Tempest and Sunshine

Julia comprehended her, or thought she did, and answered, "Oh, Mrs.

Miller, that one dreadful crime has troubled me more than all the rest. I

killed him, your noble brother, and from the moment I deliberately

determined to do so I became leagued with the tempter, who lured me madly

on. But I outdid myself, and was entangled in the snare my own hands had

laid."

"It is ever so," answered Kate. "Our most secret sins will in the end find

us out."

The reader is perhaps anxious to know whether back across the Atlantic,

Ashton brought his Spanish bride. Yes, he did. Mr. William Middleton

accompanied him to the house of Sir Arthur Effingham, whom they found to

be dying; his property was gone, and he feared that he must leave the

youthful Inez to the cold charities of the world and a miserly brother.

When Mr. Middleton made himself known, the dying man pointed to Inez, and

said, "You once loved the mother; care for the daughter when I am gone,

will you?"

"I will," answered Mr. Middleton, "on condition that you consent to having

a young friend of mine share the care with me." At the same time he

presented Ashton.

Sir Arthur recognized him immediately and answered, "Willingly, most

willingly. I was a fool to spurn you once as I did."

In a few hours Sir Arthur was dead, and Inez was an orphan. But her grief

was soothed by the presence of Ashton, who, a few days before sailing for

America, made her his wife. During the voyage Mr. Middleton informed

Ashton that as soon as he reached home he intended making his will, by

which he should bequeath his property to Inez. Said he, "I have spent so

many years of my life in India that I find the climate of New Orleans more

congenial to my feelings than a colder one would be, consequently I shall

purchase a house in that city, and as I look upon you and Inez as my

children, I shall insist upon your living with me if you have no

objection."

During the winter Fanny wrote frequently to her father urging him to visit

her; but this he declined doing, and early the following May, he stood one

evening impatiently awaiting the arrival of Ike, who had gone to Frankfort

with the expectation of meeting Fanny and her husband. Everything had been

put in readiness. The parlors and best chamber were opened and aired. The

carriage and carriage horses had been brushed up, a new saddle had been

bought for Fanny's pony, and a new dress for each of the black women, and

everything and everybody seemed expecting a joyful time.