St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-08-05
ES CITY, FLOYD COUNTY, IOWA, THURSDAY AUGUST : 1883

been killed. Eva is an angel OI
how much do | not owe to herr. Sh
has been so kind TO mc-shc came (
me in the hour Of sickness and dis
trcss and dcsolation, when no one els
did, And then, when was bette,
she would have Ally come to her cac
day to learn to read and he love
her so, And most proud and happ
must you be, dear madam, to posses
such an excellent child. Eva is a
angel God bless hcr-t;od bless yo
all"
Mr.. Ashland replied, and thus save
his wife the trouble of trying to stud,
an answer.
And the great man had heard al
this. That was the only time she eve
wished him away from her house but
all should yet come right. And darI
and bitter thoughts sprung up in tha
mothers untruthful soul.
That night found the Asllands at ;
brilliant party in honor of the distn
guishcd Southern Senator. Nictorine
as usual, was elegantly, magnificent,
attlrcd. Mr.. Sherwood met them on
their entrance, and politely inquired
after the health of tie fair Victorine
lie feared she might suffer from the
exciting occurrences of the day.
" And she has, severely" answered
the mother. She ought not to have
been here tonight" and she gaze,
tondly on the languid beauty by hcl
side, and added with winning interest
Nictorine is SO very sensitive-sh,
always has so much sympathy for the
suffering"
One significant look passed between
the senator and the secretary.
And how is Miss Eva? Was not
her sclf-imposcd task all too trying
for her strength ?" was the low inqui,
ry Of the latter.
Mrs. Ashland answered., in her soft,
pcnsivc voice,
"Oh, Eva is SO different from Vic
torinc. She is u good Girl but yet
she has SO little feeling"
The member Of Congress offered his
arm to Nictorinc, for Il promenade.
which, with a hcwitching smile, was
accepted.
And thcpoor secretary turned away.
lie looked palcr than usual, and more
dispritcd ; and the dark eyes were
still more sad and beautiful. He
turned away-nonc noticed him. Like
Il wandering spirit he fingered u few
moments i'll the room and disappeared
None missed him, no one cared for
htRI@hGd htRI@Hs shddkERHSSYT dkRSYT ils MaT MEeaTr; : Slowly he
passed along the street, and involun
tarily he sought the mansion of Mr.
Ashland. \ servant opened for him
the street door, and then, dispensing
with his services, he passed along into
the parlor. The sweet, thrilling sounds
of music attracted him there, and pre-
vented the slight noise he made on en-
tering from being heard.
Eva stood by the piano, and, with
Il wild, sweet, and native grace, with
unaffected ease, with perfect natural
ness and uncmbarrasscd carncstncss,
she was singing and playing some
simple songs for uncle John, who, half
reclining on a sofa, held 4 newspaper
in his hand, yet his thoughts and gaze
were elsewhere.
lie saw the shadow that fell on the
carpet, and, noiselcssly, half rose
from his position. The finger of the
intruder was lifted to his lip, as he
sought seat among the gathering
shadows there, charmed and enchant-
ed by the low, yet beautiful minstrel
sy, that stole SO swcctIy, SO thrilling
ly, So like the brcathings OF an angel
one, through that proud apartment.
Eva," uncle John spoke. as the
young girl turned from the instru-
mcnt, Eva know You are very tired,
but will you play me one piece more ~
and taking up music sheet he placed
it before her.
1t was a difficult Italian compost
tion, brilliant and elaborate.
"Certainly,' was the half suppressed
reply, " if you wish me to. But no,
you are only ,jcsting you do not like
those stately yet complicated compo-
stions'
No, Eva, | do not dislike them
when sung and played by yourself
then all seems SO sacred and holy"
The commencement of the air was
the answer How Grand, sublime and
beautiful. How thrilled the charm
like, changeful strains through listen,
ing soul, till they awokc wild start
ling echo there, as if called forth 10y
angel voices, as if those beautiful
brcathings were not of earth.
Henry Sherwood moved not. But
mingled with every pulse beat of that
proud heart, was that strange, sweet,
subduing minstrelsy. Scarcely had
the low, spirit cadence died away ere
she commenced and played it again
and with an impassioned power and
pathos that seemed the very breath
ings of beauty and grandeur.
She turned from the instrument, and
stood by the side of uncle John and
with slight smile on her pale lips
said, as she half unconsciously pushed
back the white locks from his brow,
Now, uncle, don't ask me to play
that again for u fortnight"
"No, Eva, | will never ask you to
play it again and | thank you fol
complying with my request nova
request that must seem to you so new
and strange, and cxacting but it was
for another the favor was now solicit
ed, who hope will be grateful for the
sweet and ready compliance"
Eva looked inquirinSly into the old
mans face. 4 proud, majestic form,
rose up from among the evening
shadows.
Eva started-white as death was
lip and brow, and yet she knew who
stood there before her, gazing admir-
ingly upon her.
With gentle reproach she looked
into the face Of uncle John, and thel
her glance for 4 moment rested on the
secretary. \ slight flush fitted ovel