Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-22

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a whole village.
| Mrs Lancaster made no objections to thC
proposed removal, aud ere long Beatrice anC
her mother left Langdon forever.
4" Is Mr.. Irving in p asked Young man
evidently stranger, entering the large estab
lishment of Messrs Irving & Co, the most sue
cessful of the many successful merchants in
Montford
. He is, sir" was the reply of the clerk ad-
dressed. " Step this way, sir, and will show
you to the counting-room"
Treadlng his way through boxes and bales
| of goods, the gentleman followed his guide, and
was ushered into the room.
Mr.. Irving was seated at his desk, busiIy en-.
gagged in writing. He looked up as the boy
approached him, and seeing the stranger, ex-
claimed -
All, Meredith, how are you? Take @ seat
and | will be at your service in few mo-
ments'
He turned again to his desk, and rapidly
sealing the letter he had been writing, gave
that, with several others, to the boy in wait
ing, and then turned to the new conner. He
looked at him searchingly then, bursting into
lit OF laughter, exclaimed, Whats the mat
ter now? Have you lost your last friend, or
have you got heavy note falling due, and no
thing to meet it, hey ?"
Meredith shook his head. "Only nv old
complaint" he said " a touch of the blue
devils, and so | dropped in here to see if Won
couldn't exercise them as usual. You are al
ways so happy, Notwithstanding you are so
busy"
" NotaoiHstandingr' interrupted Irving
" Because I'm so busy, you might say and
come nearer the truth. Take my advice go
to work yourself, and III wager You'll be no
more troubled with the blues than l am"
The remedy is worse than the disease" " said
Meredith. Why should l care to make mo-
ney? You know very well that my poor The
rese left me more than know what to do with.
| am much obliged for your prescription, but
must decline following it."
Well, [ won't get offended, ike most
friends. if you won't take my advice, but I'll
prescribe again. This is Mrs Bigelow's re-
ception evening go with me there, and Pl
promise a release from yolr blue tormentors for
one evening at least"
\ party ~ exclaimed Louis, Struggling his
shoulders. THAT'S worse and worse ="
" 1t is mt like an ordinary party" persisted
his friend, where you go TO be stihcd in a
crowd, and cram yourself with decacies. 1t
is an unceremonious assemblage of agreeable
people, drawn together by desire to meet
each other in part, but I must confess the most
powerful magnet is Bigelows's nece--the love
liest creature you ever beheId"
" y belle :" sneered Meredith detest
the whole tribes of empty-headed coquettes"
" It's plain you have Mt seen the belle Of
Montford," rcjoined Irving. You've read
Blanca, have MT You p
" Yes, | have, and it surely was glorious
work"
"Well, our belle wrote that"
" Indeed - said Meredith, with a start and
a look Of animation that made his fine but i'm
passive features doubly beautiful then relaps-
ing into his old manner he said a belle
From all ink bedaubed danes, good Lord, de-
liver US 7"
see you are determined not to be pleas
ed with anything" said his companion. But
III defy YOU to resist our belle and blue. if Won
but sec her. VIII you go to the party or not !?
Say yes or no, Louis, for ] must dismiss you
rather unceremonously, as | have a business
engagement at four, and it lacks only a quar-
ter of that hour"
" Yes, then" yawned Louis, as he slowly
sauntcred of
Mrs. Bigelow's splendid parors were blaze
of light as the two gentlemen entered, that
evening, and paid their respects TO their host
ess. At little distance from her stood a
Young and queenly-looking girl, talking gaily
with a knot of gentlemen she was richly at
tired, and her robe of rose colored silk contras-
ted well with her clear olive complexion. She
did not observe the new cOmers till they had
joined the group around her then, with easy
elegance, she welcomed Mr. Irving, and bowed
with much grace to Mr. Meredith on his intro
duction to Miss Lancaster.
For once Louis Meredith was startled out
Of his usual apathy Beatrice" trembled
on his lips for it was she, more lovely. if pos
sible, than when he had seen her five years be-
fore. Could it be that she was the author of
that wonderful book that had thrilled the
hearts of nation He could hardly believe
the evidence of bis own senses, and, bewiIder-
ed bv his emotions, he stood almost spcechlcss
for several moments. Then recovering him,
self, he was again the polished man Of the
world
Beatrice, neither by word nor look betray cd
her recollection of him, and he did not ven
ture to recall the past She treated him with
| easy politeness, and he half vexed at the pow
| or she had over him, vet unable to resist hel
fascinations, was as constant an attendant