Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-01-22

1t was with fear aud trembling that again
entered into society, from which | had been
so long excluded. | felt confident of remain,
ing unrecognized, even if were to meet any
acquaintance of former years | knew well
how greatly ! was changed, and | had chosen
part of the country which was entirely new
to me, and where had had no friends in early
life Still there were some whom shuddered
at the bare possibility of meeting. knew
that Mortimer lived but also knew that be
yer left his desolate home.
Carlotta entered eagerly into the society
which was open to her, and as the heiress Of
very large fortune, and endowed with rare
beauty and talent, she was much sought, and
speedily surrounded by those who would fain
have been encouraged to try and win her
/ have said that knew Carlotta's love would
come as an overwhelming passion Does nv
reader think that have already recorded sin
and sorrow enough to fill one life ? am now
approaching the most terrible crisis of my life,
the most fearful result of my sin.
The tempest is raging still-that young
voice is heard above the storm. How can |
live amongst such memories
Carlotta loved. She was sought ia marriage
by the heir to an earldom. Little cared she
for The wealth and honors that were laid at
her feet, but she loved him with all the passion
of her nature aud lie seemed to me to merit
her love; but he had still to be tried
He came to ask my child from one. could
not promise her hand until had revealed her
history. aud told him my tale
He was proud Of his name and family. an
unsuilied name, an ancient family. He seemed
stunned at my disclosure | awaited his de-
ci>on with apparent calmGess, but felt that
my child life would hang upon it,
He left me, his proposals withdrawn |
could not blame him. | only requested him
not to see my child again, to leave to me the
task of telling her to >tifc her love in its birth.
He promised, and he left me
| sought Carlotta, and | bade her bansh
him from her mind. | told her he was unwor-
thy of her; was obliged to speak vaguely
| told her that his proposals We're withdrawn.
She gazed at ME inw wonder, and she required
me TO tell her what had passed between her
lover and myself Ianswered her hesitatinglv,
and she s;rang from her place, and standing
before me with flashing eyes she told NE that
she never could believe that he had acted in
any way unworthily Of her, and that she would
submit to 10 mystery on 4 subject which in
VOWED her whole happiness
| asked her If the stranger whom she had
only known for few weeks were more to be
trusted than the father who had tended her
whole Life. She wept paSsiolately, bat she
said she knew there was a mystery aud she in
sisted on knowing it.
| did my best to calm her l had ;ll-con-
sidered my task ! knew not what to say. |
RI osh ID I -
their ancient and unsuiicd name Suddenly
she broke from me, aud entreated that would
leave her alone for time she said she could
learn TO bear it better in solitude ; SO | left
her, little thinking what her purpose was
had never mentioned Blanca from the time
that said she brought nv child to my arms
but she had never left her, aud had been to the
happy child as she had been to the unhappy
mother, faithful and attached friend.
Something in my hes!tating attempts to ex-
plain what dared not explain TO Carl0tta-
something in my allnS;on to proud and ua-
sullied name aud ancestry had excited her
quick notice Blanca was garru!ouS old wo-
man, as most Italian nurses are and as /
spoke, nv child must nave recalled HATS and
words UNDECIDED before, spoken by her oIi
nurse which, taken in connection with what
| said, made her inquire Of herself for tue first
time what her family was-why We mad 10
family ties as other people had.
Quick suspicion aroused, she sought Biancq,
and as heard afterwards. insisted in her most
vehement manner on knowing all that her nurse
could tell of her family. Blanca is nov terri
fed but Carlotta knew how 10 gain her ends
She coaxed and she threatened she felt as
sured that there was some mystery, though of
what nature she never could have guessed =
aud she was confirmed in her resolution TO learn
what it was by Blanca evident embarra sSmeut
and terror lest she should come TO NE.
| sat alone in nv room for al hour after
had left Carlotta felt anXioRS and miSera-
bic | knew hot how inquiries were to be set
at rest | should have fo7eSeen such wretch
ed state of things !; | should never have brought
her 10 EnclEnd. These were my Ihol-htS
when the door opened and Carl.otta stood be
fore me
She was pale as death, her eyes d;stended
and fixed, ami her lips coloriess.
| must draw d veil on the scene which fol-
lowed. Could it be my gentle Carlottas chiid
who overwhelmed her wr-tcbci father with
wild passionate reproaches-who asked him.
with heart rendinS cries, why he had not let
her die in iufancy-why he had nurtared her
with care, and mocked her with tenderness,
that she might only live 10 learn her shame.
and have her heart broken CoIld il be my
gentle CaTiotta's child who spoke thus, and
under whose torrent Of agoGY and reproach |
bound myself down, 4 crashed and miserable
wretch, where hitherto-bleSsed in her iguo-
bad been loved and honored ia
ther?
She quilted the room, trembling with her
wild passion. maddened by her anguish.
Rcader-l saw her once again. That same
night heavy steps and slow, approached my
door. | had never moved during the hours
which bad elapsed since she left me. l heard
those steps-I heard whispering roces-l