Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-22
or DOLLAR PER ANsUM, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE


! pressed together She drew herself up proud
ly, as if she despised herself for her weakness
crushed the letter. which had fallen from he
trembling fingers, contemptuonsly under he
foot and then picked it up with a look of dis
gust, as if it had been some loathsome thing
and putting on her hat and shawl, she walked
out of the room.
She went rapidly on till she reached a low
white cottage she entered it, and passeC
quickly through the little sitting.room to he
own apartment Here she took from an in
laid box package of letters and adding that
she had last received to the number, she hasti
ly collected every memento, however trling
which had been the gift Of Louis Meredith
and placed them securely together in readiness
to return to him. Then carefully arranging
her toilet, she returned to the sitting-room n
An old lady dressed with scrupulous nicely,
was its only occupant ; she was quietly knit
! ting. The table was spread for the evenings
meal, and she had evidently been waiting for
her daughters return.
"You are late to night Beatrice" she said,
but l suppose Louis came for you to GO to
walk. 1t is so foolish to take such unreasona-
this halfhour"
81 am sorry to have kept you waiting,
mother" returned her daughters silvery voice
but those long walks will trouble you no lon
ger. Louis Meredith and ! are parted forev-
er."
The old lady dropped her knitting work in
her lap, and looked at her daughter in aston
ishment ; at length she spoke:
"Oh, | see a lovers quarrel. But You
will make it up in day or two, and be all the
happier for it. Well, well-better disagree
before than after marriage"
Mother" said Beatrice, "listen to me-
shall never marry Louis Meredith. Nothing
on earth could induce me TO do so. AS ! said
we are parted forever and now let me beg
you never again mention his name to me let
the subject never again be alluded to between
US let all be as if we had never known him.
Her voice softened. You will not be sorry,
mother dear, TO have your Beatrice again all
your own !" And she took her parents shriv-
eled hand fondIy between her own
Mrs. Lancaster was touched by this express
sion of tenderness for Beatrice, though
most devoted daughter, i'll fact the only sup
port of her poor and widowed mother, rarely
made any demonstration of her attachment,
and this careSS, slight as it was, filled the
mothers heart with joy She drew her child
to her side, and kissed her tenderly, but Bea-
trice escaped from her embrace, and saying
cheerfuly, Are We never going to have sup
per- led the way to the table She talked
gaiIy during the meal, and, though she ate
little, succeeded in Withdrawing her mothers
attention from her want of appetite
Not the most watchfal eye could have de-
tected shade Of sadness in her face or man
ner that evening indeed she was gayer than
usual No wonder that her mother-good,
unobservant soul-beeved that she was hap
py in her release from the tie that had bound
her.
A few evenings had passed, and Beatrice
stood in the little Sitting-room, dressed for a
party. Never had she looked more beautiful
than now, in her simple white dress, with its
crimson ribbons, and red rosebud in her hair.
Mrs Lancaster looked at her in admiration
nor was she alone in her appreciation of her
child's lovelinesS
She was the belle of the evening at Mrs
Mercer's, and not even the youthful heresS, in
honor Of whom the party had been made and
to whom Louis Meredith was said to he affi-
anced could divide the honors Of bclle-ship
with her
1t had been we'll known throughout the
village that Beatrice and Louis had been en-
gagged, and the fact Of their separation was
equally we'll understood but though she was
narrowly watched, no look or gesture betrayed
that she had been moved by the sundering of
the tie.
She was surrounded by admirers she had a
smile for this one, command for Il second, and
merry words for others and, as if attracted
by some irresistible charm, Louis Meredith
hoycIel near her-eyen when talking with
his aliianced briGe, Therese Benedict, lie heard
every word that fell from Beatrce's lips and
saw her every motion
His eyes flashed IN rrily as he saw her smil-
ingly receiving the attentions offered her, and
cOntraStcd her manner towards all with the
careless Good evening" with which she met
him her cheek had not flushed at his greet
ing, her hand had not trcmbled in his grasp.
and he was piqued by her evident Indifference;
he was jealous, too, and almost gnashed his
teeth with rage when he saw her apparently
listening with the deepest attention TO the half
whispered words of Ralph Mercer, the only
son Of their host-the wealthiest man in the
village.
Louis looked ut Beatrice, and then at The
resc-thc one a poor village school teacher,
and the other the wealthy daughter Of a dis
tinguShed lawycr-and he could but acknowl-
edge how far superior, in beauty, grace and
talent, was the humble teacher he had discard
ed to his allianced bride.
His eyes were opened. lie knew that he
still loved Beatrice, and that without her mon
cv Thercse would have been utterly indifferent
to him.
He could bear it no longer lie stole as
soon as possible, to Beatrce's side, and said a
few words on her coquctry ond heartlcsSnesS.
She turned her large flashing eyes full upon
him with a look Of contempt.
" Mr.. Meredith forgets himself, she replied
coldly "his opinion is utterly Indifferent to
me- What right has he to criticisc my con
duct ?"