Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-17

Ol tIat SpIilg iiOILinS " SdtHtf tiiciii lOF LIE
All, Helen, Of Cressy think when | see her
| of you-"
Suddenly a quick hand snatchcd tbs fral
withered blossoms from bis grasp: be sprang
to his feet and met the flashing eyes of Cressy
Every limb was trembling with intense passion
her breath came thick and fast, and even
her lips were white. She threw the flowers On
the ground and tramplcd upon them.
Cressyw said Leicester, Cressy.'
They were my aowers-I gathered them SO
you need them 40 longer" She folded her
hands on her bosom For full minute she
gazed with her great deep eyes in his face, end
then turning slowly left him with Helen Pale
and mute she sat On the rock during the whole
scene, but when Fred again turned toward her,
she burst into tears
" | can never forgive Cressy for startling you
so, dear child" he whispered, caressing her soft
hair
Meanwhile Crcssy hastcned home, and up to
her little low chamber, where she threw herself
for a few moments on her knees. Il shall
never be patient" she cried" it is all dark
to me--what shall do !" Poor Cressy. why
had no one taught thee to look to heaven for
strength Darkness would have become light
could'st thou but have seen the hand OF thy
Father that was leading thee along thy thorny
path. Bat Cressy was doubiy alone.
Darkness aad silence rCiscncd through the
house. Sleep h0vered over the roof, aud touch
ed ali eyes but Cres:y's Quietly she sat at her
open window through the night Watches the
damp air. blowing on her hot face until the first
streak Of dawn Dcamcd in the eastern horizon,
then she arose and put on her old faded shawl
and b0nnct--for an instant she stood before
the bit of looking glass, and glanced at her
white, weary face-then she took small Eun-
die from the table, and went softly down stnir3
One moment she paused at the door of Ieices-
ter,s apartment, and fancied she heard his deep
regular breathing, and then turning resolutely
she haStenel aTay The bolt Of the end door
slid back easily in her hand and Cgessy stood
under the bread Heaven a homeless wandcrcr
\ rapid walk Of an hour brought Cressy TO
a village, whence q stage left early in the morn
ing for the city Of p. There was one va
cant seat, and drawing her veil closely over her
face, she took it IN silence Her purse was
very slender-all that it contained was part
ing gift of Mrs Carol, and now to get to that
lady was her purpose. She had faith in her
kindness and goodness, she was the only per-
son in the world that would take any interest
in her, or point out to her way il which she
might gain her living.
1t was nearly dark when Cressv was set
down at the door Of the inn where the stage
stopped, and it was useless for her 10 attempt
to find Mrs Carol until ele morrow. So she
went into the desolatc parlor, and thence was
led by the landlady to 4 little bedroom still
more desolate. Alone she sat on the side Of
the bed, and tried to collect her scattering
thoughts, but her head was hot and her hair
seemed ca fir. She tottercd to tae belI-coPe,
and il moment tie lalll&dy vas Will her
again.
:. | believe am going to be very ILL.," said
CreSsy, pressing her hands on her brow, -
want you to send to Mrs Carol No I9---
street and ask her, no, give me 4 bit Of paper"
The woman did rs she was requested and with
a trembling hand Cressy wrote
" For the love of Heaven, come to poor
CresSy-do not let her die alone"
She folded ard directed the note and bade
the woman send it spccdily-then perfectly cx
haustcd, she sank back on her pillow. She
heard the and!ady descend the stairs and call
aload, "Joe-here oc;'--then she thought
she must keep awake until he returned, anl
then all was darkness.
x
"Wherc am | ?"
1t was large comfortable apartment A
cheerful fire burned in the CRATE, dinusins
general warmth-crimson curtains dropped
over the windows-a workable stood near one
Of them, at which sat kind motherly looking
woman. who arose and came toward the bed,
when she heard the weak voice. 1t was Cres-
sy's voice.
q You are at Mrs. Carols, my dear and
the answering voice was quiet and soothing.
" You are at Mrs Carols but yoU arc nc. to
speak-you have been i'll, very itl-tv- now,
and sleep"
She smoothcd the pillows and strokcd Crcs-
sy's hair, while she lay back her tired head and
tried to think it all over. She had been very
sick, she knew from her wasted shadoHy hands
aud now what debt of gratitude she owed to
Mrs. Carol In the midst OF it all, she fell
into refreshing slumber
After that, CresSy recovered rapidly. II a
few DAYS she was able TO sit in the great, soft
easy chair by the Grato-and in fortnight 10
visit Mrs. Carol in her own apartment, which
was Just across the hall That day she opened
her whole heart to her kind fricnl-she had
wished TO DO so before, but Mrs. Carol woGid
not allow it.
Patiently she listened to it--aTa her heart
bled for the young orphan whose whole life had
been Que of suffering. When she flashed her
story, Mrs. Carol came and stood beside her
Cressy," she said taking her pale hands in
her own; Crcssy, you are alone in the work.,
and so am I. / will bo yoar mother-yoa shall
be my daughter"
Tears fall fast on the claepcd hands, but not
one word could Cressy utter
Be brave, my child" whispered Mrs. Car
rol, handing newspaper to Cressy, one morn
ing, two months after her adoption Crcssy
glanced at thep paragraph Fred Leicester and
Helen Gray were married. She smiled family
and resumed her work, and even Mrs. Carol
never knew the tempest that for few hours
swept over her desolate heart.