St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-08-05


But Eva had ficd-Shc who ha,
shrank not from sorrow and sutlcrin,
could not bear that gentle and truth
: ful look Of tenderness.
The next morning found the senate
and secretary at the Ashland's. TIN
former had called to inquire after tn
) health of Victorine.
And where was Eva? The sccrcta
ry had inquired for her.
" 1t is her hour for learning tn
childrcn's lessons, bclicvc,' was M
Gle Johns dry reply, ere the mothc
had time to speak.
1t was provoking f.; and uncle join
always would be there when they hac
company, and always would say ius
what he pleased. Mrs. Ashland, anc
daughter, wished him where he woulc
never return. But to no purpose. lie
was ever omniprcsent.
The time had nearly arrived for Mr.
| Shcrwood's departure and the false
Nictorine Ashland rcdoublcd her arts
to yet win, if possible, that distin
gulshed gentleman's heart. Some
times she thought her task already ac
complishcd when he would seek hcl
society in preference to all others
And then when he seemed wholly neg
lcctful of her, forgetting that such q
being was in existence, she doubted
then her power over him. She knew
her charms had failed of their effect
And yet one more effort must be tried
And mother and daughter planned it
They would give splendid party,
cost what it would and all the ciu,
should he invited. Every possible
pains was taken to keep the knowledge
OF it from uncle John. They feared
his just rcproois. Mr.. Ashland was
from home, or it mi ght not have taken
place.
Nictorinc's outfit for the occasion
was beautiful and costly. Her own
peculiar charms would be enhanced
by it. She certainly could not fail
now Of making u decided impression.
And where was Eva? The night
had arrived
" Eva YOU must assist at your sis
tcr's toilet, and then array yourself 10
be present too this evening" And
Mrs. Ashland spoke like one who felt
confident Of some coveted triumph.
Eva looked up into her face hall
wildly.
Why, mother, Willie is SO sick
you--thcy will not think of coming
here tonight"
Nonsense, child none knows OF
most we'll was IS in n the fh;'iII nursery ;;r; TIL.
morning, and he was much better
there was some color in his face, and
his eyes, that have looked So dull and
eXpressionless. are bright with the
light of returning health"
After Il moments thought, Eva an
swercd,
And will not the noise and confu-
sion disturb him, mother -
No, Eva" and Mrs. Ashland spoke
half impaticntly, his room is SO far
distant, he will not mind it in the least.
He will sleep, | presume, the whole
night. But go now to your sisters
chamber she will be expecting, be
waiting for you
With heavy heart the young girl
obeycd. What meant that one dark
shadow there, that lay so heavy on
her life, that seemed SO cold, SO fear
iul?
Eva, Eva, | thought you would
never come, were the words of wei
come that met her as she entered. g
have been waiting for you whole
hour"
Crushed tear-drops stood in the
sweet eyes of Eva.
| have been with Willie, and had
not thought it was So late till mother
called me just now"
81 wish that Willie was somewhere
elsc--you always have something to
do with Willie when | want You"
The words were coldly, bitterly, impa-
tiently spoken.
"Oh, Nictorinc'
Eva could say no more. Her voice
was stllcd by her feelings. 4 whole
hour she spent in her sisters chamber,
and scarcely spoke in answer to the
wilful and selfish girls i'll naturcd re-
marks and thouShtlcss cxactions, that
seemed so hcartlcss. She fastened
the satin robe around hcr-placcd the
flowers in her hair-she wound the
golden chain about her ncck-clasped
the dazzling diamonds upon her arms.
And beautiful, bcwildering looked the
being upon which Eva now gazed, not
with awe, but in pity.
Her task was accomplished and
Eva sought her own chamber She
did not ask herself what she should
wear. but sank down upon the floor
and prayed to God. And yet that
one dead, cold weight left not hcr
heart. In few moments more she
had arraycl herself in n simple dress
Of white muslin, with no ornaments
save the long trcsses that half con,
cealed the beautiful symmetry of her
slight form. ......... .....
She knew the guests had arrived.
Could she go down? Could she meet
them? The thought of the secretary
flashed along her mind. The hue of
life trembled on her cold check, and
it's wild light thrilled through her
! heart.
A low sigh startled her, and yet she
knew from whence it came She
pushed back the curtains of her bed.
Harry had slept in her apartment since
the illness of little Willie The child
was aslecp-she bent down and kissed
the innocent brow ; it did not disturb
him, but he moaned and murmured
the name of willie"
Eya's heart felt the words heavily
upon it. With trembling hand she
drew the curtains around the bed, and
went, not below, to join in the joyous
revelry, but to the apartment Of that
| sick one.
Mother" a faint voice said, as she
entered. The nurse was gone, Willie
was alone she had left her charge to