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

presSlye and sublime about the moral heruism
of this yonng girl, whose heart and mind, hith-
crto wholly inexperienced in the harder and
darker emergencies of life, now rose in the
strength OF their native purity superior to the
hltterest, cruelest trial that either could uu-
dergo whose patience and resignation, called
forth for the first time ly calamity which
suddenly thwarted the purposes aud paralysed
the affections that had been destined to endure
for life. could thus appear at once in the
fullest maturity of virtue and beauty. As the
father thought of these things Us he vague
ly and imperiectly estimated the extent Of the
daughters sacrifice as he reflected on the na-
ture Of the afflction that had befalien her,
which combined in itself a fatality that none
could have forcsecn, fault that could neither
bo repaired nor resented, a Judgment against
which there was no appeal, aud then remem
bered how this affljctiol had been horne with
what words and what actions it had been met
he felt that it would he almost proclamation
to Judge the touching petition just addressed
80 him by the criterion of his worldly doubts
and his worldly wisdom. His eye fell on the
Bible, still open beneath it he remembered
the little child who was set in the midst of the
disciples, as teacher and example to all /; and
daughter it was not to direct or to advise but
to comfort and comply.
They delayed her removal for few days to
see if she faltered in her resolution, if her
bodily weakness increased but she never wa
vered, nothing in her appearance changed,
either for better or for worse. A week after
the startling scene at the dinner table she was
living in the strictest retirement in the house
of her aunt About the period of her depar-
ture letter was received from Mr. Streatfcld.
1t was little more than recapitulation Of
what he had already said to Mr. Langley, ex-
pressed, however, on this occasion, in stronger
and at the same time in more respectable terms.
The letter was answered briefly ; he was in
formed that nothing had as yet been determin-
ed on, but that the communication would bring
him a final reply.
Two months passed During that time Jane
Langley was frequently visited at her aunt's
house by her father and her mother She
still remained calm and reSolute still looked
pale and thoughtful, as at first Doctors
were consulted they talked of shock to
the nervous system of great hope from time
and their patients strength of mind, and of
the necessity of accedng to her wishes in all
things Then the advice of the aunt was
sought She was u woman Of an eccentric,
masculine character, who had herself experien-
ced love disappointment in early life, and
had never married She gave her opinion un-
reservedy and abruptly, as she always gave it.
Do as Jane tells you," said the old lady,
severely "that poor child has more moral
courage and determination than all the rest of
you put together l know better than any
body what sacrifice she has had to make !;
but she has made it, and made it nobly-like
q heroine as some people would say like a
good, high-lDinded, courageous girl, as | say !;
do as she tells you let that poor selfish fool
of a man have his way and marry her sister ;
he has made one mistake already about face,
see if lie does not find out some day that he
has made another about wife let him -
Jane is too good for him or for any other man
leave her to ne let her stop here she Shan't
lose by what has happened you know this
place is mine-1 mean it to be hers when I'm
dead; you know I've got some money! shall
leave it to her l've made my will---it's all
done and settled go back home, send for the
man, and tell Clara to marry him without any
more fuss You wanted my opinion there it
is for you !"
At last Mr.. Langley decided. The import
ant letter was written which recalled Mr.
Streat6eld to Langley Hall. AS Jane had
forseen, Clara at first refused to hold any com
munication with him but Il letter from her
sister and the remOnstrances of her father soon
changed her resolution. There was nothing
in common between the twin-sisters but their
personal resemblance Clara had been guided
all her life by the opinions of others, and she
was guided by them now.
Ouna Darmitta1 thu Oppnrfunity of ,,loodiuO
MS CAUSE :,ir. Sircutiieiu Giii rot neglect his
own interests 1t would be little to our pur-
pose to describe the doubts and difficulties
which delayed at first the progress of his second
courtship-pursued as it was under circum-
stances not only extraordinary but unprecc-
dentcd. 1t is no longer with him or with Clara
Langley that the interest of our story is con,
nected Suffice it to say, that lie ultimately
overcame all the young lady's scruples and
that few mouths afterwards some of Mr.
Langley's intimate friends found themselves
again assembled round his table as wedding
guests, and congratulating Mr.. Streatlied on
his approaching union with Clara, as they hat
already congratulated him scarcely year back
on his approaching union with Jane !
The social ceremonies of the wedding day
were performed soberly--almoSt sadly Some
OI GHt SutStS ieSpcCldlly lHe uutlidIIleu iduies
thought that Miss Clara had allow d herself
to be won.too eaSily-others were picturing to
themselves the situation of the poor girl who
was absent and contributed little to the gayety
of the party On this occasion, however, moth
ing occurred to interrupt the proceeding the
marriage took place; and Immediately after
it, Mr. Streatheld and his bride started for a
tour on the Continent
On their departure. Jane Langley returned
home She made 10 reference whatever to her
sisters marriage and no one mentioned it in
her presence. Still the color did not return to
her cheek, or the old ga;tey to her manner
The shock that she had suffered had left its
d. Il.