Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-09-21

you ?"
What has he to do with this" SAID
Mrs. Webster. Perhaps he"
"He what, madam ?"
Perhaps it did not belong to him, | was
going to say"
| saw it was no use to struggle when
the officer came down he would explain the
mistake.
"Where can we wait 2" | said
Wait, Uncle Joseph, what for ?"
" Madam, this telegram orders the arrest
of your daughter, and her detention here
till the arrival of an officer from London"
" But what for ?"
" | cannot tell you it is useless to COM
plain we must wait"
" shall do nothing Of the kind | shall
at once go and get my brother and Mr..
Iredgar to come down"
Pray don't, madam there's no occa-
sion to make more noise about this matter
than can be helped"
shall remain with Clara you had
better go on and say we are coming very
soon"
Your instructions don't exclude this
lady or myself?" l asked
Not at all, sir you are both free to go
at any time, but the young lady must
stay"
"Where ?"
Well, sir, I'm sure there's some mistake,
and was so from the moment | saw the
young lady, so if you'll give me your word
not to 60 away, I'll tax, you into my house.
out of the hustle of the station"
Mrs. Webster went off, and Clara and
went out of the house
Cant say, my dear; it will be some
thing to laugh at by-and-by, though it's
not pleasant now"
But about the ring do you think it
possible what mamma said?"
Possible my dear, it's ridiculous It's
a hundred years DID, and daresay belong
ed to his mother before he gave it to you"
81 can't think what it can be-"
Don't think about it. It's mistake,
that's all it will all be cleared up in a few
hours. Well have some dinner, and pass
the time as well as we can"
Do you know, uncle, feel almost glad
of this it seems like break in the dull
ness it puts off my wedding at least
week mamma herself could not press it
for tomorrow, after this"
We had dined, and got to be quite cheer
full and laughing over the blunder as we
sat at the window, when a rap at the door
startled us both.
"Come in"
A gentleman entered.
"Miss Webster?"
Clara bowed
"Mss Clara Webster" he said, reading
the name from letter
Clara bowed again.
He handed her letter, which she open
ed and read, and dropped on the floor, ex-
claiming Thank God thank God OF!
uncle, l am so happy" then fell into chair
fainting.
Ipicked up the letter, and calling the
people of the house, very soon brought her
to and were once more alone with the bear
er Of the note, which ran as follows:
TREDGAR HALL.
Mr. Francis Tredgar presents his COM
pliments to Miss Webster, and begs to state
that he must decline the fulfllment of his
promise to make her his wife The unhap-
py circumstances of Miss Webster's public
arrest, on the charge of being in possession
of diamond ring, stolen by her former low
er will at once account to her for this de-
cision Mr.. Tredgar's wife must be above
suspicion.
"Mr Tredgar begs also to inform Miss
Webster that the services of this solicitor
Mr.. Blake, (the bearer) are at her disposal.
"Well, Mr.. Blake" said |, ''you see we
shall not require your services | shall wait
the event, and, if it is not cleared up, shall
employ my own solicitor in the matter
Will you present my kind regards to Mr.
Francis Tredgar, and express my own and
my niece's admiration of his gentlemanly
courtesy and kindness [ would write to
him, if | did not consider that correspon-
dence with such miserable, ,cowardly scoun-
drel was too utterly degrading to be thought
Of"
l shall faithfully convey your message,
sir and allow me to assure you that was
quite gnorent of the contents of the letter,
and that it shall be the last time ever bear
one from him and now, as you will not let
me help you as his solicitor, allow me to
protier my services as a friend"
"With all my heart, Mr.. Blake come in
here few minutes before the train comes
in, and we shall be glad of your help"
"Was | not right, uncle dear p Said
Clara, as soon as we were alone. "Oh
you can't tell how happy | am can live
now o this glorious mistake It's the
most fortunate thing that ever happened to
me in all my life. Now, wou are glad,
uncle, aren't you ?" and she came up to
me,
with all Hopes torch lit in both her eyes"
and kissed me, and would have me speak,
Yes, darling, l am glad--more glad
than | can find words to tell. Your fate,
linked to such man as this scoundrel,
would have been a living death. | am
| heartily glad, Clara"
CHAPTER 1.-THE OFFICER.
This way, sir. The young person is in
my house she gave her word not to at
tempt to leave the old gentleman is with
, her."
This we heard through the door as the
station-master came along the passage
Our friend, Mr. Blake, had arrived some
| time before.
The station-master entered, and behind
him tall broad-shouldered man, with bushy
beard and moustaches concealing all the
lower part of his face.
Will you have light, sir :" said the
staton-master to the officer
"Thank you, no."
Clara started at the sound of the voice,
and laid her hand on mine.
| " Now nv rOOd man - bepan Mr. Blake