Chapter VII

by Mary Jane Holmes

　　JULIA'S PLOT TO BREAK FANNY'S ENGAGEMENT

　　Our readers will not be sorry, if after a chapter of sadness and death, weturn to a more joyous one, and tell them of the bridal of Kate Wilmot andMr. Miller. Kate wished to defer it a few months, on account of the recentdeath of her brother, but her lover urged his claim so strongly that sheat 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 asplendid wedding party, but she politely declined his generous offer, asshe did not feel like entering into such a scene of gayety as wouldnecessarily attend a large party.

　　A few of her most intimate friends assembled in Mrs. Crane's parlor, andthence proceeded to the church, which was crowded with anxious spectators,many of whom almost envied Mr. Miller his beautiful bride, while othersenvied her the fine-looking man who stood there as the bridegroom, and allwere unanimous in pronouncing it an excellent match. Kate's happiness onthis occasion was not unmingled with sadness, for her thoughts went backto the time when, with a heart bursting with anguish, she had firstentered that church and passed up its broad aisle until she reached theside of her darling brother, who lay shrouded in his coffin.

　　Now the scene was changed; she was there as the happy bride of one to whomshe had given the undivided affection of her heart, and as the solemnwords were uttered which made her his forever, she felt that her brother'sspirit hovered near, to bless her union with one who had ever been histrue friend. So she requested that Fanny should be her bridesmaid, and theyoung girl now stood at the altar, with her bright face beaming withhappiness, for Dr. Lacey, who was by her side, had, the night before, toldher all his love, and had won from her a promise that at some future timeshe would be his. He told her that he would speak to her father the nextevening.

　　Accordingly, after the wedding party had returned to Mrs. Crane's, heinvited Mr. Middleton to go with him for a few minutes to his room. Fannywas sure of her father's consent, but she could not help feeling nervouswhen she saw him leave the parlor, accompanied by Dr. Lacey. A few momentsafter, she observed that Julia also was missing, and she trembled lest shemight have suspected something and gone to listen.

　　Nor was she mistaken in her fears; for Mrs. Carrington and Julia both hadan inkling of what was going on, and when the latter heard Dr. Lacey saysomething to her father in a low tone, and then saw them leave the roomtogether, she arose and stealthily followed them upstairs. Going out onthe balcony, she stole softly up to Dr. Lacey's window, and there,unobserved, listened to a conversation which confirmed her worst fears. Ina firm, decided tone, Dr. Lacey told Mr. Middleton of his love for hisdaughter, and said she had promised to be his if her father would consent.

　　Mr. Middleton replied, "And so it's my darter you want. Of course it'sSunshine?"

　　"Certainly, sir," answered Dr. Lacey.

　　"Well, I'm glad on't. I've seen it all along; but I didn't know but mebbyTempest had come it over you with her pretty face--but devil of a lifeyou'd lead with her."

　　Dr. Lacey did not reply, but Julia did; and though the tones of her voicewere 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 thesame time she ground her glittering teeth and shook her clenched fist atthe two men, who were unconscious of the rage they were exciting.

　　Mr. Middleton continued, "Yes, I'll give you Sunshine, I reckon, and ahundred thousand dollars beside."

　　"It's Fanny I want, not her money," said Dr. Lacey.

　　"Oh, yes, I know," answered Mr. Middleton; "but I reckon you won't objectto a few thousand, unless you are as rich as a Jew."

　　Dr. Lacey replied: "I am not as rich as a Jew, but I am the only child ofmy father, who is said to be worth half a million."

　　"Half a million!" repeated Mr. Middleton in astonishment. "Golly-ludy,man, what made you ever think of a poor girl like Sunshine?"

　　"Because I love her," answered Dr. Lacey, "and I would marry her just assoon if she were not worth one dime."

　　"Maybe you would and maybe you wouldn't," muttered Julia; "and perhapsyou'll have her, and perhaps you won't. You've got me to deal with, andI'd like to see the person who can cross my path with impunity." Sosaying, she glided from her hiding place and went down stairs to theparlor, leaving her father and Dr. Lacey to finish their conversation.

　　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.

　　"Why, yes," said Mr. Middleton; "I s'pose I understand; you want her to bemore accomplished like, afore you take her down to New Orleans. Well, it'sperfectly nateral, and old Josh'll spar no pains nor money."

　　And so the conference ended. When Dr. Lacey re-entered the parlor Fannyread success in his face. In a short time he managed to get near her, andbending down, whispered to her, "My own dear Fanny, forever." At thesewords a beautiful flush suffused Fanny's usually pale cheek. It wasnoticed by Julia, who was watching the doctor and her sister with afeeling of almost fiendish hatred. When she saw the bright look of joywhich passed over Fanny's face as the doctor whispered to her, she pressedher small white hands together until her long transparent nails left theirimpress in her flesh!

　　Just then Mr. Miller, with his wife upon his arm, approached the spotwhere the doctor was standing, and said, "Why, doctor, what has happened?You look almost as happy as I feel. And little Fanny, too, is reallylooking quite rosy. I should not be surprised if my wedding should be aprelude to another."

　　Julia could hear no more, but sick with anger, she turned away, heartilywishing Mr. Miller was in California digging gold with the water six feetdeep all around him! When the company began to disperse Dr. Laceywhispered to Fanny that he wished her to remain a few moments, as he hadsomething to say to her. Accordingly, after the parlor was deserted, hedrew her to the sofa and placing his arm around her, told her of the planwhich he had marked out for her improvement during the next two years. Toall that he required Fanny promised a cheerful compliance, and heproceeded to tell her how he would in the meantime beautify his Southernhome, and fill it up with every luxury which could please a refined,delicate female. By the time he had finished Fanny was weeping from excessof happiness.

　　"It seems so strange," said she, "that you should prefer me to any oneelse, me, who am so plain looking, so--"

　　"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 aswell."

　　Fanny did not reply; after a moment's silence he said, "Fanny, I shall beobliged to go to New Orleans soon."

　　"Go to New Orleans," said Fanny. "Oh, no, don't."

　　"But I must," answered he. "Business of importance calls me there."

　　"How soon must you go?"

　　"In two weeks," he replied.

　　"And how long will you be gone?"

　　"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 lettersand attend to your studies, besides practicing your music lessons. By theway, Fanny, I wish you to pay particular attention to music, for you knowI am very fond of it."

　　Fanny promised that she would, and they separated for the night. WhileFanny was going to her room, she determined she would tell Julia all herfuture prospects; but she found her sister either asleep or pretending tobe (the latter was the fact); so she said nothing, but lay down withoutdisturbing her. She could not sleep, however, and toward morning Juliacalled out, in no very gentle tones, "Do lie still, Fan, or else get upand go down in the parlor and have another tete-a-tete with Dr. Lacey."

　　Fanny saw that her sister was awake, and she resolved to improve theopportunity, 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?"

　　"Wake up!" answered Julia. "I should like to know who's been asleep, orwho can sleep where you are? What is the great secret you wish to tellme?"

　　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 thatany reason why you should keep me awake all night?"

　　Fanny did not answer, and as her mind was relieved from the weighty matterof telling her sister, she soon fell asleep, and when she awoke the sunwas high in the heavens, and Mrs. Miller was bending over her, wishing hera "Merry Christmas!" That day there was sent to Mrs. Crane's a large box,which Dr. Lacey was very particular to have handled carefully. When it wasopened it was found to contain an elegant rosewood piano, and a note inwhich was written, "A Christmas Gift for Fanny." The delighted girl didnot ask who was the giver, for she well knew; and resolved to applyherself closely to music, so as to do justice to the beautiful present.

　　The two weeks of Dr. Lacey's stay passed rapidly away, and at their closehe bade Fanny an affectionate good-by, promising to write regularly twicea week, and to return, if possible, at the end of three months. After hewas gone, it seemed to Fanny that one-half of her life had left her, andshe felt very unhappy. There was something in her sister's manner whichshe could not define, and as Julia seemed anxious to avoid her, she spentmuch 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.

　　Meanwhile Julia spent all her leisure hours with Mrs. Carrington, to whomshe confided her feelings and wishes. Mrs. Carrington was not displeasedto find that Julia was determined to break the engagement between Dr.Lacey and Fanny, and secretly hoped she would succeed. Not that she wishedto 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 surethat Dr. Lacey never would fancy Julia, even if there were no Fannys inthe world; and supposing he did, she could easily remedy it by exposingJulia's wickedness.

　　In due course of time a letter arrived for Fanny from Dr. Lacey. It was awell-filled sheet and so full of affection and kind suggestions for herimprovement, that Fanny felt an increased pleasure in thinking that shewas the object of Dr. Lacey's love. Julia watched her with an evil eye, asshe read the letter, and when she saw the look of joy which lit up everyfeature, she thought, "Yes, read on and enjoy it--do--for you'll not getmany more such!"

　　That day after school she started out for the purpose of laying thefoundation for the fulfillment of a part of her plans. There was in thepost-office a clerk whose name was Joseph Dunn. He was an awkward,rawboned young man, about six feet two inches high. Until within a fewmonths he had lived near Mr. Middleton. He had a yellow face, yellow hairand yellow teeth, the latter of which projected over his under lip. Healso drove a very yellow horse and rode in a yellow buggy. In his ownestimation he was perfectly irresistible, and imagined he had only to saythe word and all the girls in the country would eagerly accept the offerof being mistress of his fancy colored horse and person. For Fanny he hadconceived a violent passion and wondered much that she should repel allhis serious advances. At last he wrote her a letter saying that on acertain 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 toblame but herself, if she should ever regret answering in the affirmative.

　　Fanny was very much annoyed by this letter and when on the afternoonspecified 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. Hetroubles me exceedingly with his attentions, and I wish you would manageto make him keep away."

　　Thus enlightened, Mr. Middleton was ready for any emergency, and heanswered Joe's confident knock in person. The young man greeted him with avery polite, "Good afternoon," to which Mr. Middleton returned with asignificant "umph!"

　　"Is your daughter Fanny at home?" asked Mr. Dunn.

　　"Yes, she's at home," said Mr. Middleton. "What d'ye want of her?"

　　"I should like to have a few moments' private conference with her, ifyou've no objection, sir," replied Mr. Dunn.

　　"A few moments private fiddlestick," answered Mr. Middleton. "What thedevil--whose little boy are you? Ain't you Miss Dunn's little boy? You'dbetter 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!"

　　This rebuff somewhat cooled the ardor of Joseph's attachment, and as hefelt sure that Fanny had told her father of his coming, he from that timedisliked her as much as he had before admired her. Not long after the sadfinale of his affaire de coeur, he left his home in the country, and goingto Frankfort became a clerk in the post office. Julia well knew the oldgrudge which he had toward Fanny, and as he did not possess the bestprinciples in the world, she had strong hopes of procuring his servicesfor the accomplishment of her purpose. Accordingly, at about half pastfive she bent her steps in the direction of the post office, hoping to seehim in the street, for she knew that he usually went to his supper at thathour. 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 bevery 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 aparticular hurry, I should like to have you walk on with me, as I havesomething to communicate to you."

　　Joseph was delighted, and yet he knew not what to think. The haughty Juliahad formerly treated him with disdain; but within a week or two herconduct toward him had changed, and she seemed to seek his society, andnow she had even asked him to walk with her. What could it mean? He wasnot 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 payyou almost any amount, and then it is such a rare opportunity for beingrevenged upon Fanny, who did abuse you shamefully, and even now makes allmanner 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, andyou can do the same with Fanny's letters!"

　　Joseph did not hesitate long, for the love of money was strong in him, andhe also had a desire for revenging his fancied insult. Julia's mannertoward him was not without its effect, for he felt greatly flattered thatshe should choose him for a confidant; so at last he promised to accede toher proposal on condition that he was well paid.

　　"It will be well enough," said Julia, "to let her have three or fourletters, as it would not be natural for him to forget her immediately, youknow."

　　"Oh, yes, ma'am," said Mr. Dunn, "I understand how to do it. Never fearbut I'll fix it right."

　　"Well, then, here is a part of your pay in advance," said Julia, as sheslipped a ten-dollar note into his hand. At first he seemed inclined notto take it but finally did so, saying, "I suppose I ought to be paid, forit's mighty ticklish business."

　　After having arranged affairs to her satisfaction, Julia bade Mr. Dunn avery friendly good night, and returned home where she found Fanny employedin writing an answer to Dr. Lacey's letter. Here, for the present, we willleave them, until Julia's plot has time to ripen.