St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-11-15

an ardent nature, whose affection
turns from its own sweet channel into
bitter contempt and dislike.
A whole year had passed away,
when my step-mother informed my ia.
thcr that her brother had Just re-
turned from Europe, and asked per-
mission to invite him to spend the
summer months with us. The per-
mission was, Of course, instantly ac-
corded, and the invitation sent. 4
year before, should have decked our
guests room with flowers, placed
books there, and cudgeled my brains
for dainty dishes to place before him
Now | heard the tidings with indif1cr-
encc /: but my step-mother turned that
passive feeling to one Of perfect dis
gust and hatred. She was seated
with my father on the porch, when,
passing through the parlor, heard
her say,
" am in hopes that George will
offer himself to Charlotte. He must
now settle down, and if he marries,
must marry money and as the for
tune Charlotte's mother left her will
prove her only attraction in society,
we may as we'll save her from a mere
turtunC-hunter.
Her only attraction, Della ?" |
heard my father say 81 think the
child would be pretty, if she would
take pains with her dress
But she won't she is a mere sui
len, stupid bOokworm."
| cannot describe the tide of bitter,
sickcning emotions that swept over
my soul as left the parlor was
rich, and for this crime was to be
tied to my step-mother's brother for
life. Child as | was, | had never
dreamed, as young girls often dream,
of marriage; | had no beau-ideat to
rise up and contrast with my newly
acquired hatred but thought of my
stcp-mothcrs hard, cold blue eyes, and
calm, cutting tones and fancied
being the wife of a man with similar
attributes, and with a strong, bitter
resolve | said in my heart that it
should never be, not if | died defend
ing my position.
Many things detained the newly ar
rived traveller in New York, and he
could not tell his sister positively
when he would come to our house, but
he accepted her invitation, and, hav-
ing put his room in readiness, we
waited for him, not expecting to sec
him at any stated time.
1t was pleasant day in June, and
my parents had gone into the city to
spend the day and night, and I was
alone, excepting the servants, in the
house. had taken long ride early
i'll the afternoon, and coming home
tired and heated, took a bath, and
then went to my own room to lie
down ; but refreshed already, lin
gcrcd there in my large, easy-chair,
not sleepy enough to fulfil my first IN
tention. Lounging thus lazily, my
step-mother's words came into my
mind.
" \ sullcn, stupid bookworm, with
no attractions but money"
| stood up before my long mirror to
verify or falsify the statement. 1t
was not vanity that prompted me, it
was onI y fierce, wicked desire to
prove her words false.
let down the profusion of brown
hair, which had worn so long in
plain roll at the back Of my head, and
twisted it into the soft, full curIs ma
ture had intended them to form Then
turning away from the plain dresses
| had worn so long, took from a
drawer soft, white muslin, cut to
leave my shoulders and arms bare.
and which fell in tleccy, full folds from
the waist to the feet. 1t was sim
| pie costume, but | marked, with bit
ter triumph, how well it suited me :;
the arm and neck the dress left un-
covered were round and white the
soft curls were glossy and rich in col
or; and the glow of daily exercise
upon my check contrasted we'll with
a fair broad forehead The large,
hazel eyes were naughty in their
glance AS my step-mother's blue ones
and smile of pride swept over my
lip as | gazed at the reflection in the
glass. Then | sighed. What were
riches or beauty to me !! they won for
me not one word or look of love {:
and 50, saddened again, | turned list
lcssly from the room and went to the
parlor. The grand piano stood open,
and | sat down before it-l played, |
scarcely knew how, for hours Of lone
ly practice had made the keys loved,
accustomed resting-placc for my fin
gers, and they fell into sad melo-
dies, and wailing modulations al
most of themselves. One familiar
air after another stole sadly and
plaintively out, and the bitterness in
my heart was melting before the
loved notes, when a shadow fell
across the piano. l started A tall
man, with black hair, sunburned face,
and frank, bright expression, was
standing in the long window, one foot
OH the sill, one on the porch.
"Ah !" said he, in a pleasant, cheer
full voice, | am sorry | interrupted
you. Ihavc been listening for a long
time. Now" and he came to my side,
"play me something more suited to
the fingers of one SO young and fair,
than the sad strains you have been in
dulging in."
never askcl him who he was, for
my fathers friends often spent the
long afternoons upon our cool. shady
porch but yielded to the charm OF
a cheerful tone, and, bowling my head
complied with his request.
Thank you " he said, as the last
notes of bold march died away
- Now sing !"
Il cannot sing"
"No! You look as if you could
started rs | found my old, merry
laugh breaking from me.
But can't | have not one song
in nv whole collection of music"
But you sing as you go about the
house ?" he said, inquiringly.
~ did once, not now" | said
| mournfully.
t "Why not 20
E "I have no heart to sing -