Chapter XVI

by Mary Jane Holmes

　　FANNY REFUSES TO GO TO NEW ORLEANS

　　The next day was the Sabbath. Contrary to their usual custom on suchmornings, Mr. Middleton and his negroes were astir at an early hour. Thefemale portion of the latter were occupied in preparing a great breakfastin honor of "Marster William's" arrival, while Mr. Middleton busiedhimself in removing a part of his dark, heavy beard.

　　When William made his appearance in the sitting room, he was greeted byhis 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 thenI was mighty skeary about wakin' up, for fear I should find it allmoonshine, 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."

　　Ashton soon appeared, and the party did ample justice to Aunt Judy'swell-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, willyou go?"

　　The gentlemen signified their assent, and at the usual hour they proceededto the church, which was situated about two miles from Mr. Middleton's. Weare sorry for it, but truth compels us to say that on this day UncleJoshua was not quite as devotional as usual. He was looking over thecongregation to see what effect his brother's presence was producing. Whenhe saw that no one exclaimed or turned pale, and that even the ministerkept on the even tenor of his discourse, he inwardly accused them all ofbeing "doughheads," and wondered he had never before discovered how littlethey knew. However, when meeting was over, the neighbors crowded aroundthe old man, congratulating him on the unexpected return of his brother,whom they welcomed so warmly that Uncle Joshua began to think he had beentoo hasty in condemning them, for "after all, they knew a heap."

　　That night, after supper, Mr. Middleton was again seated in the littleporch with his guests. They had been speaking of the sermon they hadheard, when Mr. Middleton said, "That's the right kind of meetin' to mynotion. 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 histup again, and you can't sleep to save you. Then they have streaked yallerand black prar books and keep a-readin' all meetin' time."

　　"Do your daughters prefer that church?" asked William.

　　"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 toshow. 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 hasgot a more common one. It didn't cost half as much."

　　"I notice that you make quite a distinction between your daughters," saidWilliam. "May I ask why you do it?"

　　Mr. Middleton stopped smoking and said, "If you please, Bill, I'd rathersay nothin' about that now. I make it a rule never to swar Sundays, and ifI got to goin' it about Tempest and the way she used poor Dick, I shouldhave to swar and no mistake. Mebby you think I'd better not swar anytime."

　　"Yes," answered William; "I should be glad if you would not. It is a badhabit, and I wish you would discontinue it."

　　"Well now, Bill," said Mr. Middleton, "Lord knows--no, I mean I know I'vetried a heap of times to break off, and now I'll try again. I'll not cussa word till I forget. Dick used to want me to stop, and when he died Ipromised myself I would; but the pigs and horses got into the corn, andfust I knew I was swarin' wus than ever. I wish you had seen Dick; itcan't be; he's gone forever."

　　"Have you no daguerreotype of him?" asked William.

　　"No, I hain't, but his folks have; and Mr. Miller and Kate are going homethis summer, and they'll fetch me one. That makes me think Sunshine is sopuny and sick like, that I'm goin' to let her go North with them. It'll doher good; and I'm going to buy her four silk gowns to go with, but forLord's--no, for land's sake don't tell Tempest."

　　"I hope you are not very anxious to have Fanny go North," said William;"for it will seriously affect a plan which I have formed."

　　"Well, what is it?" asked Mr. Middleton.

　　William then told of the house he had purchased, and of his intention totake both his nieces back with him. "I know," said he, "that it seemsstrange to take them there in hot weather; but down by the lake it will bepleasant and cool, and I must have them with me."

　　"Have you said anything to them about it?" asked Mr. Middleton.

　　"Yes," answered his brother. "I have mentioned it to them."

　　"What did they say?"

　　"Fanny said nothing, but Julia seemed much pleased with the idea," saidWilliam.

　　"I'll warrant that," returned Mr. Middleton. "She's tickled enough, and inher 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 shedoes not want to seem very glad; but she'll go. I'll have them come hometomorrow, and will talk the matter over. I'd as soon have her go to NewOrleans as to New York."

　　Here the conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Middleton, who came to tellher husband that it was past nine. Mr. Middleton had a great horror ofbeing up after that hour, so he hastily bade his brother and Ashton goodnight, saying to the former, "Now I've got kind of used to your beingalive, Bill, I hope I shan't have such pesky work goin' to sleep."

　　Next morning Ashton returned to Frankfort in the carriage which Mr.Middleton had sent for the purpose of bringing his daughters home. Foronce in her life, Julia was delighted with the idea of visiting herparents. She had learned from a note which her mother had written that thereason of their being sent for was to talk over the matter of going to NewOrleans. Fanny felt differently. She wished, yet dreaded, to go home. Shetoo knew why they were sent for; and as she was determined not to go toNew Orleans, it would be necessary at last to tell her father the truereason. She was certain he would be unsparing in his wrath against Dr.Lacey, and she almost trembled for the consequences.

　　When at last she was ready she descended to the parlor, and sitting downto her piano ran her fingers lightly over the keys. At that moment FrankCameron entered. He had learned from his cousin, Kate, enough of Fanny'shistory to make him fear that she never could be aught to him; and yet theknowledge that he could not, must not, hope to win her, only rendered theattraction stronger. He was intending to start for home the next day, andhad now come to spend a few minutes alone with Fanny ere he bade hergood-by. As he entered the room she ceased playing, and said, "I believeyou leave town tomorrow, do you not?"

　　"I do," replied Frank, "and am come to bid you good-by now; for when youreturn I shall probably be looking on the dust, smoke and chimneys of theEmpire City." As Fanny made no answer, Frank continued, "Miss Middleton,we shall meet again, I trust. Kate tells me that you are to accompany themto New York this summer. I shall expect you and shall watch anxiously foryour coming."

　　Fanny replied, "I have thought of going North with Mrs. Miller, but it ispossible I may be disappointed."

　　"Disappointed!" repeated Frank; "you must not be disappointed, ordisappoint me either. I would hardly be willing to leave Frankfort if Idid not hope to see you again. And yet if we never do meet, I shall knowthat I am a better man for having once seen and known you; and I shalllook back upon the few days spent in Kentucky as upon one of the brightspots in my life."

　　We do not know what Fanny would have replied; for ere she had time toanswer Julia appeared in the door, calling out, "Come, Fan, the carriageis ready. But, pray excuse me," continued she, as she saw Frank, "I had noidea that I was interrupting so interesting a conversation as your looksseem to indicate."

　　This increased Fanny's confusion, but she endeavored to appear at ease;and rising up, she offered Frank her hand, saying, "I must bid youfarewell, Mr. Cameron."

　　Frank took her hand, and quick as thought raised it to his lips. Fanny'scheeks reddened as she hastily withdrew her hand, saying ratherindignantly, "Mr. Cameron, I am surprised!"

　　Frank expected as much, and he said, rather gayly, "Pardon me, MissMiddleton, I could not help it, and would not if I could. It is all I everhope to receive from you; and years hence, when I am a lone, lorn oldbachelor, I shall love to think of the morning when I bade good-by to andkissed Fanny Middleton."

　　A moment more and the carriage drove rapidly away. Frank watched it untilit disappeared down the street; then turning away, he thought, "I have metand parted with the only person on earth who has power to awaken in me anydeeper feeling than that of respect."

　　When Julia and Fanny reached home, they were greeted kindly by both theirparents and uncle. The latter had resolved to watch them closely, in orderto ascertain, if possible, the reason of his brother's evident preferencefor Fanny. During the morning nothing was said of the projected visit toNew Orleans; and Julia was becoming very impatient, but she knew betterthan to broach the subject herself; so she was obliged to wait.

　　That evening the family, as usual, assembled on the little porch. Fannyoccupied her accustomed seat and low stool by the side of her father,whose pipe she filled and refilled; for he said, "The tobacker tasted aheap better after Sunshine had handled it."

　　Julia could wait no longer, and she began the conversation by asking heruncle something about New Orleans.

　　"Thar, I knew 'twould be so," said Mr. Middleton; "Tempest is in a desputhurry to know whether I'm going to cash over and send her to market in NewOrleans."

　　"Well, father," said Julia, coaxingly, "you are going to let Fanny and mego with Uncle William I know."

　　It was lucky for Julia that she chanced to mention her sister; for howevermuch her father might be inclined to tease her, the word "Fanny" mollifiedhim at once, and he answered, "Why, yes, I may as well let you go as tokeep you here doing nothing, and eating up my corn bread." Then drawingFanny nearer to him, he said, "I've talked some of letting Sunshine go toNew York, but she'll jump at the chance of going to New Orleans, Ireckon."

　　There was no answer, and as Julia was not particularly desirous of havingher 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 hisconsent to her going. It was decided that Mr. William Middleton shouldreturn, as he had intended, in two weeks' time, so as to have everythingin readiness for the reception of his nieces, who were to come on as soonas school closed, which would be about the tenth of June.

　　During all this time Fanny said not a word; and at last it occurred to herfather that she had neither expressed her desire nor willingness to go; sohe said, "Come, Sunshine, why don't you hold up your head and talk aboutit? We all know you want to go mightily, and see that little doctor."

　　Fanny knew it was of no use delaying longer and she answered gently, butdecidedly, "Father, I have no desire to go to New Orleans. I cannot go."

　　"Fudge on being so very modest," replied Mr. Middleton. "It isnateral-like that you should want to see him, and nobody'll think less ofyou."

　　Fanny answered, "You know I have thought of going to New York with Mr. andMrs. Miller. I am still anxious to do so; but to New Orleans I cannot,shall not go, unless you command me to do so."

　　"Saint Peter!" said Mr. Middleton. "What's the row now? What's happened tomake little Sunshine spirt up so? Don't you want to see Dr. Lacey, child?"

　　"No, father; I never desire to see him again."

　　The old cob pipe dropped from Mr. Middleton's mouth, and springing up, heconfronted Fanny, saying, "What in fury is this racket? You not wish to goto New Orleans, or see Dr. Lacey either! I half wish you was Tempest for aspell, so I could storm at you; but as it is Sunshine, I can't even feelmad."

　　"Oh, father, father!" cried Fanny, weeping; "if you knew all that hasoccurred, you would not blame me."

　　"What do you mean, darling?" asked Mr. Middleton, suddenly becoming cool."What has happened?"

　　Then looking at Julia, whose face was crimson, a new idea struck him, andhe exclaimed more wrathfully, "How now, Tempest? What makes you turn asred as a hickory fire? Have you been raising a rumpus between Dr. Laceyand Sunshine? Out with it if you have."

　　It was now Julia's turn to cry and appeal to her uncle, if it were notunjust in her father always to suspect her of evil, if anything werewrong. William very wisely kept silent, but Fanny said, "Do not accuseJulia, for she is not guilty. She knows it all, however, and is sorry forit."

　　"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 asheavily as if he would crush everything which might fall beneath histread.

　　"I cannot tell you now," said Fanny; "but when we are alone, you shallknow all."

　　In a few moments William thought proper to retire, and as his example wassoon followed by Julia, Fanny was left alone with her parents. Drawing herstool nearer to her father, and laying her hot, feverish forehead on hishand, she said, "Before I give any explanation, I wish you to make me apromise."

　　"Promise of what?" asked her father and mother, simultaneously.

　　"It is not probable," answered Fanny, "that you will ever see Dr. Laceyagain, but if you do, I wish you never to mention to him what I am aboutto tell you."

　　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 hasbeen cuttin' up, why I'll cowhide him, that's all."

　　"Then I shall not tell you," was Fanny's firm reply.

　　Her father saw she was in earnest, and replied, "What's got your back upso high, Sunshine? I never knew you had so much grit. What's the reasonyou don't want Dr. Lacey to hear of it?"

　　"Because," said Fanny, hesitatingly, "because I do not wish him to knowhow 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."

　　Mr. Middleton was finally persuaded, and his promise given, Fanny knew itwould not be broken, for her father prided himself on keeping his word. Soshe gave an account of Dr. Lacey's conduct, and ended her narrative byproducing a letter, which she supposed came from him. Up to the moment Mr.Middleton had sat perfectly still; but meantime his wrath had waxed warmerand warmer, until at last it could no longer be restrained, but burstforth in such a storm of fury as made Fanny stop her ears.

　　She, however, caught the words, "And I was fool enough to promise not tosay 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 Iwould a woodchuck. And if he don't come back, I'll go all the way to NewOrleans for the sake of doin' on't. I'll larn him to fool with my gal;yes, I will!"

　　Fanny's fears for Dr. Lacey's safety were immediately roused; and againwere her arms wound round the neck of her enraged father, while she beggedof him to be quiet, and think reasonably of the matter. Not long could oneresist the arguments of Fanny; and in less than half an hour her fathergrew calm, and said more gently, "I shouldn't have been so rarin' mad, ifit had been anybody but you, Sunshine. I s'pose I did go on high, and swarlike a pirate. I didn't mean to do that, for I promised Bill I'd try andleave off."

　　"Leave swearing?" said Fanny. "Oh, I'm so glad. I hope you will. Nowpromise that you will, dear father, and say again that you will notmention Dr. Lacey's conduct either to him or to any one else."

　　"I have promised once," said Mr. Middleton, "and one promise is as good asforty. Old Josh'll never break his word as long as he has his senses. Butthat paltry doctor owes his life to you, Sunshine. Half an hour ago I wasas fully set to knock him over as I am now determined to let the varmintgo to destruction in his own way."

　　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 talkmore sensibly. It can do no possible good for you to shoot Dr. Lacey, andthen lose your own life, as you assuredly would; besides, I think the lesswe say of the matter, the better it will be."

　　"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?"

　　"But, father," said Fanny, "you will let Julia go, of course. Uncle knowsI do not intend to go, and consequently will think nothing of that; andthere is no reason why Julia should not go to New Orleans, and I to NewYork. Now, say we may; that's a dear father."

　　"I s'pose I'll have to, honey," answered Mr. Middleton; "but if I can seeahead an inch, you're bitin' your own nose off by sending Tempest to NewOrleans without you."

　　Afterward Fanny remembered this speech, and understood it, too; but nowshe was prevented from giving it a thought by her father, who continued,"Doesn't that Cameron chap live some'us in New York?"

　　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."

　　"Mebby not," answered her father; "but my name ain't Josh if he won't beon the lookout for you. And 'twixt us, darling, now the doctor's sarvedyou such a scaly trick, I shouldn't pitch and drive much if I heard thatyou and Cameron were on good terms."

　　"That will never, never be," answered Fanny. "I shall always live at homewith you and mother."

　　"You are a blessed daughter," said Mr. Middleton, "and I hope there'sbetter fortin in store for you than to stay hived up with us two oldcrones; and I can't help thinkin' that you'll have Dr. Lacey yet, orsomebody a heap better. Now go to bed, child, for your eyes are gettin'red like, and heavy."

　　Fanny obeyed and retired to her room, where she found Julia sitting up andwaiting for her. As soon as Fanny appeared she began, "Fan, you are a realgood girl. I was pleased to hear you talk. Nobody but you could have doneanything with the old heathen."

　　"What are you talking about?" asked Fanny.

　　"Why," said Julia, "I had my head out of the window, listening all thetime, and overheard what you said. Once I trembled for fear father wouldtake it into his head not to let me go any way; but you fixed it allright, 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 shallexpect you to write that you have become Mrs. Cameron."

　　"Will you please, Julia, say no more on that subject," said Fanny. "I donot suppose Frank Cameron has any particular regard for me; if he has itwill do no good."

　　Thus the conversation ended for that night. The next day Mr. WilliamMiddleton was informed that Julia would spend the summer in New Orleans,but that Fanny preferred going North. He was rather disappointed. Hispreference, if any he had, was for Fanny. She was so quiet, so gentle, hecould not help loving her; but Julia puzzled him. There was a certain boldassurance in her manner which he disliked. Besides, he could not helpfearing there was some good reason why her father censured her so much. "Iwill watch her closely," thought he, "and if possible, discover her faultsand help her correct them."

　　It would seem that Julia suspected her uncle's intentions, for sheintended to be very correct and amiable in her deportment, whenever he waspresent. Thought she, "I will thus retain his good opinion; and by sodoing I shall more easily win Dr. Lacey's regard."

　　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, quietlyanticipating a pleasant but rather sad journey to New York. Two weeksafter their return to Frankfort their uncle called upon them on his waySouth. He again repeated his invitation that Stanton and Ashton wouldspend a part of the summer with him. Ashton consented, but Stanton stillpleaded his important business North, and his excuse was considered asufficient one.

　　Mrs. Carrington, who had become rather weary of Raymond's attentions andwas longing for a change of place and scene, now tried by every possiblemaneuver to induce Mr. Middleton to invite her also. Julia readilyunderstood her; and as she feared Mrs. Carrington's presence wouldfrustrate her plans, she resolutely determined that she should not beinvited. Consequently, when that lady talked to Mr. Middleton of NewOrleans, and the desire she had of again visiting that city, Julia wouldadroitly change the conversation to some other subject; and once when Mr.Middleton had actually opened his mouth and commenced giving the desiredinvitation, Julia, as if suddenly recollecting herself, started up,saying, "Excuse me, uncle, but I have a painting in my room which I wishyou to see. Pray, come with me now, for I cannot bring it down, and as itis getting dark, there is no time to be lost."

　　Mr. Middleton arose and followed his niece, who congratulated herself onthe success of her stratagem. After reaching her room, and exhibiting herpainting, she said to her uncle, "I do hope you will not ask Mrs.Carrington to go to New Orleans this summer."

　　"Why not?" said Mr. Middleton. "She seems anxious that I should do so."

　　"I know it," answered Julia; "but I am afraid she is not a good woman. Atleast she had a bad influence over me, and I always feel wicked afterbeing with her awhile."

　　As Julia had supposed, this had the desired effect. Mr. Middleton wouldnot 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 wonderuncle did not invite you, too; I thought he was going to do so," shereplied, rather sharply, "I fancy I should have been under no obligationsto you, Miss Julia, if I had received an invitation." Then turning, shehastily entered her room, and throwing herself upon the sofa, she tried todevise some scheme by which she could undermine Julia, provided Dr. Laceyshould show her any marked attention.

　　Mrs. Carrington was not in a very enviable mood. The night before Raymondhad offered her his heart and hand, and of course had been rejected. Hewas in the parlor when Julia so abruptly took her uncle away. As there wasno one present besides Mrs. Carrington, he seized upon that moment todeclare his love. It is impossible to describe the loathing and contemptwhich 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 haughtyrefusal, Raymond arose, and standing proudly before the indignant ladysaid, "Ida Carrington, however much dislike you may pretend to feel for meI do not believe it. I know I am not wholly disagreeable to you, and wereI possessed of thousands, you would gladly seize the golden bait. I do notask you to love me, for it is not in your nature to love anything. You areambitious, and even now are dreaming of one whom you will never win; forjust as sure as yon sun shall set again, so sure you, proud lady, shallone day be my wife."

　　When Mrs. Carrington had recovered a little from the surprise into whichRaymond'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 notdisagreeable to me. But I'll never be his wife. I'd die first!" Still, dowhat she would, a feeling haunted her that Raymond's prediction wouldprove true. Perhaps it was this which made her so determined to supplantJulia in Dr. Lacey's good opinion, should he ever presume to thinkfavorably of her. How she succeeded we shall see hereafter.