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


without foundation that The whole thing had arisen
from wish 10 teaze Mr.. Hay, and passing from
mouth TO mouth, had been repeated by some who
knoUiag nQitiHg Of the case or lis merits, choose
10 imagine gossiping supposon fI2t ; and so al
last, what was al The onset but fancy and sug-
geslion, became magniGed and exaggerated into
reality.
q wish for oil your sakes, young people, that
could describe The remorse, not only oflhose who
had borne thus idly false witness against their
neighbour" bHt the wordless grief OF the rash old
man who had been mised By it, Both were terri
bic, because all repentance and sorrow were una,
valng. A brave man been done 10 death by
scandaIous tongues and now his gentle, faithful,
unoaending belro.hed, was following him 10 the
grave.
Over that grave, soon opened for both father
and child, took the solemn resolution with which
began my tale, never either 10 be seduced irio
speaking idle words, which if constructed literally
or unfaithluily, might work sorrow or wrong 10
others; or suffer srch 10 be spoken in my hearing,
without at least striving 10 obtain that explanation,
which would deprive Them OF power to do harm.
"For nearly forty years have kept my VOW,
and hope have done some good by it. II has
made me some enemies, and lhwarted some mis-.
chief bul for The sake of the last, am content, 10
accept the first: and to go on Say, Miss Low,her,
am right ?'
"Perfecy"
Frankly said, young lady, replied Mr. Fa!co-
ner, holding ont his hand. 'You will not con-
dernn me then if, taking you at your word, en-
treat that the" idle words, may, do not finch
which have deprived Mss RayneE OF situation,
may be repeated, scrurinized and explained"
oh p replied Miss Lowther, with an embar-
Fassed laugh, "Ihis is taking me at my word, in
deed"
Yes; and lei me hope that The result may be
good" idle words" meaning 10 my fancy moth
ing and as The equally groundless inferences there
from have, in our circle at least ruinaa a girls
character, and prevented far as the influence OF
any one in this house goes, her earning her living
now ii is not iar and just that these words should
be explained 4"
" Yes dare say ills; butI haze forgotten them ,,
only the impression remainsn
" But have cot" said the old man. "In here, u
and he drew forth the memorandum book in which
had observed him writing, " / took down short
hand notes all OF that MRS. Fordham said all the
half sentences and unmeaning phrases OF which so
much was made
HOa, Mr.. Falconer," erIed Miss Lowher and
Mrs. Fordham together {" what terrible compa-
MON you are IFS not safe TO he with you. had
no idea you were an Inqrsi,or. Private converse
iion-
:" Should never be carried to dangerous lengths.
fou mus forgive me i'll use plain words. would
not willingly offend you but the practice and re-
solution of forty years must not be broken now.
hope 10 make converts OF you both and as first
step, must ask Mrs. Lindsay what impression
your remarks, Mrs. Fordham, and the comments
OF Mss Lowther, made npon her"
ooh, don't know. Nay, dons bring me in;
detes, Tending and proving"
Nay, MIS- Lindesay, you are not doing your
self justice your are too good hearted TO detes,
anything that may do fellow creature service, and
put honest bread in tho mouth of an orphan"
"Oh, yes OF course, I hope so, Eulal these in
veslsatons are so dreadluiy unpleasant"
so they are and SO is scandal and TO escape
the one you must avoid the other Bu, that we're
all agreed upon so now 10 business. Why have
you refused Your interest TO Miss Rayner?"
Well, ready-upon my word, Mr. Falconer,"
said our hostess, half amused, half ailronled, one
would think Miss Rayner had retained you as her
counsel"
"Alce Hay did in behalf of all mankind" was
the solemn reply. Bu, my question is why did
you refuse your interest TO Miss Rayner?"
"Because-because-I really can't define why
exactly. had an unpleasant impression
g From whal?"
con, can't say precisely the tone of the con,
vcrsation-'he remarks"
Z" though so,,and now 10 analyze these remarks
Airs. Fordham's are those you ailude to suppose p
'Yes and Miss 4owrhets of course, no one
else knew The girl"
q Oh, know nothing abou, her." cried Anne !;
g pray don involve me DEEPER Mrs. Lindsay.
only judged from what Mrs Fordham said
q Aud what did Mrs. Fordham say :" asked
Mr. FaiconcT, prning 10 his book. I" Why, first,
han she didn't know half the people in c., and
that the Rayners were quite out OF her way. Both
of which are very common circumstances, and
perfectly compatible with the responsibility ofeach
party. However, as this was the key stone of the
whole, will ask Mrs Fordham TO be so COOL as
10 explain what she meant by these expressions"
Nothing do not know quarter of the c.,
people and Mr. and Mrs Rayner were quite out
Of my way, as they kept great deal Of expensive
and fashionable company, which could not afford
10 do. consequently we seldom metz
:" Very we'll. Now the next thing hnl down
is that you say you had no particular reason for
avoiding the Rayners; and upon this mysterious
remark being seized hold, Of, evidence that you
did avoid them; bal they were good deal talk
ed oI"
Yes, they were. Mr.. Rayner's partner died
suddenly, having involved The firm very much,
and the people said that the Rayners were very