Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-04-11

so many. But she DaQ aaQ another motive Tor
eXerting herself TO shine. AT the very first
glance, she recognized in Mr. Mowbray the
companion of the artist who had Sketched her
eight years back In hopes to hear something
of his friend, she turned the conversation up
on art, the city, childhood, and everything else
that she thought might be suggestive; but in
vain. She could not be more definite, because
she wished to conceal her own identity, for it
was evident Mr.. Mowbray did not know her;
besides, ber natural decacy shrank from in
quiring about perfect stranger.
The next day, as soon as etiquette allowed,
Mr.. Mowbrary was seen driving up to the
farm. Nellie appeared, beautifully attred,
in neat morning dress, and looking so fresh
and sparkling in spite of the late hours of the
night before, that it could hardly be consider
ed Hattery when her visitor assured her that
she looked lovelicr than her lovelest roses
Mr. Mowbray was full of regrets at cruel fate,
which, he said, compelled him to return to the
city. lie could not conceal his JOY when Mel
lies aunt, inadvertently, and much to NelIe'S
secret annoyance, let out the fact that in the
fall Nelly was to pay visit to an old school
mate in Philadelphia, Miss Mary Stanley.
"Ah, indeed " cried the visitor, and his
face flushed with pleasure. Il am so delight
ed. | have the honor to know Miss Stanley.
You will be quite at home in her set, he ad-
ded, bowling to Nellie; 'for it is, by common
consent, the most cultivated in the city"
Nellie bowed coldIy. Her old distrust in
the speaker had revived again. Through all
the polish Of his manner, and in spite of his
deferential admiration she recognized the same
Sneerng spirit, which believed in nothing true
or good, from which she had shruuk instincti-
vely when a child During the interview she
was civil, but no more She could not, how
ever, avoid being beautiful; nor could she help
speaking with the Intelligence and spirit which
alway characterized her conversation; and so
Mr.. Mowbray went away more in love than
ever.
A few months later found Nellie domiciled
for the winter in Philadelphia. Hardly had
she changed her travelling dress, when her
friend came to her chamber.
/ want you to look youc prettiest tonight"
said Miss Stanley; "for | expect a crowd OF
beaus, and among them Mr.. Mowbray, the
brilliant young lawyer, ard Mr.. Harvard. The
former claims to have met you, aud raves
everywhere about your beauty. The latter,
who is great artist, and very critical, laughs
at his friends enthusiasm, and says he would
bet you are only a common rustic, with cheeks
like peonies. So l wish you to convert the
heretc"
d" Only a common rustic" said Nellie to
herself, heartily; and she resolved to be as
beautiful as possible. Perhaps, too, there was
half formed resolve to bring the offender to
her teetiu revenge.
\ great surprise awaited her. When she
entered the drawng-room that evening, the
first stranger she saw was the Identical Clar.
encc, who had painted her as a baretoOted
little girl; and then, for the first time it fash
ed upon her that this was the great artist who
had spoken contemptuOusy Of her charms
notion proved correct; for Miss Stanley, i'm
mediately advancing presented the stranger to
her as Mr. Harvard. A glance into his face
reasurcd Nellie of his identity and satisfied
her that he had not recognized her; and then
she turned away, after a naughty courtesy,
to receive the eager fluctuations of Mr. Now
bray.
There were conflicting emotions at war ia
her bosom that evening. All her old romance
about Clarence was warred upon by her indig
nation, as u belief at his sighting remarks and
at his present Indifference; for he had made no
attempt to improve bis Introduction, but left
her entirely to the crowd Of other beau5, pro-
mincnt among whom was Mr. Mowbray-
Piqued and excited, Nellie was even more
beautiful and witty than usual Late in the
evening she consented, at Miss StanleyS re-
quest, to play and sing. She first dashed off
some brilliant waltzeS, then played bits Of a
few operas and at last at Mr.. Mowbray's sol
icitation, sang several ballads. Few persons
had such sympathetic voice. and Clarence,
who was passonately fond of music, drew near
fascinated. After singing, "Are you sure the
news is true 2" Bonnie Dundee" and others
which had been asked for Clarence said
And may /, too, ask for my favorite ?"
Certainly, sir" she answered, with the
least bit of hauteur. " What is it ?'
"Oh too sad, perhaps, for so gay COM
pany. "The land of the Real" [ hardly
dare hope you will consent"
1t was her favorite also, and her voice
slightly tremblcd as she began. From this or
some other cause, she sang it as even she had
never sung it BEFORE and when she finished
her eyes were full of tears. She would have
given much to have seen CIarenCe's face, but
she could not trust herself to look up and
partly to conceal her emotion, partly by sud-
impulse, she struck into the Miserere Of al
Trovotore"
Nobody there had ever before realized the
full tragedy of that sadGest, yet most beaut;-
full dirge Even the selfish heart of Mr.. Now
bray was affected. When the last chord had
died away, he was the first one TO speak, and
he was profuse in admiration and thanks
But Clarence said nothing Nellie, at last,
looking towards him, saw that bis eyes had
been dim as wei as her own. She felt that
his silence was the most eloquent of compli-
ments, and from that hour forgave him for
having called her common rustic"
Clarence soon became a constant visitor at