Mrs. Middleton was too much engrossed in her painful thoughts to give much heed to what Fanny said.  She only knew that she wished her to consent to something, and she mechanically answered, “Yes, yes, go.”  It was then after sunset, and as the sky had all day been cloudy, darkness was fast gathering over the earth, but Fanny heeded it not.  She bade Ike make haste, and in a few moments her favorite pony was saddled.  Ike’s horse was then got in readiness, and they were soon galloping off in the direction of Frankfort.  ’Twas a long ride of twelve miles and the darkness increased every moment, while a steady, drizzling rain commenced falling.  Still Fanny kept perseveringly on, occasionally speaking an encouraging word to Ike, who pulled his old cap closely over his ears and muttered, “Lord bless young miss.  Seems like ’twas her was done promised to young marster, a puttin’ out this desput night to see him.”

But Fanny kept her thoughts to herself, and while she is making her way to Frankfort, we will precede her and see what is taking place in the sick room.  The large drops of sweat which stood upon Mr. Wilmot’s high, white forehead, showed that the hour of dissolution was at hand.  His mind was wandering, but still the burden of his soul was, “Julia, Julia, oh, will she not come?” Mr. Miller stood by him and endeavored as far as possible to quiet him, and once, during a lucid interval, he asked, “If Julia does not come, what shall I tell her when I see her?”

Mr. Wilmot’s eyes opened wide and for a moment he looked wistfully at his friend, and then said mournfully, “I cannot see you, Joseph, my vision has departed forever, and if Julia comes, I cannot now look on her loved features, but if I die ere she arrives, ask her if she wrote that letter.”

Just then there was a noise without, and the sound of horses’ feet was heard coming up the graveled walk.  Some one in the room whispered, “It must be Miss Middleton.”  The sound caught the dying man’s ear and he wildly exclaimed, “Has she come?  Oh!  Has she come?” Fanny was now heard speaking in the hall.  We have said that her voice was strangely like her sister’s, so it was no wonder that Mr. Wilmot, in his feverish delirium, mistook it.  Clasping his hands together, he exclaimed, “Thank God she has come!  She has come!”

The excitement was too much for him and for a few moments he was unconscious.  When at last animation was restored, Fanny was hanging over his pillow, and Fanny’s tears were upon his cheek; but he thought it was Julia, and drawing her to him, he imprinted a burning kiss upon her fair brow, saying, “God bless you for coming, precious Julia, I knew you would come; and now tell me, do you not love me as well as you always have?”