Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-02-19

the cab, looked eagerly round in the hope
of being able to recognize the locality, but
was unable to obtain more than very limit
ed notion of the objects surrounding US, sc
very dark was it,
We had stopped at the gate of what seem
ed to be mean looking cottage standing by
itself, in plot of waste land. We were in q
lonely country lane, as well as | could make
out, for | could see no signs of other houses
near us, and there was sweet freshness
about the air which spoke of green fields and
pasture land hard by Only this much could
| make ont, and then | followed my strange
companion across the deserted, weed.grown
garden path, into the cottage.
Il was a wh!tewush q ui'diuE, o1e story
high, aud there were two rooms upon the
ground floor into the front one my compan-
ion led the way.
He held the door open for me to pass in
then closed it noselessiy behind me.
looked round the room, though not with
out some Slight tremor, | confess. There
were two large wax candles burning, one up
on either side Of bed Or couch, upon which
lay dead woman, the light falling full upon
her white and uplurned face BY the side of
the bed there stood an easel and a small table
holding drawing materials, crayous, charcoal,
water cOlors, water, pallet, &c
BY the easel stood u chair The room was
otherwise uDfurnished and the floor was bare.
Have you all you want Z" asked my com
panion
AL" replied
II will leave you, then" he said, after q
pause, in which he had been silently and
eagerly contemplating the still! face Of the
dead "my presence, perhaps, disturbs you"
Not at ALL" | replied hastily for | thought
upon this occasion, in spite OF the proYerb,
that three were company.
| continued to draw, while he stood silent.
" at the foot Of the couch haIf-stllled and
convui>ive sob from time TO time, breaking
the otherwise oppressive silence. AS /
glanced at him fnrtiveIy, noticed that grief
or some other cause had wrought great and
dreadful change in his face since | last saw
him, his cheeks were punched and hollow, his
eyes dull and haggard, his face altogether
were a leadeu and unearthiy hue, strongly re-
Sembling the face OF the dead woman before
US.
1t was evident that since l saw him last,
he bad suffered inteusey-hG was suffering
intensely now ! found, before long, that it
was necessary that should make some al
teraiion i'll tie arrangement Of the body. Il
vas habted in shrout, and The jaws were
bound up in the customary manner, with a
linen bandage This latter proposed that |
should remove, aud for that purpose | ap'
preached the couch.
But, teIore could eject ny purpose, he
s rang b=fcr. ne, aad wildly waved me back.
MS eyes gIjItering with au awful excitement
which was little short Of madness.
"No-ro y he cried fcrceIy, pushing me
away with his lett hand, "HO Que bat me, DO
one but NE !
AS he spoke be loosened the bandage, and
then laid the linen down by the side Of her.
Then, her jet black hair in thick, glossy ring
lets. tell about her face and upon her Snowy
bosom.
She looked very beautiful as she lay there,
50 cain and still. ngoIuntarily said as
much but the next moment | regretted nav,
iig spoken, for my words called forth Il burst
Of passiomae rawlings from my companion,
which were terrific IN ther utteraCce.
" Yes" be screamed rather than cried, as
he fell upon his knees by the bedside, aud
kissed and sobbed over Que Of the cold white
hands which lay crossed upon the dead wo,
mau's breast. Oh yes, she is beaulltu--an
angel as she is. On, just Heaven, why was
| rohbed of her d? What have | done that
| should suffer so ? Oh, Con, give me
strength to bear the sight OF her whom | love
more than nay immortal soul, lying here stark
dead before me But what is there in her
death that | should greve foI?" he continued,
IN quite all altered toue, at the same time tear
ug his hair and grinding his teeth in impOtent
fary. a would rather see her dead than in
the arms of the blackhearted wretch who rob
bed me of her. Ha ha ! she is dead ! and
| rejoice, for The bitterness of my grief is shar
ed by hiu. | can console myself hy the
thought that every pang suffer reA4s bis
heart as it does mine"
"She vas bot then your wife :"
"My wife p he answered savage!y, No,
she was another's wife She was loved, and
was deceived, and she married him. That is
why | have had to do what ! have done to
obtain her portrait. l would nave her por-
trait | would have her portrait though the
grave robbed me of ber dear self. l am de-
ternued TO have something 10y which may
preserve her loved features in my memory
gave her my portrait once-ohce when we
phghted our lroth. But they have robbed
her of it, l suppose, as they have robbed me
of her"
What is that ?" said I, pointing to the
womaus neck. upon which it seemed to me,
something gisteued brightly. " 1t is a ehalu,
| think"
He uttered a low cry and sprang at it
Next moment he held i'll his hand gold lock
et IN u hIch the chain had been attached.
1t is m:ne T. he cried in transport OF
delight. " 1t is the portrait | gave her. GoD
bless her God bless her thank thee
Heaven, for thy Infinite mercy y aud stoop'
ing over her, be kissed the cold lips OF bis
dead love with frcnzed tagernesS, ,haboilng In
coherent words of endearmelt as he did so.
Then springing to his feet, and needing not
| an effort which | made 10 detain him, be