Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-02-06


dinner
l left him still at it and walked home, won.
dering at the great law of natural equality
which seems to level all mankind to one stan
dard, Notwithstanding all those artificial ones
which We ourselves have raised. Here was a
successful youth, with good looks and good
wits and position aud fortune and here was |,
certainly no wonder, Insignificant, and plain,
and poor, and of commonplace intelligence, and
as well satisfied with my own possessions, such
as they were as he, Halbert, could be with
the treasures prodigal fortune had showered
upon him. Here was l. Judging him, and tax.
ing his measure as accurately as he could take
mine, were it worth his while TO do so. Here
was /, walkSg home under the stars, while
he was flirting and whispering with Lady Fan
ny, and both our nights sped on. ConStella-
tiOns sinking slowly, the day approaching
through the realms of space, hours waning, life
going by for US both alike both Of US men
waiting together amidst these awful surround
ings.
You and | met often after this first meeting
in churches where tapers were lighting and
heaVy censers swinging-on the Pincio, in the
narrow, deep-colored streets it was not al
ways chance only which brought me so con-
stanty into your presence. You yourself were
the chance, at least, and | the blind follower of
fortune
All around about Rome there are ancient
gardens lying basking in the sun. Gardens
and villas built long since by dead cardinals
and popes terraces, with glinting shadows,
with hoaeysuckle clambering in uCsv.Ste luzu-
Rance roses Towering aud fading and falling
IN showers in the pathways aud terraces and
marble steps yellow with age Lonely foun-
tains pash in their basins statues of fawns aud
slender nymphS stand out against the solemn
horizon OF blue hills and cTlmSOn-Streaked sky !;
of cypress trees and cedars, with the sunset
showing through their stems. At home, l
lead very busy anxious life the beauty and
peace OF these Italian villas fIl me with mex
presSIbie satisfaction aud gratitude toward
those mouldering pOntfs, whose magnificent
Iberality has secured such placid resting-places
for generations Of weary men. Taking long
walk out Of Rome one d8y,I came to the gates
OF one of these gardens Iremember seeing q
carriage waiting in the shade of some cedar
trees hard by, horses with dropping heads,
and servants smoking as they waited. This
was no uncommon sight the English are for
ever on their rounds but somehow on this
occasion, | thought | recognized one of, the
men, aud instead of passing by, as had been
my intention, turned in at the halfopened
gst which the angels with the flaming swords
had left ungarded and unlocked for once and
after few minutes walk, | came upon the
Eve looked for.
on were sitting on some time-worn steps
you wore geen silk dress, and your brown
hair, with the red tints in it, was all abIaze
with the light 1ou looked very unhappy, |
thought got up with an effort, and smiled
pit!ul smile
Are you come here for a little quiet 2"
asked. Z" an not going to disturb YOU
" came here for pleasure, not quiet, you
said, " with papa and some friends. l was
tired, so they walked on and left me-
. That is the way with ones friends, said
|. Who are the culpr.ts, Miss Oliver 2"
" | am the ouly caIpr.t,' you said grimIy.-
u Lady Fanny aud Mr.. Halbert came with Us
to-day. Look, there they are at the end of
that alley.
And as you spoke, y0u raised one hand and
pointed, and | made up my mind. Il was
very long alley. The figures in the distance
we're advancing very slowly. When they
reach that little temple though l, will tel.
her what | think
THIS vas by no means so S1ddeB deteFm-
nation as it may appear 20 you, readiag over
these pages. 1t seems a singular reason to
give ; but really think it was your hopeless
fancy for that rosy youth which touched me
aud interested me so. know / used TO carry
home sad words, spoken not 10 me, aud CLAN
ces that thrilled NE with lore, pity, aHd sym
Dathy. What | said was, as you know, very
simply sud TO the parpose. knew quite
we'll yogr fancy was elsewhere mine was
With you, perhaps as hOpeleSsly placed. |
1idl'I exactly see what good this confession
vas to 90 either Of Us, only there | was, ready
10 spend my life at your service.
When | had spoken there was a silent mo-
neat, and then you glOwed up-year eyes
Melted, your mouth qaiyered " On, what
,an say Oh, am 50 lonely. Oh, have
lot one friend in the world and now, sud
lenly, helping hand IS held out, and | can't,
[ oGaf push it away. Oh, don't despise. On,
orgive me-"
Despise scorn Poor child l
,nly liked you the more for your plaintive ap
peal though l wondered at it.
Il" Take your time" | said, I can wait and
shall not fly away. Call me when YOU want
ne send me away when l weary you Here
5 Jour father shall speak to him Bot no
Remember there is no single link between u,
except what you yourself hold in your own
hand
Here your father ard Halbert and Lady
Fanny came up. We'll, Esther, are you rest
"a. = saws the colonel cheerfully. Why, how
10 you DO Ito me Y What have you been talk
ng about SO busily p
Yoa did not answer, but fixed your eyes on
FOUR fathers face. l said something for
get what Halbert, looking interested, turned
rom one to the other. Lady Fanny, who
held fragrant heap Of roses, shook few Pc
.als to the ground, where they lay glowing af