Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-10-07

served her husband. THAT our child loves an
honorable man, his conduct proves | am deep
ly grieved at the course of events, but they
might have been worse. Our Marian has re-
turned TO US with recovered health and strength /;
let us not replne that new love has brought
light to her eyes and JOY to her young heart"
1t was summer when she parted from her
lover. For six months the remembrance Of
those happy days was a pleasant dream but
Christmas came, and with it token that an
other also remembered Mr.. Leicester looked
sad as he perused the few lines addressed to
himself /; but he placed on his childS hand the
costly gem her unknown lover had requested
him to allow her to accept, and though panied
at the continued mystery, there was nothing he
could reasonably feel dspleased with in the let
ter itself. On the contrary, it breathed sent-
mentS the most honorable to the stranger
On Marian the letter and its accompanying
present produced very little effect, and her fa-
ther felt some surprised at her Indifference
" Are you aware of the value of that ring, my
child ?" be said one day, looking at the spark
ling gem Oh her finger Do you know that
none but very wealthy man could make you
that present of so valuable diamond ?"
L" / always knew he was wealthy, dear faith
err" replied Marian, "but that makes no diffe-
renee. | should have been as happy had his
letter come alone. / needed nothing to remind
me Of my promise"
The winter passed and when the spring came
Charles Leicester received an offer from his
employer to 20 to China and transact some hu-
sineSs or him-an offer SO good that the young
man felt unable to refuse. 1t was a sad part
ing for the whole family but none dared to
make objections to what was so obviously for
the benefit of the beloved friend and dear bro
ther. After his departure, Edward Leicester S
health declined visibly. He lost the energy
that had hitherto characterized his endeavors
made to suffer all the evils of poverty
Early in the spring they heard that Colonel
Leicester and his son had returned to India,
the health Of the former having suffered severe
y from this short sojourn from his native land
The estate was given in charge of an agent.
The friend whose secret aid had so materially
assisted the stricken family appeared to have
forgotten them. Marian's unknown lover pre-
served the strctest silence, and the summer
passed away sadly to til e parents and child in
the gloomly old house they had made their
home
Before the autumn came, serious fears were
entertained about the safety Of the ship in
which Charles had gone out as a passenger
This was the crowning of their misery. Even
Maran'S brave heart Yielded to this great sor-
row, and but for one hope she woud probably
have given way to this despair. As it was, in
her deepest grief there came the remembrance
of her promise, and she fought bravely with
her fears, lest health and beauty should leave
her. She knew that in his eyes she had been
exceedingly far-must he return to find her a
miserable invalid 2" No, she wonld hope on;
something whispered in her heart that her bro
ther would yet return, aud they should be hap
py.
The old proverb says, when affairs get to the
worst, they generally " take Il turn for the bet
ter" aud it provided so in Edward LeicesterS
case. Their money all gone, himself confined
to a sick bed his wife vainIy striving enough
to support them, aud Marian worn ont with
anxiety and toll, nothing could be more gloomy
than their prospects, when a letter arrived
from Charles-a letter douby welcome, as the
token of his safety, and the bearer of welcome
assistance.
The same post brought announcement of
Colonel LejceStcr'S death, and letter from his
own hand, written on his death-bed In it he
bequeathed his English property to Marian, on
condition that she become the wife of his son.
OF her he spoke affectionately- parents he
had evidently not forgotten.
But Edward Leicester and his wife loved
their child too well to see her sacrifice herself
for their benefit The character of her young
cousin was totally unknown them, and the fa-
ther bad doue little to prepoSseSs them in fa-
vor of the child Marian was forbidden TO veX
herself with any more questions on the subject.
"Our happiness would be dearly bought by
the sacrifice of yourS my darling" whispered
the mother, as she pressed her child to her
bosom, and kissed away the tears from her pale
cheeks.
Filled with gratitute for their unselfsh kind
ness the poor girl parted with the precious to-
ken she had received from her unknown lover,
and with the proceeds obtained for her invalid
father numerous little luXuries rendered abso-
lutely necessary by long custom.
X
This letter was a cruel blow to the gentle
hearted girl, and was the cause of much more
suffering, than all her previous trouble comuin-
ed She felt that one word of hers wonld
place her pareutS in affluence for ever-remov-
ing them actually from the fear of poverty or
want But could she speak it ? Could she
forever crush ont of her heart all those sweet
hopes that had sustained her dropping spirits ?
Could she consent to marry her unknown oou-
SIM of whom she absolutely knew nothing and
forever Danish the remembrance of him who
alone could possess her heart ? And must she
| see those dear parents, in sickness and suffer
ing, pining for the comforts in her power to
bestow The thought was distraction.
Marian !" She was seated in the dingy lit
tie room they called their parlor tears were
on her cheek, aud painful thoughts were evi-
IDENTIFY occupying her mind but the sound of
that voice had driven them away, the tears
that are now falling are tears Of joy for once
more Marian is clasped to her lovers heart