The Shasta courier., 1858-12-11

raised it, his eyes were full of tears. He rose,
bade Mr.. Manly good morning, and left the house,
while Fred went to seek for Julia and Minnie
The old man sat- musing, thinking of his favor
ite sister, the blue-eyed Mary, and with the
strains of music still ringing in his ear. Eloise,
in her own chamber, was trying not to think
hardly of her Cousin Julia. At dinner time
only her uncle noticed her.
The weeks passed wearily, and Eloise was
happy only in the evenings Then prevented
by her mourning from joining in the gaities of
her cousins she spent hours with her uncle
A piano had been added to the furniture of his
pretty sitting-room, and that was always her
own whenever she felt inclined to use it. Mr..
Manly was fine German scholar, and he was
teaching his niece the language; his eyes were
feeble, and she was fine reader; so, with mu-
sic study, and literature, those evenings flew by,
and Eleise sighed not for the gay world outside.
In vain Graham Cleveland called again and
again, in the hope of seeing once more the fair
musician who had made his heart thrill almost
painfully He was always received in the par
lor by Mrs. Manly and her daughters and Julia s
heart throbbed with PRIDE as she fancied her
attractions were the magnet which drew him
there. Graham had never been SO attentive be-
fore; surely she was winning the prize at last.
While Eloise kept herself in retirement, she
met only cold indifference from her aunt and
cousins. In vain she tried by every winning
art, to make them love her. Her beauty was
regarded with jealousy, her talents with envy
and dislike. When her year of mourning had
expired, her uncle insisted upon her going into
society, and to give her start, he gave large
party. No expense was spared by the old man,
to make his darling the queen of the evening
The simple white dress she had chosen was
tossed by contemptuously, and throwing aside
his home-loving habits Mr.. Manly ordered the
carriage, and went shopping with his niece. As
the family stood in the brilliantly Lighted rooms
waiting for their guests, they formed most
beautiful group.
Mrs. Manly, handsome and dignifed wore
dark blue brocade, and old point lace Julia
was dressed in garnet silk, trimmed with black
lace, and her beauty still further adorned by a
full parure of rubies, her fathers gift. Minnie,
with her tiny, graceful figure, and bright, brown
hair, wore white Grape and pearls, while Eloise
had selected dress of light blue moire antique,
and wore diamonds on the fair neck and arms,
and the same Jewels sparked among the golden
curls. She stood apart from the others. Julia
glanced scernfully at her, and whispered to her
mother,
'QUite dash for beggar."
Yes; it is in bad taste to dress SO much,
while living on charity"
Minnie added,
"Wonder how she wheedled Pa ou. Of those
diamonds"
Eloise beard all. The first remark sent the
indignant blood over her face and neck but the
rest steeled her. The insult was overdrawn, and
her lip curled with contempt. The rooms soon
filled Mr.. Manly introduced all his friends to
his niece, the rest of the family only introduced
those who requested it. Graham Cleveland was
among these Julia's heart swelled with rage
and envy, as be requested the introduction, but
she could not refuse it. Minnie was no better
pleased at Fred's devotion to her fair cousin.
Eloise, after whole year of retirement, en-
joyed the gay scene. Her uncle was all kind
ness, the guests all attention. She danced, she
sang and played, and she entered into the plea
sure around her, with her whole heart. Late in
the evening she was standing near the window
watching the snow as it fell on the pavement
She had been singing, and her cheeks were
flushed with excitem mt, while her eyes were
full of fire and genius. She did not know that
many eyes were watching her, till Julia's tones
fell upon her ear
Yes" she said, "Eloise has quite dramatic
talent. She makes very pretty tableau with
the crimson curtains falling round her. She has
kept it up rather too long"
Graham Cleveland heard the same, and
marked the look of grieved surprise in the
young girls face. He bent his head, and spoke
tried to answer, but soor. he drew her into con-
versation, and she forgot her annoyance. Fred
Joined them, but his talent for conversation was
inferior to Graham's, and he left them together,
and joined his old love, Minnie
Eloise found that her troubles were Just COM
mencing. Julia, Mrs. Manly and Minnie lost no
opportunity ofinsulting her. Julia and her mo-
ther were enraged at Graham's devotion to the
fair orphan; Minnie, jealous of Fred's admiration
for her. She was taunted with living on char-
ty, she was called beggar dependant, and
even her loved parents were sneered at For
months she bore this with genteness, comforted
by her uncle's love- and Graham's.
She loved Graham Cleveland She cared no.
thing for his wealth, but his noble manliness
had won his heart. He had not declared his
love, but she felt that he had given it to her.
Fred watched his rival with bitter jealousy,
but did not despair, for the fair girl was gentle
and kind to all, even to him. l say she bore the
insults that were poured upon her with meek
ness, but even the worm will turn at last.
One morning she was seated in the parlor fin
ishing the embroidery on pair of slippers for
her uncle, when her aunt and cousins came in
from walking.
$50, Miss" said Julia, "you are found out at
last. With all your sncaking ways, we have
found you out now"
Eloise looked up in amazement
Oh, you are very much surprised, no doubt"
sneered Mrs. Manly; "devoted girl, that would
not leave her uncle more than two evenings in
week Her uncle You hypocrite, suppose
you were always alone with your uncle"
Eloise was reused to indignation, but she
compressed her lips, and stood SILENT trying to
still the beating of her heart.
''How dare you receive my lover here alone in
the evenings while am out" cried Julia. "Oh,
you needn't deny it. Graham has been here al
most every evening for weeks. 1t would be
fine thing TO catch him, wouldn't it, Miss and
get his money, for, of course, that's all you think
about. But you'll fail He said, to-day, that
your arts amused him, they were SO transpa-
rent"
Still no answer.
al suppose you'll deny that you've been trying
to win my lover from me" cried the enraged
| girl.
'Your loverr'
That was all Elose said, but the cutting en-
phasis of the tone maddened Julia. She sprang
at her cousin, and struck her.
Eloise fred now With an erect carriage
burning cheek, and flashing eye, she went to
her uncle's room. He was in his accustomed
seat, and looked with amazement at his usually
| gentle niece.
Uncle, am going away ~
sEh, what p and the old mans spectacles
fell from his nose with the force of the start
u