Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-26


auttering Therese by several stad old plan
ters, and quite number of other persons OF
mature years.
Therese arrived with her escort, at the house
OF NJ. Dulac, just as the first drops of rain be-
gan to fall. In the morning twilight, she OBJ
served in the building species of consequence,
which did not comport exactly with her ideas
OF Richards cabin. The trees and shrubbery
Indicated lordly mansion, rather than an hum
BILE cottage. But as she had no time to collect
her thoughts, all this made but faint impress
sion on her mind. Arrived at the portico, a
swarm of slaves rushed out to welcome their
new mistress. One took her mantilla, another
conducted her to a spacious and splendidly-fur-
niShed room, third haaened to offer her a
chair, while fourth, who had on her arms
bracelets of silver, presented her mirror, that
she might re-adjust her hair, somewhat disar-
ranged by her ride. The young girl opened
her eyes, and began to doubt whether she was
awake or asleep. She regarded the apartmuet
with an earnest look. The room was furnish
ed with large gilt chairs with seats of crimson
velvet, and exquisitely wrought ottomans en-
circled by garlands of oak an immense mir
ror, gilded and carved like the chairs, hung
against the papered wall just over a magnif-
cent mahogany sofa. Around the room were
suspended the ancient portraits of the family,
in long flowing wigs and brilliant armor.--
AS to herself she was seated in q large arm
chair of faded damask, with tarnished gold
fringes, her feet resting on lowered foot-stool.
and before her, oD a marble stand, wedding
breakfast which nothing could surpass in rich
ness and profusion. There was claret in lone
bottles, champagne secured by wax and pack
thread, glasses of rock crystal silver plate with
coat of arms, Sevres porcelain so rare and cost
ly at this day, and on plates of iapanned ware
the savory trout the chicken salad, the fricas
seed mallards, and many other delicious viands
of French cookery, such as the young girl had
never tasted or dreamed Of
Ah !" said Therese contemplating the
splendor and the comfort, " this cannot be the
mansion of Richard unless it may be-" she
added, after casting round another look, "that
after all, Richard is rich, and has intended me
happy surprise"
Her doubts on the subject lasted but for a
little while. The inner door of the chamber
opened slowly, and she saw enter an old gen.
tleman, with lean and jaundiced face, and
steppainful andinirm. This parsonage, straight
ening himself up as well as he could introduced
himself by saying: NJ. Dulac has the honor
to salute Madame Dulac"
The poor child gazed at him in astonsh-
ment. As to the old man, not less surprised
at first, but in different manner, he recover
ed quickly and eagerly seized the hand of
the beautiful girl, which she dared not with
draw, out Of respect for one who reminded her
of her grandfather Throwing aside all the
fine praises he had studied to please the widow.
he said -
"Ah, Madame, pardon my embarrassment
My good fortune conounds me. | am dumb
with surprise and JOY. How much you are
changed since | saw you last How happy am
to lind my wife thrice as young and ten times
more beautiful Suffer me to congratulate you
On this grand miracle and to pour out nv
thanks to Heaven"
1t is no miracle, Monsieur, replied Therese,
withdrawing her hand ~ am what | always
have been but there is something strange in
all this that | cannot understand"
You have good reason" replied the old
man, very good reason to say SO it is indeed
strange. In the place of my faded widow,
have found a fresh and blooming girl with
lustrous eye and white and delicate hand-a
timid and trembling virgin as the sovereign
mistress of my house and heart. 1t is strange
in tact-it is very strange; it is miracle that
| cannot account for myself, but for which, once
more, / thank you and Heaven"
At these words the terror Of the young girl
increased. Ah, Monsieur" exclaimed she, 1--WE
are the sport Of some fatal mistake. You are
not Ricl a8d It is Richard that want to see"
And wringing her hands, she cried out, " Rich
ard, oh Richard ~
She started up to leave the house but the
enamored old Frenchman placed himself be-
fore the door. The beauty, which had struck
him so yividly before, seemed to him more
charming than ever. An overpowering pas
sion infamed his dried up soul, while he stu
died, more at leisure, her round, plump face,
her forehead covered with curls, her finely
moulded cheeks of color so surprisingly red
her large black eyes which the tears rendered
more brilliant, and her pouting and vermillon
lips.
May | take the liberty, Madame" said NJ
Dulac, " to inquire who it is you call upon by
the name of Richard -"
1t is Richard-my husband Richard
Richard Avares, whom married this morn
ing"
Excuse me, Madame" replied NJ. Dulac,
III tuc l. huOW vi
Richard Alvares. The person you married this
morning is myself. | am the one to whom you
pledged, before the altar, faith and fidelity
Oh, my young wife, my beloved young wife,
look at the ring upon your finger, with the
motto "YouRs TILL DEATH" That ring is
mine Henceforth, am your protector, your
friend your father. You are my wife, if not
by consent of our wills, at least by the decree
of Heaven, which has united us by bond that
cannot be broken"
NJ Dulac would have gone on, had not fit
of coughing cut short his harrangue, so solemn
and SO loving.
Therese, comprehending the whole extent of
the accident, which had married her so contra
ry to her wishes, cast herself into the chair,
weeping and desoIate. The cnamored old man
tried to console her. He showed her the most