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


of man of the world As he now endeavor.
ed to determine mentally on his proper course
of action-to disentangle the whole case from
all its mysterious intricaeies--to view it, ex-
traordnary as it was, in its proper bearings
his thoughts began gradually to assume what
is called "a practical turn" He reflected
that he had another daughter, besides the twin
sisters, to provide for ; and that he had two
sons to settle in life, He was not rich enough
to portion three daughters aud he had not
interest enough to start his sons favoraby in
career of emincnce Mr. Streatfeld. on the
contrary, was a man of great wealth, and of
great e connexions" among people in power.
Was Snch a son-in-aw to be rejected, even af-
ter all that had happened, without at least
consulting his wife daughters first He
thought not Had not Mr.. Streatfeld, in
truth, been the victim of remarkable fatal
ty of an incredible accident, and were no al
| lowanceS under such circumstances, to be made
for him? He began to think they were. Re
ilecting thus, he determined at length to pro-
ceed with moderation and caution at all haz
ards and regained composure enough to con-
tnue the conversation in cold, but still polite
tone. ~
will commit myself, sir, to no agreement
of promise whatever" he began, nor will
consider this interview in any respect as a con-
elusive one, either on your side or mine but
if think, on consideration, that it is desirable
that our conversation should be repeated to
my wife and daughters, / will make them ac-
quainted with it, and will let you know the
result In the meantime, | think you will
agree with me, that it is most fit that the next
communications between US should take place
BIZ letter alone"
Mr.. Streattied was not slow in taking the
hint conveyed by Mr.. Langley's last words
After what had occurred, and until something
was defnitivey settled he felt that the suffer
ing and suspense which he was already endur-
ing would be increased tenfold if he remained
longer in the same house with the twin sisters
the betrothed of one, the lover Of the other.
Murmuring a few inaudbe words of acquies-
cence in the arrangement which had just been
proposed to him, he left the room. The same
evening he quilted Langley Hall. The next
morning the remainder of the guests departed,
their curiosity to know all the particulars Of
what had happened remaining ungratifed.-
They were simply informed that an cxtraordi-
nary and unexpected obstacle had arisen to de-
lay the wedding that no blame attached to
any one in the matter and that as soon as
everything had been finally determined, every
thing would be explained Until then, it was
not considered necessary to enter in any way
into particulars By the middle of the day
every visitor had left the house and a strange
land melancholy spectacle it presented when
they were all gone. Rooms were now silent,
which the day before had been filled with AMI
mated groups, and had echoed with merry
laughter. In one apartment, the fittings for
the series of " TableauX" which had been pro-
posed, remained half completed the dresses
that were to have been worn lay scattered On
the floor the carpenter who had come to
proceed with his work, gathered up his tools
in ominous silence, and departed as quickly as
he could. Here lay books, still open at the
last page read ; there was an album, with the
drawing of the day before unfinished, and the
colorbox unclosed by its side. On the desert
cd billiard table, the position of the "cues +"
and balls showed traces Of an interrupted game.
Flowers were scattered on the rustic tables in
!, the garden, half made into noscgays, and be-
ginning to wither already The very dogs
wandered in a moody, unsettled way about the
house. missing the friendly hands that had fon-
died and fed them for so many DAYS past, and
whining impaticntly in the deserted drawing
rooms. The social desolation of the scene
was miserably complete in all its aspects.
Immediately after the departure of his
guests Mr. Langley had q lorg interview with
his wife He repeated to her the conversation
which had taken place between Mr. Streatfeld
and himself, and received from her in return
such an account of the conduct of his daugh-
ter, under the trial that had befallen her, as
filed him with equal astonishtnent and adm-
ration 1t was new revelation to him of the
character of his own child.
" Is soon as the violent symptoms had sub
sided, said Mrs. Langley, in answer to her
husbands first inquiries as soon as tie hys-
tcrical fit was subdued Jane seemed suddenly
10 assume a new chagacter-to become anoth-
er person She begged that the doctor might
be released from his attendance, and that she
might be left alone with me aud her sister Ga
n. When every one else had quilted the
room, she continued to sit in the eaSy-chair,
where we had at first placed her, covering her
face with her hands. She eutreated Us not to
speak to her for short time, and except that
she shuddered occasionally, sat quite still and
silent. When she at last looked up, we were
shocked to see the deadly pa.enesS OF her face.
and the strange alteration that had come over
her expression but she spoke TO Gs so cohe-
rently, so soleInnly eyen that We were amaz
ed We knew not what to think or what 10
GO tLNaTuLl ScttAeu 10 Ce ouE Jane NiO Mas
uow speaking TO US"
What did she say 2" asked Mr.. Langley
eagerly.
. She said that the first feeling OF her heart
at that moment was gratitude on her own ac-
count She thanked God that the terrible dis
coYery had not been made too late, when her
married life might have been fife of estrange-
mcnt and misery. Up to the moment when
Mr. Strcatfieli had uttered that one fatal ex-
clamation, SIZE had loved him, She told us, fond
! Is and fervently now, no explanation. no re
peutance, If either were rendered, no earthly