Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-11-06
A. nr,AR PER ANNJN, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.

oi Delng introduced, IN due form, to Miss Lang
ley, before he slept that night, though he
should travel round the whole circle of his ac-
quaintanee, high and low, rich and poor in
making the attempt. Arrived at the club he
began to inquire resolutely, in all directions,
for friend who knew Mr.. Langley, of Lang.
ley Hail. lie disturbed gastronomic gentle
men at their dinner he interrupted agricultu-
raj men who were moaning over the prospects
OF the harvest he startled literary gentlemen
who were deep in the critical mysteries of the
last Review he invaded billiard room, dress
ing room, smoking room he was more like
frantic ministerial whpper in, hunting up stray
members for division, than an ordinary man;
and the oltener he was defeated in his object,
the more determined he was to succeed At
last, just as he was standing in the hall of the
club house, thinking where he should 30 next,
friend entered, who at once relieved him of
all his dificultieS-a precionS and ineStmabe
man, who was on intimate terms with Mr.
Langley, and had been lately staying at Lang
ley Hall. To this friend all the lovers cares
and anXietieS were at once confded F.: aud
filter depository for such secrets of the heart
could hardly have been found lie made no
jokes, for he was not bachelor he abstaiucd
from shaking his head and recommending pru-
dence, FOR he was not seasoned husband or
an experienced widowcr what he really did
was to enter heart and soul into his friends
projects, for he was precisely in that position
the only position, in which the male sex gencr-
ally take proper interest in matchmaking :;
he was newly married man.
Two days after, Mr.. Streatfeld was the
happieSt of mortals he was introduced to the
lady of his love, to Miss Jane Langley. He
really enjoyed the priceless privilege of looking
once more on the face in the balcony, and
looking on it almost as often as he wished 1t
was perfect ElySIum. Mr. and Mrs Langley
saw little or no company. Miss Jane was al
ways accessible, never monopolizcd the light
of her beauty shone day after day for Rer
adorer alone and his love bIoSSomed in it, as
fast rs flowers in a dollhouse. Passing bv all
minor details of the wooing to arrive the soon
er mt the grand fact of the winning, let us Simp-
ly relate that Mr. Strcatild's object in seeking
an introduction to Mr.. Langley, was soon ex-
planned and Was indeed visible enough long
before the explanation He was a handsome
man, an accomplished man, and rich man
His two first qualifications conquered the
daughter and his third the father. Tn six
weeks Mr.. Strcatticld was the accepted lover
OF Miss Jane Langley. The wedding-day was
fixed it was arranged that the marriage
should take place at Langley Hall. whittier
the family proceeded, leaving the unwilling
lover in London a prey to all the inexorable
business formalitcs OF the occasion. For ten
days did the ruthless lawyers. those dead
weights on the back of ilymen, keep their vic
tim in the metropolis, occupied over settlements
that never seemed likely to be settled But
even the long march of the law has its ends
like other mortal things at the expiration of
ten days all was completed. and Mr Strcat-
field found himself at liberty to start for Lang
ley Hall
\ large party was assembled at the house 10
grace the approaching uuptials There were
10 be tabeauX, chaga,lcs, boating trips, riding
excursions, amuSemeuts Of all sorts, the whole
to conclude yin the plav-bil phrase with the
grand climax of the wedding. Mr. Strcatfeld
arrived late, dinner was ready. he had barely
time TO dress and then hustle in the drawing
room just as the guests were leaving it, to Of
fer his arm to Miss Jane all greetings with
friends and int-oducti0nS TO strangers being
postponed till the party met round the dining
table
Grace had been said, the covers were taken
of, the loud, cheerful ham of conversation
was just beginning when Mr.. StrcatGcld'S eyes
met the eyes of n youny lady who was seated
opposite at the table. The guests near him,
observing at the same moment that he contin-
ued standing after every one else had been Iplac-
ed, glanced at him inquiringly. To their
toniShment and alarm they observed that his
face had suddenly become deadly pale-his
rigid features looked struck by paralysis. Sew
eral of his friends spoke TO him, but for the
first few moments he returned no answer
Then, still fixing his eyes upon the Young lady
opposite, he abruptly exclaimed in voice the
altered tones OF which startled every one who
heard him, That is the face saw in the bal
cony !; that woman is the ouly woman | can
ever marry y The next instant, without
word more, either. Of explanation or apology,
he hurried from the room.
One or two of the guests mechanically start
ed up as if to follow him the rest remained
at the table, looking on each other in speech
less surprise. But before any one could either
act or speak, almost at the moment when the
door closed on Mr. Streatfeld, the attention Of
all was painfully directed to Jane Langley
She had tainted. Her mother and sisters re-
moved her from the room Immediately, aided
by the servants. As they disappeared, dead
silence again sank down over the company ;
they looked around with one accord 10 the
master of the fsouSe
Mr.. Langlcy's face and manner sufficiently
revealed the suffering and suspense that he
was secretly enduring But he was man of
the world, and neither by word or action did
he betray what was passing within him. He
resumed his place at the table, and begged his
guests TO do the same lie affected to make
light Of what had happened, entreated every
one TO forget it, or if they remembered il AT
all, to rcmcnbet it only as mere accident,
which would 10 doubt be satisfactorily explain
ed. Perhaps it was only a jest on Mr.. Streat-
fields part-rathcr too serious one, he must
.,l... Z ..nr ra.n MhateKer was the cause of