tell you what," said
he, as he placed one hand on Dr. Lacey's arm and passed the other through
the grizzled locks which lay around his brow, "I tell you what, these gray
hairs come a heap too soon, and all for her, for her. Oh, Julia, Julia,
what trouble have you not caused me!" and in his hands Uncle Joshua buried
his face, while through his large red fingers the tears trickled slowly,
and fell upon the ground. For a moment he wept, and then wiping his eyes,
said, "But wasn't it lucky that long-legged, salmon-colored Joe got here
as he did! Another minute and you'd have been clinched, but now the
tempest has blowed over, and for the rest of your life you'll have nothing
but sunshine."

The overseer now approached to ask orders concerning a piece of work in
which the negroes were employed. Mr. Middleton accompanied him to the
field, while Dr. Lacey returned to the house in quest of Fanny. He was
told that she was with Julia, and with an involuntary shudder, he
approached the chamber which contained one who had well nigh been his
wife! His wife! The very idea filled him with loathing when associated
with her, and still he pitied the suffering girl, who, divested of her
bridal attire, now lay moaning in pain. With coming day had come a burning
fever, which increased so rapidly that Dr. Gordon shook his head when
questioned as to the result.

The change of affairs had also wrought a change in Fanny, who seemed and
really was better than she had been for many days. Gladly would she have
stayed with Dr. Lacey, but she felt that duty called her to Julia's
bedside. With unwearying devotion she hung over the pillow of her sister,
who seemed more quiet when she knew Fanny was near. Once she looked
wistfully in her face, and appeared as if anxious to speak, but Fanny
gently laid her hand on her lips, saying, "No, no, Julia; you must not."

She did, however, and the word "forgive" met Fanny's ear. Had Fanny been
less of a Christian, forgiveness might have been hard, but now she
answered sincerely, truthfully, "As I hope for pardon in heaven, so do I
forgive you for the great wrong you have done me."

At the mention of the word "heaven," Julia shuddered, and after a time
repeated, "Heaven! You will find it, but I--never--never!"

Earnestly then did Fanny speak of a Savior's love, which receives all,
pardons all, who come to him. Julia shook her head despairingly, and as
the conversation seemed to annoy her, Fanny ceased talking