Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-02-23
NUMBER 80.


passion, suddenly burst himself out, and
became cold, and ashen, and "odd" But
Fred Whitfield was not remarkable for pen
etration so the coil coiled itself a turn
tighter, and no one seemed likely to get
out of the rounds, or to be free of its strands
Rose could do no more than she had done !;
Fred could do no less and for once in her
life his mother was powerless, and he fatty
refused to obey her His nature had been
ploughed up for the first time, and the
weeds had been cut down and the good
seed had sprung up. Rose Backett, how
ever, and Harvey Wynn were as miserable
as it often falls to the lot ofpeople to be by
the virtues of another IfFred would only
have been selfish and narrow-hearted, how
many days and nights of suffering would
have been saved.
The time was coming very near, now; it
wanted only three days to the wedding and
none but Fred was content. Mrs. Whitfield
was coldly savage, and declared she would
not appear at the church or breakfast eth
er Conditions were changed, she said,
since the engagement was made !; and Rose
Blackett, who had once been we'll enough,
was no fit match now for the owner of the
chronic tearfulness, which made her poor
eyes very bad Rose was broken up out of
all likeness to he former SELF and her at
tempts at the Old high-handed "fastness"
failed signally Harvey was moody, irrit-
able, feverish, uncertain; and the whole
octave rang with an undertone of discord,
which no one saw any means of preventing;
it not being always possible for ones fing-
ers to strike the true key.
The three friends were riding along the
lane leading up to Lisson Rose and Fred
in front, and Harvey at some little distance
behind-the lane being too narrow for there
abreast. Fred was talking about Tuesday
next (it was Monday now )and talking nat
urally and lovingly-for somehow he had
forgotten his drawl of late-when they
heard terrific plunging in the rear, and
then heavy fall, as Harvey's horse-a
wild frey, nervous brute-hung him sud
denly to the ground, taking him at a mo-
ment of inattention when he was riding
with slack rein and his mind far away
so that he was thrown in second, almost
at the first start and plunge the terrified
brute had made-frightened at an idiot lad
of the place starting up from behind the
hedge, yelling and flinging his arms abroad.
In another moment Rose Blackett, throw
ing her reins wildly to Fred, was leeling
by his side, holding his head against her
bosom, and calling him her Beloved Har-
vey :" which he stunned as he was, and un-
able to reply, was not too insensible to hear
and understand
The carriage was sent for from Lisson,
and the poor fellow, bleeding and terribly
shaken was taken to the house to be set to
rights as soon as possible and while they
were carrying him through the hall Rose
turned to Fred, who stood leaning against
the Intel Of the door and nearly as pale as
the wounded man, but great deal more
wretched.
at has come out, Fred" she said, laying
her hand on his shoulder, the tears in her
eyes, but with more contented expression
Of face than she had had of late 20 | am
very sorry for you, especially as you have
seemed to like me so much more really than
you did but | cannot help it,"
You are dear good girl, Rose" said
Fred; "and | have been fool 1t serves
me right. When | was master of the stu
alton fooled away my opportunity; and
now when | would die to be loved by you,
Rose, you have gone off to another He
tried to smile, but his lips quivered, and he
was obliged to turn away his head.
Never mind, Fred" said Rose. You
will find some one else better suited to you,
and more worthy of you than | am and
perhaps you will come to me some day, ,and
say, Rose, you have been the best friend
| ever had in my life when you have a
sweet little wife that you adore"
Il don't quite think that" said poor
Fred :; "but if you are happy, that will be
something At all events you are dear
good girl and love you more than you
know of, or would perhaps believe. But
that is nothing to the purpose ; | have lost
you, when might have won you if had
| been wise"
They shook hands cordially, and parted
and the next day Fred left the Hawse, and
soon after went abroad Rose and he did
not meet again till man. years after her
marriage with Harvey and when they did,
Fred was really married to the dearest
little woman under the sum-" and Rose was
a handsome matron, experimenting her
nursery instead of the kennel, and finding
her children rather more interesting objects
OF care than Fans puppies of olden time.
She had saved altogether about four hun
dred year out of the wreck of the grand
Bella Juanita silver mines and so on the
whole did not do so badly in life. Happi-
ness has been found at even lower fig
| ure'
MTsIC.-Let your daughters cultivate