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

More than two years passed, and spring
time was upon US, when heard that he had
returned to the country, and was to be married
shortly to wealthy, beautiful widow he had
found abroad At first we heard that he was
married, and then that he was making great
preparations, but would not marry until au-
tumn Even the brides dress was described,
and the furniture of the house of which she
was to be mistress had expected some
such thing, but it added one more drop of1bit-
terness to the yearning had for him. 1t was
so hard to think him like any other man !
However, now, as before, covered up the
wound with smiling face, and went about
my business. had been making extensive
improvements on my farm, and kept oat all
day often, overseeing the laboyers One night,
a soft, starlight evening in late May, came
home very tired, aud, being quite alone, sa;
down on the portieo to watch the stars and
think. | had not been long there, when a
mans step came up the avenue, and some per-
son, | could not tell who in the darkness, open
ed the gate, and came slowly up towards me.
rose, and bade him good-eTeniDg.
-" Is it you, Rachel p he said, quite family.
1t was his voice. Thank Heaven for the dark
ness The hand | gave him might tFembIe,
bat my face should betray nothing / invited
him into the parlor, aud rang for lights
He's ccme to see about selling the old
house." / thought there was a report that he
would sell it by auction. When the lights
came, be looked eagerly at NE.
Am l much changed p Isaid, with half
bitter smile.
Not so much as l. lie answered, sghing
and looking down ;-he seemed to be in deep
thought for moment.
He was much changed. His hair was turn
ing gray his face was thin, with a subdRed
expression had never expected to see him
wear He must have suffered greatly and
as looked, my heart began to melt That
would not do and besides, what was the
need of pity, when he had coasoed himself? ?
l asked some ordinary question about his jour
ney, and Led him into . conversation on foreign
travel
The evening passed away, as it might with
two strangers, and he rose to 20, with grave
face and manner as cold as miue,-for / had
been very cold. | followed him to the door,
and asked how long he stayed at Huntsville,
0uly part Of the next day, he said his
child could not be left any longer bat he
wished very much TO see ne, aud so had con-
triyed te get few days.
Indeed :" | said. You honor me. IcGr
Huntsville frieads scarcely exPesied TO be re-
menbered so leng.'
They have 70: done ne justice, then he
said quietly. l seem TO have the warnest
recollection Of any. Goodnight, Miss Mead.
| shall not be likely to see yoa again
He gave me his hand, but it was very cold,
and l let it slip as coldly from niae. lie went
down the grayeI-walk slowly and heavily, and
he certainly sighed as be closed the gate
Could ! give him Up thus? Dawn pride .
You have held sway long enough ms.
gra7el-galk aad oTertooE him in the aTeGue.
He stopped as l came up, and turned to meet
ne
Forgive ne, I said, BREATH, sslF, " could
not part With old friends 50, after wishing 50
much for them"
He took both ny bandsin bis "HaTe you
wished 70! me. Bachel :" he said. teude.ly.-
I thought yoa woaid scarcely haFe treated s
stranger with 50 little kindness
- vas afraid 10 be warmer" I said.
Afraid Of what ?" lie asked
Ny mouth was Vnsealed. " Are you TO be
married p | asked
i have 20 such expectation he answered.
And are net engaged 10 any one p
"To nothing but an old love, dear Was
that why you were afraid to show yourself to
NE r.
Yes = l answered, making no resistance
to the aru that vas put geUt'y round me. He
was nine now, | knew, as | felt the strong
laarF barr;urr f1 ar0TuSr nv. own
Rachel be whispered, the only Eoman
l ever did or ever can lore, viii you send NE
away again.