Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-06-19

without. Ah it was the wspering of the
still small voice, aud should heed it's prompt
ngs she would not know it, curiosity whs-
pered so raised the veil but as my eye
caught glimpse of the gilded frame the dra-
perry fell from my hand l remembered my
promise never to raise that veil, and | turned
away wondering why so costly frame was
hidden beneath those dark folds
From that night The mystery of the library
deepened. | had nervous dread of being
left alone with that yelled picture, and my i'm
aginative MUD pictured scene of horror that
would thrill every nerve and freeze my hearts
blood
My father returned and when / told him
how kind Mrs. Thornton had been he called
TO thauk her in person, but she was i'll and
could not leave her room. Wondering what
could agitate her so, returned TO my father,
saying she would be better in day or two,
and be must not leave the city until he had
seen her. But he was firm in his decision to
leave the next day, and | must accompany
him. Then | expressed wish to visit my
mothers grave. He drew me to his side, and
with his arm encircling me, and head resting
npon his bosom, told me of my mother. To
him the memory of the past was painful, and
| mingled my tears with those of my fathers
while again [ seemed to hear that strange
face peerlng into mine.
In Two hours | would leave my kind friend.
and was going without the mystery of the Ii
brary being solved so | ventured to hint
that, when | come to visit her the next year,
hope to see the yelled picture unveiled. She
did not reply, but taking my haud led me to
the library. She would tell me all, she said,
,i,rbt
Mrs. Thornton told her story briefly. She
was the only child OF wealthy parents, and
married at the age of nineteen For three
years she was happy in the pleasant home to
| which her husband took her then cloud Of
midnight darkness overshadowed that home.
Some one envying her, circulated reports in
| jurous to her reputation, and these coming to
her husbands ears, he, being naturally of a
jealous disposition, believed them. The wife
loved her husband devotcdly. and being limo,
cent, how could she bear patiently his taunts
aud nncalled for surveillance So she propos-
! ed returning to her paternal home, and the
| husband said CO. only she must leave her child
She did go, and three years after, her parents
being dead, she went to Europe, where she
remained eight years. Retaining to America
she came to New Haven, where under the as
sumed aame of Mrs. Thornton, she had since
| resided. Once she had visited the home OF
her husband during his absence, and bribing
| the houSekeeper by the present of a we'll filled
| purse, procured his portrait and in all her
wanderIngS it had been her companion, though
closely yelled, lest some one should recognize
it, and thus her early history become food for
idle gossip. Then too, she had seen her child,
aud for brief moment pressed it to her bo-
som, but words could not express the agony
Of her breaking heart as she turned away from
her child.
Your hnsl and's name" | said, sinking at
her feet and gazing wonderingly into her pale
face and the dark liquid eyes, bent so lovingly
upon me, for q strange hope made my heart
throb wildly.
81 cannot repeat his name, but you may
look upon his counterpart" she said, rising.
Slowly, almost rcvcrentIy, she put back the
folds of that silken veil. while | stood half
brea athess beside her Was it a dream, or
was it reality? There was no miStakIng that
| likeness and involuntariIy the words My
| Father !" burst from my lips. Then, like
swift moving panorama. it all passed before
my mind, and throwing my arc2S around her
Eeck, called her
"My mother, my long lost mother ! My
! father told me all yesterday" | said, when l
| had become more calm " lie learned the re-
ports were without foundation, and hearing you
had gone to Europe, for three years he has
sought you there, and now his heart is sad be-
cause he can find no trace of you. Will you
see him z"
She did not reply, but I read her answer in
! the beamiug eye, and hastily donning bonnet
and mantle, ran to the hotel and surprised my
| father by rushing breathIess into his room.
Come with me Mrs. Thornton will see
you now" said, nervousIy ciutching his arm.
and pulling him toward the door but he, re-
sisting. asked what had occurred TO excite me
So 1t is not there that | would explain, so
he followed my rapid footsteps along the street
and up the shaded walk bnt then l threw
open the door leading to the library. She had
risen how lovingly she looked then-her pale
! brow her bright eye, and crimson spot burn
ing on either cheek One moment my father
stood as though chained to the spot, then ad-
vancing, he exclaimed {:
"FIora, my wife !"
Herbert" was the soft reply, and she was
clasped in his arms.
Forgive aud forget the past" heard
manly voice murmur and then my name was
repeated in soft acceots / went TO my q 9TH
ers side, and the happy husband and father
pressed his wife and child to bis heart as in
reverent tones be implored God to bless our
reunion
The yelled picture was unveiled. the mystery
of the library solved !; aud returning to our
Western home, once more a happy family
gronp dwet beneath its roof. A gentle, loving
wife&mother was the guiding star of that home.
pg- Brown was speaking of Joe Ito
friend one dsy and said to him; Joe is
O. FIRST rate fellow, bat it must be confessed he
| has his failings. | am sorry it is SO, but can