Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-03

eat and be convival with the district attorney
to hear the town news from the commandant's
lady, to read the st. Petersburg papers at the
district treasurers, and to play at boston al
the governors. Scarcely had the master and
mistress driven from their door, when all the
servants followed their example, and quilted
the house. The butler went to see his cousin
in the village the cook betook himself to the
publichouSe to drink brandy: the cOokmaid
to the river to catch crayfsh; Procher and
Daria went nutting to the wood Vaska and
Natasha Strayed to the heath to gather Gran
berries &c, Duna alone remained in the
house, Duna, the pearl Of the whole va
department, fair as a lilly, fresh as rose,
graceful as a cedar, a sprightly, virtuous dam
sci by her calling house-mad by her ma
tural good qualities, the favorite of her mis-
tresS, the grand object of her frequent visits of
the master of the house to the woman'S apart
mentS, the victim of an inordinate propensity
of the district clerks for kissing the goddess
for whose sake the governors valet-who, like
herself, had been brought up in the great
world in the Neeska Prospective neglected
the polishing of his masters boots, to the
great scandal and indignation of the whole pro-
vincial administration none but he could ap-
preciate her feelings none but she could duly
estimate the grace Of his department They
mutually adored each other, as only hearts
can adore that have taken FIRE by tae Kasan
| Bridge in St Petersburg and they were as
| happy as none can be but in the country.
Girls shut up in house by themselves are
always afraid of thieves Duna, therefore,
carefully fastened the outer doors, and to avoid
| thinking of there's she went to look at her
self in the glass, while she waited for the valet,
| whom she had given TO understand that her
master and mistress were TO spend the whole
day in the town. In the pleaSanteSt possible
mood, DUna arranged her curls set her neck
erchief in order, frightened her girdle, and hum
med tune when Suddenly there was a gentle
tap at the door. q That is he = and like an
arrow she flew and opened the door and let
him in All it is not he y
" | am your man. replied deep husky
voice. as there cautiously entered through the
open door a big-built fellow, in tattered frieze
cloak and faded cap, with swarthy face much
in want of the BARRIERS office, terribly foxy
mouStacheS and a duSky red nose, and a scar
let forehead, blue lips, and bloodthrSty eyes
the very type of the chairman of city pot
house. or one of those diabolcal figures that
are only to be seen in Salvador RoSa's paint
ings.
The astoniShed Duna recoiled some steps.
and repeated with sigh from the bottom of
her heart 1t is not he :" Meanwhile the
stranger had stepped in, and with the utmost
GOODNESS closed the door again, locked it, and
put the key in his pocket.
What do Won want? Who are you ??
cried Duna why do you put the key in
your pocket =
Don't be alarmed my little dear" he said
smiling. am come to pay you visit. The
time must have hung heavy on your hands, all
alone here
Not at all But what do yon mean by
pocketing the key"
and patted her oa tue cheek. She sprang
from him.
Why do you lock the door Give NE the
KEY. or l will cry out"
That viii do you 10 good. | know very
well there Is no one in the house"
\ pretty thing indeed Come in, without
With your leave" or, " BIZ your leave" and
lock the door as If You were in your own
house
4 always lock the door when l have the
luck TO be alone with so pretty girl as you,
nv angel - and once more he patted her on
angry Dana rctreated into corner.
But who are you 1t is very unbandSome
50 it's to make fan o: girl, and tease her 50
: without any acquaintance"
IL never visit acqaainianceS," he replied,
with an altered look, aud 8 tone that froze the
poor girls blood.
In every autechamber and chancery Office
Duna bore the reputation Of girl Of spirit. She
was no easy conquest. Many preSumptuous
clerk had felt the print Of her nails in his face
TO that degree that be was 10; likely 10 forget
, il. though be should live 10 be a master in
chancerY. Duna, in fact. did honor 70 the vir-
tue Of St Petersburg. But bashful provincial
chancery clerk, with his inky fingers, is a trihe
to girl who has been brought up in the best
, miliner's shop in the NeeSka Prospective: an
unshaved. broad-shouldered. ugly yagabond, in
frieze cloak. with red mouSiaches and a yio-
let nose. is adifferent sort of thing and enough
to frighteu anybody. Duna began to cry.
, Don't cry my little duck won't do yol
any harm" he said, in a softer tone as he drew
near her. Now, this softer tone alarmed hcI
even more, aud she involuntarily str etched ont
her arms to keep him OF
WHO are yOu, say ," she cried, in despair
but with an assumption Of courage, with fire,
that was gradually eXtinguished by her guSA
ing tears. q" You shall tell me on the spot who
you sreH
Who am 3
YES, who are you! Your calling? Your
name!'
a am a thief"
a thief :" she echoed, falteriugly, turning
as white as snow.
q am thief by name, and robber by sta
. ton" be said, with smile, and looking ten
derry into her blne eyes bat the smile on hi:
face resembled the ghastiy giimmering OF tht
moon on the foul waters of the mogass. This J:
: z ala Sas