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

And to see me play the dignihed husband,
I.suppose ?" rejoined he laughing.
" " No: you used TO be too good natured to
he dignfed and doubt whether even mar
riage could change you"
a saw Mr. Lawton moment ago." said
Elmer, F" and he expressed his willingness, nay
his wish, that you should breathe the fresh air
for while"
"Her face frightened did he ?" Certain
ly 1 will 90, if it will afford him any pleasure" ="
And she accompanied us.
Lawton was standing where we lett him.
The glow of delight still illumined his wlte's
face. and her eyes anxiously sought his; but
he did not give her look. He resumed his
conversation with me,
"How long have you been marred-may |
ask p
Four years"
You have worn the yoke Just twice as
long as | have. ! became a Benedick two
wears since" His scrutinizng gaze again
sought my face. You look we'll and happy.
In DAYS of lang syne," you were subject to
occasional attacks Of canui.o low spirits; are
you never thus afflicted now 2"
Never. | have grown wiser"
"And yet should have supposed that in
lowered his voice" would have augmented
the malady.'
"Bnt if additional cares bring also new
sources of happiness ?" l responded, indign-
nat at his insinuation.
"And such has been your experience ?'with
another searching glance.
Uuquestonably," was my proud reply.
:" | wish could say the same To speak
truly, am weary of life, sick Of the world,
and everything in it."
Not of everybody, hcpe" said |, with a
stolen look at Mrs Lowtou, who was talking
with Rupert.
Yes, of everybody. ! have learned to re-
gard hermit's life as the ne Plus ultra Of fell
city"
I" / saw the pale cheek grow winter still and
the muscles of the month qulver convulSively,
and hastened to change the subject.
Have you visited B since our return
to this country ?"
Once only; that is, I passed through with
out stopping. ! saw the house in which you
used to live and heaved Il sigh to the memory
of the pleasant times we had there together
] often think of those days they were the hap
piest in my life love to recall each incident
Do you remember the last song you sang for
me ? That was a sad parting to me-"
i remembered it all but the retroSpection
gave me no pleasure. On the contrary, it fill
ed me with disgust and shame. | was diSpleaS-
cd at his familiarity; but moments reflection
showed ne that had no right to be so. Our
former intimacy authorized it, The only won.
der was that | should ever have been intimate
with him. In the hope of making the comver-
7 I,l,
ly perceived that the quick ear Of affection
had caught least part of our interchange
of histories The sadness had deepened; but
her manner was yet gentle We spoke of the
wild scenery through which We were pas
sing.
1t is indeed magnificent said she.
can conceive Of nothing more grandly beautiful
than that view" pointing as she spoke; and the
sunbeams play over it as if unwilling 10 leave
it so shrouded in the gray twilight"
Really said Lawton sHeerngly that last
burst of poetry partook of the grandiloquent.
Now that you fairly mounted upon your
Pegasus, favor us again. will take notes of
the most "grandly beautiful passages for the
benefit of the public
:" She b.ushed deeply, tears of wounded feel,
ings suffuscd her eyes, and she was compelled
to turn aside to conceal her emotion Ny
heart hlcd for her; looked Indignantly at the
author of this crnel and unmanly speech; but
his sarcastic smile showed that he enjoyed the
sight of the anguish his words had occasioned
Shrinking from him as from a fend my eye
fell upon my own noble husband and the two
contraSted. Indignation and pity were expires
Sed in Rupert'S conntenance He was silent {;
l,,t 7 10 =
his eyes beamed on me with look of unttera-
Lle tenderness, aud thought how freely his
bosom would he presented to receive a shaft
that threatened to pierce mine, | longcd TO
cast myself upon his breast, and, from the full
ness of the grateful heart, thank Heaven that
| had been saved from the misery which a
union with my d." first love" would have brought
upon me. AS soon as we were alone, learned
more of the history of the unfortunate being
who was thus, in the spring-time of life,
doomed to such wretchedness
have been acquainted with her from
childhood" said Mr. Elmer, /" and more
lovely character | have never seen. We were
near neighborS for many years, and upon terms
of the closest intimacy; vet ! never saw her
sweetness of temper disturbed, or heard her
speak an unkind word. Idolzed by her par
entS and friends, she inhaled constantly an at
mosphere of affection and Indulgence Her
feelings were respected and guarded from in
jury as sacred things. Poor creature She
feels the change as keenIy as a tender exotic
tranSplantcd from the hothonse into the biting
air of northern winter ! heard of her mar
rage, her friends feared an unhappy one, with
one who, it was said, had sought her for her
wealth. / knew his name but did not dream
that it was the Lawton ofH whose virtues had
heard so much in b. He must indeed
be villain to treat her as he does. There is
nothing congenial in their natures; she is a
true hearted, loving woman. clinging even in
dcath-struggle of JOY and hope to the object