Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-04-24

" the carriage is waiting, my love, aud our
/ friends are growing impatient"
4 Has not Walter been here yet, father 2"
/ inquired the young girl.
No." replied her father 1T is rather
strange, bnt | suppose something has detained
him. He will probably meet US at the church.
As Blanche passed down through the group
of liveried servants that lined the hall, every
one anxious to catch glimpse OF the bride,
many heart blessed her sweet face, and
prayed that all the bright anticipations its
smiles and bushes shadowed forth might be
realized.
To Lord CaotrefS sarDrise, the Earl of Egg
bertOn was not at the Church door when they
arrived His brow grew dark with anxiety,
( though be endeavored to allay the apprehen
SioHS of bis daughter, whose cheeks alternate
/ ly flushed and pa.el at her embarrassing posi-
ton.
/ Just as they were about to return, Lord
Cantref noticed horSeman approaching at
/ furious pace, whom he recognized as Mr. St
/ CroN The Young Earl's cousin. His clothes
/ were torn and dusty, aud his face pale and
/ haggered, as be hurriedy alighted from his
/ horse which was covered with sweat and foam.
As his eye Eel. upon Lady Blanche be hesitat-
ed, and casting a significant glance upon Lord
Cautret, beckoned him aside. BIT this move
/ meut did not escape the observation OF Lady
Blanche, whose cheek grew pale from fear.
IT is from Walter = she exclaimed, break.
/ ing from her attendants and following her
father Tell me-" she added wildly, ad-
dressing S. Croix, is he ill-dead r
BE calm, nv child said Lord Cantref,
SoorniBgy. whose coauIenauce betrayed great
a-,ta,tou :" the Young earl is not dead, only
missing /, is 10 be hoped that he yet viii be
found"
Lady Blanche made no reply. but fell pale
and La>pug iuto her l4llers arms, who quick
IS conveyed her 10 the carriage.
Many ., the bysraaierS gathered around $,
Cr0.X. auXI0uS 20 Know .he cause of tbs strange
scene From the narration he gave. they -atn
cred that the earl had disappeared, DO one
Susw whittier That there was no clue 70 his
fate, excepting his horse, which came home a
lev minutes after midnight with dark stains of
blood upnH a.S breast and sides The Erje.
and horror with which 81. Cr1ix narrated these
circumstances produced a very favorable in
pr,ssioa on those who heard him for he was
next of kIa % The earl and upon his death
"oaId come into possession OF the eaFltom.
" NJ child" said Lord COntref. a few months
after. who was iu close and earnest conference
wi.h his daughter, wonli not urge yol 70
take this step. were not assured that il would
resu., 10 yoac ultimate happiness"
" / d1u'r doubt il. father" said Lady
aacle .Au.u.dl7 " bac somehow the yerv
ta1u-h- is rPnl'>.ye % ne. ! never liked Mr.
S- Cox. and I cannot say tia; | Ike h.m
any better since his accession TO bis new hou-
. ar>. There Is, 10 my wonla's Instinct, some
rAns trracacrolS and cruel 10 the very glance
Of bis eye aud The sound of bis voice
loa are prjudted. ny daughter said
the father; " see nothing Of tins Indeed. |
bel sge b ID 10 be an honorable nan. aud 10
every respect worthy Of yoa- You have no
brother" he added >oemu.y, aS bis daughter
maize no reply. N.. soon have no father,
Tor uy race Is nearly run. Il gr.eyes NE 10
leave you 50 unprotected. aui /. wol'd taka
,d- las. >..a- -rlm death could | see YOU Lord
E-ngr-ag'> wi.e'
" Les j, be as you say iathe-" replied Lady
Blanche .nd f--eutly S.ac- Walter IS dead.
| care .i-t,a what becomes Of ne"
Tae Ear. has been waiting some time TO
see you. Blanche, he continued may he
come IL aai receive your consent from you.
.oSn lips
Laiy Ban be Inclined h-r head and in 3
f=s moments the ai.y man was by her side.
Il have DO heart 70 give yol. she sad, in
reply 70 h-S earnest pro,rSiatjonS, lifting her
ewes caIm.v 10 his face; " bu, nv hand Is yoaFs
whenever yol choose % claim it."
" /. .ae mos: devoted aud tender love can
w.n y0l- le4-r j, caaa1: ial 70 &c niue, Gsar
Lads" sad the earl. s1t,,y
"Nay, Laci E-1-r,oa. sad Lady Blanche
i-ulv, IL will avail H.-.e Al ;hs hear, that
have is buried in Walters grave Yet |
prom = llat al l ca1 give You snail De y3lcS
aly day ycl name"
Toe Earl musnarei 4 few words Of lhaUks.
and thea raising her hani respectfully 10 his
lips turned aEsY. and mounting as horse. rode
rapidly toward EEbsT,oa Hall. his hear; full
o. exG.ta,ioa 81 his success. As be was pass
Ia- narrow Ied,e, 8 form wrapped IN large
CLOAK suddenly crossed his patb, starting bis
hose % that he nearly threw hin Of from sis
saddle With mu:tered Inpreca,ion be turned
toward the intruder.
Sc Ii Is !. ElSari s.; Croix :" said deep
hollow voice AMI throwing back gha c.oas.
the pale Light Of the moon feli Upoa the tall
fo-m OF wona0 clad jn strange fantastic az
tire Her flashing eFeS were b.acS s. MD
night. as also was the h5avv mass OF disorder
cd hair that fell below her waist her con-
p,5xioa was dark, even 10 SwarlbiaesS. Yet,
ia spit s.of Ter Weiri. Rasart1ly aspect. there
vas something in the general c0atOgr of her
tace ~a5cl showed that she had once possess
e 0oze than ordinary beauty.
IS Arde.ls :" exclaimed s.. Cro,x, as:oaish
ed
" Nay. Edward said the woman. with
low o.iter laugh Bot TIE loving sBd trusting
Ardel,e. wh1u yoa iured by yoar vile arts from
her hapPy boue, bat Cleopatra, the gypsy