Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-06-07
TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA, JUNE 7, 1866

ly.' | have no doubt he thinks so too, anc
so it is to prevent Mrs. Norris from being
lonely that he goes to see her so often"
Thus she ratified on, stabbing me will
every word, till at length she left me tc
my misery. | sat looking at the fire i
was bright and warm, but my loneliness
was heavy upon me ; besides, it had beer
showing, and the gray sky and white gar
} den and silent air had something both lone
and chill in them. Yet was not quite
alone Early in the winter had taken in
a poor, halfstarved, stray dog, and, though
he was but shaggy halfbred cur, had
made pet of him, He had laid by his
vagrant habits willingly enough, and he
now lay sleeping on the rug at my feet
Poor Carlo he needed not the morrow, and
thought not of the future. Yet how long
could keep him land if cast him away
who would have him? He had neither youth
nor beauty to recommend him-nothing
but his old honest heart, anb who would
care for that ? "Pocr old Carlo |" thought,
and, perhaps because my heart was rather
full just then, tears rose to my eyes as |
thought of the fate that lay before him. |
believe thought of something else too |
remember a vision | saw in the burning
Goals how it came there Heaven knows.
l saw them both, as no doubt they often
were, bending over accounts which they
read together, then looking up and exchang-
ing looks and smiles which no one could
mistake. | wonder why came back to
images which tortured me-but it was so.
| do not know how long Mrs Gray had
been gone, when Carlo gave a short bark :;
the gate-bell rang saw a. tall, dark form
pass across the window, and my little
maid opened the door, saying
"Mr. Thompson, ma'am."
| rose. He came in with his umbrella
as usual, and Carlo went up to him and
wagged friendly welcome. | could not
say one word. was dreadfully agitated.
| felt sure he had come to tell me that he
meant to marry Jessie, and to ask me to
go and stay with them or something of the
kind. Nothing else could have brought
htm. Or perhaps, as Jessie had. no doubt
told him that was gone, he had, on learn
ing the truth, felt ashamed of his long cold
ness, and had come to make some sort of
excuse. He had none but he asked how
| was, took chair, looked rather hard at
me, and without waiting for my answer,
feared l was not very WELL
40, | am not i'll, you know" | replied,
little carelessly y. II trust you are well, Mr..
Thompson"
He said he was very WELL and he looked
at the fire. For while we were both 81
ledt. spoke first. My remark was
scarcely gracious one.
" heard you were so much engaged
that scarcely expected to see you," said.
| was vexed with myself as l had said it.
He might think was annoyed at his long
absence, and, surely, was not But he
took my implied reproach very well. He
answered that he had, indeed, been much
engaged but that everything was over
now. Mrs. Norris, he added had left this
morning. My heart gave great throb
but was mute.
She left IN no very contented mood, |
believe" he resumed "The Balance in
her favor was low-lower than expected.
Mrs. Norris has something like hundred
a year. This and few Jewels constitute
the net profit she derives from her marriage.
I luckily, these speculations cannot be
repeated often, you see The capital of
youth and beauty has but time-a brief
one it is apt to wear out, and the first
not having found it so, is disappointed. |
suppose it is natural but you know can
not pity her very much"
| supposed not but how all that cold,
hard talk panied me.
" have fancy" he resumed, that this
kind lady expected some other ending to
our accounts. This is not very fattering
to my vanity, unless, indeed, as showing
my marketable value =; is it, now ?"
| would not answer that question His
tone, his manner, vexed me- Suddenly he
raised his eyes to mine.
Did such rumor reach you 7" he ask
ed.
l could not deny it. My face was in
flame believe | stammered, but do not
know what.
Even you have heard it," he said look
ing scarcely pleased the world is very
kind. And you believed it, tool l had
hoped you knew me better"
He seemed quite hurt but offered no
justification. Then he rather formally
asked to be allowed to mention the busi-
ness that brought him. So it was businessI
| scorned myself for my folly, which was
not dead yet, and bade him speak.
Was | asleep or dreaming Mr.. Thomp-
son spoke of my aunt her love for me, my
forlorn position, and expressed the strong
est wish to take care of me.
But" he added, with some hesitation,
" can do so but in one fashion, as your
husband. Will you overlook all these pc
culiarities in my temper, which used to an
noy you, | fear, and take what there is of
true and good in me? Can you, will you,
do this 2"
He looked at me in doubt. All ! this
was one ofmy bitterest moments. He cared
SO little for me, that he had never seen,
never suspected, how much | loved him.
And he expected me to take him So |
clasped my hands and twisted them nerv-
ously | could not speak at once
And you, Mr.. Thompson" l said at last
-"and you"
well, what about me? Do you mean,
can I, too, do this 7"
Eyes /; can you do it?
"Why, surely, else had never proposed
it."
He half smiled at the doubt my question
implied and he looked at me as he smiled
Both look and smile exasperated me.
NJ