M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1860-03-01
EVA MONTGOMERY.
A coo UETTE'S Low E.
(.
DY DORA.

my feelings Z" ....
A merry laugh was the only res
ponsc, and humming a gay tune, Eva
Montgomery danced from the room
"Oh, Eval" and Walter Raymonl
sank upon a seat and buried his face
in his hands. Brief yet violent was
the struggle Of the strong man within
All his deep affection iorthe wayward
girl rushed like a tide upon him, and
his breast heaved with irrepressible
emotion. Then came the thought o.
her cruel ltritling and for moment the
current Of his love was checked while
the words, "heartless girl" escaped
his lips. 1t was an unfortunate lmo
ton that prompted their uttesance, tol
with her customary impulsive nature
Eva had returned. and, us Walter rails
cd his head, stood before him. Thi,
deep anguish soitened his heart and a
tear even gemmed her dark eye, but
the words which he uttered ettectually
checked Its flow.
lie calls me unworthy. Shall
not bring him to repentence9" 50 she
thought, ana hastily brushing the tear
drop from her eye, she exclaimed in a
bantering tone
"Really, Waiter, will you not make
brave soldier2 Methinks Our coun.
try may well be proud OF one who has
no woman's heart to weep and mourn" "
"Spare ME, Eva, entreat," inter-
rupted the young man, taking her
hand. 81 can bear anythirg-cold-
ness, neglect, aye, the consciousness
that you love another, but not this
cruel trifing."
"And can you bear to hear that my
heart is another'sg Know, thon-it
is even so. | would haye informed
you ere this had | not feared it mi ght
unfit you for the duties you owe your
country"
There was q proud flashing in Eva's
eyes as she spoke, and 4 bitter sar.
casm attending the last words. She
raised her glance to Walters, but
there was an expression of such deep
anguish on his usually calm counte-
nance, that involuntarily her eyes
songht the floor, while some evil spirit
prompted her to uttersnce. What
would she not have given to recall the
words that then sullied her lips,
"And think you, Walter Raymond,
that the daughter of General Mont
gomery would wed one whose only
fortune is his sword-whose origin
can but be traced in wandering zip,
sy band"
Walters hand that clasped her own,
grew strangely cold, and trembled in
its grasp. His deep blue eyes were
bent full upon Aer with q strange, cold
expression,
Eva Montgomery" he said, at
length, in low, measured accents
thank you for tho frank avowal you
havo made, and it is but just for me
to know that your heart is another's.
But il there lurked one shade of kind
regard in your heart, you could have
spared the last remark. "Oh, Eva,
| have been strangely deceived in that
heart. have believed it ever filled
with oure, unselfsh emotions. Ihave
had a long, sweet dream, Eva, bat it
was too blisSful to last. And with its
sad awakening | will not be unnamed,
but steadily devote my whole ener.
gies to the service of my country. She
is my bride henceiorth, and under her
banners will | win name, and fame;
but, Eva, though l may not love, yet
Heaven grant my constant prayer for
blessings on thee. Farewell! | heard
the summons for departure with sor
row, but now hail them with vel
come, and above no truer soldier than
| Walter Raymond shall the banner Of
our country float. Farewell, and hea.
ven bless thee"
Pressing the soft white hand he
held to his lips, Walter quickly left
the room. His horse stood by the hall
door; he leaped into the saddle, and
vouchsafing but one glance to the
window where Eva remained, he rode
away. c...... .....
Eva leaned heavily against the win :
dow sill, as pale and liteless as a mar
bic statue. His words bad frozen the
lite current in her veins. She heard
the clattering Of his horses hoofS, saw
his last glance, and watched the wav.
ing Of his snowy plume until lost
among the shrubbery, then sank upon
the cushioned ottoman like one in ut.
ter deSolation. 10 ... SO sH. 4,
Walter Raymond and Eva Mont.
gomery had been companions from
childhood, Notwithstanding the appa
rent difference in their position, for
Eva was the daughter Of Gen. Mont
gomery, and an heiress, while Wal
ter's family were even unknown. He
had been taken by benevolent cler-
gyman from a stroling band OF those
vagrants that iniest many parts of
IT.