Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-19


in my own BOSOM OF love we never spoke :;
but he wore gentle protecting air. as if he
felt that he had rigdt to guide and support
me while looked up to him with a cOnfd-
ing tendernesS-a little singular in one by
nature SO high spirited and independent.
heard that he was at times petulant, even pas
siOnate some called him heartless trher );
and all agreed that he was conceited except
myself. Who had a better right to know and
understand him than ? Yet | saw nothing
of all these faults and if they existed | felt
thot | could have loved him better, perhaps :;
I for the distance between rs would have been
| lessened So set these remarks down to the
score of envy and smiled complacently at my
keen diScernment of character and motives
Matters were in this train when one dav
received call from Miss Noyes, the BELLE as
she was caled-a distinction to which she was
by no means inScnsible or Indifferent. She
treated me with an unwonted degree of affec-
ton and sOciability, which | knew presaged
something peculiarly disagreeable
DO You 90 to Mrs Henderson's party to-
morrow night ?" she inquired presently
II expect to attend said |.
No doubt your presence will be very agree
/ able to most of the company but | know
/ few who would rather you would remain at
] home. There are set of designing misses who
can never forgive your monopoly of the only
decent beau fate has granted us or | should
/ say that he monOpolzes you, since | have never
seen that desire for his attentions which he
says You have shown"
Half of this speech smoothly and innocently
as it was delivered, would have sufficed to
make my blood nol. II a voice choked with
passion | ejacuIated-"I desire his atten-
tiOnS !"
Forgive me, my love | would not wound
or excite your feelings for the world but as a
friend, | repeat this that yOn may refute the
false charge, not by words but by actions. The
remark alluded to | heard myself and he
added-the scandalous fellow-that he Was
too old a bird to be caught with chaff |"
with a mighty effort commanded myself
sufficiently to thank her for her disinterested
/ kindness, and assure her that, if an opportnni-
tv offered | should gladly recprocate the
favor She took her leave, and | gave way to
my feelings Disappointed love, mortified pride
and resentment strove for mastery in my
breast The latter triumphcd and with
/ glowing cheeks | FASTENED to my toilet, re
solving to make him feel to the utmost the
modification he would have me experience
| Never had | bestowed such pains upon my
person. | carefully laid aside every article
of dress or ornament that he particularly ad-
mred, taking care, however, to replace them
by Others equally becoming My stern deter
mnatiOn was nearly overcome by very beau
/ tifuI bouquet, which was handed me just as |
was reaC V to 90. The tears rushed to my eyes:
but drove them back, and, without looking for
the delicate note of compliments which | knew
! lay perth among the leaves, | tossed it into
the fire
"The first person that | saw upOn entering
the room was Mss Noyes, who, Tapped in
! Elysium," was listening to the sugared Senten-
ces poured into her white ear by the scandal
ous fellow whose conduct she had deprecated.
His face lighted up instantly, but | affected
not TO see him Half an hour more saw me
engaged in a rafting Irritation with a yonng
naval officer, now on visit to b. We
promenaded, and | swept past Lawton, bang
ing On the mlddy'S arm, apparently IN the
finest humor with myself and my new conquest.
The conversation of my companion was the
/ aattest OF small talk; but listened as to the
wisdom of Il Scion. | yentured one look at
LawtOn as we passed him for the twentieth
time, He had left Miss Noyes, and leaned
against the wall, silent and moody. | decIin-
cd walking any longer when we reached the
other end of the room, and threw myself upon
a sofa The MILDLY pointed, and | recollccted
! that his fine figure and bright buttons could
not be seen to much advantage in his retired
corner, and sent him to borrow fan from a
lady some distance off He requested it in
his own name; and she, of course did not re
sign it without little coquettish trihing,
which occupied some time.
You are enjoying yourself much to night"
said a voice at my elbow.
d" bowed aSSeGtingly, gazing with much
interest at the gold lace upon the officers col
lar.
&" / am not" he said in lower tone
Z" dared not trust myself to speak, but
looked as frigid as an iceberg.
Il cannot be happy when | fear that [
have alienated friend he continued, with a
perseverance that surprised me; " AID it is
very evident that such is the case with you.-
know you to we'll 10 suspect yOu of caprice,
and therefore blame my self, although uncOn-
s5cious OF nv offence You were wont to be
frankness ITSELF will you not explain the cause
of your changed manner! am ready TO
make any apology or reparaton that Will place
rs upon our former friendly footing"
My gallant tar returned with the IAN, ana
like a BOBBY as he was, handed it to Lawton
} supposing that he had usurped his place, and
stcered off in search Of another prize. a tete-
a-ieie was unavoidable felt my inability to
hold ont much longer, and abruptly answered
=" Do not trouble yourself to render apollo
ges; from such source and under such cir
cumstances, they would be even more worth
less than chaff; and, to use your own elegant
phrase, "old birds cannot be caught with
that !"
." My own phrase You surprise me- | do
not understand" :" said he, in such genuine won
derment, that could not doubt his Words
{ Ellen, there is something wrong here"