Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-05-03

| chamber. The easement opened, and hrSt ap-
peared a fair hand which, with long taper
ing jug of blue and white Dutch porcelain, was
bestrewing water upon the flowers in the little
wooden balcony. Then there stood at the
open window youthful female form but the
| head was bent down so low over the flowers
the damSel was so absorbed in her gentle oc
! cupation-she was, of course, so completely
unaware of the presence of any person in the
court below who might expect greeting from
her, that it was difficult at first to distinguish
the features. \ pure white, pinched and
plated cap covered the bended head, but not,
however, so entirely as fully to contain or hide
a profusion of dark brown hair, which perhaps
according to the fashion of the times, it should
have done Through the flowers, also, that
partially obscured the long low window, might
| be distinguished part of a sad-colored gown,
the simplicity of which, in its make, could not
conceal as perhaps it ought to have done, the
rounded outlines Of a full but graceful form !;
while, at the same time, its dnlI hue was
charmngly rclevcd-of course without any
intention of coquetry-by ruff and gorget of
| the most glittering purity, aud at the end of
the long sleeves, by two small, delicate, white
cuffs, which seemed to be playing game OF
rivalry with the little hands for the palm of
fairness.
As Gerald hemmed, and coughed and
shufiled with his feet impatiently, he imagined,
! for a moment that one hasty glance of the
! eyes which bent over the flowers was directed
| in the court, and then ayerted with the quick
ness of lightning, but he was no doubt miStak
! en- for when the task of watering the plants
was at an end, the head was only raised to
watch the clouds for a very short space of
| time-suilicent time, however, to show two
dark penciIleG eyebrows placed over a pair of
/ bright dark eyes, in that peculiar arch which
/ gives look Of tormentng espicglrjs to the
/ expression, and in the blooming cheeks, full,
but not too fall for grace, two laughter-IoYiug
dimples, which impaired to a lovely couutea-
ancc Joyous and fascinating character-and
I then was again withdrawn. The fair white
hand again already rested upon the basp Of
I the easement as if TO close it, when Gerald,
who had waited with renewed feelings Of yeX-
alton the greeting Of his lady-loye, called in
low, but almost angry tone Of voice, I" Mildred.
Mistress Mildled =
Master Gerald Lyle, is it you? Who
would have thought that you were there" "
said pretty Mistress Mildred, again showing at
the window her arch countenance, the express
sion of which seemed to be at most wicked
variance with her prim attire.
Methinks friendly greeting were not i'll
/ bestowed upon an old acquaintance muttered
| the young man in the same tone of testy impa-
tence.
Know you not responded the damsel,
with something of the cantiny whine adopted
at the time and in q semsorious tone to the
genuineness of which her dimples very naugLti-
I ly gave a direct lie-whateVer their mistress
might have intended" Know you not that
such bowjngs of the head, and kissings of the
hand, are bat vain and worldly symbols and
/ delusons.'
"Trine not with me, l beseech you, Mildred"
1 said the ycxed lover, for my heart is sad and
my mind is harassed. Daring he weary hours
I of nv watch, | have longed for q smile from
/ that sweet facc-a glance from those bright
/ eyes, as my only soIace; and yet the hours
! passed by and you came not to your window,
although | had let you know that it was my
! duty to keep his watch and when you did
come. YOU would have left again without
| single word to me. This was uukind And
now you are there, you bend your brow upon
me with an angry look What have done to
offend YOU, Mildred? You cannot doubt my
! love, my truth"
! And what is there in my conduct or in my
words that can Justify Master Lyle in thus
/ treating me as a triaar p answered Mildred
with p0uting air, avoiding anv direct answer
! TO all his other remarks Methinks | have
every right to be offended at so uuinst an ac-
cusation.' But in spite Of the gross offence
/ Mistress Mildred now seemed to have no
thought Of punishing it, by Withdrawing from
/ the window.
! q offend you YOU know | would give the
whole world, were it mine, to spare you one
/ painful feeling cried the young man. at is
YOU who wrong me, it is you who are unjust,
/ and even now you seek to quarrel with me-
But perhaps you wish to break the troth you
| have given me-perhaps your light heart has
already offered its affections to another !"
As YOU will Sir Perhaps my light heart,
as you are pleased to term it, would do well to
! seek some less moroSe and tetchy guardian"
said the Young lady, tossing up her head, and
preparing again to close the Window.
But os her eyes fell upon the despairing look
and gestures of her lover, tae arched eyebrow
was uuknit, and raised with an expression Of
comic yexation smile luTkcd for a moment
in,the dimples and corners of the pouting
mouth and then at last broke out into q fit
of decided laughter.
After indulgng a moment in her mirth Mil
dred looked at the young man tondly, and said
Go to, Gerald you show not the patient
spirit of a Christian man and even now your
| face wears such a frown, as methnks must
! have wrinkled the brow of the jealous blacka-
moor in those wicked stage plays, Of which my
poor mother told me, before my father child
her for it, and bid her cease to speak of such
vanities-Ge now cut upon you shallI throw
You down my little mirror that you may see
face Well am naughty, forward child.
See there am sitting on the stool of pen
/ nnrn nnl | nsl thy narLlnn =