Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-03-07
NO. 8.

EONueIIuliN sweet lace tDat smiled
back at her. Round and plump, with
regular features, fan, smooth skin,
deiicately tinted cheeks, anG resistless
violet eyes, that looked almost blaci.
under their long, curlin. lashes; scarlet
lips that were equally pretty, whether
scornful, tender OF erieved in their
expression; and the whole surrounded
by cloud of loose golden hair.
mo, no." said Miss Hammond,
shaking her little fist at ths beauty in
the glass, "he'd betterno have tempted
me, for shall make him sorry if he
comes. really cannot help it :" and
then she sat down TO her desk, and
wrote these limos on sheet OF tinted
paper:
''Come, Thursday evening. You
have the address, Eva" and folding
them, addressed the envelope to the
Rev. Herbert Stafford, II West -
street, - city. This done, she took
another survey of herself in the glass,
and cur,ed up again On the rug to
dream.
Eighteen months before this evening.
Herbert Stafford and Eva Hammond
had met at the house of mutual
friend, and for several weeks were con-
slant companions. She was Just from
school, and he fresh from his studies
at the University; both were prepared
to throw themselves with ardor into
the pleasant recreations of that golden
summertime. Eva's exceeding beauty
appealed. through his artist'seye, to his
aesthetic nature, while herinnocent way
OF confiding to him her longin2s after
a higher life appealed to his spiritual
nature. Cnconsciously to him, she was
constantly drawing him out of his na-
tural reserve, and leading him to think
for her benefit. He believed he dis
covered IN her, beneath many faults C
education and association, the germs
of a noble womanhood while size was
discovering that she did reverence to
this mans character, and wished she
could be something like him. Thus
they both dreamed on, until Eva, with
q awoman's quick perceptions, awakened
to the fact that she held in complete
thraldom Herbert's heart and afIcc-
tions. Somehow it was 81 pleasant
awakening, and she took no pains to
mar tho dream; and when he, too.
made that discovery, and asked her to
be country parsons wife, she said
Yes, because the sumner deYs were
not over, and she found them too
sweet and pleasant to wish change.
The time came when they had to
separate, and for while Eva believed
she really meant all she Let Herbert
dream OF ;. but in the gay whirl of city
life. Miss Hammond commenced to
view the matter in another light. She
thought sho could find greater hap;3i-
ness III the excitement and adulation
that surrounded her in the city than IL
'love in cottage" with the Young
minister. When Era told him this
the blow 80 Herbert waB terrible.
In vain he pleaded with her: Miss
Hammond grew varv scorntul. and
refused to sec him. Those were bitter
months for him, and ere :ne pain had
Pono. &c met Eva accidentally
in the street. lie knew that he had
not schoo!ed himself to meet her quite
calmly, and 80 avoided her glance Of
The white face sent
thrill OF !?2iE: through Eva's heart. and
10 pay fog bsing So silly, she became
very angry a. him for stunning the re-
@ o1gnit:o-. Slice taen they had never
net, ar;; both believed tn other had
i Is not so easy 70 forget.
Ali Il 1t only was.
:..'hc morning after Aiiss Hammond
received Herbert StaEord's note, she
mailed her rentv. and awaited anxi-
oIsly the )m ng OF he evening. But
the evening broGg ut no Herbert, and
Eva went to her room WIN a strange
feeling OF disappointment.
'' What can all me - she asked imaa-
tiently OF the face in the glass. IS SIC
noticed how flushed hex checks were.
and that two large drops were gather
ing in the velvet eyes. q Well, if he
does come, he shall suffer all the more
for disappointing me, - and Miss Ham
mond dashed the tears away proud :,
and afterwards went to bed and cried
herself tesleep.
Friday morning Eva went down
TO procure some new music, and was
Just leaving the store when one of the
packages slipped to the floor. i gen
tlelnan, who had been playing on
piano near, sprang from his scat ana
replaced tho roll she had dropped,
saying:
ALLOW me. Miss Hammond.
The color rushed over Eva's face,
and she forgot to be careles and
naughty, or bewitchingiy pleasant
Du0
''Thank you"
''May I walk with You 2" asked Nr.
Stafford, holding the door open former
to pass out.
Eva said he might, aud they went
out together.
"How is it," asked Eva, reg aining
her composure, that I find you u.
Ms ?"
He smiled rather sadly rs he an
sweTcd. 81 IN very fond OF music, you
know, and am selecting an instrument
for my rev home. Perhaps you've
not heard Of my appointment to Fern
dale 2"
NO" replied Mis-. Hammond. try
ing to be very calm, and Geterm ned to
know the worst at once 81 suppose
you are married, as YOU speak of keep
ing house.
Not yet" md if Miss Eva had
been Watching fis face she would have
seen that he WINGED little under her
questioning.
Miss Halnmon,l could bc cl,nrIaiDgiy
taIkative generally. but somehow She
failed signallr this I.loruing. and for
mere want oi something cl~a to nv.
demanded presently
Why did not you coma last night &?
I expected von."
Expected ZIG :" sad .Fr. Stafford
in unassuuled astonishIue::t "hOv
did you know wRs II the o.;y 2
Why your note. of co:ir>s.' ex-
planned Eva. equally amazed.
. Bs1t I've never sent yuu any note, !"
replied Herbert, quietly,
Miss Hammond's S giance ma, his fo1'
a moment, then dropped, anl neg La@e
grew scarlet with modification ns she
answered hastily.
" don't understand it:.t Ill hav,
inatlc > great mistake"
Il that inomeDtaTr mc.::ng q TIC
eye, Herbert had discovered something
beside anger :; something ri.a1 spc.4o @.
disappointment AID regret, ;-:2'i o& J}e
Impulse Of n moment b SPOKE
I" [ am glad vou expected mo. WI.
you expect me tonight? Nay come? 90
Miss Hammond sad . i. 5. =
That day ii. dinner Ir. Eam-aoa5.
turned 70 his daag.lta, saying
~ met your cd school friend Hattie
Carroll IN town today. and she Sd-S