Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-03-24

mary dale, carried OH the nrSt prize OF the day.
Then followed the luncheon in the tent, and
Mr.. Hale's funny speech when he presented the
oak-leaf crown to his daughter
After that came dance on the lawn. when
Jessie was his lordShip's partner, and when the
band from Canterbury, under the influence of
Mr.. Hale's home-brewed, played such exhla-
rating quadrles, that it was enough to set the
very COWS in the neighboring fields doing L'ete
and La pouLs
Blithe, however, as the music sounded to the
merry makers, there was one ear, not far off,
to whom it brought no mirth.
In the lane leading to Hale Fields, solita-
ry man was standing, with stern, down cast
face. 1t was Richard Mallet, who for the last
hour had paced backwards and forwards in'the
lane DIX years had passed since he had seen
his daughter. During all this time, he had kept
his resolution of never interfering with her ed
ucatlon, and had never presented himself before
her eyes. lie had purpose ever in view from
which he had never Swerved.
lie had come down to Canterbury by coach
overnight, and finding, as he expected, that
his daughter had that day Quilted school, and
gone over to Hale Fields with her guardian,
he had followed them in order to carry out the
purpose he had so long meGitated. =
| 1t was only within the last hour that his
heart had failed him.
| Though Richard Mallet looked older and
| sterner he was much the same man at heart
Time however had wrought some changes in
him. Though still in the prime of life, his hair
was tinged with gray, and his face had hard
! er look than of old. He wore better coat now.
and had black silk handkerchief fastened
loosely around his throat
The horns and buges of the Canterbury
band sweled over the gardens, and the wind
carried the hum and laughter of the guests to
his ears.
For the twentieth time, he stopped before
the gates, and for the twentieth time, he turn
ed away again.
At last, with an angry expression at his
own irresolution he opened the gates and en-
tered the grounds
Mr. Hale won't be able to see you to-day,
my man-he's engaged, aud can't attend to bu-
| sness," called out the lodge-keeper as he went
through the gates.
my business amt with Mr. Hale said
Richard looking at the man, whose red face
showed he had taken good care of himself in
the general festivity.
"Oh, it's the back-door you want, is it ?"-
Take the first path, then, to the right"
The man spoke with an insolent air.
But Richard kept in the broad walk, and
went on as before. Suddenly, he came to
stop. He had heard his own name pronounced
by some one behind the high laurel hedge at
his side.
MaIIet All, that's her name, it is Well,
she is certainly goodooking But they say,
poor thing, her family is not recognizable. Is
it true ?'
"Quite true Mrs Hale has limited as much
to me herself They do say her father is
common mason, and carries hod on his shoul-
der to this day. But, however, that may be,
they are vulgar people-that's certain"
Richards lips became as pale as death
What mercy the child was removed from
her friends in time !" continued the first speak
| er. Really, no one would suppose her to be
of low origin. With her money, she may make
a good match one day, and so get free of her
former ties. What a good thing she fell into
the hands of the Hales-quite providental.
All, here comes our host ~
The ladies moved away and Richard, with
his teeth set, and his foot crushing the gravel
under his heel, strobe on to the house
One or two persons turned to look at him as
he approached, but the majority of the guests
were on the side-Iawn, where the dancers were
assembled and the marquee erected so he es-
capped observation
:" Is my daughter in 2" he inquired of the
servant at the hall door
He had walked straight up to the principal
entrance The man stared in surprise, and
then, with satirical glance at waiter near,
replied -
mo, she aint, nor won't be to-day, nor vet
tomorrow. Your business amt partckler
pressin', 'ope;" and he winked at his com
panOn.
you'll please keep civil tongue in your
head. and ans yer my question. Is Miss NAL
lett IN 2"
"Miss MalIett? Yes she's about some
where; but you can't see her E; that is, you-
YOU The man stammered changed his
tone, and stopped. Something had warned
him in time.
you'll have the goodness to show me into
a room where can speak to her, aud then
send and seek her"
Without another word the man led the way
across the hall, and ushered Richard into the
library.
1t was handsome room-green and cool,
with large bow-window opening out into the
garden, and an awning outside. Richard could
see the gay company, and the band and tent
on the lawn. He caught sight of his own fig
ure in mirror opposite, but the contrast there
did not trouble him. A strange self-control
had come over him there was an iron resolu-
tion written on his face.
He was standing gazing at the sacrifice of
Iphigena, in bronze, on the mantelpece, and
was striving to find out its meaning, when he
heard footsteps approaching He turned, and
young lady and gentleman entered the room
through the window.
1t was Jessie and Mr. Dick Hale
For one moment they both stared at the un.
expected visitor in surprise the next, Jessie
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