Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-31
VOLUME XVII.

VllIage tavern. For the rest, he was
young gentleman Of about twenty-five, tall
well-dressed, courteous, but grave in his
demeanor, and with an aristocratic pallor
which his dark eyes and hair rendered still
more striking. Three days after his ar
rival, when the fraternity of gossips were
almost in state of frenzy from his unman.
ly and insulting silence in regard to him
self and his errand, he suddenly terminated
all speculation by hiring small office, in
front of which soon appeared a sign bear
ing the inscription James Shirley, Attor.
ney at Law"
In three weeks the gossips had discov.
cred all about him, and their disappoint-
ment was great The unknown stranger
appearing so suddenly and mysteriously
was simply young gentleman from Low
er Virginia who had, after the common
fashion, left home to commence life upon a
new arena S. had been selected as that
arena, and there he was, simple attorney
at law, not royal exile or prince in dis
guise
He soon made friends, though his man.
ners were criticised as much too grave for
those of youth. At times, this gravity
amounted to gloom ; but an unfailing cour-
! tesy conciliated everybody and in six
months Shirley was what is called iris
ing man" He had appeared with great
| success in several actions in the courts,
and had made an impression in society
| Letters of Introduction had opened to him
! the best circles of 5. and the neighborhood; ;
and, wherever he appeared, he was re-
| ceived with smiles and welcome alike by
old gentlemen and young ladies'.
AZ twcnt F-fjVp the fppliDCs soon cnDppp-
trate. In the skies Of youth, one star
! comes very quickly to outshine all others.
Shirley fell in love with young lady of
about nineteen, bearing the pretty name of
Pauline Weston, daughter Of Colonel
Weston, to whom the young man had
brought letter of introduction.
4 month afterward, it was known that
he was engaged to this young girl.
She was gay, witty, and the soul of
every merry-making. A brighter pair of
blue eyes had never shone in that region
redder lips had never uttered the Jest or
the laugh. Why did Shirley select her
1t seemed impossible to explain the fact,
save upon the theory of opposites" En-
gagged they were, however, and Colonel
Weston, who had become very much at
taChed to the young man, placed no sort of
! obstacle in the way. The gosSipS speedily
informed each other that the wedding day
was fixed, and this time the fraternity had
come into possession of the exact truth.
Fifteen days before the evening fixed for
the ceremony, Pauline Weston was set
ting at window looking out upon the
main street Of the town, when she saw
Shirley coming toward the house She
awaited him with something nearly resem-
bling gloom. Since her engagement Paul
inc had discovered in her lover some traits
Of character which made her uneasy For
a man of fresh and vigorous intellect, he
was strangely superstitious, and at times
gave way to fits of gloom and melancholy,
from which nothing could arouse him. At
such moments his pale face became paler
his eyes had in them a singular light, as
though the gaze Of their owner were turned
inward and when any one spoke to him
he would start with frightened air, and
answer entirely at random to any question.
More than once he had related with omi-
nous gravity the widest and most extrav-
agant stories Of weird occurrences in his
own family the appearance Of spirits to
members of the household the fulfillment
Of terrible dreams, and the strangest verif-
cations Of mysterious warnings That hu
man beings received these warnings Of i'm
pending woe he believed as firmly as he be-
lieved in his own existence and one of his
habitual phrases was, '"Three warnings
never deceive"
One of his gloomy moods had attacked
him on the preceding evening, and Pau
line had vainly attempted to laugh him out
of it. He had remained obstinately SOM
bre, and had left the house about eleven
O'clock the picture of despair.
As he now approached, Pauline saw that
his mood had not altered AS he entered,
frightful palIor covered his features but
to all the young lady's questions, he only
replied that he had had "bad dreams"
Assuming a bright smile and gay tone,
she endeavored to laugh her lover out of
his mood. The attempt was entirely un-
successful In vain did Pauline assume
her most coquettish provocation, twisting
as she did so one Of her golden curls over
her white and taper fingers, the wide
sleeves falling back and displaying an arm
round, rose-white and charming. Shirley
remained gloomy and almost speechless.
upon my word" said the young lady
at last with something like pout, any
one who saw you at this moment would
scarcely believe that you were engaged to
be married--and to my very humble self"
4 sigh was the only response. The young
lady colored slightly, forced a laugh, and
added:
",You surely must have had bad dreams!
What in the world is the matter that you
start so :"
"You are right, Pauline" returned shir-
ley, ~ have had the most distressing
dreams, and can not dissipate their infiu-
| ence"
Tell me your dream"
He looked at her gloomily.
II am afraid"
Dc not be-" was the earnest reply, in a
voice full Of affection. Have you forgot
ten that it is my right to share your trouble
your sorrow as your joy?"
He looked at the bluShing face, and
slight 60 or came to his own.
You are right" he said " above all
does it concern you--for you were the sub
ject of my dream"
Il !" came again with forced laugh,
what in the world has your ordship con-
/ dascpudpd m draarn abnut me That | had