Tempest and Sunshine

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.