Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1857-09-03

her little weakness, Frances had too much
sense not to see that the young lieutenant was
an empty-headed coxcomb, and not ut all the
man with whom she hoped to spend her years
of discretion-when arrived at them-after an
ample enjoyment of the delights that youth,
beauty, and wealth are calculated to procure
their posSessor. Her eyes were opened, in
short and the ordinary effect of this sort of
awakening from an unworthy peRchant-for
attachment it could not be called-ensued /;
the temporary liking changed into aversion,
and the attentions that had fattered her before
became hateful In accordance with this new
state Of her feelings she resolved to alter her
behavior, in order to dissipate as quickly as
possible the erroneous impression of the fami-
ly whilst at the same time, she privately
made arrangements for cutting short her visit,
and anticipating the period of her removal to
the house of Mrs GaSkon, betwixt whom and
the Dunbars the interval of her friends ab-
Sence in Russia was to be divided In spite
of her stratagem, however, she did not escape
what she apprehended. Fincent's leave had
nearly expired too and when the moment
approached that was to separate them he
seized an opportunity of making his pro-
posals.
There is scarcely woman to be met with
in society, who does not know, from experience,
what a painful thing it is to crush the hopes
of man who is paying her the high e0mpli-
ment of wishing to place the happiness Of his
life in her keeping and when to this source
of embarrassment is added the consciousness of
having culpably raised expectations that she
Shrinks from realizing, the situation becomes
doubly distressing. On the present occasion,
agitated, ashamed, and confused, Frances, in
stead of honestly aT0wing her fault, which
would have been the safest thing to do, had
recourse to q subterfuge ; she answered, that
she had been betrothed by her father to the
sen of his dearest friend and that she was not
free to form any other engagement. OF
course. Vincent pleaded that such contract
could not be binding on her but as. whilst
she declared her determination to adhere TO
it, she forbore 10 add, that were she ut liberty
his position would not be improved, the young
man and his family remained under the per
SuaSion that this premature engagement was
the only bar to his happiness and with this
impression, which she allowed him to retain,
because it spared him and herself pain, he re
turned to his regiment, whilst she, as speedily
as she could decamped to her next quarters,
armed with thousand good resolutions never
again to bring herself into such an unpleasant
dilemma
Mrs. Gaskoins was a different sort of a
house to the Duubars' 1t was not CAV, for
the place was retired aud Mrs GaSkoin being
in i'll health, they saw little company but
they were Young. cheerful. and accomplished
people, and in their society Frances forgot the
vexations she had left behind her She even
IL 70 mic tha a.1p sol Sha
toned TO what was amiable aud good in hel
character-and there was much-regained the
ascendant her host and hostess congratulat
ed themselves on having so agreeable an in
mate as much as she did herself on the judi
ciou> move she had made, till her equanimity
was disturbed by learning that Mr.. GaskoiI
was expecting a visitor, and that this visitor
was his old friend aud brother officer, Major
| Elliott the person of all Others. Vincent
| Dunbar excepted, she had the greatest desire
! to avoid
| Il cannot express how mnch I should dis
| like meeting him." she said to Mrs. GaSkoin
! to whom she thought it better to explain how
| she was situated You must allow me tc
keep my room whilst he is here
| II YOU are determined not to see him,
, really think you had better go back to The
| Dunbars for a little while" answered the host
/ ess but | really think you should stay, and
/ let things take their course. Ifyour aversion
! continues, You need not marry him but my
/ husband tells me he's charming and in point
/ of character, | know no one whom he eSli,
mates so highly
But Frances objected, that she should fee
! so embarrassed and awkward.
| In short, you appreheud that !ou will aP
/ pear 10 a great disadvantage, said Mrs
Gaskoin That is possibls, certainly but aS
| Major Elliott IS Only coming FOR day or two,
/ thiuk We N ght obviate that difficulty, by in
I Producing you as my husbands neice, Fam!
G askoiu What do you say? You can de
! clare Yourself whenever you please, or keeE
| the secret till he he goes, it you prefer it,
| Frances said she should Ike it very E,uch
I the scheme would afford them great deal oi
amusement. and any eIpedient was preferable
| 10 going back TO Dunbar House. Neither, a.
/ regarded themselves was it az all difficult oi
execution, since they always addressed her a;
Fannv or Frances the danger was with the
servants. who, however cautioned to call the
! visitor by no other name than Miss Fanny
might Inadvertently betray the secret Still
+ If thew did, few blushes aud hearty laugt
were Hkety 10 oe Tue o1lV Consequences q ttsS
( disclosure so the little plot was duly framed
; and successfully executed Major Elliott not
entertaining the most remote suspicion thai
+ this beautiful. fascinating Fanny GeSkoin va,
his own fascge
. Whether they might have fallen in love with
each other had thev met under more pVosaic
/ circumstances. there is no saving. As 1t was
tke7 did so almost at FIRST sight Is u need
' less TO say. that Major Elliott extended hi:
+ visi, beyoud the day OF two he had engaged
for agll y hen Mr.. aud Mrs G4>k0sn SAE how
matters were gOjar. they recommended an im
mediate aTaval of the little deception that dad
been pracaiSed, lest some iH-liGed visitor ShoGsc
iuoppo5taReiy let cut the secret, which had az
raa,lE hern entlangered Elore thea once bY q.