Julia is Found Drowned

"I hardly think she went to the former place for assistance," said Dr.
Lacey; and Mr. Middleton continued, "You are right, but I'll be bound
Satan hadn't any tricks but what he told her of. 'Pears like she's been
possessed ever since she first opened her big black eyes in the very room
where the row was last night. Oh, how happy I was," he continued, "when I
took her in my arms a little baby, and knew she was mine and Nancy's, and
thought what a comfort she'd be to me; but George, I 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.