Tempest and Sunshine

"And who beat?" asked Julia.

"Why, Mr. Middleton was ill-mannered enough to win," said Florence, "but

then, it was such fun to see how desperately he played, for fear I should

get him! Now, Dr. Lacey, I suppose you have been proposing to Julia in the

real old, orthodox way, but that is too common. You must sit down at the

chessboard and let Julia play for you," and she pushed them both toward

the chairs, which she and Mr. Middleton had just vacated.

Julia did not refuse, but Dr. Lacey, freeing himself from Florence, said,

"Excuse me tonight, Miss Woodburn. Perhaps at some other time I will

comply with your request," then bowing, he left the veranda and went to

his own room.

When there he strove to recall the events of the evening, and the words he

had involuntarily spoken to Julia. "Why is it," said he, "that I feel so

uneasy whenever I am alone with her? Is it that I love her and am afraid I

shall tell her so? No, that cannot be. I do not love her; and yet, next to

Fanny, she is more agreeable to me than any one else."

Memories of other days came thronging about him, and he then resolved

again to write and beseech Fanny at least to grant him her second love,

even if her first, best affections had been given to another.

"Suppose she refuses you," seemed whispered in his ear.

It must have been some evil spirit which prompted the reply, "Then I will

marry Julia, as being next and nearest to Fanny." His resolution once

taken, he proceeded to carry it into effect. The letter was written and

over Dr. Lacey came a sense of relief--a feeling that he had escaped from

something, he knew not what. But she, who was upon his track, was more

wily, more crafty than anything he had ever imagined.

This time, however, her interference was not necessary, for early next

morning a carriage drew up in front of the Indian Nest. From it sprang

Lida Gibson, who had recently returned from New York. She was full of

talk, and within an hour after her arrival the story of Fanny's engagement

with Frank Cameron had been repeated in Dr. Lacey's hearing at least three

times.

"It must be true," said Lida, "for every one said so, and their actions

proclaimed it, if nothing more; besides, Mr. Cameron's sister, Gertrude

herself, told me it was so."

"I am not surprised," said Julia and her uncle both.