can judge for yourself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he drew from his pocket a richly cased daguerreotype, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page018">[pg 018]</span><a name="Pg018" id="Pg018" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and handed it to Mr. Miller. It was a face of uncommon +beauty which met Mr. Miller's eye, and he gazed +enraptured on the surpassing 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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How absurd," said Julia hastily; "just as though one cannot +be handsome and good too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I didn't say they couldn't, sister," said Fanny; "but I +thought—yes, I'm sure she looks a little selfish!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Upon my word you're very polite," said Julia. "Mr. Wilmot +will doubtless feel complimented by what you say of his +sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And how much more does she know?" said Mr. Miller, +who was always interested in whatever Fanny said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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 +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page019">[pg 019]</span><a name="Pg019" id="Pg019" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +but half-learned, but consoles himself, I suppose, with Julia's +great long yarns."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And are Julia's lessons so very long?" asked Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," replied Fanny. "It is the wonder of all the girls +how she manages to commit so much to memory in so short +a time, for she never brings home her books and she spends +two-thirds of her time, during school hours, in writing something +on a sheet of foolscap. We girls have our own suspicions +about that paper, for when her lesson is very hard +we notice that she is unusually confined to her notes."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Julia angrily exclaimed, "Fanny, what do you mean? +Do you intend to insinuate that I write my lesson down and +then read it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fire and fury," said Mr. Middleton, who had been an attentive +listener, "what's all this about? Tempest, do you +write down your task? Good reason why you don't bring home +your books. Speak, girl, quick—are you guilty of such meanness?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia burst into tears, and said: "No, father, I am not; and +I think it too bad that I should be suspected of such a thing, +when I am trying to do as well as I can."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think so too," said Mr. Wilmot, whose sympathies were +all with Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller thought otherwise, but he said nothing. Julia +had never been a favorite with him. He understood her character +perfectly well and he felt grieved that his friend should +be so deceived in her. Perhaps Julia read something of what +was passing in his mind; for she felt very uneasy for fear he +might tell Mr. Wilmot something unfavorable of her. Nor +was she mistaken in her conjectures, for after the young men +had retired for the night, their conversation naturally enough +turned upon the family and the two girls, both of whom Mr. +Wilmot spoke of in the highest terms. Mr. Miller agreed +with him as long as his remarks were confined to Fanny, but +when he came to speak of Julia, and of her superior beauty, +intellect and agreeable manners, he ventured to disagree with +him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Said he, "As to Julia's beauty, there can be but one opinion, +for she is very handsome; but the interior of the casket does +not correspond with the exterior; she is as false as fair. Then, +as to her intellect, I never thought it greatly superior to +Fanny's. To be sure, she has a way of showing off all she +does know, while Fanny is more retiring."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Wilmot spoke of the faculty she possessed for +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page020">[pg 020]</span><a name="Pg020" id="Pg020" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +learning so long lessons. "Even your favorite Fanny," said +he, "admitted that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"True," returned Mr. Miller, "but have you forgotten the +notes? Do you not think there may be something in that?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is it possible," said Mr. Wilmot, rather warmly, "is it possible +you think the high-souled Julia capable of such meanness? +You do not know her as well as I do, if you think she +would stoop to such deception. You shall go to school with +me tomorrow, and then you can see for yourself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I will do so," said Mr. Miller, and then as he saw Mr. +Wilmot seemed somewhat excited, he changed the conversation, +which had been heard by other ears. Adjoining the +room of Mr. Wilmot was a long dark closet, the door of +which opened into the apartment of Julia and Fanny. This +closet was used for a kind of lumber room, in which were +stored promiscuously old barrels, trunks, hats, boots and so +forth. It originally had a window, but the glass had long +been broken and its place supplied by a large board, which +failed to keep out the wind and rain, so that during the winter +season the closet was a cold, cheerless place.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But on the night of which we were speaking, it contained +a novel piece of lumber. Crouched behind an old barrel sat +Julia, listening eagerly to the conversation between her teacher +and Mr. Miller. When it ceased she arose from her dark hiding +place and muttered to herself: "So you'll see, will you? +You old torment! I wish the Old Scratch had got you before +you ever came here. If I dared to I'd—but no, I +wouldn't do that, bad as I am. However, I'll cheat you +for once, you hateful limb! But what shall I do?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She indeed was in a dilemma; but she had often boasted +that she never yet was in so straitened a spot that she could +not devise some means of extricating herself, and she relied +on the Master she served to aid her in this difficulty. She +never brought her books home and as the reader will ere this +have surmised, she was in the daily habit of writing a +sketch of her lesson on foolscap, and then reading it off. When +school first commenced she had asked the privilege of sitting +in her seat while reciting and by this means she could hold +the paper under her desk and thus avoid Mr. Wilmot's suspicion. +Her lessons for the next day were unusually long and +hard, and as Mr. Miller would be present, she dared not resort +to her usual artifice, particularly after what had been +said about her "notes." She knew she never could learn all +that long lesson in school hours, neither would she fail of +having it for anything. What could she do? For some time +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page021">[pg 021]</span><a name="Pg021" id="Pg021" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +she sat by the dying embers, with her dark face buried in her +hands, revolving in her mind the best scheme by which to +outwit Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last she rose up and a malicious smile of exultation passed +over her features. She looked at the clock and saw it was +already half-past ten, and then stealing softly to the bedside +where Fanny lay quietly sleeping, she bent down and assured +herself that her sister really was unconscious of her +movements. She then hastily threw on her overshoes, cloak +and hood and stealing noiselessly down the stairs, was soon in +the open air alone in the darkness of the night. Just as she +shut the door of the house, the watch dog, Tiger, came bounding +furiously toward her with an angry growl. She silenced +the fierce animal by saying, "Down, Tiger—poor Tige—don't +you know me?" After quieting the dog, she proceeded +on her strange errand, which was to obtain her books +from the schoolhouse, which was more than half a mile distant.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The mud, which was very deep, was not more than half +frozen, and at each step she sank into a mixture of mud, +snow and ice. Still she kept fearlessly on, till at last she +found herself in the midst of the thick woods. Here her +courage somewhat failed her, for she called to mind all the +stories she had ever heard of runaways, who were said to +walk abroad at this dark hour of the night. Once she thought +she saw the giant form of a negro standing in her path, but it +proved to be a black stump, and she was about laughing at +her fears, when her ear detected the sound of a light, rapid +tread coming toward her. Almost paralyzed with terror, she +stood perfectly still and listened for the sound to be repeated, +but all was silent, and again she went on her way, +and soon reached the school house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But here a new difficulty presented itself. The house was +locked and the key was in Mr. Wilmot's pocket; but the old +adage, "where there's a will, there's a way," came into her +mind, so she felt around on the half frozen ground till she +found a long rail, which she placed against a window; then +climbing up, she raised the sash, and in a moment was in the +schoolroom. The atmosphere of the room was still comfortable +and she stopped for a moment at the stove to warm her +benumbed fingers, then groping her way to her desk, she easily +found her books and made her way out of the house in the +same manner that she had entered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just as she reached the ground a large, dark object sprang +toward her and two glittering eyes looked up into her face. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page022">[pg 022]</span><a name="Pg022" id="Pg022" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +She uttered a loud shriek and was answered by a low whine, +which she instantly recognized as belonging to Tiger. "Why, +Tiger," she exclaimed, "how you frightened me! What did +you follow me for?" It seems Tiger had thought there must +be something wrong, or his mistress would not be out at this +unreasonable hour, so he had followed on after her. She was +noways displeased at this, for she liked not the idea of again +going alone through the wood, but with Tiger for a companion +she went fearlessly on and reached home just an hour after +she had left it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On entering her room she struck a light and then tried to +warm her chilled limbs over a few faint coals which still +glimmered on the hearth; but there was no wood in the room +and she dared not go for any, so she sat down with her cloak +still around her, and for four long hours studied as she had +never done before in all her life. At the end of that time her +lessons were very nearly learned, and sick with cold and +fatigue, she threw aside her books and prepared for bed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Her movements awoke Fanny, who, on seeing her sister up +at that late hour of the night, started with surprise, and exclaimed, +"What is it, Julia? What is the matter?" Julia immediately +extinguished the light, lest her sister should discover +the books and then said, "Nothing, Fanny, nothing; only I +have the toothache, and I got up for the camphor, but I cannot +find the bottle anywhere."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The camphor is downstairs," said Fanny, "but I will go +for it if you wish me to. Does your tooth ache very much?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, rather," said Julia, and her kind-hearted sister arose +and found her way in the dark downstairs to her mother's +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What in thunder's come now?" called out Mr. Middleton. +"'Pears like somebody's been tousing round the house all +night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's only I, father," said Fanny. "Julia has the toothache, +and I am after the camphor bottle."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, it's you, Sunshine, is it? The camphire's on the +mantletry. Be keerful and not break it, honey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Fanny was after the camphor, Julia arose, and seizing +her books, threw them hastily into her bureau drawer. +She then sprang back into bed and when Fanny came in she +was making a very appropriate moaning on account of her +aching tooth!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How cold you are, sister," said Fanny; "let me warm my +shawl and put it around you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page023">[pg 023]</span><a name="Pg023" id="Pg023" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"You can't warm it, for their is neither fire nor wood," said +Julia; "and besides, my tooth is much better now."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Fanny lay down by her sister, and the two, purity and +guilt, were soon fast asleep, side by side, and the angel of innocence +spread his broad wing protectingly over the yellow +locks of the one, while a serpent lay coiled in the dark tresses +of the other.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter3" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc6" id="toc6"></a><a name="pdf7" id="pdf7"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter III</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">resulting in a betrothal and a tempest</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page024">[pg 024]</span><a name="Pg024" id="Pg024" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>At the breakfast table next morning Julia's pale face was +noticed and commented upon.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She had a violent toothache last night, which kept her +awake," said Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now I think of it," said Mr. Middleton, "I wonder, Tempest, +how you can have the toothache, for you are always +bragging about your handsome, healthy teeth, and say you +hain't a rotten fang in your head."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia colored, for what her father said was true, neither +did she remember of ever having had the toothache in her life; +but quickly recovering herself, she said, "Neither have I a decayed +tooth. It was more of a faceache, I suppose, than the +genuine toothache."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Probably you have taken some cold," said Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think quite likely I have," retorted Julia, and so the +toothache matter was dismissed for the time. Mr. Miller, +however, thought he could see in it a plan of Julia's to avoid +going to school that day and when he heard Mrs. Middleton +say, "Julia, as it is so cold and chilly, perhaps you had +better not go out," he was rather surprised to hear her reply, +"Oh, no, mother; Mr. Miller is going with us and I would +not miss of being there for anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the party proceeded together to the schoolhouse. When +school commenced Julia took her books and going up to Mr. +Wilmot, said, loudly enough for Mr. Miller to hear: "Mr. +Wilmot, do you know that you gave me a very hard lesson for +today?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, Julia," said he, "I know it is hard and long, and as +you do not seem well, I will excuse you from as much of it as +you choose, or from the whole of it, if you like."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, no," said Julia; "Mr. Miller is here and I would like +to show him that I have improved since last winter, when, as +I fear, I was often sadly remiss in my studies. All I want to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page025">[pg 025]</span><a name="Pg025" id="Pg025" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +tell you is that if I do not recite as well as usual, you mustn't +scold me a bit; will you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, certainly not," said Mr. Wilmot, and then he added in +a tone so low that no one heard but Julia, "I could not scold +you, dear Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus flattered, the young lady took her seat and for a time +seemed very intensely occupied with her lessons. At last she +opened her portfolio and, taking from it a sheet of foolscap, +cast an exulting glance toward Fanny and Mr. Miller, the +latter of whom was watching her movements. She then took +her gold pencil and commenced scribbling something on the +paper. By the time her lesson was called she laid the paper +on the desk, and prepared to do honor to herself and teacher. +The moving of the paper attracted Mr. Wilmot's notice, and +going toward her, he very gently said, "I presume you have +no objection to letting me see what you have written here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She at first put out her hand as if to prevent him from +taking it, but at last she suffered him to do so, but tried to look +interestingly confused. Mr. Wilmot read what was written +and then smiling passed it to his friend, who looked at it and +saw that it was a piece of tolerably good blank verse.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is this your composition, Julia?" said Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," she replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And have your 'notes' always been of this nature?" asked +Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That, or something similar," said Julia. "I find no difficulty +in learning my lesson by once reading, and as I am very +fond of poetry, I like to employ the rest of my time in trying +my powers at it!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot looked at Mr. Miller, as much as to say, "I +hope you are satisfied," and then proceeded to hear Julia's +lesson, which was well-learned and well-recited. Julia's recitation +being over, Fanny's class was called. Fanny came +hesitatingly, for she knew her lesson was but poorly learned. +That morning she had found under her desk a love letter +from Bill Jeffrey, and she and some of the other girls had +spent so much time in laughing over it, and preparing an answer, +that she had scarcely thought of her lesson. She got +through with it, however, as well as she could, and was returning +to her seat when Mr. Miller called her to him and +said reprovingly, "Fanny, why did you not have a better +lesson?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Mr. Miller," she said, almost crying, "I did intend to, +but I forgot all about your being here"; and then, as a new +thought struck her, she said mischievously, "and besides I +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page026">[pg 026]</span><a name="Pg026" id="Pg026" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have spent all the morning writing an answer to Bill Jeffrey's +love letter!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this unlooked-for speech, all the scholars burst into a +laugh and directed their eyes toward the crestfallen Bill, who +seemed so painfully embarrassed that Fanny regretted what +she had said, and as soon as school was out for the morning +she went to him and told him she was sorry for so thoughtlessly +exposing him to ridicule; "but," added she, "Billy, I'll +tell you what, you mustn't write me any more love letters, for +'tis not right to do such things at school; neither need you +bring me any more candy or raisins. I don't object to your +giving me a nice big apple occasionally, but candy and raisins +you had better give to the little children. And now to prove +that I am really your friend, if you will get that old dogeared +arithmetic of yours, I will show you how to do some +of those hard sums which trouble you so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Billy was surprised. The butt of the school, he was accustomed +to the jeers of his companions, but such kindness, +and from Fanny, too, was unexpected. He, however, drew +from his desk his old slate and arithmetic and he and Fanny +were soon deep in the mysteries of compound fractions. A +half hour passed away and at the end of that time Billy's +sums were done.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now, Billy," said Fanny, "see that you do not send me +any more letters, and mind, too, and not wink at me so often; +you will remember?" Bill gave the required promise and +Fanny bounded away in quest of her schoolmates, who laughed +at her for taking so much pains with such a dolt as Bill Jeffrey. +That afternoon Fanny resolved to retrieve her character +as a scholar; so she applied herself closely to her task, +and before recitation hour arrived she had learned every word +of her lesson. But alas for poor Fanny. She was always +stumbling into some new difficulty, and fate, this afternoon, +seemed resolved to play a sorry trick upon her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The schoolhouse stood at the foot of a long, steep hill, +which would have been chosen for a capital sliding place by +New York boys; but in Kentucky the winters are, comparatively +speaking, so mild that the boys know but little of that +rare fun, "sliding down hill." The winter of which we are +speaking was, however, unusually severe, and the schoolboys +had persevered until they had succeeded in making a tolerably +nice sliding place, and they had also furnished themselves +with a goodly number of rather rough-looking sleds, of +which Bill Jeffrey owned the largest. The girls were all +anxious to try a ride down the hill, and none more so than +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page027">[pg 027]</span><a name="Pg027" id="Pg027" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Fanny; but the boys would not lend their sleds, and the girls +would not ride with the boys, and as the latter always hid their +precious sleighs, the girls had as yet never succeeded in their +wishes. But on this day, Bill Jeffrey, touched by Fanny's unlooked-for +kindness, whispered to her, just as school was commencing, +that she might take his big sled at recess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was a treat indeed, and when recess came, Fanny, with +half a dozen other girls, climbed to the top of the hill, and +began piling on to Bill's old sled. It was settled that Fanny +should guide the craft, and numerous were the cautions of +the girls that she should "mind and steer straight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, I'll do that," said Fanny; "but wouldn't it be +funny," added she, "if we should make a mistake and go +plump into the schoolhouse!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last all was ready, and the vehicle got under way. At +first it moved slowly, and the loud, merry laugh of the girls +rang out on the clear, cool air; but each moment it increased +in swiftness, and by the time it was half-way down the hill, +was moving at an astonishingly rapid rate. Fanny lost her +presence of mind and, with it, her ability to guide the sled, so +that they passed the point where they should have turned and +made directly for the schoolhouse door, which flew open, as +once did the gates for the famous John Gilpin. There was no +entryway to the building, but as the sled struck the door the +jolt threw off all the girls except Fanny, who manfully kept +her seat; and so made her grand entrance into the schoolroom, +stopping not till she reached the stove, and partially upsetting +it, to the great astonishment of the teacher, visitor, and boys, +the latter of whom set up a loud huzza. Poor Fanny! 'Twas +her first sled ride, and she felt sure it would be her last; but +she resolved to make the best of it, so she looked up from +under her curls and said very demurely, "Please, Mr. Wilmot, +may I stop at this station? I do not like being so near the +engine!" meaning the stove, whose proximity made her quarters +a little uncomfortable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot gave her permission to take her seat, which +she readily did, wondering why it was that she always managed +to do something which made her appear ridiculous, just +when she wanted to appear the best. Her mishap gave secret +pleasure to Julia, who delighted to have Fanny appear as +badly as possible, and she felt particularly pleased when she +saw that Fanny's strange ride had scattered all the ideas from +her head, for the afternoon's lessons were but little better recited +than the morning, and at its close Julia gave her a look +of malicious triumph, which Mr. Miller observing, said, as if +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page028">[pg 028]</span><a name="Pg028" id="Pg028" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +apologising for Fanny, that he was sure that she had every +word of her lesson before recess, but it was no wonder she +was somewhat disconcerted at the unexpected termination of +her ride. Fanny smiled gratefully upon him through her +tears, which she could not restrain; but her tears were like +April showers—they did not last long, and that night, at +the supper table, when Mr. Miller related her adventure to +her father, she joined as gayly as any one in the laugh which +followed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was much displeased to think that Fanny's "ridiculous +conduct," as she called it, should be told of and laughed at as if +it were something amusing. She was anxious, too, that Mr. +Miller should draw his visit to a close, but as he did not +seem inclined to do so, she resolved to make the most of it, +and give him a few new ideas. She knew that Fanny had +ever been his favorite and she very naturally supposed that the +reason of his preference was because he thought she possessed +a very lovely, amiable disposition. She determined to make +him think otherwise, and set herself at work to execute a plan, +which fully showed the heartless deception which almost always +characterized her actions.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fortune seemed to favor her, for after supper her father +and mother announced their intention of spending the evening +at one of the neighbors', and soon after they left Mr. Wilmot, +who had letters to write, retired to his room, together +with Mr. Miller. As soon as they were gone Julia repaired +to the negro quarters and, by dint of threats, flattery and +promises of reward, finally prevailed upon Luce to join with +her in her dark plot. They then went to Julia's sleeping room +and carefully opened the closet door, so that every word of +their conversation could be heard in the adjoining room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's voice was strangely like her sister's, and by means +of imitating her she hoped to deceive both Mr. Wilmot and +Mr. Miller, who were startled by a loud, angry voice, exclaiming, +"Come, you black imp, no more lies, you know +you've stolen it, so just confess, and tell me where it is."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young gentlemen looked at each other in surprise, for +the voice was like Fanny's, and yet it was so unnatural for her +to be in such a passion that they thought it impossible. Their +fears were, however, soon confirmed by Luce, who said, "Oh, +Miss Fanny, Lor' knows I never tached it. Now, sartin I +knows nothin' 'bout it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Hold your jaw, or I'll slap your mouth for you, you lying +thief!" said Julia (alias Fanny). "Of course you've got it, +for no one else has been in here; so tell where you hid it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page029">[pg 029]</span><a name="Pg029" id="Pg029" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Lordy massy! How can I tell, when I dun know nothin' +whar 'tis," said Luce.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There, take, that to brighten up your ideas," said Fanny, +and at the same time there was, the sound of a blow, which +was followed by an outcry from Luce, who exclaimed, "Oh—oh—oh—Miss +Fanny, don't go for to whip me, 'case I haint +nothin to tell; if I had I'd tell right off. I haint seed your +hankercher 'tall. Mebby you've done drapped it somewhar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then the door opened, and Julia, again speaking naturally, +was heard to say, "Why, Fanny, what are you doing +just as soon as mother is gone? Luce, what is the matter?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Miss Julia," replied Luce, "Miss Fanny done lost her +fine hankercher, and she say how I stole it, but I haint."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What makes you think Luce has got your handkerchief, +Fanny?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because I left it on the table, and 'tisn't there now; and +no one has been in the room except Luce," replied Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very likely you have put it in your drawer and forgotten +it; let me look," said Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was a moment's silence, and then Julia was heard to +exclaim, "There it is, just as I thought. Here it is, safe in +your box. I do wish, sister, you would not be quite so hasty, +but stop a little before you condemn others." So saying, the +party left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While this scene was taking place, Fanny was quietly seated +by the fire in the sitting room, getting her lesson for the next +day. At last her eye chanced to fall upon a purse which +Julia was knitting for her father and which she had promised +to finish that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I wonder," said Fanny to herself—"I wonder where Julia +is gone so long? She told father she would finish his purse +this evening, and he will scold so, if it is not done, that I believe +I'll knit on it till she returns."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suiting the action to the word, she caught up the purse, +and when Julia returned to the sitting room, she found her +sister busily engaged in knitting for her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Julia," said Fanny, "where have you been so long; +I though you were never coming back, so I have been knitting +on your purse, for I was afraid you would not get it done, +and then father would scold, you know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Julia looked into her sister's bright, innocent face and +thought of all her kindness, her conscience smote her for the +wrong she had done, but quickly hushing the faithful monitor, +she thought, "Never mind; it is natural for me to be bad. I +cannot help it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page030">[pg 030]</span><a name="Pg030" id="Pg030" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Meantime the gentlemen above were discussing the conversation +which they had overheard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is it possible," said Mr. Miller, "that I have been so deceived +in Fanny, and that, after all, she is as passionate as her +sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"As passionate as her sister," repeated Mr. Wilmot; "I +think we have good proof that she is much more so. I hope +you are now convinced that Fanny is not infallible, though I +will confess I am surprised and disappointed, for I thought +she was really of a very gentle nature."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller did not reply directly, but went on, as if speaking +to himself, "Oh, Fanny, Fanny, how has my idol fallen! +I never would have believed it, but for such convincing evidence."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He was indeed sorely disappointed. He had always thought +of Fanny as the embodiment of almost every female virtue, +and although she was so young, hope had often whispered to +him of a joyous future when she, whom her father designated +as "Sunshine," should also shed a halo of sunlight around another +fireside. But now the illusion was painfully dispelled, +for sooner would he have taken the Egyptian asp to his bosom +than chosen for a companion one whom he knew to possess a +hasty, violent temper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning he took leave of Mr. Middleton's family. +When it came Fanny's turn to bid him good-by, she noticed +the absence of his accustomed cordiality, and wondered much +what she had done to displease him. That night she wept herself +to sleep thinking of it, while Julia, secretly exulting in +her sister's uneasiness, laughed at her for her foolishness, and +said, "It was probably a mere fancy, and even if it were not; +what matter was it? What did she care for Mr. Miller's +good or bad opinion? She mustn't expect everybody to pet +and caress her just as her father did, who was an old fool +anyway, and petted her and her dogs alternately." This kind +of reasoning did not convince Fanny, and for many days her +face wore a sad, troubled expression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the winter passed away. Spring came, and with it +came an offer to Mr. Wilmot of a very lucrative situation as +teacher in a school in Frankfort. At first he hesitated about +accepting it, for there was, in the old rough stone house, an +attraction far greater than the mere consideration of dollars +and cents. Julia at, last settled the matter, by requesting him +to accept the offer, and then urge her father to let her go to +Frankfort to school also.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page031">[pg 031]</span><a name="Pg031" id="Pg031" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"And why do you wish to go there, Julia?" said Mr. Wilmot, +laying his hand on her dark, glossy hair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," she answered, "it will be so lonely here when +you are gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why will it be lonely, dearest Julia?" continued he.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said she, looking up very innocently in his face, "you +are the only person who understands me; by all others, whatever +I do or say is construed into something bad. I wish +you were my brother, for then I might have been better than I +am."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I do not wish I was your brother," said Mr. Wilmot, +"for then I could never have claimed a dearer title, which I +hope now to do at some future time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then followed a declaration of love, which Julia had long +waited most anxiously for. Most eloquently did Mr. Wilmot +pour out the whole tide of his affection for the beautiful but +sinful girl, who, in a very becoming and appropriate manner, +murmured an acknowledgment of requited love. Thus +the two were betrothed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And truly it was a fitting time for such a betrothal. The air +had been hot and sultry all day, and now the sky was overspread +with dark clouds, while everything indicated an approaching +storm. While Mr. Wilmot was yet speaking, it +burst upon them with great violence. Peal after peal of thunder +followed each other, in rapid succession, and just as Julia +whispered a promise to be Mr. Wilmot's forever, a blinding +sheet of lightning lit up for a moment her dark features, and +was instantly succeeded by a crash, which shook the whole +house from its foundation, and drew from Julia a cry of terror, +which brought Fanny to see what was the matter, and +made Mr. Middleton swear, "Thar was noise enough from the +tempest outdoors, without the 'Tempest' in the house raising +such a devil of a fuss!"</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter4" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc8" id="toc8"></a><a name="pdf9" id="pdf9"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter IV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">dr. lacey appears upon the scene</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page032">[pg 032]</span><a name="Pg032" id="Pg032" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>When Mr. Middleton was spoken to on the subject of sending +Julia to Frankfort, he at first refused outright. "No," +said he, "indeed she shan't go! What does she want of any +more flummerdiddle notions? What she does know is a damage +to her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But do you not wish to give your daughters every possible +advantage?" said Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who's said anything about my daughters?" said Mr. +Middleton. "It's nobody but Tempest, and she's always kickin' +up some boobery. Now if 'twas Sunshine, why, I might—but +no, neither of 'em shall go. It's all stuff, the whole on't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he turned on his heel and walked off, while Julia +burst into tears and repaired to her own room, whither she +was soon followed by her mother, who tried to console her. +Said she, "Why, Julia, you don't take the right course with +your father. Why do you not propose having your sister accompany +you? For, if you go, she will, and you know she +can always coax father to do as she pleases."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was rather humiliating to Julia, but she concluded it +was her only alternative, so she dried her eyes, and seeking +out her sister, very soon talked her into a strong desire to try +the mysteries of a school in Frankfort, and also drew from +her a promise to try her powers of argument upon her father. +Accordingly, that evening Fanny made an attack upon him, and +as her mother had predicted, she was perfectly successful. It +was settled that she and Julia should both go, and the +next morning early Mr. Middleton set off for Frankfort to +find "as smart a boarding place for his gals as anybody had." +There was as yet no boarding house connected with the school, +and he was obliged to find a place for them in some one of the +numerous boarding houses with which Frankfort abounds. He +at last decided upon a very genteel establishment, kept by a +Mrs. Crane, who at first hesitated about receiving into her +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page033">[pg 033]</span><a name="Pg033" id="Pg033" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +family persons who possessed so rough and shabby-looking a +father.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Mr. Middleton brought her to a decision by saying, +"what the deuce you waiting for? Is it because I've got on +cowhide stogies and a home-made coat? Thunder and lightning! +Don't you know I'm old Middleton, worth at least two +hundred thousand?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This announcement changed the current of Mrs. Crane's +ideas. The daughters were not rough, if the father was, so +she decided to take them, and for the very moderate sum of +seven dollars per week, promised to give them all the privileges +of her house. The first day of June was fixed on for +them to leave home and at sunrise Mr. Middleton's carriage +stood at the door, waiting for the young ladies to make their +appearance. Julia had long been ready and was waiting impatiently +for Fanny, who was bidding the servants an affectionate +good-bye. Each one had received from her some little +token of love, and now they all stood in one corner of the +yard, to look at their darling as long as possible.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lor' bless her," said one; "Kentuck hain't many like her, +nor never will have."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, nor Frankfort nuther," said a second. While a third +added, "No, and I reckon heaven hadn't nuther!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To which a fourth responded, "Amen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here old Aunt Katy, who had nursed Mr. Middieton and +his children after him, hobbled up to Fanny, and laying her +hard, shriveled black hand on her young mistress' bright locks, +said, "The Lord who makes the wind blow easy like on the +sheared lamb, take keer of my sweet child and bring her +back agin to poor old Aunt Katy, who'll be all dark and lonesome, +when Sunshine's done gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was regarded as a wonderful speech by the negroes, +and as none of them could hope to equal it, they contented +themselves by lustily blowing their trombones and wiping the +same on their shirt sleeves, or the corner of their aprons. At +last the good-byes were all said, Julia merely noticed the +blacks with a slight nod, and then sprang nimbly into the carriage, +which disappeared from view just as the negroes struck +up in a loud, clear and not unmusical tone:</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">"Oh, it's lonesome now on the old plantation,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">It's lonesome now on the old plantation,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">It's lonesome now on the old plantation,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">Case Sunshine's gone away."</div> +</div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page034">[pg 034]</span><a name="Pg034" id="Pg034" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Stop your yelp, can't you?" said Mr. Middleton, but his +voice indicated that he would not be very much displeased even +if they did not obey, so they tuned their pipes still louder, and +this time the six dogs joined in the chorus, with a long and +mournful howl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar, that'll do," said Mr. Middleton, "now to your work, +quick; and mind the one that works best this week shall +go Saturday and carry Miss Crane some strawberries!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The negroes needed no other incentive to work than the +prospect before them of going to see Fanny. Never had Mr. +Middleton had so much accomplished in one week. When +Friday night came, it was hard telling which was the favored +one. At last it was settled that Ike should go to Frankfort, +and the rest should have a sort of holiday. Ike was a +sprightly negro boy of seventeen, and almost idolized his +young mistress Fanny. Long before "sun up" (a favorite expression +in Kentucky for sunrise), he had filled his basket +with strawberries, and just as the first rays of sunlight +streaked the eastern hills, he started on his mission, laden +with numerous messages of love for "sweet Miss Fanny," +and a big cranberry pie from Aunt Judy, who was "sartin +the baby wanted some of old Judy's jimcracks by this time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime Julia and Fanny had become tolerably well established +both in school and at Mrs. Crane's. Julia was perfectly +delighted with her new quarters, for she said "everything +was in style, just as it should be," and she readily +adopted all the "city notions." But poor Fanny was continually +committing some blunder. She would forget to use +her napkin, or persist in using her knife instead of her four-tined +silver fork. These little things annoyed Julia excessively, +and numerous were the lectures given in secret to +Fanny, who would laugh merrily at her sister's distress and +say she really wished her father would dine some day at Mrs. +Crane's table.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Heaven forbid that he should!" said Julia. "I should be +mortified to death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"They would not mind his oddities," said Fanny, "for I +overheard Mrs. Crane telling the exquisitely fashionable Mrs. +Carrington that our father was 'a quizzical old savage, but +rich as a nabob, and we should undoubtedly inherit a hundred +thousand dollars apiece.' And then Mrs. Carrington said, 'Oh, +is it possible? One can afford to patronize them.' And then +she added something else which I think I'll not tell you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, do," said Julia. "It too bad to raise my curiosity and +not gratify it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page035">[pg 035]</span><a name="Pg035" id="Pg035" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Well, then," said Fanny, "Mrs. Carrington said, 'There is +a rumor that the eldest Miss Middleton is engaged to Mr. Wilmot. +I wonder at it, for with her extreme beauty and great +fortune, she could command a more eligible match than a poor +pedagogue.'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next morning at breakfast Mrs. Crane informed her +boarders that she expected a new arrival the next day, Friday. +She said, "It is a new gentleman from New Orleans. His +name is Dr. Lacey. His parents were natives of Boston, +Massachusetts, but he was born in New Orleans, and will inherit +from his father a large fortune; but as he wished for a +profession, he chose that of medicine. He is a graduate of +Yale College and usually spends his summers North, so this +season he stops in Frankfort, and honors my house with his +presence. He is very handsome and agreeable, and these young +ladies might put a lock and key on their hearts."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The last part of this speech was directed to Julia, who blushed +deeply, and secretly wondered if Dr. Lacey were as handsome +as Mr. Wilmot. She frequently found herself thinking +about him during the day, but Fanny never gave him a +thought until evening, when, as she and her sister were together +in their room, the latter suddenly exclaimed, "I wonder +if Dr. Lacey will be here at breakfast tomorrow morning."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And if he is," said Fanny, "I suppose you want me to be +very careful to use my fork, and break my egg correctly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think it would be well for you always to try and show +as much good breeding as possible," said Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," returned Fanny, "I reckon this Dr. Lacing or Dr. +Lacework—what's his name?—will ever be anything to us, for +I am sure he'd never think of me, and you are engaged to a +man who is much better than any of your New Orleans pill +bags."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Little did Fanny dream how closely the "New Orleans pill +bags" were to be connected with the rest of her life. Julia +said nothing but probably thought more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the young ladies entered the breakfast room next +morning they noticed seated opposite them a tall, dark, handsome +young man, whom Mrs. Carrington introduced to them +as Dr. Lacey. There was something remarkably pleasing in +his manner, and before breakfast was over he had completely +won Fanny's good opinion by kindly breaking her egg for her, +and when she had the misfortune to drop the fork, he drew +the attention of the company from her by relating an anecdote +on himself, which was that he was once invited to a +dinner party at the Hon. Henry Clay's, and as he was trying +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page036">[pg 036]</span><a name="Pg036" id="Pg036" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to be very graceful and polite, he unfortunately upset his plate, +the contents of which, together with his knife and fork, were +deposited in his lap. This story raised such a laugh that all +forgot Fanny, who gave Dr. Lacey such a look of gratitude +that after breakfast he asked Mrs. Crane who the pale, blue-eyed +girl was, and received about the same information that +Mrs. Carrington had received concerning her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That day Mr. Wilmot's eyes were not as handsome nor his +teeth as white as usual in the estimation of Julia, who often +found herself wondering why he did not wear whiskers. That +evening he called at Mrs. Crane's and for the first time in her +life Julia was not much pleased to see him. He, however, +rose ten per cent in her estimation when she saw the familiar +and cordial manner with which Dr. Lacey treated him. They +talked as though they were old and dear friends.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After Mr. Wilmot had left, Dr. Lacey said, "Why, that +Wilmot is a remarkably intelligent man and very agreeable."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then turning to Mrs. Carrington, he added, "Let me see—is +he a teacher?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Mrs. Carrington, "and these young ladies are +his pupils, and report says he looks after the heart of one of +them as well as the head."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," continued he, "whichever one is favored with his +preference should feel honored, for he is a capital fellow." +Just then his eye fell upon an elegant piano which stood in the +room and he asked Mrs. Carrington to favor him with some +music.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Perhaps Miss Middleton will oblige you," said Mrs. Carrington, +looking at Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thank you," said Julia, "I am just taking lessons," so Mrs. +Carrington sat down to the instrument, and as Julia saw how +skillfully her white, jewelled fingers touched the keys, she +resolved to spare no pains to become as fine a player as Mrs. +Carrington, particularly as she saw that Dr. Lacey was very +fond of music and kept calling for piece after piece till the +evening was somewhat advanced.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You ought to play, golden locks," said he to Fanny, at the +same time taking one of her long yellow curls in his hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am taking lessons," said Fanny, "but I make awkward +work, for my fingers are all thumbs, as you might know by +my dropping that four-tined pitchfork this morning!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey laughed heartily at this and called her an "original +little piece," at the same time saying, "You remind me of +my sister Anna."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where does she live?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page037">[pg 037]</span><a name="Pg037" id="Pg037" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Dr. Lacey sighed as he answered, "For three years she has +lived in heaven; three long years to us, who loved her so +dearly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny observed that he seemed agitated while speaking of +his sister, so she dared not ask him more about her, although +she wished very much to do so. Perhaps he read her wishes +in her face, for he went on to tell her more of his sister, +who, he said, drooped day by day, and they took her to Cuba, +but she daily grew worse, and often spoke of dying and +heaven, and then one bright summer morning she passed +away from them, and they buried her under a group of dark +orange trees. That night Fanny dreamed of sweet Anna +Lacey, sleeping so quietly in her lone grave, far off 'neath +the orange trees of Cuba. Julia had dreams, too, but of a different +nature. In her fancy she beheld Dr. Lacey at her feet, +with his handsome person, princely fortune, and magnificent +home near New Orleans, while off in the dim distance loomed +up a dark coffin, in which was the cold, pale form of one +whom she knew too well. Was her dream an omen of the +coming future? We shall see.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning just as the town clock rang out the hour of +eight, a strange-looking vehicle, to which was attached a remarkably +poor-looking horse, was seen picking its way slowly +through the upper part of Main street, Frankfort. The driver +of this establishment was a negro boy, whom we readily recognize +as our friend Ike. He was taking it leisurely through +the town, stopping before every large "smart" looking house +to reconnoiter, and see if it resembled the one his master had +described.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last he was accosted by a young African, who called out, +"Ho, thar, old boy! What you keepin' yer eyes peeled and +yer' mouth open for? Is you catchin' flies?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar," replied Ike. "I's tryin' to find Miss Crane's +boardin' house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes; wall, it's up t'other way. You jist turn that old +rackerbone of your'n straight round and turn down that ar +street, whar you see that steeple, and, the fust house on the +corner is Miss Crane's. But say, is you and that ar quadruped +jist out of the ark?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I dun know nothin' 'bout yer ark," said Ike, whose Scripture +knowledge was rather limited, "but I 'longs to Marster +Josh, and I'm goin' to see Miss Fanny—and now I think of +it, won't you ride?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord, no," said the negro; "I'm in a great hurry; goin' +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page038">[pg 038]</span><a name="Pg038" id="Pg038" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +arter the doctor for ole miss, who's sartin she's goin' for to +die this time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You don't seem in much of a hurry," said Ike.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," returned the other; "old miss has died a heap o' +times, by spells, so I reckon she'll hang on this time till I git +back, jist so she can jaw me for being gone so long."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So they parted, the stranger negro to go for the doctor and +Ike to go to Mrs. Crane's, with his berries, and Aunt Judy's +cranberry pie. He had often wondered during his ride +whether Fanny would not give him a piece of the pie. As +often as this thought entered his brain, he would turn down +the white napkin, and take a peep at the tempting pastry; +then he would touch it with his fingers and finally take it up +and smell of it just a little!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While he was making his way into Mrs. Crane's kitchen, +Julia and Fanny were in their room, the windows of which +were open and looked out upon a balcony, which extended entirely +around the house. There was no school that day, and +Fanny was just wishing she could hear from home when a +servant entered the room and said there was a boy in the +kitchen, who wished to see Miss Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"A boy want to see me," said Fanny; "who can it be?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Reckon he's from yer home 'case he says how he belongs +to Marster Middleton," said the negro girl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, joy!" exclaimed Fanny, "somebody from home; how +glad I am. Come, Julia, won't you go down, too?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, indeed," said Julia, scornfully, "I am not so anxious +to see a greasy nigger. I hope you will not take it into your +head to ask him up here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Fanny did not answer, for she was already half-way +down the stairs. Going to the kitchen she found Ike and seemed +as delighted to see him as though his skin had been snowy +white. Ike delivered all his messages and then presented Aunt +Judy's pie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear Aunt Judy," said Fanny, "how kind she is." Then +seizing a knife she cut a liberal piece for Ike, who received +it with many thanks.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now, Ike," said she, "you must remain here until I go out +and get a ribbon for Aunt Judy's cap, and some tobacco for +old Aunt Katy." So saying she ran upstairs to her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When she entered it, Julia exclaimed, "In the name of the +people, what have you got now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, a pie, which Aunt Judy sent me," said Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How ridiculous," answered Julia; "I don't think Mrs. +Crane would thank Aunt Judy for sending pies to her house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page039">[pg 039]</span><a name="Pg039" id="Pg039" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Mrs. Crane need know nothing about it, and would not +care if she did," said Fanny, and then she added, "Ike is downstairs, +and he says father is coming after us in two or three +weeks."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Good heavens," said Julia; "what is he coming for? Why +does he not send a servant?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why cannot father come?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered Julia, "who wants that old codger +here? A pretty figure he'd cut, I think. I should be ashamed +of him; and so would you, if you knew anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know he is odd," said Fanny; "but he is my father, and +as such I would not be ashamed of him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, I am ashamed to own that he is my father, anyway," +answered Julia; "but where are you going now?" she continued, +as she saw her sister putting on her bonnet.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am going to buy some ribbon for Aunt Judy, some tobacco +for Aunt Katy, and some candy for the children," answered +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, I do believe you haven't common sense," said Julia, +"but where is your money to buy all these things?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Fanny, "I've concluded not to go and hear +Fanny Kemble tonight. I'd rather spend the money for the +servants; it will do them so much good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You certainly are a fool," said Julia. Fanny had been +told that often, so she did not reply, but hastened downstairs +and was soon in the street. As she turned the corner she +could see the windows of her room, and the whole length of +the balcony on that side of the building. Looking in that +direction she saw Dr. Lacey sitting out on the balcony and so +near her window that he must have heard all the conversation +between herself and her sister! She thought, "Well, he of +course thinks me a silly little dunce; but I do like our blacks, +and if I ever own any of them, I'll first teach them to read +and then send them all to Liberia." Full of this new plan, +she forgot Dr. Lacey and ere she was aware of it had reached +the store. She procured the articles she wished for, and returning +to Mrs. Crane's, gave them to Ike, who was soon on +his way home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At supper that evening the conversation turned upon +Fanny Kemble and the expected entertainment. "I suppose +you are all going," said Mrs. Crane to her boarders. They +all answered in the affirmative except Fanny, who was about +to reply, when Dr. Lacey interrupted her by saying, "Miss +Fanny, will you allow me to accompany you to hear Mrs. Butler +this evening?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page040">[pg 040]</span><a name="Pg040" id="Pg040" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Fanny was amazed. Was it possible that the elegant Dr. +Lacey had honored her with an invitation to accompany him +to the literary treat! She was too much surprised to answer +him, until he said, "Do not refuse me, Miss Fanny, for I am +resolved to have you go!" She then gracefully accepted his +polite invitation, and at the same time glancing toward Julia +and Mrs. Carrington, she saw that the former frowned darkly, +while the latter looked displeased. This dampened her happiness +somewhat, and as soon as supper was over she hurried to +her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington was a gay, fashionable woman, and was +just as willing to receive attention from unmarried gentlemen +now as she had been in her girlish days. Her husband was an +officer in the United States army and was absent a great part +of the time, but she had never cared much for him, so she +managed to pass the time of his absence very happily in flirting +with every handsome wealthy young gentleman who came +in her way. When Dr. Lacey appeared, she immediately appropriated +him to herself. 'Tis true, she somewhat feared +Julia might become a rival, but of the modest, unassuming +little Fanny, she had never once thought, and was greatly surprised +when Dr. Lacey offered to escort her to the reading. +She had resolved on having his company herself, and when +she saw the frown on Julia's face, she flattered herself that +she could yet prevent Fanny's going.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, after supper, she asked Julia to go with her +for a moment to her room. Julia had become perfectly +charmed with the fascinating manners of Mrs. Carrington, so +she cheerfully assented, and the two proceeded together to her +richly furnished apartments. When there, Mrs. Carrington +said, "Miss Middleton, do you not think your sister too young +to accept the attentions of any gentleman, at least one +who is so much of a stranger to the family?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia well knew that the fact of Dr. Lacey's being a +stranger was of no consequence in Mrs. Carrington's estimation, +but she quickly answered, "Yes, I do; but what can be +done now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Mrs. Carrington, "your sister is very gentle and +if we go to her and state the case as it is, I am confident she +will yield."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So they went to Fanny's room, where they found her sitting +by the window, thinking how much pleasure she would enjoy +that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia commenced operations by saying, "Fanny, what made +you promise Dr. Lacey that you would go with him tonight?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page041">[pg 041]</span><a name="Pg041" id="Pg041" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Why," said Fanny, "was there anything wrong in it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mrs. Carrington's soft voice chimed in, "Nothing +very wrong, dear Fanny, but it is hardly proper for a young +school girl to appear in public, attended by a gentleman who is +not her brother or cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Fanny! Her heart sank, for she was afraid she would +have to give up going after all; but a thought struck her, +and she said, "Well, then, it is not proper for Julia to go +with Mr. Wilmot, and she has promised to do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That is very different," said Mrs. Carrington; "Julia is +engaged to Mr. Wilmot, and unless you are engaged to Dr. +Lacey," continued she, sarcastically, "it will not be proper at +all for you to go with him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But I promised I would," said Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That you can easily remedy," answered Mrs. Carrington. +"Just write him a note and I will send it to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus beset, poor Fanny sat down and wrote, as Mrs. Carrington +dictated, the following note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Dr. Lacey:</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Sir</span></span>—Upon further reflection I think it proper to decline +your polite invitation for tonight.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yours very respectfully,</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Fanny Middleton.</span></span>"</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That will do," said Mrs. Carrington; and ringing the bell, +she dispatched a servant to carry the note to Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are a good girl to submit so readily," said Mrs. Carrington, +laying her white hand on Fanny's head. But Fanny's +eyes were full of tears, and she did not answer; and Mrs. +Carrington, sure of Dr. Lacey's attendance that evening, left +the room exulting in the result of her plan. In a short time +she deserted to the parlor, where she found Mr. Wilmot with +Julia, but no Dr. Lacey, neither did he make his appearance +at all, and after waiting impatiently for a time, she was at +last obliged to accept the arm of the poor pedagogue, which +was rather unwillingly offered, for Mr. Wilmot greatly preferred +having Julia all to himself. She had become as dear +to him as his own life and, in his opinion, her character was +like her face—perfect. Deluded man! 'Twas well that he +died before he had come to a knowledge of her sinfulness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But to return to Fanny. After she was left alone by her +sister, she threw herself upon the sofa, and burst into tears; +but at length, wiping them away, she arose and went down to +the parlor, determined to have a nice time practicing her +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page042">[pg 042]</span><a name="Pg042" id="Pg042" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +music lesson. It was rather hard and with untiring patience +she played it over and over, until she was suddenly startled by +a voice behind her, saying, "Really, Miss Fanny, you are persevering." +Looking up she saw Dr. Lacey, who had entered +unperceived.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Dr. Lacey," said she, "how you frightened me! +Why are you not at the reading?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered he, "when my lady breaks her engagement, +I think I, too, can remain at home. But why did you +change your mind, Miss Fanny? I thought you were anxious +to go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny blushed painfully, and the tears came to her eyes, +but she replied, "I was anxious to go, but they thought I had +better not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And who is they?" asked the doctor; "and why did they +think you had better not go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered, "Mrs. Carrington and Julia said I was +too young to go out with—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With such a bad man as I am," said Dr. Lacey, laughing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no," said Fanny; "they do not think you bad; they +said with any gentleman."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Too young, are you?" said Dr. Lacey. "How old are you, +Fanny?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I was sixteen last May," she replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Sixteen; just as old as Anna was when she died, and just +as old as my mother was when she was married; so it seems +you are not too young to die, or to be married either, if you +are too young to go out with me," said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply; and he continued, "Whom would you +have gone with if you had not spent your money this morning +for those old aunts?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny started; and giving him a searching look, was about +to reply, when he anticipated her by saying, "Yes, Fanny, I +overheard your conversation this morning, and I cannot sufficiently +admire your generous self-denial. I have heard Fanny +Kemble two or three times, so I did not care to hear her +again; but I decided to go for the pleasure of having you hear +her; but as you did not choose to go, I have remained here +with you, and wish to have you tell me something about your +parents and your home, and also wish you to ask me to go +there some time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered, hesitatingly, "I am afraid you would not +like to go there, Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not?" said he. "Do you not like your home?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, very much," she replied; "but father is a little +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page043">[pg 043]</span><a name="Pg043" id="Pg043" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +odd, and you might feel inclined to laugh at him; but he is +very kind, and if you could forget his roughness, you would +like him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know I shall like him, just because he is your father," +said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then turned the conversation upon other subjects, and +Fanny found him so agreeable that she never thought of the +hour until Mr. Wilmot, Mrs. Carrington and Julia suddenly +entered the parlor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Upon my word," said Mrs. Carrington, "you have both +stolen a march upon us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hope you have been agreeably entertained, Dr. Lacey," +said Julia, in an ironical tone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I assure you I have," said he, warmly "I do not remember +having passed so pleasant an evening for a long, long +time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I dare say not; Fanny is usually very interesting," was, +Julia's contemptuous reply, and as Mr. Wilmot just then took +his leave, she very haughtily left the room and went upstairs, +muttering to herself, "Foiled for the first time in my +life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From this time nothing of particular importance occurred +for two or three weeks, except that Dr. Lacey seemed each +day to grow fonder of Fanny, which greatly annoyed Mrs. +Carrington and Julia, both of whom spared no pains to make +Fanny appear in as bad a light as possible. But Dr. Lacey +understood their maneuvers, and whenever they were present +seemed to take delight in being very attentive to Fanny. He +ardently desired to see the father of the two girls, and ere +long his wish was gratified. But of this we will speak in another +chapter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter5" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc10" id="toc10"></a><a name="pdf11" id="pdf11"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter V</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the fatal letter</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page044">[pg 044]</span><a name="Pg044" id="Pg044" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia and Fanny had been gone from home about four +weeks when Mr. Middleton suddenly determined "to go and +see his gals" and bring them home. Accordingly he "fixed up +right smart," as he thought, which meant that he took off his +beard and put on "a bran new pair of jeens." He preferred +driving his own carriage, so he set off alone for Frankfort.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was Friday morning, and as his daughters were in school, +he stalked into Mrs. Crane's parlor to wait for them. Spying +the piano, he sat down to it, and commenced producing a +series of unearthly sounds, not altogether unlike the fashionable +music of the present day. Mrs. Carrington chanced to +be crossing the hall and, hearing the noise from the parlor, +looked in. As her eye fell upon the strange-looking, giant form +of Mr. Middleton, she uttered a very delicate scream, and as +she just then saw Dr. Lacey entering the house, she staggered +back a few paces, and tried to faint very gracefully. But the +doctor caught her in his arms just in time to restore her to +consciousness!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton now came toward them, exclaiming, "Lightning +guns! What's to pay now? Skeered at me, are you, +madam or miss, whichever you be? I won't hurt a har of +your soft skull!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ugh-u-u!" said Mrs. Carrington, shrinking from him in +disgust, as he advanced toward her, and laid his large hand +on her head, "just to see," as he said, "if she were made of +anything besides jewelry, curls and paint."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this allusion to her brilliant color, Mrs. Carrington relieved +Dr. Lacey from the delightful duty of supporting her, +and disappeared up the stairs, saying in no very gentle tones, +"What an old brute!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fire away thar," called our Mr. Middleton. "I am an old +brute, I suppose."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But your right name is Mr. Middleton, I conclude," said +Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page045">[pg 045]</span><a name="Pg045" id="Pg045" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mr. Middleton started and answered, "How d'ye know that? +Just as you'd know his satanic majesty, if he should appear to +you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Something upon that principle," said Dr. Lacey, laughing, +"but," he continued, "I am glad to see you, Mr. Middleton. I +suppose you have come to visit your daughters."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, and to take them home and let their mother and the +rest of the blacks see them," answered Mr. Middleton; then +after a pause he added, "They'll be right glad to see me, I +reckon, or at least Sunshine will."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who is Sunshine?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, now," said Mr. Middleton, "here you've lived with +'em four weeks and don't know that I call one Tempest and +t'other Sunshine, and if you've any wit, you'll know which is +Sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then a voice was heard to exclaim, "There, I told you +father was here. I hear him now talking about Sunshine," +and Fanny rushed in, and throwing her arms around her +father's neck, kissed again and again his rough cheek, while +he suddenly felt the need of his red and yellow cotton handkerchief, +and muttered something about the "roads" being so +infernal dusty that they made a fellow's eyes smart!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then turning to Julia, who still stood in the door, he said, +"Come, Tempest, none of your pranks! Come here and shake +your old pap's paw. You needn't be afeared of this young +spark, for he knows I'm your pap, and he hain't laughed at +me neither." So Julia advanced and shook her father's hand +with a tolerably good grace.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'm come for you to go home and see the folks," said Mr. +Middleton; "so you pick up your duds—and mind not to take +a cussed bandbox—and after dinner we'll start for home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It wants an hour of dinner time," said Julia, "and as we +are not hungry, we can start in a few moments, if you like."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fury-ation," said Mr. Middleton, "I wonder if we can. +Well, start on then afoot, if you're in such a hurry. I shan't +budge an inch till I've had my dinner; besides, I want to see +Mr. Wilmot."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia saw that she must submit to the mortification of seeing +her father at Mrs. Crane's dinner table, and with a beating +heart she heard the bell summon them to the dining room. +Mrs. Carrington did not appear—her nerves had received too +great a shock—and for that Julia was thankful. Dr. Lacey +sat by her father and paid him every possible attention.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Will you take soup, Mr. Middleton?" asked Mrs. Crane.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What kind of soup? Beef soup, or mud turkle?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page046">[pg 046]</span><a name="Pg046" id="Pg046" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"It is vermicelli," said Mrs. Crane, hardly able to keep her +face straight.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Vermifuge—vermifuge," repeated Mr. Middleton. "That's +almighty queer stuff to make soup on. No. I'm 'bleeged to +you; I ain't in need of that ar medicine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia reddened, while Fanny burst into a laugh and said, +"Father isn't much used to French soups, I think."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Use your napkin, father," softly whispered Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What shall I use that for?" said he. "My trousers are all +tobacco spit now, and grease won't hurt 'em any now. Halloo! +Here waiter, bring me a decent fork, for Lord knows I can't +eat with this here shovel and if I take my fingers Tempest'll +raise a row de dow."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The servant looked at his mistress, who said, "Samuel, bring +Mr. Middleton a steel fork."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the dessert was brought in Mr. Middleton again exclaimed, +as he took his plate of pudding, "Now what can this +be?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is tapioca pudding," said Mrs. Crane.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Tap-an-oakky," returned Mr. Middleton. "Well, if you +don't have the queerest things to eat! You ought to come to +my house. We don't have any your chicken fixin's nor little +three-cornered hankerchers laid out at each plate."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last, to Julia's great relief, dinner was over, and she got +her father started for home. Suddenly Mr. Middleton exclaimed, +"That ar doctor is a mighty fine chap. Why don't +you set your cap for him, Sunshine?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It would be of no use, father," answered Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Wall, if I'm not mistaken, he's laid his snare for a bird, +and I don't care how soon you fall into it, darling," said Mr. +Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How ridiculous!" exclaimed Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ho now, jealous, are you, Tempest?" said her father. +"What in thunder do you think he'll want of you, who are engaged +to Mr. Wilmot?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was a truth which had troubled Julia, and she greatly +regretted her engagement, for she well knew Dr. Lacey never +would think of her as long as he thought she belonged to another. +She had watched with a jealous eye the growing intimacy +between him and Fanny, and resolved to leave no +means untried to prevent a union between them, and to secure +the doctor for herself. To do this she knew she must +break her engagement with Mr. Wilmot, and also give Dr. +Lacey a bad opinion of her sister. She felt sure of success, +for when did she undertake anything and fail? Sinful girl! +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page047">[pg 047]</span><a name="Pg047" id="Pg047" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +She was freed from her engagement in a way she little +dreamed of.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Four weeks from the time of her first visit home, word came +that Mr. Wilmot was sick and would not be able to teach that +day. He had been unwell for several days, and next morning +it was announced that he had the typhoid fever. Fanny's first +impulse was to go and see him, but Julia prevented her by saying +that he would send for her when he wanted her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening Dr. Lacey told Julia that Mr. Wilmot had +expressed a wish to see her. She went rather unwillingly, +and something in her manner must have betrayed it, for he +seemed troubled, and regarded her with an anxious look. She +however manifested no affection, and but very little interest +for him, and inwardly resolved that when she came again her +sister should accompany her. That night he grew worse, and +as there was of course no school, Julia hired some one to take +herself and sister home. Earnestly did Fanny entreat her to +remain and watch over Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I shall do no such thing," said Julia. "It would not be +proper, and I should be talked about."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then," said Fanny, "I shall stay till mother sends for +me. I do not care if I am talked about."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This rather pleased Julia, who said, "Well, you can stay if +you like. I dare say you care more for him than I do, and +you can tell him so, if you please."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Julia," said Fanny, "what has changed you so toward +Mr. Wilmot?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing in particular," replied Julia. "I never liked him +very much."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Julia started for home, while Fanny took her station by +the bedside of her beloved teacher. When Julia reached home, +she found that her father had left the day before for Missouri. +He owned land there, and as he had gone to make some improvements +on it, he would probably be absent two months. +Julia carelessly told her mother of Mr. Wilmot's illness, and +that Fanny had stayed to watch him. When Mrs. Middleton +heard this, her maternal fears were roused lest her daughter +should take the fever, and in a few days she went herself to +Frankfort to bring Fanny home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She found Mr. Wilmot very ill, but not as yet dangerously +so, and after staying a day, she announced her intention of +taking Fanny home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not leave her?" said Dr. Lacey. "She seems peculiarly +adapted to a sick room, and will do him more good than +a dozen physicians."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page048">[pg 048]</span><a name="Pg048" id="Pg048" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Yes, let her stay," said Mr. Wilmot, and drawing Mrs. +Middleton closely to him, he whispered, "Tell Julia to come to +me, will you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton promised that she would, but persisted in +taking Fanny. When Mr. Wilmot's message was given to +Julia, she said, "No, indeed, I'll not go. I could do him no +good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ike was sent to Frankfort every day to inquire after Mr. +Wilmot, and see if anything was wanted, and each night +Fanny waited anxiously for his return. As soon as she saw +him enter the wood, she would run to him, and inquire for +Mr. Wilmot. Julia, however, manifested no anxiety whatever. +She would not have acknowledged that she hoped he would +die, and yet each time that she heard he was better her spirits +sank, for fear he would yet live. At last Ike brought to +Fanny the joyful intelligence that the crisis was passed, and +Mr. Wilmot was out of danger.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night, in the solitude of her chamber, Julia communed +with herself as follows: "And so he'll live after all. +Well, I may as well let him know at once that I will not +marry him." So saying, she opened her portfolio, and wrote +the following note:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Mr. Wilmot:</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Sir—When I became engaged to you I was very young +and am still so; consequently, you will hardly be surprised +when you learn that I have changed my mind and wish to have +our engagement dissolved.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Yours truly, as a friend,</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Julia Middleton</span></span>."</p> +<br /> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ike did not go to Frankfort again for two or three days, +but when he did, he was the bearer of this heartless note. Mr. +Wilmot was indeed better and when he heard Ike was in the +house he expressed a desire to see him, as he wished to send +some word to Julia. When Ike was ushered into the sick +room, he immediately handed his young mistress' letter to Mr. +Wilmot, who eagerly took it, for he recognized the handwriting +of his idol. Hastily breaking the seal, he read twice +the cruel lines before he was convinced that he read aright; +then the paleness on his cheek grew paler, and was succeeded +by a deep flush.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Ike asked what he should tell the folks at home, Mr. +Wilmot's voice was husky as he answered, "Nothing, Ike, tell +them nothing." Ike was alarmed at the change which had +come over his young master, and called for assistance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time Mr. Wilmot hourly grew worse. Mrs. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page049">[pg 049]</span><a name="Pg049" id="Pg049" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Middleton was sent for, and a telegram was forwarded to his +friends in New York, bidding them come soon if they would +see him alive. Mr. Miller, who was teaching in a distant part +of the country, dismissed his school to attend his dying friend. +It was heartrending to hear Mr. Wilmot in his delirium, call +for Julia to come to him—to let him look on her face once +more before he died. Then he would fancy himself at home +and would describe Julia to his sister in all the passionate +fervor of a devoted lover; then he would think it was Julia +who was sick, and would beg of those around him to save +her, and not let his loved one die. At last Mrs. Middleton +could bear his pleadings no longer. She resolved to go home +and persuade her hard-hearted daughter, if possible, to go to +the dying man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just before she was ready to leave, consciousness returned +to him for a few moments, and calling her to his bedside, he +asked her where she was going. On being told he replied, +"Mrs. Middleton, I am dying. When you return I shall not +be in this world; but I know that my Redeemer liveth, and I +am not afraid to die, for I feel assured of rest beyond the +grave; but there is one thing I would have. Ere I go hence +I would see Julia once more. I have loved her perhaps too +well, and for this I must die. Tell, oh tell her, how I missed +her when the fever scorched my brow, and bid her hasten to +me ere it be too late! But if she will not come, give her my +blessing, and tell her my last prayer was for her, and that in +Heaven she will be mine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With many tears Mrs. Middleton promised him that every +word of his message should be delivered to Julia, and that +she should come to him. On reaching home her swollen eyelids +attracted Fanny's attention, and excited her fear. Springing +up, she exclaimed, "Mother, mother, how is Mr. Wilmot? +Is he dead?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," answered her mother, "he is not dead, but is dying."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then she repeated to Julia his request, and added, "You had +better go immediately, if you wish to see him alive, for he cannot +live until morning. Fanny will call Ike to go with you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny arose to do her mother's bidding, but Julia stopped +her by saying, "You needn't trouble yourself to call him, +Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not?" said Fanny, looking wonderingly in Julia's +face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because I am not going," said Julia coolly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not going!" exclaimed Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page050">[pg 050]</span><a name="Pg050" id="Pg050" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Not going!" echoed Mrs. Middleton. "Why do you say +so? You are going, you must go!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There is no must about it," answered Julia; "I do not +choose to go, and I shall not go!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Are you in earnest, Julia?" asked Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"As much in earnest as I ever was in my life," replied Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then," returned the mother in a decided tone, "you +shall go; I command you to go, and I must be obeyed!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd like to see your commands enforced, Madam," said +Julia, her beautiful face dark with rage. "Yes, I'd like to +see anybody make me go if I did not wish to. Mr. Wilmot +is nothing to me, and I would hardly go to save his life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Julia, Julia!" said Mrs. Middleton bitterly, "has it +come to this? I can see it all now!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What all can you see so distinctly?" asked Julia scornfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I can understand what part you have had in causing Mr. +Wilmot's death," answered Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia turned ashy pale, and her mother continued—"Often +in his ravings he spoke of a letter, a cruel letter he called it, +and I heard it hinted that it was the receipt of that letter +which brought on a relapse. Now you will tell me whether +you wrote that letter, and if so, what were its contents?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I wonder how I'm expected to know what letter you mean," +said Julia. "However, I did write to him and ask to be released +from my engagement, and I had my reasons for so +doing."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton sighed and said, "It is as I feared; on +you, Julia, rests in a measure the cause of his death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Better call me a murderer at once. But I'll not stay for +more abuse," said Julia, as she left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When she was gone Mrs. Middleton buried her face in her +hands, and sent forth sob after sob from her crushed heart—crushed +by the sinfulness and mocking disobedience of her +first born. While she was still weeping, Fanny stole softly +from the apartment and went in quest of her sister. +She found her, as she had expected, in her room, and going +up to her threw her arms around her neck, and plead long and +earnestly that she would go to Mr. Wilmot. But Julia's answer +was ever the same, "No, I will not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why will you not?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," replied Julia, "Mr. Wilmot is nothing to me, +and there is no reason why I should go to him, more than to +any other lovesick youth who takes a fancy to send for me. +You would not feel obliged to run if Bill Jeffrey should have +the measles and send for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page051">[pg 051]</span><a name="Pg051" id="Pg051" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Oh, stop, stop," said Fanny, "you shall not liken Bill +Jeffrey to Mr. Wilmot, who is so good, so noble. You loved +him once, and for the sake of that love go to him now; it can +do you no harm."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It would seriously affect my plans for the future; and once +for all, I tell you I will not go," replied Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then I will," said Fanny, "and show him that I, at least, +have not forgotten him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This idea pleased Julia, and she answered, "I wish you +would, for your presence will do as much good as mine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny hastily ran down stairs and, going to her mother, +said, "Mother, Julia will not go, but I will. I should like to +very much. Will you let me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton was too much engrossed in her painful +thoughts to give much heed to what Fanny said. She only +knew that she wished her to consent to something, and she +mechanically answered, "Yes, yes, go." It was then after +sunset, and as the sky had all day been cloudy, darkness was +fast gathering over the earth, but Fanny heeded it not. She +bade Ike make haste, and in a few moments her favorite pony +was saddled. Ike's horse was then got in readiness, and they +were soon galloping off in the direction of Frankfort. 'Twas +a long ride of twelve miles and the darkness increased every +moment, while a steady, drizzling rain commenced falling. +Still Fanny kept perseveringly on, occasionally speaking an +encouraging word to Ike, who pulled his old cap closely over +his ears and muttered, "Lord bless young miss. Seems like +'twas her was done promised to young marster, a puttin' out +this desput night to see him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Fanny kept her thoughts to herself, and while she is +making her way to Frankfort, we will precede her and see +what is taking place in the sick room. The large drops of +sweat which stood upon Mr. Wilmot's high, white forehead, +showed that the hour of dissolution was at hand. His mind +was wandering, but still the burden of his soul was, "Julia, +Julia, oh, will she not come?" Mr. Miller stood by him and +endeavored as far as possible to quiet him, and once, during a +lucid interval, he asked, "If Julia does not come, what shall I +tell her when I see her?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Wilmot's eyes opened wide and for a moment he looked +wistfully at his friend, and then said mournfully, "I cannot see +you, Joseph, my vision has departed forever, and if Julia +comes, I cannot now look on her loved features, but if I die +ere she arrives, ask her if she wrote that letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page052">[pg 052]</span><a name="Pg052" id="Pg052" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Just then there was a noise without, and the sound of +horses' feet was heard coming up the graveled walk. Some +one in the room whispered, "It must be Miss Middleton." The +sound caught the dying man's ear and he wildly exclaimed, +"Has she come? Oh! Has she come?" Fanny was now +heard speaking in the hall. We have said that her voice was +strangely like her sister's, so it was no wonder that Mr. Wilmot, +in his feverish delirium, mistook it. Clasping his hands +together, he exclaimed, "Thank God she has come! She has +come!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The excitement was too much for him and for a few +moments he was unconscious. When at last animation was +restored, Fanny was hanging over his pillow, and Fanny's +tears were upon his cheek; but he thought it was Julia, and +drawing her to him, he imprinted a burning kiss upon her fair +brow, saying, "God bless you for coming, precious Julia, I +knew you would come; and now tell me, do you not love me +as well as you always have?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was bewildered, and looked imploringly at Mr. +Miller, who said, "Richard, do you think it is Julia who is +standing by you now?" The sick man gave a startled look and +almost shrieked out, "Julia? Yes, is it not Julia? Speak +quick and tell me, isn't Julia here?" Mr. Miller's eyes filled +with tears as he answered sadly, "No, Richard, Julia is not +here; it is Fanny who has come." A deathly paleness passed +over Mr. Wilmot's face and a paroxysm of delirium ensued +more violent than any which had preceded it. At last it +partially passed off and he became comparatively calm, but +still persisted in thinking it was Julia whose hand he held in +his and whose breath was upon his cheek. "Heaven bless +you for coming, beloved one," he would say, "I knew you +would come, and still the dreadful thought has haunted me, +that you might be false, for that was a cruel letter; but you +did not write it, did you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered through her tears, "No, Mr. Wilmot, I did +not write it. It is Fanny who is speaking to you." But Mr. +Wilmot understood only the first part of what she said, and +continued, "I knew you did not, I am satisfied now to die; +and yet 'tis hard to die when I am so young and so far from +home, but it is sweet to know that I have your love to the last. +When I am dead, you will tell them at home how I loved and +prayed for them. My mother will weep bitterly for her son, +who died so far away, but she does not love me as well as you +do, does she, dearest?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then Dr. Lacey entered the room. He seemed surprised +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page053">[pg 053]</span><a name="Pg053" id="Pg053" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to see Fanny there, and to hear the words of endearment +addressed to her by Mr. Wilmot, but Mr. Miller softly +told him of the mistake. This seemed to satisfy him, but he +anxiously noted every change of Fanny's countenance. At +last Mr. Wilmot said, "If you did not write that letter, who +did? Was it, could it have been your sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no! No!" said Fanny, "I did not write it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know you did not, dearest," said he; "you would not do +such a thing, but who did? I cannot think it was Fanny, who +was always so gentle, so guileless."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Fanny! She felt that her beloved teacher was dying +with a suspicion of her innocence, and she wept most bitterly. +At last a change passed over Mr. Wilmot's face, a +change which showed that the last trying moment had come. +It frequently occurs with dying persons that at the last their +faculties are for a moment fully restored. So it was with Mr. +Wilmot. A bright smile broke over his face and looking up +at Mr. Miller, he said, "I thank my Heavenly Father I can +see again. Now, where is Julia? I would look on her face +once more."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I told you," said Mr. Miller, "that you were mistaken; it is +not Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not Julia!" said Mr. Wilmot, again becoming delirious. +"Not Julia! It cannot be true." Then drawing Fanny toward +him he looked earnestly in her face. Slowly the bitter +truth broke over his mind, and he said, "Yes, I was mistaken! +But I bless you for coming; but Julia, my too dearly loved +Julia—she is not here. Oh, if I can never see her in this +world, shall I see her in heaven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were the last words he ever uttered. Falling back on +his pillow, he drew Fanny's face to his, and with his last +breath kissed her quivering lips, and all was over. Sadly Mr. +Miller closed the eyes of his departed friend, and smoothing +the covering about him, left him to the care of the servants. +A few hours later, Fanny entered the room with Dr. Lacey, +again to look on the face of Mr. Wilmot. The sun was just +rising, and its first red rays fell upon the marble features of +the dead. There was on his face an expression so calm and +heavenly that Fanny held her breath while looking at him, +lest she should disturb his peaceful repose. At length she +kissed his cold forehead, and silently left the room which contained +the pale sleeper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of a few hours she returned home, bearing the +sad tidings, which was received by her mother with a burst +of tears; but Julia preserved the same indifference which had +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page054">[pg 054]</span><a name="Pg054" id="Pg054" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +been manifested throughout all Mr. Wilmot's illness. Hard-hearted +as she was, there came a time in after years when +that proud head was bowed with grief, and those dark eyes +were bedimmed by tears of penitence, which could not atone +for the past; for they were of no avail to bring back the +dead from their silent resting place.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter6" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc12" id="toc12"></a><a name="pdf13" id="pdf13"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter VI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">sunshine has two graves upon which to plant flowers</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page055">[pg 055]</span><a name="Pg055" id="Pg055" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mr. Wilmot's death occurred on Tuesday morning, and the +following Thursday was appointed for his burial. It was +the 1st of September, and a bright, beautiful day; but its sunlight +fell on many aching hearts, for though he who lay in his +low coffin, so cold and still, was a "stranger in a strange +land," there were many whose tears fell like summer rain for +one who had thus early passed away. He had during his lifetime +been a member of the Episcopal church, and his funeral +services were to take place at Ascension Church.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The house was filled to overflowing. Mr. Middleton, Mr. +Miller, Dr. Lacey and Fanny occupied the front seat, as principal +mourners for the deceased. Many searching eyes were +bent on the fair young girl, whose white forehead gleamed +from under the folds of her veil, and whose eyelids, wet with +tears, drooped heavily upon her pale cheek. Madam Rumor +had been busy with her thousand tongues, and the scene at +the deathbed had been told and retold in twenty different +forms, until at last it had become settled that on Fanny's part +there was some secret attachment, or she never would have +evinced so much interest in Mr. Wilmot. She, however, was +ignorant of all this, and sat there wholly unconscious of the +interest she was exciting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was not there. She had again defied her mother's +commands, and resisted all Fanny's entreaties, that she would +go to the funeral.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You ought to see Mr. Wilmot," said Fanny. "He looks so +calm, so peaceful and," she added in a low voice, "so forgiving."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"So forgiving!" quickly repeated Julia. "I wonder what +he has to forgive. If I had continued to love him, 'twould +not have saved his life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny sighed and turned away from the hard-hearted girl, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page056">[pg 056]</span><a name="Pg056" id="Pg056" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +who was left alone with her thoughts during all the long +hours of that day. But to do her justice, we must say, that +after her mother and sister were gone, a feeling of sadness +stole over her; her stony heart somewhat softened, and in +the solitude of her chamber she wept for a long time; but +whether for Mr. Wilmot's death, her own conduct toward him, +or the circumstances which surrounded her, none can tell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Let us now return to Frankfort, and go back for a few +moments in our story. Just as the funeral procession had left +the house and was proceeding toward the church, the steamboat +Diana, which plies between Cincinnati and Frankfort, appeared +round a bend in the river. She was loaded with passengers, +who were all on the lookout as they neared the landing +place. Just at that moment the tolling bell rang out on +the air. Its tones fell sadly on the ear of a tall, beautiful girl, +who was impatiently pacing the deck, and looking anxiously +in the direction of the city. The knell was repeated, and she +murmured, "Oh, what if that should be for Richard!" The +thought overpowered her, and sitting down on a seat near +her she burst into tears.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Can I do anything for you?" said the captain, who at that +moment passed her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing, except to land me in Frankfort as soon as possible," +said the young lady, whom the reader will readily +suppose was Kate Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Are you in a great hurry?" asked the captain.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," returned Kate. "My brother is dangerously sick +and I am anxious to get to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where does your brother live?" asked the captain.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He boards with Mrs. Williams, on Elm street," answered +Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then," said the captain, "if you will show me your baggage, +I will see that it is sent there, for you probably will not +wish to waste time in looking after it when we land."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate thanked him for his kindness; and when they reached +the shore the kind-hearted man called one of his boatmen and +ordered him to show Miss Wilmot the way to Mrs. Williams' +residence. As Kate approached the house she noticed the air +of desertion about it, and her heart sank for fear her brother +might be dead. Running hastily up the steps, she rang the +bell, which was answered by a female domestic, who was too +old and too infirm to attend the funeral. Kate accosted her by +saying, "Does Mr. Wilmot live here?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old lady replied by lifting up her hand and exclaiming, +while the tears coursed their way down her cheeks, "Lord +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page057">[pg 057]</span><a name="Pg057" id="Pg057" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +bless me if it isn't young marster's sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, yes," said Kate impatiently, "I am his sister. But tell +me, is he dead? Am I too late?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The woman replied, "Not too late to see him, if you're right +spry. They've carried him to the church."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where? What church is it?" asked Kate wildly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Right yender; that ar brick house with the tall steeple."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate waited for no more, but darted off in the direction of +the church. Meanwhile the services were ended, and the +friends of the deceased were taking their last leave of him. +Mrs. Middleton and Mr. Miller stood on one side of the coffin, +while Dr. Lacey and Fanny were on the other. Fanny gazed +long and earnestly upon the face of her teacher, as if she +would stamp his likeness with daguerrean accuracy upon her +heart.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was turning sadly away, when a noise at the door +caused all eyes to be directed that way. A pale, lovely face +was seen looking anxiously in, and then a slight female figure +advanced through the crowd, which gave way for her to pass. +She passed up the aisle till she reached the coffin, then bursting +into a flood of tears, she wrung her hands, exclaiming, +"My brother, oh my brother—are you indeed dead?" She then +imprinted kiss after kiss upon the cold lips of him who never +before disregarded her caresses; and as the full force of her +loss came over her, she uttered a piercing cry of anguish, and +fell fainting into the arms of Mr. Miller, who recognized in her +beautiful features the original of the picture which Mr. Wilmot +had shown him a few months before.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He bore her out into the open air, where he was instantly +surrounded by half a dozen ladies, each insisting that the fair +stranger should be taken to her house. First among these was +Mrs. Crane, who saw by a glance at Kate that her presence +would not be derogatory to any house, so she determined to +have her taken to her own dwelling, and urged her claim so +hard that Mr. Miller at last consented, thinking that Mrs. +Williams must be wearied with the recent illness of Mr. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, when Kate was again restored to consciousness, +she found herself in an elegantly furnished room, with +a gaily dressed, handsome lady sitting by her. This was Mrs. +Carrington, whose delicate nerves would not suffer her to attend +a funeral. On seeing Kate move, she spoke to her and +asked her if she felt better.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, much better," said Kate; "but where am I? What +has happened?" And then as the recollection of what had +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page058">[pg 058]</span><a name="Pg058" id="Pg058" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +occurred came over her, she burst into tears and said, "My +brother—they have buried him, I suppose, and I cannot see +him again."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington answered, "I think they have not gone to +the cemetery yet. I will dispatch a servant and ask them to +delay the burial a few moments, if you desire it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate thanked her; but at that moment a messenger came +from Mr. Miller. He had anticipated Kate's wishes, and sent +word that a carriage was waiting to convey her to the church, +where she would have another opportunity of seeing her +brother. Mrs. Carrington felt constrained to offer to accompany +her, and the two proceeded to the church and thence to +the cemetery.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Although Mrs. Carrington had not visited Mr. Wilmot +during his illness, she was by no means ignorant of Fanny's +attentions. She had taken great pains to comment upon them +in Dr. Lacey's presence, saying, "that she had often suspected +Fanny of possessing a more than ordinary affection for Mr. +Wilmot, and she had sometimes thought her affection returned. +For her part, she did not blame Julia for absenting herself +from him, for she had probably discovered his preference for +her sister." Her object in doing this was to make Dr. Lacey +think less favorably of Fanny, for with her practised eye +she had discovered that for no other female did he feel such +an interest as for "Little Fanny Middleton," as she always +termed her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the grave she noticed Fanny's pale face and swollen +eyes, and found occasion to say to her, loud enough for Dr. +Lacey to hear, "I am astonished, Fanny, to see you show to +the world how much you loved your sister's betrothed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This remark had no effect upon Fanny, except causing her +to look at Mrs. Carrington in surprise and to wonder what she +meant. With Dr. Lacey it was different. Imperceptibly, +"Little Fanny Middleton" had won a place in his heart which +no other one had ever possessed. At first he admired her for +her frank, confiding nature, and afterward he learned to love +her for the many lovely traits of her character. He had +thought it perfectly natural that she should feel a great interest +in Mr. Wilmot, who was for so long a time a member of +her father's family; but the wrong construction which was put +upon her motives annoyed him, and even made him fearful +that her heart might be more interested in Mr. Wilmot than +he was willing to believe. As he stood by the open grave into +which the cold earth was heavily falling, there rested upon his +brow a deeper shade of sadness than was occasioned by the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page059">[pg 059]</span><a name="Pg059" id="Pg059" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +mere death of his friend. Mrs. Carrington observed it, and +resolved to follow up the train of thought which she saw was +awakened in his mind.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the burial Kate returned to Mrs. Crane's, where she +was treated with every possible attention which politeness or +sympathy could dictate. A few days after the funeral she one +evening casually asked, if that fair, delicate-looking girl +at her brother's grave were not Miss Middleton?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," replied Mrs. Carrington. "Did you not think from +her manner that she was a sincere mourner?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate was about to reply, when Dr. Lacey prevented her by +saying, "Pardon me, Mrs. Carrington; but I think you have +given Miss Wilmot a wrong impression. She doubtless thinks +it was Miss Julia Middleton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Kate, "I thought it was Miss Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied that it was Fanny—Julia's younger sister; +and then he told how faithfully she had watched over Mr. +Wilmot during his illness. Of Julia he said nothing, and although +Kate wished very much to know something concerning +her, she determined not to question Dr. Lacey, but to wait and +ask Mr. Miller, who, for some reason, seemed nearer to her +than any other one of the strangers by whom she was surrounded. +He had been solicited to take charge of the school, +which was now destitute of a teacher, and as the situation +pleased him, he readily accepted the offer and accepted Mrs. +Crane's as his boarding place. Perhaps one inducement which +led him to do this was the presence of the beautiful Kate, in +whom he daily became more interested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Years before, when but a boy in the boarding school at +Canandaigua, he had often fancied that the time would come +when he should both see and know the sister whom Richard +Wilmot used to describe in such glowing terms. Since then +another image had filled his heart and he had dreamed of another +face—not so fair, perhaps, but quite as innocent. But +now the dream was sadly over, and he had never thought of +the gentle Fanny for a wife since that night when, as he supposed, +he saw the dark side of her character. He, however, +could not conquer his old partiality, and always spoke of her +in the highest terms. Consequently, from his description of +her, Kate received a very favorable impression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He said little of Julia; but told Kate that he would take her +to Mr. Middleton's the first fine day. He wished to go there +in order to induce Mrs. Middleton to send her daughters back +to school. The next Saturday was fixed upon for the visit, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page060">[pg 060]</span><a name="Pg060" id="Pg060" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and at an early hour Mr. Miller and Kate were on their way +to Mr. Middleton's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate Wilmot was not only handsome, but was also very intelligent +and agreeable, and by the time their ride was half-completed, +Mr. Miller was more than half in love and was +building air castles just as he had done months before when +Fanny was mistress of them all.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About noon they reached Mr. Middleton's, where they were +received very kindly by Mrs. Middleton, very joyfully by +Fanny, and very coldly by Julia, whose face always wore a +darker frown whenever Mr. Miller was present; but he apparently +did not notice it, and went on conversing upon +different subjects. At last he asked when Mr. Middleton +was expected home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am expecting him every day," said Mrs. Middleton, +"and," she added in a lower tone, "I almost dread to have him +come, for I do not know that he has ever heard a word of +Richard's illness and death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, have you never written to him?" asked Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," replied she; "but it is so uncertain as to what place +he is in, or how long he will remain there, that it is doubtful +whether he ever received the letter. We heard from him a +few days ago. He was then in Indiana, and as he said nothing +about Mr. Wilmot, I presume he has not heard of his +death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just as she had finished speaking, the dogs set up a great +barking, and the negroes uttered the joyful cry of "Marster's +come! Marster's come!" The family ran to the door to meet +him; but Fanny could not wait for him to enter the house, +neither could she stop to unfasten the gate, but clearing it +with one bound, she was soon in the arms of her father, who +uttered his usual, "Ha, ha," and said, "Well done, darling; +you'll do for a cirkis rider. Are you glad to see your old +pap?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The blacks then gathered round, and he shook hands with +all, saying, "How d'ye, boys? How d'ye? Have you worked +right smart since I've been gone? If you have, you may +have a play spell the rest of the arternoon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he entered the house, where after greeting his +wife, Julia and Mr. Miller, he was introduced to "Miss Wilmot." +He took her hand and looking at her for a moment, +said, "Wilmot, Wilmot! Are you Dick's sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate's eyes filled with tears as she exclaimed, "Yes, sir, +Richard was my brother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Richard was your brother! Great Moses! What does +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page061">[pg 061]</span><a name="Pg061" id="Pg061" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +this mean? And you in black and crying!" Then looking at +his wife, who was also in tears, he added impatiently, "What +in thun—" but instantly recollecting himself, he said more +gently, "Can't anybody tell me what has happened?" And the +old man's cheek paled, and his voice trembled, as the dread +of what might have happened stole over him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny at last went up to him and said softly, "Father, Mr. +Wilmot is dead!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton sank into the nearest chair, and covering his +rough face with his hands, wept as freely as a little child. He +had loved Mr. Wilmot with almost a father's love, and during +his absence had not been unmindful of him. Safely stowed +away in his carpet bag were several costly books, which he +had purchased as a present for Richard. He had also hoped +that as Julia's husband he would have a good influence over +her, and improve her fractious disposition; and many were +the plans which he had formed as to what he would do when +Richard was really his son. But now he was gone forever. +The blow was so sudden, so unexpected, that for several +minutes he was stunned by its force and wept on in silence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last, lifting up his head, he turned to Kate and said, +"You must not think me a silly old fool, child, for Lord +knows old Josh Middleton hain't shed such tears since he was +a little shaver and cried when they buried up his dead mother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate could not reply, but from that time she felt for Mr. +Middleton a respect and esteem which nothing could ever +change.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After Mr. Middleton had become calm, he proceeded to +enumerate to Mr. Miller the many good qualities of Mr. Wilmot. +Said he, "He was a capital feller; allus just so. Lively +as a cricket; none of your stuck-up, fiddle-faddle notions. +And then he was such a good boarder—not a bit particular +what he eat; why, he was the greatest kind of a man—eat +corn bread, turnip greens, or anything!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this speech Kate smiled in spite of her tears, and Mr. +Middleton went on: "But he warn't as handsome as his +sister, and I'll be skinned if I ever seen anybody that was. +Tempest can't hold a candle to her, for all she feels so crank. +Why, Kit, or Kate, what's yer name? You're as handsome +as a pictur!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller probably thought so too, if the admiring look +which he gave her was any criterion. Mr. Middleton observed +it, and forgetting for a moment the death of his friend, +he slapped Mr. Miller on his shoulder, saying, "I tell you +what, my boy; it's a mighty mean wind that blows nobody +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page062">[pg 062]</span><a name="Pg062" id="Pg062" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +any good fortin. Miss Kate warn't sent to Kentuck for +nothin', and unless you're a bigger logger-head than I think +you be, you'll try to find out what she come for, and how +long she's goin' to stay."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller smiled and said, "I hope we shall be able to keep +Miss Wilmot all winter, for the people of Frankfort are +wanting a music teacher, and have solicited her to remain in +that capacity."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"By Jove," said Mr. Middleton, "that's just the thing! And +you have taken Dick's place in school—poor, boy, to die so +soon!" The tears were again moistening his immense beard, +but this time he hastily brushed them away, and went on, +"Yes, that's a capital idee, and you want me to patternize +you by sending my two gals—hey? Well, I reckon I can't +do better, if they want to go. Ho! Tempest—Sunshine—what +d'ye say? D'ye want to go back to Frankfort and +board at Miss Crane's, 'long of Mr. Miller, Dr. Lacey, Katy +did, and that other infernal Katy didn't, what fainted spang +away at the sight of old Josh! But though she was so +dreadfully skeered, the pooty color didn't leave her cheeks an +atom. Lightnin' spikes! Let me catch my gals paintin' and +I'll—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But he was prevented from telling what he'd do by Fanny, +who clapped her hands and said, "Oh, father, you are a dear +good man; may we really go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I thought Fanny would be pleased with the idea," said Mr. +Miller, "and even if she had objected, I was going to send +the doctor out, and I know he would bring her to terms."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny blushed and her father said, "Do you think so? +Well, I'm glad on't. I'd as soon she'd have him as anybody, +and she's worthy of him too, for if she can love such a +hideous old clown as I am, she'll stick to such a nice man as +Dr. Lacey through thick and thin. But what do you say to +goin', Tempest?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia had at first thought that nothing could induce her to +become a pupil of Mr. Miller, but his allusion to Dr. Lacey +decided her otherwise. It was necessary that she should go, +for she did not dare trust her sister alone with the doctor; +so she swallowed her dislike to Mr. Miller, and said she +should be delighted to return to school.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was settled that they should go during the next week.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This arrangement gave great pleasure to Dr. Lacey, who +found it very lonely in Frankfort without Fanny, and had several +times spoken of returning to New Orleans. But when +he learned that Fanny was coming back, he suddenly changed +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page063">[pg 063]</span><a name="Pg063" id="Pg063" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +his mind and concluded that Frankfort would be a charming +winter residence. This was laughingly told to Fanny by +Kate, who had learned to love her very much. Julia she disliked, +for she had at last drawn from Mr. Miller the whole +history of her proceedings, and she could but look upon the +false-hearted girl as accessory to her brother's death.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia knew that by the fair Northern beauty she was +secretly despised, but she did not care, for she had conceived +a great friendship for Mrs. Carrington, whom she often +amused with her remarks about New York people. Once she +said, "I do wish New York would die, or stop taking emetics, +and sending the contents of her bilious stomach to Kentucky +in the shape of teachers!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington smiled and said, "I think you prefer +Louisiana emetics, do you not?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia blushed as she answered, "Yes, but what can I do. +There's Mr. Miller ready to back up whatever Fanny does, +and put down whatever I do. I'd thank him to mind his own +business, and stay at his own home!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington did not reply, for she, too, was greatly annoyed +by the presence of Mr. Miller and Kate. The latter +she looked upon as a rival, for she was said by every one to +have the most beautiful face in Frankfort. This greatly displeased +Mrs. Carrington, who, before Kate's arrival, had been +considered the belle of the town, so far as beauty was concerned. +She also felt great contempt for Kate's occupation +as a teacher, and said, "She didn't see why folks should make +such an ado over a poor music teacher."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Once, in speaking on the subject to Dr. Lacey, she said, +"I am glad I was not born in New York, for then I should +have been obliged to pick up chips, split wood, dig potatoes, +wash dishes and teach school!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey's reply to this remark was, "I think, Mrs. Carrington, +you will admit that the young ladies who come here +from the North almost always possess superior education. +Now if they spent much time in splitting wood and digging +potatoes, I am sure they could not acquire so much knowledge."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington answered, "Of course you feel interested +in New Yorkers, for Fanny has taken a great fancy to them, +and whatever she likes you must like, of course."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I know Fanny likes our New York friends very +much," said Dr. Lacey. "And I think you will allow that +she shows good taste in the choice of her associates."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, admirable," returned Mrs. Carrington, "almost as +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page064">[pg 064]</span><a name="Pg064" id="Pg064" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +good taste as some of my acquaintance show in preferring +her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What do you mean?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, I mean," said Mrs. Carrington, "that I am puzzled +to know what attraction such a simple-minded girl as Fanny +can have for a person of your intelligence."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey bit his lip, but forcing down his anger said, +"She possesses the same attraction which every guileless, innocent +person has."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Guileless and innocent," repeated Mrs. Carrington; "rather +call her artful and designing. Depend upon it, doctor, you +have only seen the bright side of her disposition. You +should see her in her room, and know how much trouble her +sister has with her!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She might have said more, but Dr. Lacey stopped her by +saying rather warmly, "Mrs. Carrington, you shall not talk so +about Fanny. I know you do not like her, and consequently, +whatever you can say of her will have no effect upon me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, he quitted the apartment, leaving Mrs. Carrington +to her own reflections. They were not very pleasant, for +Dr. Lacey's manner had said as plainly as words could say +that she had better mind her own business, and she began to +think so herself, for she muttered, "After all, what is it to me +if he does like Fanny? I am bound fast, but oh, if I were +free, I'd compass heaven and earth to secure him." Her +wish to be free was soon realized.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That afternoon, when the Sea Gull came up from Louisville, +it brought home her husband, wearied, worn out and +sick. He took his bed, and never left his room again until +strong men carried him out and laid him down to sleep in +the silent graveyard. The close of his life was calm and +peaceful, for he had early chosen the better part, and he +looked upon the grave as but a stepping stone from earth to +heaven.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His life was a dreary pilgrimage, for though he possessed +for his young, giddy wife, a strong, ardent affection, he had +long known that it was not returned, and he felt that she +would be happier if he were dead. She, however, paid him +as much attention during his illness as the gay life she led +would allow; but she was often away, and night after night +was he left alone with his Bible and his God, while she was +in the midst of some fashionable amusement. Her neglect +was, however, partly made up to him by the kind care of +Fanny, who gave him all the time she could possibly spare +from her school duties. Mrs. Carrington found it very convenient +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page065">[pg 065]</span><a name="Pg065" id="Pg065" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to call upon her, whenever she wished to be absent, +and hour after hour the fair young girl sat by the sick man's +bedside, employed either with her needle, her books or drawing. +Mr. Carrington was a fine scholar and gave her much +assistance in her studies.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he grew too weak to read, she would read to him +from the Bible, stopping occasionally, while he explained some +obscure passage, or endeavored to impress on her mind some +solemn truth. Thus were the seeds of righteousness sown, +which afterward sprang up and bore fruit unto everlasting +life.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last the chilling dews came upon his head, his eye grew +dim with the mists of death, and then he laid his cold, white +hand on Fanny's head and prayed most earnestly that heaven's +choicest blessings, both here and hereafter, might descend +upon one who had so kindly smoothed his dark pathway down +to the valley of death. A few words of affectionate farewell +to his wife and he was gone. His crushed, aching heart had +ceased to beat and in a few days the green sod was growing +above his early grave.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny begged so earnestly to have him buried by the side +of Mr. Wilmot that Mrs. Carrington finally consented, and +the two, who had never seen each other on earth, now lay +peacefully side by side. When the springtime came, the same +fair hands planted flowers over the graves of her brothers, +as she loved to call the two men, each of whom had blessed +her with his dying breath. Thither would she often go with +Dr. Lacey, who was each day learning to love her more and +more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington contented herself with having a few hysterical +fits, shedding a few tears, dressing herself in an expensive +suit of mourning, and erecting to the memory of her +husband a magnificent monument. When Mr. Middleton saw +the latter, he said, "Why the plague can't Dick have as good a +gravestun as that young lieutenant? He desarves it jest as +much"; so out came his purse, and when Mrs. Carrington +went next to visit the costly marble at her husband's grave, +she was chagrined to see by its side a still more splendid one. +But there was no help for it, so she had to endure it in silence, +consoling herself with thinking how becomingly she would +dress and how many conquests she would make, when the term +of her mourning should have expired!</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter7" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc14" id="toc14"></a><a name="pdf15" id="pdf15"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter VII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia's plot to break fanny's engagement</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page066">[pg 066]</span><a name="Pg066" id="Pg066" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Our readers will not be sorry, if after a chapter of sadness +and death, we turn to a more joyous one, and tell them of the +bridal of Kate Wilmot and Mr. Miller. Kate wished to defer +it a few months, on account of the recent death of her brother, +but her lover urged his claim so strongly that she at last +yielded, and their marriage took place on Christmas eve. +Mr. W——, one of the wealthiest men in Frankfort, very +kindly offered to give Kate a splendid wedding party, but she +politely declined his generous offer, as she did not feel like +entering into such a scene of gayety as would necessarily attend +a large party.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few of her most intimate friends assembled in Mrs. +Crane's parlor, and thence proceeded to the church, which +was crowded with anxious spectators, many of whom almost +envied Mr. Miller his beautiful bride, while others envied her +the fine-looking man who stood there as the bridegroom, and +all were unanimous in pronouncing it an excellent match. +Kate's happiness on this occasion was not unmingled with +sadness, for her thoughts went back to the time when, with a +heart bursting with anguish, she had first entered that church +and passed up its broad aisle until she reached the side of her +darling brother, who lay shrouded in his coffin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Now the scene was changed; she was there as the happy +bride of one to whom she had given the undivided affection +of her heart, and as the solemn words were uttered which +made her his forever, she felt that her brother's spirit hovered +near, to bless her union with one who had ever been his true +friend. So she requested that Fanny should be her bridesmaid, +and the young girl now stood at the altar, with her +bright face beaming with happiness, for Dr. Lacey, who was +by her side, had, the night before, told her all his love, and +had won from her a promise that at some future time she +would be his. He told her that he would speak to her father +the next evening.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page067">[pg 067]</span><a name="Pg067" id="Pg067" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Accordingly, after the wedding party had returned to Mrs. +Crane's, he invited Mr. Middleton to go with him for a few +minutes to his room. Fanny was sure of her father's consent, +but she could not help feeling nervous when she saw +him leave the parlor, accompanied by Dr. Lacey. A few +moments after, she observed that Julia also was missing, and +she trembled lest she might have suspected something and +gone to listen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor was she mistaken in her fears; for Mrs. Carrington +and Julia both had an inkling of what was going on, and +when the latter heard Dr. Lacey say something to her father +in a low tone, and then saw them leave the room together, she +arose and stealthily followed them upstairs. Going out on +the balcony, she stole softly up to Dr. Lacey's window, and +there, unobserved, listened to a conversation which confirmed +her worst fears. In a firm, decided tone, Dr. Lacey told Mr. +Middleton of his love for his daughter, and said she had promised +to be his if her father would consent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton replied, "And so it's my darter you want. +Of course it's Sunshine?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly, sir," answered Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, I'm glad on't. I've seen it all along; but I didn't +know but mebby Tempest had come it over you with her +pretty face—but devil of a life you'd lead with her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey did not reply, but Julia did; and though the +tones of her voice were too low to be heard, they were none +the less emphatic, as she said, "And devil of a life I'll make +you lead if you do not have me." And at the same time she +ground her glittering teeth and shook her clenched fist at the +two men, who were unconscious of the rage they were exciting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton continued, "Yes, I'll give you Sunshine, I +reckon, and a hundred thousand dollars beside."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's Fanny I want, not her money," said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, I know," answered Mr. Middleton; "but I reckon +you won't object to a few thousand, unless you are as rich as +a Jew."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied: "I am not as rich as a Jew, but I am the +only child of my father, who is said to be worth half a +million."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Half a million!" repeated Mr. Middleton in astonishment. +"Golly-ludy, man, what made you ever think of a poor girl +like Sunshine?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because I love her," answered Dr. Lacey, "and I would +marry her just as soon if she were not worth one dime."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page068">[pg 068]</span><a name="Pg068" id="Pg068" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Maybe you would and maybe you wouldn't," muttered +Julia; "and perhaps you'll have her, and perhaps you won't. +You've got me to deal with, and I'd like to see the person who +can cross my path with impunity." So saying, she glided from +her hiding place and went down stairs to the parlor, leaving +her father and Dr. Lacey to finish their conversation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey proposed that Fanny should continue at school +two years longer, and at the end of that time he would claim +her as his wife.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," said Mr. Middleton; "I s'pose I understand; +you want her to be more accomplished like, afore you take +her down to New Orleans. Well, it's perfectly nateral, and +old Josh'll spar no pains nor money."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so the conference ended. When Dr. Lacey re-entered +the parlor Fanny read success in his face. In a short time he +managed to get near her, and bending down, whispered to her, +"My own dear Fanny, forever." At these words a beautiful +flush suffused Fanny's usually pale cheek. It was noticed by +Julia, who was watching the doctor and her sister with a feeling +of almost fiendish hatred. When she saw the bright look +of joy which passed over Fanny's face as the doctor whispered +to her, she pressed her small white hands together until +her long transparent nails left their impress in her flesh!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just then Mr. Miller, with his wife upon his arm, approached +the spot where the doctor was standing, and said, +"Why, doctor, what has happened? You look almost as happy +as I feel. And little Fanny, too, is really looking quite rosy. +I should not be surprised if my wedding should be a prelude +to another."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia could hear no more, but sick with anger, she turned +away, heartily wishing Mr. Miller was in California digging +gold with the water six feet deep all around him! When the +company began to disperse Dr. Lacey whispered to Fanny that +he wished her to remain a few moments, as he had something +to say to her. Accordingly, after the parlor was deserted, he +drew her to the sofa and placing his arm around her, told her +of the plan which he had marked out for her improvement +during the next two years. To all that he required Fanny +promised a cheerful compliance, and he proceeded to tell her +how he would in the meantime beautify his Southern home, +and fill it up with every luxury which could please a refined, +delicate female. By the time he had finished Fanny was weeping +from excess of happiness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It seems so strange," said she, "that you should prefer me +to any one else, me, who am so plain looking, so—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page069">[pg 069]</span><a name="Pg069" id="Pg069" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"So pure-minded and innocent," interrupted Dr. Lacey, +"and so lovely, too, for to me you are very handsome. Not +as beautiful, perhaps, as Mrs. Miller, for there are few who +are, and yet I like your looks quite as well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply; after a moment's silence he said, +"Fanny, I shall be obliged to go to New Orleans soon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Go to New Orleans," said Fanny. "Oh, no, don't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But I must," answered he. "Business of importance calls +me there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How soon must you go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In two weeks," he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And how long will you be gone?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Probably three months," he answered. "But I shall write +to you often; twice a week, perhaps, and you will find enough +to do to answer my letters and attend to your studies, besides +practicing your music lessons. By the way, Fanny, I wish +you to pay particular attention to music, for you know I am +very fond of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny promised that she would, and they separated for the +night. While Fanny was going to her room, she determined +she would tell Julia all her future prospects; but she found her +sister either asleep or pretending to be (the latter was the +fact); so she said nothing, but lay down without disturbing +her. She could not sleep, however, and toward morning Julia +called out, in no very gentle tones, "Do lie still, Fan, or else +get up and go down in the parlor and have another tete-a-tete +with Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny saw that her sister was awake, and she resolved to +improve the opportunity, even if Julia were not in a very +gentle mood. So she said, "Sister, I want to tell you something; +wake up, won't you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Wake up!" answered Julia. "I should like to know who's +been asleep, or who can sleep where you are? What is the +great secret you wish to tell me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With many blushes and some stammering Fanny got +through with her story. After she had finished Julia was +silent a few moments and then said, "Well, what of it? What +if Dr. Lacey has promised to marry you? Is that any reason +why you should keep me awake all night?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not answer, and as her mind was relieved from +the weighty matter of telling her sister, she soon fell asleep, +and when she awoke the sun was high in the heavens, and +Mrs. Miller was bending over her, wishing her a "Merry +Christmas!" That day there was sent to Mrs. Crane's a +large box, which Dr. Lacey was very particular to have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page070">[pg 070]</span><a name="Pg070" id="Pg070" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +handled carefully. When it was opened it was found to contain +an elegant rosewood piano, and a note in which was +written, "A Christmas Gift for Fanny." The delighted girl +did not ask who was the giver, for she well knew; and resolved +to apply herself closely to music, so as to do justice to +the beautiful present.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The two weeks of Dr. Lacey's stay passed rapidly away, +and at their close he bade Fanny an affectionate good-by, promising +to write regularly twice a week, and to return, if possible, +at the end of three months. After he was gone, it +seemed to Fanny that one-half of her life had left her, and she +felt very unhappy. There was something in her sister's manner +which she could not define, and as Julia seemed anxious +to avoid her, she spent much of her time with Mrs. Miller, +who each day grew fonder of her little "Kentucky sister," as +she often called her in imitation of her brother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile Julia spent all her leisure hours with Mrs. Carrington, +to whom she confided her feelings and wishes. Mrs. +Carrington was not displeased to find that Julia was determined +to break the engagement between Dr. Lacey and Fanny, +and secretly hoped she would succeed. Not that she wished to +aid Julia in securing the doctor, for such was not her intention. +Neither did she look upon such an event as possible, for +she felt sure that Dr. Lacey never would fancy Julia, even if +there were no Fannys in the world; and supposing he did, she +could easily remedy it by exposing Julia's wickedness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In due course of time a letter arrived for Fanny from Dr. +Lacey. It was a well-filled sheet and so full of affection and +kind suggestions for her improvement, that Fanny felt an increased +pleasure in thinking that she was the object of Dr. +Lacey's love. Julia watched her with an evil eye, as she read +the letter, and when she saw the look of joy which lit up +every feature, she thought, "Yes, read on and enjoy it—do—for +you'll not get many more such!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That day after school she started out for the purpose of +laying the foundation for the fulfillment of a part of her plans. +There was in the post-office a clerk whose name was Joseph +Dunn. He was an awkward, rawboned young man, about six +feet two inches high. Until within a few months he had lived +near Mr. Middleton. He had a yellow face, yellow hair and +yellow teeth, the latter of which projected over his under lip. +He also drove a very yellow horse and rode in a yellow +buggy. In his own estimation he was perfectly irresistible, +and imagined he had only to say the word and all the girls in +the country would eagerly accept the offer of being mistress +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page071">[pg 071]</span><a name="Pg071" id="Pg071" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of his fancy colored horse and person. For Fanny he had +conceived a violent passion and wondered much that she +should repel all his serious advances. At last he wrote her a +letter saying that on a certain afternoon he would visit her +and make a formal offer of his hand. He bade her weigh +the matter seriously, so that she would have no one to blame +but herself, if she should ever regret answering in the affirmative.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was very much annoyed by this letter and when on +the afternoon specified she saw old "sorrel" coming up to the +gate, she said, "Father, there is Joe coming here to offer me +the honor of becoming Mrs. Dunn. He troubles me exceedingly +with his attentions, and I wish you would manage to +make him keep away."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus enlightened, Mr. Middleton was ready for any emergency, +and he answered Joe's confident knock in person. The +young man greeted him with a very polite, "Good afternoon," +to which Mr. Middleton returned with a significant "umph!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is your daughter Fanny at home?" asked Mr. Dunn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, she's at home," said Mr. Middleton. "What d'ye +want of her?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I should like to have a few moments' private conference +with her, if you've no objection, sir," replied Mr. Dunn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"A few moments private fiddlestick," answered Mr. Middleton. +"What the devil—whose little boy are you? Ain't you +Miss Dunn's little boy? You'd better scratch gravel for home, +and if I catch you here again dickerin' after Fanny, I'll pull +every corn-colored hair out of your head!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This rebuff somewhat cooled the ardor of Joseph's attachment, +and as he felt sure that Fanny had told her father of +his coming, he from that time disliked her as much as he had +before admired her. Not long after the sad finale of his +affaire de coeur, he left his home in the country, and going +to Frankfort became a clerk in the post office. Julia well +knew the old grudge which he had toward Fanny, and as he +did not possess the best principles in the world, she had strong +hopes of procuring his services for the accomplishment of her +purpose. Accordingly, at about half past five she bent her +steps in the direction of the post office, hoping to see him in +the street, for she knew that he usually went to his supper at +that hour. She had not gone far beyond the post office when +he overtook her. She greeted him with her blandest smile, +and as she seemed inclined to be very sociable, he slackened +his pace for the sake of walking with her. They had not proceeded +far when she said, "Mr. Dunn, if you are not in a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page072">[pg 072]</span><a name="Pg072" id="Pg072" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +particular hurry, I should like to have you walk on with me, +as I have something to communicate to you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Joseph was delighted, and yet he knew not what to think. +The haughty Julia had formerly treated him with disdain; but +within a week or two her conduct toward him had changed, +and she seemed to seek his society, and now she had even +asked him to walk with her. What could it mean? He was +not long kept in ignorance, for in a few words Julia explained +her wishes. "You know, Mr. Dunn," said she, "that I +have money and I am willing to pay you almost any amount, +and then it is such a rare opportunity for being revenged upon +Fanny, who did abuse you shamefully, and even now makes all +manner of fun of you. It will not be much trouble for you," +she continued, "for you can watch our box, and whenever a +letter arrives from Dr. Lacey, you can lay it aside until you +have an opportunity of giving it to me, and you can do the +same with Fanny's letters!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Joseph did not hesitate long, for the love of money was +strong in him, and he also had a desire for revenging his +fancied insult. Julia's manner toward him was not without +its effect, for he felt greatly flattered that she should choose +him for a confidant; so at last he promised to accede to her +proposal on condition that he was well paid.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It will be well enough," said Julia, "to let her have three +or four letters, as it would not be natural for him to forget +her immediately, you know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, ma'am," said Mr. Dunn, "I understand how to do +it. Never fear but I'll fix it right."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then, here is a part of your pay in advance," said +Julia, as she slipped a ten-dollar note into his hand. At first +he seemed inclined not to take it but finally did so, saying, "I +suppose I ought to be paid, for it's mighty ticklish business."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After having arranged affairs to her satisfaction, Julia bade +Mr. Dunn a very friendly good night, and returned home +where she found Fanny employed in writing an answer to Dr. +Lacey's letter. Here, for the present, we will leave them, until +Julia's plot has time to ripen.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter8" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc16" id="toc16"></a><a name="pdf17" id="pdf17"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter VIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">mr. middleton has more callers from new york</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page073">[pg 073]</span><a name="Pg073" id="Pg073" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The reader will now accompany us to Geneva, one of the +most beautiful villages in Western New York. On arriving at +the depot we are beset by a host of runners, who call out +lustily, "Temperance House!" "Franklin House!" "Geneva +Hotel!" "Carriage to any part of the village for a shilling!" +But we prefer walking, and passing up Water Street, and +Seneca street, we soon come to Main street, which we follow +until we come to a large, elegant mansion, the property of +Judge Fulton, who is that evening entertaining a fashionable +party. No matter if we are not invited, we can enter unperceived +and note down what is taking place.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Our attention is first directed toward the judge and his accomplished +lady, who are doing the honors of the evening. As +we scan their looks closely, we are struck with their features, +and we feel sure that to them wealth was not given in vain, +and that the beggar never left their door unfed or uncared for.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Fulton's countenance looks very familiar to us, and we +wonder much where we have seen her before, or if we never +have seen her, who it is that she so strongly reminds us of. +Before we can solve the mystery, we observe across the room +a face which makes us start up and exclaim, "Is it possible! +Can that be Dr. Lacey?" A second look at the gentleman in +question convinces us that he is two inches shorter than Dr. +Lacey, and also that he wears glasses; still be bears a striking +resemblance to the doctor, and we inquire who he is. We are +told that his name is Robert Stanton. He is a graduate of +Yale and a brother of Mrs. Fulton, He is intending in a few +days to start for Kentucky, in company with Frederic Raymond, +who was a classmate of his.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As we watch young Stanton's movements, we observe a certain +restlessness in his eye, as it wanders over the crowded +room, seemingly in quest of some one who is not there. At +last there is a new arrival, and Miss Warner, a very prim +lady and a teacher in the seminary, is announced, together +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page074">[pg 074]</span><a name="Pg074" id="Pg074" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +with three of her pupils. As the young girls enter the parlor, +Mr. Stanton seems suddenly animated with new life, and we +feel sure that one of those young ladies has a great attraction +for him. Nor are we mistaken, for he soon crosses the room, +and going up to one of them, a rosy-cheeked, blue-eyed girl, +he says in a low tone, "I am glad you have come, Nellie. I +had almost given you up, and concluded you were doing penance +for some misdemeanor, and so could not come out." Then +taking her upon his arm, he kept her near him all the evening.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was a strange history connected with Helen Ashton, +or Nellie, as she was more familiarly called, but of this we +will speak hereafter. She was formerly a member of the +young ladies' school in New Haven, where she had become +acquainted with Robert Stanton, who was in college. An intimacy +sprang up between them which at last ripened into an +agreement. Stanton's home was near Geneva, and when he +left college he suddenly discovered that the Geneva Seminary +was superior to any other, and with but little trouble he persuaded +Nellie to go there to school.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She had now been an inmate of the seminary in that place +little more than a year, during which time Robert had pursued +the study of law in Judge Fulton's office. He had always possessed +a great desire to visit Kentucky, and had finally concluded +to do so, determining if he liked it to make it his permanent +residence. He was to return the next autumn for +Nellie, who was to remain in school until that time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they stood together that evening conversing about Kentucky, +Nellie said, "I have an old schoolmate in Frankfort. It +is Kate Wilmot. Do you remember having seen her in New +Haven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is she very beautiful?" asked Robert.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, exceedingly so. She turned half the students' +heads," answered Nellie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I remember her perfectly well," said Frederic Raymond, +who was standing near, "and so does Bob, but he wants +to pretend he does not. By the way, Miss Ashton," continued +he, "are you not afraid that Kate's marvelous beauty will endanger +your claim upon Robert's heart, when he shall be near +her constantly, and can only think of your blue eyes as 'over +the hills and far away?'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Helen blushed, but did not answer, and Stanton said, "Never +fear for me, Fred, but rather keep your own heart safely +locked away, for fear some of those dark-eyed Kentucky girls +will, ere you are aware, rifle you of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I shall do no such thing," returned Frederic. "I am going +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page075">[pg 075]</span><a name="Pg075" id="Pg075" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +there for the express purpose of losing my heart, and +the first Kentucky girl which pleases me shall be my wife, +any way."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Whether she likes you or not?" asked Nellie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, whether she likes me or not," answered Frederic, "I +shall marry her first, and make her like me afterward."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying he sauntered off to another part of the room, little +thinking that what he had spoken in jest would afterward +prove true. At a late hour the company began to disperse, +Miss Warner keeping a watchful eye upon her pupils, lest +some lawless collegiate should relieve her from the trouble of +seeing them safely home. This perpendicular maiden had +lived forty years on this mundane sphere without ever having +had an offer, and she had come to think of gentlemen as a race +of intruding bipeds which the world would be much better +without. However, if there were any of the species which +she could tolerate, it was Judge Fulton and Robert Stanton. +The former she liked, because everybody liked him, and said +he was a "nice man, and what everybody said must be true." +Her partiality for the latter arose from the fact that he had +several times complimented her fine figure and dignified manners; +so when he that night asked the privilege of walking +home with Nellie, she raised no very strong opposition, but +yielded the point by merely saying something about "child's +play." She, however, kept near enough to them to hear every +word of their conversation; but they consoled themselves by +thinking that the wide-open ears could not penetrate the recesses +of their well-filled letters which they saw in the future.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few days Stanton and Raymond started for Kentucky. +The evening before they left was spent by Stanton in Nellie's +company. Mrs. Fulton had invited her to pass the night with +her, as the Judge was absent from home. About ten o'clock +Mrs. Fulton very considerately grew sleepy, and retired to her +own room. But long after the town clock rang out the hour +of midnight, a light might have been seen gleaming from the +windows of Judge Fulton's sitting room, in which sat Robert +and Nellie, repeating for the hundredth time vows of eternal +constancy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next morning when the last rumbling sound of the +eastern train died away in the streets of Geneva, Nellie Ashton +sat weeping in her little room at the seminary. She felt +that now she was again alone in the wide, wide world. Eight +years before she had in the short space of three weeks followed +both father and mother to their last resting place, and +upon their newly-made graves she had prayed the orphan's +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page076">[pg 076]</span><a name="Pg076" id="Pg076" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +prayer, that God would protect one who was without father, +mother, brother or sister in the world.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The little property of her father was sold for the payment +of his debts, and Nellie, who was then but twelve years old, +was obliged to labor both early and late for her daily bread. +Her father had lived near the city of New York, and not long +after his death she procured a situation in a wealthy family +of that city. She was called "the girl to do chores," which +meant that she was kept running from garret to cellar, from +parlor to kitchen, first here and then there, from earliest +dawn to latest evening. It was almost always eleven o'clock +before she could steal away to her low bed in the dark garret, +and often, in the loneliness of the night, would the desolate +child pray that the God with whom her parents dwelt would +look in pity upon the helpless orphan.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ere long her prayer was answered, for there came to the +house where she lived a gentleman and lady, who saw the +"little kitchen girl." Something there was in her sad but intelligent +face which attracted their notice, and they inquired +her history of Mrs. Stanley, the lady with whom she lived.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is," said Mrs. Stanley, "a good enough girl, if she +would only let books alone; but she seems to have a passion +for study, quite unsuitable for one in her station. When she +is cleaning the knives she will have a book before her; and +instead of singing the baby to sleep, she will get down and +read to her, or repeat something which she has learned."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And has she no relatives?" asked the gentleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"None living that I know of," said Mrs. Stanley; and then +she added, "Nellie says she had a brother who was several +years older than herself, and that three years ago he was one +morning missing, and they found on his table a letter, saying +that he had gone to sea on a whaling voyage, and would be +gone three years. Her father afterward heard that the vessel +in which his son sailed was supposed to be lost with all its +crew. This is her story; but you can never tell how much to +believe of the stories which such girls tell."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did you ever detect her in a falsehood?" asked the gentleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, no, I never did; but of course she will equivocate, +for all such paupers will."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With whom did she live before she came here?" continued +the gentleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With a Mr. Barnard," answered Mrs. Stanley; and she +continued laughingly, "You had better inquire about her of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page077">[pg 077]</span><a name="Pg077" id="Pg077" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him, as you seem so much interested in her. He lives out a +few miles in the country."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The result of the conversation was that the Mr. Barnard +mentioned above received the next day a call from a stranger, +who made particular inquiry about little Helen Ashton. He +seemed satisfied with the result, and as he had before learned +that Mr. Barnard was a very good, honest man, he handed him +five hundred dollars, telling him to take Nellie home—as she +called Mr. Barnard's house—and to send her for two years to +the district school. At the end of that time he would furnish +funds for her to be educated in New Haven.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was great excitement in Mrs. Stanley's family when +it was known that Nellie was to go away and be sent to +school in New Haven. "I wonder," said Mrs. Stanley, "who +pays the expenses? It can't be Judge —— (naming the gentleman +who had seemed so much interested in Nellie), for I am +sure he would not be stupid enough to take a street beggar, as +it were, and educate her." A second thought convinced her +that it must be the said gentleman, and she suddenly felt an +inclination to do something herself for the hitherto neglected +kitchen girl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, Nellie was summoned to the parlor and the +state of her wardrobe inquired into. It was found to be lamentably +deficient in even the necessary articles of clothing. +Mrs. Stanley then turned her rag bag inside out and rummaged +through several boxes in the garret which had not seen +the light for several years. The result of her search was three +or four cast-off garments, which the cook said "were so bad +the rag man would hardly buy them." Mrs. Stanley, however, +thought they were quite a gift, and gave Nellie many injunctions +as to when she should wear them. Nellie thought it +doubtful whether she should wear them all; but she said +nothing, and in a few days she left Mrs. Stanley's house for +a more pleasant home at Mr. Barnard's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a great mystery to Nellie who it could be that had +befriended her; but if Mr. Barnard knew, he kept the knowledge +to himself, and Nellie was obliged to remain in ignorance. +She was, however, satisfied that the gentleman, whoever +he was, was both able and willing to carry out his plan, +for money for the payment of her school bills was regularly +remitted to Mr. Barnard. At the time when she wished to +leave New Haven, she had written to Mr. Barnard on the subject, +and in due time had received from him a letter saying +that the gentleman who was educating her was not only willing +but anxious to have her sent to Geneva.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page078">[pg 078]</span><a name="Pg078" id="Pg078" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Soon after her arrival there she chanced to meet Judge Fulton +and his wife. Something in their looks seemed familiar, +and also awoke a painful reminiscence of the dark kitchen and +the lone garret far off in the great city. She could not remember +ever having seen them, and so dismissed the subject +from her mind, merely wondering if they knew that she who +was to be their brother's wife once lighted fires and cleaned +potatoes as a common servant girl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The reader will perhaps have imagined that the gentleman +who befriended Nellie was none other than Judge Fulton. He +was incited to this act of kindness by the same benevolent feeling +which prompted all his deeds of charity. He had no +daughters, and his intention was, first to see what improvement +she would make of her advantages, and if he were satisfied, +he would take her home as his adopted daughter. He was +somewhat surprised when, two years before the time of which +we are speaking, he received through Mr. Barnard a letter +from Nellie addressed to, "My unknown benefactor," and desiring +his consent to an engagement between herself and +Robert Stanton. The same mail brought a letter from Robert, +saying that he had just made an offer of his hand to a Miss +Helen Ashton, who was only waiting for her guardian to +sanction her choice. Judge Fulton's consent was given, and +he wrote to Nellie that before she was married he would make +himself known to her, and give her a wedding at his own +house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few days before Robert left for Kentucky Judge Fulton +received another letter from Nellie, saying that it was Mr. +Stanton's wish to be married the ensuing autumn. To this the +judge gave his approval and determined as soon as Robert +was gone to enlighten Nellie as to who her guardian was. +This, then, was the history of Nellie Ashton, whom we will +leave for a time, and as our readers are probably anxious to +return to the bland climate of Kentucky, we will follow young +Stanton and Raymond on their journey. Having arrived at +Buffalo, they took passage in the steamboat Saratoga, which +landed them safely in Sandusky after a trip of about twenty-four +hours. At Sandusky they took the cars for Cincinnati.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they neared the Queen City, they noticed at one of the +stations a tall, intelligent, but rather reckless-looking young +man, who entered the cars and took a seat directly opposite +them. There was something peculiarly attractive to Raymond +in the confident, self-possessed manner of the stranger, and +ere long he had, to use a Yankee expression, "scraped acquaintance" +with him, and learned that his name was Henry +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page079">[pg 079]</span><a name="Pg079" id="Pg079" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Ashton, and that he too was on his way to Frankfort, where +he resided. As the young man told his name, Raymond turned +to Stanton and said, "I should think that you'd feel acquainted +with this gentleman, you are so partial to his name."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton did not answer, and Raymond proceeded to question +Mr. Ashton about Frankfort and its inhabitants. "By the +way," said he, "are there any pretty girls there? Substantial +ones, I mean, who have a purse long enough to pay a fellow +for the trouble of marrying them?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Ashton smiled and answered, "Yes, we have a good +many, and rich ones too; but the belle of the city when I left +was a Mrs. Carrington—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The plague it was!" interrupted Raymond, "and can't we +get rid of her husband somehow? Won't he die of yellow +fever, cholera or something? Or is he a gouty old wretch, +who will live forever?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You prevented me from telling you," said Mr. Ashton, +"that Mr. Carrington has died since I left there. But you +will hardly win this fair, haughty lady, unless you can plank +about a million. But there are other faces quite as pretty, I +think. There is a Julia Middleton, who is attending school. +She is a great beauty, but, if report speaks truly, she would +keep you busily employed in curbing her high temper."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No matter about the temper—has she got the dimes?" said +Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"About one hundred thousand dollars, I think," answered +Ashton; "but one would need to be paid that much for having +such a fury as she is, and such a queer old rat as her father."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then proceeded to enumerate some of Mr. Middleton's +oddities, at all of which his auditors laughed heartily, and expressed +their determination to make the old man's acquaintance +as soon as possible. When the young men reached Cincinnati, +they concluded to take the stage route to Lexington +and Versailles, and to pay Mr. Middleton a visit before they +proceeded to Frankfort. Accordingly on Thursday afternoon, +just as the sun was setting, they entered Mr. Middleton's yard, +where they were received by the dogs, with just such a demonstration +of anger as had greeted Mr. Wilmot more than +a year before.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The master of the house was this time at home, and soon +appearing at the door, he called out to the negroes who were +in the yard, "Ho, thar, boys! Stuff your woolly heads down +them tarnal dogs' throats and make them stop their yellin'! +Glad to see you—walk in. Moses and Aaron! If this ain't +Ashton from Frankfort. How d'ye do? How d'ye do?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page080">[pg 080]</span><a name="Pg080" id="Pg080" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mr. Ashton shook hands with him, and then introduced his +companions, saying they were from New York. The word +New York seemed to thrill Mr. Middleton's nerves like an +electric shock. He seized both hands of the young men and +exclaimed, "From New York, hey? Then thrice welcome to +my old cabin and hominy; old Josh's door is allus wide open +to folks from New York." Then leading the way to the sitting +room, he continued, "Yes, my own noble boy was from +New York, but he died (this is my old woman Nancy, gentlemen). +I don't see why in the old Harry he couldn't of lived. +But he died and they kivered him up while I was gone, and I +never seen him no more. Ho! Here, Tilda, fetch some hot +water and make a little sling for these chaps. It'll do 'em +good, as it's mighty cold and raw like out o' door."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sling was made, and Ashton and Raymond drank +readily and freely; but when it was offered to Stanton, he +modestly but firmly refused. "What upon airth!" said Mr. +Middleton, "not drink when a friend asks you? Why, boy, +just take a swaller."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Raymond, who was ready to adopt Mr. Middleton's +language and manners, exclaimed, "I'll tell you what, old boy, +Bob's left a sweetheart in New York, and I fancy she lectured +him on intemperance, for you know the women are dead set +against it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton looked first at Raymond, then at Stanton +and said, "Well, he knows good sense by not touchin' on't, I +reckon. Got a sweetheart, hey? That's better than to come +here and marry some of our spitfires. Poor boy! Dick was +engaged to one of 'em, and I've hearn that she raised a tantareen +and broke his heart. But I'll fix her! I'll dock off +fifty thousand to pay for that caper."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Ashton asked if Mr. Middleton's daughters were +still at Frankfort. "Yes," returned Mr. Middleton, "both +thar, study in' all the flat things you can think on, and thummin' +away on the pianner. You'll see 'em thar; but mind me +one and all, mind I say, don't fall in love with Sunshine, for +she's engaged, and I've gin my consent, and whoever meddles +in that match'll find Josh after 'em!" By way of adding emphasis +to his words he brought his fist back against a work-stand, +on which stood his wife's work basket. The stand was +upset, and all the articles of the basket rolled on the floor. +"Great Peter!" said Mr. Middleton, "ho, Tilda, come pick up +these 'ere things!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Tilda came at the call of her master. While she was replacing +the articles in her mistress' basket, Raymond, who +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page081">[pg 081]</span><a name="Pg081" id="Pg081" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +wished to show that he was ready to adopt all the peculiarities +of the State, said, "That's a valuable looking negro girl. I +suppose your property mostly consists in such as she. I don't +wonder that you object to give them up just to please the +North. Have you many such?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, quite a heap on 'em. Why? Want to steal 'em, hey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond reddened. His attempts at anti-abolition had not +succeeded as well as he anticipated; but he soon rallied and +said, "Certainly not; I shouldn't know what to do with your +slaves if I had them; besides I have no inclination to interfere +with your Southern institutions. I am too much of a +pro-slavery man myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Likely enough," said Mr. Middleton, rather gruffly, for he +did not much like the appearance of Raymond, "likely enough. +But, young man, let old Josh give you a little advice. I've +seen more than double your years, I reckon, and I never seen +a man come from the free states that wasn't a little teched +with abolitionism. It's nateral like and onnateral to change their +mind so mighty soon. So I advise you to keep your +opinions to yourself for a spell, any way. A heap on 'em +come here, and are surprised not to find a whippin' post stuck +up in a corner of every yard. I don't say you are one of 'em; +but we don't think no better of a body when they jine in with +us so soon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This speech somewhat disconcerted young Raymond, who +was anxious to get into Mr. Middleton's good graces; but his +discomfiture was soon removed by his saying, "Boy, don't +take what I've said in high dudgeon. Folks allus see the +roughest side of me first; I'm a friend to you, and allus will +be as long as you do well." Then chancing to think his +guests were hungry, he called out, "Saints and angels! Why +don't you bring in supper, you lazy bones thar in the kitchen? +Do you hear?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster," said three or four negroes at once, "supper'll +be ready d'rectly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few moments the nicely-cooked spare-rib was smoking +on the table, together with hot coffee, boiled turnips and egg +bread, which Southern cooks know so well how to make. Besides +this there was the golden-colored butter, white flaky +honeycomb, and the Sunday pitcher overflowing with rich +creamy milk. "Come, boys, set by and have some fodder!" +said Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young gentlemen took their seats at the table and Mr. +Middleton continued, "Now lay into 't and help yourselves. I +ain't used to perlite strains, and if I should try you'd all larf +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page082">[pg 082]</span><a name="Pg082" id="Pg082" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +at me—mebby you want to now. Tempest say's I'm enough +to make a dog larf."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who is Tempest? One of your servants?" asked Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Christopher Columbus! One of my servants!" answered +Mr. Middleton. "How Tempest would rar to hear that. Why, +she's my oldest gal."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I beg your pardon," said Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not a bit on't," answered Mr. Middleton. "I don't wonder +you thought so, such an oudun name! Her real name is +Julia, but I call her Tempest, 'case that's jist like her. She's +a regular thunderstorm of lightning, hail and iron slugs. +You'll see her in Frankfort. Goin' into the law thar, are +you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton answered that he thought he should.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," said Mr. Middleton, "I'll give you all my suits, +just because you wouldn't drink and tell a lie to that little gal +at home. I despise liars. Let me catch a body telling me a +lie, I tell you—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he lifted up his huge foot which was encased in a +cowhide boot, something smaller than a canal-boat. He +gave the table a kick which set all the spoons, knives and +forks to dancing, spilt the milk and upset the gravy pot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Mr. Middleton!" interposed his wife.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am sorry, honey," said he, "but I'll be hanged if that ar +sling ain't gettin' the better of the old man."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After supper was over and the effects of the sling had +left Mr. Middleton's head, he inquired further into the intentions +of his guests. On learning that Mr. Raymond +would teach, if he could get the chance, Mr. Middleton said, +"I reckon you can teach in Mr. Miller's school. I'll write +to him about you, and I reckon he can make room for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was well for Raymond that Mr. Middleton did not observe +his smile of contempt at the idea of being recommended +by such an "old cur," as he secretly styled him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a late hour Mr. Middleton conducted the young men to +their room, saying as they entered it, "This was Dick's room, +poor dear boy! For his sake I wish 'twas better, for it was +sometimes cold like in the winter; but he's warm enough +now, I reckon, poor fellow!" So saying, he left the room; +but Stanton noticed upon the old tin candlestick which his +host had put upon the table something which looked very +much like tears, so large that he was sure no one but Mr. +Middleton could have wept them.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter9" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc18" id="toc18"></a><a name="pdf19" id="pdf19"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter IX</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the resemblance of the cousins</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page083">[pg 083]</span><a name="Pg083" id="Pg083" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Among Mr. Middleton's negroes there was a boy twelve +years of age whose name was Bob. On the morning following +the incidents narrated in the last chapter, Bob was sent +up to make a fire for "the young marsters." He had just +coaxed the coal and kindlings into a blaze, when Raymond +awoke, and spying the negro, called out, "Hello, there! Tom, +Dick, Harry, what may be your name?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My name is Bob, sar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Bob is it? Bob what? Have you no other name?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar, 'cept it's Marster Josh. I 'longs to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Belong to Master Josh, do you? His name isn't Josh, it +is Joshua."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then, Bob, if his name is Joshua, what must yours +be?" said Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dun know, unless it's Bobaway," answered the negro, +with a broad grin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Bobaway! That's rich," said Raymond, laughing heartily +at the rapid advancement of his pupil.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment's pause, he again called out, "I say, Bobaway, +did it snow last night?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sar, it didn't snow; it done frosted," said Bob.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Done frosted, hey?" said Raymond. "You're a smart +boy, Bob. What'll you sell yourself for?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dun know; hain't nothing to sell 'cept my t'other hat and +a bushel of hickory-nuts," answered Bob; "but I reckon how +marster ax about five hundred, 'case I's right spry when I +hain't got the rheumatiz."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Got the rheumatiz, have you, Bob? Where?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In my belly, sar," answered Bob. Here the young men +burst into a loud laugh, and Raymond said, "Five hundred is +cheap, Bob; I'll give more than that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bob opened his large white eyes to their utmost extent, +and looking keenly at Raymond slowly quitted the room. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page084">[pg 084]</span><a name="Pg084" id="Pg084" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +On reaching the kitchen he told Aunt Judy, who was his +mother, "that ef marster ever acted like he was goin' for to +sell him to that ar chap, what poked fun at him, he'd run +away, sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And be cotched and git shet up," said Aunt Judy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd a heap rather be shet up 'tarnally than to 'long to anybody +'sides Marster Josh," said Bob.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During breakfast Mr. Middleton suddenly exclaimed, +while looking at Stanton, "I've been tryin' ever since you've +been here to think who you look like, and I've jest thought. +It's Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Who, sir?" said Stanton in some surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey. D'ye know him?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey of New Orleans?" asked Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The same," returned Mr. Middleton. "You look as much +like him as two peas, only you wear goggles. Connection of +your'n I reckon?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," answered Stanton, "he is my cousin. I have +been told that we resemble each other."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"By Jupiter!" said Mr. Middleton, "that's just the checker. +No wonder I like you so well. And Dr. Lacey goin' to +marry Sunshine, too. Your sweetheart ought to look like +Fanny. Got her picter, hey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton handed him Nellie's daguerreotype, and he pretended +to discover a close resemblance between her and +Fanny; but neither Mrs. Middleton, nor Mr. Ashton could +trace any, for which Mr. Middleton called them both blockheads.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I think," said Mrs. Middleton, "that she looks more like +Mr. Ashton than she does like Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is similarity of name which makes her resemble him," +said Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, is her name Ashton?" asked Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," said Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Mebbe she's your sister, Ashton. But Lord knows she +don't look no more like you than she does like old Josh."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She cannot be my sister," said Ashton, "for I had but +one, and she is dead."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After breakfast Mr. Middleton ordered out his carriage +and bade Ike drive the gentlemen to Frankfort.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd go myself," said he, "but I've got a fetched headache. +Give my love to my gals and tell them I'm comin' to see 'em +shortly. You'd better go to the Whizzakor House, till you +find out whether or not Miss Crane 'll board you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young men thanked him for his hospitality, and bade +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page085">[pg 085]</span><a name="Pg085" id="Pg085" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him good morning. As they were leaving the yard they +passed Bob, who was still limping with the "rheumatiz." Raymond +bade Ike stop, while he threw "Bobaway" some +pennies. Bob picked them up and looked at them with a +rueful face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What's the matter, Bobaway?" asked Raymond. "Don't +they suit?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir," said Bob. "I like fopences; I don't want nothin' +of these old iron rocks."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Each of the men threw Bob a sixpence, for which they +were rewarded with a sight of his ivories and a loud +"thank-ee-sar." After a ride of two hours they reached the +Weisiger House in Frankfort. Soon after arriving there, +Mr. Ashton introduced Stanton into one of the best law +offices in the town, and then repaired to his former lodgings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of the afternoon Raymond sought out Mr. +Miller, and with a somewhat quizzical face handed him Mr. +Middleton's letter of introduction. After reading it, Mr. +Miller offered his hand to Raymond, and said, "I am glad, +Mr. Raymond, that you happened here just at this time, for +my school is large, and I am in want of a classical teacher. +You are a graduate of Yale, it seems?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," returned Raymond; "and by the way, Mr. +Middleton told me that you had won a New Haven girl—Miss +Kate Wilmot. I knew her very well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ah, is it possible?" said Mr. Miller, his face beaming. +"Come with me to Mrs. Crane's," said he. "Kate will be +glad to see an old friend."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thank you," answered Raymond; "but I have a companion +with me, a Mr. Stanton, who also knew Miss Wilmot. +He is going into a law office here. We both of us intend +calling at Mrs. Crane's this evening, and if possible we shall +procure board there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So they parted, and Raymond returned to the Weisiger +House, while Mr. Miller hastened home to make some inquiries +concerning his new assistant, and to inform Mrs. +Crane of her prospect for more boarders.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening Stanton and Raymond called. They found +assembled in Mrs. Crane's parlor, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Mrs. +Carrington and Julia. Kate instantly recognized the young +gentlemen as old acquaintances, and presented them to her +friends. When Stanton entered the room all observed the +strong resemblance between him and Dr. Lacey. At last Mr. +Miller spoke of it, and Stanton replied, "Yes, I've been told +so before. Dr. Lacey is my cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page086">[pg 086]</span><a name="Pg086" id="Pg086" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Indeed!" said Mr. Miller. Then turning to his wife, he +added, "Where is Fanny? She ought to be here. It might +do her as much good as seeing the doctor himself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I should like to see Miss Fanny," said Stanton, "as I am +told she is to be my cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A malicious smile curled Julia's lip, as she thought, "I +think it is very doubtful whether she is ever your cousin"; +but Mrs. Miller arose and said, "I think she is in her room. +I will call her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Going to Fanny's room she knocked gently at the door; +there was no response, and she knocked again more loudly. +But still there was no answer; and Mrs. Miller thought she +could distinguish a low, stifled sob. Pushing open the door, +she saw the usually gay-hearted Fanny seated on the floor, +her head resting on a chair, over which her hair fell like a +golden gleam of sunlight. A second glance convinced Kate +that Fanny was weeping.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Fanny," said she, "what is the matter? What are +you crying for?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply, but as Mrs. Miller drew her up from +the floor and placed her on the sofa, she laid her head in +Kate's lap and wept still more passionately. At length Mrs. +Miller succeeded in soothing her, and then insisted on knowing +what was the cause of her distress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Fanny, "do not ask me, for I can only tell you +that nobody loves me long at a time—nobody but my dear old +father, mother, and the blacks."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You should not say so, Fanny dear," said Kate. "You +know we all love you very much, and you say that within a +few weeks Julia has been uniformly kind and affectionate to +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I know she is, but—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But what?" said Mrs. Miller. "Anything the trouble +with Dr. Lacey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, that's it! That's it!" said Fanny in a low voice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, what's the matter? Is he sick?" asked Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no. If he were I would go to him. But, Mrs. Miller, +for four long weeks he has not written me one word. Now +if he were sick or dead, somebody would write to me; but it +isn't that—I am afraid he's false. Julia thinks he is, and +she is sorry for me, there is some comfort in that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not written in four weeks? Perhaps he has written and +his letters have been miscarried," said Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no, that cannot be," answered Fanny. "His first +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page087">[pg 087]</span><a name="Pg087" id="Pg087" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +four letters came in the course of two weeks, but since then +I have not had a word."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you written to him since his letters ceased?" asked +Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, once, and I am sorry I did," answered Fanny; "but +I asked Julia if I had better, and she said it would do no +harm."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Perhaps," said Mrs. Miller, "he is intending to return +soon and wishes to surprise you, or it may be he is testing +the strength of your attachment. But I would not suffer myself +to be so much distressed until I was sure he was false. +Come, dry your eyes and go with me to the parlor. There +are some young gentlemen here from New York. One of +them is Dr. Lacey's cousin. He wishes to see you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no, no!" said Fanny, quickly. "I cannot go down. +You must excuse me to him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Mrs. Miller returned to the parlor, and said Fanny was +not feeling very well and wished to be excused.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton and Raymond passed a very pleasant evening, and +ere its close they had arranged with Mrs. Crane for rooms +and board. On their way to the hotel, Raymond suddenly +exclaimed, "I say, Bob, I'm head over heels in love!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In love with whom?" was Stanton's quiet reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"In love with whom?" repeated Raymond. "Why, Bob, is +it possible your head is so full of Nellie Ashton that you do +not know that we have been in company this evening with +a perfect Hebe, an angel, a divine creature?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Please stop," said Stanton, "and not deal in so many +superlatives. Which of the fair ladies made such havoc with +your heart? Was it Mrs. Crane?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Mrs. Crane! Witch of Endor just as soon," answered +Raymond. "Why, man alive, 'twas the beautiful Mrs. Carrington. +I tell you what, Bob, my destiny is upon me and +she is its star. I see in her my future wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Fred," said Mr. Stanton, "are you crazy? Mrs. +Carrington is at least nearly thirty-five, and you are not yet +twenty-five."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I don't care for that," replied Raymond. "She may be +thirty, and she may be a hundred, but she looks sixteen. Such +glorious eyes I never saw. And she almost annihilated me +with one of her captivating smiles. Her name, too, is my +favorite."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Her name? Pray, how did you learn her name?" asked +Stanton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," answered Raymond, "you know we were talking +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page088">[pg 088]</span><a name="Pg088" id="Pg088" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +together a part of the evening. Our conversation turned +upon names, and I remarked that Ida was my favorite. Bob, +you ought to have seen her smile as she told me Ida was her +own name. Perhaps I said something foolish, for I replied +that Ida was a beautiful name and only fitted for such as she; +but she smiled still more sweetly and said I knew how to +flatter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," answered Stanton. "I hardly think you will win +her, if what our friend Ashton said is true. You have no +million to offer her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, fly on your million!" said Raymond. "She's got to +have me any way. If I can't get her by fair means, I'll resort +to stratagem."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the young man raved for nearly half an hour about +Mrs. Carrington, whose handsome features, glossy curls, +bright eyes, brilliant complexion and agreeable manners had +nearly turned his head. Mrs. Carrington, too, had received +an impression. There was something in Raymond's dashing +manner, which she called "air," and she felt greatly pleased +with his flattering compliments. She thought he would be +a very pleasant companion to flirt with for an hour or two; +but could she have known what his real intentions concerning +her were she would have spurned him with contempt—as +she afterward did.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next day at dinner Stanton and Raymond took their +seats at Mrs. Crane's table. To Raymond's great delight +Mrs. Carrington sat opposite him. Stanton occupied Dr. +Lacey's seat, which brought Fanny directly in front of him. +Fanny had been prepared in a measure for the striking resemblance +between Stanton and Dr. Lacey; but when she +was introduced to him, his looks brought Dr. Lacey so +forcibly before her that she instantly grew pale and half +wished to leave the room. But a look from Mrs. Miller reassured +her, and she took her accustomed place at the table.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ere dinner was over she had forgotten for the time her +lover's neglect, and was in the midst of an animated conversation +with Stanton, who was much pleased with his cousin's +choice. Stanton's looks and manners were so much like Dr. +Lacey's that Fanny felt herself irresistibly drawn toward +him and her face assumed a brighter aspect than it had worn +for many days. Julia watched her closely and felt that +nothing could please her better than a flirtation between +Stanton and her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But such was not a part of Fanny's intentions. She liked +Stanton because he was agreeable, intelligent and Dr. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page089">[pg 089]</span><a name="Pg089" id="Pg089" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Lacey's cousin; but she would sooner have parted with her +right hand than have done anything inconsistent with her +engagement with Dr. Lacey. On the other hand, Stanton's +heart was too strongly fortified with Nellie's charms to admit +of an entrance to the gentle Fanny. But he admired her +very much, and seemed to think that she had some claim +upon him in the absence of his cousin.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus, as days went on, his polite attentions toward Fanny +increased, and Julia resolved to make this fact work for +the accomplishment of her designs.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter10" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc20" id="toc20"></a><a name="pdf21" id="pdf21"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter X</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">tempest forges a letter and its results</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page090">[pg 090]</span><a name="Pg090" id="Pg090" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Let us now go back for a few weeks and watch Julia's +plot as it progresses. We have learned from Fanny that +four letters arrived from Dr. Lacey; but the fifth she was +destined never to receive. She was expecting it on Tuesday +and was about going to the post office, when Julia said, +"Fanny, I feel just like walking this morning; suppose you +let me run round to the post office and get your expected +letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Very well," answered Fanny; "but don't be gone long."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I won't," said Julia, gaily. "You sit down by the window +and when I come round the corner on my return home. I +will hold up your letter, and you will know you have one at +least a minute before I reach home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying she departed, and Fanny sat down by the window +to await her return. For several days past there had +been a change in Julia's deportment. She was very amiable +and kind to the household in general and to Fanny in particular. +This was a part of her plan, so that in the catastrophe +that was about to follow, she might not be suspected +of foul play.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Fanny was surprised at her affectionate advances, +but it was so pleasant to have a sister who would love her +that she did not ask the reason of so sudden a change, and +when Julia very humbly asked forgiveness for all her former +unkindness, the innocent-hearted Fanny burst into tears, +and declared she had nothing to forgive, if her sister would +only continue to love her always. Julia placed a Judas-like +kiss on Fanny's pure brow, and gave a promise that she +would try to be good; but she thought to herself, "this seeming +change will make a favorable impression on Dr. Lacey +when he hears of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She knew that Fanny was expecting a letter on the Tuesday +morning of which we have spoken, and fearing that by +some means Mr. Dunn might fail of securing it, she determined<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page091">[pg 091]</span><a name="Pg091" id="Pg091" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to go herself for the mail. When she reached the +post office the sinister smile with which Mr. Dunn greeted +her assured her that he had something for her, and she +readily conjectured that it was Fanny's expected letter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Good morning, Mr. Dunn!" said she. "Anything for me +this morning?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, ma'am," answered Dunn, with a very low bow; and +casting a furtive glance around to make sure that no one +saw him, he drew from his pocket a letter, on which Julia instantly +recognized Dr. Lacey's handwriting. She took it +and placed it in the pocket of her dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On her way home, conscience clamored loudly in behalf +of Fanny's rights. It said, "Beware what you do! Give +Fanny her letter. It is a crime to withhold it." But again +the monitress was stilled, and the crafty girl kept on her +way, firm in her sinful purpose, until she reached the corner +which brought her in sight of the window where Fanny was +impatiently watching for her. The sight of that bright, joyous +face, as it looked from the window, anxious for the expected +sight of her letter, made Julia for a moment waver. +She thought how gentle and loving Fanny had always been +to her and involuntarily her hand sought the letter which +lay like a crushing weight in her pocket. It was half +drawn from its hiding place when the spirit of evil which +seemed ever to follow Julia's footsteps whispered, "Let it +alone. You have gone too far to retreat. You have Dr. +Lacey to win, and it can be done in no other way."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia listened to the tempter, her hand was withdrawn, and +Fanny looked in vain for her letter. A faint sickness stole +over her for a moment but she thought, "Perhaps Julia +means to tease me. I will appear very unconcerned and not +ask for it." So when Julia entered the room, she found +that her sister's attention was suddenly, distracted by something +in the street; but Fanny was not accustomed to dissemble +and the rosy flush on her cheek showed how anxious +she was.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last Julia said, "Why do you not ask for your letter, +Fanny?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Oh, how eager was the expression of the sweet, pale face +which was instantly turned toward the speaker. Springing +up she exclaimed, "Oh, Julia, you have got me one, haven't +you? Please give it to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will tomorrow when it arrives," said Julia. "It has +probably been delayed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page092">[pg 092]</span><a name="Pg092" id="Pg092" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Fanny's countenance fell and she said, "Then you haven't +got me a letter? Oh, I'm so sorry!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never mind, sister," said Julia. "It will come tomorrow, +and will seem all the better for waiting."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Tomorrow came, but with it came no letter, and days wore +on, until at last it was Saturday night. Alone in her room +poor Fanny was weeping bitterly. Was Dr. Lacey sick or +dead? This was the question which she continually asked +herself. A suspicion of his unfaithfulness had not yet +entered her mind. While she was yet weeping an arm was +thrown affectionately round her, and a voice whispered in +the sweetest possible tones, "Dear sister, do not weep so. If +he were dead, some one would inform you. And now I think +of it, why do you not write to him? There would be no +harm in doing so. Come, sit down, and write him a few +lines before dark, and I will take them to the office."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Fanny sat down to her writing desk, and the few lines +proved to be a long letter ere she had finished. It was a +most touchingly sad letter, and ought to have drawn tears +from Julia, instead of forcing the malicious smile which +played around her mouth while reading her sister's effusion. +It is needless to say that, although Julia went to the post +office, this letter never did but was placed in a little box by +the side of two others, which had arrived from Dr. Lacey +that week.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After Julia returned from her walk that evening she said, +"Fanny, if I were you I would not tell any one that I did +not hear from Dr. Lacey, for you know it's just possible that +he may not be sick, and in that case your best way would be +to seem quite as forgetful of him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Forgetful!" said Fanny. "Why, Julia, what do you +mean? You cannot—Oh, no, I know you do not think Dr. +Lacey untrue to me?" And Fanny's large blue eyes were +fixed on her sister with as much earnestness as though her +answer could decide her fate forever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not like to think so, any more than you do," said +Julia. "But Dr. Lacey is now in the gay city of New Orleans, +surrounded by beauty and fashion, and were I his +betrothed, I should not think it strange if he did not remain +true to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered slowly, as if speaking were painful to +her, "Oh, no, no! He cannot be false—anything but that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a new idea to her, and that night a weight of sadness, +heavier than she had ever known before, filled her +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page093">[pg 093]</span><a name="Pg093" id="Pg093" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +heart. She thought, "I will wait and see if he answers my +letter before I believe him unfaithful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next day was the Sabbath. About church time Julia +announced her intentions of remaining at home on the plea +of a violent headache. Fanny immediately offered to stay +with her, but Julia declined, saying that sooner than both +should be absent from church she would go herself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly Julia was left alone. She watched her sister +until she disappeared down the street. Then she arose, +and locking the door, drew from her pocket a small key, +and unlocking a rosewood box, took from it one of Dr. +Lacey's letters. Going to her writing desk, she sat down +and commenced imitating his handwriting. She was very +skillful in the art of imitation, and was delighted to find +herself rapidly succeeding in her attempts at counterfeiting. +So busily engaged was she that she did not heed +the lapse of time, until her sister's footsteps were heard +ascending the stairs. She sprang hastily up, and thrusting +her writing materials into the box locked it, and had just +time to throw herself upon the sofa when Fanny knocked +at the door. Julia allowed her to knock twice, and then +getting up she unfastened the door, at the same time +yawning and rubbing her eyes as if just awakened from +a sound slumber.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, sister, I woke you up, didn't I?" said Fanny. +"I am sorry."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No matter," answered Julia, with another yawn, "I feel +better. My nap has done my head good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the afternoon Fanny again went to church, and Julia +resumed the occupation of the morning. She succeeded so +well that before church was out she felt sure that after a +few more attempts she could imitate Dr. Lacey's writing so +exactly as to thoroughly deceive Fanny. "But not yet," said +she to herself; "I do not wish to test my skill yet. It is +hardly time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the days glided away. Nearly two weeks passed, and +there came no answer to Fanny's letter. She did not know +that regularly, twice a week, letters had arrived from New +Orleans, and had been handed to Julia by Mr. Dunn. In the +last of these letters, Dr. Lacey complained because Fanny +had neglected writing so long. We will give the following +extract:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">My Precious Sunshine:</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"—Can it be that you are sick? I do not wish to think +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page094">[pg 094]</span><a name="Pg094" id="Pg094" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +so; and yet what else can prevent your writing? I have +not a thought that you are forgetful of me, for you are too +pure, too innocent to play me false. And yet I am sometimes +haunted by a vague fear that all is not right, for a +dark shadow seems resting over me. One line from you, +dearest Fanny, will fill my heart with sunshine again—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus wrote the doctor, and Julia commented on it as follows: +"Yes, you are haunted, and I am glad of it. The pill +is working well; I'll see whether 'Sunshine,' as you and my +old fool father call her, will steal away everybody's love +for me. I suppose I'm the dark shadow, for father calls me +a spirit of darkness, and yet, perhaps, if he had been more +gentle with me, I might have been better; but now it's too +late." And the letter was placed in the rosewood box by +the side of its companions.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Slowly but surely the painful conviction fixed itself upon +Fanny's mind that Dr. Lacey was false. It was dreadful to +think so, but there seemed no other alternative, and Fanny's +heart grew sadder, and her step less joyous and elastic, while +her merry laugh was now seldom heard ringing out in its +clear, silvery tones, making the servants stop their work to +listen and exclaim, "How lonesome t'would be without Miss +Fanny; she's the life of the house, Lor' bless her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The change was noticed and spoken of by the inmates of +Mrs. Crane's dwelling. Mr. Miller attributed it to a too +close application to books, and recommended her to relax +somewhat in her studies. Fanny had too much of woman's +pride to allow anyone except Julia to know the real cause of +her sadness, and was glad to have her languor ascribed to +over-exertion. On the night when Kate had found her weeping +she had involuntarily told her secret, but she went to +Mrs. Miller the next morning and won from her a promise +not to mention what she had revealed, even to her husband.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stanton's presence seemed to divert Fanny's mind, +and the two weeks following his arrival passed away more +pleasantly than she had thought two weeks could pass, uncheered +by a line from Dr. Lacey. At the end of that time +it pleased Julia that Fanny should have a pretended letter +from New Orleans. Several days were spent in preparing it, +but at last it was completed, folded, sealed and directed. +Mr. Dunn pronounced the deception perfect. He stamped +it with the Frankfort postmark so slightly that one would as +soon have called it "New Orleans" as anything else.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was seated in the parlor in company with Stanton +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page095">[pg 095]</span><a name="Pg095" id="Pg095" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +when Julia suddenly entered the room and said, "Oh, here +you are, sister. I've looked everywhere for you. Here is a +letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One glance at the superscription assured her that it was +from Dr. Lacey. A bright, beautiful flush suffused Fanny's +face, which became irradiated with sudden joy. Asking Mr. +Stanton to excuse her, she went to her rooms, so as to be +alone when she perused the precious document. After she +was gone, Julia spoke of Dr. Lacey and asked Stanton if +he had ever heard from him. Stanton replied, "While Dr. +Lacey was in college he spent a part of his vacations at my +father's; but I almost always chanced to be absent at school, +and consequently we are not much acquainted. He did write +to me a few times while I was in college, but our correspondence +gradually ceased and I have not heard from him +in a long time. I hope he will return to Frankfort, for I +should like to renew our acquaintance."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This answer gave Julia great relief; she had feared Stanton +might write to Dr. Lacey, and that by some means her +scheme might be ruined. But all was safe, and in a few +moments she arose to go to her room and witness the result +of the letter. Let us go before her and see the result for +ourselves.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On reaching her apartment, Fanny sat down on the sofa, +while a tremulous nervousness shook her frame. She +dreaded to open the letter, for a strange forboding of evil +came over her. At last the seal was broken and Fanny's +heart stood still, and a dizziness crept over her as she read. +For the reader's benefit we will look over her shoulder and +read with her the following:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">My once +dear and still much admired Fanny</span></span>: +I hardly know how to write what I wish to tell you. If I knew +exactly your opinion concerning me, I might feel differently. +As it is I ardently hope that your extreme youth prevented +my foolish, but then sincere, attentions from making any +very lasting impression on you. But why not come to the +point at once. Fanny, you must try and forget that you ever +knew one so wholly unworthy of you as I am. It gives me +great pain to write it, but I am about to engage myself to +another.</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do not condemn me unheard. There is a young lady in +this city, who is beautiful, wealthy and accomplished. Between +her father's family and mine there has long existed an +intimacy which our fathers seem anxious to strengthen by +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page096">[pg 096]</span><a name="Pg096" id="Pg096" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +a union between myself and the young lady I have mentioned. +For a time I resisted manfully. For, ever between +me and the tempting bait came the image of a pale, bright-haired +girl, whose blue eyes looked mournfully into mine and +whispered, 'Do not leave me.' But at last I yielded, and now, +Fanny, will you forgive me? It cost me more anguish to +give you up than I hope you will ever feel. Be happy, +Fanny, and some time when I am traveling through Kentucky, +let me find you the cheerful, contented wife of some +one more suitable for you than I am. With kind wishes for +your happiness, I remain,</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Your true friend,</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">George Lacey.</span></span>"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"P.S.—It is just possible that the young lady and myself +may not become engaged, but if we do not, after what has +passed, it will be best for you and me to try to forget each +other. Give my compliments to your sister Julia. By the +way, do you know that I always admired her very much? +What a sensation she would make in the fashionable world +of New Orleans. But pshaw! What nonsense I'm writing."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Alas for Fanny! She did not need to read the letter twice, +for every syllable had burned into her soul, and she could +have repeated each word of the cruel message. This, then, +was the end of her bright dream of bliss! She did not weep, +for she could not. The fountain of her tears seemed dried +up. A heavy weight had suddenly fallen on all her faculties. +The objects in the room chased each other in rapid +circles, while Dr. Lacey stood in the distance mocking her +anguish. A faint feeling gathered round her heart. She +uttered a low cry and fell heavily forward.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Julia entered the room she found her sister extended +on the floor, cold and white as a piece of marble, +while the blood was gushing from her nostrils and moistening +the curls of her long hair. Julia's first feeling was one +of intense horror, or fear her sister might be dead, but a +touch assured her that Fanny had only fainted. So she lifted +her up, and bearing her to the window applied the usual restoratives. +As Julia looked on the death-like face of her +young sister she murmured, "Had I thought she loved him +so well, never would I have done so wickedly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But she made no promise to repair the mischief, and stifled +all the better impulses of her nature by saying, "It is too +late now: it is too late."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page097">[pg 097]</span><a name="Pg097" id="Pg097" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>At last Fanny opened her eyes. Her first thought was for +her letter, which was still tightly clenched in her hand. Passing +it to Julia she said, faintly, "Read it, sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia took it, and pretending to read it, burst into a violent +passion, abusing Dr. Lacey for his meanness, and ending by +telling Fanny that she ought to consider herself fortunate in +escaping from such a man. Fanny seemed disturbed to hear +evil spoken of Dr. Lacey, so Julia changed her manner, and +said, "I do not wonder you feel badly, Fanny. You and I +can sympathize together now."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny looked at her sister in some surprise, but at last +answered, "Oh no, you cannot know how I feel. Mr. Wilmot +loved you to the last. Dr. Lacey is not dead, but—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Julia interrupted her by saying, "I do not mean to +refer to Mr. Wilmot. I was flattered by his attentions, but +I never knew what it was to love until I saw Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey!—You love Dr. Lacey!" said Fanny, and +again she fell back cold and motionless. A second time Julia +restored her to consciousness, but for an hour she did not +speak or scarcely move. At the end of that time, calling her +sister to her, in a low, subdued tone, she said, "Tell me all, +Julia. I can bear it. I am calm now."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The traitress kissed her cheek, and taking one of the +little hands in hers, told her how truly she had loved Dr. +Lacey, and how she had struggled against it when she saw +that he loved another. "I have," said she, "lain awake many +a night, and while you slept sweetly, dreaming, perhaps, of +your lover, I have wept bitter tears because I must go +alone through the cold world, unloved and uncared for. And +forgive me, Fanny, but sometimes I have felt angered at +you, because you seemed to steal everybody's love from me. +Our old father never speaks to me with the same affection +which marks his manner when addressing you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know it, I know it," said Fanny. "I wish he would not +do so, but Dr. Lacey—Dr. Lacey—I never thought you +wanted him to love you; if I had—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What would you have done?" asked Julia, with noticeable +eagerness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The voice was mournfully low which replied, "I would +have given him up for you. I could not have married one +whom my sister loved." And then she suddenly added, "It +seems doubtful whether he marries that young lady. If +anything should happen to prevent it, he may yet make you +his wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And you, what would you do?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page098">[pg 098]</span><a name="Pg098" id="Pg098" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Oh, it is impossible for me to marry him now," said +Fanny. "But if you were happy with him, I would try to be +happy, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God bless you, sweet sister," said Julia; "but it will never +be."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply, and after a moment's silence Julia +said, "Sister, if I were you I would keep all this a secret, +and even if I were unhappy, I would try to assume a forced +cheerfulness, for fear people would suspect the truth, and +call me lovesick."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not reply to this either. She was trying to still +the painful throbs of her aching heart. Through all the +long, weary hours of that night she was awake. Sometimes +she would watch the myriad host of stars, as they kept on +their unwearied course through the clear, blue sky, and +would wonder if there was room beyond them for one so +unhappy as she was, and would muse on the past days of +happiness now forever gone, and although a choking sensation +was in her throat, not a tear moistened her cheek. "I +shall never weep again," thought she, "and why should I? +The world will not know what I suffer. I will be as gay and +merry as ever." And a fearful laugh rang through the room +as she said, "Yes, how gayly I'll dance at the wedding. I'll +hold my heart so fast that none shall ever know in how many +pieces it is broken."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus she talked on. Delirium was stealing over her, and +when morning broke, the rapid moving of her bright eye, +and the crimson spot which burned on either cheek, showed +that brain fever was doing its work.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A physician was immediately called and by the means of +powerful remedies the progress of the disease was checked, +so that Fanny was seriously ill for only a week. She was +delirious a great part of the time, but Julia was delighted to +find out that not one word of Dr. Lacey ever passed her lips. +At the commencement of her illness her father and mother +were sent for. The old man came quickly, for Fanny was +his idol, and if she should die, he would be bereaved indeed. +With untiring love he watched by her bedside until the crisis +was passed. He would fan her fevered brow, moisten her +parched lips, chafe her hot, burning hands, smooth her +tumbled pillow, and when at last he succeeded in soothing her +into a troubled slumber, he would sit by her and gaze on her +wan face with an earnestness which seemed to say that she +was his all of earth, his more than all of heaven. Julia too +was all attention. Nothing tired her, and with unwearied +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page099">[pg 099]</span><a name="Pg099" id="Pg099" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +patience she came and went at her father's bidding, doing a +thousand little offices pertaining to a sick chamber. For once +her father's manner softened toward her and the tones +of his voice were gentle and his words kind while speaking +to his first born. Could he have known what part she had +in causing the illness of his "darling Sunshine," all Frankfort +would have shaken with the heavy artillery of oaths and +execrations, which would have been disgorged from his +huge lungs, like the eruption of some long pent-up volcano! +But he did not suspect the truth, and in speaking of Fanny's +illness, he said, "It is studyin' so close that ailed her. As +soon as ever she can bar to be moved, we will carry her +home, and Aunt Katy'll nuss her up quicker."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, as soon as the physician pronounced it safe +to move her, she was taken home, and by her mother's assiduous +care, and Aunt Katy's skilful nursing, her physical health +was soon much improved. But no medicine could reach the +plague spot which preyed upon her heart and cast a dark +shadow over every feeling of pleasure. As soon as her health +was fully restored, she asked permission to return to school. +At first Mr. Middleton refused, but not long did he ever withstand +any request which "Sunshine" made. So at last he +consented, on condition that she would give up the study of +Latin, and promise not to apply herself too closely to anything. +To this Fanny readily agreed, and in a few days she +was in Frankfort, occupying her accustomed seat at Mrs. +Crane's and bending over her task in the old schoolroom, +which seemed suddenly illuminated by her presence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The schoolgirls welcomed back their young companion with +many demonstrations of joy, for they said, "the schoolroom +seemed dark and lonely when she was absent." Dear little +Fanny! There was love enough left for her in the hearts of +all who knew her, but it did not satisfy. There was still an +aching void, which one love alone could fill, and that love she +thought was lost to her forever. She was mistaken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During her illness she thought much of what Julia had said +relative to concealing her disappointment with an assumed +gayety, and she resolved to do so, partly from wounded pride, +and partly from love of her dear old father, who seemed distressed +whenever anything troubled his "Sunshine." When +she returned to Frankfort none but the most acute observer +would have suspected that the sparkling eye and dancing footstep +were the disguise of a desolate, aching heart and that the +merry laugh and witty repartee were but the echoes of a knell +of sadness, whose deepest tones were stifled ere they reached +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page100">[pg 100]</span><a name="Pg100" id="Pg100" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the ear of the listener. In the darkness of night however, all +was changed. The Sunshine was obscured, and Julia alone +knew what anguish Fanny endured. Still the cruel girl never +wavered in her purpose. "The worst is over," said she. "She +will not die now, even if she saw him wedded to me." So she +suffered her sister's cheek to grow paler, and her delicate form +thinner, at the supposed desertion of her lover. Little did +Fanny think that he, whose false-heartedness she deplored, +dreamed each night of his distant dear one, and that each day +his warm heart beat more quickly, because no tidings came +from her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few days after Fanny's return there came cards of invitation +for a large party at the residence of a Mr. C——. The +evening was propitious, and at the usual hour Mrs. C——'s +parlors were filled with the beauty and fashion of the city. +Among all the belles who that evening graced the brilliantly +lighted drawing rooms, none was so much admired as Julia +Middleton, who appeared dressed in a rich crimson velvet +robe, tastefully trimmed with ermine. Magnificent bracelets, +which had cost her father almost as many oaths as dollars, +glittered on her white, rounded arms. Her snowy neck, which +was also uncovered, was without ornament. Her glossy hair, +dark as night, was arranged in the most becoming manner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the time Mr. Middleton had given Julia her bracelets, he +had presented Fanny with a bandeau of pearls. But Julia +found it an easy task to persuade her sister that pearls were +not becoming to her style of beauty; so on the evening of the +party they gleamed amid the heavy braids of Julia's hair. +Wherever she went she was followed by a train of admirers, +who had little thought that that soft smile and beautiful face +concealed a heart as hard as the flinty rock.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Contrary to all the rules of propriety, the heartless Mrs. +Carrington was there, dealing out her fascinating smiles and +bland words. She had thrown aside her mourning for the +occasion and was arrayed in a dress of black velvet. An elegant +lace bertha covered her white, beautiful neck, while one +of her fair arms was clasped by a diamond bracelet. To this +bracelet was attached a small locket which contained the +daguerreotype of him, upon whose quiet grave the suns of +scarce five months had risen and set. Amid that brilliant +scene she had no thought for the dead, but others wondered +much that he should be so soon forgotten. She was attended +by Raymond, who scarcely left her side during the whole +evening, although she made several ineffectual attempts to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page101">[pg 101]</span><a name="Pg101" id="Pg101" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +shake him off, for she did not care to be too much noticed by +a "poor Yankee schoolmaster."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Henry Ashton was also there, but his attention was wholly +engrossed in the bright eyes and sunny face of Florence +Woodburn, who had recently returned from Philadelphia, +where she had been attending for the last two years. Florence +was the only daughter of the Mr. Woodburn, who was +mentioned in the first chapter of this narrative. Her father +lived several miles from the city, but she had friends in town +and spent much of her time there. She was very handsome +and very agreeable, and as she would probably be quite an +heiress, her appearance in the fashionable world created a +great sensation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the evening, as she was standing by Ashton and +commenting on Julia's wondrous beauty, she said, "Where is +the younger Miss Middleton? Is she as handsome as her +sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton replied, "She is not called half as beautiful, but she is +much more amiable; but see there she comes," continued he, as +Fanny entered the room leaning on Stanton's arm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was so pale that her skin seemed almost transparent, +but the excitement of the evening brought a bright glow to her +cheek which greatly enhanced her loveliness. She was simply +attired in a plain white muslin, low at the neck, which was +veiled by the soft curls of her silken hair. Her arms were encircled +by a plain band of gold, and a white, half-opened rosebud +was fastened to the bosom of her dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she entered the room many admiring eyes were turned +toward her, and Miss Woodburn exclaimed, "Oh, how lovely +she is. Her sister seems more like the flashing diamond, while +Fanny's beauty is like the soft lustre of the pearl. But tell +me," she continued, "is she not engaged to a Dr. Lacey of +New Orleans?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, or, that is, it was so rumored," answered Ashton, "but +he has gone home, and since then I have heard nothing of it. +Young Stanton seems very attentive. I should not wonder if +something grows out of it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Always making matches, Mr. Ashton," said Mrs. Carrington, +who for a moment rid herself of Raymond and now came +near Ashton and Florence. She had heard them speak of Dr. +Lacey and Fanny, and as she knew Florence was soon going +to New Orleans, she wished to give her a little Frankfort +gossip to take with her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Mrs. Carrington," said Mr. Ashton, bowing politely, +"allow me to introduce Miss Woodburn. We were just talking +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page102">[pg 102]</span><a name="Pg102" id="Pg102" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of the probability of Miss Fanny's being engaged to Dr. +Lacey. Perhaps you can enlighten us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Mrs. Carrington, "I assure you I know but little +about the matter. It is rather uncertain whom Miss Fanny +likes or dislikes. It is currently reported that she was in love +with a Mr. Wilmot, who died, and who was known to be engaged +to her sister. Since then Dr. Lacey has flirted with +her, whether seriously or not I cannot tell; I should rather +think not, however, for Mr. Stanton now seems to be the +favored one."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh," said Mr. Ashton, "I never supposed Fanny was so +much of a coquette."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Neither do I think she is," said Florence, whose heart +warmed toward Fanny as soon as she saw her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Perhaps she is not," said Mrs. Carrington. "Fanny is very +young yet, but when fully matured will perhaps make a noble +woman, but she has not the solidity of her sister, who tries +hard to keep her from assuming the appearance of a flirt." +Then turning to Florence, she said, "I believe you are soon +going to New Orleans?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, madam," answered Florence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You will probably meet Dr. Lacey there," continued Mrs. +Carrington. "Perhaps you had better say nothing to him +about Fanny's flirtation with Stanton, for he would hardly believe +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence merely nodded, thinking to herself that she should +do as she chose about it. From the first she had been attracted +toward Fanny. There was something in her face, and in the +expression of her eye, which interested Florence. It seemed +to her that Fanny would gladly have left the scene of gayety, +and going out by herself, would have poured out all her soul in +tears. She earnestly desired an introduction, and at last it +was obtained. There must have been some secret magnet +which attracted these young girls toward each other, for in a +few moments they were arm in arm, talking familiarly upon +different topics as though they had been acquainted a lifetime.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence was a warm-hearted, affectionate girl, and after a +time she said, "Miss Middleton, I am going to New Orleans +soon. I believe you have an acquaintance there. If I see him +what shall I tell him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's voice trembled slightly as she answered, "Tell +whom?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Miss Middleton," said Florence, laughing gayly, "how +that blush becomes you! Tell whom? Why, whom should it +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page103">[pg 103]</span><a name="Pg103" id="Pg103" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +be but Dr. Lacey, who everybody, except Mrs. Carrington, +says is engaged to you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The fire shot in to Fanny's eyes, but one look at the open +face at her side assured her, and she answered, "I am not answerable +for what the world pleases to say of me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am to consider the report true, then," persisted Florence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A momentary struggle took place in Fanny's mind. Love +and resentment strove for the mastery. The latter conquered, +and the voice was calm and decided which replied, "I assure +you, Miss Woodburn, that Dr. Lacey bears no relation to me +except that of a common acquaintance."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Indeed," said Florence. "I am sorry, for I was anticipating +much pleasure in describing Dr. Lacey's intended lady +to the New Orleans girls."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not answer, and as Stanton just then approached, +and asked her to go to the music room, she took his arm +readily, glad to escape so painful a conversation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is a strange girl," thought Florence, "and yet I know I +should love her. I wonder what makes her so sad. Can it +be that she really loved that Mr. Wilmot? At any rate, I +am sorry for her and hope she will marry Mr. Stanton, who +seems much pleased with her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was the impression left on Florence's mind, which +was productive of much mischief. At a late hour the company +dispersed. Fanny returned home, weary and sick at +heart. Her conversation with Florence had awakened painful +reminiscences of the past, and the gray daylight was +beginning to streak the eastern horizon ere her heavy lids +closed in slumber. In a few days Florence Woodburn departed +for New Orleans, where her mother's brother resided. +We will take passage with her and pay a visit to Dr. Lacey in +his Southern home.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter11" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc22" id="toc22"></a><a name="pdf23" id="pdf23"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">a glance at new orleans society</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page104">[pg 104]</span><a name="Pg104" id="Pg104" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The house which Dr. Lacey occupied was situated on one +of the pleasantest streets of New Orleans. It was a large, +airy structure, which had formerly been owned by a wealthy +French gentleman who had spared neither money nor pains +to adorn it with every elegance which could minister to the +luxurious habits common to a Southern clime. When it passed +into the hands of Dr. Lacey's father, he gratified his Northern +taste, and fitted it up with every possible convenience, molding +its somewhat ancient aspect into a more modern style.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Dr. Lacey reached the age of twenty-one, his father +made him the owner of the house, he himself removing to another +part of the city. At the time of which we are speaking, +nothing could exceed the beauty of the house and grounds.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The yard which surrounded the building was large, and +laid out with all the taste of a perfect connoisseur. In its center +was a fountain, whose limpid waters fell into a large +marble basin, while the spray which constantly arose from the +falling stream seemed to render the heat of that sultry climate +less oppressive. Scattered throughout the yard were the +numerous trees and flowering shrubs which grow in profusion +at the "sunny South." Here the beautiful magnolia shook its +white blossoms in the evening breeze, and there the dark green +foliage of the orange trees formed an effectual screen from +the mid-day sun.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The building was surrounded on all sides by a double piazza, +the slender pillars of which were entwined by the flowering +honeysuckle and luxuriant passion-flower, which gave the +house the appearance of a closely wreathed arbor. Within the +piazza was filled with rare tropical plants. The beautiful +oleander, magnificent rose and sweet-scented geranium, here +united their fragrance, while the scarlet verbenum and brilliant +heliotrope added beauty to the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The interior of the building corresponded with the exterior. +The rooms, large and airy, were carpeted with velvet, and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page105">[pg 105]</span><a name="Pg105" id="Pg105" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +adorned with costly marble and rosewood furniture. The +windows, which were constructed in the French style, that is, +reaching to the floor, were curtained with richly-embroidered +lace. Let us ascend the winding staircase, and enter the dressing +room of the owner of all this splendor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Half reclining on a crimson lounge sits Dr. Lacey, dressed in +a fashionable brocade morning gown. On first glancing at +him we think there is no change in his countenance since we +last saw him on Mrs. Crane's steps in Frankfort, but as we +note the expression of his face we can perceive a shade of +anxiety resting there. At last he rises and rather impatiently +pulls the bell rope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His summons is immediately answered by an exquisite +dandy, who is neither African, European, French, nor Spanish, +but an odd mixture of the four. He is dressed in the extreme +of fashion, and on entering the room bows most gracefully, +at the same time casting an admiring glance at himself +in the large mirror, and passing his hand carelessly +through his perfumed locks. With the utmost deference, he +awaits the commands of his master.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, Rondeau," said Dr. Lacey, "haven't you finished +breakfast yet?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, marster," answered Rondeau, with a very low bow. +"I've got through a moment since. What can I do for you. +Will you ride this morning?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," answered Dr. Lacey, "I do not wish to ride, but I +want you to go to the post office and back immediately; remember +now, and not stop to gossip."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly not," said the negro. "When marster's in a +hurry, Rondeau is never foolin' away time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And don't stop more than an hour in the kitchen to talk to +Leffie. Do you understand?" continued the doctor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, I won't," said Rondeau, extending his mouth into +a broad grin at his master's allusion to Leffie, a bright-looking, +handsome, mulatto girl, whom next to himself, Rondeau +thought was the prettiest creature in the world.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last he bowed himself out of the room, and proceeded to +execute his master's commands. On passing the kitchen, he +"just looked in a little," and the sight of Leffie's bright +eyes and rosy lips made him forgetful of his promise. Going +up to her, he announced his intention of kissing her. A violent +squabble ensued, in which the large china dish which +Leffie held in her hand was broken, two pickle jars thrown +down, chairs upset, the baby scalded, and the dog Tasso's +tail nearly crushed! At last Aunt Dilsey, the head cook and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page106">[pg 106]</span><a name="Pg106" id="Pg106" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +mother of Leffie, interposed, and seizing the soup ladle as the +first thing near her, she laid about her right and left, dealing +no very gentle blows at the well-oiled hair of Rondeau, who +was glad to beat a retreat from the kitchen, amid the loud +laughter of the blacks who had witnessed the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leaving the house he was soon on his way to the post office, +and having procured his master's mail he started for home. At +length, slackening his pace, he took from his pocket the letters +and carefully scrutinized the inscription of each. He was +in the habit of going to the post office, and after his master's +return from Kentucky, he had noticed two or three letters +written in what he called "a mighty fineified hand," and he +had whispered to Leffie as a great secret that "'twere his private +opinion marster was going to marry some Kentucky girl." +Recently he had noticed the absence of those letters, and also +the absence of his master's accustomed cheerfulness. Rondeau +was pretty keen, and putting the two circumstances together, +he again had a whispered conference with Leffie, +whom he told that "most probably the Kentucky girl had +flunked, for marster hadn't had a letter in ever so long, and +every time he didn't get one he looked as blue as a whetstone!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Glad on't," said Leffie. "Hope he won't have any your +foreigners. Allus did wish he'd have Miss Mortimer. Next +to old marster and young marster Lacey, her father's the toppinest +man in New Orleans. And it's a pity for young marster +to stoop."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After examining all the letters closely, Rondeau came to the +conclusion that the right one wasn't there, and he thought, +"Well, Leffie'll be glad, and marster'll be sorry, and hang me +if I ain't sorry too, for marster's a plaguey fine chap, and desarves +anybody there is in Kentucky."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile Dr. Lacey was anxiously awaiting Rondeau's +return, and when he caught sight of him, coming at an unusually +rapid pace toward the house, he thought, "Surely +Rondeau would never hurry so if he had not good news for +me," but the next thought was, "How should he know what it +is I am so anxious to get?" Still he waited rather impatiently +for Rondeau to make his appearance. In a moment he entered +the room, and commenced pulling the letters from his pocket, +saying, "I've got a heap this time, marster."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then laid them one by one on the marble dressing table, +counting them as he did so; "Thar's one, thar's two, thar's +three, thar's four."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Stop counting them, can't you, and give me all you have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page107">[pg 107]</span><a name="Pg107" id="Pg107" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +directly," said Dr. Lacey, as his eye ran hurriedly over the +superscription of each, and found not the one he sought.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That's jist what I've done, marster," said Rondeau, bowing. +"The one you want wasn't thar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey glanced hastily at his servant, and felt assured +that the quick-witted negro was in possession of his secret. +"You may go," said he, "and mind, never let me hear of your +commenting about my letters."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, marster, never; 'strue's I live," said Rondeau, who left +the room and went in quest of Leffie. But he did not dare +to repeat the scene of the morning, for Aunt Dilsey was +present, bending over a large tub of boiling suds, and he felt +sure that any misdemeanor on his part would call forth a +more affectionate shower bath than he cared about receiving. +So he concluded to bring about his purpose by complimenting +Aunt Dilsey on her fine figure (she weighed just two hundred!).</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Aunt Dilsey," said he, "'pears to me you have an uncommon +good form, for one as plump and healthy-like as you +are."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey was quite sensitive whenever her size was +alluded to, and she replied rather sharply: "You git along, +you bar's ile skullcap. 'Twon't be healthy for you to poke fun +at me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"'Pon my word," said the mischievous Rondeau, "I ain't +poking fun at you. I do really think so. I thought of it last +Sunday, when you had on that new gown, that becomes you +so well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Which one?" said Aunt Dilsey, a little mollified, "the blue +and yaller one?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The same," answered Rondeau. "It fits you good. Your +arm looks real small in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie was nearly convulsed with laughter, for she had tried +the experiment, and found that the distance round her mother's +arm was just the distance round her own slender waist.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do tell!" said Aunt Dilsey, stopping from her work and +wiping the drops of perspiration from her shining forehead. +"Do tell! It feels drefful sleek on me, but my old man Claib +says it's too tight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not an atom too tight," answered Rondeau, at the same +time getting nearer and nearer to Leffie, and laying his hand +on her shoulder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before she was aware of his intention, he stole the kiss he +was seeking for. Leffie rewarded him by spitting in his face, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page108">[pg 108]</span><a name="Pg108" id="Pg108" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +while Aunt Dilsey called out, "Ain't you 'shamed to act so, +Leffie? Don't make a fool of yourself!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Assured by this speech, Rondeau turned, and kissing Aunt +Dilsey herself, was off just in time to escape a basin of hot +suds which that highly-scandalized lady hurled after him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'll tell marster this minute," said she, "and see if he hain't +got nothin' to set the lazy lout a-doin'." So saying, the old +lady waddled into the house, and going upstairs, knocked at +Dr. Lacey's door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come in," said the doctor, and Aunt Dilsey entered. In a +very sad tone, she commenced telling how "that 'tarnal Rondeau +was raising Cain in the kitchen. He's kissed Leffie, and +me too!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Kissed you, has he?" said Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sar, he done that ar very thing, spang on the mouth," +said Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, Dilsey," said the doctor with a roguish twinkle of +the eye, "don't you think he ought to be paid?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey began to cry, and said, "I never thought that +marster would laugh at old Aunt Dilsey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Neither will I," said the doctor. Then tossing her a +picayune, he said, "take that, Aunt Dilsey. I reckon it will +pay for the kiss. I'll see that Rondeau does not repeat his +offense, on you at least."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey went back to the kitchen, thinking that "Marster +George was the funniest and best marster on earth."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Rondeau was carrying on his flirtation in the kitchen, +Dr. Lacey was differently employed. Hope deferred had well +nigh made his heart sick. "What can be the reason," thought +he, "that Fanny does not write? I have written repeatedly +for the last two months and have had no answer." Then as a +new idea struck him, he added, "Yes, I'll write to Mr. Miller, +and ask him what has happened." Suiting the action to the +word, he drew up his writing desk, and in a short time a letter +was written and directed to Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He arose to summon Rondeau to take it to the office; but +ere he had touched the bell rope, pride whispered, "Don't send +that letter; don't let Mr. Miller into your private affairs. If +Fanny were sick, some one would write to you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the bell was not rung, and during the next half-hour +Dr. Lacey amused himself by mechanically tearing it into +small fragments. Ah, Dr. Lacey, 'twas a sorry moment when +you listened to the whispering of that pride! Had that letter +been sent, it would have saved you many sleepless nights of +sorrow. But it was not to be.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page109">[pg 109]</span><a name="Pg109" id="Pg109" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>That night there was to be a large party at the house of Mr. +Mortimer, whom Leffie had mentioned as second to the Laceys +in wealth. Mr. Mortimer was the uncle at whose house Florence +Woodburn was visiting, and the party was given in +honor of her arrival, and partly to celebrate Mabel Mortimer's +birthday. Mabel was an intelligent, accomplished girl, +and besides being something of a beauty, was the heiress expectant +of several hundred thousand. This constituted her +quite a belle, and for three or four years past she and Dr. +Lacey had been given to each other by the clever gossips of +New Orleans. Mr. Lacey senior was also rather anxious +that his son should marry Mabel; so Julia was not far out of +the way when she wrote to Fanny that Dr. Lacey's parents +wished to secure a match between him and a New Orleans +belle. Had Dr. Lacey never seen Fanny, he possibly might +have wedded Mabel. But his was a heart which could love +but once, and although the object of his love should prove +untrue, his affections could not easily be transferred to another; +so that it was all in vain that Mabel Mortimer, on the +evening of the party, stood before her mirror arranging and +rearranging the long curls of her dark hair and the folds of +her rich white satin, wondering all the while if Dr. Lacey +would approve her style of dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Turning to Florence, she said, "Cousin, did you see Dr. +Lacey while he was in Frankfort?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No; I did not," answered Florence; "but I do hope he will +be here tonight, for I am all impatient to see this lion who has +turned all your heads."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A slight shade of displeasure passed over Mabel's fine features, +but quickly casting it off she said, "Why are you so +anxious, Florence? Have you any designs on him? If you +have, they will do you no good, for I have a prior claim, and +you must not interfere."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear me, how charmingly you look!" said Florence. "But, +fair coz, do not be too sanguine. Suppose I should tell you +that far off in old Kentuck, as the negroes say, there is a +golden-haired little girl, who has—"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Stop, stop," said Mabel. "You shall not tell me. I will +not hear it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At that instant the doorbell rang, and in a moment several +young girls entered the dressing room, and in the chattering +and laughing and fixing which followed, Mabel forgot what +her cousin had been saying. After a time the young ladies +descended to the spacious drawing rooms, which were rapidly +filling with the elite of the city.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page110">[pg 110]</span><a name="Pg110" id="Pg110" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Mabel's eye took in at a glance all the gentlemen, and she +felt chagrined to find Dr. Lacey absent. "What if he should +not come?" thought she. "The party would be a dreadfully +dull affair to me." Some time after, she missed Florence and +two or three other girls, and thinking they were in the parlor +above, she went in search of them. She found them on the +balcony not far from the gentlemen's dressing room, the windows +of which were open. As she approached them, they +called out, "Oh, here you are, Mabel! Florence is just going +to tell us about Dr. Lacey's sweetheart."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey's sweetheart!" repeated Mabel. "Who is Dr. +Lacey's sweetheart, pray?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do not blush so, Mabel; we do not mean you," said Lida +Gibson, a bright-eyed, witty girl, with a sprinkling of malice +in her nature.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Of course you do not mean me," said Mabel, laughingly. +"But come, cousin; what of her?" And the young girls drew +nearer to each other, and waited anxiously for Florence's +story.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Little did they suspect that another individual, with flushed +brow, compressed lip and beating heart was listening to hear +tidings of her whom Florence had designated as his sweetheart. +Dr. Lacey had entered the gentlemen's dressing room +unobserved. He heard the sound of merry voices on the balcony, +and was about to step out and surprise the girls when he +caught the sound of his own name coupled with that of Fanny +Middleton. His curiosity was aroused and he became a listener +to the following conversation:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come, Florence," said Lida, "do not keep us in suspense +any longer. Tell us whether she is black or white, fat or +lean, rich or poor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But first," said Mabel, "tell us how you know she is anything +to Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That is what I don't know," said Florence. "I am only +speaking of what has been."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, then," said Mabel, more gayly, "go on,"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"This Fanny Middleton," said Florence, "looks just as you +would imagine a bright angel to look."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">How Dr. Lacey blessed her for these words.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But," continued Florence, "there is a singularly sad expression +on her marble face."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I never observed it," thought Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What makes her sad?" asked Lida.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That is a mystery to me," answered Florence. "Report +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page111">[pg 111]</span><a name="Pg111" id="Pg111" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +says that she loved a Mr. Wilmot, who was engaged to her +sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Engaged to her sister!" repeated Mabel. "How strange! +But won't it make trouble?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It cannot," said Florence. "Mr. Wilmot is dead, and it is +whispered that Fanny's heart was buried with him. I should +not be surprised if it were so, for Fanny has the saddest face +I ever saw. It made me want to cry when I looked at her. I +should have pitied her more, however, had she not been so well +cared for by a Mr. Stanton, of New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Large drops of perspiration stood thickly on Dr. Lacey's +forehead, and his hands, convulsively clasped, were pressed +against his heart; still he did not lose a syllable as Florence +continued, "I did not blame her for liking Stanton, for he +would break half your hearts and turn the rest of you crazy."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But the sister," asked all the young ladies, "how was she +affected to think Fanny loved her betrothed?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, that sister!" said Florence. "You ought to see her! +She is beautiful beyond anything I can describe. She eclipsed +everything and everybody."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And she is as agreeable as handsome?" asked Mabel, +whose fears were aroused that Julia might be the rival, instead +of Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence replied, "I was told that she was formerly very +passionate, so much so that her father nicknamed her Tempest. +Within a few months she has entirely changed, and is +now very amiable; but I like Fanny's looks the best."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But Dr. Lacey—what had he to do with Fanny?" asked +Lida.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It was said they were engaged; but I do not think they +are. In fact, I know they are not, from what Fanny said herself; +for she assured me that Dr. Lacey was nothing to her +more than a common acquaintance; and the sad but sweet +smile which broke over her face whenever she raised, her soft +blue eyes to Stanton's animated countenance confirmed what +she said."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"So, Mabel, you can have the doctor after all," said Lida. +"You know you used to say that it was all settled, for your +parents and his had arranged it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey waited for no more. He knew of a back stairway +down which he could escape into the open air unobserved. +In a moment he stood alone in Mr. Mortimer's garden, but the +evening breeze, although it cooled his brow, failed to calm his +excited feelings. Suddenly it occurred to him that his absence +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg 112]</span><a name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +from Mr. Mortimer's would excite attention in those who saw +him enter, so he made a desperate effort to be calm, and retracing +his steps, was soon in the drawing room with Mabel +Mortimer on his arm, much to that young lady's satisfaction.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they passed near a group of girls, in the center of which +stood Florence Woodburn, Mabel suddenly said, "Oh, Dr. +Lacey, let me introduce you to cousin Florence. She has just +come from Frankfort and knows some of your acquaintances +there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, she drew him toward Florence, who had all the +evening been waiting for an introduction to him. Dr. Lacey +rather wished to avoid making Florence's acquaintance, fearing +that she might say something to him of Fanny. But there +was no escape, and he greeted Florence with a smile and a +bow, which, to use her own words, "nearly drove every idea +from her head."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Once during the evening he found himself standing with +Florence, alone, near an open window. Florence improved +her opportunity, and raising her bewitching hazel eyes to the +doctor's face, said, "Why do you not ask me about your Kentucky +friends, Dr. Lacey?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Had Florence observed her companion closely, she would +have noticed the pallor which for an instant overspread his +face. It passed away, and he replied with an assumed gayety, +"How should I know that we have any acquaintances in common +in Frankfort?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before Florence had time to reply, Mabel joined them. She +was unwilling to risk a tete-a-tete between the doctor and +her fascinating cousin, and as soon as she found them standing +alone she went up to them. Her example was followed by +several other young ladies, among whom was Lida Gibson, +who began by saying, "Doctor, do you know that Miss Florence +has told us all about your love affairs, and also described +the Golden Fairy? Now, why didn't you fall in love with +her sister? Florence says she is far more beautiful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey answered calmly, "What reason has Miss Woodburn +to think I am in love with either."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No reason," said Mabel, quickly; "neither does she think +you are in love with her either."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear me," said Lida. "Of course you do not wish me to +think so, and we all know why; but never mind frowning so +dreadfully, Mabel; I won't tell!" and the mischievous girl +glided away, laughing to think that she had succeeded so well +in teasing Mabel Mortimer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment, Dr. Lacey turned to Florence and said "It +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113">[pg 113]</span><a name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +seems you saw Julia Middleton. Do you not think her very +handsome?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, very," answered Florence; "but I liked Fanny's looks +the best."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A pang shot through Dr. Lacey's heart at the mention of +Fanny's name, but he continued to inquire concerning his +friends in Kentucky. Before the party closed, Florence, +Mabel and Lida had each managed to repeat to him all the +conversation which he had overheard in the first part of the +evening, never once thinking how desolate was the heart +which beat beneath the calm manner and gay laugh of him +who listened to their thoughtless raillery.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length the party drew to a close. Dr. Lacey was among +the first that left. He longed to be alone with his troubled +thoughts. Mechanically bidding Mabel "Good night," he ran +down the marble steps, and stepping into his carriage, ordered +Claib, the coachman, to drive home as soon as possible. +There was no particular necessity for this command, for Claib +had been fretting for the last hour about "White folks settin' +up all night and keepin' niggers awake. Darned if he didn't +run the horses home like Satan, and sleep over next day, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With such a driver the horses sped swiftly over the smooth +road and in a very few minutes Dr. Lacey was at home, alone +in his room. Then the full tide of his sorrow burst forth. He +did not weep. He would scorn to do that. But could one +have seen him as he hurriedly paced the apartment, he would +have said, his was a sorrow which could not vent itself in +tears. Occasionally he would whisper to himself, "My Fanny +false!—she whom I believed so truthful, so loving, so innocent! +And she loves another—one, too, whom it were almost +a sin to love. Fool, that I did not see it before, for what but +love could have drawn such devotion to him on his deathbed? +And yet she assured me that I was the first, the only one, she +had ever loved; and I believed it, and gave her the entire affection +of my heart."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then came a reaction. Resentment toward Fanny for thus +deceiving him mingling with his grief. But he had loved +her too deeply, too truly, to cherish an unkind feeling toward +her long. Throwing himself upon the sofa, and burying his +face in his hands, he went back in fancy through all the many +happy hours he had spent in her society. While doing this +sleep descended upon him and in his dreams he saw again his +darling Fanny, not false and faithless as he had feared, but +arrayed in a spotless bridal robe. She stood by his side as his +own wedded wife. Was that dream ever realized? We shall see.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter12" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc24" id="toc24"></a><a name="pdf25" id="pdf25"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the letter that was not delivered</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg 114]</span><a name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The next morning, Rondeau waited for a long time for his +master's usual orders that he should go to the post office, but +no such commands came, and as Dr. Lacey had not been +heard moving in his room yet, Rondeau concluded to go at all +events.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know,", said he, "that'll be the first thing he'll tell me to +do, and I may as well go on my own hook, as to wait and be +sent."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly he again started for the post office, thinking to +himself, "I hope that marster'll get a letter this time, for he +don't seem no more like the wide-awake chap he did when he +first come from Kentuck, than nothin'. I don't want him to +have Miss Mabel nohow; for their niggers say she's awful +spunky."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time this soliloquy was ended, he had reached the +office. The clerk handed him two letters, both of which Rondeau +eyed sharply. On looking at the second, the cavity between +the ears widened to an enormous extent, and he gave +vent to his joy by uttering aloud, "Crackee, this is just the +thing!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What's the matter, Rondeau? Can you read writing?" +asked the clerk in some surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir, not but a little," said Rondeau; "but I know this +hand write, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a twinkling, he was in the street. "This is a fine morning," +thought he. "I've got the right letter this time, so I +won't hurry home, for marster ain't goin' to find any fault if +I don't git thar till noon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the next hour was spent in gossiping with all the +blacks which could be found lounging round the streets. Suddenly +one of the negroes called out, "Ho, Rondeau! Thar's +yer old marster Lace comin'. You'd better cut stick for home, +or he'll be in yer har."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau instantly started for home, where he was greeted +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page115">[pg 115]</span><a name="Pg115" id="Pg115" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +by Aunt Dilsey with a torrent of abuse, that good lady rating +him soundly for being gone too long. "Warn't he 'shamed to +be foolin' away his time? 'Twan't his time nuther, 'twas +marster's time. Was that ar fulfillin' of Scripter, which says, +'we must be all eye sarvants,' which means ye must all keep +clus where yer marsters can see you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">How long Aunt Dilsey might have gone expounding Scripture +is not known, for Rondeau interrupted her by saying, +"Don't scold so, old lady. Marster ain't a-goin' to care for +I've got him something this time better than victuals or +drink."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What is it?" said Leffie, coming forward. "Have you got +him a letter from Kentuck?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hain't got nothin' else, Miss Leffie Lacey, if you please," +said Rondeau, snapping his fingers in her face, and giving +Aunt Dilsey's elbow a slight jostle, just enough to spill the +oil, with which she was filling a lamp.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Rondeau, I 'clar' for't," said Aunt Dilsey, setting down her +oil can. "If marster don't crack your head, my old man Claib +shall, if he ever gits up agin. Thar he is in his bunk, snorin' +like he was a steamboat; and marster's asleep upstairs, I +reckon. Well, 'tain't no way to live. Things would go to rack +and ruin if I didn't sweat and work to keep 'em right end up, +sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey was really a very valuable servant, and had +some reason for thinking herself the main spoke in the wheel +which kept her master's household together. She had lived +in the family ever since Dr. Lacey's early recollection, and as +she had nursed him when an infant, he naturally felt a great +affection for her, and intrusted her with the exclusive management +of the culinary department, little negroes and all. His +confidence in her was not misplaced, for from morning till +night she was faithful to her trust, and woe to any luckless +woolly head who was found wasting "marster's" sweetmeats +and pickles.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the first hand Aunt Dilsey was very sensitive, for being +naturally active and stirring herself, "She," to use her own +words, "couldn't bar to see folks lazin' round like thar was +nothin' to do, but to git up and stuff themselves till they's fit +to bust." She also felt annoyed whenever her young master +indulged himself in a morning nap. "Ought to be up," she +said, "and airin' hisself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning following the party, her patience was +severely taxed in two ways. First, Claib, her husband, had +adhered to his resolution of sleeping over, and long after the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg 116]</span><a name="Pg116" id="Pg116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +clock struck eleven he was sleeping profoundly. He had resisted +all Aunt Dilsey's efforts to rouse him. Her scoldings, +sprinklings with hot and cold water, punching with the carving +fork, had all proved ineffectual, and as a last resort, she +put the baby on his bed, thinking "that would surely fetch him +up standin', for 'twasn't in natur to sleep with the baby wollopin' +and mowin' over him." Her master, too, troubled her. +Why he couldn't get up she couldn't see. "His breakfast was +as cold as a grave stun, and she didn't keer if 'twas. She had +enough to do 'tendin' to other affairs, without keepin' the +niggers and dogs from porkin' thar noses in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a late hour Dr. Lacey awoke from his uneasy slumber. +The return of morning brought comparative calmness to his +troubled spirit. Hope whispered that what he had heard +might be a mistake. At least he would wait for further confirmation. +He did not know how near that confirmation was. +Rondeau had been waiting for his masters summons until his +patience was exhausted. So, relying on the letter to counteract +any apparent disrespect, he stalked upstairs and knocked +at Dr. Lacey's door, just as that gentleman was about ringing +for him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as he entered the room, he called out, "Here, master, +I've got 'em this time!" at the same time extending a letter, +the superscription of which made Dr. Lacey turn pale, for +he recognized, as he supposed, Fanny's delicate handwriting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You may leave me alone, Rondeau," said he, "and I will +ring for you when I want you." So Rondeau departed with +the remaining letter in his pocket. He had forgotten to deliver +it, but it was not missed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Oh, Rondeau, Rondeau! It was very unfortunate that you +forgot that letter, and suffered it to remain in your pocket unheeded +for so many days. Its contents would have scattered +the dark, desolating tempest which was fast gathering over +your young master's pathway.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as Dr. Lacey was alone, he sat down, anxious, yet +fearing to know the contents of his letter. At last he resolutely +broke the seal, thinking to himself, "It cannot contain +anything worse than I already know." One glance at the beginning +and end of the letter confirmed his fears, and for a +few moments he was unable to read a line; then summoning +all his remaining courage, he calmly read the letter through, +not omitting a single word, but comprehending the meaning of +each sentence. It was as follows:</p> +<br /> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"Frankfort, March 25th, 18—.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Dr. Lacey</span></span>:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg 117]</span><a name="Pg117" id="Pg117" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Sir</span></span>—Have you, during some weeks past, ever wondered +why I did not write to you? And in enumerating to yourself +the many reasons which could prevent my writing, has it ever +occurred to you that possibly I might be false? Can you forgive +me, Dr. Lacey, when I tell you that the love I once +fancied I bore for you has wholly subsided, and I now feel +for you a friendship, which I trust will be more lasting than +my transient girlish love?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do you ask how I came to change so suddenly? I can only +answer by another confession still more painful and humiliating +to me. When I bade you adieu, I thought I loved you as +well as I ever could again. I say again, for—but how shall +I tell you? How confess that my first affection was not +given to you? Yes, ere I had ever seen you, I loved another, +and one, too, whom some would say it were sinful to love.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why harrow my feelings by awakening the past? Suffice +it to say that he whom I loved is dead. We both saw him +die, and I received upon my lips his last breath. Truly if he +were Julia's in life, he was mine in death. Did you never +suspect how truly I loved Mr. Wilmot? You were blinded by +your misplaced affection for me, if you did not. Julia, my +noble-hearted sister Julia, knew it all. I confessed my love +to her, and on my knees begged her not to go to him, but to +let me take her place at his bedside. She complied with my +request, and then bravely bore in silence the reproaches of +the world for her seeming coldness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dear Julia! She seems strangely changed recently, and +you would hardly know her, she is so gentle, so obliging, so +amiable. You ought to have heard her plead your cause with +me. She besought me almost with tears not to prove unfaithful +to you, and when I convinced her that 'twas impossible +for me to love another as I had Mr. Wilmot, she insisted on +my writing, and not keeping you in suspense any longer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey, if you could transfer your affection from me—, +but no, why should I speak of such a thing! You will probably +despise all my family. Yet do not, I beseech you, cast +them off for your poor Fanny's sin. They respect you highly, +and Julia would be angry if she knew that I am about to tell +you how she admires a certain Southern friend, who probably, +by this time, thinks with contempt of little</p> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"> +"<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Fanny Middleton.</span></span>"</p> +<br /> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no perceptible change in Dr. Lacey's manner +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span><a name="Pg118" id="Pg118" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +after reading the heartless forgery, but the iron had entered +his soul, and for a time he seemed benumbed with its force. +Then came a moment of reflection. His love had been +trampled upon, and thrown back as a thing of naught by her +who had fallen from the high pedestal on which he had enthroned +the idol of his heart's deepest affection.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I could have pitied, and admired her, too," thought he, +"had she candidly confessed her love for Mr. Wilmot; but to +be so basely deceived by one whom I thought incapable of deception +is too much."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Seizing the letter, he again read it through, and this time +he felt his wounded pride somewhat soothed by thinking that +the beautiful Julia admired and sympathized with him. "But +pshaw!" he exclaimed, "most likely Julia is as hollow-hearted +as her sister, and yet many dark spots on her character seem +wiped away by Fanny's confession." Throwing the letter +aside he rang the bell, and ordered his breakfast to be sent up +to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That afternoon he called on Mabel Mortimer and her +cousin. He found the young ladies in the drawing room, and +with them a dark, fine-looking, middle-aged gentleman, whom +Mabel introduced as Mr. Middleton. Something in the looks +as well as name of the stranger made Dr. Lacey involuntarily +start with surprise, and he secretly wondered whether; +this gentleman was in any way connected with the Middletons +of Kentucky. He was not kept long in doubt, for Florence, +who was very talkative, soon said, "We were just speaking of +you, Dr. Lacey, and Mr. Middleton seems inclined to claim +you as an acquaintance, on the ground of your having been +intimate with his brother's family in Kentucky."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Indeed!" said Dr. Lacey; then turning to Mr. Middleton, +he said, "Is it possible that you are a brother of Mr. Joshua +Middleton?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir," returned the stranger, eyeing Dr. Lacey closely; +"Joshua is my brother, but for more than twenty years I have +not seen him, or scarcely heard from him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Ah," answered Dr. Lacey, in some astonishment, and then, +as he fancied there was something in Mr. Middleton's former +life which he wished to conceal, he changed the subject by +asking Mr. Middleton if he had been long in the city.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Only two weeks," he replied, and he proceeded to speak +of himself, saying, "For many years past I have been in the +Indies. About the time my brother Joshua married, my father +died. When his will was opened, I thought it a very unjust +one, for it gave, to my brother a much larger share than was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page119">[pg 119]</span><a name="Pg119" id="Pg119" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +given to me. In a fit of anger, I declared I would never touch +a penny of my portion, and leaving college, where I was already +in my senior year, I went to New York, and getting on +board a vessel bound for the East Indies, I tried by amassing +wealth in a distant land, to forget that I ever had a home this +side of the Atlantic. During the first years of my absence my +brother wrote to me frequently, and most of his letters I answered, +for I really bore him no malice on account of the will. +I had not heard from him for a long time, until I reached this +city."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Are you going to visit Kentucky?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is my present intention to do so," answered Mr. Middleton; +"but first I wish to purchase a summer residence near the +Lake, and after fitting it up tastefully, I shall invite my nieces +to visit me. You are acquainted with them, I believe."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey answered in the affirmative, and Mr. Middleton +continued, "I am told by Miss Woodburn that they are very +beautiful, especially one of them, and quite accomplished. Is +it so?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied very calmly, "The world, I believe, unites +in calling Miss Julia beautiful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But what of the other one?" asked Mr. Middleton. "I am +prepossessed in her favor, for she bears the name of the only +sister I ever had."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey sighed, for he remembered the time when he was +drawn toward Fanny, because he fancied she resembled the +only sister he ever had. Mr. Middleton observed it, and immediately +said, "Does it make you sigh just to mention +Fanny? What is the matter? Has she jilted you? If she +has, she does not partake of the nature of the Middletons, for +they could never stoop to deceit."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Florence came to Dr. Lacey's relief by saying, "Why, +Dr. Lacey, Mr. Middleton wants you to repeat what I have already +told him, that Julia is exceedingly beautiful and that +Fanny is as lovely as a Houri, and has the saddest, sweetest +face I ever saw, and the softest, mildest blue eye."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey laughingly said, "Thank you, Miss Florence; Mr. +Middleton will please take what you have said as my opinion +concerning his fair nieces."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton bowed and then said, "How does my brother +appear? He used to be very rough and abrupt in his manner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey laughed. He could not help it. His risible faculties +were always excited when he thought of Joshua Middleton, +and he answered, that although he highly esteemed Mr. +Middleton, he feared his manners were not much improved.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span><a name="Pg120" id="Pg120" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"I dare say not," said the brother. "When he was at home, +he was always saying things which our mother called 'impolite,' +our father 'outlandish,' and the blacks 'right down +heathenish.' However, with all his roughness, I believe there +never was a more truly honorable man, or a more sincere +friend."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a few moments of general conversation, Mr. Middleton +said, turning to Dr. Lacey, "I feel some anxiety about +this summer residence which I intend purchasing. I am told +that you have fine taste both in selecting a good locality and +in laying out grounds. If you have leisure, suppose you accompany +me on my exploring excursion, and I will reward +you by an invitation to spend as much time with me as you +like after my nieces arrive."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey thanked Mr. Middleton for the compliment paid +to his taste, and he politely expressed his willingness to assist +his friend in the selection of a country seat. "By the way," +continued he, "you are stopping at the St. Charles, I believe. +Suppose you exchange your rooms at the hotel for a home +with me, and become my guest until you leave the city for +Kentucky?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton accepted Dr. Lacey's invitation willingly, +and the three weeks which he spent at his residence passed +rapidly and pleasantly away. During that time Dr. Lacey +met with a gentleman who owned a very handsome villa near +the lake shore. This he wished to dispose of, and Mr. Middleton +and Dr. Lacey went down to inspect it. They found it +every way desirable, and Mr. Middleton finally purchased it +at an enormous price, and called it the "Indian Nest." "Here," +said he, speaking to Dr. Lacey, "here I shall at last find that +happiness which I have sought for in vain during forty years. +I shall have both my nieces with me, besides Miss Mortimer +and Miss Woodburn. I suppose I shall have to invite some +other young gentleman besides yourself, for the girls will +hardly fancy the old Indian for a beau."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey did not reply. He was thinking how much +pleasure such an arrangement would have given him a few +months ago; but now all was changed, and the thought of +again meeting Fanny afforded him more pain than pleasure.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton noticed his silence, and as he was slightly +tinctured with the abruptness which characterized his brother, +he said, "Why, young man, what is the matter? Have you +been disappointed, or what makes you manifest so much indifference +to spending the summer, or a part of it, with four +agreeable girls?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page121">[pg 121]</span><a name="Pg121" id="Pg121" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Dr. Lacey saw the necessity of rousing himself from his +melancholy mood, and assuming a gayety he did not feel, he +said, "I feel very much flattered, Mr. Middleton, with the +honor you confer upon me, but I have for some time past been +subject to low spirits; so you must not mind it if I am not +always gay. Come, let us go into the garden and see what improvements +are needed there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, they turned together into the large terraced garden. +While they were engaged in walking over the handsome +grounds which surrounded "The Indian Nest," Rondeau, who +had accompanied his master, was differently occupied. Strolling +down to the lake shore, he amused himself for a time by +watching the waves as they dashed against the pebbly beach, +and by fancying that each of them reflected the image of +Leffie's bright, round face. Then buttoning up his coat he +would strut back and forth, admiring his shadow, and thinking +how much more the coat became him than it did his young +master. It had been given to him by Dr. Lacey, with the order +"not to wear it out in two days"; so Rondeau had not worn it +before since the morning when he gave his master one letter +and forgot the other. He had brought it with him to the lake, +and was trying the effect of his elegant appearance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Chancing to thrust his hand in his pocket, he felt the long-forgotten +letter and drew it forth, then looking at it with wide +open eyes and mouth, gave vent to his surprise as follows: +"Who'd a b'leved it! Here's this letter been in my pocket +two weeks. I deserve to be cracked over the head, and anybody +but marster would do it. I'll run and give it to him now—but +no, I won't," said he, suddenly slackening his pace, +"I've heard him say he could always trust me, and if I own +up this time, he'll lose his—what's the word? Conference?—Yes, +conference in me. I don't believe this letter's of any account, +for its a great big letter, just like a man's handwrite. +Any way, I'll wait till I get home and consult Leffie."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The letter was accordingly put in his pocket, and in a few +moments he rejoined his master and Mr. Middleton. The +next day they returned home. Rondeau's first act was to draw +Leffie aside, and after winning from her various strong promises +of secrecy, he imparted to her the astounding fact that, +"He had found one of marster's letters in his trousers—no, +his coat pocket. It had been there two weeks, and he didn't +know what in cain to do with it. If he gave it to marster +now, 'twould make him lose faith in him, and so forth."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie heard him through, and then fully agreed with him +that 'twas best not to tell marster at this late hour. "But," +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page122">[pg 122]</span><a name="Pg122" id="Pg122" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +said she, "I'd put it out of the way, so 'twouldn't be poppin' +out in sight some time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Shall I burn it?" asked Rondeau.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no," said Leffie; "keep it so marster can have it, if he +ever hears of it. There's your cigar box, take it and bury the +letter in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Whew-ew," said Rondeau, with a prolonged whistle, "it +takes you women to calculate anything cute!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cigar box was brought out, and in a few moments the +poor letter was lying quietly under a foot and a half of earth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There," said Leffie, as Rondeau laid over the spot a piece +of fresh green turf, "nobody'll ever have any idee whose grave +this is."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau rolled up his eyes, and assuming a most doleful expression, +said, "Couldn't you manage to bust a tear or two, +just to make it seem like a real buryin'?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie answered him by a sound box on his ear, at the same +time threatening to expose his wickedness at the next class +meeting. Aunt Dilsey's voice was now heard calling out, +"Leffie, Leffie, is you stun deaf and blind now that fetched +Rondeau's done gone home? Come here this minute!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau and Leffie returned to the house, leaving buried a +letter, the reading of which would have changed the tenor of +their master's feelings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a knowledge of its contents as well of its author, we +must go back for a time to Frankfort whence it came, promising +that Mr. Middleton will follow us in a few days.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter13" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc26" id="toc26"></a><a name="pdf27" id="pdf27"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">letters written but never received</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page123">[pg 123]</span><a name="Pg123" id="Pg123" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>In order to keep the threads of our narrative connected, it +is necessary that we go back for a time, and again open the +scene in Frankfort, on the 24th of March, several days after +the party, at which Florence Woodburn met Fanny Middleton. +Seated at her work table, in one of the upper rooms of +Mrs. Crane's boarding house, is our old friend, Kate Miller. +Her dazzling beauty seems enhanced by the striking contrast +between the clearness of her complexion and the sable of her +robe.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On a low stool, at her feet, sits Fanny. Her head is resting +on Mrs. Miller's lap, and she seems to be sleeping. She has +been excused from school this afternoon, on account of a sick, +nervous headache, to which she has recently been frequently +subject. Finding the solitude of her own chamber rather irksome, +she had sought Mrs. Miller's room, where she was ever +a welcome visitor. To Kate she had imparted a knowledge of +the letter which she supposed Dr. Lacey had written.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Miller's sympathy for her young friend was as deep +and sincere as was her resentment against the supposed author +of this letter. As yet, she had kept Fanny's secret inviolate, +and not even her husband had ever suspected the cause of +Fanny's failing strength. But, this afternoon, as she looked +on the fair girl's sad, white face, which seemed to grow +whiter and thinner each day, she felt her heart swell with indignation +toward one who had wrought this fearful change. +"Surely," thought she, "if Dr. Lacey could know the almost +fatal consequence of his faithlessness he would relent; and he +must, he shall know it. I will tell Mr. Miller and he I know +will write immediately." Then came the thought that she had +promised not to betray Fanny's confidence; but she did not +despair of gaining her consent, that Mr. Miller should also +know the secret.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a time Fanny slept on sweetly and quietly; then she +moved uneasily in her slumber, and finally awoke.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg 124]</span><a name="Pg124" id="Pg124" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"How is your head now?" asked Mrs. Miller, at the same +time smoothing the disordered ringlets which lay in such profusion +over her lap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, much better," said Fanny. "I had a nice sleep, and +so pleasant dreams, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did you dream of him?" asked Mrs. Miller, in a low tone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Quick as thought the crimson tide stained Fanny's cheek +and forehead, but she answered, somewhat bitterly, "Oh, no, +no! I never dream of him now, and I am trying hard to forget +him. I do not think I love him half as well now as I once +thought I did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor little Fanny! How deceived she was! After a time +Mrs. Miller said, "Fanny, Mr. Miller seems very anxious about +your altered and languid appearance. May I not tell him the +truth? He will sympathize with you as truly as I do; for he +feels for you almost the affection of a brother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Fanny objected. "I know," said she, "that Mr. +Miller would only think me a weak, silly girl." Mrs. Miller, +however, finally gained permission to tell everything to her +husband. "I know, though," persisted Fanny, "that he will +laugh at me. You say he likes me; I know he did once; but +since the time when he visited my father's, more than a year +ago, he has not treated me with the same confidence he did before. +I never knew the reason, unless it was that foolish, +romping mistake which I made one afternoon by riding into +the schoolhouse!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With many tears and some laughing—for the remembrance +of the exploit always excited her mirth—Fanny told a part +of what we already know concerning Mr. Miller's visit at her +father's the winter previous. She related the adventure of +the sled ride, and said that the morning after she noticed a +change in Mr. Miller's manner toward her. The unsuspecting +girl little thought what was the true reason of that change.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While she was yet speaking, Mr. Miller entered the room. +On seeing Fanny there, and weeping, he said: "What, Sunshine +in tears? That is hardly the remedy I would prescribe +for headache. But come, Fanny, tell me what is the matter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I cannot, I cannot!" said Fanny, and again she buried +her face in Kate's lap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller looked inquiringly at his wife, who had not yet +ceased laughing at Fanny's ludicrous description of her sled +ride; but overcoming her merriment, she at length found voice +to say, "Fanny is crying because she thinks you do not like her +as well as you used to."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate had never dreamed that her husband had once felt +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page125">[pg 125]</span><a name="Pg125" id="Pg125" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +more than a brother's love for the weeping girl before her, and +she did not know what pain her words inflicted on his noble +heart. Neither did she think there was the least ground for +Fanny's supposition, and she desired her husband to say so.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cannot say so and tell the truth," said Mr. Miller, "but I +can assure you that Bill Jeffrey's sled had nothing to do with +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What was it then?" asked Kate and Fanny, both in the +same breath.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller drew Fanny toward him with the freedom of an +elder brother, and, in a low, earnest tone, said: "Did nothing +else occur during my visit, which could have changed my +opinion of you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny lifted her large blue eyes to Mr. Miller's face with +so truthful, wondering a gaze that he was puzzled. "Can it +be," thought he, "that I did not hear aright, that I was deceived? +I will, at least, ask her how she spent that evening," +so he said: "Fanny, do you remember where you were, or how +you were occupied during the last evening of my stay at your +father's?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Fanny seemed trying to recall the events of that +night; then she said: "Oh, yes, I remember now perfectly +well. You and Mr. Wilmot had letters to write, and went to +your room early, while father and mother went to one of the +neighbors, leaving Julia and me alone in the sitting room."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did you both remain in the sitting room during the evening?" +continued Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Fanny, "or, that is, I stayed there all the time; +but Julia was gone a long time, and when she returned she +would not tell me where she had been."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But were not you and Luce in your room at all that evening?" +continued Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Luce!" said Fanny; "I do not remember having seen her +once that night; neither was I in my room until bedtime."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was so much frankness and apparent truth in Fanny's +face and manner that Mr. Miller never for a moment doubted +her. His first feeling was one of intense happiness at finding +that Fanny was, indeed, all he had once fancied her to be. +Back through the channels of his heart rolled, for an instant, +the full tide of his once secretly nurtured affection for her. It +was for an instant, however; for one look at the beautiful +Kate convinced him that the love he once bore the gentle, +timid girl at his side was nought, when compared with the +deep, ardent affection which he now felt for his own cherished +wife. "Fanny," said he, "I have wronged you in +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span><a name="Pg126" id="Pg126" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +thought, but never in word or deed, to my knowledge. I was, +however, grossly deceived, although I can see no object for +the deception."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What can you mean?" asked Kate, rather anxiously. "Do +explain yourself, and not deal in mysteries any longer. What +dreadful thing did you imagine Fanny had done—set the +stables on fire, or abused the blacks—which?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller did not immediately answer; and Fanny said: +"Come, Mr. Miller, it is not fair to suspect me of evil and +not tell what it is. You should be more frank."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will tell you," said Mr. Miller; and, in as few words as +possible he repeated to Fanny the conversation which he had +overheard, between Luce and herself, as he supposed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he finished speaking, both Kate and Fanny were +silent for a moment; then Kate said: "It was Julia, I know it +was. Did you ever notice how much alike their voices are? +And, besides, I once heard Julia lay a wager with Mr. Raymond +that she could imitate her sister's voice so exactly that +one, not seeing her, would be thoroughly deceived."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Mrs. Miller," said Fanny, "it cannot be! Why should +Julia wish to do so wicked a thing? And yet I now remember +that when I was sick, Luce came to me one night and asked +me to forgive her for everything bad she had ever done to +me. I assured her I knew of nothing to forgive; and then she +cried, and said I did not know all she did about her wickedness. +She must have referred to that night. I can forgive +her; for she is a poor ignorant girl, and much afraid of Julia. +But how could my own sister do me so great a wrong, and +what could have been her object?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Fanny burst into tears, while Kate gave vent to her +indignation by expressing her opinion pretty freely of Miss +Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I can see," said she, "what Julia's object was. I fancy she +was always fearful lest my brother should like Fanny the best; +and she probably took this method to make you both think +meanly of Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Your idea is, probably, the correct one," said Mr. Miller, +who would have added more, but Kate interrupted him by +saying, "Yes, I think I understand it all now. Julia is, probably, +at the foundation of Dr. Lacey's neglect. Most likely +she's been writing him some base falsehood."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey's neglect!" repeated Mr. Miller. "What do +you mean?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate commenced an explanation, but Fanny started up, saying: +"Please, Mrs. Miller, wait until I am gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page127">[pg 127]</span><a name="Pg127" id="Pg127" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>She then quitted the apartment, and sought her own room, +of which Julia had been sole occupant for more than an hour. +On her return from school this hopeful young lady was +pleased to find her sister absent. Seating herself near the +window, with paper and pencil, she began the composition of +that letter, which, as we have said, widened the breach between +Dr. Lacey and Fanny. This unhallowed work cost her a +world of pains. Many times were the lines crossed out and +rewritten, before they quite suited her. The letter was but +half completed, when Fanny was heard coming slowly through +the upper hall. Springing up, Julia darted through the window +out upon the balcony, and by the time Fanny reached the +room she was seated at the furthest end of the veranda, busily +engaged with her forgery.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When she at last returned to the room, and tried to converse +with her sister, she observed that Fanny shrank from +her approach and that she had been weeping. In a very +ironical tone Julia said, "What now is the matter? I declare, +Fan, I believe you are a perfect little simpleton. I wouldn't +be such a cry baby, anyway; and make so much fuss about +one good-for-nothing doctor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny replied very calmly, and without once taking her +eyes from her sister's face, "If you think I have been crying +about Dr. Lacey, you are mistaken."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pray what did you cry for?" said Julia, laughingly. "Did +somebody look sideways at you, or omit to call you by some +pet baby name?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cried," said Fanny, "because I feared you had been acting +very wickedly toward me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In an instant Julia's assurance left her. The bright color +forsook her cheek, which became perfectly white. Fanny +noticed the change, and it confirmed her fears. She did not +know that the circumstances to which she alluded had long +since faded from Julia's memory, and that her present agitation +arose from the fear that she might have been detected in +her work of deception, and that, after all, she might be +foiled and entangled in her own meshes. A glance of intense +anger flashed from her large black eye, as she muttered between +her closed teeth: "Has the wretch dared to betray me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny supposed she referred to Luce; and her first feeling +was to save the helpless servant girl from Julia's displeasure; +so she said, "Do not condemn Luce; she did not tell me. I +received my information from our teacher, Mr. Miller."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Luce! Mr. Miller! What do you mean?" asked Julia, her +eyes lessening to their usual size, and the color again coming +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span><a name="Pg128" id="Pg128" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to her cheeks and lips. This sudden change in her sister's +appearance puzzled Fanny; but she proceeded to relate what +she had just heard from Mr. Miller. Julia was so much relieved +to find her fears unfounded, and her darling secret safe, +that she burst into a loud laugh, which she continued for some +time. During this fit of laughter, she was determining +whether it were best to confess the whole and seem sorry for +it, or to strenuously deny it. Finally, she decided on the +former, but resolved not to give the right reason for her conduct; +so she said, with an air of great penitence: "Yes, +Fanny, I am guilty, and I am glad you know it, too. I have +been on the point of acknowledging it to you many times, but +shame kept me silent."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How could you do it, and what did you do it for?" asked +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia replied, "Truth compels me to say that I feared your +influence over Mr. Wilmot. I knew how much he admired +amiability in females, and I wished to make him think you +were no more amiable than other people."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And yet you say you never cared for his love," continued +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Miss Julia was getting cornered; but her evil genius did not +forsake her, and she answered, "True, I did not care much for +him; but I felt flattered with his attentions and I ardently desired +to have one person prefer me to you. I know it was +wicked in me to do what I did, but you will forgive me, will +you not? And I will promise never again to act so deceitfully +toward you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Always sincere in what she said herself, Fanny could not +think her sister otherwise; so her hand was extended in token +of forgiveness. Julia took it, and raising it to her lips, kept it +there for an instant, in order to conceal the treacherous smile +of exultation which played round her mouth. "I shall yet +triumph," thought she, and, in the exuberance of her joy, she +kissed again the soft hand which she held in her grasp. Could +Fanny have looked into the heart of her sister, and beheld all +its dark designs, she would have fled from her presence as +from a poisonous serpent. But, though she was deceived, +there was one, the All-seeing One, whose eye was ever upon +the sinful girl; and though for a while she seemed to prosper, +the same mighty Power so ordered it, that after a time, she +who had sown the tempest reaped the whirlwind; and the +clouds which hung so heavy and dark around the pathway of +her innocent victim, afterward burst with terrific violence +upon her own head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg 129]</span><a name="Pg129" id="Pg129" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>We will now return to Mrs. Miller, whom we left relating +to her husband the supposed neglect of Dr. Lacey. She +finished her narrative by saying, "I cannot help thinking that +by some means, Julia is at the foundation of all this mischief. +You and Dr. Lacey were good friends; suppose you +write to him, and then we shall at least know the truth of the +matter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, I will," said Mr. Miller; "tomorrow."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why not write tonight?" asked Kate, who was in a +hurry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered Mr. Miller, "I shall be engaged tonight +and tomorrow will do as well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate could not help feeling that, possibly, "tomorrow" might +not do as well; but she said no more on the subject, and waited +patiently for the morrow, when, true to his promise, her husband +commenced the important letter. We have said that Mr. +Miller had never liked Julia. In this letter, however, he spoke +as favorably of her as he could; but he told how basely she +had once deceived himself and Mr. Wilmot, with regard to +Fanny, and also hinted his own and his wife's suspicion, that, +in some way or other, Julia was connected with Dr. Lacey's +long silence, as well as with the heartless letter which Fanny +had received from New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, this will do," said Kate, as she read what her husband +had written. "But," she added, "I cannot help feeling sorry +that it was not sent yesterday."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Kate," said Mr. Miller, gayly, "your anxiety for +Fanny has made you nervous, and now you are almost superstitious. +One day can make no possible difference in the result +of this letter."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Afterward, when it was too late, he learned how much difference +the delay of one day caused. By its means, that letter +which would have set all right, was sent in the same package +with Julia's amiable production, and, as we have seen, was +not received by its owner, but was safely stowed away in a +cigar box under ground.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon after Mr. Miller deposited his letter in the post office, +a young girl, closely veiled, entered the same building, and +looked anxiously round until her eye fell upon her accomplice, +Mr. Dunn. That worthy young man instantly came forward, +grinning and bowing, and almost upsetting another clerk, who +was also hastening to wait upon the beautiful Miss Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Good morning, Miss Julia!" said Mr. Dunn; "glad to see +you. Fine morning."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia did not deign to reply, for Mr. Dunn's familiarity was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page130">[pg 130]</span><a name="Pg130" id="Pg130" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +exceedingly disgusting to her. She, however, handed him +her letter, which he looked at in some surprise, and said in a +low tone, "Is this letter from Fanny, or you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"From me; send it," answered Julia, at the same time managing +to slip an eagle into the hands of the honest clerk.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leaving the office, the young lady proceeded homeward, +thinking to herself, "There, that will settle him, I hope. I am +getting on swimmingly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Mr. Miller entered his room, on his return from the +office, Kate said, "In the course of two weeks, you or Fanny +or both, will hear from Dr. Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do not be too sanguine, Katy," answered Mr. Miller: +"you may be disappointed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well," continued Kate, "if he pays no attention to your letter, +I shall be satisfied that he really is undeserving of Fanny's +esteem. I'll not tell her that you have written, for fear of +the consequence."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So days came and went, week followed week, in rapid succession, +until five weeks were numbered with the past since +Mr. Miller's letter had been dispatched. Kate had waited and +watched until even her sanguine nature had ceased to hope; +for there had come no tidings from the far off Crescent City, +and both she and her husband had unwillingly come to the +conclusion that Dr. Lacey was really false. Kate manifested +her disappointment by an increased tenderness of manner toward +Fanny, whom she sincerely loved, and by a more gracious +deportment toward Julia, whom she began to fear she +had wronged by suspecting her of being accessory to Dr. +Lacey's conduct.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter14" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc28" id="toc28"></a><a name="pdf29" id="pdf29"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XIV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny and julia's uncle arrives from india</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page131">[pg 131]</span><a name="Pg131" id="Pg131" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>It was now the first day of May, and as it was also Fanny's +seventeenth birthday, her school companions determined to +celebrate it by a May party, of which Fanny was unanimously +chosen queen. The fete took place in a handsome grove on +a hillside which overlooked the city of Frankfort. All of Mr. +Miller's pupils were present, together with most of their +parents and many of their friends. Mrs. Miller had taken +great pains that Fanny should be arrayed becomingly for the +occasion, and many and flattering were the compliments paid +to the youthful queen, who indeed looked bewitchingly beautiful.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Her dress was a white muslin, festooned with wild flowers, +some of which were fastened here and there by a pearl or +brilliant. The gayety of the little party was at its height, and +when Fanny, gracefully kneeling, received upon her head the +crown, and was proclaimed "Queen of the May," a strange +voice called out in loud, musical tones, "Viva la Reine." The +whole company instantly caught up the words, and "Long live +the Queen" was echoed and re-echoed on all sides.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the tumult had somewhat subsided the eyes of those +present were turned toward the spot whence the words "Viva +la Reine" had proceeded. Leaning against one of the tall +shade trees were two gentlemen, who had joined them unobserved. +The elder of the strangers was a middle-aged man, +in whose piercing black eyes and dark complexion we recognize +the Mr. Middleton whom we left with Dr. Lacey in New +Orleans. His companion was many years younger, and there +was something in his appearance which instantly interested +and attracted the notice of strangers. There was a nobleness +in the intellectual cast of his high, white forehead, round +which his rich brown hair lay in thick masses, as if unwilling +to part with the curl which must have been natural to it in +childhood.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No sooner did Kate's eyes fall on the young man than she +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg 132]</span><a name="Pg132" id="Pg132" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +darted forward with a cry of recognition and exclaimed, +"Why, Frank Cameron, how came you here?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But before he answers Kate's question, we will introduce +him to our readers. Frank Cameron was a cousin of Kate +Wilmot. His father, who was a lawyer by profession, had +amassed a large fortune, on the interest of which he was now +living in elegant style in the city of New York. Frank, who +was the eldest child, had chosen the profession of his father, +contrary to the wishes of his proud lady mother, who looked +upon all professions as too plebeian to suit her ideas of gentility. +This aristocratic lady had forgotten the time when, +with blue cotton umbrella and thick India rubbers, she had +plodded through the mud and water of the streets in Albany, +giving music lessons for her own and widowed mother's maintenance. +One of her pupils was Kate Wilmot's mother, Lucy +Cameron. While giving lessons to her she first met Lucy's +brother, Arthur Cameron, who afterward became her husband. +He was attracted by her extreme beauty and his admiration +was increased on learning her praiseworthy efforts +to maintain herself and mother. They were married, and with +increasing years came increasing wealth, until at length Mr. +Cameron was a millionaire and retired from business.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As riches increased, so did Mrs. Cameron's proud spirit, +until she came to look upon herself as somewhat above the +common order of her fellow-beings. She endeavored to instil +her ideas of exclusiveness into the minds of her children. +With her daughter Gertrude, she succeeded admirably, and by +the time that young lady had reached her eighteenth year, she +fancied herself a kind of queen to whom all must pay homage. +But Frank the poor mother found perfectly incorrigible. He +was too much like his father to think himself better than his +neighbor on account of his wealth. Poor Mrs. Cameron had +long given him up, only asking as a favor that he would not +disgrace his family by marrying the washerwoman's daughter. +Frank promised he would not, unless perchance he should +fall in love with her, "And then," said he, with a wicked +twinkle of his handsome hazel eyes, "then, my dear Mrs. +Cameron, I cannot be answerable for consequences."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had always greatly admired his cousin Kate, and often +horrified his mother by declaring that if Kate were not his +cousin, he would surely marry her. "Thank the Lord, then, +that she is so near a relative! For now you will not stoop to +marry a music teacher," said Mrs. Cameron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old roguish expression danced in Frank's eye, as he +said, "Most noble mother Adelaide, will you tell me whether +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page133">[pg 133]</span><a name="Pg133" id="Pg133" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +it wrenched father's back much when he stooped to a music +teacher?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The highly indignant lady was silent, for Frank had a way +of reminding her of the past, which she did not quite relish; +so she let him alone, secretly praying that he would not make +a fool of himself in his choice of a wife. He bade her be +easy on that point, for 'twasn't likely he would ever marry, +for he probably would never find a wife who would suit him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such was Frank Cameron. Business for his father had +taken him to Louisville, and he determined to visit his cousin +Kate ere he returned home. He took passage in the Blue +Wing, on board of which was Mr. Middleton, who soon made +his acquaintance. As they were bound for the same place, +they kept together, and on reaching Frankfort, went immediately +to Mrs. Crane's, where they were entertained by Mrs. +Carrington, who wondered much who the distinguished looking +strangers could be. Concluding that the older one must +of course be married, she turned her attention to Frank, who +was much amused at her airs and coquettish manners. He +had inquired for Mrs. Miller, and at length Mrs. Carrington +asked if she were an acquaintance of his.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, ma'am," answered Frank with great gravity, "she is +my wife's cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In an instant Mrs. Carrington's coquetry vanished, and +rising upon her dignity, she soon gave the gentlemen directions +where to find the May party. As they were proceeding +thither, Mr. Middleton said, "Why, Cameron, I understood +you to say on the boat that you were not married."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Neither am I," answered Frank. "I merely wished to get +a dissolving view of that lady's maneuvers. Besides, I was +actually afraid of being annihilated by her eyes and smiles. +I'll manage to let her know that you are marketable, and then +she'll turn her artillery toward you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But was it quite right," said Mr. Middleton, "to give her a +wrong impression?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, I suppose not," answered Frank. "But if I ever +marry, Kate will be my wife's cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time they had reached the entrance of the grove and +caught sight of the fair queen. "The fates protect me!" said +Frank, suddenly stopping and planting himself against a +tree. "It would be suicide to advance another step. And she +is your niece, you say. Pray intercede for me, or in less than +a month I shall be making faces through the iron grating of +some madhouse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton did not reply. His eyes were riveted on +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page134">[pg 134]</span><a name="Pg134" id="Pg134" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Fanny, whose face and figure recalled to his remembrance his +only sister, who was the playmate of his childish years. Many +long years had rolled away since that bright summer morning, +when with a sad heart he bade adieu to that sister, who, +a young happy bride, was leaving her native land for a home +on a foreign shore. Weeks passed, and there came intelligence +that the ill-fated vessel in which she embarked was a +total wreck. Among the lost were his sister and her husband, +who now slept quietly beneath the billowy surf of the Atlantic.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny so strongly resembled her Aunt that it was not +strange Mr. Middleton for an instant fancied he again looked +on the features of his long-lost sister. But the illusion soon +vanished, and when Kate bounded forward and saluted her +cousin, his eye was wandering over the group of young girls +in quest of his other niece. He, however, looked in vain. +Julia was not there. When urged to attend the party, she had +tossed her head in scorn saying that she unfortunately had no +taste for child's play. She preferred remaining at home, +where she could spend her time more profitably. Oh, Julia, +Julia! It is a pity you did not assign your true reason for +absenting yourself from the party. Of this reason we will +speak hereafter. We are not quite through with the May +party.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We left Kate interrogating her cousin as to how he chanced +to be there, and the remainder of the company looked in wonder +upon the strangers, who seemed so suddenly to have +dropped in their midst. After Frank had answered his +cousin's question, he introduced his companion and said, "He +has two nieces here, I believe. He has recognized one of them +in your charming queen. Will you please point out the other +and introduce him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am sorry to say Julia is not present," answered Kate. +"But come with me, Mr. Middleton," continued she, "and I +will present you to Fanny." Then turning to Frank, she +added, "I remember you to be a woman-hater, master Frank, +so you can remain where you are."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'd laugh to see myself doing it," answered Frank, as he +followed his gay cousin to the spot where Fanny was standing. +All eyes were upon them, while Kate introduced the tall, distinguished-looking +gentleman to Fanny as her uncle.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My uncle!" said Fanny, in some surprise. "My uncle!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A slight shade of disappointment was visible on Mr. +Middleton's face, as he took the offered hand of his niece, but +he said, "Yes, your uncle. Did you never hear your father +speak of his brother Bill?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page135">[pg 135]</span><a name="Pg135" id="Pg135" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Oh, yes, yes," said Fanny joyfully. "I do know you now. +You are my Uncle William from the Indies. Father will be +delighted to see you, for he has long feared you were dead." +At the same time the affectionate girl again took her uncle's +hand and raised it to her lips.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The tears started to Mr. Middleton's eyes, but hastily dashing +them away, he said, "I suppose the fair Queen Fanny +knows that bad bills always return?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny replied by again kissing the sunburned hand of her +uncle. "King Ferdinand!" thought Frank, "I'd endure the +rack for the sake of being in the old fellow's boots." Frank +had been standing near Fanny, fixing upon her a gaze so intensely +earnest that when she at last raised her eyes to his she +blushed deeply, for there was no mistaking the look of deep +admiration with which he regarded her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate immediately introduced him. Fanny received him +very politely, but said playfully, "I was in hopes, Mr. Cameron, +that you would prove to be my cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton immediately answered, "No, dear Fanny, he +is not your cousin, but he seems very desirous of becoming +my nephew."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not apply this to herself, but answered very demurely, +"I don't know what he'll do, uncle. You'll have to +talk the matter over with sister Julia, who unfortunately is not +here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are a modest little puss," said Mr. Middleton. "But +do you give up everything so quietly to Julia?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered somewhat sadly, "I've nothing to give."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Miller joined them, and said it was time to make +preparations for returning' home. Accordingly in a short time +the company were dispersing. When our party reached Mrs. +Crane's, Fanny went directly to Julia, whom she found most +becomingly dressed, and apparently anxiously awaiting her +return.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That excellent young lady had heard from Mrs. Carrington +of the strangers' visit, and she was impatient to know +who they were and had dispatched a negro girl to reconnoiter +and report. The girl soon came back, her eyes projecting like +coffee saucers, and the little braided tags of her hair seemingly +standing upright.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Miss Julia!" said she, "that ar' tall, black man—no, I +ax yer pardon, miss—that ar' tall, yaller man, done shook +hands 'long of Miss Fanny, who kissed him, and called him +Uncle William. She said how he done been with the Injuns."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page136">[pg 136]</span><a name="Pg136" id="Pg136" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Her Uncle William!" repeated Julia, in amazement. "And +who is the other man? His son?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, reckon so," said the negro. "They done call him Mr. +Camel, or Camlet, or suthin. I tell you he's han'some; and I +reckon he's tuk with Miss Fanny. Jiminy hoecake! Ain't +she pooty? She looked a heap han'somer than you—no, I +don't mean so—I axes pardon agin." And the negro bobbed +out of the door just in time to dodge a ball of soap which +Julia hurled at her head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's no use fretting so," said Mrs. Carrington, who was +present. "The young man is married, for he spoke of his +wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia did not answer, and Mrs. Carrington soon after left +the room. When she was gone, Julia muttered to herself, +"Uncle William, from the Indies; rich as Crœsus, of course. +What a fool I was not to go to the party. Most likely Fanny +has won his good graces by this time. However, I'll dress +myself and surprise him with my beauty, if nothing else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, the next hour was spent in decorating her person, +and when Fanny came for her she was ready to make +an assault upon the good opinion of her rich uncle. Not a +thing was out of place, from the shining braids of her dark +hair to the tiny slipper on her delicate foot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's first exclamation on entering the room was, "How +beautiful you look, Julia! It is exceedingly fortunate that you +are dressed so becomingly; for, will you believe it, Uncle William +is down stairs!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is it possible?" said Julia, affecting much surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered Fanny. "You know father thinks him +dead. But come, he is anxious to see you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia arose to go with her sister, and said, "Isn't there a +young man with him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How did you know that?" asked Fanny, in some astonishment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I saw them from the window," was Julia's ready reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny did not think of doubting her sister, and she answered, +"It is a Mr. Cameron. He is cousin to Mrs. Miller."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time they had reached the parlor, which was open. +Here Julia thought proper to be seized with a fit of modest +indifference, and hesitated a moment before entering the room. +Her uncle, however, immediately came forward, and relieved +her from all embarrassment by saying, "And this, I suppose, is +Julia. My brother is a happy man to be father of such charming +girls."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia received him graciously, but rather haughtily offered +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page137">[pg 137]</span><a name="Pg137" id="Pg137" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +him her cold white hand. "I will not kiss him," thought she; +"Fanny did that. It's too childish. I'll he more dignified." +Could she have known the contrast which her uncle was drawing +between her own and Fanny's reception of him she would +not have felt much flattered; but before her uncle had time to +say anything further, Fanny introduced her to Frank, whose +keen eye had read her character at a glance, and read it aright, +too. His ideas and words were after the following fashion:</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pshaw! What a bundle of pride and stuck-up-ishness! +She's handsome, though, but it isn't to be named the same day +with Fanny,"—"How do you do, Miss Middleton?"—"What an +affected little courtesy!"—"Hope to see you well, ma'am."—"I'd +laugh to see her trip and fall flat."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such were Frank's thoughts while undergoing the ceremony +of an introduction to Julia, who never for a moment doubted +she was making an impression upon the handsome young +stranger, his supposed wife to the contrary notwithstanding. +The introduction being over, Julia seated herself on the sofa, +while Fanny took a seat on a low ottoman near her uncle, but +partially behind him. She had chosen this place, because she +fancied it would screen her somewhat from Frank's eyes, +which she felt, rather than saw, were fixed upon her constantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the conversation which followed, Julia, as if by +mere accident, mentioned New Orleans. She was anxious to +know whether her uncle saw or heard of Dr. Lacey. Her +curiosity was soon gratified, for, at the mention of New Orleans, +as if suddenly recollecting himself, said, turning to +Fanny, "I saw two of your acquaintances in New Orleans, +and one of them gave me a most glowing description of you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I wonder if it were a gentleman," thought Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's thoughts were similar, and she bit her lip, while +Fanny's cheek glowed with unwonted brilliancy as she quietly +asked, "Pray, who was it uncle?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It was Miss Woodburn who praised you so highly," answered +Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia immediately asked, "And who was the other acquaintance?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey," answered her uncle. "I spent three weeks at +his house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Without knowing it, Fanny drew nearer to her uncle and +laid her hand on his. He seemed dearer to her from the fact +that he had spent so much time with one whose image was +ever before her, and whom she vainly fancied she was trying +to forget.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page138">[pg 138]</span><a name="Pg138" id="Pg138" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Frank noticed Fanny's manner, and interpreted it according +to his fears. "There's mischief here," thought he. "I hope +this doctor lives in a good locality for yellow fever."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Is Dr. Lacey about to be married?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Married," repeated Mr. Middleton; "I should say matrimony +was very far from his thoughts at present. I fancied +he had met with some disappointment and I sometimes feared +lest the fair, deceitful one were one of my nieces. Can any +one set me right on the subject?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton had no idea how painfully his words affected +her who sat by his side, and looked up so imploringly in his +face, as if begging him to stop. There was an embarrassing +silence, which Julia presently broke, by saying, "While Dr. +Lacey was here, he and Fanny got up a flirtation; but nothing +serious will result from it, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It's Fanny's own fault, then, I imagine," said Mr. Middleton, +laying his hand on the head which had drooped lower +and lower, until at last it rested heavily on his knee.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny made no reply; but when she lifted up her head there +was something so sad in the expression of her face that Mr. +Middleton immediately surmised that there was, or had been, +something between Dr. Lacey and Fanny more serious than a +mere flirtation; so he very kindly changed the conversation, +which now turned upon indifferent subjects, until the supper +bell rang out its summons, when they all repaired to the dining +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the supper table Mr. Middleton and Frank were introduced +to Mrs. Carrington, Mr. Stanton and Raymond. Mrs. +Carrington acknowledged her introduction to Mr. Cameron +merely by a haughty, disdainful bow. She had learned from +Kate that he was not married; and feeling indignant at the +deception he attempted to practice upon her, she resolved to +treat him with contempt. Accordingly, although seated opposite +him, she deigned him neither look nor word, but divided +her time between laughing and coquetting with Raymond, and +trying the power of her charms upon Mr. Middleton, who, +she had been told, was a bachelor, and possessed of unbounded +wealth. With the old Indian, however, she made but little +headway; and Frank was right when he thought, "You'll get +tired of that play, madam; the game is too old to be caught +with chaff." With Raymond she succeeded better. He was +delighted with her unusually flattering notice; and ere supper +was over he had, in Frank's estimation, made a perfect fool of +himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank's attention was, however, soon diverted toward Mr. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page139">[pg 139]</span><a name="Pg139" id="Pg139" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Middleton, who said, speaking to Stanton, "Were it not for +your name and glasses, I would address you as Dr. Lacey. +Are you related to him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton replied, "Yes, sir; he is my cousin. I think I must +resemble him, as I have been told so frequently."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton then spoke of Dr. Lacey in the highest terms +of commendation, and concluded his remarks by saying, "I +have recently purchased a residence, near Lake Pontchartrain, +and am beating up recruits to spend the summer there with +me. I am sure of Dr. Lacey, Miss Woodburn, and her cousin, +Miss Mortimer. My nieces I shall take back with me, any +way, and shall be happy to prevail on you, Mr. Stanton, to accompany +me also."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Stanton thanked him for his kind invitation, but at the +same time declined it, saying that business would call him to +New York in the autumn. The deep blush which accompanied +these words caused Raymond to burst into a laugh. Mr. +Middleton looked inquiringly at him and he said, "Pardon me +for laughing; I was thinking of the important business which +calls Bob to New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing bad, I hope," said Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing worse than going for a wife," answered Raymond. +"He is not suited with Kentucky girls, but must needs +plod back to New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"If appearances do not deceive, you, at least, seem likely to +be suited by a Kentuckian," replied Mr. Middleton, at the same +time turning his black eyes on Mrs. Carrington with something +of a quizzical expression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond colored. He did not know how the speech would +be received by the fair lady. She soon satisfied him, however; +for tossing her head proudly, she said, "As far as my experience +goes, New Yorkers are more easily suited than Kentuckians; +at least, I find them to be exceedingly disagreeable."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am afraid some of them are so easily suited that they +catch a Tartar sometimes," said Frank, whose feelings were +roused at hearing this rude speech.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington gave him a look which she meant should +say, "I wonder who you think you are. I'd thank you to mind +your own business."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Frank thought he was minding his business; for he was +looking at Fanny, who had not taken her eyes from her plate +since her uncle had proposed taking herself and Julia to New +Orleans. Her first feeling was one of joy. She would go, +for she would then see Dr. Lacey; but the next thought was, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page140">[pg 140]</span><a name="Pg140" id="Pg140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +"No, I will not. He has spurned me, and why should I put +myself in his way?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's feelings were different. She could scarcely conceal +her delight. Her artful mind took in the future at a glance. +She felt sure that Fanny would not go; but she would, and +could thus make Dr. Lacey believe that she, of all others, was +just suited for him. Here we may as well give Julia's real +reason for absenting herself from the May party. She had +begun to fear that all her fine scheming might come to +naught; for in all probability Dr. Lacey would not return to +Kentucky in a long time. What could she do? She would +write him a letter in her own name. In it she would modestly +express her opinion of Fanny's conduct; sympathize with +him in his disappointment, and end by inviting him to Frankfort, +saying she hoped he would not absent himself from his +friends on Fanny's account; for there were many who would +welcome him back to Kentucky with pleasure. It was for the +sake of manufacturing this letter that Julia had remained at +home. But now there was no need of sending it, for she was +going to New Orleans herself. She would win him. He +would yet be hers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On returning to the parlor after supper she seated herself +close to her uncle, upon whom she lavished so many caresses +that he wondered much what had come over her, and began +to think that he was mistaken in supposing her to be cold-hearted +and indifferent to him. As he looked at her beautiful, +animated face, and the sparkling brilliancy of her eyes, he felt +a moment's vanity in thinking how proud he would be to introduce +her as his niece among the fashionables of New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the evening Mr. Ashton called. He had heard of +the arrival of a Mr. Middleton from the Indies, and he had +his own particular reason for wishing to see him. Soon after +entering the room, he addressed Mr. Middleton, saying, "Were +you in Calcutta twelve years ago?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, sir; I was there twenty years ago," answered Mr. +Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do you remember transacting business with the captain of +the English vessel 'Delphine'?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton thought a moment and then answered, "Yes, +I remember that vessel and its captain well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And do you remember a poor cabin boy, who was sick +and worn out with the ship fever?" continued Mr. Ashton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, yes; I remember him well," said Mr. Middleton. +"I had him removed to my own house, and nursed him until +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page141">[pg 141]</span><a name="Pg141" id="Pg141" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he was nearly well; and then, he one night ran away from me. +I have never heard from him since; but there was an American +vessel anchored near the shore, and I always supposed he +went on board and sailed for home. I would give much to +know what became of him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He stands before you," said Mr. Ashton, rising and grasping +Mr. Middleton's hand. "He is here to thank you for your +kindness, and is both able and willing to repay you for the +care you took of him who was alone and friendless in a distant +land."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Can it be," said Mr. Middleton, with much emotion, "that +you really are Henry Ashton? I should never have recognized +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I presume not," answered Ashton. "Twelve years have +transformed the pale, emaciated youth into the tall, full-grown +man. But I should have known you anywhere."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Raymond called out, "Why Ashton, have you been to +the Indies? Why did you never tell us?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," replied Ashton, "there was so much of homesickness +and suffering attending that voyage to India that I +never like to speak of it." Then turning to Mr. Middleton, +he said, "I have met your brother often, but never suspected +him to be a relative of yours. Have you seen him yet?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I have not," answered Mr. Middleton. "I intend visiting +him tomorrow, and shall be glad, to take as many of you with +me as are willing to go. I wish to be introduced to him as a +Mr. Stafford from New Orleans."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After some further conversation it was arranged that Mr. +Miller, Ashton, Stanton, Raymond and Cameron should all accompany +Mr. Middleton on his projected visit to his brother. +Soon after Mr. Ashton departed for his boarding place, and +the remainder of the company separated for the night.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter15" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc30" id="toc30"></a><a name="pdf31" id="pdf31"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">mr. middleton's brother</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span><a name="Pg142" id="Pg142" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia's first exclamation, on waking the next morning, was, +"I am glad I am not expected to go home with uncle today, +and see father make a precious fool of himself, as he surely +will."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How can you say so, Julia?" answered Fanny. "I wish I +was going, for I think I could smooth father down a little if +he got to using too strong language."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nonsense, Fan," said Julia. "Why don't you confess that you +wish to go because that handsome Cameron is going? Didn't +I see how much he looked at you, and how you blushed, too? +But no matter. I would get him, if I were you!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was getting very generous, now that she thought herself +sure of Dr. Lacey. Further remark from her, however, +was prevented by the ringing of the breakfast bell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What shall I tell your parents?" said Mr. Middleton to his +nieces, as he stood in the hall, waiting for the driver to open +the carriage door and let down the steps.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia made no reply, but Fanny said, "Give them my love, +and tell them I am getting better every day, and shall want to +come home soon," and then she added, in a lower tone, "You +will not laugh at father much, will you, or make fun of him +either, if he acts oddly?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God bless you, sweet girl," said Mr. Middleton, stooping to +kiss the innocent face which looked up into his with so much +earnestness. "For your sake, if for no other, your father +shall not be laughed at."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the carriage drove off, Julia turned to Fanny and said, +"Won't they have fun, though, with the old man? I can +fancy it all. Father's beard will probably be long enough to +do up in papers, and it will be a miracle if he does not have on +those horrid old bagging pants of his."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was only too fearful it would all be as Julia predicted, +but she made no answer, and soon returned to her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We will now follow the carriage, which, with its load of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page143">[pg 143]</span><a name="Pg143" id="Pg143" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +gentlemen, was proceeding rapidly toward the house of our +friend Uncle Joshua. Mr. William Middleton, or Mr. Stafford, +as we will call him for a time, seemed to grow excited +as he approached nearer to a brother whose face he had +not looked upon for more than twenty long years.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I say, boys," said he, speaking to his companions, "you +must help me, and when I begin to ask Joshua concerning his +parents and brothers, you, too, must talk, or he will suspect I +have some design in questioning him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gentlemen all promised to do their best, except Frank, +who could promise nothing, because he knew nothing concerning +the man they were going to visit. His curiosity, however, +was aroused, and forgetting the presence of Mr. William +Middleton, "Do they keep the old fellow caged? And must we +pay anything for seeing him?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These questions were greeted by a burst of laughter, and +Raymond said, "No—admittance is free, but you'll be more +amused to see him and hear him talk than you would in +visiting Barnum's Museum!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time the carriage had entered the woods, and they +came in sight of the house. Mr. Stafford leaned from the +window, and said, "Is it possible that my brother, with all +his wealth, lives in such a heathen place as this?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"When you see him," said Raymond, "you'll think the nest +just suited the bird."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were now in the yard, which was so filled with farming +utensils that the driver found it difficult to effect a passage +up to the door. The gentlemen were about concluding to +alight where they were, when Mr. Middleton was heard calling +out, "Ho, thar, driver, don't run agin that ar ox-cart; +turn a leetle to the right, can't ye? Now be keerful and not +run afoul of the plaguey lye leech. I b'lieve the niggers would +move the hut, Josh and all, into the yard, if they could only +make a raise!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stafford and Frank looked eagerly out at the speaker, +who fully realized Frank's idea of him. His beard was as +long and black as a rapid growth of three weeks could make +it. As Julia had feared, he was dressed in his favorite bagging +pants, which hung loosely, even around his huge proportions, +and looked as if fitted to some of his outbuildings. He was +very warm and he wore neither coat nor vest, while his feet, +whose dimensions we have mentioned before, were minus +either shoes or stockings. He appeared in the doorway buttoning +one of his suspenders. The truth was he had spied the +carriage in the distance, and as his linen was none the cleanest +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg 144]</span><a name="Pg144" id="Pg144" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he hastened to change, and was now putting the finishing +touch to his toilet. When he caught sight of the occupants +of the carriage he thought to himself, "Thar's a heap on 'em. +Nancy'll have to rout the whole gang of niggers, field hands +and all, to huntin' hin's nests after eggs enough for dinner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time the gentlemen had alighted, and Mr. Middleton +went forward to receive them. "How d'ye do, how d'ye do?" +said he; "I'm mighty glad you've come. I wish you'd brought +the whole city."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"We came pretty near it, I think," said Mr. Miller, at the +same time presenting Mr. Stafford and Mr. Cameron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton continued talking, as if replying to Mr. +Miller's first remark. "No consequence, no consequence, Mr. +Stafford, Mr. Cameron, how are you? The more the merrier. +I s'pose they've told you all about Josh, so I needn't make +b'lieve any—but come in—the house looks better inside than +it does out." "Ho, Luce," continued he, "where the old boy is +your mistress? Tell her thar's heaps of folks here, and mind +tell Aunt Judy to get us up a whalin' dinner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he stopped to take breath for a moment, and then proceeded. +"You must excuse my rig, gentlemen, or rather, you +must excuse what ain't rigged; mebby if I'd known all you +city buggers was comin', I'd a kivered my bar feet."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You go barefoot for comfort?" said Mr. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes, mainly for that, I suppose," answered Mr. +Middleton, "for I've got such fetchin' big corns on my feet +that I ain't goin' to be cramped with none of your toggery. +My feet happen to be clean, for I washed them in the watering +trough this mornin'. How d'ye leave my gals?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"They are well," answered Mr. Miller, "or rather Julia is, +and Fanny is improving every day."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I've often wondered," said Mr. Middleton, "what 'twas +ailded Sunshine when she was sick. She didn't seem to have +no disease in particular, and I reckon nothin's on her mind, +for all's straight between her and Dr. Lacey, as far as I +know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey!" repeated Frank, without knowing what he +said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, Dr. Lacey; know him?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir," answered Frank, and Ashton rejoined, "I imagine +he wishes Fanny had never known him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton turned, and for a moment regarded Frank +intently. Frank stood the inspection manfully, and Mr. +Middleton said, "You are from New York, hey? I like New +Yorkers, and if Sunshine wasn't promised to Dr. Lacey and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span><a name="Pg145" id="Pg145" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +never had seen him, and I liked you, I'd as soon you'd have +her as anybody."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stafford now said that he was acquainted with Dr. +Lacey, and proceeded to speak of the pleasant time he had +spent with him. This occupied the time until dinner was +ready.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Come, haul up," said Mr. Middleton, "haul up; we didn't +expect so many to dinner, but the old table'll stretch and you +must set clus; but don't none of you step on my corns, for +thunder's sake!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank thought if his host kept on talking he should not be +able to eat for laughing, but the old man was but just getting +into the merits of the case!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When his guests were seated, he said to Mr. Stafford, "Your +white neck cloth looks like you might belong to the clergy. +If you do, you can say a short prayer over the eggs and bacon, +but Lord's sake be spry, for I'm blarsted hungry!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But for the remembrance of his promise to Fanny, Mr. +Stafford would have screamed. It is needless to say that he +declined his host's invitation, and the company began their +dinner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly Mr. Stafford asked if Mr. Middleton had any +brothers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes—no, or, that is, I had one once," answered Mr. +Middleton, "but he's deader than a door nail afore this, I +reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And what makes you think he is dead?" asked Stafford.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, you see," returned Mr. Middleton, "when our old +pap died, something in the will stuck crossways in Bill's +swaller, and he left college and put to sea, and I hain't heard +from him in fifteen years."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did he look like you?" said Raymond.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He was four years younger than I," answered Mr. Middleton, +"but no more like me than Sunshine's pet kitten is like our +old watch dog, Tige. He was soft like in his ways and took +to book larnin mightily, and I'm—but everybody knows what +old Josh is. Hold on thar! Save the pieces!" said he to +Frank, who, unable longer to restrain his mirth, had deluged +his plate with coffee.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Pray excuse me," said Frank, mortified beyond measure at +his mishap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His discomfiture was, however, somewhat relieved by his +companions, all of whom burst into a fit of laughter, in which +Mr. Stafford heartily joined, forgetful of his promise to +Fanny. By this time dinner was over and the company repaired +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg 146]</span><a name="Pg146" id="Pg146" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to the porch, where Ashton and Raymond betook themselves +to their cigars, while Mr. Middleton puffed away at his +old cob pipe.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Stafford at length resumed the dinner table conversation +by saying, "If I were you, Mr. Middleton, I would not +give up my brother yet; 'Hope on, hope ever,' is my motto."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Hope on," repeated Mr. Middleton. "I have hoped on till +I am tired on't, and by spells I have dreams in which it seems +like my brother was alive and had come back, and then my +old gourd shell of a heart gives a thunderin' thump, and +fetches me up wide awake. I hate dreams mightily, for it +takes me an all-fired while to get to sleep all over, and when +I do I hate to be waked up by a dream."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hope you'll live to see your brother, though," said Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, I shan't," answered Mr. Middleton, again filling his +cob pipe. "Everything that I loved has always died."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you lost many friends?" asked Mr. Stafford.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Considerable many," said Mr. Middleton, "considering how +few I ever had. First, thar was mother died, when Bill and +I was little boys; I remember how we cried when we stood by +her grave, and I was so feared Bill would bust his jacket open +that I whispered to him not to take on so, for I'd be his +mother now. And then that night, which was the longest and +darkest I ever knew, we took turn rocking and singing to our +little baby sister, just as we had seen mother do."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he stopped a moment, and Raymond, who was rather +impatient, said, "Don't stop; go on."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old man wiped his eyes, and said, "Heavens and arth, +don't hurry a feller so; can't you let him wait till the big +bumps get out of his throat, or would you have me bellerin' +here like a calf?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Take your time, Mr. Middleton," said Mr. Stafford, who +was as much affected as his brother at the remembrance of +that sad night, when he first felt what it was to be motherless.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After an instant, Mr. Middleton continued, "Directly that +sister got big enough, she was married and started to go to +England, but the vessel went to smash and the crew went to +the bottom. Poor gal, she always hated salt, but she's used to +it by this time, I reckon. Then there was pap died next, but +he was old and gray-headed, and sick-hearted like, and he +wanted to go, but it made it jest as bad for me. Then thar +was Bill."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Stafford moved his chair so as to hide his face +from the speaker, who continued, "I did think I might have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page147">[pg 147]</span><a name="Pg147" id="Pg147" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +one left, but 'twasn't to be. He went, too, and Josh was left +alone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton cleared his throat a little, refilled his cob +pipe, and proceeded. "The Lord gin me two gals, and then +he sent me as noble a boy as ever was, I don't care where +t'other comes from. He wasn't mine, but I loved him all the +same. You, Mr. Miller, knew him, but you don't know—no, +nor begin to know, how old Josh loved him, and what a tremendous +wrench it gin my old heart when I come home and +found he was dead. But, Lord, hain't he got a fine gravestun, +though! You go to the cimetery at Frankford, and +you'll see it right along side of Leftenant Carrington's, whose +widow's a flirtin' with everybody in creation anyway, and +Frankford sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I've now told you of all that's dead," continued he, striking +the ashes out of his pipe and wiping it on his bagging trousers, +"but I hain't told you yit what troubles me more than all. +Thar's something haunts old Josh, and makes his heart stand +still with mortal fear. Thar's Sunshine, dearer to her old pap +than his own life. You've all seen her, and I reckon she's +made some of your hearts ache; but something's come over +her. She seems delicate like, and is fadin' away."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here two big tears, that couldn't be mistaken, rolled down +Mr. Middleton's cheeks, as he added emphatically, "and by +Jehu, if Sunshine goes, old Josh'll bust up and go, too!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The winding up of Uncle Joshua's story was so odd and unexpected +that all the gentlemen, Mr. Stafford included, laughed +loudly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"'Tain't no laughin' matter, boys," said Mr. Middleton, +"and so you'll all think if you ever have a gal as sweet and +lovin' like as Sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Mr. Stafford said, "Your sister's name was Fanny, +I believe."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, 'twas; who told you?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No one. I knew it myself," answered Mr. Stafford, looking +his brother earnestly in the face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton seemed puzzled, and after closely scrutinizing +Mr. Stafford's features, he said, "Confound it, am I in a +nightmare? I thought for a minute—but no, it can't be +neither, for you've got too thunderin' black a hide to be Bill."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before Mr. Stafford replies to this remark we will take the +reader to the kitchen, where a group of negroes are assembled +round old Aunt Katy, and are listening with breathless interest +to what she is saying. Aunt Katy was so infirm that +she kept her bed for the greater part of the time, but on this +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg 148]</span><a name="Pg148" id="Pg148" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +day she was sitting-up, and from her low cabin window she +caught a view of the visitors as they alighted from the carriage. +When Mr. Stafford appeared, she half started from +her chair and said aloud, "Who upon airth can that be, and +whar have I seen him? Somewhar, sartin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It then occurred to her that she would go to the kitchen and +inquire who "that tall, darkish-looking gentleman was." Accordingly +she hobbled out to make the inquiry. She was +much disappointed when she heard the name. "No," said she, +"'tain't nobody I ever knowed, and yet how like he is to +somebody I've seen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not long after the old negress again muttered to herself, +"Go way now; what makes me keep a thinkin' so of Marster +William this mornin'? 'Pears like he keeps hauntin' me." +Then rising she went to an old cupboard, and took from it a +cracked earthen teapot. From this teapot she drew a piece +of brown paper, and opening it gazed fondly on a little lock +of soft brown hair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Bless the boy," said she, "I mind jest how he looked when +I cut this har from his head, the very day his mother was +buried. Poor Marster William," continued she, "most likely +he's gone to 'tarnity 'fore this time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she said this tears, which were none the less sincere because +she who wept them belonged to Africa's sable race, fell +upon the once bright but now faded lock of hair, which +the faithful creature had for more than forty years preserved +as a memento of him whom she had long since looked upon as +dead, although she had never ceased to pray for him, and always +ended her accustomed prayer, "Now I lay me—" +with the petition that "God would take keer of Marster William +and bring him home again." Who shall say that the +prayer was not answered?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Going back to her seat, she took up her knitting and was +soon living over the past, when she was young and dwelt +with "the old folks at home." Suddenly there came from the +house the sound of merry laughter. High above all the rest +was a voice, whose clear, ringing tones made Katy start up +so quickly that, as she afterward described it, "a sudden +misery cotched her in the back, and pulled her down quicker." +There was something in the sound of that laugh, which seemed +to Katy like an echo of the past. "But," thought she, "I'm +deaf like and mebby didn't hear straight. I'll go to the kitchen +agin and hark."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few minutes she was in the kitchen and dropping down +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page149">[pg 149]</span><a name="Pg149" id="Pg149" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +on the meal chest as the first seat handy, she said, "Ho, Judy, +is you noticed the strange gentleman's laugh?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hain't noticed nothing" answered Judy, who chanced to +be out of sorts, because, as she said, "the white folks had done +et up every atom of egg; they didn't even leave her the yaller +of one!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, suthin in his laugh kerried me back to the old plantation +in Carlina, and I b'lieve, between you and me, Judy, that +Marster William's here," said Katy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Marster William, Marster William; what on airth do you +mean?" asked Judy, forgetting the eggs in her surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of "Marster William," who was looked upon +as a great man, but a dead one, the little negroes gathered +around, and one of them, our old friend, Bobaway, said, "Oh, +Laddy, I hope 'tis Marster William, for Marster Josh'll be so +tickled that he won't keer if we don't do nothin' for a week; +and I needn't milk the little heifer, nuther! Oh, good, good!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You go long, you Bob," said Aunt Judy, seizing a lock of +his wool between her thumb and finger, "let me catch you not +milking the heifer, and I'll crack you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Again there was the sound of laughter, and this time Judy +dropped her dishcloth, while Katy sprang up, saying, "'Tis, I +know 'tis; any way, I'll walk round thar as if for a little airin', +and can see for myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, old Katy appeared around the corner of the +house just as Mr. Middleton had spoken to his brother of his +color. The moment Mr. Stafford's eye rested on his old +nurse, he knew her. Twenty years had not changed her as +much as it had him. Starting up he exclaimed, "Katy, dear +old mammy Katy," while she uttered a wild, exultant cry of +joy, and springing forward threw her thin, shriveled arms +around his neck, exclaiming, "My darling boy, my sweet +Marster William. I knowed 'twas you. I knowed your voice. +You are alive, I've seen you, and now old Katy's ready to +die."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">White as ashes grew the face of Uncle Joshua. The truth +had flashed upon him, and almost rendered him powerless. +Pale and motionless he sat, until William, freeing himself +from Aunt Katy, came forward and said, "Joshua, I am William, +your brother; don't you know me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then the floodgates of Uncle Joshua's heart seemed unlocked, +and the long, fervent embrace which followed between +the rough old man and his newly-found brother made more +than one of the lookers on turn away his face lest his companion +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg 150]</span><a name="Pg150" id="Pg150" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +should detect the moisture in his eyes, which seriously +threatened to assume the form of tears.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the first joy and surprise of this unexpected meeting +was over, Mr. Joshua Middleton said, as if apologizing for +his emotion, "I'm dumbly afeard, Bill, that I acted mighty +baby-like, but hang me if I could help it. Such a day as this +I never expected to see, and yet I have lain awake o' nights +thinkin' mebby you'd come back. But such ideas didn't last +long, and I'd soon give you up as a goner."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That's jest what I never did," said Aunt Katy, who still +stood near.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the excitement of the moment she had forgotten that she +had long thought of "Marster William" as dead; she continued, +"A heap of prars I said for him, and it's chiefly owin' +to them prars, I reckon, that he's done fished up out of the +sea."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I've never been in the sea yet, Aunt Katy," said Mr. +Middleton, desirous of removing from her mind the fancy that +any special miracle had been wrought in his behalf.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Whar in fury have you been, and what's the reason you +hain't writ these dozen years? Come, give us the history of +your carryin's on," said Mr. Joshua Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not now," answered his brother. "Let us wait until evening, +and then you shall hear my adventures; now let me pay +my respects to your wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While he was introducing himself to Mrs. Middleton, Katy +went back to the kitchen, whither the news had preceded her, +causing Bob in his joy to turn several somersaults. In the +last of these he was very unfortunate, for his heels, in their +descent, chanced to hit and overturn a churn full of buttermilk! +When Aunt Katy entered she found Bob bemoaning +the backache, which his mother had unsparingly given him! +Aunt Judy herself, having cleared away the buttermilk, by +sweeping it out of doors, was waiting eagerly to know "if +Marster William done axed arter her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, no, Judy," said Katy, somewhat elated because she +had been first to recognize and welcome the stranger. "Why, +no, I can't say he did, and 'tain't nateral like that he should set +so much store by you, as by me. Ain't I got twenty years +the start on you; and didn't I nuss him, and arter his mother +died didn't I larn him all his manners?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Judy was on the point of crying, when who should +walk in but "Marster William" himself. "I am told," said he, +"that Judy is here, Judy, that I used to play with."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lor' bless you, Marster William," exclaimed Judy, at the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page151">[pg 151]</span><a name="Pg151" id="Pg151" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +same time covering his hand with tears and kisses, "It's Judy, +I is, I know'd you hadn't done forgot me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, no, Judy," said he, "I have not forgotten one of you, +but I did not know whether you were living or not, so I did +not bring you presents, but I'll get you something, in a few +days. Meantime take this," said he, slipping a silver dollar +into the hands of Aunt Katy and Aunt Judy, each of whom +showered upon him so many blessings and "thankes" that he +was glad to leave the kitchen and return to his companions, +who were talking to Uncle Joshua without getting any definite +answer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His brother's sudden return had operated strangely upon +him, and for a time he seemed to be in a kind of trance. He +would draw his chair up closely to William, and, after gazing +intently at him for a time, would pass his large rough hand +over his hair, muttering to himself, "Yes, it is Bill, and no +mistake, but who'd a thought it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last rousing himself he turned to his other guests, and +said, "You mustn't think hard on me, if I ain't as peart and +talkin' like for a spell; Bill's comin' home has kinder oversot +the old man, and I'm thinkin' of the past when we's little +boys and lived at home on pap's old plantation afore any of +us was dead."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The young gentlemen readily excused the old man's silence, +and when the slanting beams of the setting sun betokened the +approach of night, they all, with the exception of Ashton, +began to speak of returning home. Mr. Middleton urged +them to stay, saying, "What's the use of goin'? Nancy's got +beds enough, I reckon, and will be right glad of a chance to +show her new calico kiverlids, and besides we are goin' to +have some briled hen in the morning, so stay."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But as the next day was the Sabbath, the gentlemen declined +the invitation, and bidding the host "good-bye," they were +soon on their way homeward, each declaring that he had +seldom spent a pleasanter day. As they can undoubtedly find +their way to Frankfort without our assistance, we will remain +at Uncle Joshua's together with Mr. William Middleton +and Ashton. The latter felt as if he had suddenly found +an old friend, and as nothing of importance required his presence +at home, he decided to remain where he was until Monday.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening, after everything was "put to rights" and Mr. +Middleton had yelled out his usual amount of orders, he returned +to the porch, where his brother and Ashton were +still seated. Lighting his old cob pipe he said, "Come, Bill, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg 152]</span><a name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Nancy'll fetch out her rockin' cheer and knittin' work, and +we'll hear the story of your doin's in that heathenish land, +but be kinder short, for pears like I'd lived a year today, +and I feel mighty like goin' to sleep."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment's silence Mr. Middleton commenced: "I +shall not attempt to justify myself for running away as I did, +and yet I cannot say that I have ever seriously regretted visiting +those countries, which I probably shall never look upon +again. I think I wrote to you, Joshua, that I took passage +on the ship Santiago, which was bound for the East Indies. +Never shall I forget the feeling of loneliness which crept +over me, on the night when I first entered the city of Calcutta, +and felt that I was indeed alone in a foreign land, and +that more than an ocean's breadth rolled between me and +my childhood's home. But it was worse than useless to dwell +upon the past. I had my fortune to make, and I began to look +about for some employment. At last I chanced to fall in with +an intelligent Spaniard, Signor de Castello. He was a +wealthy merchant, and for several years had resided in Calcutta. +As he spoke the English language fluently, I found no +trouble in making his acquaintance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He seemed pleased with me and offered me the situation +of clerk in his counting room. I accepted his offer, and also +became an inmate of his dwelling, which was adorned with +every conceivable luxury. His family consisted of himself +and his daughter, Inez."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of Inez, Ashton half started from his chair, +but immediately reseating himself, listened while Mr. Middleton +proceeded: "I will not attempt to describe Inez, for I am +too old now to even feel young again, by picturing to your +imagination the beauty of that fair Spaniard. I will only +say that I never saw one, whose style of beauty would begin +to compare with hers, until I beheld my niece, Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord knows, I hope she wan't like Tempest," said Uncle +Joshua, at the same time relieving his mouth of its overflowing +contents.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not know whether she were or not," answered Mr. +Middleton, "I only know that Inez seemed too beautiful, too +gentle, for one to suspect that treachery lurked beneath the +soft glance of her dark eyes. I know not why it was, but +Castello, from the first seemed to entertain for me a strong +friendship, and at last I fully believe the affection he felt for +me was second only to what he felt for his daughter. But he +could not remain with us, and in eighteen months after I first +knew him, he took one of the fevers common to that sultry +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page153">[pg 153]</span><a name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +climate, and in the course of a few days he was dead. I +wrote to you of his death, but I did not tell you that he had +left a will, in which all his immense wealth was equally +divided between myself and Inez. He did not express his +desire that we should marry, but I understood it so, and +thenceforth looked upon Inez as belonging exclusively to myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You didn't marry her, though, I take it," said Joshua, +making a thrust at an enormous mosquito, which had unceremoniously +alighted upon his brawny foot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No," answered William, "I did not marry her, but 'twas +not my fault. She played me false. Six months after her +father's death we were to be married. The evening previous +to our wedding arrived. I was perfectly happy, but Inez +seemed low-spirited, and when I inquired the cause she answered, +'Nothing, except a little nervous excitement.' I +readily believed her; but when the morning came the cause +of her low spirits was explained. The bird had flown, with +a young Englishman, Sir Arthur Effingham, who had been a +frequent guest at my house."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That was one of Tempest's capers to a dot," said Uncle +Joshua, "but go on, Bill, and tell us whether the disappointment +killed you or not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So William proceeded: "Instead of my bride, I found a +note from Inez, in which she asked pardon for what she had +done, saying she had long loved Sir Arthur, but did not dare +tell me so. They were going to England, whither she wished +me to send a part of her portion, as her husband was not +wealthy. I could understand Inez's character perfectly, and +could readily see that she preferred a titled but poor Englishman +to a wealthy, but plain American, so I gave her up +quietly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And was mighty glad to get shut of her so," interrupted +Joshua.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"From that time," continued William, "I gave up all +thoughts of marriage, and devoted myself to increasing my +wealth, and spending it for my own comfort and the good of +others. Twelve years ago I chanced to go on board the Delphine, +and there I found Ashton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Look at him, for gracious sake," said Uncle Joshua, pointing +toward Ashton. "Why man, you are as white as one of +Judy's biscuit; what ails you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing," answered Ashton, who really was much affected +by Mr. Middleton's narrative; but he said, "I am only thinking +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span><a name="Pg154" id="Pg154" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of the long, weary days I passed in the Delphine before +Mr. Middleton kindly cared for me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This seemed quite natural, and Mr. Middleton continued: +"Ashton was wasted to a mere skeleton by ship fever, and +my heart yearned toward him. Perhaps I felt a stronger +sympathy for him when I learned that he was an American. +He, like myself, had run away. The vessel, in which he had +embarked, had been wrecked, and he, with two others, were +saved in a small boat. For days they floated above the broad +expanse of waters until at length the Delphine picked them +up, and brought them to India. I had Ashton removed to my +house, but as soon as he recovered, he took French leave of +me. From that time I lived alone. I wrote to you frequently, +but got no answer. My letters must have been lost, but I +then concluded you were dead. At last I began to have such +an ardent desire to tread my native soil once more that I disposed +of my property and set out for home, so here I am +and have told you my history; what do you think of it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no answer save the sound of heavy breathing; +Uncle Joshua had probably got to sleep "all over." The +cessation of his brother's voice awoke him, and rubbing his +eyes he said, "Yes, yes, Ashton had the ship fever. I hope +he can't give it now, for I'm mortal feared on't."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton assured him there was no danger, and then, turning +to William, said, "Have you ever heard from Inez?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," said Mr. Middleton. "About a year after her marriage +I heard of the birth of a daughter, whom she called Inez +Middleton. I have heard of them once or twice since, but +not recently."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment's silence Ashton, with some hesitation, said, +"If I mistake not, I know Inez Effingham well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You know Inez, my Inez—where—how—tell me all," said +Mr. Middleton, grasping Ashton's hand as if a new link +suddenly added to the chain of friendship which already +bound them together.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You probably remember," said Ashton, "that when I left +you so suddenly there was an American vessel in port. I +was anxious to return home, but fancied you would oppose it, +so I left without a word, and went on board the ship. During +the voyage, I found that one of the crew was from my native +town. I eagerly inquired after my parents and my little sister +Nellie, whom you so often heard me mention. Judge of my +feelings when told that they were all dead. In the agony of +the moment, I attempted to throw myself overboard, but was +prevented. From that time all desire to return was gone, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page155">[pg 155]</span><a name="Pg155" id="Pg155" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and when at last we stopped at one of the ports in England, I +left the vessel to try my fortune in the mother country."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But Inez," said Mr. Middleton, "what of Inez?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will tell you," answered Ashton. "After remaining in +England some years I became acquainted with her father, Sir +Arthur Effingham, who lived forty miles from London. He +invited me to visit his house and there I first saw Inez and +her mother. To know Inez was to love her, but I could not +hope to win the haughty Englishman's daughter, and besides +she was so young that I did not believe I had made any impression +upon her. But, encouraged by Lady Effingham, I +at length ventured to ask Inez of her father. I did not wish +to marry her then, as she was only fourteen, but her father +spurned me with contempt, and bade me never again enter his +house. I obeyed, but tried many times to procure an interview +with Inez. I succeeded, and told her I was about to +leave England for America, but should never forget her. I +would not suffer her to bind herself to me by any promise, but +expressed my belief that at some future time she would be +mine. It is three years since we parted. I came immediately +to America, but I could not bear to return to my old home, +and see it occupied by others, so I wandered this way and at +last settled in Frankfort as a merchant."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here he stopped and Mr. Middleton said, "You have not +told me of the mother. Does she still live?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton answered, "She was living when I left England, but +Inez has since written me of her death."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That will do, Ashton; that will do. I do not wish to hear +any more now," said Mr. William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Mr. Middleton and Ashton were relating their adventures, +Aunt Katy was busily engaged in superintending +the arrangement of "Marster William's" sleeping room. Mrs. +Middleton had bidden Judy to see that everything was put in +order, but Aunt Katy seemed to think nothing could be done +right unless she had an oversight of it. So she was walking +back and forth, consulting with Judy a little and ordering her +a good deal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now, Judy," said she, "hain't you no more idees of +ilegance than to push the bedstead smack up agin the clarbuds; +just pull it out a foot or two, as old Miss use to do."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Judy complied with her request and she continued: "Lordy +sakes—don't Miss Nancy know better than to put Marster +William to sleep in such coarse sheets," at the same time +casting a rueful glance at the linens which Judy had put upon +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page156">[pg 156]</span><a name="Pg156" id="Pg156" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the bed. "You set down, Judy," said Aunt Katy, "and I'll +tend to the bed myself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying she hobbled off to her cabin and opening her "old +red chist," drew from it a pair of half-worn, but very fine +linen sheets. These she shook most lustily in order to free +them from the rose leaves, lavender sprigs and tobacco, which +she had placed between their folds. With the former she +thought to perfume them, while the latter was put there for +the purpose of keeping out moths. The old creature had +heard that tobacco was good to keep moths from woolens, +and she knew of no reason why it would not answer every +purpose for linen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar," said she, on returning to the house, "these begins +to look a little like Marster William. They was gin to me by +old marster, jest afore he died. They 'longed to old Miss, and +if any one on us could read, I reckon we should find her +name on 'em somewhar writ in brawdery."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the bed and room were adjusted to her satisfaction, +she went down to the kitchen and took a seat there. Here +Aunt Judy found her about ten o'clock that night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What on airth you sittin' here for?" said she.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I's only waitin' till Marster William gets a little used +to his room afore I axes him how he likes it and does he want +anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, not long after, Aunt Katy stole upstairs and +opening the door called out, "Ho, Marster William, does you +want anything, and is you got enough kiver?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But "Marster William's" senses were too soundly locked in +sleep to heed the faithful creature, and after standing still a +moment, she said to herself, "I'm mighty feared he'll cotch +cold."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So back she went to her cabin and from the same "red chist" +took a many-colored patchwork quilt. This she carried to the +house and spread carefully over Mr. Middleton, saying, "He +won't be none too comfortable, and in the mornin' he'll see it, +and I'll tell him I done pieced and quilted it my own self."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The consequence of this extra covering was that Mr. +Middleton awoke in the night with the impression that he was +being suffocated in the hot climate of Calcutta! He did not +know that she, to whom he was indebted for his warm berth, +was now sleeping quietly and dreaming "how tickled Marster +William would be when he knew she had lent him her spare +sheets and bedquilt!"</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter16" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc32" id="toc32"></a><a name="pdf33" id="pdf33"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XVI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny refuses to go to new orleans</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page157">[pg 157]</span><a name="Pg157" id="Pg157" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The next day was the Sabbath. Contrary to their usual +custom on such mornings, Mr. Middleton and his negroes were +astir at an early hour. The female portion of the latter were +occupied in preparing a great breakfast in honor of "Marster +William's" arrival, while Mr. Middleton busied himself in removing +a part of his dark, heavy beard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When William made his appearance in the sitting room, he +was greeted by his brother with, "How are you, Bill? Hope +you slept better than I did, for 'pears like I couldn't get asleep +nohow, till toward mornin' and then I was mighty skeary +about wakin' up, for fear I should find it all moonshine, and +no Bill here after all." After a moment's pause, he added, +"Whar's t'other chap? If he don't come down directly, the +hen'll spile, for Judy's had it ready better than half an hour."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ashton soon appeared, and the party did ample justice to +Aunt Judy's well-cooked breakfast. That meal being over, +Mr. Middleton said, "Now, boys, what do you say to goin' to +meetin'? The Baptists have preachin', and I've a mind to go. +How the folk'll stare though to see Bill. Say, will you go?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gentlemen signified their assent, and at the usual hour +they proceeded to the church, which was situated about two +miles from Mr. Middleton's. We are sorry for it, but truth +compels us to say that on this day Uncle Joshua was not +quite as devotional as usual. He was looking over the congregation +to see what effect his brother's presence was producing. +When he saw that no one exclaimed or turned pale, +and that even the minister kept on the even tenor of his discourse, +he inwardly accused them all of being "doughheads," +and wondered he had never before discovered how little they +knew. However, when meeting was over, the neighbors +crowded around the old man, congratulating him on the unexpected +return of his brother, whom they welcomed so +warmly that Uncle Joshua began to think he had been too +hasty in condemning them, for "after all, they knew a heap."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg 158]</span><a name="Pg158" id="Pg158" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>That night, after supper, Mr. Middleton was again seated +in the little porch with his guests. They had been speaking of +the sermon they had heard, when Mr. Middleton said, "That's +the right kind of meetin' to my notion. A feller can sleep a +bit if he feels like it; but whar my gals go, in Frankford, +they have the queerest doin's—keep a gittin' up and sittin' +down; 'pears like you don't moren't git fairly sot afore you +have to hist up again, and you can't sleep to save you. Then +they have streaked yaller and black prar books and keep +a-readin' all meetin' time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Do your daughters prefer that church?" asked William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," returned his brother; "or, that is, Dick, poor +boy Dick, belonged thar; so did the young Leftenant Carrington; +so does Dr. Lacey; and that's reason enough why +Sunshine should prefer it. Tempest goes thar, I reckon, because +its fashionable, and she can have a nice prar-book to +show. You ought to see the one I bought for Sunshine. It's +all velvety, and has gold clasps, with jest the word 'Sunshine' +writ on it. Tempest has got a more common one. It didn't +cost half as much."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I notice that you make quite a distinction between your +daughters," said William. "May I ask why you do it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton stopped smoking and said, "If you please, +Bill, I'd rather say nothin' about that now. I make it a rule +never to swar Sundays, and if I got to goin' it about Tempest +and the way she used poor Dick, I should have to swar and no +mistake. Mebby you think I'd better not swar any time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered William; "I should be glad if you would +not. It is a bad habit, and I wish you would discontinue it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well now, Bill," said Mr. Middleton, "Lord knows—no, I +mean I know I've tried a heap of times to break off, and now +I'll try again. I'll not cuss a word till I forget. Dick used to +want me to stop, and when he died I promised myself I would; +but the pigs and horses got into the corn, and fust I knew I +was swarin' wus than ever. I wish you had seen Dick; it +can't be; he's gone forever."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you no daguerreotype of him?" asked William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, I hain't, but his folks have; and Mr. Miller and Kate +are going home this summer, and they'll fetch me one. That +makes me think Sunshine is so puny and sick like, that I'm +goin' to let her go North with them. It'll do her good; and +I'm going to buy her four silk gowns to go with, but for +Lord's—no, for land's sake don't tell Tempest."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hope you are not very anxious to have Fanny go North," +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span><a name="Pg159" id="Pg159" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +said William; "for it will seriously affect a plan which I have +formed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, what is it?" asked Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">William then told of the house he had purchased, and of his +intention to take both his nieces back with him. "I know," said +he, "that it seems strange to take them there in hot weather; +but down by the lake it will be pleasant and cool, and I must +have them with me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Have you said anything to them about it?" asked Mr. +Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered his brother. "I have mentioned it to +them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What did they say?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fanny said nothing, but Julia seemed much pleased with +the idea," said William.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I'll warrant that," returned Mr. Middleton. "She's tickled +enough, and in her own mind she's run up a bill agin me for +at least five hundred. Sunshine is so modest, I s'pose, because +Dr. Lacey will be there, that she does not want to seem very +glad; but she'll go. I'll have them come home tomorrow, and +will talk the matter over. I'd as soon have her go to New Orleans +as to New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here the conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Middleton, +who came to tell her husband that it was past nine. Mr. +Middleton had a great horror of being up after that hour, so +he hastily bade his brother and Ashton good night, saying to +the former, "Now I've got kind of used to your being alive, +Bill, I hope I shan't have such pesky work goin' to sleep."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning Ashton returned to Frankfort in the carriage +which Mr. Middleton had sent for the purpose of bringing his +daughters home. For once in her life, Julia was delighted with +the idea of visiting her parents. She had learned from a note +which her mother had written that the reason of their being +sent for was to talk over the matter of going to New Orleans. +Fanny felt differently. She wished, yet dreaded, to go home. +She too knew why they were sent for; and as she was determined +not to go to New Orleans, it would be necessary at last +to tell her father the true reason. She was certain he would +be unsparing in his wrath against Dr. Lacey, and she almost +trembled for the consequences.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When at last she was ready she descended to the parlor, and +sitting down to her piano ran her fingers lightly over the +keys. At that moment Frank Cameron entered. He had +learned from his cousin, Kate, enough of Fanny's history to +make him fear that she never could be aught to him; and yet +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page160">[pg 160]</span><a name="Pg160" id="Pg160" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the knowledge that he could not, must not, hope to win her, +only rendered the attraction stronger. He was intending to +start for home the next day, and had now come to spend a +few minutes alone with Fanny ere he bade her good-by. As +he entered the room she ceased playing, and said, "I believe +you leave town tomorrow, do you not?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do," replied Frank, "and am come to bid you good-by +now; for when you return I shall probably be looking on the +dust, smoke and chimneys of the Empire City." As Fanny +made no answer, Frank continued, "Miss Middleton, we shall +meet again, I trust. Kate tells me that you are to accompany +them to New York this summer. I shall expect you and shall +watch anxiously for your coming."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny replied, "I have thought of going North with Mrs. +Miller, but it is possible I may be disappointed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Disappointed!" repeated Frank; "you must not be disappointed, +or disappoint me either. I would hardly be willing +to leave Frankfort if I did not hope to see you again. And +yet if we never do meet, I shall know that I am a better man +for having once seen and known you; and I shall look back +upon the few days spent in Kentucky as upon one of the +bright spots in my life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We do not know what Fanny would have replied; for ere +she had time to answer Julia appeared in the door, calling out, +"Come, Fan, the carriage is ready. But, pray excuse me," +continued she, as she saw Frank, "I had no idea that I was +interrupting so interesting a conversation as your looks seem +to indicate."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This increased Fanny's confusion, but she endeavored to +appear at ease; and rising up, she offered Frank her hand, +saying, "I must bid you farewell, Mr. Cameron."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank took her hand, and quick as thought raised it to his +lips. Fanny's cheeks reddened as she hastily withdrew her +hand, saying rather indignantly, "Mr. Cameron, I am surprised!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank expected as much, and he said, rather gayly, "Pardon +me, Miss Middleton, I could not help it, and would not if I +could. It is all I ever hope to receive from you; and years +hence, when I am a lone, lorn old bachelor, I shall love to +think of the morning when I bade good-by to and kissed +Fanny Middleton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A moment more and the carriage drove rapidly away. +Frank watched it until it disappeared down the street; then +turning away, he thought, "I have met and parted with the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page161">[pg 161]</span><a name="Pg161" id="Pg161" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +only person on earth who has power to awaken in me any +deeper feeling than that of respect."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Julia and Fanny reached home, they were greeted +kindly by both their parents and uncle. The latter had resolved +to watch them closely, in order to ascertain, if possible, +the reason of his brother's evident preference for Fanny. +During the morning nothing was said of the projected visit to +New Orleans; and Julia was becoming very impatient, but +she knew better than to broach the subject herself; so she was +obliged to wait.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening the family, as usual, assembled on the little +porch. Fanny occupied her accustomed seat and low stool by +the side of her father, whose pipe she filled and refilled; for +he said, "The tobacker tasted a heap better after Sunshine had +handled it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia could wait no longer, and she began the conversation +by asking her uncle something about New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar, I knew 'twould be so," said Mr. Middleton; "Tempest +is in a desput hurry to know whether I'm going to +cash over and send her to market in New Orleans."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, father," said Julia, coaxingly, "you are going to let +Fanny and me go with Uncle William I know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was lucky for Julia that she chanced to mention her +sister; for however much her father might be inclined to tease +her, the word "Fanny" mollified him at once, and he answered, +"Why, yes, I may as well let you go as to keep you here doing +nothing, and eating up my corn bread." Then drawing Fanny +nearer to him, he said, "I've talked some of letting Sunshine +go to New York, but she'll jump at the chance of going to +New Orleans, I reckon."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no answer, and as Julia was not particularly desirous +of having her sister's silence questioned, she rattled on +about her expected visit, and even went so far as to caress her +father, because he had given his consent to her going. It was +decided that Mr. William Middleton should return, as he had +intended, in two weeks' time, so as to have everything in +readiness for the reception of his nieces, who were to come +on as soon as school closed, which would be about the tenth +of June.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During all this time Fanny said not a word; and at last it +occurred to her father that she had neither expressed her desire +nor willingness to go; so he said, "Come, Sunshine, why +don't you hold up your head and talk about it? We all know +you want to go mightily, and see that little doctor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny knew it was of no use delaying longer and she answered +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page162">[pg 162]</span><a name="Pg162" id="Pg162" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +gently, but decidedly, "Father, I have no desire to go +to New Orleans. I cannot go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fudge on being so very modest," replied Mr. Middleton. +"It is nateral-like that you should want to see him, and nobody'll +think less of you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny answered, "You know I have thought of going to +New York with Mr. and Mrs. Miller. I am still anxious to +do so; but to New Orleans I cannot, shall not go, unless you +command me to do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Saint Peter!" said Mr. Middleton. "What's the row now? +What's happened to make little Sunshine spirt up so? Don't +you want to see Dr. Lacey, child?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, father; I never desire to see him again."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old cob pipe dropped from Mr. Middleton's mouth, and +springing up, he confronted Fanny, saying, "What in fury is +this racket? You not wish to go to New Orleans, or see Dr. +Lacey either! I half wish you was Tempest for a spell, so I +could storm at you; but as it is Sunshine, I can't even feel +mad."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, father, father!" cried Fanny, weeping; "if you knew +all that has occurred, you would not blame me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What do you mean, darling?" asked Mr. Middleton, suddenly +becoming cool. "What has happened?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then looking at Julia, whose face was crimson, a new idea +struck him, and he exclaimed more wrathfully, "How now, +Tempest? What makes you turn as red as a hickory fire? +Have you been raising a rumpus between Dr. Lacey and Sunshine? +Out with it if you have."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was now Julia's turn to cry and appeal to her uncle, if +it were not unjust in her father always to suspect her of evil, +if anything were wrong. William very wisely kept silent, but +Fanny said, "Do not accuse Julia, for she is not guilty. She +knows it all, however, and is sorry for it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Knows what? Sorry for what? Why don't you tell?" +said Mr. Middleton, stalking back and forth through the +porch, and setting down his feet as heavily as if he would +crush everything which might fall beneath his tread.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cannot tell you now," said Fanny; "but when we are +alone, you shall know all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few moments William thought proper to retire, and as +his example was soon followed by Julia, Fanny was left alone +with her parents. Drawing her stool nearer to her father, and +laying her hot, feverish forehead on his hand, she said, "Before +I give any explanation, I wish you to make me a promise."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg 163]</span><a name="Pg163" id="Pg163" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Promise of what?" asked her father and mother, simultaneously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is not probable," answered Fanny, "that you will ever +see Dr. Lacey again, but if you do, I wish you never to mention +to him what I am about to tell you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The promise was readily given by Mrs. Middleton, but her +husband demurred, saying, "I shan't commit myself until I +know what 'tis. If Dr. Lacey has been cuttin' up, why I'll +cowhide him, that's all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then I shall not tell you," was Fanny's firm reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Her father saw she was in earnest, and replied, "What's got +your back up so high, Sunshine? I never knew you had so +much grit. What's the reason you don't want Dr. Lacey to +hear of it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," said Fanny, hesitatingly, "because I do not wish +him to know how much I care about it; and besides, it can do +no possible good. Now, father, promise you will not tell him +or any one else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton was finally persuaded, and his promise given, +Fanny knew it would not be broken, for her father prided +himself on keeping his word. So she gave an account of Dr. +Lacey's conduct, and ended her narrative by producing a +letter, which she supposed came from him. Up to the moment +Mr. Middleton had sat perfectly still; but meantime his wrath +had waxed warmer and warmer, until at last it could no longer +be restrained, but burst forth in such a storm of fury as made +Fanny stop her ears.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She, however, caught the words, "And I was fool enough +to promise not to say a word. Well, thank the Lord, I didn't +promise not to shoot the puppy. Let me catch him within +pistol shot of me, and I'll pop him over as I would a woodchuck. +And if he don't come back, I'll go all the way to New +Orleans for the sake of doin' on't. I'll larn him to fool with +my gal; yes, I will!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's fears for Dr. Lacey's safety were immediately +roused; and again were her arms wound round the neck of +her enraged father, while she begged of him to be quiet, and +think reasonably of the matter. Not long could one resist the +arguments of Fanny; and in less than half an hour her father +grew calm, and said more gently, "I shouldn't have been so +rarin' mad, if it had been anybody but you, Sunshine. I +s'pose I did go on high, and swar like a pirate. I didn't mean +to do that, for I promised Bill I'd try and leave off."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Leave swearing?" said Fanny. "Oh, I'm so glad. I hope +you will. Now promise that you will, dear father, and say +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page164">[pg 164]</span><a name="Pg164" id="Pg164" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +again that you will not mention Dr. Lacey's conduct either to +him or to any one else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I have promised once," said Mr. Middleton, "and one +promise is as good as forty. Old Josh'll never break his word +as long as he has his senses. But that paltry doctor owes his +life to you, Sunshine. Half an hour ago I was as fully set to +knock him over as I am now determined to let the varmint go +to destruction in his own way."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny shuddered at the idea of her father becoming the +murderer of Dr. Lacey, and Mrs. Middleton rejoined, "I am +glad, husband, to hear you talk more sensibly. It can do no +possible good for you to shoot Dr. Lacey, and then lose your +own life, as you assuredly would; besides, I think the less +we say of the matter, the better it will be."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I reckon you are right, Nancy," said Mr. Middleton; "but +hang it all, what excuse shall I give Bill for not lettin' the gals +go to New Orleans?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But, father," said Fanny, "you will let Julia go, of course. +Uncle knows I do not intend to go, and consequently will +think nothing of that; and there is no reason why Julia should +not go to New Orleans, and I to New York. Now, say we +may; that's a dear father."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I s'pose I'll have to, honey," answered Mr. Middleton; "but +if I can see ahead an inch, you're bitin' your own nose off by +sending Tempest to New Orleans without you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Afterward Fanny remembered this speech, and understood +it, too; but now she was prevented from giving it a thought by +her father, who continued, "Doesn't that Cameron chap live +some'us in New York?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no reason for it, but Fanny blushed deeply as she +replied, "Yes, sir; Mr. Cameron lives in New York City; but +I am not going to see him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Mebby not," answered her father; "but my name ain't +Josh if he won't be on the lookout for you. And 'twixt us, +darling, now the doctor's sarved you such a scaly trick, I +shouldn't pitch and drive much if I heard that you and +Cameron were on good terms."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That will never, never be," answered Fanny. "I shall +always live at home with you and mother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are a blessed daughter," said Mr. Middleton, "and I +hope there's better fortin in store for you than to stay hived +up with us two old crones; and I can't help thinkin' that you'll +have Dr. Lacey yet, or somebody a heap better. Now go to +bed, child, for your eyes are gettin' red like, and heavy."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny obeyed and retired to her room, where she found +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page165">[pg 165]</span><a name="Pg165" id="Pg165" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Julia sitting up and waiting for her. As soon as Fanny appeared +she began, "Fan, you are a real good girl. I was +pleased to hear you talk. Nobody but you could have done +anything with the old heathen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What are you talking about?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," said Julia, "I had my head out of the window, +listening all the time, and overheard what you said. Once I +trembled for fear father would take it into his head not to let +me go any way; but you fixed it all right, and I thank you +for it." As Fanny made no answer, Julia continued, "I heard, +too, all about Frank Cameron. Now, Fan, I know he admires +you, and I really hope you'll not be silly enough to discourage +him. I shall expect you to write that you have become Mrs. +Cameron."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Will you please, Julia, say no more on that subject," said +Fanny. "I do not suppose Frank Cameron has any particular +regard for me; if he has it will do no good."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus the conversation ended for that night. The next day +Mr. William Middleton was informed that Julia would spend +the summer in New Orleans, but that Fanny preferred going +North. He was rather disappointed. His preference, if any +he had, was for Fanny. She was so quiet, so gentle, he could +not help loving her; but Julia puzzled him. There was a certain +bold assurance in her manner which he disliked. Besides, +he could not help fearing there was some good reason why +her father censured her so much. "I will watch her closely," +thought he, "and if possible, discover her faults and help her +correct them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It would seem that Julia suspected her uncle's intentions, for +she intended to be very correct and amiable in her deportment, +whenever he was present. Thought she, "I will thus retain +his good opinion; and by so doing I shall more easily win +Dr. Lacey's regard."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of a few days Fanny and Julia returned to +school; the one, elated with the prospect of going to New Orleans, +and the other, quietly anticipating a pleasant but rather +sad journey to New York. Two weeks after their return to +Frankfort their uncle called upon them on his way South. He +again repeated his invitation that Stanton and Ashton would +spend a part of the summer with him. Ashton consented, but +Stanton still pleaded his important business North, and his excuse +was considered a sufficient one.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington, who had become rather weary of Raymond's +attentions and was longing for a change of place and +scene, now tried by every possible maneuver to induce Mr. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg 166]</span><a name="Pg166" id="Pg166" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Middleton to invite her also. Julia readily understood her; +and as she feared Mrs. Carrington's presence would frustrate +her plans, she resolutely determined that she should not +be invited. Consequently, when that lady talked to Mr. +Middleton of New Orleans, and the desire she had of again +visiting that city, Julia would adroitly change the conversation +to some other subject; and once when Mr. Middleton had +actually opened his mouth and commenced giving the desired +invitation, Julia, as if suddenly recollecting herself, started up, +saying, "Excuse me, uncle, but I have a painting in my room +which I wish you to see. Pray, come with me now, for I +cannot bring it down, and as it is getting dark, there is no +time to be lost."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton arose and followed his niece, who congratulated +herself on the success of her stratagem. After reaching +her room, and exhibiting her painting, she said to her +uncle, "I do hope you will not ask Mrs. Carrington to go to +New Orleans this summer."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why not?" said Mr. Middleton. "She seems anxious that +I should do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know it," answered Julia; "but I am afraid she is not a +good woman. At least she had a bad influence over me, and +I always feel wicked after being with her awhile."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Julia had supposed, this had the desired effect. Mr. +Middleton would not ask one to visit him whose influence +over his niece was bad. Consequently, all Mrs. Carrington's +hints were unnoticed or misunderstood. She, however, knew +tolerably well to whom she was indebted for the slight; and +when, after Mr. Middleton's departure, Julia said to her, "I +wonder uncle did not invite you, too; I thought he was going +to do so," she replied, rather sharply, "I fancy I should +have been under no obligations to you, Miss Julia, if I had +received an invitation." Then turning, she hastily entered her +room, and throwing herself upon the sofa, she tried to devise +some scheme by which she could undermine Julia, provided +Dr. Lacey should show her any marked attention.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Carrington was not in a very enviable mood. The +night before Raymond had offered her his heart and hand, +and of course had been rejected. He was in the parlor when +Julia so abruptly took her uncle away. As there was no one +present besides Mrs. Carrington, he seized upon that moment +to declare his love. It is impossible to describe the loathing +and contempt which she pretended to feel for him who sued +so earnestly for her hand, even if her heart did not accompany +it. Nothing daunted by her haughty refusal, Raymond arose, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page167">[pg 167]</span><a name="Pg167" id="Pg167" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and standing proudly before the indignant lady said, "Ida +Carrington, however much dislike you may pretend to feel for +me I do not believe it. I know I am not wholly disagreeable +to you, and were I possessed of thousands, you would gladly +seize the golden bait. I do not ask you to love me, for it is +not in your nature to love anything. You are ambitious, and +even now are dreaming of one whom you will never win; for +just as sure as yon sun shall set again, so sure you, proud +lady, shall one day be my wife."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Mrs. Carrington had recovered a little from the surprise +into which Raymond's fiery speech had thrown her, he +was gone and she was alone. "Impudent puppy!" said she; +"and yet he was right in saying he was not disagreeable to me. +But I'll never be his wife. I'd die first!" Still, do what she +would, a feeling haunted her that Raymond's prediction would +prove true. Perhaps it was this which made her so determined +to supplant Julia in Dr. Lacey's good opinion, should +he ever presume to think favorably of her. How she succeeded +we shall see hereafter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter17" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc34" id="toc34"></a><a name="pdf35" id="pdf35"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XVII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny middleton arrives in new york</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page168">[pg 168]</span><a name="Pg168" id="Pg168" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Three weeks after Mr. Middleton's departure for New Orleans, +Mr. Miller's school closed. Uncle Joshua was present +at the examination, and congratulated himself much because +he did not feel at all "stuck up" at seeing both Julia and +Fanny acquit themselves so creditably. After the exercises +were concluded, he returned with Mr. Miller to Mrs. Crane's. +Just before he started for home he drew from his sheepskin +pocketbook five hundred dollars, which he divided equally +between his daughters, saying, "Here, gals, I reckon this will +be enough to pay for all the furbelows you've bought or will +want to buy. I'll leave you here the rest of the week to see to +fixin' up your rig, but Saturday I shall send for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was surprised at her father's unlooked-for generosity, +and thanked him again and again. Julia was silent, +but her face told how vexed and disappointed she was. As +soon as her father was gone, her rage burst forth. "Stingy +old thing," said she, "and yet he thinks he's done something +wonderful. Why, my bill at C——'s already amounts to two +hundred, and I want as much more. What I am to do, I don't +know."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She would have said more, but Fanny quieted her by saying, +"Don't talk so about father, Julia. It was very liberal, and +really I do not know what to do with all mine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But we will not continue this conversation. Suffice it to say +that when Julia retired that night, her own money was safe +in her purse, and by the side of it lay the hundred dollars +she had coaxed from Fanny. As they were preparing to return +home on Saturday, Julia said to her sister, "Fan, don't +let father know that you gave me a hundred dollars, for I fear +all your powers of persuasion would be of no avail to stay the +storm he would consider it his bounden duty to raise."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no need of this caution, for Fanny was not one +to do a generous act, and then boast of it, neither did her +father ask her how she had disposed of her money. He was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page169">[pg 169]</span><a name="Pg169" id="Pg169" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +satisfied to know that the "four silk gowns" were purchased, +as, in his estimation they constituted the essential part of a +young lady's wardrobe.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Since Fanny had disclosed the heartless desertion of Dr. +Lacey, she seemed to be doubly dear to her father; for pity +now mingled with the intense love he always had for his +youngest and best-loved daughter. Often during the last +three days she passed at home prior to her departure for New +York, he would sit and gaze fondly upon her until the tears +would blind his vision, then springing up, he would pace the +floor, impetuously muttering, "The scamp—the vagabond—but +he'll get his pay fast enough—and I'd pay him, too, if I +hadn't promised not to. But 'tain't worth a while, for I reckon +'twould only make her face grow whiter and thinner if I did +anything."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length the morning came on which Julia and Fanny were +to leave for the first time their native state. Side by side near +the landing at Frankfort lay the two boats, Blue Wing and +Diana. The one was to bear Fanny on her Northern tour, +and the other would convey Julia as far as Louisville on her +way South. Mr. Woodburn, who had business in New Orleans, +was to take Julia under his protection.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now but a short time remained ere the Diana would +loose her moorings and be under way. These few moments +were moments of sorrow to Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, who had +accompanied their daughters to Frankfort. Uncle Joshua +particularly was much depressed, and scarce took his eyes +from his treasure, who might be leaving him forever. In his +estimation the far-off North was a barren, chilly region, and +although he did not quite believe his Fanny would be frozen to +death, he could not rid himself of the fear that something +would befall her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You'll take good keer of her, won't you, Miller?" said he, +"and bring her safely back to us?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller gave the promise, and then observing that there +was something else on Mr. Middleton's mind, he said, "What +is it, Mr. Middleton? What more do you wish to say?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton struggled hard with his feelings, and his +voice sank to a whisper as he answered, "I wanted to tell you +that if—if she should die, bring her home—bring her back; +don't leave her there all alone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old man could say no more, for the bell rang out its last +warning. The parting between Fanny and her parents was a +sad one, and even Julia wept as she kissed her sister, and +thought it might be for the last time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page170">[pg 170]</span><a name="Pg170" id="Pg170" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Soon after the Diana, with its precious freight disappeared +from view, Mr. Middleton was called upon to bid another +farewell to his eldest daughter. "Reckon the old fellow likes +one girl better than the other," said a bystander, who had witnessed +both partings. And yet Mr. Middleton did well, and +his look and manner was very affectionate as he bade Julia +good-bye, and charged her "not to be giddy and act like a +fool, nor try to come it over Dr. Lacey." "Though," thought +he, "it'll be sarvin the rascal right if he should have to live +with Tempest all his life."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is not our intention at present to follow Julia in her +passage to New Orleans. In another chapter we will take up +the subject, and narrate her adventures. Now we prefer going +North with the other party, which consisted of Mr. and +Mrs. Miller, Fanny and Raymond. The latter had, in a fit +of desperation, determined to quit Frankfort, and go no one +knew whither. He accompanied his friends as far as Cincinnati, +and there bade them adieu, saying that they would hear +of him again in a way they little dreamed of.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Miller was sorry to part with one who had proved so +valuable an assistant in his school, but all his arguments had +failed and he was obliged to give him up, saying, "I hope, +Raymond, that all your laudable enterprises may be successful."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I shall succeed," were Raymond's emphatic words; "and +she, the haughty woman, who tried to smile so scornfully when +I bade her farewell, will yet be proud to say she has had a +smile from me, a poor school master."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well, Raymond," said Mr. Miller, "you have my good +wishes, and if you ever run for President, I'll vote for you. +So now good-by."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond rung his friend's hand, and then stepped from the +cars, which soon rolled heavily from the depot. Faster and +faster sped the train on its pathway over streamlet and valley, +meadow and woodland, until at last the Queen City, with its +numerous spires, was left far behind. From the car windows +Fanny watched the long blue line of hills, which marks the +Kentucky shore, until they, too, disappeared from view.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a time now we will leave her to the tender mercies of +the Ohio railroad, and a Lake Erie steamer, and hurrying on +in advance, we will introduce the reader to the home where +once had sported Richard Wilmot and his sister Kate. It +stood about a half a mile from the pleasant rural village of +C——, in the eastern part of New York. The house was +large and handsome, and had about it an air of thrift and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page171">[pg 171]</span><a name="Pg171" id="Pg171" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +neatness, which showed its owner to be a farmer, who not +only understood his business, but also attended to it himself. +Between the house and the road was a large grassy lawn, on +which was growing many a tall, stately maple and elm, under +whose wide-spreading branches Kate and her brother had +often played during the gladsome days of their childhood. A +long piazza ran around two sides of the building. Upon this +piazza the family sitting room opened.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Could we have entered that sitting room the day on which +our travelers arrived, we should have seen a fine-looking, +middle-aged lady, whose form and features would instantly +have convinced us that we looked upon the mother of Kate. +Yes, what Kate Miller is now, her mother was once; but time +and sorrow have made inroads upon her dazzling beauty, and +here and there the once bright locks of auburn are now silvered +over, and across the high white brow are drawn many +deep-cut lines. Since Kate last saw her mother, these lines +have increased, for the bursting heart has swelled with +anguish, and the dark eye has wept bitter tears for the son +who died far away from his childhood's home. Even now the +remembrance of the noble youth, who scarce two years ago, +left her full of life and health, makes the tear drop start as +she says aloud, "How can I welcome back my darling Kate, +and know that he will never come again!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sound of her voice aroused old Hector, the watchdog, +who had been lying in the sun upon the piazza. Stretching his +huge limbs and shaking his shaggy sides, he stalked into the +sitting room, and going up to his mistress laid his head caressingly +in her lap. The sight of Hector made Mrs. Wilmot's +tears flow afresh, for during many years he had been the +faithful companion of Richard, whose long absence he seemed +seriously to mourn. For days and weeks he had watched +by the gate, through which he had seen his young master pass, +and when at last the darkness of night forbade a longer watch, +he would lay his head on the ground and give vent to his evident +disappointment in a low, mournful howl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Wilmot was not superstitious; but when, day after day, +the same sad cry was repeated, it became to her an omen of +coming evil; and thus the shock of her son's death, though +none the less painful, was not quite as great as it would otherwise +have been. For Kate, too, old Hector had wept, but not +so long or so mournfully; still he remembered her, and always +evinced his joy whenever her name was spoken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning of the day on which she was expected +home, a boy who had lived in the family when she went away, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg 172]</span><a name="Pg172" id="Pg172" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +called Hector to him, and endeavored, by showing him some +garment which Kate had worn and by repeating her name, to +make him understand that she was coming home. We will +not say that Hector understood him, but we know that during +the day he never for a moment left the house or yard, but +lay upon the piazza, looking eagerly toward the road which +led from the village. Whenever he saw a carriage coming, he +would start up and gaze wistfully at it until it had passed, +then he would again lie down and resume his watch. Mrs. +Wilmot noticed this, and when Hector, as we have seen, +walked up to her and looked so sympathizingly in her face, +she patted his head, saying, "Poor Hector; you will see Kate +at least today."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nor was she mistaken, for about three that afternoon, an +omnibus drew up before the gate. Kate immediately sprang +out, and was followed by Mr. Miller and Fanny. Their arrival +was first made known to Mrs. Wilmot by the cry of joy +which Hector sent forth at sight of Kate. With lightning +speed he bounded over the lawn to meet the travelers. Fanny, +who was accustomed to the savage watchdogs of Kentucky, +sprang back in terror and clung to Mr. Miller for protection; +but Kate cried out, "Do not fear; it is only Hector, and he +wouldn't harm you for the world." Then she ran forward to +meet him, and embraced him as fondly as though he had really +been a human being, and understood and appreciated it all. +And he did seem to, for after caressing Kate, he looked about +as if in quest of the missing one. Gradually he seemed to become +convinced that Richard was not there; again was heard +the old wailing howl; but this time it was more prolonged, +more despairing. Faithful creature! Know you not that +summer's gentle gale and winter's howling storm have swept +over the grave of him whom you so piteously bemoan.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny stopped her ears to shut out the bitter cry, but if +Kate heard it, she heeded it not, and bounded on over the +graveled walk toward her mother, who was eagerly waiting for +her. In an instant parent and child were weeping in +each other's arms.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"My Kate, my darling Kate, are you indeed here?" said +Mrs. Wilmot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate's only answer was a still more passionate embrace. +Then recollecting herself, she took her husband's hand and +presented him to her mother, saying, "Mother, I could not +bring you Richard, but I have brought you another son. Will +you not give him room in your heart?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Wilmot had never seen Mr. Miller before, but she was +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page173">[pg 173]</span><a name="Pg173" id="Pg173" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +prepared to like him, not only because he was her daughter's +choice, but because he had been the devoted friend of her son; +consequently she greeted him with a most kind and affectionate +welcome.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During all this time Fanny was leaning against one of the +pillars of the piazza, but her thoughts were far away. She +was thinking of her distant Kentucky home, and a half feeling +of homesickness crept over her, as she thought how joyfully +she would be greeted there, should she ever return. Her +reverie was of short duration, for Kate approached, and leading +her to her mother, simply said, "Mother, this is Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">'Twas enough. The word Fanny had a power to open the +fountains of that mother's heart. She had heard the story of +the young girl, who had watched so unweariedly by the bedside +of Richard—she had heard, too, of the generous old man, +whose noble heart had cared for and cherished the stranger, +and she knew that she, who advanced toward her so timidly, +was the same young girl, the same old man's daughter; and +could Mr. Middleton have witnessed her reception of his Sunshine, +he would have been satisfied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A messenger was dispatched for Mr. Wilmot, who was +superintending some workmen in a field not far from the +house. Mr. Wilmot was a tall, noble-looking man, whose fine +figure was slightly bowed by the frosts of sixty winters. As +he advanced with breathless haste toward the house, Kate ran +to meet him, and the tears which the strong man wept, told +how dear to him was this, his beautiful daughter, and how +forcibly her presence reminded him of his first-born, only son, +who went away to die among strangers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he was presented to Mr. Miller and Fanny, a scene +similar to the one we have already described took place. As +he blessed Fanny for Richard's sake, she felt that though in +a strange land, she was not alone or unloved. Her homesickness +soon vanished; for how could she be lonely and sad, +where all were so kind, and where each seemed to vie with +the other in trying to make everything agreeable to her. It +was strange how soon even Hector learned to love the fair +Kentuckian. He would follow her footsteps wherever she +went, and affectionately kiss her hands. But then, as Kate +said, "Hector had more common sense than half the people in +the world," and he seemed to know by instinct that she whom +he so fondly caressed had once watched over his young master, +who was now sleeping in his silent grave, unmindful that +in his home he was still sincerely mourned even by old Hector.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not many days after Fanny's arrival at Mr. Wilmot's she +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page174">[pg 174]</span><a name="Pg174" id="Pg174" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was told that a gentleman wished to see her in the parlor. On +entering the room how surprised she was at beholding Frank +Cameron. He had learned by letter from Kate that Fanny +was in C——, and he immediately started for his uncle's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Since his return from Kentucky he had thoughts of little else +save Fanny Middleton. Waking or sleeping, she was constantly +in his mind, and still with a happy thought of her there +ever came a sadder feeling, a fear that his love for her would +be in vain. But since the morning when he bade her adieu, +her name had never once passed his lips.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When his sister Gertrude questioned him concerning the +Kentucky girls, he had described to her in glowing terms the +extreme beauty of Julia, and the handsome eyes of "the +widder," as he called Mrs. Carrington, but of Fanny he had +never spoken. He could not bear that even his own sister +should mention Fanny in connection with any one else. How +ever, when Kate's letter arrived, he passed it over to Gertrude, +whose curiosity was instantly roused, and she poured +forth a torrent of questions as to who that Fanny Middleton +was.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I suppose she must be old Mr. Middleton's daughter," was +Frank's teasing reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Of course I know that," said Gertrude, "but what of her? +who is she?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, I've told you once, she is Fanny Middleton," said +Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These and similar answers were all Gertrude could draw +from him, and she fell into a fit of pouting; but Frank was +accustomed to that, and consequently did not mind it. Next he +announced his intention to visit his Uncle Wilmot. Gertrude +instantly exclaimed, "Now, Frank, you are too bad. Just as +soon as you hear Fanny Middleton is in New York, you start +off to see her, without even telling me who she is, or what +she is. In my opinion you are in love with her, and do not +wish us to know it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This started up Mrs. Cameron's ideas, and she said, "Frank, +I am inclined to believe Gertrude is right; but you surely +will be respectful enough to me to answer my questions +civilly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly," said Frank. "Ask anything you please; only +be quick, for it is almost car time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Well then, do you intend to make this Miss Middleton your +wife?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do, if she will have me," said Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span><a name="Pg175" id="Pg175" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The distressed lady groaned audibly, but continued, "One +more question, Frank. Is she rich and well connected?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank passed his hand through the thick curls of his brown +hair, and seemed to be trying hard to think of something. +Finally he answered, "Why, really, mother, I never once +thought to ask that question."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But," persisted Mrs. Cameron, "you can judge by her appearance, +and that of her parents. Did you not see them?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank laughed loudly as the image of Uncle Joshua as he +first saw him in the door, buttoning his suspender, presented +itself to his remembrance; but he answered, "Yes, mother, I +did see her father, and 'twas the richest sight I ever saw."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He then proceeded to give a description of Mr. Middleton +to his astonished sister and mother, the latter of whom exhibited +such distress that Frank very compassionately asked, +"if she had the toothache."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before she had time to answer, Frank was gone, leaving his +mother to lament over the strange infatuation which always +led Frank in pursuit of somebody beneath him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I know," said she to Gertrude, "that this Fanny Middleton +is from a horrid low family, and is as poor as a church +mouse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So while Frank was hurrying toward the village of C——, +his mother and sister were brooding over the disgrace which +they feared threatened them. They could have spared all +their painful feelings, for she of the "low family" was destined +to be another's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During Frank's ride to C—— he determined, ere his return, +to know the worst. "She can but refuse me," thought he, +"and even if she does, I shall feel better than I do now." +When he met Fanny his manner was so calm and collected +that she never dreamed how deep was the affection she had +kindled in his heart. She received him with real pleasure, for +he seemed like a friend from Kentucky. He staid with her +but three days, and when he left he bore a sadder heart than +he had ever felt before. Fanny had refused him; not exultingly, +as if a fresh laurel had been won only to be boasted of, +but so kindly, so delicately, that Frank felt almost willing to +act it all over again for the sake of once more hearing +Fanny's voice, as she told him how utterly impossible it was +for her ever again to love as a husband should be loved.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then," said Frank, somewhat bitterly, "you acknowledge +that you have loved another."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes," answered Fanny, "but no other circumstances could +have wrung the confession from me. I have loved and been +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg 176]</span><a name="Pg176" id="Pg176" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +deceived. I will not say my faith in man's honor is wholly +gone, for I believe you, Mr. Cameron, to be perfectly sincere +and honorable in your professions of regard. Had we met +earlier all might have been different, but now it is too late. +If my friendship is worth having, it is yours. I have never +had a brother, but will look upon and love you as one; with +that, you must be satisfied."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And he did try to be satisfied, but only because there was +no other alternative. Still he felt a pleasure in being near +her, in breathing the same atmosphere and gazing on the same +scenes. Before he returned home he had decided upon accompanying +her, together, with Mr. and Mrs. Miller, on their +contemplated trip to Saratoga; thence they would go on to +New York City, and visit at his father's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am sorry," said he, "that it is not the season for parties, +as I should love dearly to show off Fanny in opposition to our +practised city belles, and now I think of it," continued he, +"isn't Mr. Stanton coming North this summer after a certain +Miss Ashton?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I believe he is," answered Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Now then," said Frank. "I have it exactly. 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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You seem to think any praise bestowed upon Fanny as +so much credit for yourself," said Kate, mischievously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Most certainly I did. That was one object in going," was +Frank's quiet reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg 177]</span><a name="Pg177" id="Pg177" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do not think you will," said Frank; but Gertrude knew +not what cause he had for so saying.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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. "Dear me," said Gertrude, +"I will not go to Saratoga, and be obliged to see Frank +make a dolt of himself with this plebian Kentuckian. If she +were only rich and accomplished, why, it would be different, +and the fact of her being from Kentucky would increase her +attractions. But now it is too bad!" And Gertrude actually +cried with vexation and mortified pride. Poor creature! +How mistaken she was with regard to Fanny Middleton, and +so she one day learned.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But as the reader is doubtless anxious to hear of Fanny's +introduction to Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude, we will give a +description of it in the next chapter.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter18" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc36" id="toc36"></a><a name="pdf37" id="pdf37"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XVIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny welcomed by mrs. cameron</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page178">[pg 178]</span><a name="Pg178" id="Pg178" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Contrary to his first intention, Stanton concluded to come +North in July. He had of course learned from Nellie that her +mysterious guardian had proved to be Judge Fulton, his +sister's husband. And more recently she had written to him +of Judge Fulton's removal to New York City. Mr. Miller +was apprised of Stanton's return by a letter, in which he was +also informed that the wedding would take place in Grace +Church on the morning of the 22d.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Not long after there came invitations for himself, wife and +Fanny to attend the bridal party, at the residence of Judge +Fulton, on the evening of July 25. Frank, who was also invited, +had his own reason for not wishing his mother or sister +to see Fanny until they met her at Judge Fulton's. Consequently +he was not sorry when both ladies graciously informed +him that Miss Middleton would not be invited by them +to visit at their house. "Of course," said Mrs. Cameron, "we +shall invite Kate and her husband, and shall be glad to see +them. If you choose, you can in your own name invite Fanny, +but if she knows anything she will not come."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank knew there was no possible danger of Fanny's accepting +an invitation, which came simply from himself, but +he did not say so, and next day he started again for his +Uncle Wilmot's. To his cousin Kate he imparted a knowledge +of his mother's and Gertrude's feelings and also told of his +own plans. Kate readily fell in with them and when Frank +returned to the city he was accompanied by Mr. Miller, Kate +and Fanny, who took rooms at the Astor House. As soon as +Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude learned that Kate was in the city, +they called upon her. Fanny they of course did not see, +neither did they mention her name. Kate expected as much, +but nevertheless felt vexed, and when they urged her to spend +the remainder of her time with them, she replied, "I have a +young friend from Kentucky with me, and unless you invite +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page179">[pg 179]</span><a name="Pg179" id="Pg179" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +her too, I do not feel at liberty to accept your polite invitation."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In answer to this, Gertrude muttered something about "not +wishing to enlarge the circle of her acquaintance," while Mrs. +Cameron said nothing, and the two ladies soon swept haughtily +out of the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never mind," said Frank, to whom Kate related her adventure, +"they will both sing another tune ere long," and he +was right too.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The 25th of July at last arrived. Frank had informed Gertrude +that she must look to her father for a beau that evening, +as he should be otherwise engaged; so she was not surprised +when her brother, long before sunset, left the house all +equipped for the party. She well knew where he was going +and for whose society she was deserted. One hour later found +her seated in a large armchair before the mirror in her dressing +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gertrude was a tall, fine-looking girl, but in the expression +of her handsome features there was something wanting. She +lacked soul, and no one ever looked on the cold, proud face +of Gertrude Cameron, without being convinced that she was +altogether heartless and selfish.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On this occasion, as she sat in the large armchair, she said +to her waiting maid, "I say, Jane, you must do your best tonight +to have me splendidly dressed."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, ma'am, I understand," said Jane, and she proceeded +to bedeck her young mistress with all sorts of finery. Her +dress consisted of a rich, white satin, over which was thrown +a skirt of handsomely embroidered lace. All the ornaments +of gold and diamonds for which a place could possibly be +found were heaped upon her, and when her toilet was completed, +she seemed one gorgeous mass of jewelry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"There, that will do," said she, as Jane clasped the last +diamond bracelet on her arm. "I presume this Fanny Middleton +has never dreamed of so costly a dress as I shall appear +in tonight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile in another part of the city, another toilet was +being made, but of a different nature. Kate and Frank both +were anxious that for once Fanny should deviate from her +usually simple style of dress, and adopt something more in +keeping with her father's wealth. At first Fanny hesitated, +but was finally persuaded, and gave Kate permission to select +for her anything she chose.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As, on the evening of the party, she glanced at the image +which her mirror reflected, she was pardonable for feeling a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span><a name="Pg180" id="Pg180" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +slight thrill of pleasure. Frank was in raptures, declaring +nothing had ever been seen in New York so perfectly lovely. +And truly, Fanny was beautiful as she stood there arrayed +for the party.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was dressed in a French robe of white tarlatan, embroidered +in boquets of lilies of the valley in silver. A single +japonica rested among the curls of her bright hair, while her +neck was encircled by a necklace of pearls, and costly bracelets +of the same clasped her white, slender wrists.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Fanny," said Mr. Miller, "how beautiful you look. +What would your father say could he see you now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of her father's name the teardrops glistened +for a moment in Fanny's eye, and she felt how gladly she +would have foregone all the expected pleasure of that night for +the pleasure of again seeing her distant father. She, however, +dashed the tears away, and replied, "I fear he would think his +Sunshine wholly covered up and spoiled by trumpery, as +he calls fashionable dress."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank noticed her emotion when speaking of her father, +and he thought how priceless must be the love of one who +thus so truly honored her parents. A feeling of sadness was +blended with his admiration of Fanny, for constantly in his +heart was the knowledge that she never would be his. And +here Frank showed how truly noble he was, for he could still +love and cling to Fanny, although he knew that for him there +was no hope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Let us now transport our readers to the elegant residence +of Judge Fulton, which was situated upon Fifth Avenue. +Stanton, with his fair bride, had returned from visiting his +parents near Geneva, and now in the large parlors of Judge +Fulton, they were receiving the congratulations of their +friends, whose numbers each moment increased, until the +rooms were filled to overflowing. Frank and his party had not +yet arrived. He designed to be late, for he well knew his +mother and sister would not be early, and he wished to give +them the full benefit of Fanny's introduction into the drawing +room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But a part of his scheme was frustrated, for his mother, +who was suffering with a violent headache, was obliged to remain +above stairs for a time, and Gertrude alone witnessed +her brother's triumph. She was standing near Mr. and Mrs. +Stanton, carelessly twirling a costly boquet, which one of +her obsequious beaux had given her, when she overheard +Nellie say to her husband, "I do hope she will come, for I am +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg 181]</span><a name="Pg181" id="Pg181" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +all impatience to see one whom you have praised until I am +half jealous."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gertrude wondered much whom Mrs. Stanton could mean, +but her wonder soon ceased, for there was a stir at the door. +The crowd around it fell back as Frank Cameron walked +proudly into the room, bearing upon his arm Fanny Middleton. +Her fame had preceded her, for many of those present +had learned that a Kentucky belle and heiress was stopping +at the Astor, and would be present at the party. As she advanced +into the room, Gertrude felt, rather than heard the +murmur of admiration which ran round the room, and her +quick ear caught the words, "Yes, that's she; that's the +heiress; that's Miss Middleton from Frankfort."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gladly would Gertrude have escaped her brother's eye, +which instantly sought her out; but she felt unable to move, +and stood watching the animated face and graceful manners +of Fanny, who, in being presented to Mrs. Fulton and Stanton, +passed near her. Every article of Fanny's dress was +noted, and an estimate made as to its probable cost. "She +must be wealthy," thought she, "or she could not dress so expensively." +Suddenly one of Gertrude's acquaintances touched +her elbow, and said, "Come, Miss Gertrude, do gratify our +curiosity and tell us about this Kentucky belle. Of course you +know her, as she is attended by your brother."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Deeply mortified Gertrude was obliged to confess that she +had no acquaintance with her. "That's strange," said the lady. +"We all supposed she stopped at your father's with your +cousin."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A new idea entered Gertrude's mind, and instead of replying +to this last remark, she said, "I shall know her well, +though, for Frank has proposed to her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Did she accept him?" asked the lady eagerly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Of course," was Gertrude's haughty answer. "Do you +think he would offer himself unless sure of success?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Ten minutes more and dozens of persons were gossiping +about the engagement between Frank Cameron and the beautiful +Kentuckian. Scores of questions were poured in upon +Gertrude relative to her future sister-in-law, but none of +them could she answer. Vexed at her own ignorance, she ran +upstairs to her mother, whom she told to "come down immediately +and see what fools they had made of themselves."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, what is the matter, child?" said Mrs. Cameron, much +alarmed at Gertrude's excited looks and manners.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"All the city is ready to fall down and worship this Fanny +Middleton, whom we have treated with such neglect," said +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page182">[pg 182]</span><a name="Pg182" id="Pg182" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Gertrude, and then she added what was of more consequence +than all the rest, "Why, mother, she's the most elegantly +dressed lady in the room!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a moment Mrs. Cameron was descending the broad staircase. +There was the sound of the piano and someone singing. +Gertrude pressed forward until she caught sight of the singer, +then pulling her mother's sleeve, she whispered, "This way, +mother; that is Miss Middleton playing."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron's first emotion, on beholding Fanny and the +flattering attentions she everywhere received, was one of intense +mortification, to think she had not been first to notice +and chaperone her. "I will, however, make all possible +amends now," thought she, and finding Frank she desired for +herself and Gertrude an introduction to Miss Middleton; but +Frank did not feel disposed to grant his mother's request immediately, +and he said, "Pardon me, mother, but you see Miss +Middleton is very much engaged at present with some of her +friends, so you must wait awhile."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron was too proud to ask any one else to introduce +her, and it seemed that she and Gertrude were not likely +to make Fanny's acquaintance at all. Toward the close of +the party, however, Frank thought proper to introduce them. +Mrs. Cameron determined to do her best, and she overwhelmed +Fanny with so much flattery, that the poor girl +longed for some way of escape, thinking to herself, "Is it possible +that Frank Cameron's mother is such a silly woman?" +Once Mrs. Cameron went so far as to hint the probability that +Miss Middleton would one day be her daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What can she possibly mean?" thought Fanny; at the +same time gracefully excusing herself she ran upstairs after +her shawl and veil, as Kate had signified her intention of returning +home. But Mrs. Cameron was not to be thus foiled. +She started in pursuit, and reaching the bonnet room as soon +as Fanny, insisted that she and Kate should stop with her during +the remainder of her stay in the city. As Frank soon +appeared and joined his entreaties with those of his mother, +Fanny said she would do just as Mrs. Miller thought proper. +Kate, who had expected a similar denouement, expressed her +perfect willingness to visit at her uncle's.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly, the next morning they left their rooms at the +Astor House and repaired to Mrs. Cameron's, where they were +most affectionately received by Mrs. Cameron and Gertrude. +And now commenced a series of toadyism which was vastly +amusing to their acquaintances, many of whom had witnessed +Mrs. Cameron's manner at the party and had since +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg 183]</span><a name="Pg183" id="Pg183" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," answered one of them, "my sister heard it from +your sister Gertrude."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," said he, rather indignantly, "there is no engagement +between us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, Frank," said Gertrude, "you told us so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I never told you so," answered he, rather warmly. "I +told you I had proposed, and I did propose, and was refused."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why didn't you tell us?" continued Gertrude.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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 +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page184">[pg 184]</span><a name="Pg184" id="Pg184" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +whistle and left his mother and sister to console themselves +as best they could.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">We will not weary the reader by repeating the conversation +between Gertrude and her mother. We will only say that Mrs. +Cameron decided to go as soon as possible to Saratoga, "and +when once there," said she, "I will use all my influence with +Miss Middleton; nay, if necessary, I will even beg her to +marry Frank, for I know she likes him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gertrude was delighted with this idea. She had forgotten +how determined she once was not to visit Saratoga with Fanny +Middleton. Next morning Mrs. Cameron proposed to her +guests that as the weather was getting warm, they should +start directly for the Springs. The visitors of course could +make no objections, and as Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, who were +to accompany them, also acquiesced in the plan, two days more +found our friends at Saratoga, together with crowds more of +the fashionable from the north, south, east and west.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the first day of their arrival, Fanny noticed seated opposite +her at the dinner table, a dark-eyed, sprightly looking +girl, whose eyes so constantly met hers, that at last both +blushed and the stranger girl half smiled. By her side sat a +gentleman, whom Fanny concluded was the young lady's +brother. Something in their appearance interested Fanny, and +she could not help thinking that they were from the South. +That evening as she was walking alone upon the piazza, she +was suddenly joined by the unknown lady, who accosted her +with, "Pardon me, ma'am, but am I not speaking to Miss +Middleton from Kentucky?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny was too much surprised to answer immediately, but +soon recovering her self-possession, she answered, "You are, +but I have not the pleasure of knowing you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I presume not," said the lady. "We have never met before, +and yet I knew you instantly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Knew me! How?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"From description," replied the lady. "You have been so +accurately described to me by our mutual friend Miss Woodburn, +of New Orleans, that I could not mistake you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Florence Woodburn! New Orleans!" exclaimed Fanny. +"And are you from New Orleans, and do you know Florence, +and have you seen Julia?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To all these questions the stranger answered "Yes," continuing, +"and now let me introduce myself. I am Lida Gibson, +but I might as well be John Smith for any idea my name will +convey. However, I am from New Orleans, and know Florence +and your Uncle William well. Just before I left the city, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span><a name="Pg185" id="Pg185" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I made your sister's acquaintance. When she learned I was +coming this way, she said I might possibly see you, and made +me the bearer of many messages of love."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny had never heard of Lida Gibson, but it was sufficient +that she knew her uncle and Julia, so her hand was immediately +offered, and the remainder of the evening the two young +girls promenaded the piazza arm in arm, talking of their distant +homes and absent friends.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Where did you see Julia?" asked Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Your uncle's house was not quite ready, consequently he +and Julia were spending a few days at the residence of Dr. +Lacey," answered Lida.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dr. Lacey!" said Fanny, in some surprise. "Julia at Dr. +Lacey's?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, why not?" said Lida, laughing merrily at Fanny's +manner. "There is nothing improper about that, for Dr. +Lacey's father was then absent, and his mother, for the time, +stayed with her son. I fancied it was not at all unpleasant +either to Dr. Lacey or Julia, that they were thus thrown together, +and I should not wonder if the doctor should one day +call you sister!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lida Gibson, whom our readers will recollect as having +met at Mabel Mortimer's party in New Orleans, was a +thoughtless, but kind-hearted girl, and never felt happier than +when employed in canvassing matches. On the morning when +the Cameron party arrived at the Springs, she had sent her +brother to learn the names of the newcomers. On his return +he mentioned Fanny Middleton as being one of the new +arrivals, so 'twas not surprising that Lida should so readily +recognize her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As days passed on Lida too heard of the supposed engagement +between Fanny and Frank Cameron, and for once kept +silent upon the subject, at least in Fanny's presence. Dearly +as she loved to discuss such matters, she felt there was something +in the character of her new friend which forbade an approach +to anything like jesting about so personal an affair as +one's own engagement. She, however, fully believed the report, +for everything she saw tended to confirm it, and she was +anxious to return home that she might carry the important +news to Julia and Dr. Lacey. Poor Fanny! The clouds were +gathering darkly about her, but she, all unconscious of the +consequence, talked, laughed, rode and sang with Frank, never +thinking that she was thus confirming Lida in a belief which +would tend to remove Dr. Lacey farther and farther from her. +Could Lida have heard a conversation which one evening took +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg 186]</span><a name="Pg186" id="Pg186" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +place between Mrs. Cameron and Fanny, different, very different +would have been the report which she carried back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One evening as Fanny, Lida and Gertrude were walking +upon the piazza, a servant came, saying that Mrs. Cameron +desired to see Miss Middleton in her room. Fanny immediately +obeyed the summons, and as soon as she was gone, Lida +laughingly congratulated Gertrude upon the project of having +so pleasant a sister. Gertrude smilingly received Miss Gibson's +congratulations. "For," thought she, "even if Fanny does not +marry Frank, Miss Gibson will probably never know it, as +she is to leave in a few days."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Let us now with Fanny repair to Mrs. Cameron's room, but +not like her wondering why she was sent for. We well +know why, and consequently are prepared for the look of +mingled indignation and astonishment which appeared on +Fanny's face when she learned that Mrs. Cameron was pleading +the cause of her son! Fanny answered, "Madam, I have +always entertained the highest respect for your son, but I +must confess it is lessened if it is with his knowledge you +are speaking to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron, who had at first intimated that it was +Frank's request that she should thus intercede for him, now +saw her mistake, and veering about, declared what was indeed +true, that Frank was wholly ignorant of the whole. Then +followed a long, eloquent speech, in which Mrs. Cameron by +turns tried to coax, flatter, importune, or frighten Fanny into +a compliance with her wishes, but Fanny could only repeat +her first answer. "I cannot, Mrs. Cameron, I cannot marry +Frank. I acknowledge that I like him, but only as I would +love a brother. Further remonstrance is useless, for I shall +never marry him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And why not?" asked Mrs. Cameron. "Do you love another? +Are you engaged to another?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I cannot answer these questions," said Fanny. "Frank +knows my reason and has my permission to give it to you." +Then rising, she added, "I suppose our conference is now +ended, and with your leave I will retire."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Cameron nodded her head in assent, and Fanny immediately +left the room. A moment after she quitted the +apartment, Gertrude entered, all impatient to know her +mother's success.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Baffled, baffled," was Mrs. Cameron's reply to her interrogatories. +"I can do nothing with her. She is as stubborn +as a mule, and we shall either have to conjure up for some +reason why the engagement was broken off, or else run the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page187">[pg 187]</span><a name="Pg187" id="Pg187" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +risk of being well laughed at among our circle in New York."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few days after this, Lida Gibson started for the South, +promising 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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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!"</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter19" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc38" id="toc38"></a><a name="pdf39" id="pdf39"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XIX</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia announces her engagement to dr. lacey</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Summer was gone and the bright, sunny days of autumn +had come.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"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."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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 +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page188">[pg 188]</span><a name="Pg188" id="Pg188" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +golden casing, and were told the story of the young girl, whose +presence had been like Sunshine in Richard Wilmot's darkened +home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">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 Buffalo, +and stayed upon the boat which was to bear them away until +the last bell rang out its warning. As he was leaving them +Kate playfully asked if they were taking anything of his +with them. "Yes, everything, everything," he answered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon the steamer was moving proudly over the blue waters +of Lake Erie. On the upper deck our Kentucky friends were +waving their handkerchiefs to Frank, who stood upon the +wharf as long as one bright-haired girl could be distinguished +by the light of the harvest moon, whose rays fell calmly upon +the placid waters.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few days Mr. Middleton again folded to his bosom his +Sunshine, now more precious than ever, because, as he said, +"He'd lain awake a heap o' nights, worryin' about her. The +dogs had howled, the death watches had ticked on the wall, +and everything had carried on, t'other side up, ever since she'd +been gone. But look, Nancy," he continued to his wife, "she's +fattin' up right smart. Her journey has done her a heap of +good, and I'm glad I let her go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The blacks now crowded round, delighted to welcome home +their young mistress, who had a kind word and some little +gift for each. Particularly were Aunt Katy and Aunt Judy +pleased with the present of a tasty lace cap, whose value was +greatly increased from the fact that they were bought in New +York City. In these simple creatures' estimation, New York +and Frankfort were the largest places in the world. "I s'pose," +said Aunt Katy, "that this New York is mighty nigh three +times as large as Frankfort."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Three times as large!" repeated Fanny. "Why, yes, Katy, +forty times as large."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time Aunt Katy looked upon Fanny as one not +long for this world. "'Tain't in natur," said she, "that she +should stay long. Allus was peart like and forrud, and now +has been ridin' in the railroad all over the airth, and hain't +got lost nuther, besides a-sailin' along in the steam engine +over the salt water."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was indeed marvelous how much Fanny had seen, and +when she came to tell the wonder-stricken negroes of the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page189">[pg 189]</span><a name="Pg189" id="Pg189" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +cataract of Niagara, their amazement knew no bounds. Our +friend Bobaway did not fail to ease himself by a round of +somersaults, his usual manner of expressing surprise or +pleasure. At the same time he whispered to Lucy that "He's +mistaken if Miss Fanny wan't tellin' 'em a stretcher this time," +for which declaration Lucy rewarded him with a smart box +on the ear, saying, "Is you no better manners than to 'cuse +white folks of lyin'? Miss Fanny never'd got as well as she +is if she's picked up a mess of lies to tell us."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny's health was indeed much improved, and for a day +or two after her return home, she bounded about the house +and grounds as lightly and merrily as she had done in childhood. +Mr. Middleton noticed the change and was delighted. +"I b'lieve she's forgettin' that paltry doctor," said he, but he +was wrong.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The third day after her return she was sitting with her +parents, relating to them an account of her journey, when Ike +entered the room. He had been sent to the post office and now +came up to Fanny, saying, "Here, I done got this air," at the +same time handing her a letter, which she instantly saw was +from her sister. Eagerly taking it, she said, "A letter from +Julia. I am delighted. It is a long time since I have heard +from her." Then quickly breaking the seal, she commenced +reading it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Gradually as she read there stole over her face a strange +expression. It was a look of despair—of hope utterly crushed, +but she finished the letter and then mechanically passing it to +her father, she said, "Read it; it concerns us all," and then +rising she went to her room, leaving her father to read and +swear over Julia's letter at his leisure. That he did so no +one will doubt when they learn its contents.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first page contained assurances of love; the second congratulated +Fanny upon her engagement with Frank, but +chided her for suffering Lida Gibson to be the bearer of the +news. "Why did you not write to me yourself?" she said—"that +is the way I shall do, and now to prove my words, you +will see how confiding I am." Then followed the intelligence +that Dr. Lacey had the night before offered his heart and +hand and of course had been accepted. "You will not wonder +at it," she wrote, "for you know how much I have always loved +him. I was, however, greatly surprised when he told me he +always preferred me to you, but was prevented from telling +me so by my silly engagement with Mr. Wilmot and my supposed +affection for him." The letter ended by saying that +Dr. Lacey would accompany her home some time during the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page190">[pg 190]</span><a name="Pg190" id="Pg190" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +latter part of October, when their marriage would take place. +There was also a "P.S.," in which Julia wrote, "Do, Fan, use +your influence with the old man and make him fix up the infernal +old air castle. I'd as soon be married in the horse +barn as there."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This, then, was the letter which affected Fanny so, and +called all of Uncle Joshua's biggest oaths into use. Mrs. +Middleton tried to calm her husband and remind him of his +promise not to swear. "I know it," said he, "I know I promised +not to swear, and for better than two months I hain't +swore, but I can't help it now. And yet I expected it. I +know'd 'twould be so when I let Tempest go to New Orleans. +But he'll run himself into a hornet's nest, and I ain't sure but +it's just the punishment for him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, then, do you rave so?" asked Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered her husband, "when I let Tempest go, +I'd no idee Sunshine cared so much for him. If I had, I'd +have slung a halter round Tempest's neck and tied her up +in the hoss barn she likes so well!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old man was evidently piqued at Julia's thrust at the +old house. "Fix up! A heap I'll fix up for her to be +married," continued he.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then you'll give your consent?" said Mrs. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Consent! Who's asked any consent?" replied he, "and +'tain't likely they will nuther; and if I should refuse, Tempest +wouldn't mind clamberin' out of the chimbly to run away, and +the doctor has showed himself jest as mean. No; he may have +her and go to the old boy for all of Josh. But what's this +about Cameron? I hope 'tis so, but I'm mighty feared it +ain't. Sunshine can't love two at a time."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While Mr. Middleton was thus expending his fury, Fanny +was alone in her room, struggling hard to subdue the bitter +feelings which were rising in her heart. Until now she had +not been aware how much she loved Dr. Lacey. True, she +had said it was impossible she could ever marry him; and +she had believed she was trying to forget him; but ever in her +heart she had, perhaps unconsciously, cherished a half formed +belief that all would yet be well, and when she refused the +noble, generous heart which Frank Cameron laid at her feet, +it was with a vague hope that Dr. Lacey would yet be hers. +But now every hope was gone. "There is nothing left for +me," said Fanny, "but woe, woe!" 'Twas fearful—the tide of +sorrow which swept over the young girl, but amid the wild +storm of passion came the echo of a still, small voice, whispering +of one who loves with more than an earthly love, who +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page191">[pg 191]</span><a name="Pg191" id="Pg191" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +never proves faithless—never fails. Fanny listened to the +Spirit's pleadings and resolved that henceforth she would +seek to place her affections where "there is no variableness, +neither shadow of turning."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The whirlwind of excitement passed over, leaving no trace +to mark its passage, save a fixed calm expression, which a +more violent demonstration of feeling would not have done.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The week following the receipt of Julia's letter Mr. Middleton +had business which took him to Frankfort. Fanny accompanied +him and remained several days. The morning after +her arrival she and Mr. Stanton were walking upon the upper +balcony at Mrs. Crane's, when they were joined by Ashton, +who had returned from New Orleans a few days before. He +had always been a frequent visitor there, but since his +return, his visits had been more frequent and of longer +duration. There was to him something very fascinating about +Stanton's fair bride, and yet he always felt uneasy when +with her, for her manners and appearance reminded him of +the past.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This morning, however, the mystery was explained, but in +what way he could not tell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Soon after he appeared on the balcony, Nellie pointed to +a gentleman who was crossing the street and inquired his +name. On being told she replied: "He looks very much like +a Mr. Barnard I used to know years ago in ——," mentioning +the town where she was born.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Used to know where?" asked Ashton quickly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nellie repeated the name and Ashton said, "Why, that's my +native town, and I knew Mr. Barnard well." Then as if the +light of a sudden revelation fell upon him, he added, "And +your name, too, was Nellie Ashton? I once had a sister +Nellie, on whose rosy cheeks I dropped a tear the night I ran +away to sea. Can it be that you are that Nellie?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few moments more sufficed them to discover what we +have long surmized, viz., that Henry Ashton and Nellie Stanton +were brother and sister. The surprise and pleasure of +their recognition is better imagined than described. We will +only say that when Stanton, on his return from the office, +stepped out upon the balcony in quest of his wife, he was +greatly shocked at beholding her in Ashton's arms, and his +amazement was increased when he saw that she not only +suffered his caresses, but also returned them in a manner +highly displeasing to the young husband. Fanny, however, +soon explained all, and Stanton gladly received Ashton as a +newly found brother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page192">[pg 192]</span><a name="Pg192" id="Pg192" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>It is unnecessary for us to repeat what Nellie and her +brother had to relate concerning themselves since the night +when Ashton so unceremoniously took leave of his home. +With the important points in their history the reader is already +acquainted, so for the present we leave them, while +we take a brief glance at Mrs. Carrington. The reader will +doubtless think that for once in her life that estimable lady +has done a good deed, although her motive was not the best +in the world. Before Julia went to New Orleans, Mrs. Carrington +so far overcame her dislike as to ask her to write. +Julia did not promise to do so, but probably concluded she +would, for soon after her arrival in New Orleans she +wrote to her a letter, in which she hinted at the probable result +of her visit. She was then a guest of Dr. Lacey, and she +spoke of his attention and politeness in the most extravagant +terms. This so provoked Mrs. Carrington that she determined +at once to write to Dr. Lacey, and give him an insight +into Julia's real character.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The letter was accordingly written. We must do Mrs. Carrington +the justice to say that though her object in writing +was purely selfish, she asserted nothing in her letter but what +she knew to be strictly true. She was ignorant of Julia's conduct +concerning Fanny, consequently she said nothing upon +that head, but she spoke of her generally deceitful character, +and mentioned several instances in which she had not hesitated +to stoop to the basest falsehood for the accomplishment +of her purpose.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she was folding the letter it occurred to her that by some +accident Julia might possibly get hold of it. "And then," +thought she, "she will recognize my handwriting, and curiosity +will impel her to open the letter, after which she wouldn't +hesitate a moment to destroy it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next moment Mrs. Carrington was rapping at the door +of Mrs. Miller's room. Kate opened it and was greatly surprised +at beholding her visitor, who seldom came there. Mrs. +Carrington, however, smilingly presented her letter to Mr. +Miller, saying that she had business with Dr. Lacey, which +rendered it necessary for her to write to him, and as she did +not care to have the post office clerks gossip about her writing +to a gentleman, she wished him to direct it for her. Mr. +Miller complied with her request and the next morning the important +document was on its way to New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As our readers have twice made the voyage of the Mississippi, +they will not refuse, again, to run the risk of its floating +snags, sandbars and boat races; so stepping on board the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page193">[pg 193]</span><a name="Pg193" id="Pg193" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +same steamer which bears Mrs. Carrington's letter, we will +once more, visit Louisiana, and stopping with Dr. Lacey, will +see how much of Julia's letter to her sister was true.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter20" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc40" id="toc40"></a><a name="pdf41" id="pdf41"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XX</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">rondeau digs up the missing letter</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The first three weeks of Julia's stay in New Orleans were, +as we have learned, spent at the house of Dr. Lacey. His +mother was present, and although she readily acknowledged +the uncommon beauty of her fair visitor, yet from the first she +disliked her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The servants, too, as if adopting the opinion of their mistress, +felt and expressed among themselves an aversion to the +"evil-eyed lady," as they termed Julia. Aunt Dilsey, in particular, +soon had her own reason for disliking her. The +second day after Julia's arrival, as she was strolling through +the yard, she encountered Jackson, a bright little fellow, three +years of age, and Aunt Dilsey's only son. Jack, as he was +usually called, was amusing himself by seeing how far he +could spit! Unfortunately he spit too far, and hit Miss Julia's +pink muslin. In an instant her white, slender fingers were +buried in his wool. His screams soon brought Aunt Dilsey +to the rescue. Upon learning the dreadful crime of which +Jack had been guilty, she snatched him from Julia's grasp, +and hurried him into the house without a word. From that +time Dilsey was Julia's sworn enemy, and Jack was taught +to make up faces at her, whenever he could do so without being +discovered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The servants, however, were too well trained to manifest +any open disrespect, for they knew she was "marster's guest," +and as such was entitled to every possible attention.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When first she arrived Dr. Lacey felt exceedingly uncomfortable, +for her presence constantly reminded him of the past, +and his reminiscences of Julia were not particularly pleasant. +Gradually this feeling wore away, for she appeared greatly +changed. There was a softness, a gentleness, in her manner, +which seemed to Dr. Lacey like Fanny, and then her voice, +too, was so like her sister's that ere long she ceased to be disagreeable +to him, and instead of avoiding her society, as at +first he had done, he now sought it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg 194]</span><a name="Pg194" id="Pg194" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia saw her advantage, and determined to follow it up. +Nothing could exceed her extreme amiability, and apparent +sweetness of disposition. Even Mrs. Lacey was partially +deceived, and concluded she had been too hasty in her estimation +of Miss Middleton. Still she watched her son's movements +narrowly, and hoped he had no intentions of making +Julia his wife.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was in New Orleans three weeks before her uncle's +house was in readiness; but at the end of that time she, together +with Dr. Lacey, Mabel Mortimer and Florence Woodburn +were about to exchange the heat and dust of the city for +a cooler residence near the lake. The day before they left +was hot and sultry, and in the morning Julia sought the shade +of a large vine-wreathed summer house, which stood in the +garden, near by the tree under which Rondeau had buried his +master's letter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One word now about our old friend Rondeau. The buried +letter had cost him a world of trouble. He was constantly fearful +lest he should be detected. Particularly was he afraid +that the author of the letter, failing to receive an answer, +would write again, and thus he might be exposed. Twice had +he dug up the epistle upon occasions when he fancied some one +of his master's letters bore a similar superscription. In this +way he had become tolerably familiar with Mr. Miller's handwriting, +which was rather peculiar, being a large, heavy, +black hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning when Julia was snugly esconced in the summer +house, Rondeau returned from the post office in great +tribulation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What's up now?" asked Leffie, whom Rondeau drew aside, +with a dolefully grave face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Nothing's up," answered Rondeau, "but the letter has got +to come up! I ain't going to feel like I was a whipped dog +any longer. I'll confess all to Marster George, for see, here's +another like the buried one." So saying, he held up Mrs. +Carrington's letter, on the envelope of which was Mr. Miller's +writing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie offered no remonstrance, and as Aunt Dilsey just then +screamed for her, Rondeau went alone to the garden and proceeded +to disinter the buried document. 'Twas but the work +of a moment, and could Julia have been cooling herself in +Greenland, as she ought to have been, all would have ended +well. And now I suppose some indignant reader will say, +"Why didn't you put her in Greenland, then, or some worse +place?" But patience, patience, a little longer. You would +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page195">[pg 195]</span><a name="Pg195" id="Pg195" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have us tell things just as they were, I suppose, so we must +not only suffer Miss Julia to be in the summer house, but we +must also allow her to be a spectator of Rondeau's proceedings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She was greatly surprised when she saw him take from the +cigar box a much soiled, yellowish-looking letter, and she +could not help feeling that in some way it concerned herself. +Suddenly appearing, she startled Rondeau by saying, "What +are you doing? Whose is that? Give it to me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau was anxious to conceal from her his long-buried +treasure, and he passed her the other. She took it and recognizing +Mr. Miller's writing, knew also that Rondeau had +given her the wrong one, so she said in a commanding tone, +"What does all this mean? Give me the other one immediately."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The submissive African, ever obedient to his superiors, +handed her the other letter, and then in a few words told his +story, and announced his intention of confessing all to his +master, at the same time extending his hand to take the +letters. But Julia did not mean he should have them, and she +said, coaxingly, "You have done very wrong, Rondeau, and +your master will undoubtedly be very angry, but I will take +them to him and intercede for you, as you are on the whole +a pretty fine fellow. He'll forgive you for me. I know he +will, but mind, don't you say anything to him about it until +you've seen me again."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, she returned to the house and, going to her room, +bolted the door. After which, breaking the seal of the oldest +letter, she deliberately read it through, occasionally uttering a +malediction against Mr. Miller, thanking the good luck which +brought it to her hands instead of Dr. Lacey's, and making +remarks generally. Said she, "Mighty good opinion Mr. +Quilting-frames has of me (alluding to Mr. Miller's height), +glad I know his mind. A heap of good the answer to this did +him, and his doll wife, too. Hadn't I better answer it myself? +I'd write after this fashion: 'Mr. Miller—At first I thought +I would treat your letter with silent contempt, but recently I +have concluded to write and thank you to mind your own +business. By order of George Lacey, Esq.—Julia Middleton, +Secretary.' Yes, that would serve the meddling old Yankee +Dictionary right," continued she, and then, as her eye fell +upon the remaining letter, she added, "Yes, I'll read this one +too, and see what new thing I'm guilty of!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As soon as she broke it open and glanced at the handwriting, +she knew it to be from Mrs. Carrington. "What now?" said +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page196">[pg 196]</span><a name="Pg196" id="Pg196" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +she, "what has Mrs. Carrington got to say about me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A rapid perusal of the letter showed her what Mrs. Carrington +had to say, and she continued her remarks as follows: +"She has described me quite accurately. I didn't suppose +she knew me so well. I wonder who'll write next! It seems +everybody is in league against me, but I'm enough for anybody +there is in Kentucky; and," she added, in a lower tone, +"I wouldn't hesitate to try my strength with Satan himself;" +but even then the dark girl trembled as she thought there was +a God, whom none could withstand, and who, one day, would +inevitably overtake her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Quickly as possible she drove such unpleasant thoughts from +her mind, and then tried to devise the best plan for managing +Mrs. Carrington. "For Mr. Miller's letter," said she, "I care +nothing. It was written so long ago that he has ceased expecting +an answer, but I well know Mrs. Carrington's designs, +and she will continue to write until she receives some reply. +I have once successfully counterfeited Dr. Lacey's handwriting, +and can do it again. I'll send her something that +will quiet her nerves better than assafœtida!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This settled, she went in quest of Rondeau, whom she told +that, as she had expected, his master was very much displeased. +"But," said she, "after I interceded awhile for you, +he said he would forgive you on condition that you were never +guilty of the like again, and never mention the subject to him +in any way, as it makes him angry to talk about it." To both +these conditions Rondeau readily agreed, and Julia left him, +thinking she was safe in that quarter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Several days after, Mrs. Carrington received a letter which +she supposed came from Dr. Lacey. In it she was coolly requested +not to interfere in other people's matters, and told +that any efforts on her part to engraft herself into Dr. Lacey's +good graces by maligning Julia, would be useless, and only +serve to confirm him in his present low opinion of her, while +at the same time it would increase the high estimation in +which he held Miss Middleton!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After that Mrs. Carrington troubled Dr. Lacey with no +more letters, but busied herself in anticipating the capture of +a wealthy gentleman, who Ashton told her was, in the course +of two or three months, coming on from Charleston, South +Carolina.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The scene now changes from Dr. Lacey's to the "Indian +Nest," on the lake shore. It was a charming spot, and looked +as if intended only for the inhabitation of the pure and innocent. +Yet even there was crafty ambition and base deceit. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page197">[pg 197]</span><a name="Pg197" id="Pg197" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Julia was there, eagerly seeking to wind her coils securely +around her long watched-for prey. To all eyes but her own +she seemed not likely to succeed, for though Dr. Lacey admired +her and possibly treated her with more attention than +he did either Mabel or Florence, yet his heart still turned to +Fanny, and for hours he would sit, talking to Julia of her +sister, while she schooled herself to answer all his questions +without one sign of impatience.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Occasionally she would speak to Dr. Lacey of his cousin, +young Stanton, and would tell how much pleasure Fanny +seemed to take in his society. But this produced no effect, for +Dr. Lacey had learned from Stanton himself of his approaching +marriage with Miss Ashton. Then Julia pulled another +string and expatiated so largely upon Frank Cameron's sayings +and doings that Dr. Lacey became really uneasy, for recently +he had thought seriously of again writing to Fanny, and now +he determined to do so.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Without knowing it, Julia was herself the means of causing +this determination to be carried into effect. One night she +and Dr. Lacey had been strolling for more than an hour +through the many delightful walks in the garden, which lay +upon the lake shore. To her great satisfaction, they were entirely +alone, for Mr. Middleton and Florence were engaged +in their favorite game of chess, while Mabel was eagerly +listening to Ashton, who was relating to her some of his +India adventures. Mabel had good sense enough to know that +her efforts to win Dr. Lacey would be useless, and rather reluctantly +she had given him up. Now her eyes grew brighter +and her heart beat faster whenever Ashton approached. But, +fair Mabel, your hopes are all in vain.</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">For Inez, the Spaniard,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 12.00em">Is o'er the sea,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">And the heart thou wouldst win</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 12.00em">Is not destined for thee.</div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As we have before said, Julia was delighted at having Dr. +Lacey thus to herself, and she resolved to increase the favorable +impression she knew she had already made upon him. +Most admirably was her part played. Fanny herself could +not have been more gentle and agreeable than was Julia, as, +together with Dr. Lacey, she traversed the broad walks of +the garden. Sweet and soothing were the words she poured +into his ear, occasionally administering a little well-timed +flattery, and wishing, as she had once done before to another +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg 198]</span><a name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +individual in similar circumstances, that Dr. Lacey had been +her brother. He did not, like Mr. Wilmot, follow up this +wish by a proposition that as he was not her brother she +would accept him for a husband, but he pressed the hand, +which, with seeming unconsciousness, had been placed on his, +and said, "God knows how ardently I once hoped to be your +brother, Julia."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And would you then have loved me?" asked Julia, "me +whom few have ever loved, because they did not know me; +say, would you have loved me as a sister?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The face of her who awaited Dr. Lacey's answer was very +beautiful, while tears moistened the long eyelashes, which +veiled the large, bright eyes, and the tones of her voice, now +more like Fanny's than ever, thrilled his every nerve. What +wonder, then, that his lips for the first time touched the +polished brow of the tempter, as he said, "It would be no hard +task, Julia, to love you with more than a brother's love."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"One more well-aimed blow," thought Julia, "and I shall +have him at my feet"; but she was mistaken. Between herself +and Dr. Lacey there arose the image of one, the remembrance +of whom had a power to prevent the utterance of +words which otherwise might have been spoken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Abruptly changing the conversation, he drew her rather reluctantly +toward the house, which they reached just in time +to hear Florence exclaim, as she scattered the chessmen over +the floor, "Why, Uncle Billy Middleton, what do you mean? +Put yourself up to be played for, and then beat me; shame, +shame."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What is this all about?" asked Dr. Lacey, having some +inkling of the truth.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why," answered Florence, "you see, Mr. Middleton has +conceived a fatherly affection for me, and as he is rather rusty +in such matters, he could think of no better way of proposing +than to put himself up as a prize, and tell me if I beat him in +playing chess, he would be mine, or in other words, make me +Mrs. Billy Middleton."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And who beat?" asked Julia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, Mr. Middleton was ill-mannered enough to win," +said Florence, "but then, it was such fun to see how desperately +he played, for fear I should get him! Now, Dr. +Lacey, I suppose you have been proposing to Julia in the real +old, orthodox way, but that is too common. You must sit +down at the chessboard and let Julia play for you," and she +pushed them both toward the chairs, which she and Mr. +Middleton had just vacated.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg 199]</span><a name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Julia did not refuse, but Dr. Lacey, freeing himself from +Florence, said, "Excuse me tonight, Miss Woodburn. Perhaps +at some other time I will comply with your request," then bowing, +he left the veranda and went to his own room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When there he strove to recall the events of the evening, +and the words he had involuntarily spoken to Julia. "Why is +it," said he, "that I feel so uneasy whenever I am alone with +her? Is it that I love her and am afraid I shall tell her so? +No, that cannot be. I do not love her; and yet, next to Fanny, +she is more agreeable to me than any one else."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Memories of other days came thronging about him, and he +then resolved again to write and beseech Fanny at least to +grant him her second love, even if her first, best affections had +been given to another.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Suppose she refuses you," seemed whispered in his ear.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It must have been some evil spirit which prompted the reply, +"Then I will marry Julia, as being next and nearest to Fanny." +His resolution once taken, he proceeded to carry it into effect. +The letter was written and over Dr. Lacey came a sense of +relief—a feeling that he had escaped from something, he +knew not what. But she, who was upon his track, was more +wily, more crafty than anything he had ever imagined.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This time, however, her interference was not necessary, for +early next morning a carriage drew up in front of the Indian +Nest. From it sprang Lida Gibson, who had recently returned +from New York. She was full of talk, and within an hour +after her arrival the story of Fanny's engagement with Frank +Cameron had been repeated in Dr. Lacey's hearing at least +three times.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It must be true," said Lida, "for every one said so, and +their actions proclaimed it, if nothing more; besides, Mr. +Cameron's sister, Gertrude herself, told me it was so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am not surprised," said Julia and her uncle both.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For Julia's opinion Dr. Lacey possibly might not have cared, +but when Mr. Middleton too added his testimony, the matter +was settled. The letter was not sent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the day Lida wondered much why Dr. Lacey stayed +so closely in his room. "I should think he would roast in +there," said she. "I do wonder what he is about?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I fancy," answered Florence, "that he still loves Fanny, +and now that she is engaged he is staying alone until he gets +his rebellious heart tied up."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Lida afterward learned the truth, she expressed a +wish that her tongue might have been cut out ere she had +been the bearer of news which caused so much trouble.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page200">[pg 200]</span><a name="Pg200" id="Pg200" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>While Dr. Lacey was securely bolted in his room, nerving +himself to bear this fresh disappointment and striving to drive +each thought of Fanny from him, Julia too was alone and +busily engaged. What pains she took to rub and soil those +tiny sheets of paper, until they assumed a worn and crumpled +look! Then dipping her finger in the silver goblet at her side, +what perfect tear blots she made, and how she exulted over the +probable success of her morning's work! When it was +finished she placed it in her portfolio, and waited for a favorable +opportunity.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It came not that day, however, for save at meal time Dr. +Lacey made not his appearance. To Mr. Middleton's inquiries +concerning the reason of his seclusion, he replied, +"that he was busy with important matters"; but his abstracted +manner led Mr. Middleton to believe what he had long suspected, +viz., that Dr. Lacey's heart was wholly centered upon +Fanny, and that the news of her coming marriage was the +cause of his unhappiness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next morning's sun rose clear and bright, but it brought a +day which Dr. Lacey long, long remembered, and which Julia, +in the bitterness of her heart, cursed many and many a time. +In the early part of the morning Dr. Lacey wandered down to +a small arbor, which stood at the foot of the garden. He had +not been there long before Julia, too, came tripping down the +walk, with her portfolio and drawing pencil. So absorbed +was she in her own thoughts that she of course did not see +Dr. Lacey until she had entered the arbor; then, with a +most becoming blush and start, she said, "Pray pardon me for +disturbing you. I had no idea you were here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey, of course, insisted upon her staying. She knew +he would, and sitting down, she busied herself in looking over +the contents of her portfolio. Suddenly she heaved a deep +sigh, and Dr. Lacey looked up just in time to see her wipe +something from her eyes, or pretend to, which must have been +tears. At the same time she hastily thrust a paper back into +her portfolio, which she immediately shut.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What is the matter?" asked Dr. Lacey. "For whom was +that sigh and those tears?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"For poor Fan," answered Julia. "I have accidently found +a part of an old journal, which she kept while Mr. Wilmot was +living."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"May I see it?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia seemed at first reluctant, but finally replied, "Perhaps +it will be as well to let you do so, for you may then judge +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span><a name="Pg201" id="Pg201" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +more kindly of Fanny"; and she placed in his hands the +soiled sheets of paper which we saw in her room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leaning back she watched him while he read. As we have +as much right to read Fanny's journal as Dr. Lacey, we will +here give a few brief extracts:</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">April—"Cease your wild beatings, my heart. Mr. Wilmot +is promised to Julia. He will never be mine, but nought can +prevent my loving him; ay, forever and ever."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">August 1st—"I do not believe I am indifferent to Mr. Wilmot, +but he will be true to his vows—he will wed Julia; and +this doctor that bothers me so, what of him? Why, he is +wealthy, and high, and handsome—but I do not love him; yet +if he offers himself I shall say yes, for, as Mrs. Carrington +says, 'he is a great catch.'"</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sept. 5—"Mr. Wilmot is dead, and with him died my poor, +poor heart. Had he lived, he possibly might have turned to +me, for Julia knew how much I loved him. Dear, generous +Julia, how I wish Dr. Lacey would love her, for she is more +worthy of him than I am."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jan. 1—"Heigh ho, I'm engaged to Dr. Lacey! Who would +think it? Now I am happy! Oh, no. Out in the graveyard +lies one who could have made me happy. Ought I thus to deceive +Dr. Lacey? Why, yes; if he is satisfied, it is well +enough. I am ambitious, and if I can't marry for love, I will +for money. And then he's given me so beautiful a piano. Oh, +I hope he'll send me more presents after he gets home!"</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Jan. 15—"Dr. Lacey has gone and I feel relieved. But just +think of it—Julia loves him devotedly. I wish he knew it. +She has always loved him and tries to make me do the same. +She read me a sermon today two hours long about my duty. +Fudge on my duty! As long as I can make Joshua and Dr. +Lacey think I'm all sunshine, it's no matter if my love is all +moonshine."</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This journal was interspersed here and there with tears, +and was so exact an imitation of Fanny's writing that Dr. +Lacey was completely duped. He, however, wondered that +Julia should show it to him. She had foreseen this, and as he +was reading the last few lines she was looking over her portfolio. +Suddenly springing up, she snatched the paper from +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg 202]</span><a name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +his hands, saying, "Oh, what have I done? I've shown you +the wrong part of the journal. I did not mean you to see +this. What shall I do? You'll hate Fanny and despise me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why despise you?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," replied Julia, "you will dislike me for the foolish +thing which Fan wrote about me. I could not help her writing +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And is it true?" asked Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, you must not ask me that—I can't tell—I shan't tell—" +and seizing her portfolio Julia started off toward the house, +thinking possibly she should be pursued. But she was not.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the reading of the journal Dr. Lacey's heart seemed +to go through a benumbing process, which rendered it perfectly +palsied. No emotion either of love or anger did he +feel toward Fanny. She was nought to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And how did the knowledge that Julia loved him affect him? +Answer, any man, whether your wounded pride is never +soothed by woman's sympathy, and love, come in what garb +it may. And in Dr. Lacey's case it was a being of wondrous +beauty, who knew well what she was about and had marked +each inch of ground ere she trod upon it. What marvel then +that Dr. Lacey turned toward her. You would have done so; +ay, perchance sooner than he did.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That evening after supper, as Dr. Lacey was walking upon +the veranda, Florence approached him, saying, "Come, Dr. +Lacey, now fulfill your promise of playing with Julia," at the +same time leading him toward the place where her companions +were seated. "Now," said she, placing the chessboard +in his hands, "I am mistress of ceremonies. We will have a +fair understanding. If Julia beats, you shall be hers; if you +beat, Mabel and Lida shall draw cuts for you. Do you +agree to it?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly," was Dr. Lacey's reply, at the same time seating +himself opposite Julia, who gave him a look of searching +inquiry. He understood her and in a low tone answered, "I +am in earnest. Do your best."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And she did her best. With one strong effort of the will +she concentrated all her energies upon that game, which she +felt would decide her fate. Dr. Lacey, too, as if resolved +to conquer, played most skillfully. The bystanders for a time +looked on, and as Lida noticed the livid hue of Julia's face, +she said, "Pray, Julia, don't burst a blood vessel, for maybe +Dr. Lacey will have you, even if you do not beat."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the ear she addressed was deaf save to the quiet sound +of the chessmen. The contest was long and severe. Nine, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page203">[pg 203]</span><a name="Pg203" id="Pg203" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ten, eleven, struck the little clock in the hall. One by one the +spectators stole away. Florence's parting words were, "If +Dr. Lacey beats, be sure and wake us, Julia, so Mabel and +Lida can draw cuts."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now they were alone. Once and only once Julia +glanced at the face of her antagonist. It was white and colorless +as her own hand, which wandered steadily over the chessboard. +The final spell was upon him, and he seemed striving +hard to shake it off. 'Twas all in vain. The little clock +struck the hour of midnight. The game was ended. Julia had +won. Dr. Lacey was checkmated!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With one hand he rapidly swept the board of its occupants, +while the other he extended toward Julia, saying: "Take it. +'Tis all I can offer, for you well know I have no heart to give. +My hand and name you have won—they are yours."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A person less intriguing or determined than Julia would +have scorned to receive a hand so coldly offered. But not so +with her. She did not expect any protestations of love, for +she knew he felt none. Yet she was hardly satisfied, and resolved +upon one movement more ere she accepted what she +felt was reluctantly given.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are mistaken in me," said she, "if you think I will +play for a husband, and then expect him to comply with the +terms unless he chooses to do so."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey replied, "When I consented to play, I knew what +I was about, and I knew, too, that you love me. I cannot say +the same to you in return, but you are far from being indifferent +to me. When I first knew you I disliked you, for I +believed you to be passionate, jealous and designing; nor do +I think my opinion of you then was wrong; but you are +changed, very much changed. Continue to be what you are +now, and we may be happy, for I may learn to love you, but +never as fondly, as madly, as I loved your sister; ay, as I +could love her again; but enough of this. She was false; +she deceived me, and now I will wed you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And what said Julia to all this? Why, she sat bolt upright, +listening attentively while Dr. Lacey expressed his former +and present opinion of her. When he had finished, she +ventured to acknowledge her love for him; said she had always +loved him, and that as his wife she would try to make +him happy. Perhaps she was sincere in this, for she did love +Dr. Lacey as well as her selfish nature would suffer her to +love any one, and she had resolved, if she ever married him, +to do all in her power to atone, if possible, for the past.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A half hour longer they conversed of the future, and arranged +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page204">[pg 204]</span><a name="Pg204" id="Pg204" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the plan, which Julia next day wrote to her sister. At +last Dr. Lacey exclaimed, "Come, Julia, you must go now; +it is getting late, for see,"—pointing to the little clock; but as +if astonished at what it had heard, the clock had stopped!</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter21" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc42" id="toc42"></a><a name="pdf43" id="pdf43"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">stirring events</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Great was Mr. Middleton's surprise when informed by Dr. +Lacey of his engagement with Julia. Something in his countenance +must have betrayed it, for Dr. Lacey said, "You seem +astonished, sir. Are you displeased?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Certainly not; I am glad," answered Mr. Middleton. "Yet +I confess I was surprised, for I had never thought of such +a thing. Once I had hoped you would marry Fanny, but since +Frank Cameron has rendered that impossible, you cannot do +better than take Julia. She is intelligent, accomplished and +handsome, and although she has some faults, your influence +over her will lead her to correct them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Unlike this was the reception which the intelligence met +with from Dr. Lacey's negroes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What that ar you sayin'," asked Aunt Dilsey of Rondeau, +who was communicating the important news to Leffie.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You'd better ask," replied Rondeau. "Who do you suppose +Marster George is goin' to fetch here to crack our heads +for us?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Dun know—Miss Mabel, maybe," said Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, sir; Miss Mabel is bad enough, but she can't hold a +candle to this one," answered Rondeau.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You don't mean Miss July," shrieked rather than asked +Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I don't mean nobody else, mother Dilsey," said Rondeau.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Up flew Aunt Dilsey's hands in amazement, and up rolled +her eyes in dismay. "I 'clar for't," said she, "if Marster +George has done made such a fool of hisself, I hope she'll +pull his bar a heap worse than she did Jack's."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No danger but what she will, and yours too," was Rondeau's +consoling reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Lord knows," said Aunt Dilsey, "fust time she sasses me, +I'll run away long of Jack and the baby. I'll tie up my new +gown and cap in a handkerchief this night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page205">[pg 205]</span><a name="Pg205" id="Pg205" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Leffie now proposed that her mother should defer her intended +flight until the arrival of the dreaded Julia, while Rondeau +added, "Besides, Dilsey, if you should run away your +delicate body couldn't get further than the swamp, where you'd +go in up to your neck first lunge, and all marster's horses +couldn't draw you out."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This allusion to her size changed the current of Aunt Dilsey's +wrath, which now turned and spent itself on Rondeau. +Her impression of Julia, however, never changed, although +she was not called upon to run away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Lacey, too, received the news of her son's engagement +with evident dissatisfaction; but she thought remonstrance +would be useless, and she kept silent, secretly praying +that Julia might prove better than her fears. In due course +of time there came from Kentucky a letter of congratulation +from Fanny; but she was so unaccustomed to say or write +what she did not feel that the letter, so far as congratulations +were concerned, was a total failure. She, however, +denied her engagement with Frank, and this, if nothing else, +was sufficient reason why Julia refused to show it to Dr. +Lacey. Julia knew the chain by which she held him was +brittle and might at any time be broken, and it was not strange +that she longed for the last days of October, when with +Dr. Lacey she would return to Kentucky.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They came at last, and one bright, cloudless morning Uncle +Joshua got out his carriage and proceeded to Frankfort, +where, as he had expected, he met Julia and his expected son-in-law. +His greeting of the former was kind and fatherly +enough, but the moment he saw the latter, he felt, as he afterward +said, an almost unconquerable desire to flatten his nose, +gouge his eyes, knock out his teeth and so forth, which operations +would doubtless have greatly astonished Dr. Lacey and +given him what almost every man has, viz., a most formidable +idea of his wife's relations.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He, however, restrained his wrath, and when, at a convenient +time, Dr. Lacey, with a few ominous "ahems" and +made-up coughs, indicated his intention of asking for Julia, +Uncle Joshua cut him short by saying, "Never mind, I know +what you want. You may have her and welcome. I only +wish she would make as good a wife as you will husband. +But mind now, when you find out what for a fury you've got, +don't come whinin' round me, for I give you fa'r warnin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Dr. Lacey thought proper to say that possibly Mr. +Middleton did not understand his daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not understand her?" repeated Mr. Middleton. "What's to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page206">[pg 206]</span><a name="Pg206" id="Pg206" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +hinder? She's my own gal, and I like her well enough; but +don't I know she's as fiery as a baker's oven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is greatly changed," continued Dr. Lacey. "Don't you +give her credit for that?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Changed?" replied Mr. Middleton. "So's lightnin' +changed! It's one of her tricks. Depend on it, you'll find it +so." And Mr. Middleton walked off in search of his promising +daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Strange as it may seem, the old man's remarks had no other +effect on Dr. Lacey than to cause him to pity Julia, who he +fancied was misunderstood and misused. He believed her +reformation to be sincere, and could not help feeling that Mr. +Middleton was mistaken in his opinion of both his daughters.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After tramping all over the house, banging doors and shouting +at least a dozen times, "Ho, Tempest, whar for gracious +sakes are you?" Mr. Middleton at length found his daughter +in Mrs. Miller's room consulting with Kate about her bridal +dress. Kate, too, was wholly deceived by Julia's gentleness +and apparent frankness of manner, and readily complied with +her request that she should be with her the two days preceding +the marriage, for the purpose of assisting in the arrangement +of affairs. This being settled, Mr. Middleton and his daughter +started for home, which they reached about sunset.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia leaped gayly from the carriage, and running into the +house, embraced her mother, and received the blacks as affectionately +as Fanny herself could have done; then missing her +sister, she asked, "Where is Fan? Why does she not come +to meet me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton looked inquiringly at her husband, who replied, +"No, I hain't told her, jest because she didn't ask me. +Sunshine is sick—sick in bed, and has had the potecary three +times."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fanny sick," said Julia. "Where is she? In her room? +I will go to her immediately."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But in going to Fanny, it was necessary to pass the parlor, +and Julia could not resist the temptation to look in and see "if +the old man had fixed up any."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, how neat, how pleasant!" was her first exclamation, +and truly the cheerless old room had undergone a great renovation. +It had been thoroughly cleaned and repainted. The +walls were hung with bright, cheerful-looking paper. A handsome +carpet covered the floor, while curtains of corresponding +beauty shaded the windows. The furniture, tastefully arranged, +was nearly all new, and in the waxen flowers, which +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page207">[pg 207]</span><a name="Pg207" id="Pg207" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +filled the vases on the mantelpiece, Julia recognized the handiwork +of her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Yes, Fanny's love had wrought this change. At first her +father had refused to do anything. "No, I won't," said he. +"It's good enough, and if it don't suit Lady Tempest, she can go +to the hoss barn; that's just fit for 'em."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Then, father," said Fanny, "do it for my sake. It would +please me to have a pleasanter parlor."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was sufficient. A well-filled purse was placed in +Fanny's hands, with liberty to do as she pleased. Then with +untiring love, aching heart and throbbing temples, she worked +on day after day, until all was completed, parlor, bridal chamber +and all. The hangings and drapery of the latter were as +white and pure as was she who so patiently worked on, while +each fresh beauty added to the room pierced her heart with a +deeper anguish, as she thought what and whom it was for. +When her mother remonstrated against such unceasing toil, +she would smile a sweet, sad smile and say, "Don't hinder me, +dear mother, 'tis all I can do to show my love for Julia, and +after I am gone they will perhaps think more kindly of me, +when they know how I worked for them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last all was done; the finishing stroke was given, and +then came a reaction. Fanny took her bed, and her father, instantly, +alarmed, called the nearest physician. Dr. Gordon +readily saw that Fanny's disease was in her mind, and in +reply to Mrs. Middleton's inquiries, he frankly told his +opinion, and said that unless the cause of her melancholy could +be removed, the consequence might be fatal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Don't tell my husband," said Mrs. Middleton, "his life is +bound up in Fanny, and the day that sees her dead will, I fear, +also make me a widow." Accordingly, Mr. Middleton was +deceived into a belief that Fanny's illness was the result of +over-exertion, and that she would soon recover.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a day or two she seemed better, but was not able to come +downstairs. Instead, she had no desire or intention of doing +so until after the wedding, for she felt she could not, would +not, see Dr. Lacey for the world. Since the receipt of her +sister's letter she had been given a holier love, a firmer faith, +than aught on earth can bestow, and she was now under the +influence of religion; of lasting, true religion. This then was +the reason why she welcomed her sister so affectionately, and +felt no emotion either of resentment or anger toward those +who were thus trampling on the bleeding fibers of her heart.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Julia kissed the almost transparent brow of her sister, +and clasped her thin, white fingers, tears gathered in her eyes +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg 208]</span><a name="Pg208" id="Pg208" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and she thought, "This ruin have I wrought, and for it I +must answer"; but not long did she ever suffer her conscience +to trouble her, and the next hour she was chatting away to +Fanny about the preparations for her wedding, which was to +take place one week from that day. Fanny listened as one +who heard not. She was praying for more grace, more +strength to endure yet a little longer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Slowly to Julia dragged the days of that week, while to +Fanny they sped on rapid wing. And now everything within +and without the house betokened the coming event. Servants +scampered hither and thither, thinking they were doing it all, +while in reality they were doing nothing. Mrs. Middleton +scolded the blacks, and Uncle Joshua scolded Mrs. Middleton, +at the same time walking mechanically from the kitchen to the +parlor, from the parlor to Fanny's sick room and from +Fanny's sick room back to the kitchen, occasionally kicking +from his path some luckless kitten, dog or black baby, which +latter set up most lusty yells, just to vary the scene.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the midst of all this Fanny lay calmly and quietly on her +low bed, counting each succeeding sun as it rose and set, +bringing nearer and nearer a day she so much dreaded. True +to her promise, Kate Miller came two days before the wedding. +Fanny was asleep when she entered the room to see +her, but on the white, wasted face Kate's tears fell as she said, +"Poor Fanny! I did not know she was so ill."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. Middleton, who was present, muttered: "Yes, cursed be +the one who made her so!" He knew not that he cursed his +own child.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next day Mr. William Middleton arrived, bringing the +intelligence that Florence and Mabel had accompanied him, +and would next evening be present at the wedding. Slowly the +last rays of a bright October sun faded in the west, giving +no sign of the stormy day which was to succeed. Long after +midnight a lone watcher sat by the window in Fanny's room, +gazing at the stars, which looked so quietly on from their distant +homes, and praying, not for herself, but for Dr. Lacey, +that he might be happy with her he had chosen. At last, +chilled with the night air, she crept shivering to her pillow, +nor woke again until aroused by the fierce moaning of the +autumn wind, which shook the casement, and by the sound of +the driving rain which beat against the pane. Yes, the morning +which dawned on Julia's bridal day was wild and stormy, +but before noon the clouds cleared away and the afternoon was +dry, hot and oppressive, a precursor to the mightier and more +wrathful storm which followed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page209">[pg 209]</span><a name="Pg209" id="Pg209" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>About five o'clock there was a noise in the yard, and Kate, +who was in Fanny's room, arranging her young friend's hair, +looked from the window and said, "It is Dr. Lacey. Julia has +looked for him for more than three hours."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Quickly Fanny hurried to the window. She could not meet +Dr. Lacey face to face, but she wished to look at him once +more. She was too late, however. He had entered the house, +and soon the sound of his voice reached her ear. He had not +been there long ere he asked for Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On being told she was sick, he seemed rather disturbed. +Possibly, however, he felt relieved to know she would not be +present when he took upon him vows which should have been +breathed to her. Ashton, Florence and Mabel now arrived, +and soon after came Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, accompanied by +Mrs. Carrington, who had been invited because it would not +do to slight her, and who came because she had a mind to!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The ceremony was to take place at seven o'clock, and guests +each moment arrived, until the parlor seemed almost full. +Alone in her chamber sat Fanny, listening to the sounds of +mirth, which grated on her ear. Night, dark and stormy, was +gathering over the earth, but a darker night lay round the +heart of the young girl, as she watched from her pillow a +dense, black pile of clouds, which had appeared in the west, +and now increased until the whole sky was overspread, as +with a pall of darkness, while distant peals of muttered thunder +announced the coming storm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And now louder roared the howling wind and brighter the +glaring lightning flashed, while fiercer grew the conflict in +Fanny's bosom. Her faith was weak, and well nigh blotted +with tears of human weakness. But He, whose power could +stay the storm without, could also still the agony within, and +o'er the troubled waters of that aching heart there fell a peaceful +calm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly the door opened and a creature of wondrous, +dazzling beauty appeared. It was Julia, in her bridal robe. +She would fain have her sister's blessing ere she descended to +the parlor. The struggle was over and the blessing which +Fanny gave her sister was sincere, but when Julia asked forgiveness +for all the evil she had ever done, the reply was +prevented by a crash of thunder so terrific that Julia trembled +with terror, and hastily left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a moment there was a light step upon the stair. Fanny +knew it was Dr. Lacey, for he soon returned with Julia, and +as they passed her door she heard the merry laugh of Florence, +who was bridesmaid. In an instant they were in the parlor, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg 210]</span><a name="Pg210" id="Pg210" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +throughout which a general gloom seemed to reign. Perhaps +it was owing to the wildness of the storm, which each moment +increased in fury. The bridal party took their places and +Uncle Joshua shut his eyes, while the marriage ceremony commenced.</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"><hr style="width: 50%" /></div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The reader may now accompany me to the border of yonder +wood, where stands a low-roofed building, the property of +Mrs. Dunn. There in a darkened room lay the widow's only +son, raving in the madness of delirium. The fever flame +burned in each vein, and as he tossed from side to side he +would shriek out, "Quick, I tell you or you are too late. She +must not wed him. Don't you know she's doubly, trebly +steeped in guilt? Go quick, I tell you, and stop it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Dunn could only weep, for she knew not, dreamed not, +what her son could mean. Soon he grew calm, and fell into a +deep sleep. When he awoke Billy Jeffrey, who lived near, +was sitting by him. To Mrs. Dunn's delight, Joseph was sane, +and calling her to him he said, "Isn't Julia Middleton to be +married tonight?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"She is," answered his mother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"At what hour?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"At seven."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What time is it now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Half-past six," replied Mrs. Dunn.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It must not be," said Joseph, and turning to Bill he added, +"listen, William, to what I have to tell, then speed along on +the lightning's wing, and tear her from the altar—take her +from his side, I say, and put there the other one, the pale, +golden-haired one"; then, as he noticed the vacant look on +Bill's face, he added, "oh, no, you can't tell it. You wouldn't +understand it. Mother, bring me a pen and some paper."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The paper was brought, and as soon as possible Joseph +wrote a confession of his own and Julia's guilt. "Now, Bill," +said he, "run for your life, and give this to Dr. Lacey. Do +it for the sake of Fanny."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bill needed no second bidding. His obtuse intellect had +gathered that in some way Fanny was in danger, and away he +flew over bushes, briers, rocks and ditches. But alas! The +way was long and dark, and ere he was aware of it, he was +precipitated into one of the sink holes which are so common +in the limestone soil of Kentucky. The fall sprained his ankle, +but gathering himself up, he continued on, slowly and painfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meantime delirium had again crept over Joseph Dunn, and +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg 211]</span><a name="Pg211" id="Pg211" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he forgot that he sent Billy, but concluded he must go himself. +Watching a time when his mother was from the room, he +rose, and throwing on his double gown, went forth into the +storm, and was soon far on his road toward Mr. Middleton.</p> +<div class="tei tei-tb"><hr style="width: 50%" /></div> +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The man of God had scarcely finished the second paragraph +of the Episcopal ceremony, beginning with, "I require and +charge you both," etc., when a shriek, wild and unearthly and +horrid, rent the air. It was succeeded by a thunder crash so +deafening that the ladies paled with terror. The large maple +tree, which stood by the front door, and which Julia had +called hers, was shivered by lightning, but no one heeded it, +for again was heard that fearful, maniacal shriek, and this +time could be distinguished the sound as of some one +struggling with the blacks, who were huddled together in the +hall.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Let me go, I tell you," said the voice. "It shall not go on!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All eyes turned toward the door, as Joseph Dunn appeared, +shouting, "Stop it! Stop it! She forged those letters. She +broke her sister's heart. Stop it, I say!" Every person in the +room seemed terror-stricken at the wild spectacle he presented. +His face, wasted to a mere skeleton, was ghastly +white, while his long yellow hair hung in matted locks about +his brow, and a look of wild frenzy was in his eye, as darting +toward the paralyzed Julia, he seized her as with a lion's grasp +and shook her most furiously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Bill Jeffrey was close behind. He had lost his hat and the +rain had soaked his thick hair until it clung closely to his head, +giving him, too, a strange appearance. Mr. William Middleton +now came forward to ask an explanation of Joseph, who, +chancing to see Bill, said, "He's got the letter—my confession. +Read that—I am too exhausted," and he fell upon the floor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">No one noticed him, for all gazed intently at Bill, who drew +from his pocket a paper and presented it to Dr. Lacey. In a +calm, clear voice, Dr. Lacey read aloud the confession, in the +midst of thunder, lightning, groans, cries and oaths, the latter +of which were the spontaneous production of Uncle Joshua, +who sat still in his chair until the confession was read +through; then with one bound he reached Julia, and raising +her from the floor, said, "Speak, Satan, and tell if this is +true!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia was overtaken, surrounded on all sides, and there was +no way of escape. Mechanically, she answered, "I am guilty," +while a burst of execration ran round the room. A stifled +moan of agony came from Dr. Lacey's parted lips, and he +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg 212]</span><a name="Pg212" id="Pg212" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +asked in a voice which plainly told his suffering, "Oh, why +was I suffered to go thus far? Why, why did no one write?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I did," answered Mrs. Miller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And I, too," repeated Mrs. Carrington, "but you spurned +my letter and treated me with contempt."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Never, never," scarcely articulated Dr. Lacey. "I never +received them; but call Rondeau; he must know something of +it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau, who had accompanied his master, was called. Explanation +followed explanation, testimony crowded upon testimony, +and Julia acknowledged all, until at length Dr. Lacey, +frantic with the sense of wrong done him, turned to her and +said, "Base woman, why have you done this? Your sin has +found you out ere it was too late; for, thank God, you are +not my wife, nor ever will be!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia now lost all command of herself. Tearing the bridal +veil from her brow, she rent it in twain; then from her arm +she snatched her diamond bracelet, and trampled it under her +feet, while a stream of blood issued from her mouth and +stained her white satin dress. A moment more, and she too +was extended on the floor by the side of her ally.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Where during this exciting scene was Fanny? The direful +sounds had reached her ear, and now at the head of the stairs +she listened to the Babel which reigned in the parlor. High +above all other voices she distinguished her father's, who, in +his uncontrollable fury, was calling to use all the oaths he had +ever heard of, besides manufacturing some expressly for the +occasion! Then there was a heavy fall, accompanied by a +cry from Mrs. Middleton of, "Lift her up—carry her out. +Don't you see she is dying?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny hesitated no longer, but quickly descending the stairs, +she forced her way through the blacks into the parlor, where +she stood appalled at the scene before her. On the floor lay +Julia, who a few moments before stood there resplendent in +beauty. Near her sat the maniac, Joseph Dunn. He had recovered +from his fainting fit, and was now crouching over +the prostrate form of Julia, laughing in delirious glee, as he +wiped from her lips the red drops of blood! In a corner of +the room a group had gathered, near an open window, through +which they were bearing an inanimate object. It was Florence, +who had fainted, and as it seemed impossible to effect a +passage through the hall, so filled was it with terrified servants, +they had sought the window as the best means of egress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly over that excited assembly there came a deep +silence. It was caused by the appearance of Fanny, who, with +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page213">[pg 213]</span><a name="Pg213" id="Pg213" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +her loose white muslin wrapper, and long curls, which floated +over her shoulders, seemed like some being from another +world, come to stay that storm of passion. Mabel, who was +occupied with her cousin, looked back as the calm hush fell +upon them, and then and there she first saw Fanny Middleton. +The scene was too much for Fanny, and she, too, would have +fainted had not Dr. Lacey caught her in his arms. Clasping +her slight form passionately to his bosom, he exclaimed, "My +own—my Fanny—my wife, for such you are, and such you +will be!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. William Middleton and Mr. Miller, who were bearing +Julia from the room, now passed them. Dr. Lacey glanced +once at the corpse-like face over which the heavy braids of +long black hair had fallen, then with a shudder he again +strained Fanny to his heart, saying, "Thank God, thank God, +I escaped her in time!" Then turning to the minister, who +all this time had stood looking on in mute astonishment, he +added, in an authoritative manner, "Go on with the ceremony, +sir, and make her my wife." But a new thought entering his +mind, he released Fanny, and said, "Pardon me, dear Fanny; +sorrow has well nigh bereft me of my senses. In my first +joy in finding you innocent, I forgot that you could not be +mine, for you belong to another—to Mr. Cameron."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Cameron go to Thunder!" exclaimed Uncle Joshua, who +was still standing near. "That's another of Tempest's lies. +She never was engaged to him; never loved him, or any other +mortal man, save yourself."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here, Fanny, who, it will be remembered, was all this time +ignorant of the truth, asked if some one would not explain +what she saw and heard. "I will," said Dr. Lacey, "it is my +duty to do so," and he led her to a window, where he hurriedly +told her all—everything which he himself knew, intermingling +his words with so much passionate embraces that his sanity +was much to be doubted. He had scarcely finished his story +when Kate approached him, saying, "For humanity's sake, Dr. +Lacey, if you have any skill, exert it in behalf of Julia, who +seems to be dying."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey arose, and winding his arm about Fanny, as if +afraid he might lose sight of her, moved toward the room +where Julia lay. They had borne her to the bridal chamber, +which Fanny had arranged with so much care, and as Dr. +Lacey appeared at the door, Uncle Joshua met him and said, +"I know she sarved you mean, but I would not have her die. +She is my own child, and you must save her if you can." At +the same time he pointed to Julia, who lay in the same death-like +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page214">[pg 214]</span><a name="Pg214" id="Pg214" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +trance, with the blood still issuing slowly from her livid +lips. All that Dr. Lacey could do, he did, but when Dr. Gordon +arrived, he gladly gave up his charge to him, and turned +his attention toward Fanny, who, overcome by what she had +seen and heard, had fainted, and been carried to her own +room, where she was surrounded by Mrs. Carrington, Florence +and Mabel. These ladies ran against each other, upset +the camphor bottle, dropped the lamp and spilled half the +cologne, in their zealous efforts to take care of their patient!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the midst of their confusion Dr. Lacey entered, and they +immediately gave up to him the task of restoring her. This +he soon did, for it would seem that his very voice had a power +to recall Fanny's suspended faculties. Slowly her eyes unclosed; +then, as if wearied out, she again closed them, and for +a time slept sweetly, calmly, on Dr. Lacey's bosom.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The guests now began to depart, and Bill Jeffrey, who had +been sent to inform Mrs. Dunn of her son, returned with +some of the neighbors, and carried Joseph away. Owing to +the darkness of the night, the company from Frankfort remained +until morning, but no eyelid closed in sleep. With +maternal solicitude, Mrs. Middleton sat by the bedside of her +daughter Julia, whose eyes opened once, but on seeing Dr. +Lacey standing near by, she closed them again with a shudder, +and a faint wail of anguish escaped her. She had ruptured a +small blood vessel, but Dr. Gordon said there was no danger +if she could be kept quiet for a few days.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Uncle Joshua thus relieved from alarm concerning her, +walked back and forth from her room to Fanny's swearing +that he "knew the devil was let loose that night for his special +benefit, and that he had come up there to see how much of a +row he could get up!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"He succeeded admirably, I think," said Florence, who, +having recovered from her first fright, was now ready to extract +whatever fun could be gathered from the surrounding +circumstances.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the kitchen the blacks canvassed the matter after their +fashion. Aunt Judy lamented because none of the tempting +supper in the dining room was touched, while Bob did not +fail to turn his usual round of somersaults, thus evincing his +joy that so many good things were left for him to eat, +"'Cause," said he, "in course we allus has all that comes off +the table."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Katy took occasion to lecture the young black girls on +the awful sin of "conceit," as she called it, pointing them for +an example to Julia, "who," she said, "would most likely have +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page215">[pg 215]</span><a name="Pg215" id="Pg215" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to live an old maid all her days." She couldn't have threatened +a worse punishment, for many of the negresses had already +their own preferences in favor of certain mulatto boys +on their master's plantation and others adjoining.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau seemed to think his sympathy was only needed by +his young master, whom he looked upon as a much-abused +man. From the first he had felt great contempt for the old +house, its master, servants and all; and had come to the conclusion +that "they were of no 'count anyhow." This opinion +would doubtless have been reserved for Leffie's ear had not +affairs taken so unexpected a turn. Now, however, Rondeau +felt at liberty to express his mind so freely that Ike considered +it his duty to resent the insult.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A regular negro fight ensued, in which Aunt Katy, who was +not very active, was thrown down, and as she loudly protested, +"every atom of breath was kicked out of her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The big chicken pie was also turned over into Rondeau's +new hat, greatly to the satisfaction of Tiger and the other +dogs, who had mingled in the fracas! The riot was finally +quelled by Mr. William Middleton and Dr. Lacey, Uncle +Joshua declaring he "wouldn't interfere that night if the niggers +all fit till they killed themselves."</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter22" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc44" id="toc44"></a><a name="pdf45" id="pdf45"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia is found drowned</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The morning which succeeded the events narrated in the +last chapter was clear and bright. Nature, beautiful as ever, +looked as if laughing defiance at the fearful storm which so +lately had swept over the earth. Beautifully over hill and +valley fell the sun's red rays, but when they penetrated the +dwelling of Mr. Middleton, they shone on the anxious, careworn +faces of those who had been sleepless during the dark +hours of that dreadful night. Even the merry-hearted Florence +seemed sad and spiritless as she hurried from room to +room, urging Ashton to accelerate their departure. By eight +o'clock the last guest was gone. Around the old stone house a +gloomy silence settled, broken only by the heavy tramp of +Uncle Joshua, whose cowhides came down with a vengeance, +as up and down the yard he strode, talking to Dr. Lacey, who +walked by his side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page216">[pg 216]</span><a name="Pg216" id="Pg216" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Now," said he, "if this isn't a little the all-firedest muss a +feller ever got into, Josh ain't no judge. Of course the papers +have nothing to do but flout it all over the country. For myself +I don't care a copper, but 'twill be mighty mortifyin' to +you, though I think you desarve some mortifyin', for how in +thunder a chap of your sense ever come to be made such a +precious fool of is more'n I can tell."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"If you knew all the arts she employed, you would not wonder +quite so much," said Dr. Lacey. And Mr. Middleton +answered, "Know all her arts? Don't I know 'em? Don't I +know that she rummaged heaven and arth for ways and +means?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I hardly think she went to the former place for assistance," +said Dr. Lacey; and Mr. Middleton continued, "You are right, +but I'll be bound Satan hadn't any tricks but what he told her +of. 'Pears like she's been possessed ever since she first opened +her big black eyes in the very room where the row was last +night. Oh, how happy I was," he continued, "when I took her +in my arms a little baby, and knew she was mine and Nancy's, +and thought what a comfort she'd be to me; but George, I tell +you what," said he, as he placed one hand on Dr. Lacey's +arm and passed the other through the grizzled locks which lay +around his brow, "I tell you what, these gray hairs come a +heap too soon, and all for her, for her. Oh, Julia, Julia, what +trouble have you not caused me!" and in his hands Uncle +Joshua buried his face, while through his large red fingers +the tears trickled slowly, and fell upon the ground. For a +moment he wept, and then wiping his eyes, said, "But wasn't it +lucky that long-legged, salmon-colored Joe got here as he did! +Another minute and you'd have been clinched, but now the +tempest has blowed over, and for the rest of your life you'll +have nothing but sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The overseer now approached to ask orders concerning a +piece of work in which the negroes were employed. Mr. +Middleton accompanied him to the field, while Dr. Lacey returned +to the house in quest of Fanny. He was told that she +was with Julia, and with an involuntary shudder, he approached +the chamber which contained one who had well nigh +been his wife! His wife! The very idea filled him with +loathing when associated with her, and still he pitied the suffering +girl, who, divested of her bridal attire, now lay moaning +in pain. With coming day had come a burning fever, +which increased so rapidly that Dr. Gordon shook his head +when questioned as to the result.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The change of affairs had also wrought a change in Fanny, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page217">[pg 217]</span><a name="Pg217" id="Pg217" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +who seemed and really was better than she had been for many +days. Gladly would she have stayed with Dr. Lacey, but she +felt that duty called her to Julia's bedside. With unwearying +devotion she hung over the pillow of her sister, who seemed +more quiet when she knew Fanny was near. Once she looked +wistfully in her face, and appeared as if anxious to speak, +but Fanny gently laid her hand on her lips, saying, "No, no, +Julia; you must not."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She did, however, and the word "forgive" met Fanny's ear. +Had Fanny been less of a Christian, forgiveness might have +been hard, but now she answered sincerely, truthfully, "As I +hope for pardon in heaven, so do I forgive you for the great +wrong you have done me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the mention of the word "heaven," Julia shuddered, and +after a time repeated, "Heaven! You will find it, but I—never—never!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Earnestly then did Fanny speak of a Savior's love, which +receives all, pardons all, who come to him. Julia shook her +head despairingly, and as the conversation seemed to annoy +her, Fanny ceased talking, while a voice behind her said, +"Teach me, too, the way of life, for I fear I have never +walked in it."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was Dr. Lacey, who, unobserved by either of the girls, +had entered and been a listener to what Fanny said. As Julia +heard the sound of voices she turned toward him a look so imploring, +so full of contrition and entreaty, that he was moved, +and approaching the bedside, took the vacant seat near Fanny. +But he did not, like her, breathe words of forgiveness, for his +heart was full of bitterness toward her. As he sat there, +gazing coldly, sternly at her, she again spoke, "If you can, if +you will only forgive me."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey's brow grew dark and his manner excited, as he +replied, "Forgive you! In time I may learn to do so, but to +forget will take me my lifetime, and yet I blame myself not +less than I do you for having been so duped."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A low sob was Julia's only answer as Dr. Lacey arose to +leave, announcing to Fanny his intention of visiting Joseph +Dunn, who was said to be dying. As he entered the house +where Joseph lay, tossing in feverish agony, the sick man's +eyes glared wildly upon him as he shrieked, "Why have you +come to taunt me with my crime? Is it not enough that the +room is full of little devils who creep over my pillow, and +shout in my ear as they hold to view the letters I withheld? I +did not do it alone. She bribed me with gold, and now when +I am dead, who will take care of my mother? She will be +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page218">[pg 218]</span><a name="Pg218" id="Pg218" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +cold when the winter winds blow, and hungry when the summer +corn ripens."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey drew nearer to him and stooping down, whispered, +"Is your mother very poor and you all her dependence?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Yes, yes," answered Joseph, whose almost only virtue was +the love he bore his mother.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Fear not, then," said Dr. Lacey, "I will care for her; for +though you did me a great wrong, you saved me from being +today the most wretched of men."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night as the October sun went down there was heard +beneath that lonely roof the piteous cry of a widowed mother, +for Joseph, her first-born, her only child, was dead. Next day +they buried him, as is frequently the custom in Kentucky, beneath +a large shade tree in the garden. Many words of sympathy +were spoken to the bereaved mother, but none fell so +soothingly on her ear as did those of Dr. Lacey, who was +present at the funeral, and led the weeping mother to the +grave.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After the burial was over he whispered to her, "I will surely +remember you, for, erring though your son may have been, I +owe him a debt of gratitude." So saying, he walked hastily +away toward Mr. Middleton's, where he was met by alarmed +faces, soft footsteps, and subdued whispers. In reply to his +inquiries, he was told by Aunt Judy, that "somehow or 'nother, +Miss Julia had got wind of Mr. Dunn's death, and it had +gone to her head, makin' her ravin' mad, and the doctor said +she wouldn't get well."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Judy was right; Julia had accidently heard of Mr. +Dunn's death, and it added greatly to the nervous excitement +which she was already suffering, and when Dr. Gordon came +he was surprised to find the dangerous symptoms of his patient +increased to an alarming extent. The fever had settled upon +her brain, and for many days she lay at the very gates of +death.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Incessantly she talked of Dr. Lacey, Fanny and Mr. Wilmot, +the latter of whom, in her disordered imagination, was +constantly pursuing her. "Go back—go back to your grave," +she would say; "there are tears enough shed for you, but none +will fall for me when I am dead. He will laugh and be +glad, and the first moon that shines on my grave will light the +marriage train to the altar." Then, as if the phantom still +were near her, she would cry out, "Take him away, I tell you! +What have I to do with coffins, and white faces, and broken +hearts? I killed him, I know, and he loved me, too, as no one +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page219">[pg 219]</span><a name="Pg219" id="Pg219" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +else ever has, but I madly loved another, and now he hates me, +spurns me!" Then turning to Fanny she would say, "I broke +your heart too, and still pressed on when I saw it was killing +you, but you forgave me, and now you must plead with +him, who loves the air you breathe, to think compassionately +of me. I do not ask him to love me, for I know that is impossible; +but he can, at least, forgive and forget the past."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sometimes she would speak of her father, saying, "He will +be glad when the tempest is still and ceases to trouble him, for +he never loved me, never spoke to me as he did to Fanny. +I know I did not deserve his love, but I should have been +better if he had given me a little, yes, just a little."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God knows she speaks the truth," said Uncle Joshua, +wiping away the tears he was not ashamed to weep. "I have +been mighty hard on her, but I never s'posed she cared."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such were the scenes which daily occurred in Julia's sick +room until at last, from utter exhaustion, she became still, +and for many days she lay in a dreamy kind of sleep.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Will she live?" asked Mr. Middleton of Dr. Gordon, as +he one day left the sick room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"With proper care, I think she may," was the answer; and +then Dr. Lacey again urged the request he had once before +made of Mr. Middleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Uncle Joshua answered, "No, George, wait a little +longer. Nuthin' 'll come betwixt you again, I reckon, and I +wouldn't have you marry her while t'other one is so low."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So Dr. Lacey was obliged to wait, but though he would +much rather have remained near Fanny he deemed it expedient +to change his abode and remove to Mrs. Crane's. He was +partly induced to do this on Rondeau's account, who, being +Ike's sworn enemy, was the cause of no little annoyance to Mr. +Middleton, who, with his negroes, was much nettled by the +air of superiority which that young gentleman thought proper +to assume.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Greatly was Rondeau delighted to exchange the crazy old +stone house, with its corn-bread and fried bacon, for Mrs. +Crane's elegant place, with its oyster soups and ice creams, a +part of which the head cook always reserved for the +"colored gentleman from New Orleans," who assured her, +that though when at home he didn't exactly eat at the same +table with his master, he still lived on the top shelf! Not +long, however, did Rondeau enjoy his new quarters, for about +that time Mr. William Middleton returned to New Orleans, +and Dr. Lacey sent with him his servant Rondeau, nothing +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page220">[pg 220]</span><a name="Pg220" id="Pg220" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +loath to return home, for Leffie's face of late had haunted him +not a little.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey's return to Mrs. Crane's gave great satisfaction +to Mrs. Carrington, who, though she had no hopes of winning +him, still, to use her own words, "took great delight in +reminding him of the snare into which he had fallen, notwithstanding +his profound wisdom and boasted foresight." +It required all the good breeding he was master of to answer +politely when, after returning from a visit to Mr. Middleton's, +she would jeeringly ask him concerning "his bride's health!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Mrs. Carrington's levity was brought to an end by an +unforeseen circumstance. It was now six weeks since the +evening of the denouement, and Julia's health was so much +improved that Dr. Lacey began to speak confidently of the +day when Fanny would be his own. Uncle Joshua had given +his consent, and preparations for the marriage had actually +commenced, when Julia, in whose room Mrs. Middleton had +been in the habit of sleeping, insisted upon being left alone. +"I am well now," she said, "and do not need you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton was finally persuaded, but charged her +daughter to be sure and call her if she wished for her during +the night.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Over Julia's face a meaning smile flitted as she answered, "I +hope to trouble no one much longer," but it was unnoticed by +Mrs. Middleton, and Julia was left alone. Early next morning +Luce went as usual to make a fire for her young mistress, +after which she softly drew back the bed curtains to see if +Julia slept. She was surprised to find no Julia there, neither +were there signs of her having been there during the night. +With a loud cry Luce summoned to the room both Mr. and +Mrs. Middleton, the former of whom on seeing how matters +stood, exclaimed, "So ho! Up to her tricks again. I thought +she couldn't hold good long."</p> + +<div class="tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">"'The de'il when sick, a saint would be,</div> +<div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 10.00em">But when he got well, the de'il a saint was he.'"</div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Don't, husband," said Mrs. Middleton; "perhaps she will +never come back alive, and then you will be sorry."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Uncle Joshua readily guessed his wife's meaning, and turning +to Luce, said, "Rout out the whole gang and set 'em to +huntin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In less than two hours scores of men on horseback were +seen hunting in all directions, looking, as Bob expressed it, +"for all the world like they was huntin' a runaway."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page221">[pg 221]</span><a name="Pg221" id="Pg221" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>Ere long the news reached Frankfort, causing Mrs. Carrington +to sneeringly advise Dr. Lacey "by all means to join +in the hunt." He deigned her no reply, but mounting his +horse took the road to Mr. Middleton's, where he was welcomed +with tears by Mrs. Middleton and Fanny, whose fears +he strove to allay.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile the search went on, headed by Uncle Joshua, +who, late in the afternoon, unconsciously led a part of the +company to the banks of the river, not far from a point called +Woodford Landing. Dismounting, he strolled along the shore +for several rods, when suddenly a loud cry turned toward him +the attention of the party. Near the water's edge he had discovered +a shawl, which he knew belonged to Julia, and near +by lay a pair of slippers, on the inside of which her name was +marked. Instantly the conviction flashed upon all—Julia was +drowned!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Upon a large flat rock Uncle Joshua sat down, while his +long gray locks were tossed by the November wind which +swept mournfully by, bearing on its wing the bitter tones +with which the stricken father bewailed his loss. "Everything +goes ag'in me," said he, "everything—she's dead and, worse +than all, died by her own hand." Then, as if void of reason, +he arose, and over the craggy hillside and down the dark, rolling +river echoed the loud, shrill cry of, "Julia, Julia, oh, my +child! Come back, come back! Why was you left to break +your old father's heart?" And to that wail of sorrow only the +moaning wind replied, and faster the waters of the Kentucky +rolled on.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They took the old man home, and long weary days went by, +during which the river near the landing was dragged again +and again, and still no trace of the missing girl was found. +Then, as hope began to whisper that possibly she was not +dead, the papers far and near contained advertisements for +her, and by the side of that appeared another for a lunatic girl, +who had escaped from the asylum at Lexington.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Four weeks went by, and the waters of the Kentucky +frowned angrily "in the gray December light," making Uncle +Joshua shudder whenever he chanced to pass by, and thought +perhaps his daughter lay sleeping in their cold embrace. A +gloomy drizzly day was settling into a dark rainy night, when +two young men, who, either for business or pleasure, had +rowed across the river some miles from Woodford Landing, +started to return home. They had stepped into their boat and +were about pushing off when among some driftwood which +lay not far from the shore, they thought they descried a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page222">[pg 222]</span><a name="Pg222" id="Pg222" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +female's garment floating on the water. The spot was soon +reached, and to their horror they discovered the body of a +young girl, which, from its appearance, must have been in the +water some time. They had heard the story of Julia, and +readily concluded that the bloated, disfigured form before them +must have been she. Taking her to the nearest dwelling, they +dispatched a messenger for Mr. Middleton, who, now that his +worst fears were confirmed, seemed paralyzed with the shock.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I cannot go!" said he, "I cannot. Is there no one to +do it for me?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey, who chanced to be present, said, "For your sake, +sir, and for Fanny's, I will go."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"God bless you, George!" answered Mr. Middleton, and in +a few moments Dr. Lacey departed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a thrill of horror he looked upon the swollen, discolored +face, round which the long black hair clung, matted +and slimy from being so long saturated with water, and +thought that this was once the beautiful Julia, though now +so fearfully changed that no one could possibly have recognized +her. Owing to the state which the body was in, Dr. +Lacey thought proper to produce a coffin before removing her +home; consequently it was nearly ten o'clock the following +morning ere the little procession slowly entered the yard, from +which, with wonderful forethought, Mr. Middleton had ordered +to be removed some half dozen carts, corn cribs, etc. +Fanny was pressing forward to look at her unfortunate sister, +when Dr. Lacey, gently but firmly, led her away, saying, "No, +Fanny, you must not see her. The sight would haunt you for +months and years." Then, as her tears fell fast, he strove in +various way to divert her mind from Julia's untimely end.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About noon a middle-aged man came to the house and asked +permission to see the body. His request was granted, but he +almost immediately turned away from the coffin, saying, by +way of explanation, "I am the father of the maniac girl who +some time since escaped from Lexington, and I thought perhaps +this might be my daughter; but it is not, and even if it +were I could not recognize her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On Mr. Middleton's farm, and not far from the house, was +a small yard which had been enclosed as a burial place for +the family. On this spot Fanny had expended much time and +labor. Roses and honeysuckles ever bloomed there for a +season, while the dark evergreen and weeping willow waved +their branches and beckoned the passer-by to rest beneath +their shadow. In one corner was a tall forest maple, where +Julia and Fanny often had played, and where Fanny once, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page223">[pg 223]</span><a name="Pg223" id="Pg223" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +when dangerously ill in childhood, had asked to be laid. As +yet no mound had rendered that spot dearer for the sake of +the lost one who slept there, but now in the scarcely frozen +ground the ringing of the spade was heard; shovelful after +shovelful of earth was thrown up, and into that cold, damp +grave, as the sun was setting, they lowered the remains of +Julia, who once little thought that she first of all would break +the turf of the family graveyard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night was fast merging into the hours of morning ere +the sound of Uncle Joshua's footsteps ceased, as again and +again he traversed the length and breadth of his sleeping +room, occasionally stopping before the window and peering +out in the darkness toward the spot where he knew lay that +newly-made grave. Memory was busily at work, and in the +events which marked Julia's short life, oh, how much he saw +for which to blame himself. Remorse mingled in the old +man's cup of affliction, and while the hot tears rolled down his +cheeks he exclaimed, "If she could only come back and I +could do it over, I'd love her more, and maybe she'd be better. +But I treated her mean. I gin her only harsh words and cross +looks." Then as his wife's tears mingled with his, he took +her hand, saying, "Don't take on so, Nancy, you've nothin' to +cry for. You's always good to her and kind o' took up for +her when I got sot ag'in her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Middleton could only answer by her tears to this +touching attempt at sympathy, but she finally succeeded in +quieting her husband, and before daybreak, he had forgotten +in sleep the injustice done to Julia. All thoughts of Fanny's +marriage for the present were of course given up, although +Mr. Middleton promised that when the autumn came round +again he would surely give his treasure to the care of another.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Two weeks after Julia's burial, all of which time was passed +at Mr. Middleton's, Dr. Lacey went back to New Orleans, +having first placed in Mr. Middleton's care a sum of money +for the benefit of Mrs. Dunn, promising Fanny that with the +spring he would come again. He bade her adieu, praying +that nothing might come between them again. Heavily now +dragged the days at Mr. Middleton's, until Uncle Joshua hit +upon a plan which would not only give pleasure to Fanny, but +would also relieve the tedium of his own life. It was nothing +more nor less than the erection of a new house on a grassy +lawn, which Fanny had frequently pointed out as being a +good location. Long he revolved in his mind the for and +against, but the remembrance of Julia's wish to have the "old +shell fixed up," finally decided him. "If 'twasn't good enough +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page224">[pg 224]</span><a name="Pg224" id="Pg224" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +for her to be married in, it surely wasn't good enough for +Sunshine."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the breakfast table he first announced his intention, +causing Fanny in her surprise and joy not only to drop her +knife, but also to upset her coffee. "All right," said he, "I'll +do it, if it breaks me. We'll have a buster," said he, "marble +mantletrys, windows that come to the floor, Brussels carpets, +and if you're a mind to, you may have them four-legged split +things, though, Lord knows I'll never eat with them."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a short time the necessary arrangements were completed. +A large number of men were hired and matters progressed so +rapidly that there was every probability of the house being +completed early in June, should the winter season prove favorable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here we may as well relate a little circumstance which occurred +to Fanny during the winter. Bill Jeffrey, who, it will +be remembered, had always felt a predilection for her, emboldened +by the kindness of her manner, now determined to +make his wishes known. Accordingly, he sent her numerous +little cakes of maple sugar, besides giving her many knowing +winks, his usual method of showing his preference.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As she was one day strolling in the woods she suddenly encountered +Bill, who thought this was as favorable an opportunity +as he would probably have. He was rather awkward +and unaccustomed to love-making, but he resolved to do his +best. Planting his foot upon a log, he with one hand drew +from his head his old wool cap and thrust it under his arm, +while with the other he twirled a huge brass watchkey, which +hung suspended from his pocket. (He had the day before +traded off an old jack knife, two puppies, and a cracked fiddle, +for a brass watch which would only go by shaking.)</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Tiger, who had accompanied Fanny, eyed Bill's movements +uneasily. He was, however, unnoticed by the young man, who +had got his mouth open, and at last found courage to say, "I +always liked you, Fanny, 'cause you never laughed at me, nor +called me a fool, and now if you'll have me, you may carry +my watch, and I'll work for your father two seasons in the +hemp field." This last was wonderful, for Bill was notoriously +lazy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Involuntarily Fanny laughed, but Bill construed it into approval, +and was about to sit down by her, when Tiger, with an +angry growl, sprang forward and precipitated the wooing +swain over the log into the dirt. Fanny called off the dog, +and Bill gathered himself up, carefully brushing the dirt from +his Sunday suit. Fearing he would repeat his offer, Fanny +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page225">[pg 225]</span><a name="Pg225" id="Pg225" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +said, "I appreciate your kindness, Billy, but you see Tiger +doesn't seem to approve of your proposal, and as I have great +confidence in his judgment, I think I, too, must follow his +example, and though I shan't knock you down, I shall have to +tell you 'No.'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She might as well have knocked him down, for he instantly +sat down, and covering his face with his hands, burst into such +a fit of crying that Fanny, half-laughing at and half-pitying +him, said, "Poor Billy, I am sorry for you, and though I cannot +marry you, I will like you just as well as you fancy I +always have."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This failed to quiet Bill, who kept on crying until Tiger +made so many threatening demonstrations of anger, that Bill +thought it was wise to leave before he got another tumble.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had hardly disappeared when a loud voice called out, +"Bravo, Tiger! You know how to fix 'em." Looking around, +Fanny saw her father, who had been a silent spectator of the +scene, and now came forward laughing heartily at his would-be +son-in-law. "Pretty well done, Sunshine," said he. "Let's +see, how many offers does this make? Thar's Joe's one, the +doctor's two; Yankee Carmeron's three; and lubberin' Bill +Jeffrey's four, and you not quite eighteen. That'll do; that'll +do!" Afterward, when Mr. Middleton wished to entertain +his visitors with anything extra, he would rehearse to them, +with some exaggerations, Bill Jeffrey's proposal to Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Glancing backward a few pages, we find we have omitted to +repeat what happened among Dr. Lacey's blacks during the +days when they were anxiously but vainly watching for the +coming of their young master and his bride. For a week Aunt +Dilsey was unusually crusty, and all her attempts at cookery +invariably failed, plainly showing her mind to be in a disturbed +state.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I don't keer," she would say, "if the cakes is all dough and +the 'sarves all froth. They's good enough for her, any day." +Then she would call out, "Get along you, Jack, pokin' your +fingers into the 'lasses cup; make yourself scarce in this +kitchen, or I'll crack your head mighty nigh as hard as the +new Miss will." Then she would scold Leffie, who, she said, +"was of no more account than a burnt stick, now she was +spectin' Rondeau. Pity but the boat he come on wouldn't +blow up and let 'em all into perdition together."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie knew her mother didn't mean more than half what +she said, but she chose to keep silent, hoping each morning that +the close of the day would bring the long absent Rondeau. +Thus, between scolding and fretting, cooking and sweating, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page226">[pg 226]</span><a name="Pg226" id="Pg226" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Aunt Dilsey passed the time until the day arrived on which, +as she said, "they'd come if they ever did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Lacey, whose husband had not yet received his son's +letter announcing the catastrophe, came out to superintend affairs +and receive her new daughter. In the large, handsome +dining room, the supper table was neatly spread, while Aunt +Dilsey bustled about with the air of one who felt her time was +short, but was determined to contest every inch of ground ere +yielding it to another. She had condescended to put on her +new calico gown (the one she proposed taking with her in a +"handkerchief") and had even washed the grease and molasses +from Jack's and the baby's face, telling the former that "he +needn't mind about making up faces at the lady that night."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Claib had gone to the landing, and now Mrs. Lacey and the +servants were gathered upon the upper piazza, waiting his return. +Suddenly Dilsey, whose eyesight seemed wonderfully +sharpened, exclaimed, "Thar, that's Claib. I could tell my old +man if I should meet him at a camp meeting!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs. Lacey looked in the direction of the city and saw the +carriage which Dilsey had pointed out. It proved to be Claib; +and Leffie, who was rather near-sighted, strained her eyes to +see if Rondeau, too, was on the box.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Thar's nobody in that ar," said Dilsey. "Reckon the boat +has run into the ground, or bust her riggin'; so, Leffie, you've +put on your pink dress for nothin'."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The elder Mr. Lacey, was, however, in the carriage, and +alighting, he advanced toward his wife and gave her the +letter he had just received from his son. Mrs. Lacey read it, +while the blacks crowded around Claib asking him scores of +foolish questions, such as, "Was Marster George in the boat? +And why wasn't he thar? And when would he be thar?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When Mrs. Lacey finished reading the letter she said to +Leffie, who was still standing near, "Rondeau is well, and will +be home in a few days."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"When's the new miss a comin'?" asked Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Not at all," was Mrs. Lacey's reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Glad on't," said Dilsey, "for now Jack can spit as fur and +as big spits as he wants to."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Nothing more was known by the blacks until many days +after, when Rondeau returned home, and related the whole +story with many embellishments. He omitted to tell of the +whipping which Ike had given him, but spoke with unqualified +contempt of the old house and everything belonging to it, except +Miss Fanny, who, he said, "Looked just like an angel, +only a heap better."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page227">[pg 227]</span><a name="Pg227" id="Pg227" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"You ought to have seen her," said he, "that night when +every thing was t'other side up; folks a yellin' like they was +crazy, and one man was stark mad. Miss Julia lay on the +floor, the blood pourin' out of her eyes and mouth by pails +full; Miss Florence, she fainted, and they had to throw her +out the window, glass and all, because there was so many low, +ill-mannered niggers crowded in the hall."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I s'pose you's one of the niggers?" said Aunt Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," returned Rondeau; "but then I was helpin' and +was tryin' to push them all back so I could get to marster, +who was feelin' so bad that they sent for me, because nobody +else could comfort him."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Rondeau began to fumble in his pocket, as if in search +of something. Having found it, he continued, "Marster got +hold of her hand and grabbed off her wedding ring so quick +that it broke her finger. Then he threw it from him and I +picked it up. Here 'tis," said he, holding up a ring.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"That's a likely story," interrupted Aunt Dilsey "If they +wasn't married, how came the ring on her finger?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau saw he had stretched a trifle too much, but he answered, +"Well, anyhow, he throwed it away, and I'm goin' to +keep it till—till, you know when, Dilsey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Keep it till you're gray," said Aunt Dilsey. "Leffie ain't +goin' to be married with no such flummery."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here Leffie, anxious to change the conversation, asked, +"What of Miss Fanny?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, yes," answered Rondeau, "that's what I'm going to +tell. Right in the middle of the fuss I heard something moving +softly down the stairs, and I saw a thing all as white as +snow. Her hair, which was about the color of Leffie's neck—real +handsome—was hanging in long curls down her back. +I thought it was an angel, and kinder touched her as she +passed, to see if she had wings. But the niggers said, 'It's +Miss Fanny,' and next I heard 'twas all as still in the room, +and marster was huggin' and kissin' her and cryin' over her. +Then, when I tried to get nearer and see more, they crowded +me into such a little spot that I didn't breathe again for a +week."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why didn't you get out of the crowd then?" asked Dilsey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"How could I?" answered Rondeau. "Lord, Dilsey, I'd like +to have seen you there; but then there wouldn't have been +room for anybody else, for the hall wouldn't more than hold +you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here the conversation ended, but for a long time Rondeau +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page228">[pg 228]</span><a name="Pg228" id="Pg228" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +carried on his arm the marks of Aunt Dilsey's finger and +thumb.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter23" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc46" id="toc46"></a><a name="pdf47" id="pdf47"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXIII</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">fanny's illness leads to her father's repentance</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From the grassy hillside and bright green plains of Kentucky +the frosts of winter were gone. By the dancing brook +and in the shady nooks of the quiet valleys, the warm spring +sun had sought out and brought to life thousands of sweet wild +blossoms, which in turn had faded away, giving place to other +flowers of a brighter and gayer hue.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Each night from the upper balcony of her father's handsome +dwelling Fanny watched in vain for the coming of Dr. +Lacey, whose promised return had long been delayed by the +dangerous illness of his father. Over the wooded hills the breath +of summer was floating, hot, arid and laden with disease. +Death was abroad in the land, and as each day exaggerated +rumors of the havoc made by cholera in the sultry climate of +Louisiana reached Fanny, fearful misgivings filled her mind +lest Dr. Lacey, too, should fall a victim to the plague.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For herself she had no fears, though slowly but surely +through her veins the fever flame was creeping, scorching her +blood, poisoning her breath and burning her cheek, until her +father, alarmed at her altered and languid appearance, inquired +for the cause of the change. "Nothing but a slight +headache," was the reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Next to the cholera, Mr. Middleton most feared the typhoid +fever, several cases of which had recently occurred in the +neighborhood, and fearing lest the disease might be stealing +upon his darling, he proposed calling the physician. But this +Fanny would not suffer, and persisted in saying that she was +well, until at last she lay all day upon the sofa, and Aunt Katy, +when her favorite herb teas failed of effecting their wonted +cure, shook her head, saying, "I knew 'twould be so. I always +telled you we couldn't keep her long."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Gordon was finally called and pronounced her disease +to be typhoid in its worst form. Days went by, and so rapid +was the progress of the fever that Mr. Middleton trembled +lest of him it had been decreed: "He shall be childless." To +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page229">[pg 229]</span><a name="Pg229" id="Pg229" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Fanny the thought of death was familiar. For her it had no +terrors, and as her outward strength decayed, her faith in the +Eternal grew stronger and brighter, yet she could not die +without an assurance that again in the better world she would +meet the father she so much loved. For her mother she had +no fears, for during many years she had been a patient, self-denying +Christian.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first Mr. Middleton listened in silence to Fanny's gentle +words of entreaty, but when she spoke to him of her own +death, and the love which alone could sustain him then, he +clasped her tightly to his heart, as if his arm alone could keep +her there forever, saying, "Oh, no, you must not tell me that; +you will not die. Even now you are better." And the anxious +father did try to deceive himself into the belief that Fanny +was better, but when each morning's light revealed some fresh +ravage the disease had made—when the flush on her cheek +grew deeper and the light of her eye wilder and more startling, +an agonized fear held the old man's heart in thrall. Many and +many a weary night found him sleepless, as he wet his pillow +with tears. Not such tears as he wept when Richard Wilmot +died, nor such as fell upon the grave of his first-born, for oh, +his grief then was naught compared with what he now felt +for his Sunshine, his idol, his precious Fanny. "I cannot, +cannot let her die," was the cry which hourly welled up from +the depths of that fond father's aching heart. "Take all, take +everything I own, but leave me Sunshine; she mustn't, mustn't +die."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Earnestly did Fanny pray that her father might be enabled +better to bear his affliction. But he turned a deaf ear alike to +her and his gentle, enduring wife, who, bowed with sorrow, +yet sought to soothe her grief-stricken husband. Sadly he +would turn away saying, "It's no use talking. I can't be pious +if they take Fanny away. I can see why t'other one died. +'Twas to bring me to my senses, and show me how bad I used +her; but Fanny, my Sunshine, what has Josh done that she +should leave him too? Oh, it's more than I can bar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At Dr. Gordon's request a council of physicians in Frankfort +was called. As the one who came last was about to enter +her room, Mr. Middleton detained him while he said, "Save +her, doctor, save her, and you shall have all I'm worth." Impatiently +he awaited the decision. It came, but alas, it brought +no hope.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr. William Middleton, who had recently come from New +Orleans, broke the news to his unhappy brother. Terrible was +the anguish of Uncle Joshua, when he became convinced that +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page230">[pg 230]</span><a name="Pg230" id="Pg230" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +he must lose her. Nothing could induce him to leave her +room; and as if endowed with superhuman strength, he +watched by her constantly, only leaving her once each day to +visit the quiet grave, the bed of his other daughter, where +now the long green grass was waving, and the summer flowers +were blooming, flowers which Fanny's hand had planted and +the father's tears had watered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One night they were alone, the old man and his child.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For several hours Fanny had turned uneasily upon her +pillow, but she at last fell into a deep sleep. For a time her +father sat quietly listening to the sound of her breathing, then +arising, he softly drew aside the curtains and looked long and +anxiously at her as she slept.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly lifting his hands he exclaimed, "Oh, God, save +her, or help me to bear it if she dies." It was the first prayer +which for long, long years had passed his lips, but it had a +power to bring back the olden feeling, when a happy boy, he +had knelt at his mother's side, and was not ashamed to pray. +Falling on his knees, he tried to recall the words of prayer his +mother had taught him, but one petition alone came from his +heart in that dark, midnight hour. "Oh, don't let Fanny die, +don't let her die, for who will comfort old Joshua when she +is gone."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"The Saviour; He who once wept at the grave of Lazarus +will be more to you than I ever was, or ever can be," said +Fanny.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In her sleep she dreamed that her father prayed. She awoke +and found it true. "Come nearer to me, father," said she. He +did so, and then among his thick gray locks she laid her thin +white hand and prayed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a beautiful sight, and methinks the angels hovered +round as that young disciple, apparently so near the portals of +heaven, sought to lead her weeping father to the same glad +world. Her words were soothing, and o'er his darkened mind +a ray of light seemed feebly, faintly shining. Before the +morning dawned he had resolved that if there still was hope +for him he would find it. Many a time during the succeeding +days he prayed in secret, not that Fanny might be spared, but +that he might be reconciled to God. His prayer at length was +answered, and Uncle Joshua was a changed man. He showed +it in everything, in the expression of his face and in the words +he uttered. For his Sunshine he still wept, but with a chastened +grief, for now he knew that if she died he would see +her in heaven.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Where now was Dr. Lacey? Knew he not of the threatened +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page231">[pg 231]</span><a name="Pg231" id="Pg231" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +danger? At his father's bedside, where for many days his +place had been, he had received from Mr. William Middleton +a letter announcing Fanny's illness, which, however, was not +then considered dangerous. On learning the contents of the +letter, the elder Mr. Lacey said, turning to his son, "Go, +George, go; I would not keep you from her a moment." The +doctor needed no second bidding, and the first steamer which +left New Orleans bore him upon its deck, anxious and impatient.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fast the days rolled on, and they who watched Fanny alternately +hoped and feared, as she one day seemed better and the +next worst. Of those days we will not speak. We hasten to +a night three weeks from the commencement of her illness, +when gathered in her room were anxious friends, who feared +the next day's sun would see her dead. Florence, Kate and +Mrs. Miller were there, with tearful eyes and saddened faces. +Frank Cameron, too, was there. Business, either real or +fancied, had again taken him to Kentucky, and hearing of +Fanny's illness, he had hastened to her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She had requested to be raised up, and now, leaning against +her Uncle William, she lay in a deep slumber. In a corner +of the room sat Uncle Joshua, his head bowed down, his face +covered by his hands, while the large tears fell upon the carpeting, +as he sadly whispered, "It'll be lonesome at night; it'll +be lonesome in the morning; it'll be lonesome everywhar."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Florence stood by him, and tried by gently smoothing his +tangled hair to express the sympathy she could not speak. +Suddenly there was the sound of fast-coming wheels, and +Kate, thinking it must be Dr. Gordon, whom they were each +moment expecting, ran out to meet him. Nearer and nearer +came the carriage, and as Kate was peering through the darkness +to see if it were the expected physician, Dr. Lacey sprang +quickly to her side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In Frankfort he had heard that Fanny could not live, and +now he eagerly asked, "Tell me, Mrs. Miller, is she yet alive?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Kate replied by leading him directly toward the sick chamber. +As he entered the room Uncle Joshua burst into a fresh +flood of tears, saying as he took the doctor's offered hand, +"Poor boy! Poor George. You're losing a great deal, but not +as much as I, for you can find another Fanny, but for me +thar's no more Sunshine, when they carry her away."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Gordon now came and after feeling her pulse and listening +to the sound of her breathing, he said, "When she wakes +from this sleep, I think the matter will be decided. She will +be better or worse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page232">[pg 232]</span><a name="Pg232" id="Pg232" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>And he was right, although the old clock in the hall told the +hour of midnight ere she roused from the deep slumber which +had seemed so much like the long last sleep of death. Her +first words were for "water, water," and as she put up her +hand to take the offered glass, Dr. Gordon whispered to Dr. +Lacey: "She is better, but must not see you tonight."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a twinkling Mr. Middleton's large hand was laid on Dr. +Lacey's shoulder, and hurrying him into the adjoining room, +he said, "Stay here till mornin', and neither breathe nor stir!"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr. Lacey complied with the request as far as it was possible, +though never seemed a night so long, and never dawned +a morning so bright as did the succeeding one, when through +the house the joyous tidings ran that the crisis was past, and +Fanny would live.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the course of the morning, Fanny asked Kate, who alone +was attending her, if Dr. Lacey were not there?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What makes you think so?" asked Kate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Because," answered Fanny, "I either heard him or dreamed +that I did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"And if he is here, could you bear to see him now?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, yes," was the eager answer, and the next moment +Dr. Lacey was by her side.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Intuitively Kate left the room, consequently we have no +means of knowing what occurred during that interview, when +Dr. Lacey, as it were, received back from the arms of death +his Fanny, whose recovery from that time was sure though +slow. Mr. Middleton, in the exuberance of his joy at having +his Sunshine restored, seemed hardly sane, but frequently kept +muttering to himself, "Yes, yes, I remember—I'll do it, only give +me a little time"; at the same time his elbow moved impatiently, +as if nudging off some unseen visitor. What it was that he remembered +and would do, was not known for several days +and then he informed his wife that when at first he feared +that Fanny should not live, he had racked his brain to know +why this fresh evil was brought upon him, and had concluded +that it was partly to punish him for his ill-treatment of Julia +when living, and partly because that now she was dead he had +neglected to purchase for her any gravestones. "And I promised," +said he, "that if she was spar'd, I'd buy as nice a gravestun +as I would if 'twas Sunshine." Three weeks from that +time there stood by the mound in the little graveyard a plain, +handsome monument, on which was simply inscribed, "Julia, +aged twenty."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One after another those who had been with Fanny during +her illness departed to their homes. Frank Cameron lingered +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page233">[pg 233]</span><a name="Pg233" id="Pg233" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +several weeks in Frankfort. Florence, too, was there with +some relatives. Now, reader, if you value our friendship, you +will not accuse him of being fickle. He had loved Fanny long +and faithfully, but he knew the time was coming when he +would see her the wife of another. What wonder was it, then, +if he suffered his eye occasionally to rest admiringly upon +Florence Woodburn's happy face, or that he frequently found +himself trying to trace some resemblance between the dark +hazel of Florence's eyes and the deep blue of Fanny's?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With woman's quick perception, Florence divined Frank's +thoughts, and although she professed herself to be "terribly +afraid of his Presbyterian smile and deaconish ways," she +took good care not to discourage him. But she teased him unmercifully, +and played him many sorry tricks. He bore it all +good-humoredly, and when he started for New York he had +with him a tiny casing, from which peeped the merry face of +Florence, looking as if just meditating some fresh mischief.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And what of Florence? Why, safely stowed away at the +bottom of her bureau drawer, under a promiscuous pile of +gloves, ribbons, laces and handkerchiefs, was a big daguerreotype; +but as Florence guarded that drawer most carefully, +always keeping the key in her pocket, we are unable to say +anything certain upon the subject. Up to this day we don't +know exactly whose face it was that led Florence to the +drawer so many times a day, but we are safe in saying that it +looked frank enough to be Frank himself!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Here for a time we leave her, and return to Mr. Middleton's +where Fanny was improving each day. Dr. Lacey +watched her recovery anxiously, fearing continually lest some +new calamity should happen to take his treasure from him. +Owing to the protracted illness of his father, it became necessary +that he should go back to New Orleans; but as soon as +possible he would return, and then—Fanny could have told +you what then, and so, too, could we, but we prefer keeping +you in suspense.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter24" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc48" id="toc48"></a><a name="pdf49" id="pdf49"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXIV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the wedding</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page234">[pg 234]</span><a name="Pg234" id="Pg234" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>The autumn months were gone; December had come and +"Christmas was coming." The negroes far and near had +counted the days which must pass before their expected holidays. +In Uncle Joshua's kitchen there was much talking and +laughing, fixing and fussing, and some crying. Had you +asked the cause of the crying, you would have been told that +Miss Fanny was to be married Christmas Eve, and the week +following she would leave them and start for New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Preparations commenced on a large scale; for Uncle Joshua, +a little proud, it may be, of his handsome house, had determined +on a large party. The old gentleman even went so far +as to order for himself a new suit of broadcloth, saying by +way of apology that, "though the jeens coat and bagging +pants did well enough for Josh, they wouldn't answer nohow +for the father of Mrs. Dr. George Lacey."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A week before the wedding Florence, who loved dearly to +be in a bustle, came laden with bandboxes and carpet bags. +Hourly through the house rang her merry laugh, as she flitted +hither and thither, actually doing nothing in her zeal to do +everything. She had consented to be bridesmaid on condition +that she should choose her own groomsman, who she said +should be "Uncle Billy," as she always called Mr. William +Middleton, "unless Providence sent her some one she liked +better." Whether it were owing to Providence or to an invitation +which went from Florence to New York we are unable +to say, but two days before the 24th Uncle Joshua surprised +Florence and Fanny by opening the door of the room +where they were sitting, and saying, "Ho, my boy, here they +be—come on."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The girls started up, and in a moment Frank stood between +them, with an arm thrown around each. "Why, Mr. Cameron," +said Florence, "what did you come for, and who knew +you were coming?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I came to see you, and you knew I was coming," answered +Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page235">[pg 235]</span><a name="Pg235" id="Pg235" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Well, then," returned Florence, "if you came to see me, do +look at me, and not keep your eyes fixed so continually on +Fanny. In a few days you will be breaking the commandment +which says: 'Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's +wife.'"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Possibly I might had I never seen you," answered Frank.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At a late hour that night Florence moved with soft footsteps +about her sleeping room, fearing lest she should awaken +Fanny. Her precautions were useless, for Fanny was awake; +looking at Florence, she said, "Oh, Flory, you naughty girl, +what makes you blush so dreadfully?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next half hour was spent by Florence in telling Fanny +what Frank had just asked her in four or five words, and +which she had answered in one, viz., if she would be his wife. +"But then," said Florence, pretending to pout, "he was so conscientious +that he had to tell me what I already knew, which +was that he once loved you better than he should ever love +another."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Frank had asked Florence to share his lot through life, and +she, like any other good, prompt Kentucky girl, had readily +answered "yes," although she was frightened next moment for +fear she had been too easily won by the "cold Yankee," as she +called him, and she proposed taking back what she said just +for the sake of being teased. Mr. Woodburn came next day +to bring Florence some article of dress, which she would need. +He was not surprised when Frank, taking him aside, modestly +asked for his daughter; he said, "Yes," almost as readily as +Florence had done, and then it was hard telling which seemed +most happy—Frank or Dr. Lacey.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The 24th of December came at last. We at the North who, +during six months of the year, blow our benumbed fingers, can +scarcely imagine how bright and beautiful are some of the +clear warm days of a Kentucky winter. On this occasion, as +if Nature had resolved to do her best, the day was soft and +sunny as in early autumn, presenting a striking contrast to the +wild, angry storm which rent the sky when once more 'neath +Uncle Joshua's roof a bridal party was assembled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As night approached, carriage after carriage rolled up the +long, graveled pathway, until Ike declared, "Thar was no more +room in the barns, and if any more came he'd have to drive +them into the kitchen."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Up and down the broad stairway tripped light and joyous +footsteps until the rooms above, which Luce had put in so +exact order, presented a scene of complete confusion. Bandboxes +were turned bottom-side up and their contents indiscriminately +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page236">[pg 236]</span><a name="Pg236" id="Pg236" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +scattered until it was impossible to tell what was +yours and what wasn't.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At length through the parlor door came Dr. Lacey and +Fanny, followed by Frank Cameron and Florence. Throughout +the rooms was a solemn hush as Fanny was made Dr. +Lacey's wife. Firmly Dr. Lacey held her hand until the last +word was spoken; then when he felt sure that she was his, he +stooped down and whispered in her ear, "Thank God that you +are mine at last."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Three days after the wedding Mr. Middleton's carriage +again stood before the door. When all was ready, Uncle +Joshua knelt down, and winding his arm around Fanny, +prayed in simple, touching language that God would protect +his Sunshine, and at last bring them all to the same home. +"All of us; and don't let one be missing thar." There was a +peculiar pathos in the tone of his voice as he said the last +words, and all knew to whom he referred.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Long and wearisome at Mr. Middleton's were the days succeeding +Fanny's departure, while in Dr. Lacey's home all was +joy and gladness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was about dark when Dr. Lacey arrived. Happy as a +bird, Fanny sprang up the steps. Everything about her seemed +homelike and cheerful. Kind, dusky faces peered at her from +every corner, while Aunt Dilsey, with a complacent smile, +stood ready to receive her. Fanny was prepared to like everything, +but there was something peculiarly pleasing to her in +Aunt Dilsey's broad, good-humored face. Going up to her +she took both her hands, and said, "I know we shall be good +friends. I shall like you and you shall love me a little, won't +you, just as the old aunties did I left in Kentucky?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aunt Dilsey hadn't expected all this, and the poor creature +burst into tears, saying, "Lord bless the sweet miss! I'd die +for her this minute, I would."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Rondeau, Leffie and the other blacks belonging to the establishment, +now came forward, and in the crowd little Jack's +bow was entirely unappreciated; but Fanny next day made +amends by giving him nearly a pound of candy, which had +the effect of making him sick a week, but he got well in time +to be present at Leffie's wedding, which took place just a week +after Dr. Lacey's return.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Leffie, who chanced to be just the size of her young mistress, +was thrown into ecstasies by the gift of a thin pink and white +silk dress, which Fanny presented to her for a bridal gown. +Aunt Dilsey, in order to show her thanks, went down on her +knees, a thing she never attempted again, as it took her such +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page237">[pg 237]</span><a name="Pg237" id="Pg237" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +an unheard-of length of time to recover a standing posture. +Dr. Lacey had made Leffie the present of a pair of gold earrings, +so that she was really a pretty bride, and Rondeau was +the happiest negro in all New Orleans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As weddings seem to be the order of this chapter, we may +here, as well as anywhere, dispose of Mrs. Carrington, whom, +you will remember, Raymond said he would one day marry. +When he left Frankfort, he had no definite idea as to what he +should do, but after reaching Cincinnati, it occured to him that +his mother had a wealthy old bachelor uncle living in St. +Louis, and thither he determined to go. This uncle, Mr. Dunlap, +received the young man cordially, for he was the first +relative he had met with in years. There was something, too, +in the manner with which Raymond introduced himself that +won for him a place in the crusty old man's good opinion.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I am Fred Raymond," said he, "your niece Helen's son, +and as poor a jack as there is this side of California. They +say you are a stingy old customer, but I don't care for that. +You have got to give me some business, and a home, too."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Raymond's method of approaching the old gentleman was +successful, and he at once gave him a good position, which +later developed into a partnership.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Feeling himself established and finding Mrs. Carrington in +St. Louis, Raymond pressed his suit, and they were eventually +married.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The couple were disappointed in their expectations of a fortune, +for within two years after the marriage Mr. Dunlap +suddenly died. He had intended to make his will and make +Raymond his heir, but like many other men he put it off until +it was too late, and his property, which was found to be less +than supposed, went back to his brothers and sisters, and from +them to their children and grandchildren, so that Raymond +got but a small share.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He, however, retained his position as a merchant, and +struggled hard to keep his wife in the same circumstances to +which she had been accustomed. She appreciated his kindness, +and when at the end of three years she was the mother +of three children, she concluded it was time to lay aside all +desire for fashionable amusements, and she became a tolerably +affectionate wife, and a wonderfully indulgent mother.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter25" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc50" id="toc50"></a><a name="pdf51" id="pdf51"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXV</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">the wanderer</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page238">[pg 238]</span><a name="Pg238" id="Pg238" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>In Uncle Joshua's home there were sad, troubled faces and +anxious hearts, as the husband and daughter watched by the +wife and mother, whose life on earth was well-nigh ended. +From her mother's family Mrs. Middleton had inherited the +seeds of consumption, which had fastened upon her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Day by day, they watched her, and when at last she left +them it seemed so much like falling away to sleep that Mr. +Middleton, who sat by her, knew not the exact moment which +made him a lonely widower. The next afternoon sympathizing +friends and neighbors assembled to pay the last tribute +of respect to Mrs. Middleton, and many an eye overflowed, +and more than one heart ached as the gray-haired old man +bent sadly above the coffin, which contained the wife of his +early love. But he mourned not as one without hope, for +her end had been peace, and when upon her face his tears fell +he felt assured that again beyond the dark river of death he +should meet her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The night succeeding the burial Mr. Middleton's family, +overcome with fatigue and grief, retired early to their rooms, +but Fanny could not sleep, and between ten and eleven she +arose and throwing on her dressing gown nervously walked +up and down her sleeping room. It was a little over a year +after her marriage. Through the closed shutters the rays of +a bright September moon were stealing, and attracted by the +beauty of the night, Fanny opened the blinds and the room +was filled with a flood of soft, pale light. From the window +where she stood she could distinguish the little graveyard, with +its cypress and willow trees, and its white monument gleaming +through the silvery moonlight, and near that monument was +a dark spot, the grave of her beloved mother. "If all nights +were as lovely as this," thought she, "it would not seem half +so dreary to sleep in the cold dark grave," and then Fanny +fell into a fit of musing of the night that would surely come +when she would first be left alone in the shadowy graveyard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the midst of her reverie her attention was attracted by +a slight female figure, which from some quarters had approached +unperceived, and now upon the newly-made grave +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page239">[pg 239]</span><a name="Pg239" id="Pg239" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was bowing itself in apparent weeping. The size and form +of the girl were so much like Luce that Fanny concluded it +must be she, at the same time wondering how, with her superstitious +ideas, she ventured alone near a grave in the night +time. In a moment, however, she saw that Tiger, the watch +dog, was with her, and at the same instant the sound of a +suppressed sob fell on her ear. "Poor Luce," said she, "I did +not think she loved my mother so well. I will go to her and +mingle my tears with hers."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a short time Fanny was in the open air, and on her way +to the graveyard. As she approached her mother's grave, +she said gently, "Luce, Luce, why are you out so late?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The person addressed partially raised her head and answered +hurriedly, "Oh, Fanny, Fanny, do not be frightened +and leave me; I am not dead, and never was buried in that +grave, as you suppose, but I am here tonight a living, repentant +woman," and throwing back her bonnet, the thin, +white face of Julia Middleton was in the bright moonlight +perfectly distinguishable to Fanny, who at first recoiled in +fear and leaned for support against the marble pillar near +which she was standing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She, however, soon recovered her self-command and +glancing at the object on the grave, saw that she was caressing +Tiger, who seemed trying various ways to evince his joy +at finding one whom he had long missed, for he had ever been +Julia's favorite. Their fiery natures accorded well! Again +Julia spoke, "Fanny, dear Fanny. In an adjoining state I +heard of mother's illness and hastened to see her, but I am +too late. Now, do not think me a phantom, for see, Tiger +recognizes me and welcomes me home, and will not you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An instant Fanny wavered, then with a half-fearful, half-joyful +cry she went forward, and by the grave of the mother +that day lowered to the dust, the sisters met in a long, fervent +embrace.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Into the best chamber of their father's house Fanny led the +weeping, repentant girl, and gently removing her bonnet and +shawl, bade her lie down on the nicely-cushioned lounge, +while she went for her father. As she was leaving the room +Julia arose and laid her small, bony hand on Fanny's shoulder. +It had rested there before, for in the graveyard, with their +buried mother between them, Julia's arms had encircled her +sister's neck; but the first excitement was over, and now involuntarily +Fanny shrank from that touch, for in spite of +all her courage, she could not help associating Julia with the +grass-grown grave, and the large white monument.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page240">[pg 240]</span><a name="Pg240" id="Pg240" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"What is it, Julia?" she said calmly. "Do you wish to see +father?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, yes, yes," answered Julia, "but not him, the other one—at +least not tonight. You understand."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I do," said Fanny, and she glided down the stairs toward +her father's room. He was awake, for ere her hand touched +the doorknob, his sonorous "Who's thar?" fell on her ear. +This somewhat disconcerted her, for she had intended stopping +near his door, to devise the best means by which to break +the intelligence. But "Who's thar?" was again repeated, and +entering the room she said softly, "It's I, father."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Why, sure enough," said he, and then as the light from her +lamp fell on her features, he exclaimed, "why, how white you +be! What's the matter? Who's upstairs? Is George sick?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"No, George is not sick," said Fanny, "but—," and then as +well as she could she told him all she knew.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Uncle Joshua's nervous system was unstrung, and his physical +health impaired by long nights of watching with his wife, +and now when this fresh shock came upon him, he fell back +half-fainting upon his pillow. Then rousing himself, he +said, "Alive and come back! I don't desarve this. But +where is she? I will go to her."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Fanny directed him where to find her, and then returned to +Julia, whither her father soon followed. Uncle Joshua was +not prepared for the change in his daughter. He did not even +think of her as he saw her last, wasted by sickness, but in +imagination he beheld her as she was in her days of health +and dazzling beauty, when with diabolical cunning she had +brought Dr. Lacey to her feet. Now, however, her face was +thin, white and haggard, for such a life as she had lived had +never conduced to the beauty and health of any one. Her +eyes, sunken in their sockets, and swollen with recent weeping, +looked frightfully large and wild, and to complete the metamorphosis, +her beautiful, glossy hair was now cut short on +her neck, and pushed far back from a brow, across which +lay more than one premature wrinkle.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sight of her for a time unsettled the old man's reason. +Taking her in his arms he alternately cried and laughed over +her, saying, "I knew you'd come. I expected it. I've waited +for you."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia's altered appearance troubled him, and drawing her +head down upon his bosom, and laying his hand on her thin, +white face, he said, "Poor child, what has changed you so, +and whar have you been; and who did I buy that big stun for +if 'twasn't for you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-pb" id="page241">[pg 241]</span><a name="Pg241" id="Pg241" class="tei tei-anchor"></a>"Not tonight, dear father," answered Julia. "Let me rest +tonight and tomorrow I will tell you all."</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="chapter26" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<a name="toc52" id="toc52"></a><a name="pdf53" id="pdf53"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Chapter XXVI</span></h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"><span style="font-size: 144%; font-variant: small-caps">julia at home again</span></h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Overcome with fatigue and excitement, Julia immediately +after her father left her on the preceding night, had fallen +into a deep sleep, which was unbroken till long after dawn. +Then she was aroused by her father calling up the negroes. +Hastily starting up, she looked around her and, for a moment, +strove to remember what had happened. Soon she remembered +all, and burying her face in the pillows, she sobbed out: +"Father, I thank Thee; the prodigal is at last at home."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hastily arising she proceeded with her toilet, which was +nearly completed when Fanny tapped gently at the door, and +immediately entered the room, saying, "Good morning, dear +Julia. I am so glad you really are here and that it is not a +dream. But come, breakfast is waiting and so is father, and +so is—so is—George."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, I can't see him, I can't," said Julia, and Fanny answered, +"Oh, never mind him. I have told him all about it, +and he is ready to receive you as a sister."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So saying, she led the reluctant girl down the long staircase, +through the wide hall to the door of the breakfast room, where +Mr. Middleton stood waiting for them. His tones and manner +were very affectionate as he kissed the wanderer, and said, +"I am so glad you're here."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia could have wept, but she would not. There was yet +another to meet, and choking down her tears she nerved herself +for the trial. Of what occurred next she knew nothing +until her cold white hand was clasped by another so warm, +so life-giving in its touch that she raised her eyes and met the +calm, quiet gaze of Dr. Lacey. Neither of them spoke until +Julia, averting her eyes, said, "Am I forgiven?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"You are," was the answer, and then Uncle Joshua exclaimed, +"thar, that'll do. Now come to your breakfast, children, +for I'm mighty hungry, and shan't wait another minute."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After breakfast Julia was greatly surprised at seeing her +father take from the bookcase the old family Bible, on whose +dark dusty covers she remembered having many a time written +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page242">[pg 242]</span><a name="Pg242" id="Pg242" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +her name. All was now explained. Her father's gentleness of +look and manner were accounted for; and as for the first time +in her life she knelt by his side and heard him as he prayed, +her heart swelled with emotion, and she longed to tell him, +though she dared not hope she was a Christian, she was still +trying to lead a different, a better life.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That afternoon in her chamber were seated Mr. Middleton +and Fanny, while Julia recounted the story of her wanderings. +"The idea of leaving my home," said she, "was not a sudden +impulse, else had I returned sooner, but it was the result of +long, bitter reflection. In the first days of my humiliation I +wished that I might die, for though the thought of death and +the dread hereafter made me tremble, it was preferable to the +scorn and contempt I should necessarily meet if I survived. +Then came a reaction, and when our angel mother glided so +noiselessly around my sick room; when you, darling Fanny, +nursed me with so much care, and even father's voice grew +low and kind as he addressed me, my better nature, if I had +any, was touched, and I thought I would like to live for +the sake of retrieving the past. But the evil spirit which +has haunted me from infancy whispered that as soon as I was +well all would be changed. You, Fanny, would hate me, and +father would treat me as he always had, only worse."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Poor dear child! I didn't or'to do so, I know," said Uncle +Joshua, and Julia continued: "Then I thought how the world +would loathe, and despise and point at me, until I was almost +maddened, and when Dr. Gordon said I would live, the +tempter whispered suicide; but I dared not do that. About +that time I heard rumors of a marriage which would take +place as soon as I was well; and Fanny will you forgive me? +I tried to be sick as long as possible for the sake of delaying +your happiness."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A pressure of the hand was Fanny's only answer, and Julia +proceeded: "I could not see you married to him. I could not +meet the world and its censure, so I determined to go away. +I had thirty dollars in my purse, of which no one knew, and +taking that I started, I knew not where. On reaching the +schoolhouse something impelled me to enter it, and I found +there a young girl about my own size. Under other circumstances +I might have been frightened, but now utterly fearless, +I addressed her, and found from her answers that she was +crazy. A sudden idea entered my brain. I would change +clothes with her, and thus avoid discovery. She willingly acceded +to my proposition, and in my new attire I again started +toward Lexington, which I reached about four in the morning. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page243">[pg 243]</span><a name="Pg243" id="Pg243" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I had no definite idea as to where I wanted to go, but the sight +of the Cincinnati stage drawn up before the Phoenix determined +me. I had purposely kept my own bonnet and veil, as +the maniac girl wore neither. Drawing the latter over my +face, I kept it there while securing my place in the coach, +and until we were many miles from the city. Passengers entered +and left, and some looked inquisitively at me and my +slightly fantastic dress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"We reached Cincinnati about ten in the morning, and with +a long glad breath I stepped from the coach, and felt that Kentucky +and my notorious character were behind. I stopped at +the —— Hotel, and the next two days were spent in procuring +myself a decent outfit. Each night I went to a different +house, for the sake of avoiding suspicion, and as my bills +were promptly paid, no questions were ever asked. At the +D—— House I saw in a paper an advertisement for a teacher +in a school in one of the interior towns. I had formed some +such plan for the future, and instantly determined personally +to apply for the situation. I did so, but credentials were required, +and I had none to give. Somewhat weary of my +adventure I returned to Cincinnati, and in passing through one +of the streets, my eye caught the sign 'Fashionable Dressmaking +and Millinery.' I knew I had a taste for that, and I +concluded to offer myself as an apprentice."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then she told how she had toiled on day after day with +dim eye and aching head for over a year in the unwholesome +atmosphere of a crowded workshop conducted by a slave-driving, +inconsiderate woman named Miss Dillon, while thoughts +of home and remorse for the past preyed on her heart.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"But why did you not come back?" asked Fanny. "We +would have received you most gladly."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I felt that I could not do that," said Julia. "I knew that +you thought me dead, and I fancied that father, at least, would +feel relieved."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Oh, child," groaned Uncle Joshua, "don't say so. I was +mighty mean, I know, but I never got to that."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a moment Julia told them that she had had to deliver +a party dress to Florence Woodburn at Mr. Graham's house +one evening and, while waiting in the hall, had heard Florence +read a letter from Nellie Stanton aloud to Alice Graham. In +the letter, Nellie said that Mrs. Middleton was not expected +to live and that Dr. Lacey and Fanny from New Orleans +were with her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This news caused her to resign her position at Miss Dillon's +and hurry home. "I reached Lexington," said she, "about nine +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page244">[pg 244]</span><a name="Pg244" id="Pg244" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +o'clock in the evening, and as I thought my baggage might incommode +me, I purposely left it there, but hired a boy to +bring me home. When we reached the gate at the entrance +of the woods I told him he could return, as I preferred going +the remainder of the way alone. He seemed surprised, but +complied with my request. I had never heard of the new +house, and as I drew near I was puzzled, and fancied I was +wrong; but Tiger bounded forward, at first angrily, then joyfully, +and I knew I was right. All about the house was so +dark, so still, that a dreadful foreboding filled my heart—a +fear that mother might be dead. I remembered the little +graveyard and instantly bent my steps thither. I saw the +costly marble and the carefully kept grave, and a thrill of +joy ran through my veins, for they told me I was kindly remembered +in the home I had so darkened. But another object +riveted my attention. It was a fresh mound, and I knew +full well who rested there. Never have I shed such tears of +anguish as fell upon the sod which covers my sainted mother. +In the intensity of my grief I was not conscious of Fanny's +approach until she stood near me. The rest you know; and +now, father, will you receive to your home and affection one +who has so widely strayed?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"Willin'ly, most willin'ly," said Uncle Joshua, as he folded +her to his bosom, "and if I had done as I or'to, a heap of this +wouldn't have happened. Oh, I didn't or'to do so, I didn't; +and I ain't goin' to any more. You shall live with me when +Sunshine's gone; and we would be so happy, if your poor +mother could only see us and know it all."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From that time nothing could exceed Uncle Joshua's kindness +to his daughter. He seemed indeed trying to make up for +the past, and frequently he would whisper to himself, "No, I +didn't or'to do so. I see more and more that I didn't." +Still his fondness for Fanny was undiminished, and occasionally, +after looking earnestly at both his children, he would exclaim, +"Hang me, if I don't b'lieve Sunshine is a heap the +handsomest"; but if these words caused Julia any emotion, +'twas never betrayed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From Julia's story there could be no doubt that the maniac +girl was laid in the grave which Uncle Joshua had thought belonged +to his daughter. No tidings of her had been heard, +although one gentleman thought that he once had met with a +girl answering to her description in the stage coach between +Lexington and Cincinnati. All search in that quarter was unavailing, +and over her fate a dark mystery lay, until Julia +suddenly appeared and threw light on the matter. The afflicted +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page245">[pg 245]</span><a name="Pg245" id="Pg245" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +father (for she had no mother) was sent for, and when +told where his child was laid, asked permission to have her +disinterred and taken to his family burial place. His request +was granted, the grave was opened, and then refilled and +leveled with the earth. The monument Julia took care to have +carefully preserved as a memento of the olden time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As will be supposed, Julia's return furnished the neighborhood +and surrounding country with a topic of conversation for +many weeks. At first nearly all treated her with cool neglect, +but as she kept entirely at home, curiosity to see one who had, +as it were, come back from the dead triumphed over all other +things; and at last all who came to see Fanny asked also for +her sister.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Among the few who at once hastened to give the penitent +girl the hand of friendship was Kate Miller; and as she +marked her gentle manner and the subdued glance of her still +somewhat haughty eyes, she wound her arm about her neck +and whispered, "I shall in time learn to love you dearly for +the sake of more than one."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Julia comprehended her, or thought she did, and answered, +"Oh, Mrs. Miller, that one dreadful crime has troubled me +more than all the rest. I killed him, your noble brother, and +from the moment I deliberately determined to do so I became +leagued with the tempter, who lured me madly on. But I +outdid myself, and was entangled in the snare my own hands +had laid."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"It is ever so," answered Kate. "Our most secret sins will +in the end find us out."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The reader is perhaps anxious to know whether back across +the Atlantic, Ashton brought his Spanish bride. Yes, he did. +Mr. William Middleton accompanied him to the house of Sir +Arthur Effingham, whom they found to be dying; his property +was gone, and he feared that he must leave the youthful Inez +to the cold charities of the world and a miserly brother. +When Mr. Middleton made himself known, the dying man +pointed to Inez, and said, "You once loved the mother; care +for the daughter when I am gone, will you?"</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"I will," answered Mr. Middleton, "on condition that you +consent to having a young friend of mine share the care with +me." At the same time he presented Ashton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sir Arthur recognized him immediately and answered, +"Willingly, most willingly. I was a fool to spurn you once as +I did."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few hours Sir Arthur was dead, and Inez was an orphan. +But her grief was soothed by the presence of Ashton, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page246">[pg 246]</span><a name="Pg246" id="Pg246" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +who, a few days before sailing for America, made her his +wife. During the voyage Mr. Middleton informed Ashton +that as soon as he reached home he intended making his will, +by which he should bequeath his property to Inez. Said he, +"I have spent so many years of my life in India that I find +the climate of New Orleans more congenial to my feelings +than a colder one would be, consequently I shall purchase a +house in that city, and as I look upon you and Inez as my +children, I shall insist upon your living with me if you have +no objection."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During the winter Fanny wrote frequently to her father +urging him to visit her; but this he declined doing, and early +the following May, he stood one evening impatiently awaiting +the arrival of Ike, who had gone to Frankfort with the expectation +of meeting Fanny and her husband. Everything +had been put in readiness. The parlors and best chamber were +opened and aired. The carriage and carriage horses had been +brushed up, a new saddle had been bought for Fanny's pony, +and a new dress for each of the black women, and everything +and everybody seemed expecting a joyful time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the carriage approached the house Uncle Joshua looked +wistfully toward it, trying to catch a glimpse of "Sunshine," +whom he had not seen for nearly a year and a half. But only +the face of a little negro girl was seen looking from the window, +and Uncle Joshua exclaimed, "Now, what's possessed +them to fetch that yaller gal! I've got niggers enough to +wait on 'em."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the "yaller gal" knew very well why she was there, and +so ere long did Uncle Joshua. The steps were let down, and +there, blithesome and gay as ever, Fanny sprang from the +carriage and ran into the arms of her father, who kissed her +again and again, holding her off to look at her and then again +drawing her to him and saying, "You're handsomer than +ever."</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">During this process the yellow girl, Rose, had brought from +the carriage a mysterious looking bundle of flannel and white +cambric, which now in Dr. Lacey's arms was crowing with +delight as its little nurse bobbed up and down, making at it +all sorts of grimaces.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">"What the ——, no, I forgot, I didn't mean so. But what—is—that!" +said Uncle Joshua, releasing Fanny and advancing +toward Dr. Lacey, who proudly placed in his arms a beautiful +nine-month-old baby, saying, "We have brought you a +second Sunshine."</p> +</div> + +</div> +<div class="tei tei-back" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> +<div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TEMPEST AND SUNSHINE*** +</pre><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader54" id="rightpageheader54"></a><a name="pgtoc55" id="pgtoc55"></a><a name="pdf56" id="pdf56"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr><th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">December 2005 </th></tr><tr><td class="tei tei-item tei-item-gloss"><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Project Gutenberg Edition</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><span class="tei tei-respStmt"> + <span class="tei tei-name">Roger Frank<br /></span> + <span class="tei tei-name">Online Distributed Proofreading Team</span> + </span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr><th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">June 2006 </th></tr><tr><td class="tei tei-item tei-item-gloss"><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Added PGHeader/PGFooter.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><span class="tei tei-respStmt"> + <span class="tei tei-name">Joshua Hutchinson</span> + </span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader57" id="rightpageheader57"></a><a name="pgtoc58" id="pgtoc58"></a><a name="pdf59" id="pdf59"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">A Word from Project Gutenberg</span></h1><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This file should be named + 17260-h.html or + 17260-h.zip.</p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This and all associated files of various formats will be found + in: + + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/7/2/6/17260/" class="block tei tei-xref" style="margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"><span style="font-size: 90%">http://www.gutenberg.org</span><span style="font-size: 90%">/dirs/1/7/2/6/17260/</span></a></p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Updated editions will replace the previous one — the old + editions will be renamed.</p><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Creating the works from public domain print editions means that + no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the + Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United + States without permission and without paying copyright royalties. + Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this + license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works + to protect the Project Gutenberg™ concept and trademark. 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