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

pdpeI, anu gave IL 10 one OF the servants
Note was directed to Mr. StreatfeId the lines
contained only these words =" Two hours
hence | shall expect to see you alone in the
| library"
The dinner proceeded the places occupied
by the female members of the Langley family,
and by the young lady who had attracted Mr.
Streatfeld's notice in so extraordinary a man
ner, being left vacant. Every one endeayored
to follow Mr.. Langley's advice, and 30 through
| the business of the dinner as though nothing
had occurred but the attempt failed misera-
bly,. Long blank pauses occurred in the con-
versation general topics were started but
never pursued. 1t was more like an assembly
of. strangers than a meeting of friends peo-
! pie neither ate nor drank, as they were ac-
cumstomed to eat and drink they talked in
! altered voices, and sat with unusual stiffness
even in the same positions Relatives, friends,
! and acquaintanceS all alike perceived that
! some great domestic catastrophe had happen
| ed all foreboded that some serious, if not ia
tai explanation of Mr. Streatfcld's conduct
! would enSue and it was vain and hopeless
very mockery of Self-pOSSeSSion, to attempt
! to shake off the sinister and chilling influences
! that recent events had left behind them, and
resume at will the thoughtlcSSness and hiIarity
Of ordinary life. Still, however Mr. Langley
persisted in doing the hon0rs Of the table, in
proceeding doggedly through all the festive
ceremonies of the hour, until the adics rose
and retired. Then, after looking at his watch
\ he beckoned to one of his sons to take his
/ place, aud quietly left the room He only
stopped once rs be crossed the hall, to ask
news of his daughter from one of his servants
! The reply was that she had had a hyStercal
/ fit, that the medical attendant of the family
! had been sent for, and that since his arrival
! she had become more composed. When the
man had spoken, Mr.. Langly made no remark,
but proceeded at once to the library. He
/ locked the door behind him as soon as he had
! entered the room Mr. Strcatfeld was already
waiting there he was seated at the table en-
deavOring to maintain an appearance of com
( poSurc, by mechanically turning over the leaves
of the books before him. Nj Langley drew
/ chair near him, and in low but very firm
/ tones. began the conversation thus
had given You two hours, sir to collect
! yourself, to consider your position fully |
/ presume, therefore, that YOU are now prepared
/ to favor me with an explanation Of your con
/ duct at my table to-day"
! What explanation can make what can
I | say OF think OF this most terrible of fataIi-
ties" exclaimed Mr. Streatiield, speaking faint
+ ly and confuSediy, and st;ll not looking up
There has been an uneXamplcd error com
mtted, fatal mistake, which could never
| have anticipated, aud over which l had no con-
/ troll"
Enough, sir, of the language of romance" ;"
Interrupted Mr.. Langley, cudy " am neth-
er of an arc nor disposition to appreciate it.
l come here to ask plain questions honestly,
aud | insist, as my right. on receiving answers
in the same spirit. You, Mr. Streatied, sought
an Introduction 10 me. you protcSScd yourself
attached 10 MY daughter Jane, your proposals
were Il fear unLappily for u.s. accepted, your
weddng-day Was fixed, and now after all this.
when you happen to observe my daughters
twin sister sitting opposite 10 you--'
/" Her twin-siStcr :" exclaimed Mr.. Streat-
field and hi trembling hand crumpled the
leaves of the hook which he still held while
he spoke Why is it, intimate rs | have
been with your family, that now know for
the first time that Miss Jane Langley has Il
twin sister -
" Do you descend, sir, to Subtcrfngc. when
ak you for an explanation p returned Mr.
LanSiey angry ''you must have heard over
and over again, that my children, Jane aud
Clara, were twins"
On my word and honor declare that"
Spare me all appeals to your word AMI
honor, sir | am beginning to doubt them"
will not make the unhappy situation in
/ which we are all placed, still WORSE by an-
sweriny your last words as might at other
! times feel inclined TO answer them,' said Mr.
/ Streatfeld, assuming a camer demeauor than
he had hitherto displayed :" / tell You the
! truth, when | tell you that before TO day |
/ never knew that any of your children were
( twins. Your daughter Jane, has frequently
/ spoken to me Of her absent sister Clara. but
/ never spoke of her as her twin-sister. Until
/ to-day, | have had no opportunity of discover
/ ing the truth, for until to-day have never met
met Miss Clara Langley since | saw her in the
/ balcony Of the house in St. James'S street
I The only one of your children who WAS never
present during my intercourse with your fami-
/ ly i'll London, was your daughter Clara, the
| daughter whom | now know for the first time
as the Young lady who really arrested my at
/ tcntion on mvsway to the levee, whose affec-
tionS it was really nv object to win in seeking
an Introduction to you. TO me, the resemblance
between the twin-sisters has been fatal re-
semblance the long absence of one fatal
! absence"
! There was momcntary pause, as Mr.. Streat-
Geld sadly and calmly pronounced the last
words MIR. Langley appeared to DE absorbed
in thought. At ieagth he proceeded, speaking
/ TO himself 80 1t is strange remember that
Clara left London on the day Of the levce to
set out on ,rsisit to her aunt, and only return
cd here two days since. TO be present at her
sisters marriage. Well. SIR" he continued,
addressing Mr.. Streatfeld, 9 granting what
you say, granting that we all mentioned my
! absent daughter to you, as We are accustomed
to mention her among ourselves, simply as
Clara You have still not excused your con
/ duet in my eyes Remarkable as the reSem-
/ bIance is between The siSterS-mOrc remarka-