Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-03-30
MISCELLANEOUS.
Perfectly Reartless.

Pretty? yes, rather pretty, but perfectly
heartless ! said Mrs. Holmes to DR.. Stanley,
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 wax doll, and her heartless-
ness is proverbial. Since her uncle left her
wealthy she has had lovers by the score and
frts with every one. Why, look at her now!
DR.. Stanley's eyes followed the direction in
which the lady waved her fan, and rested on
the central figure Of group round the piano,
it was a lady young and fair, with tall, ex-
ceedingly graceful figure, pure Greek features
and large blue eyes. Her hair was short, but
the soft, full curls made lovely frame for the
fait 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 glittered blood>red
rubies. She was conversing gaily with knot
of gentlemen, and DIR. Stanley sauntered over
to the group. Miss Marston,' said one of the
gentleman, what has become of Harold Graz
ham p the tiny hands swept over the ivory
keys of the grand piano, in the measure Of
brilliant waltz, and another of the group,
supposins Miss Marion did not hear the ques-
ton, said:
'Pawned his dress coat, 1 guess, and can't
appear
He was wretchedly poor said a third
Perhaps he has committed suicide: it is three
weeks since he Disappeared said another.
'Oh l hope not said Miss Marston, we
want his tenor for our next musical soiree 1t
would be too provoking for him to commit
suicide
Mrs. Holmes was right, thought the doctor,
she is perfectly heartless. Poor Harold 2
lie turned from the piano. but stopped, as
full, rich voice broke out into song. Miss
Marston was singing 'Shuberts Last Greeting
and into the mourLful words she poured out
such wailing energy, and deep pathos, that
group after group, in the large rooms, ceased
their gay converse to listen to 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-
mont on Eva Marston's lips then, nodding
good naturedly, she dashed off in lively
polka, which soon melted the group round
the piano into merry dancers and DIR. 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 flirting; you are
not here to see how they follow me merely for
my money not one true heart among them
all. There was one, Harold
A knock at the door Interrupted her.
Come in and q woman entered with large
basket of washing
Good morning, said Eva, pleasantly
'How is Terrence this morning!
oh f! Miss, it's beautiful he is the day
Sure marin, I'm sarry ye've had to wait SO
long for the wash
Never mind that How could you wash
with the little fellow so sick 2
Sure Miss, it's 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 l kept home from school, a min
ing him.
How many pieces, Mary? p said Eva. tax
ing out her purse.
'Oh f! Miss, you don't owe Marry Ginnis a
clint. There's the doctor ye left the money
to pay, and the wond ye sept, and praties and
milk, and the money ye gave me last week ];
sure, Miss, it's in your debt am for washing
the rist of your life
What l gave Terrence has nothing to do
! with my washing Dill salo Eva, lapiuiy count
/ ing the pieces. There and she took the
pieces from the purse that is eighty
Miss Eva said Mary, and then stopped.
We'll, Mary
Sure, Miss, you do so much good with
money, I'm ashamed to tell you
Tell me what"
well, Miss, tits about the young man that's
rinted my room. You mind where the widder
died last fall? He came a week back, Miss,
/ and he never came down stairs for three days
back, this morning I went mp, and he's sick
with fever, out of his head entirely, Miss.
/ If you would come now
Hes dreadful poor, guess, Miss or it's
starving little furniture; nothing but bed
and table and chair, and no trunk at all, but
bit of a carpet-bag.'
| Throwing off her rich silk wrapper, Eva
put on dark gray dress and cloak and silk
bonnet with a thick vail
Come, Maryp and the two left the house
| together.
In low, close room, on palIetbed, lay
| Mary Geunis' boarder The face, against the
4 coarse ticking pillow. was such as one fancies
for his favorite poet The hair was dark
| (o-oboad opd fbe