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

| DuV out CdIeu Holulup lOF nlm HOW. Qareu
she sell herself thus and except not only his
wealth and position, but his true noble affec-
ton as mere tribute to her puerile attractions,
without having anything to give in exchange
hot even heart What did she reckon
herself worth and, good Heavens how long
the man was befooled |"
Mrs. Vivian paused, exhausted, and / tried
to seize my opportunity. Granted that she
was guilty of marrying him without loving him."
| said consider the great temptations offer
ed, not by his position chiefly, but by the ardor
| OF his own passion f; and at least she was free
from the greater guilt of loving any one else.
All, understand your sneer, Mrs. Vivian,
bnt | repeat you wrong Isabel. She may
have been selfish weak, and vain, and have
had her young head turned by dattery-her
husbands iattery more than any other-but
she has heart she feels deeply, paGsonately;
she repents the past she loves her husband
now"
| Mrs. Vivian shook her head scornfulIy.-
She deceiveS you, perhaps she deceives
herself. She repents the loss of his love
| doubt not because it involves the loss
of her power she may even, in the spirit of
coquetry, be anxious to possess herself Of it
again. But love-that is, ,unselfsh affection
is beyond her. | think it probable she may
dread the consequences of this alienation, but
she need not be afraid my brother is so chiv-
alrouS that, did he feel her heavier burden
than he does, he would not shake her off at
the expense of her own humiliation"
My cheek flushed. | felt too indigant to
find words. Mrs. Vivian perceived it, and
continued more gently We view this mat
ter very differently, of course but you must
remember | have this advantage over you-I
have been a witness Of their married life-of
his de yotion, patience, and bndeSS, of her eyre
gious vanity, ,exigence and SelfshneSS But it is
over now she can never delude him again
From the moment he became convinced all his
love had been waSted-that there had never
been a moments response to his disinterested
affection-that in fact, she had married him
for his money-the enchantment was dispeed
What he has suffered, God only knows /
imagine | heard the tone of his voice now as
when he said to me "She neres loved me,
Caroline she deceived me from her first kiss !;
and can you wonder that my Indignation is so
strong ?'
l was silent I felt it would be vain to pro
test.
Il must CO." she said, rising eve will
not quarrel over this matter-you and / :"
and she held out her hand with smile
"Only one word more" | said, retaining it.
"H-yOu may admit it as possibility-lf
there should ever be hope of reconciliation,
You will not mar it? | mean, you Will not use
your influence against the wife ?
Impossible !" she said !; but my Importantly
succeeded in winning the promise from her.
When Mrs. Vivian came down stairs to
take her departure, Isabel was, standing in the
hall, waiting TO bid her guest farewell. Little
Lily was elingiDg to her side, timid, tender,
and silent as seemed her wont. The sight OF
the fair mother and child thus linked together
seemed to touch Mrs. Vivian. Yielding to
what was evidently sudden impulse, she went
up TO Isabel, and took her hand
Goodbye, Mrs. Lormer. cannot help
feeling kind Of pity for you, in spite of your
conduct in spite, too, of your cOntemptuouS
disclaimer" she added. smiling, for Isabel had
WINGED at the expression, and drawing up her
graceful neck, looked haughtly down upon the
sympathizer. Have you any idea," pursued
Mrs Vivian, after moments reflection,
what business it is that takes your husband
to Glasgow at this particular time? No? l
hardly think Lorimer is right to leave you un
warned that there is fearful chance of yonr
losing all that You value highest. The shock
may be too much for You"
feared an ebullition Of passion from Isabel
bat she had learned many lesson of selfcon-
troll since l had known her as girl, and she
ouly looked contemptuous.
Ny husbands absence constrainS mo to
bear his sisters insults in silence" she replied,
with an air of dignity 4" and wish to know
nothing that he chooses to keep back from me.
Kiss your aunt, Lily, and bid her goodbye"
And so parted the sisters.
1t was not entirely melancholy time that
Isabel and passed together during the pro,
tractcd absence of her husband The country
was so beautiful, and all the elegant appliances
of enjoyment which we had at command were
so pleasantly new to me, that found it i'm
possible to resist external Influences. Besides
| have passion for children, and even had |
not, / must have loved Isabel's Baby. Bella
was paragon of infantile vigor and beauty,
and Lily had all the exquisite tenderness and
sweetness of child destined to but brief pro-
baton. To Isabel it was a great relief to
have some one with her to whom she could
confde all the incidents, faults and disappoint
ments of her married Hfe and who never wear
led of specuating with her on her chances of
reconciliation and happiness. Besides. she was
free to follow the bent of her feelings she had
no part to play, no spurious pride to maintain.
Mr. Lorimer's letters we're not Of a cheering
character they we're cold and reserved in style
and spoke Of his business engagements as of
momentous and disastrous character, without
further explanation. Isabel seemed strangely
Indifferent on the subject, except as it might
affect her husbands happiness but confess
| was not so Rnworldly. | wrote to my broth
er, and requested him to let me know what ru
mors were afoat in London respecting the firm
of Glitter & Co. The answer | received