Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-09-12

"I have"
We'll, it seems that Barner took fancy to
Miss Winthrop, and asked her guardians
leave to propose for her. Mr.. Drapers con.
sent being readily obtained, he proposed aud
was rejected. Not satisfied with this be con-
tinued to prosecute her with his addresses,
and, finally, it is said, offered her guardian a
heavy SUN if he would either by persuasion
or threats induce her to marry him.
Make yourself easy, Mr.. Barner," said he
she shall be your bride"
:" He found, however, that he had undertaken
difficult task, and despairing of other means
to effect his wishes, locked her up 10 her own
room, and gave out that she had left town on
a visit. For several weeks she remained OBJ
stinate, bat knowing herself to be entirely in
her guardians power, and becoming weary of
! her Imprisonment, she told him if be would
release ber Sue would marry MI Barner -
AS he suspected that she intended to evade
rher PROMISE he told her that he could not
trust her with her liberty till the hour arrived
| Tor the performance of the marriage ceremony
knowing that remonstrance would prove vain,
she to appearance meekly acquesed Yes
terday morning was the time Mr.. Draper
wished it to take place. but she insisted on its
teing deferred till evening. A splendid bri-
daI dress bad been prepared, in which she
was duly arrayed, and Mr.. Barner, fine as his
taller could make him, was punctual to the
moment
One of the bridesmaids now entered the
apartmeat and whispered to Mr.. Draper re-
questing him to give her the key to unlock
the brides door, as her assistant had just call
ed TO her aud told her that Miss Winthrop
was quite ready.
But why were you not there to assist
them ?" inquired Mr. Draper.
arrived rather late" she replied, and
as you happened to be oQt | could not gain
! admittauCe ~
| Five minutes elapsed, bot the bride did not
appear. Mr.. Barner kept his eyes constantly
fastened on the door by which she was to enter
Another i've minutes passed. aud Mr.. Bar
ners eyes began to ache SO that he was Oblg.
| ed not only 10 wink bat even to rub them
What does the girl mean by keeping US
waiting SO long y' said Mr.. Draper, AS be ruDg
the bell
A girl appears at the door.
| Go tell Miss Winthrop" said be " that she
will onlige US by not keeping US witiDg any
! longer"
The girl obeyed, and after an absence of q
few minutes, returned saying that Miss Ws
chamber was empty.
/ should not wonder it she had contrived
to make her escape said Mr.. Draper, start
! ing up and rushing towards the stair case fol-
lowed closely by Mr.. Barner They soon
! proved the truth of what the girl had told
them, by peep into the deserted chamber
Bride aud brdemaidS, all were gone. Mr..
Barner ran down stairs, aud going to the
front door, inquired of some persons that were
passing if they had seen a lady in the dress of
q bride. Being answered in the negative. be
ran down the street like an insane man asking
the question of every one he met Every ex-
ertlon had been made on the partof her guardian
20 hnd her, up to this time she has eluded all
Search
Mrs. Leonard, who was Iistning to'Nrs. Red
| ingS account, told her. that she doubted not
but that Miss Winthrop was at that moment
beneath her roof. She then related the Incl
dents of the preceding evening.
" 1t must be her." replied Mrs. Redng. "I
know her perfectly we'll aud your description
suits her exactly"
She did wrong" said Mrs Leonard, mot
to contde in me. | was inclined to regard her
In very unfavorable light, and had it not
been for Percy who for the sake of her re-
naming consented to leave town should have
| turued her away"
. As she was wholly unacquainted with you, 3"
replied Mrs. Reding " she could not tell
whether 1T would be safe to repose confidence
in you or not
That is true There are some who might
have taken measures to return her to her
guardian or rather to him who has proved
himself so base betrayer to his trust"
Both ladies agreed that it would be best
:or Mrs Leonard to inform ner Immediately
that she had discovered who she was and to
quiet her fears by assuring her, that as Mr.
Draper had exceeded the limits of lawful con-
troll by confning her to her chamber in order
to compel her to marry person that was dis
agreeable to her, be would not be suffered to
assume his guardianship.
That evening in a letter to her nephew, Mrs
Leonard related the whole story, anG the next
evening but one she had Obe plasure of well
coming him home.
More, to tease Mr. Draper than for any 9TH
er reason the secret of Miss Winthrop's abode
was not suffered to transpire, and he, as we'll
as the public, about two months afterwards,
was first enlightened on the subject, by the fol.
lowing paragraph in one oil the daily news-pa-
peIS -
Married, yesterday morning at the resi-
dence Of Mrs Leonard, in street. Per-
cy Leonard, Esq, to Miss NJ. Lewiston Win
throp. daughter of late Judge Winthrop. of
this city"