Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-17


By the advice of their fathers law
yer, the girls left the city and wen
to a small country town, where BY
their needlework they earned theil
support. aaa-1 1859
They had been but a little time il
their new home, when stranger, q
gentleman past middle age, came tC
reside at c.. 1t was not long
before he became acquainted Will
the young seamstresses, and in q
short time so won their confidence
that he became a fast friend His
means appeared large, as he bought
cottage for himself, and two others
which he rented, one to the sisters
and large handsome stone mansion
in process of erection, was soon to
be his future home. Having letters
that made him at once influential in
c.. he used that influence to
procure music scholars for Helen,
who bore the drudgery of sewing but
badly, and himself kept Agnes busy
on the most exquisite of shirts, col
lars and cuffs, at large prices but of
the most elaborate finish.
The music lesson over, Helen came
again to her sisters side.
Still at that handkerchief" she
said, touching the dainty embroidery
growing under her sisters busy fing,
ers. "What dandy old-Mr. Law.
renee is"
al think, Nell, dear, it is more the
desire to aid me, by giving employ.
ment, that he has such wonderful
shirts, and so many handkerchiefs
with his initials embroidered in the
corners"
"Aggie." A long pause-then
again" Aggie, is he in love with
you ?"
"Nell, how can you !"
"Well, but Agnes, SEE how odd il
is. Here we are, perfect strangers,
with no earthly claim upon him, and
he takes as much interest in our con
Germs as if he was our own father"
80, Nelly, no, no, a Thousand
times no to your question. He, so
good and noble, and what ana
| ?n and she touched the shoulder that
rose some inches above its natural
place. ......
"But dear me, Agnes, he's as old
as the hills, and as stupid as posi-
bic. OF course he caunot expect
youth and beauty too, in a wife. l
think he will propose to you, and SO
does Harold"
Harold y
There, don't look astonished OF
course you know what Harold came
here for" .. .#...
"But, Nellie" -
"Here me out. He came to make
love to me, and propose well, he
has proposed, and I said yes, and in
January next shall be his wife.
"Nellie p .... .....
"Why not ?" and the young girls
head rose with with a naughty look
of defiance. .... 2. &c.,.
"He-he-you know, Nell, they
say is not very constant"
" Fudge a parcel Of old maids
who want to win him and cannot,
tattle for revenge. | tell you, Ag-
nes, am sick of this life" and she
sprang from her seat paced the floor
with quick steps to and fro, to and
fro, like some beautiful wild beast,
Gagged but untamed Pm sick of
drudging over stupids who won't
learn +; sick Of hearing glorious mel
ody tortured into hideous sounds !;
sick of being chained to hours sick
of poverty, obscurity and toll ! Har-
old Granville is rich. He loves me !;
he will take me away from this
wretched village to circle such as
| once reigned in" r. ...
"Do you love him, Helen" -
Well enough to get along He
adores me, and that is much more to
the point" ... a...
But, Nellie-his-his-intellect"
"Oh, he's fool, I know. So much
the better-I will rule him. You
may tell old Humdrum tonight, Ag-
nes, and he can send my bridal pre-
sent at New Years" And she left
the room, singing as she went gay
air from Traviatia. ....- ....--
Agnes sank into a deep reverie.--
Her sisters questions had touched
upon bitter memories and q painful
present. Back, over Intervening
years, her thoughts travelled to re-
call the lover of her girlhood. She
pictured again the frank, handsome,
face, heard the tender, loving voice,
felt the tender caress of long ago,
and then came the agony of parting
She heard the pleading words to
which she would give no ray of hope.
Loving him utterly, she had resolved
never to burden his brilliant career
by giving him an ailing, crippled
wife never to bear reproach for
loving herself better than him. He
had lett her, lett the CITY, ana sne
knew nothing more. Was she to
have another trial now I .aa
Probing her heart with firm, un-
shrinking touch, she found there
affection for her kind
friend sense of dependence upon
his advice and friendship that it
would cost her much pain to wound
him, be a sore trial to see him no
more, yet she did not love him.
Yet, if Helen was right g.! If he
loved her and was seeking TO win her
love, what had she done In her
gratitude for his kindness her real
frankly expressed pleasure in his So
ciety, had she not encouraged him to
think he might win dearer place
still Z a..1 a. ...f .a" .s5''I1 -.i.
Hot tears were coursing down her