Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-08

some spring of generous feeling in her heart,
that happy love would unlock The next
morning / went out alone, for a ride, in a di-
rection where thought | could not be dis
turbed. Up hill and down, over roads, pas,
lures, and streams, l tore until the fever with
| in was allayed, and then | stopped to rest and
look upon the beauties of the bright October
day. All overhead and around, the sky and
patches of water were of that; far-looking
blue which seems all ready to open upon new
and wonderful worlds. Big, bright drops of
night-Shower lay asleep in the curled.up
leaves, as though the trees had stretched out
million hands to catch them And such
hands What comparison could match them?
Clouds of butterflies, such as sleep among the
flowers of Paradise, forgotten dreams of
children, who sleep and smile,-fancies Of fairy
laureates, strung shining together for some
high festival,-anything most rich or unreal,
might furnish q type for the foliage that was
painted upon the golden blue of that October
day could almost have forgotten my trouble
in the charmed gaze
"You turn up in strange places, Rachel ~
said voice behind me-
This was what | dreaded but swallowed
| love and fear in one great gulp and shut my
teeth with a resolution of iron. | would not
be guilty of the meanuesS of standing 10 that
child's way, if she were but fool so | an
| swered him gayly.
The same to YOURSELF as Neighbor Daw-
kns would say. Why didn't you all go to
the lake, as you planned last night p
For some good reasons. Were you be-
witched, that you stood here so still ?" He
looked brightly into my face as he came up.
"No,-but the trees are. Shouldn't you
think that 0beron had held high court here
over night ?"
And that they had left their wedding
dresses upon the bOughs Yes, they are gay
enough But where have You been these
four weeks, that | haven't gos speech with
you?'
a pretty question, when you've been a.
my house almost every day Where are your
senses, man -
al know too we'll where they are" he said
" But I've wanted a good talk with you face
to face,-not with a veil of commonplace
people between You're not yourself amoag
them | ike you best when yoar spirits are
a little ruffied, and your eye kindleS, and your
lip curlS as it does Row,-not when you say,
d" No. Sir" or "YeS, Ma'am," and smile as
though it were only skin-deep"
l started my horse.
Let's be going. Jessie / said "I.'s our
duty to feel iusulted He accuses your mis-
treSs of being decetful among her friends, and
saws he likes her when she's cross
He laughed lightly, and walked along by
10Y side.
:" How are the ladies : and when will Miss
Lucy come to ride out with NE T. | asked,
fearing q look into his eyes.
This brought hjm dowa. knew it would.
He answered tia; she was well and walked
along with his head down qni.e Ike another
man. At length be looked up, very pale, aud
put his haRd On rly bride.
i waut 10 pat case to YOU" be said.
Scppose a man to have made some engage
ment before his mind was mature, and under a
strong on, side pressure of which he was not
aware. Whea he grows TO a better kuowl-
/ edge Of the world and himself, and finds that
/ be has been half cheated, and that to keep
bis word viii entail lasting misery and ruin on
( himself, without really bensfttiBg any one
else, IS he bound to keep / 2
( l stopped an instant 10 press M heart back.
; aud then | answered him
/ \ promise is Z promise, Mr.. Ames- !
1 have thought that a man Of honor valued hi:
/ word Rlare than happiness or life
He flushed moment, and then booked down
again and We walked on slowly without a
word, over the stubbiy ground, and through
/ brooklets and groves and thickets, towards
home II | eosld slIy reach there before be
spoke again! How coald I hold out to DO
/ NV duty. if were ternpted any further? II
/ last be checked the horse, aud, putting bic
hand heavily on mise, looked ne fEll II the
+ face. xhKe his vas pale and agitated.
/ Rachel" he said, huSkilv, - ii = man came
/ to vou and said, 1 am bound to another
/ but nv heart, my soul my life are at your
/ feet would yoa tura him aRay!'
I saSped one long breath OF fresh air.
/ "Do I look Ike woman who would take
/ a mars love at seeoad hand = | said, haught-
iiy. Women ike me masi respect the man
/ t6ey marry. Sir
He dropped his hand, and turned away biz
head, with deep drawn breath l saw hin
stoop and lift himself again, as though some
weight were laid upon his shoulders. | saw
/ the muscles round andridgy spsn bis clenched
hand. All this for silly. shallow thing,
who knows nothing Of The heart she loses y
some temptev whispered, aud passionate word:
Of love rushed up and beat hard against M
shut teeth. "Get thee behind ne y / nut
tered. and resolRtely started my horse foS~srt
:. No, for her,-but for myself.-for selfre
spect The best lOye il the world shall nGt
buy that y
i He came along beside me, silent, and step
ping heavily. and thus We went 10 the leafy
lane that came out near nv house There
stopped tor | felt that this mrst end now
" Mr.. Ames, yo2 must leave this place, di
rectly,r / said, With as much sternness as
could assume. "If you please, | VIII bid !oV
goodbye, now
Z Not see you again, Rachel p be excisiaa
+. ed. sharpIT. l." No not that Forgive Ii