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


into Port street, and saw her enter the house
No. "a Mr. Crauford, bis senses turned up
side down with wonder and pcrplexty, took
his standing within the entrance door of one
opposite and watched
| IL was half an hour before she came out,
and she went quickly up the street in the rain,
without putting up her umbrella, fearful per-
haps of another collision with the wind Mr.
Crawford came from his hidingplace, and kept
her in view till she was knocking, heated and
out of BREATH at the house of their frieuds.
where he had likewise an invitation He went
up, as she stood there waiting for admission,
but said nothing of what he had seen, not
word he had resolved to watch her future
movements and pursue the matter up. But
he was pointedly cool to MilIicent aud did not
see her home in the evening lie was proud,
vain man, and to have any doubt or suspicion
cast upon his future wife, was to his spirit as
wormwood. And yet to doubt Millicent
Crane open, honorable, right-minded Milli-
cent Crane Mr.. Crauford was sorely per-
picked, and worried himself on his sleepless
bed that night.
Several days elapsed before Millicent got to-
gether the necessary money for her brother,
borrowing ia secret, q few pounds from one
and few pounds from another for Mrs
Crane she did not dare to ask or confde in,
and nearly every evening she centrved to see
him. But never did she enter that low street
and its No. "a, but she was watched by Rich
ard Crauford. He made inquiries A hand
some young sailor, just come off a voyage, was
lodging in the house, and the young woman
came to see him-Rchard Crauford could not
| fathom it, but his heart waxed wroth against
| Millicent.
One evening, when the time of Philips de-
parture was drawing near, as Millicent was
returning through Port Street, from one of
those stolen visits, she heard naughty stride
behind her, and the voice of one she knew well.
"Milliccnt! Miss Crane"
| She was obliged to turn, shaking all over
with apprehension and debating how she could
account for her appearance in such locality.
What have you been doing here ?" de-
manaed Mr. Crawford. "Tell me-"
"l-Richard-it was an errand 1t done
now, and am going home"
You can have no legitimate errand in this
part of the town." he retorted, " and your vi
sits here of late, have been pretty frequent
Will you impart to me the cause of your ex-
/ traordinary conduct, MilIicent ?"
Richard" she cried, with tears of agita-
tion, "you have known me for years you
have chosen me for your wife you cannot
suspect of me anything wrong !"
My wife yes, did choose you But do
You think wife, actual or promised, should
hold disgraceful secret and keep it from her
husband ?"
| al trust, Richard, when am your wife
that we shall have no conceaiments from each
, other" she painted forth. 81 will not from
you"
viii you tell me what brings you to this
place of an evening, and who it is you come to
visit p
Later will tell you-if you allow me-"
she answered. I" | may not now"
What do you call later? When we are
married ?"
"Yes"
"And not before 2"
"You would not hear me, Richard" she
returned, her mind reverting to his interdic-
tiou d" and perhaps not forgive me-"
You must think my confidence in you will
stretch to any limit" he haughtily rejoined
a man does not usually marry with doubt
on his mind. | must know what this mystery
is, and without subterfuge"
| al may not tell you now," she answered in
a deprecating tone !; "I do not know what
the consequences would be- l will ask per-
mission"
"Of your sailor friend at No. "a ~ he re-
turned, his lip curling with ineffable scorn-
And Millicent could not suppress cry of ter
| rOr.
40, Richard, don't ask me don't try to
fathom this On my word of honor, as your
future wife, | am doing nothing wrong moth
; ing diSgracefu nothing of which | need be
ashamed"
If you wish me to believe this, you must
tell me what it is, and let me judge what you
call " "disgraceful."
Indeed, cannot tonight. But-perhaps
tomorrow night will if / cam"
Every WE'LL" he replied. "I will afford
ycu the opportunity tomorrow night. And
he continued to walk by MilliceHt's side till
| she reached her home. But he did not offer
her his arm, and observed a stern silence
"You will come in ?" she said to him, when
the door was opened.
"No Good night to you," he answered,
| and turned and strobe away. 1t seemed as if
| he had but constrained himself to walk with
her for her protection.
The next time Millicent saw her brother
she spoke of Mr.. Crauford, and asked if she
| might impart the secret to him.
You could not betray 1t to worse man,
lover of yours though he is,' was Philips re-
joinder. He is one of your cold, upright
men, Millecent-who would deem it deroga-
tory to his high mercantile character not to
deliver me up to justice if he knew Twas here
When | am gone, / and the good ship which
will bear me out of danger, then tell him."
That may not be for week or fortnight"
she observed
Before fortnight, hope shall go by
the first that sails from Liverpool, and you
shall have notice of my departure. But, Mil
licent if you think the delay will cause SER
ious unpleasautness between you and Richard