Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-03-19

ry little. But his peculiar state of mind led
him TO observe his friend more closely, and he
was convinced that his lightness of manner
was only assumed to hide more of real interest
than he cared to display. A new revolution
now dawHed upon the mind of Arthur Dunn
ing. After q moments silence, he said with
emphasis,
I" have one question to ask you, Winthrop.
coniure you to give me truthful answer"
Winthrop seemed a little startled by his
friends manner, but replied, though not with
out some embarrassment that he was ready to
answer any civil question. ...'.r
Then tell me truly, if you or any of my
friends have feared that was in danger from
the wine cup?"
Yes, truly we have answered Winthrop,
gravely. We have feared for you more than
we can easily find words to express, though
must confess to a timidity, which / fear is
wrong, that would have Withheld me from tell
ing You so, if you had not asked me the .ques-
ton but now you cannot be offended with
me-"
I" | am not offended, replied Duaning, seri-
ously But the admission you have just
made, has startled me- / would think over
the matter in solitude before making it the
subject of conversation with any one"
7" You are right" said Winthrop rising to
leave. Whatever conclusion you may arrive
at, | hope You will at least believe that have
been actuated only by warm and sincere friend
ship for you, in making the admission that
have"
After his friend had left, Arthur Dunnins
sat long musing on this subject
" Is it possible" he asked himself, " that so
many of my friends can have thought me in
danger from this source, aud yet Miss Hast
ings was the first to warn me- suppose they
dared not do it. The gentle Ellen alone had
the heroism to brave my displeasure. She
knew that | was displeased with her last even
ing and was troubled by it. / could read that
in her counteuancc Well, was disposed to
resent it then thought there was no cause
for her warning but begin to think | was
mistaken. | may be standing on the brink Of
a fearful precipice, from which many more
manly than myself have been dashed down to
destruction | DO love the wine-cup: there is
no denying this. | love it more ;lan dream
cd Of Am | not then in danger? Noble
girl You alone had the courage to warn me,
and the warning shall not be in vain On,
thou mocker and dcceiver 4, from this hour we
part company. Touch not, taste not, ham
die not" shall be my motto There is no safe
ty in half measures. | will bid thee an eter>
nal farewell and then | must be safe, Friends
shall no more treulble for Arthur Dnnning."
Having thus settled this most important
point, the thoughts of Arthur again turned to
Fallen Hastings aFt r. .Esrzt
"She thinks am displeaScd with her frank
ness. | must seek an interview, and assure
her that this is not now the case | must al
50 inform her that this is the third time she
has been my kind mentor, MY guardian-angel
But where can | meet her. think she will
be at Mrs. Lees party tomorrow evening-
If do not find the opportunity wish for
there, must seek it elsewhere"
Arthur Dunning was not disappointed in re-
gard to meeting Ellen at the party the next
evening. Arthur was on the wat h for an op-
portunty of addressing her without being
overheard by others, but he carefully avoided
proximity to her until snch al opportunity
should occur. Ellen perceived that Arthur
avoided her, and was pained to see it for she
thought it proved that he had not forgiven her
the liberty she took at their last meeting
Since that time, the fear that she had offend
cd him, had gwen her more pain than she
could have wished, and now that THIS fear
seemed to be confirmed by his care to avoid
her, she was more than ever troubled by it
She tried hard to diSpel all thoughts of him
from her mind but she could not do it. Strive
as she would TO Danish these thoughts. they
would quickly return, marring all the enioY-
ment of the evening. At last, wearied with
the effort TO join in the festivities which she
was in no state of mind to enjoy, she withdrew
10 an apartment which had been nearly deser-
ted by the guests, and seated herself by the
window, the drapery of which served nearly to
conceal her from the few who still remained
in the room.
Arthur, who had been watching her. though
afar off, all the evening, soon discovered the
the place of her retreat and followed her
there. She had not observed his approach,
and when he addressed her she gave q quick
start. Arthur perceived it and said,
"Am not intruding, Miss Hastiags7"
"Oh, no." was the frank reply al hare
not had the pleasure of seeing YOU this even
ing Shall tell you that | feared YOU were
offended with NE Have Won vet forgiven me
for what YOU no doubt thought was an uBpar-
donabe rudeneSs on nv part
How DO you know that have been often,
ded with you -
| am sure You were the other evening, and
have feared that YOU still were"
will be perfectly frank with you, Miss
Hastings will own that | did feel some
thing like resentment at that time But have
thought calmly and seriously of this matter
since, and the result has been that hare be.
come convinced of my danger danger of
which no one hut you has ever dared 10 warn
me- have sought You to night to thank you
most sincerely, aud to assure you that myself
and the wine-cup have parted company for
ever"
As Arthur said this, Ellen raised Ter eyes
to bis face with sach an expression Of glad
surprise as thrilled his very heart
a. Do you remember the words you used.r