True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-12-24
d9Iukg ymn 9botS to 2mum 2ymfsts Yacran, stmte an
STEUBENVILLE, OHIO,


to her feelings, she spoke very calmly {:
Mother, please listen to me while | say
all that must say. While have my
being shall neverIforget that you took
me a poor orphan child, and gave me
this beautiful home you have supplied
every want have dressed me like prin-
cess have provided me with the best
masters, and have been as indulgent to
me as | could ask. When my own
mother died, Martha and 1 were left
homeless and penniless she was willing
to work for me, and ito perish with me
if God had permitted it.
'Stop!' interrupted Vale, imper-
iouSly Il have heard enough about
Martha | have given you to understand
that when | adopted you, | did not adopt
your relations
must be permitted to speak now,"
said Eva with dignity the depth of her
excilem ent could be read in her eye more
than in her voice. She went on: when
| came here it was at Martha's entreaty !;
when saw her under the iron heel OF
poverty, and had not at my command the
means 10 relieve her, it was at her en-
treaty that / remained, that Jared sump.
luously every day, while she toiled in
her garret room, anguished for the fresl
country air which | could enjoy at will
love luxury, confess i'll love to see
everything splendid around mel love
society, such as this home can secure
10 me-l love ease ;-and had it not been
for my sister, | should have gone on to
my grave loving these things better than
right and duty--I should have choser
outward things, the whiled sepulchre re be-
fore the. inner nobleness. But this night,
mother, | had resolved that my lot mus
be cast with Martha's. And"--Evf
hesitaled her heart rose and fell, as her
. mothers eyes wer fixed upon her will
E kind Of cold passion, that seemed Il
t lieeze all the lrankness ou! of her being.
Well 2 The icy Sharpness of the tone
cut to the very heart as it fell from Mrs
VaIe's lips.
Had | remained your daug liter, moth
er," Eva continued with great effort,
could not have married Mr.. Brennan. |
f did not know until to night that Mr.
Cochrane was attached 10 me-
.Foolp uttered Mrs. Vale, rising tC
her feet. Fool ! will you throw yoursel
away upon him. to consummate your un-
e grateful course.-'O, sharper than ser.
pants tooth it is to have a thankles
child Here in self pity, Mrs. Vale
: bloke down, and sobbed violently. Sht
3 had relied on Eva as stay for old age
9 she had expected a devotion which i
: was not in her own nature to bestow upor
r any one and now, ere old age had come
: upon her, her child was about TO leave
, her. Sbe hestaled between desire to
r turn Eva out Of the house instantly, and a
. conviction that she must be retained.
, She loved her better than any one OF
t earth, but her hard nature was ncapabl,
E of aught but very selfish affection.
; Il must 60, mother; but oh |! if
s could retain your love still-if coult
: have your blessing = Eva bowed he
: face in her hands, and wept very quietly
but painfully; the old torture as to wha
; her duty was, came over her, but (
r Strengthening angel gave her assurance
and impressed it upon her thought tha
: Martha's failing health and lately disease,
, eyes called for her younger arm to ait
; her. A long silence was unbroken be
r tween the two women. At length MIS-
:. Vale spoke as if che had most favora
d BILE offer to make.
n 6 Eva, you do not deserve this, but
suppose it's natural that you sheuld wan
to do something for your sister. I'll dis
I miss Brown, and make Martha housekeep
/, er. How will tlIat suit But mind,
d want it understood that the RELATIONSHIP
n between you and her is not to be known
/ there is no refinement about Martial
4 A deep red flowed in Eva's cheek, bu
e she only uttered, | could not! .
; A black cloud lowered upon Mrs
r Vale's brow. You refuse 2 she asked
It The young girl bowed. . ,l.',a
~. y will give you week to think Of my
d offerv Mrs. Vale said after a few mo
J. ments-'if you accept it, Mr.. Cochran
;. must be forbidden the house, '''~''
q - Good night, mother 7 and Eva's lip
4 quivered-she felt that it was her las
good night in that house. Mrs. Val
: made no reply, but left her.
O Il must not think, but act 7 murmure'
|. the orphan. colbert must know this
Q or she blushed-'ll I've sails for Englan,
SO soon, that i, will not be difficult to keeI
II il from him-we can meet in mornin;
d walks-I can tell him Of mothers disap
n proval of our intimacy 3 '""'
i Eva wrote farewell letter to her adopt
= ed parents. When the dawn penetrated
s through the blinds, she arrayed herself il
II a plain morning dress and straw bounet
K then with a small package Of letters fror
), those she loved, and with thickly blind
y ing tears that hid everything from he
t. sight, she stole down the stairs. HWhe
e she gained the street, and had looked u
k at the splendid home where she had pass
ed many happy indulgent hours, wher
y she had made many friends, he feet almO'