Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-11-06

gagement IN this room nay more, llc----2tt
have something important to say to you
from Jane ON this point" interrupted Mrs
Langley. After she had spoken the frst
few words which have already repeated to
you, she told US that she had been thinking
thinking more calmly, perhaps, than one could
imagine--on all that had happened on what
Mr.. Streatlield had said at the dinner-table
on the momentary glance of recognition which
she had seen pass between him and her sister
Clara, whose accidental absence, during the
whole period Of Mr.. Streatield's intercourse
with rs in London, she now remembered and
reminded me of The cause of the fatal error,
and the manner in which it had occurred, SEEM
cd to be already known to her, as if by intui-
ton. We eutreated her to refrain from speak :
ing on the subject for the present, but she all
swered that it Nas her duty to speak on it
her duty to propose something which would al
leviate the suspense and distress we were all
enduring on her account No words can de-
scribe to you her forttude, her noble endu-
rance"
Mrs. Langleys voice faltered as she pro-
nounced the last wo. dS 1t was some minutes
ere she became sufficiently composed to pro-
cced thus
| am charged with q message to you from
Jane-l should say charged with her entrea-
ties, that yon will not suspend our intercourse
with Mr.. Streatheld, or view his conduct in
any other than a merciful lght-as conduct
for which accident and circumstances are alone
to blame. After she had given me this mes
sage to you, she turned to Clara, who sat weep
ing by her side, completely overcome, and kiss
ing her, said that they were to blame, if any
one was to be blamed in the matter, for being
SO much alike as to make all who saw them
apart doubt which was Clara and which was
Jane. She said this with faint smile, and
an effort to speak playfully, which touch
ed us to the heart. Then, in tone and man
ner which | can never forget, she asked her
sster-charging her Oh their mutual affection
and mutual confidence, to answer sncereIy-if
she had noticed Mr. Streatield Oh the day of
the levee, and had afterwards remembered him
at the dinner table, as he had noticed and re-
membcred her 1t was only after Jane had
repeated this appeal still more earnestly aud
afectionateIy, that Clara summoned courage
and compOSure enough to confess that she had
noticed Mr.. Streatfeld on the day of the le-
wee, had thought OF him afterwards during her
absence from London, and had recognised him
at our table, as he had recognized her.
" Is it possible | own l had not antici-
pated-nOt thought for one moment of that"
said Mr. Langley.
Perhaps" continued his wife, it is best
that you should see Jane now. and Judge for
yourself. For my part, her noble resignation
under this great trial has so astonished and i'm
pressed me, that | only feel competent to ad-
wise as she advises, 10 act as she thinks fit.
begin to tank that it is not we WHO are to
guide her, but she who is to guide u.s.
Mr.. Langley fingered irreso!ute for a few
minutes, then quilted the room, and proceeded
alone to Jane Langley's apartment
When he knocked at the door, it was open
ed by Clara. There was an expression. partly
OF confusion partly Of sorrow, on her face
and when her father stopped as if to speak to
her, she merely pointed into the room, and
hurried away without uttcriug word
Mr.. Langley had been prepared by his wife
for the change that lad taken place in his
daughter since the day before but lie felt
startled, almost overwhelmed, as he now look
ed on her. One of the poor girls most prom
inent personal attractions, from Lec earliest
years, had been the beauty of her complexion;
and low the freshness and the bloom had Gu
tirely departed from her face it seemed ab>o-
lutely colorless Her expression, too, appear
ed TO MIR. Langley's eyes, to have undergone
melancholy alteration to have lost It's youth
fulneSS suddenly to have assumed a strange
character of frmness and thoughtfulnesS, which
he had never observed in i before She was
sitting by on open window, commanding a
lovely view of 4 wide, sunny landscape b.
bic, which her mother had given her, lay open
on her knees-she was reading in it as her
father entered For the first time in his life
he paused, Speechless, as he approached to
speak to one of his OWN children.
am afraid look very ill.," she said, hold
ing out her hand to him but | am better
than look shall be quite we'll in dav or
two Have you heard my message, father p
Have you been told
My love, we will not speak Of it vet VIC
will wait a few days" said Mr.. Langley.
on have always been so kind to me-" she
continued, IN less steady tones, "that am sure
you will let me go on | have very little to
say, but that little must be said now, and then
We need never rccar 10 it again. VIII von
consider all that has happened as something
forgotten! You have heard already what it
IS entreat you to do will you let hirn-Mr
Strcatfeld" She stopped, her voice failed for
q moment, but she recovered herself again al
most immediately VIII you let Mr. Streat-
field remain here or recall him if he Is coac
and give him an opportunity of explaining him
self to my sister? II poor Clara should re.
fuse 10 see him for mr. sake, p7ay DO not listen
to her. am sure that is what ought to be
done ] have been thinking of it very calmly.
and feel that it is right And there is some
thing more | have TO beg Of You, father. It
is, that while Mr.. Streatfed is here Won will
allow NE to 90 and stay with my aunt Yon
know how fond she is of me- Her house is
not days journey from home. 1t is best for
everybody lmuch the best for me- that |
should not remain here at present !; and-and
dear father-I have always been yUar spoil
ed child, and | know yoa viii indulge me still.