Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-24

uDouI nilip GuaC SuOulQ WISH TO talk OF
to him 2" She laid her head against the side
marble of the mantelpiece as she spoke, and
a sort of half-sigh, half moan escaped her
Mrs Crane looked at her troubled ceuntenance,
at her eyes closed in pain, at the silent tears
trickling down. I" And for an ungrateful rakc!'
she contcmptuously uttered
CHAPTER II.
The weeks went on, several, and. with them,
the preparation for Millicent Cranes marriage
with Mr.. Crawford For once-rara occur
renee 1T was union of love, and Millicent's
happiness would have been unclouded but for
the agitating suspense she was in about her
brother. His hiding place had not been trac-
cd, but it was the opinion of the banking-frm,
that he had escaped to America And there
they quietly suffered him to remain, for his de-
falcation had not been great-not sufficient
for them to 60 to the expense and trouble of
tracking him there. Mllicents days were anx-
ious and her nights weary she loved this bro
ther with lively, enduring love like as a
mother clings to her child so did Milcent
cling to him. She pictured him wandering the
earth, homeless, friendless, destitute over
whelmed with remorse, for she knew that an
honorable nature, like Philips, could not COM
NIT crime and then forget it or she pictur-
ed him revealing with dissolute companions,
sinking deeper into sin, day by day Before
Mr.. Crawford alone she strove to appear cheer
full and happy, not wishing him, after his re-
strictiOn, to think she dwelt too much on this
erring brother.
One day, in the beginning Of February she
was walking unaccompanied into the town,
when a man, dressed loosely in the garb of a
sailor, wearing large, shabby pilot-jacket, and
with huge black whiskers, stepped up to her
and put note into her hand without speak
ing, touched his hat and disappeared down a
side-street. Millicent, much surprised, started
after the man and opened it.
Ny DEAR SIsrER-Come to me this even
ing at dusk, if you can do so without suspicion
at home. l have been days on the watch, and
have not been able to get speech of YOU
am now writing this hoping to give it to you
if not today, some other. Be very cautious :;
the police are no doubt on the lookout for me
here, as they have been in London. am at
q, Port street the house is mean and lOw
and You must come up to the top story, and en-
ter the door on your right hand. Will you dare
this for my sake? "P. c."
Millicent had unconsciously stood still while
she read the note, and her face was turning as
white as death. So intent was she as not to
perceive Mr.. Crawford, who happened, by i'll
luck to be passing through the street-an un-
usual part of the town for him to be in, at that
hour of the day He crossed over the road
and touched her on the shoulder, and Milicent,
whose head was full of officers of justice look
ing after Philip, positively screamed in alarm,
and crumbled the note up in her hand /; aud
thrust it into her bosom.
What is the matter ?" cried Mr.. Crawford,
looking at her in astonishment
a thought-I-is it only you ?" Stammer-
ed Nllicent
"Only me Whom did you expect it was
What has happened, Millicent, to drive away
your color like this What is that letter you
have just hidden, with as much terror as if it
were forged banknote 2"
"The letter's-nothing," she gasped, her
teeth chattering with agitation and fright
1T must be something" persisted Mr.. Crau-
ford 80 / saw a sailer come up and give it to
you Very strange p
Indeed it is nothing" repeated Millicent-
nothing that can tell YOU"
"Do you want to make me jealous, Mllicent?"
he asked, in tone that she might take for Ell
ther jest or earnest.
Il will tell you all about it sometime" she
said endeayoring to assume careless, playful
tone Il promise it, Richard"
He left her as she spoke, for he was in pur-
suit of hasty business but as he walked on,
he pondered over what he had seen, and Mill
cents agitation and repeated to himself that
it was very strange
Evening came, and Millicent, arrayed in the
plainest garb she could muster, cloth cloak
and dark winter bonnet, and making an ex-
cusc to Mrs Crane that she was going to Speut