The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-11-19
if life without balls and dress and display,

]
Poor and lonely as was pitied them
for they were restless, uncomfortable, mis
erable, unless in whirl of excitement.
They had been away from home not quit
week, when one morning, as | sat tn
piano playing, heard some one boundin
up flight Of steps that led from the gar
den up to the schoul-room, and before
had time to rise, tall, noble looking ma
walked unceremoniously in through tn
open window, and stood before me.
81 beg pardon Miss" he said, gravely
looking earnestly in my face, and as yo'
l will simply say that my name is Ernes
Everett. l am a nephew Of Mrs. Etheridg
have been away from New York nearl
four years, and on my return, forgettin,
that in that period my little girl cousins ar
probably young ladies, chose this way oi
surprising them. Twas always scapegrace
Miss-what shall | call you %
''Dora Deane, if you please sir, | re
piled, amused at the grave drollery of hi
tone and manner.
81 was always scapegrace, Dora Deane
and never did anything proper in the eye'
of my lady aunt. But in these four years
am vastly improved"
think he saw my half incredulous smile
and said, quietly
"Mrs. Etherdge and her daughters ar
travelling this summer; they left this cit,
last Wednesday,"
81 am sorry for that" said Mr.. Everett
"lf had written to them, as should have
done, they would have waited and taken mt
as an escort"
fancied slight shade of irony in bis
voice; but his face was an enigma: 1t was
perfectly calm and composed.
rang the bell for Mrs. Barnes, who vas
even more surprised than |, at the sight of
the stranger. 1t was some time before she
recognized him, but when she did, the
cordial grasp in which she held the hand
extended to him showed plainly that he was
a favorite.
Under cover of her hearty words of vel
come, was about to leave the room, when
Mr.. Everett called after me.
"Miss Deane, heard you playing as
came up the garden walk. Before 60
would be glad to hear you again. am
very fond Of musc.'
"She plays beautifully, think" said Mrs.
! Barnes, encouragingly.
sat down 10 the instrument, and began.
Never had | played better; my fingers
seemed thrilling with life. felt almost
/ like one inspired. When | ceased, it was
! from sheer exhaustion. | did not look up.
| had almost forgotten that there was any
one but myself in the room, until Mr.. Ever
EFT came and stood by my side, saying, as
! he did So
81 thank you for this plesure. Dora Deane
and am tempted TO ask a favor.n
"What is % | asked; for he paused for
me to speak.
81 am very fond of music. want you to
allow me to hear you play every day. while
| remain in New York. will come in at
| this window, at thus hour every morning.
and sit qulet y in yonder chair. shall not
! disturb you-shall Z"
"Oh, let him come, Miss Deane," urged
Mrs. Barnes, before could answer yes or
81 have no objection, sir to vonr hearing
ime play, whenever you please. have no
| control over this house. AIN only poor
| relation of Mrs. Etheriagc.''
! Mr.. Everett detected the bitterness in nv
voice, | was sure, but he merely thanked
me, and bowlng low. passed out at the open
window, and went away. For the next six
weeks | had an attentive listener to nv
music, and critic as well, for Mr.. Everett
had a highly cultivated taste, and pointed
ont my faults as faithfully as | could wish.
1t was very pleasant to see him coming up
the garden path every IN morning. pleas
ant to the poor orphan to meet his bright
smile, and listen to his kind words.
Mr. Everett had never spoken of leaving
city after our first meeting. | wondered
often why he DID not 90 and join his aunt
and cousins in their tour, but mas glad he
did not. Sometimes he would have me 90
out in the garden with him, and pace up and
down the narrow path. He said | needed
the fresh air TO bring the roses back to my
white cheeks. | was, indeed, sadly white
and thin when he first saw me; but from
some cause which did not care to inquire
into, the color freshened in nv cheeks, aud
new lustre came to my ewes. WAS really
growing pretty, thought, but without II
shade Of vanity.
! At length the travellers returned. and |
heard from Mrs. Barnes that Or. Everett
came at once to pay his respects to them.
/ They had attached a foreign count with a
long, high sounding name to their prey,
| and Julia, the eldest of the family, was the
chief object of his attentions.
| had also heard that Mrs. Etheridge had
selected her nephew, years ago, for Maria,
| and although did not believe he would
make such a choice, still thought it best
to discontinue my visits to the school-room.
began to fear that had allowed my fancy
to get the better of my reason: and although
knew he came every day, for a week, and
waited there for me. was firm in my reso-
luton to meet him no more.
One evening, as | sat in the solitude of
my own apartment, | was not littls sur.
prised to receive message from Mrs. E,he-
ridge, requesting me to come to the drawing
room, to play for little dance.
Without glance at the company, glided
to my seat and commenced the music they
wished for, but my cheek was burning and
my fingers trembed as they shot over the
white keys-the mirror hung over the piano
showed me the dancers-they were gay,
rich, happy; l., sad, poor, miserable!
saw Ernest Everett gliding through The
graceful mazes of the Spanish dance with
Maria she looking radiantly beautiful in
her light robes, and listening to every word
he spoke with delighted attention, while
Mrs. Etheridge looked on with matronly
pride and satisfaction.
They were tired, at last, and done with
Hle, ou1 ieu ou ny ah Ill iPuiSo S'uiu noI
resist, Iplayed one of my own pieces, the
music of which silenced even the giddy tri-
fers who stood in graceful groups about
the room. saw the eyebrows of Mrs.
Etheridge rise in ill-concealed displeasure,
and saw with triumph Ernest Everett
leave the seat he had tad taken beside Maria,
and draw near the piano, where he stood
spell bound, until just as finished. Then
whispered, eagerly
"Dora, dear Dora, meet me once IL ore in
the school-room, tomorrow. must see
you"
smiled, but made no answer, and while
the other guests were making their COM
ments on my performance, left the room,
with those earnest words still sounding in
my ear.
1t was not my intention to do as he re-
quested, but when the morning came found
myself opening the door, and seating myself
in my old place.
Mrs. Etheride, from her apartment just
below, beard my first touch of the keys and
came up stairs, her usually passionless face
ruffled frowning. She did not sit down, but
as rose from my seat, said, bitterly