Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-03-19
SELECTED STORY!
PERFECTLY HEARTLESS.

PERFECTLY HEARTLESS.
Pretty yes, rather pretty, but perfectly
heartless ? said Mrs Holmes to Dr. Stanly,
with whom she was conversing at large,
brilliant party
Heartless! with that sensitive mouth, and
those eyes so deep and dull of expression :?
said the gentleman, musingly.
4 don't admire her style Of beauty at all
She looks like a wax doll, and her heartless-
ness is proverbial Since her uncle left her
wealthy she has had lovers by the score, and
airts with every one. Why, look at her
nowp
DIR. Stanley's eyes followed the direction in
which the lady waved her fan, and rested
on the central figure of a group round the
piano, it was lady young and fair, with a
tall, exceedingly graceful figure, pure Greek
features and large blue eyes. Her hair was
short, but the soft, full curls made lovely
frame for the fair face. Her dress was Of
dark lace and twisted amongst the golden
curls were deep crimson flowing dark green
leaves, and on the snowy throat and arms
glittercd blood-red rubies. She was con-
versing gaily with knot of gentlemen, and
DR.. Stanley sauntered over to the group. Miss
Marston, said Of one the gentleman, what has
become of Harold Graham 2 the tiny hands
swept over the ivory keys of the grand piano,
in the measure of a brilliant waltz. and an
other of the group, supposins Miss Marston
did not hear the question, said:
| 'Pawned his dress coat, guess, and can
appear
He was wretchedly poor said third.
Perhaps he has committed suicide: it is
three weeks since he disappeared said an
other.
'Oh! I hope not said Miss Marston, I'VE
want his tenor for our next musical soiree.
It would be too provoking for him to COM
NIT suicide
Mrs. Holmes was right, thought the
doctor, she is perfectly heartless. Poor
Harold :?
He turned from the piano, bu5 stopped,
as full, rich voice broke out into song
Miss. Marston was singing Shubert's Last
Greeting,' and into the mournful words she
poured out such wailing energy, and deer
pathos, that group after group, in the large
rooms, ceased their gay converse to listen te
the music.
Can she sing so without heart Or feeling?
muttered the doctor, again drawing nearer
the place.
Eva said young lady, as the last notes
of song died away, Eva, play polka, won't
you?
A contemptuous smile quivered for mo-
ment on Eva Marston's lips then, nodding
good naturally, she dashed off in lively
polka, which soon melted the group round
the piano into merry dancers and DR.. Stanley
went with the rest.
The next morning Miss Marston sat in
her own room writing letter. Peep over
shoulder at one sentence, All hollow, all
heartless, Miriam You blame me for firt-
ing; you are not here to see how they follow
me merely for my money not one true
heart among them ALL There was one Har-
DID,
A knock at the door interrupted her
Come in, and woman entered with g
large basket of washing
Good morning. said Eva, pleasantly
How is Terrence this morning
'Oh +! Miss, it's beautiful he is the day.
Sure marin, I'm sarry ye've had to wait SO
long for the wash .....- 49,.
Never mind that. How could you wash
with the little fellow so sick 2
Sure Miss, it'many one expects their
clothes, sick or well and isn't Terry sitting
up the day, playing with the toys ye sent
him, and Pat, that I kept home from school
a-mining him.
How many pieces. Mary 2 said Eva, tax
ing out her purse.
oh Miss, you don't owe Marry Ginnis
acint There's the doctor ye left the money
to pay, and the wood ye sent, and pratie'
and milk, and the money ye gave me las
week sure, Miss. til in your debt 1 am fo1
washing the rist of your life
What [ gave Terrence has nothing to dc
with my washing bill, said Eva, rapidly
counting the pieces. There and she tool
the piece from the purse that is eighty
Miss Eva,' said Mary, and then stopped
We'll, Mary
Sure, Miss, you do so much good will
money, I'm ashamed to tell you
Tell me what p
Well, Miss, it is about the young mar
that's rinted my room You mind wher
the wilder died last fall ? He came a weel
back, Miss, and he never came down stair
for three days back, this morning 1 went up
and he's sick with fever, out of his heae
entirely, Miss. If you would come now
He's dreadful poor, I guess, Miss; or it.
starving little furniture nothing but bet
and table and chair, and no trunk at all
but bit of a carpet-bag.'
Throwing off her rich silk wrapper, Ev
put on dark gray dress and cloak and sill
bonnet with thick vail
Come, Mary = and the two left the hous
together.
In low, close room, on pallet-bed, 10.
Mary Gennis' hoarder The face, agains
the coarse ticking pillow, was such as on
fancies for his favorite poet. The hair wa
dark waving over broad, white forehead
and the deep set eyes were hazel, large AM
full !; and the features delicate. Usually tn
face was pale, but now it was crimson wit
fever. The eyes, too, were fierce and wild
But even with all this. that face was beautl
full with an almost unearthly beauty Int
IL how, he