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

nected, too that Richard Crauford loved her.
and hoped she should find little difficulty in
appeasing him when the time for declaring all
should come. Besides, she believed that he
could not hint at such in his high and haueh-
ty sense of honor.
He sought her that evening. He had watch
ed her to the old haunt, and he watched her
out again, and then strobe after her and over
took her in the street as he had done the pre-
ceding one.
T" / said would afford You an opportunity
of speaking to me tonight" he begun, without
any previous salutation, and in tone almost
of repulson. " l am here to dc it."
" And | cannot yet, Richard You must
accord me little while longer few days"
Not day, not another hour" he burst
forth. If we part to night without full con-
iidence between us, we part for the last time"
Richard" she uttered, clasping her hands
together and lying them on his arm in her ag-
taton, do not be so harsh with me- do not
be so cruel l assure you, as | would assert
it in the hearing of heaven, that nay going as
L have done to that house in Port street, is no
just cause for your breaking with me- You
taught me to love you, Richard if you de-
sert me, you remove all L now have to live
for"
Fine words, fowery sentiments" he re-
torted, but they possess more sophistry than
reason. L do not desert you, nor do | wish
to do so 1 ask but for your confidence, Mil
licent. If you will not give it me, you drive
me from you"
" | will give it you, Rehard-after lit
tie while. L would give much to be able to
give it you now"
"What prevents you ?"
Have confidence ia me-" she implored,
evading his question accord me yet a few
days delay. Do not see me before then, if
You would so wish it, But cherish no harsh
ness against ME, for | do not deserve it.D
" am not fool, Millicent," he bitterly
said. "You ask to he freed from my compa-
ny that yeu may pursue these iniquitous visits
it is impossible that they can be for any good
And it is equally impossible that you can be
called upon to indulge in any line of conduct
which may not be told to your. future husband
| think species of madness must have overta-
ken you"
Sorrow has overtaken me-" she murmur-
ed, nothing else. Can you not understand
Richard There is secret i'm this matter
which is not mine"
What if | promise to keep? What is en-
trusted to You may be entrusted to me.''
May trust him 2" she asked herself
With perfect safety to Philip %
I" fit-involved criminality p she hesitat-
ed, looking at him, and speaking timidly.-
Criminality in another" she hastily added,
not in me. Would you promise to keep it
then ?"
am not in the habit of being made the
confident of crime" he impcriously rejcincd
did not know that you were"
And Mlicent felt that her momentary hope
of telling him then must not be indulged-
She stood, looking the image of trouble and
despair, her cheeks pale, and her eyes cast
down. Mr.. Crawford may be forgiven for
mistaking the signs for those of deceit and
guilt
Then You refuse to tell me, Milliceut
Crane ~ he resumed.
For the present for few days. l have
no other resource. Indeed will tell you la
ter"
NO." he said, al shall never give you an
other opportunity. We part now forever
"Oh, Richard you cannot mean it ?' she ut
tered, her voice shaking with emotion. Sure
ly you will not cast me off, and we SO near
the time of being man and wife !"
al will send You your letters back to-mor-
row." he coldly rejoined, tonight it is too
late and | desire that you will return me
mine. Adeu. Your way now lies one road
and mine another"
" But it must not be- she sobbed clasping
his arm in her anguish. al am to be your
wife; you have said it,"
eyes" he answered, remaining quite still,
and not seeking to push her hand away. "If
you will explain your conduct, and l find you
have done nothing unworthy the future wife
of an honorable man. Can you do this, Milli-
cent !'
She pressed both her hands upon her throb-
bing temples, and again debated the question
with herself. Her brothers safety and her
own happiness and the good opinion of Rich
ard Crauford should she risk the former for
the latter Mr.. Crauford watched her counte-
nance and its signs of despair
Slowly she removed her hands, and raised
her eyes to his, and essayed twice to speak be-
fore she could get out the words
Were appearances against you, Richard"
she said, and you bid me aeaa and trust you,
would wait for any length Of time, and trust
you-I would wait for any length of time and
trust you still for years, if you so wished it.
My ask for few days"
Then you decline to explain" he answered.
That is your final answer?"
1t is so against my will. 1t is obliged
to be-"
Farewell to you," he sternly rejoined.-
Henceforth we are strangers"
He strobe away rapidly in the direction of
his home he had prepared for Millicent, and
she sought hers with a bursting heart. Two
DAYS after that, Philip quilted the town for
LiverpooI. and in about ten more, Miicent re-
ceived news of his departure for Melbourne
She then sent the following note to Mr. Crau-
ford -
"The time has now come when | am releas.
ed from my obligation of secrecy Give me