atom of breath was
kicked out of her."

The big chicken pie was also turned over into Rondeau's new hat, greatly
to the satisfaction of Tiger and the other dogs, who had mingled in the
fracas! The riot was finally quelled by Mr. William Middleton and Dr.
Lacey, Uncle Joshua declaring he "wouldn't interfere that night if the
niggers all fit till they killed themselves."

CHAPTER XXII

JULIA IS FOUND DROWNED

The morning which succeeded the events narrated in the last chapter was
clear and bright. Nature, beautiful as ever, looked as if laughing
defiance at the fearful storm which so lately had swept over the earth.
Beautifully over hill and valley fell the sun's red rays, but when they
penetrated the dwelling of Mr. Middleton, they shone on the anxious,
careworn faces of those who had been sleepless during the dark hours of
that dreadful night. Even the merry-hearted Florence seemed sad and
spiritless as she hurried from room to room, urging Ashton to accelerate
their departure. By eight o'clock the last guest was gone. Around the old
stone house a gloomy silence settled, broken only by the heavy tramp of
Uncle Joshua, whose cowhides came down with a vengeance, as up and down
the yard he strode, talking to Dr. Lacey, who walked by his side.

"Now," said he, "if this isn't a little the all-firedest muss a feller
ever got into, Josh ain't no judge. Of course the papers have nothing to
do but flout it all over the country. For myself I don't care a copper,
but 'twill be mighty mortifyin' to you, though I think you desarve some
mortifyin', for how in thunder a chap of your sense ever come to be made
such a precious fool of is more'n I can tell."

"If you knew all the arts she employed, you would not wonder quite so
much," said Dr. Lacey. And Mr. Middleton answered, "Know all her arts?
Don't I know 'em? Don't I know that she rummaged heaven and arth for ways
and means?"

"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