Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1854-10-28

Ell cheek, she lett the room.
Poor girl ~ said Mr. Ealconer in low voice
when the door closed, " she has drank bi,,or cup
| this morning"
The remark was unheard by every one but my
self, Tor The rest were chalerng altogether very
! much aer the fashion of "a nest of magpies,
SO that ii was difficult 10 distinguish any thing in
the din. AT least we heard our hostess say
1T certainly lcGs strange. One would have
thought that, knowing reference must be required,
she would have been prepared with Them, Instead
| of having 10 consult her mother. Yes, now you
mention it Miss Lowlher, it does look strange;
don't like it,"
Nor | but then do not like her manner
throughout Her story, too, struck me being
lame one. Ii she is respectable, why doesn't she
get better place than this charity school? resi-
| dent goveEness in good family, for instance The
salary would be quite as good, dare say, and the
situation much more respectable"
Yes; but understood that she had sick step
mother. Perhaps she requires attendance and
nursing, and the house and firing offered to The
charity school governess, therefore may be of great
| Importance She alluded 10 some particular cir
cumsIances il you remember said Mr.. Falconer.
| "Oh, yes, remember" !" replied Anna Lowrher,
! with pert laugh. She made nothing but allu-
Sions, | think"
Pardon me, young lady | thought her inIor,
nation respecting herself very honest, and guile
as explanatory strangers had right 10 expect"
Strangers! Why il people 60 TO ask iavors of
strangers, they must prepare 10 explain and satisfy
them. l know I should"
'' Certainly. But Miss Rayner did not, I think
come to ask tavors from US, only from Mrs. Linde-
say and probably il she had seen Mrs. Lindsay
alone, she would have been as explicit even
your heart could wish"
My heart could wish? Indeed, Mr.. Falconer,
my heart has no wish about her dare say she is
somebody we are all great deal better for know
ing nothing at all about Even if she is what she
says, bankrIpPs only daughter are mol likely to be
great acquisitions TO ones acquaintance. i1Xlraya
giant, gIddy things lhey are oIiener the cause OF
their fathers ruin than people fancy"
| $50 hey are, Miss Lowlher. ! must be careful
how act; for it would not DO to recommend her
| to the committee until ana perfectly satisfied
They all think so much of wha' say"
"Of course and therefore you ought TO be doub-
ly particular. Byhe-tye, does not Mrs. Ford
ham come from c.? II the gigl's father was
anything OF merchant, she would be certain 10
know something OF her,"
{: to be sure. That never struck me before II
will be capital way to find out all iabout her
what pity Mrs. Furdham is ouL ! wonder if
she will return TO dinner. But just now, you see,
she is so uncertain in her movements; and she
said, when she went OUT, that |: the new drawing
room paper come, she might not gel back until tea.
How very lanializing it is. And now that you have
excited my suspicious, shall be quite hdgey un-
til they are satisfied. What good thing il |
promised nothing. / nigh very likely, if she had
stayed longer, and your looks had not put me on
my guard. Well, we must wait until Mrs. Ford
ham comes back"
And so they did. And new 2irs. Foriham had
come back, and every body was talking to her, and
telling her Of Miss Rayner's visit, and asking her
whether she knew anything ol her, and WHAT
For it's rather remarkable name," said Anna
Lowther, q and if there are, or were such people
at C, you mast know Them" ...- a..
Oh, don't know half The people al C;
and the Rayners were quite out OF my way"
I" How 2" asked Mrs. Lindsay.
ooh, don't know for no particular reason thal
am aware Of" ........ ...
Now that's only an excuse ; only your good
nature, Mrs. Fordham. You not the sort OF
person 10 DO lhings whou. reason"
"Well, perhaps mol" returned the lady, hali
faIered, halt bored q But in this case am afraid
did for certainly had any particular rea-
son for avoiding the Rayners"
ooh, then you did avoid them ~
q No, not exactly | met them occasionally
but they were good deal talked about at one
time And then Mr.. Rayner's bankruptcy, and
="
ooh, ] see, see," replied Mrs. Lindsay, look
ing very wise. 'Thank you quite understand"
Do you!n said Mr. Falconer, in subdued and
sarcastic voice. q Then you must be greater gen
ius than took you fer." ..s
AT this moment servant entered with letter
for his mistress after perusing il, Mrs. Lindsay
exclaimed - ...- q,
We'll, how strange Talk OF i certain person,
and he's sure to appear, they say. Here's note
from Miss Rayner written quite in lady-like
manner and referring me 10 Mr. Bentley, solicit
tor al C"
Bentley! Oh, he was Mr.. Rayners lawyer
and a one time it was said-bu good gracious
what is the use of repeating all the tales one hears
dare say il was fabrication"
"No doubt. Sill let US hear it. and Judge for
ourselves, Mrs. Lindsay ought 10 know all she
can and you remember the old saying, "No
smoke without some fire."
"But really ii is SO long ago, and he is married
now"
Oh, dear, dear, wha, very lille spark will kin
die gunpowder
Al these words, significant glance OF ntelli
sence passed around the circle; and Mr.. Falconer