Tempest and Sunshine - Page 234/234

As the carriage approached the house Uncle Joshua looked wistfully toward

it, trying to catch a glimpse of "Sunshine," whom he had not seen for

nearly a year and a half. But only the face of a little negro girl was

seen looking from the window, and Uncle Joshua exclaimed, "Now, what's

possessed them to fetch that yaller gal! I've got niggers enough to wait

on 'em."

But the "yaller gal" knew very well why she was there, and so ere long did

Uncle Joshua. The steps were let down, and there, blithesome and gay as

ever, Fanny sprang from the carriage and ran into the arms of her father,

who kissed her again and again, holding her off to look at her and then

again drawing her to him and saying, "You're handsomer than ever."

During this process the yellow girl, Rose, had brought from the carriage a

mysterious looking bundle of flannel and white cambric, which now in Dr.

Lacey's arms was crowing with delight as its little nurse bobbed up and

down, making at it all sorts of grimaces.

"What the ----, no, I forgot, I didn't mean so. But what--is--that!" said

Uncle Joshua, releasing Fanny and advancing toward Dr. Lacey, who proudly

placed in his arms a beautiful nine-month-old baby, saying, "We have

brought you a second Sunshine."