Mary J. Holmes - Tempest and Sunshine

M >> Mary J. Holmes >> Tempest and Sunshine

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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.

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!"

CHAPTER XIX

JULIA ANNOUNCES HER ENGAGEMENT TO DR. LACEY

Summer was gone and the bright, sunny days of autumn had come.

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.

"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."

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 golden casing, and were told the story of the young
girl, whose presence had been like Sunshine in Richard Wilmot's darkened
home.

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.

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.

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."

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."

"Three times as large!" repeated Fanny. "Why, yes, Katy, forty times as
large."

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."

It was indeed marvelous how much Fanny had seen, and when she came to tell
the wonder-stricken negroes of the 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."

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.

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.

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.

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 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."

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."

"Why, then, do you rave so?" asked Mrs. Middleton.

"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!"

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.

"Then you'll give your consent?" said Mrs. Middleton.

"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."

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 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."

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.

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.

This morning, however, the mystery was explained, but in what way he could
not tell.

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.

"Used to know where?" asked Ashton quickly.

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?"

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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 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.

CHAPTER XX

RONDEAU DIGS UP THE MISSING LETTER

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On the morning when Julia was snugly esconced in the summer house, Rondeau
returned from the post office in great tribulation.

"What's up now?" asked Leffie, whom Rondeau drew aside, with a dolefully
grave face.

"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.

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 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.

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."

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."

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."

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!"

As soon as she broke it open and glanced at the handwriting, she knew it
to be from Mrs. Carrington. "What now?" said she, "what has Mrs.
Carrington got to say about me."

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.

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
assafoetida!"

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.

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!

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.

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. 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.

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.

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