University of Virginia Library

7. CHAPTER VII.

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 claims 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.

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.

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 for ever, she felt that her brother's spirit hovered
near, to bless her union with one who had ever been his
true friend. She had requested that Fanny should be her
bride's-maid, 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.

Accordingly, after the wedding-party had returned to
Mrs. Crane's, he invited Mr. Middleton to go with him for a
few moments 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.

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 up stairs. 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.

Mr. Middleton replied, “And so it's my darter you
want. Of course it's Sunshine?”

“Certainly, sir,” answered Dr. Lacey.

“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.”

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.” 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.

Mr. Middleton continued, “Yes, I'll give you Sunshine, I
reckon, and a hundred thousand dollars beside.”

“It's Fanny I want, and not her money,” said Dr.
Lacey.

“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.”

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.”

“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 as soon, if she were not worth one dime.”

“May be you would, and may be 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.

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 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.”

And so the conference ended. When Dr. Lacey reentered
the parlor, Fanny read his success in his face. In a
short time, he managed to get near her, and bending down,
whispered to her, “My own dear Fanny for ever.” At these
words, a beautiful blush 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!

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
the prelude to another.”

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 a 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 mean time beautify
his southern home, and fit 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.

“It seems so strange,” said she, “that you should prefer
me to any one else, 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 as well.”

Fanny did not reply, and after a few moments' silence,
he said, “Fanny, I shall be obliged to go to New Orleans
soon.”

“Go to New Orleans!” said Fanny. “Oh, 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 letters and attend to your studies,
besides practising 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.”

Fanny promised that she would, and they then 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 towards
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 tête-à-tête with Dr. Lacey.”

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?”

“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?”

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?”

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 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 her
beautiful present.

The two weeks of Dr. Lacey's stay passed rapidly away,
and at their close he bade Fanny an affectionate good-bye,
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.

Meantime 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.

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!”

That day after school she started out for the purpose of
laying the foundation for the fulfilment of a part of her plans.
There was in the post-office a clerk whose name was Joseph
Dunn. He was an awkward, raw-boned young man, about
six feet two inches high. Until within a few months he
had lived near Mr. Middleton. He had a very 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 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.

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.”

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 a significant
“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, if you've no objection, sir,” replied Mr. Dunn.

“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 har out of your head!”

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 du cœur, 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 towards 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 particular hurry, I should like to have you walk on
with me, as I have something to communicate to you.”

Joseph was delighted, and still he knew not what to
think. The haughty Julia had formerly treated him with
disdain; but within a week or two her conduct towards 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!”

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

“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.”

“Oh, yes, ma'am,” said Mr. Dunn, “I understand how
to do it. Never fear but I'll fix it right.”

“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.”

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 had time to ripen.