which greatly annoyed Mrs. Carrington and Julia, both of whom spared no
pains to make Fanny appear in as bad a light as possible. But Dr. Lacey
understood their maneuvers, and whenever they were present seemed to take
delight in being very attentive to Fanny. He ardently desired to see the
father of the two girls, and ere long his wish was gratified. But of this
we will speak in another chapter.





CHAPTER V


THE FATAL LETTER


Julia and Fanny had been gone from home about four weeks when Mr.
Middleton suddenly determined "to go and see his gals" and bring them
home. Accordingly he "fixed up right smart," as he thought, which meant
that he took off his beard and put on "a bran new pair of jeens." He
preferred driving his own carriage, so he set off alone for Frankfort.

It was Friday morning, and as his daughters were in school, he stalked
into Mrs. Crane’s parlor to wait for them. Spying the piano, he sat down
to it, and commenced producing a series of unearthly sounds, not
altogether unlike the fashionable music of the present day. Mrs.
Carrington chanced to be crossing the hall and, hearing the noise from the
parlor, looked in. As her eye fell upon the strange-looking, giant form of
Mr. Middleton, she uttered a very delicate scream, and as she just then