The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-11-29
From Peterson's Magazine.
s.They Talk About Her.
by HETTY HoLYoKE.


Who is she % exclaimed the young artist,
Haviland, as we stood few days ago at my
parlor window, watching tho passers by.
A pair of blue eyes, full of spirit and ten
derness, that had been lifted timidly, caught
mine, and the bow we exchanged brought
smile to the delicate, sad face.
She was like the picture of Beatrice-I
had not noticed ithefore; like in her features,
In her glowing, waving hair, in the expression
of those timid eyes, in her whole manner,
which, though shrinking, was calm and dig
nlhed the very floating mantle which enyel-
oped her added to the resemblance.
s Who is she 7 How soon can YOU con-
trive a meeting for me? Married. guess
1t by those eyes-for money, perhaps? DO
you suppose she could be induced to sit ?''
and the artist paused, out of breath.
"WhQs Have you not heard of Ellen
Lowe? She would not sit, is not married,
and ! cannot contrive meeting-sh left
society long ago." answered.
''With that angelic beauty-why! She's
not going to join the Sisters of Charity Oh,
| must see her again Proud as queen,
and tender as Madonna! She is not fit for
fashionable life, but how came she to find
out the truth, SO young?"
"She left, that society might not thrust
her forth; her name is blighted.''
Sand you believe in the lieP I'd trust that
face, let men say what they will. Ii the pus
rity and self-respect which breathe from it
be not real, then may break my palette, for
art is all foolshness."
''No, do not believe it, and she knows
it but people have talked about her, each
one adding to the others story, till her name
has become by-word among men,
l--.1... H. L a. q
"The dignity and self-respect you observed
have been her ruin she trusted too much in
her own innocence--took no precaution
ming, and now it has grown, and grown, and
is crushing her into the grave
"But her storyf"
" Her social position is unfortunate; tai
ented as she Is lovely, she has been noticed
and petted by those far above her earlier
friends. She 10 very musical, and has
magical voice-would it might charm her
slanderers for once Such triumph and pride
such full, rich ioy--snch tenderness and
tears as pour forth through it's tones, | have
heard from no other single voice on earth.
$ You know George Davis, who married
Just after you went abroad? He and his
wife soon grew tired of each other; she
cares only for dress and society, he for mu-
sic alone. lie met Ellen at my house; they
sympathlzed in many things-music most of
all. lie gave up party-going, and evening
found him by Nelly's piano. The wife grew
jealous ISLANDERS were rife; separation en-
sued. Mrs. Davis was pitied, her husband
maligned, and Nely's friends melted away
like snow. Old friends exult in jealous spite.
new friends pass by in silent scorn; and nv
house is the only one in which she receives o
cordial welcome"
There it is A woman must be a prude.
or she is not allowed to be a woman-no such
thing left as the simplicity Of innocence and
If you charm at all, it is only because you
have become unsophisficafediy soph isticafed.
Can no roman invent q remedy?,
9 One woman's hand against the tide of
wrong What can we dos We need the
help of man.
:" Tell me how, and God knows will give
it,
SWELL, suppose you had heard this story
at your eating house, you would have be-
lieyed Ellen guilty at once.''
: 50 should, confess it,
Then why not persuade one to have more
faith in woman-nay, in hpmanity-you
would not believe any wrongl your sisters
ANOl IOT u moment,
Sand yet, when other women are discussed.
you fall into the general habit, and add
sheer to sneer. We are all made Of the self
same clay, and TO abuse one throws disres-
pect on the rest and We, growing up in the
knowledge that we are not trusted for mo-
ment out OF sight, are expected to behave
with freedom and simplicity--sbout as easy
as it would be for bird, hopping from
perch to perch of her cage, to show how she
once could lutter away with her hedgelings,
and wheel, while they watched her, against
the glowing sunset skyi"
The next afternoon, meeting Ellen Lowe.
on my way to a rehearsal. we went to the mu-
SIC hall together and was not surprised
when my artist joined us, nor sorry to watch
ms stoien Chances at my companions worn
but lovely faeo. How the music seemed to
lift up her stricken spirit AZ with wings |!
How the faint flush came and went in her
check, and the sad heart seemed to have
ceased Its huttering, and then, how with a
sigh, she awoke to reality once more!
I" Yon were mot at home,' Yesterday" said
MIR. Haviland, as we stood by my parlor win
dow again, not q week from the dav he had
first seen Ellen Lowe, you were NOT at home?'
81 had gone to visit my friend, Miss Lowe.''
All and Pm wild to hear about Miss
Lowe, for she is good as an angek and what
rs more, will prove MY belief by making
her Mrs. Haviiand, if she says syes.' When
can meet her -
Never, excapt behind the veil,' fear.
The poor girl is dying a maniac. That music
moved her too deeply the other day-she
went home raving, was taken to the hospital,
and saw your Beatrice in the hands of her
keepers-madt
What comedies and tragedies these
street pictures all belong to, and must illus
trate. if we could gain the thread" said Mr..
Haviland, turning once more to the window.