Tempest and Sunshine

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.

"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?"

"I believe he is," answered Kate.

"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."

"You seem to think any praise bestowed upon Fanny as so much credit for

yourself," said Kate, mischievously.

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?"

"Most certainly I did. That was one object in going," was Frank's quiet

reply.

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.

"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.