Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-03-23
THE TWO MRS. TRAPFORDS.

THE TWO MRS. TRAtFURDS.
There was only one reason for not pro-
ceedng to the ceremony that was to make
Rosaltha Haworth and Elleray Trafford man
and wife. That reason was that Dick Traf-
ford, Eleray's younger brother, youth a
bout sixteen, had not yet arrived from the
where he was attending boarding school.
The day had come, however, and almost the
hour. and, whatever the cause that delayed
him, especially since it was Christmas week,
it was not. of course, thought sufficient to
postpone the marriage.
The Traffords were a remarkably hand
some family-so handsome that the family
group would at once have riveted the eye OF
even the unobservant. Mrs. Tratford was
one of those few genuine blondes who do not
fade early and look like washed ribbons be
fore twenty years OF married life. Mr.. Trat-
ford might have been mistaken for South
ern Gentleman. so brenzed was his complexion
50 chiyalrous his manner OF three child
rem. Elleray, the eldest, rcsembled the faith
er. The two others we're daughter about
eighteen. named Lucy, and Dick, the school
bov of sixteen just mentioned. Both favor
ed their mother, being blondes of the pur
est hue. Lucy was just as fresh and tender
as an apricot, and Dick was hardly one whit
less handsome He was one Of those beau
tisui giriish looking boys, who not unfre
queutiy make the most masculine men. but
vino during the first years of adolescence
have the hair and eyes, the lips and com
p!exiOHs of girls.
Little did Rosaitha Haworth dream wha.
was in store for her, when it was proposed
that the bridal trip should be modified 50
that Eleray might call in the morning at
the school which Dick was attending, and
learn the reasons of his delay. If she had
known. would she have consented? We will
no stop to answer question which, after
all, is foolish and futile, and involves.a con
,ra .ic;ion from the very nature OF things.
The wedding was over, the congratulations
we're said, the breakfast was eaten, the
epceches were made, the good buys were
biddeu, aud the new Mr.. and Mrs. Trafford
getting into their carriage, commenced that
life the FIRST year of which is said to be so
tantalizing ard rugged. They took their
place in the train, accompli he'd their jour
ney in safety, and in due time arrived in the
quiet old fashioned city of p, where
Dicks boarding school was established.
They took possession of the rooms which
had been engaged tor them at the hotel, and
next morning ElIeray set off to see his young
brother. leaving Rosaltba alone.
Ii he had had the dimmest suspicion, the
bllndcst fcreboding of what was to take
place, hardly think he would have left Ro
saltha' side for one moment. just as they
were setting ont for P, Lucy had laugh
!ngly warned him not to go there, aud had
reminded him of certain former attach
men, of his-a Miss Dorothy Dilworth-
who still resided there, and who might be
disposed to be revengeful and Aledea-llke
loTard Creusa-meaning Rosaltha now
that she had lost her jason Elleray had
aaJTci violently, remembering, indeed, when
be hal fancied himself in love with one OF
iac prsttiest young Quakeresses that P
could boast, but he laughed it Oft, and ap
paren,y the whole affair was forgotten.
But could he have guessed who would
have entered the private parlor where his
vile was sitting, few moments after his
back was turned. hardly think he would
have risked that walk to Dick S boarding
school, and the anxious inquiries he made
aitl- him.
Nr. SJcadman, the head master, pom
7ousiy commonplace man, explained that
Dick had left the school two days before,
and appeared as much perplexed as Elleray
II the fact of his not having been heard
from. He was an intensiy garrulous man,
aTi Elleray found it impossible to escape
from him. He namely gaboled on, until
unaIy Elleray tore himself away in the mid
die of a sentence. Arriving at the hotel, he
found that he had been absent two hours.
He also found letter awaiting him. Open
ing 1t, be found it dated from his recent
home. 1t was written by Dick, was hasty
scraw and ran thus:
Il fix you off-you see if on't-for not
waiting for me. | got too late for the tram,
and had to wait for the next one, and /
think you all behaved real mean.
Your affectionate brother,
DICK.
Smiling at the boyish terms in which this
note was couched, be put it in his pocket,
and preferred TO go upstairs 20 Rosaltha.
Meanwhile. how had Rosaitha spent her
time !?
Listen
Elleray had been gone about fse minutes