Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-22
SGIGtte6 Gale.
BEATRICE LANCASTER.
BY MIRIAM F. HAMILTON.
CHAPTER !.


It was late in the afternoon. A long row
Of r.r,s and boys stood in a regular line be-
fore their teacher, in the little red school house,
raciting their spelling lesson, while the remain
der of the pupils fidgeted in their seats, piled
and replied their books on their desks, and
cast restless eager gances out at the open
door. and then at the teachers face, for it was
nearly time for dismissal, and, weary of long
afternoons confinement, the children could
hardly wait for the tinkle Of the bell-the sig
nlI o. their release At last the spelling-class
took their seats, the bell sounded, and instant
" there was a scene OF confusion-boys rush
ed ont of the door, and gave vent to their
0entuN spirits in whoops, yells and somerscts /;
and girls more quietly, but not less gaily, ran
out into the open air. Soon merry voices died
ayar in the distance, and the teacher was left
alone in that Just now crowded school-room.
She was a young and striking-looking girl
Her form was erect, her step stately, and her
'aa,GreS, though irregular, were pleasing her
abundant raven hair was wound in a sort OF
cc9Hal around her head, in a singular but
not uubocoming fashion her complexion was
clear olive, and her mouth firm in its express
son almost uupIeaSantly so when closed, but
when she smiled she was positiFey beautiful
then her whole cOuntenance changed her
iar-e, fiery eyes grew soft and tender, and the
pride and hqutcUr that spoke in her every lin
cameut, marrinE her otherwise almost perfect
beauty, disappeared.
jus, now one OF those bcam,nr smiles light
cd uD her coaHtcuance she stood hv her desk.
in her usual erect position holding note. vet
in h.r bat Il ho1 IL
10 the schooi-rOom during the session, and now
hat she was alone, she prepared to read it
She seemed in no haste to break the seal. She
booked At the bold firm handwriting and press
ed ito her lips then, slowly unfolding it,
sac read:
For sometime past, Beatrice, have been
unhappy you have observed it, and to your in
o1jrjeS as to its cause. | have given false and
e7asve replies but | can deceive myself and
y9l mo longer. | sought you last night with
The determination to toll you all, but | could
MI utter the words that would, | felt, give
ro1 50 much pain But must do it. What
m7 tongnc refused to tell / must intruSt my
pen. Il Is useless TO hesitate the sooner all
&DoEn the better for us both Beatrice, /
aa4 that have mistaken the nature Of my
.e,ng> towards v0u As God is my witness,
Wien We We're bctrOthed | thought | loved
'ol | still appreciate your rare loveliness,
sl5. better still vopr many eycellencics of mind
and heart bpt onr affections are bcvond onr
ma.mI and much rs there is admirable about
raa no Iorrer love Won At first deter
@.gal never 70 acop,int Won with the chanrn
IN nv sentiments but 7 sirank from a lifetime
O. deceit. | couId not nj the altar pcriurc
myself hy takjn,- those solemn VOWS and 7
knew. too rha4 Won would snyrn the offered
hand without tho heart accomnanied il 7
have done very wrono in boctilv cnterinc nnon
o., Engagement withont q nronpr knowIpdgp