Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-11-07

! folds of her dress, a thimble and needle, thread
/ ed with black silk, aud setting expertly to
work
There now, consider yourself whole"
FL" How skillful you are" said Mark, admir-
ngly, after he had thanked her sincerely
But then you have so many nice little con-
Germs to work with. | have only a needle aud
some wax, besides nv SCISSORS"
! FL" You ought to have a house. wife, Mr.
| Thornhrook, said Miss Lilly, timidIy lifting
up her long lasbes in his direction Lillian
could never speak to Mr. Thornbrook without
soft, little rosy shadow on her cheek.
"A what 2 demanded Mark turning very
| red ..
"A housewife
| Yes" laid Mark after moments awk
ward hesitation, my friends have told me so
very often, and---anG | really think so myself
| you know But what sort of Il one would you
recormend, Miss Raymond?' ..4
Oh. any pretty little concern. I'll send
you one to morrow morning, if you'll accept of
! it," she added, with the rosy light in her
cheeks again.
If-Pll accept-of it gasped Mark, feel
! ing as if be were in atmt sphere of pearl
and gold, with two wings spioutng out of his
was opening his lips to assure Miss Lilly that
! he was ready 10 ke the good gift to his arms
then and there without any unnecessary de-
! lay, the door opened, and in walked Jones.
Mark was not at all cannibaliStic in his pro.
ppnstleS, but just then he could have eaten
Jones up with uncommon pleasure. And there
the fellow sat, pulling his long mnStacheS, and
! talking The must nsipld twaddle-sat and sat,
until Mark rose in despair to 90. Even then,
he had no opportunity TO exchange a private
word with Lily.
You't-yonl not forget
''Oh, I'll be sure 70 remember" said she,
smiin2Iy, and half wondering at the unusual
pressure he gave her haud. Ladies often do
provide their bachelor friends SO"
Mark went home, the happiest individual
that ever trod New York pavement Indeed
so great was his felicity that be INDUCED 10
various gymna>tic caperS, indicative OF bliss,
aud only paused at the gruff caution of po-
crmau, who forgot his own conrtng 6avs-
Come, young maU, what are you about Z"
WAS there ever a more delicate way of
assuring me Of her favorable consideration =
Was there there ever a more feminine adtniS-
SION of her sentiments? OF course she will
come herseIt--au angel, breathing air from
Paradise aud 1 slldii tell her or my love i
A hou>e-wife-oh the delicious words i
J Wonder what ueighbOrbOOd ste HOnId like
me 10 engage residence ln--hOw soon 1t
would be best to n.De the day? Oh if |
should awake, aud hud 1t all "A bSsful dreamp
Early the next morning, Mr. Thorubrook
set brlskIy to work, "rghtIng up things
How he swept aud busted aud scoured--hOw
the dust few from plIIow TO poSt-how the
room was aired To get rid Il the tobacco smoke
aud >prnk led with c3Ogne, aud beautIfrd gen
eraily And at length, when the dust was
swept lmto the corner au1 covered by care
IeS>iy ( = thrown newspaper, he found the win
dow glass wurky, and polished 1t with such a
vengeance that his fist handkerchief and all
went through, sOrely damaging the hand, and
utcessItatIug the uugraceiul accessory of an
Old hat to keep out the wiutry blast for the
rlme being. However, even this mlshap didn't
long damp his spIrlts-tOr was not Lily com
ing
Long and YEARLY he waited, yet no tinkIe
of the bell gave warning of her APPROACH
" It's all her sweet feminine modesty," thot
he, aud he content.
AT length there was a peal below, and
Marks heart Jumped into his mouth, beating
like a revellle drum. He rashed to the door,
but-there was 10 one but little grnniug
black boy, with a box.
" MIS-, Rtymond's compliments, and here's
the housewife, sir"
The house wife, you little imp of Erebus,"
Yes, sir in de box, all right ~
Mark slunk back in to bis room, and open
ed the box, half expecting to see aful dressed
Young lady issue from it, a Ia Arabian Nights
Uut bO-lt was only little blue velvet book,
aud tied up with gold cord, and full of odd
compartments in azure silk, containing tapes,
needles. scissors, silk, thlmbe, and all the nice
little work table accessories !
" nd she calls this a house 1UIfe." groaned
Mark in ineffable bitterness OF spirit at the
downfall of hs bright visions. Blu; | won't
be put off SO y
Desperation gave him courage, and off he
hied 10 the Raymond mansion, determined to
settle the matter if there were forty JOneSeS
and E>therS there
But Lillian was alone, singing at her em-
broidery in the sunshny window easement.
Dear me, Mr. Thornbrook, is there any
thing the matter ~
Perhaps it was the shadow from the spen
did crimson cactus plumes IN the wIadow that
gave her cheeks such delicate gIow-per-
haps-but we have no right to speculate
" Yes" Aud mark sat down by her side,
and took the trembling, autteriug band. You
sent me house wife, this morning J"
Wasn't 1t rIghtY faItered Lillian.
" It wasn't the kind wanted, at all" ..
" Not the kind yOu wanted
mo; prefer "a 1--we one, aud come 10
see If you wouldn't chan 1t. want one
with brown hair aud eyeS-somethlns, III short
Mss Lillian just your pattern. Gan nave
.i p r.. ..f.... ..... ..,...,.,
Lly turned white and then red-smiled,