Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-04-05

means go, ne Will nave 10 pay Cne piper. lau
he been the prudent man and affectonate hus-
band thought him, he would have settled
that fac estate Of his on Isabel and her child
ren at the time of his marriage. If he has not
taken the precaution of entaiing it, which I
very much doubt, he and everything must go
to the dogs" The followed unreasonable and
selfish regrets for his daughter "who might
have done so much better" which spare the
reader
This letter made me miserable | dare not
tell Isabel, for l did not feel at liberty to do
so, when her husband kept her in ignorance of
his affairs, added to which, ! knew not what
measure of belief to yield to my brothers
statements There was nothing for it but to
wait but every proof of wealth, every sign
of luxury around me, became irkSome and In
tolerable, Poor Lily's tiny pony chair. with
its miniature steed, to procure which from its
native island, no expense or trouble had been
Spared--eVen the very baby's lace Po6eS--as-
sumed melancholy and sinister aspect to my
morbid vision. ISabePS costly dresses, OF
which she was so careless, distressed me the
daily elegance of the table appointments gave
me pang I went about under cloud, or
rather under O painful illumination which |
dared not shed on my companion. The ordeal,
however, was not destined to last very long,
One morning, about fortnight after had
heard from my brother, Isabel dropped her
husbands bi-weekly letter with a sudden ex-
clamation. looked up frightened, yet half
relieved at tie sight Of her pale face and ex
cited manner Had the crash come? Had
he told her perceived she had stretched
out her hand eagerly for the morning paper.
which still lay unopened on the table but her
agitation bewildered her. She took it up
aimlessly, then put it down, and turned again
to the letter. WHICH her trembling hand cou Id
scarcely hold,
Isabel, my darling, my poor child !" I
cried, going up to her and kissing her with
feryor-" isis Mr. Lorimer well z?
She put the letter in my hand. Read it;
give me few minutes, and then come to me,
Aunt Sarah !" and she left the room.
Poor girl she could not bat feel it.
Mr. Lorimer's letter began as follows
II take great blame to myself, Isabel, that
| have kept you ignorant of the state of my
affairs uatil the public papers will announce
my ruin tG the world at large this morning /;
but have hoped against hope that this ca
lamity might have been averted, and your
peace of mind undisturbed"
The Tines of that morning curtly announced
that McssrS Glitter of London had stopped
payment, and that their liabilities were sup
posed tc be enormous There was no com.
ment the public were to wait for detail aud
criticism.
When / Joined Isabel, found her walking
up and down her Gressng-room, holding her
baby in her arms. She looked comparatively
calm, but there was an expression Of deep anx
iety in her face.
| began at once to enter on the subject, foE
| wished to harden her for its discussion.
"Now the blow has fallen" she said,
feel it deeply. / feel it chiefly for my hus-
band, who, imagine has never contemplated
the possibility of being poor. | cannot con-
ceve how he will meet it. If there is any
disgrace attending it, it will kill him, for he is
a proud man. Aunt Sarah" she added pas.
soustely, do you think this trouble will open
his heart to me? Do you think he will allow
me to love him and console him There is
not kind word in his letter, not Felenting
phrase. Oh know how be feels-more bit.
terly against me than ever, for he thinks he
has lost all | loved or cared for"
" But now, dear child, you will be able to
prove your love-"
"How i? Have anything can give him
any resource for bread-getting? Oh, it IS
hard ! Lily, my tender flower, will never
thrive as poor mans child. And 10 aunt.
| love wealth and ease dearly, dearly Pow
erty will be bitter - Her tears chokcd
her.
"Too bitter a price to pay for your hus
bands love 2" | asked.
| had no wish to blame her inconsistency.
or reproach her for her lack of heSoism.
knew she was showing me the CONFLICT of her
heart. and i: seemed to me but natural one.
She was no disciplined, high-minded woman,
but passionate, disappointed girl, shrinking
at first sight, from the trouble which firmly
believed she would, in the end, find strength
and courage to endure and overcome.
"Ah if dared to hope that" she mur.
INJURED, kissing her child, Il could bear any
thing | shall soon know my fate. Oh how
shall live till tomorrow w
Her endurance was not exercised so long
that very evening Mr. Lorimer arrived uBex-
pectedly by late train. The day had been
wet and chilly. and Isabel had ordered ERE
in her dressing room, over which she and !
were sitting in melancholy mood, wearied of
the fruitless get incesSant discussion of chances
at the time of his arrival. Isabel sprang up
on hearing the sound of his voice in the ball.
" What shall | do" she exclaimed, claSping
her hands :" ! am SO AFRAID of iDjuring my
cause by oger-pFecipitancy, SO afraid of being
misunderstood repulsed. How shall per-
suade him that love him z"
q My darling, it seems to me it has become
a very easy task ...
We heard bis voice approaching in the di
rection cf our room. "0n no account disturb
your Mistress" he was saying to Isabel'S maid
" she had no idea should return to night"
Isabel threw open the door, and stood smil