Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-02-05
PERFECTLY HEARTLESS.

"Pretty9 Yes, rather pretty, but
perfectly heartless - said Mrs. Holmes
to DR.. Stanley, young physician, with
whom she was conversing, at large
and brilliant entertainment.
Heartlessl with that sensitive
mouth, and those eyes, SO deep and full
of expression3"' said the physician,
nsusingly.
81 don't admire her style of beauty
at all. She looks like wax doll, and
her heartlessness is proverbial. Since
her uncle left her so wealthy she has had
suitors by the score, and firts with every
one." sf Z. .Es4
She was conversing gayly with knot
of gentlemen; and DR.. Stanley sauntered
over to the group. .......... ........,.... .g
"Miss Marston," said one gentleman,
"what has become of Harold Graham,
the artist ?" .... -.-
The tiny hands swept over the keys of
the grand piano, in the measure of q
waltz; and another of the group, sup
posing Miss Marston did not hear the
question, said (: "Out at elbows, and
can't appear" | ..r
"He was wretchedly poor" said q
third. a
perhaps he has committed suicide.
1t is three weeks since he disappeared" +"
said another. : 5h..t IFEE
ooh, hope not !" said Miss Marston,
"we want his tenor for our next musical
soiree. 1t would be too provoking for
him to commit suicidel"
The next morning Miss Marston sat
in her own room, writing letter. Let
lis peep over her shoulder at one SEN
tence:
"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 I'M" and needlewoman en-
tered, with basket of work.
"Good-morning," said Eva, pleas
antly. 4" How is Terence this morn
ing 2" Sol"
"Oh miss, it's beautiful he is to-day.
I'm sorry you had to wait so long for the
needlework."
"Never mind that. How could you
work with the poor fellow so ill p
"Well, miss, it's many one expects
their work, sick or well; and isn't Jimmy
sitting up playing with the toys you sent
him, and Pat, that l kept home from
school to mind him2'
elbow much, Mary7" said Eva, TAX
ing out her purse. .a.
"Oh miss, you don't owe Mary Gen
mis- a farthing. There's the doctor you
left the money to pay-and the wood
you sent-and the potatoes and milk
and the money you gave me last week
indeed, miss, it's in your debt 1 am fol
the rest of your life"
"What gave Terence has nothing tc
do with my bill," said Eva, rapidly
counting out some money. q
"Miss Eya,"- said the poor needle
woman-and then stopped. E
"Well. Mary9" 1a.re4IE
" Indeed, miss, you do so much good
with your money, I'm ashamed to tel
you III ora eE
""Tell me what9"
"Well, miss, it's about the young
gentleman that rented my room. Yor
know where the widow died last autumn
He came week back, miss, and he neve1
came down stairs for three days; SO thi
morning l went up, and he's sick with
fever, outsof his head entirely, miss.
you would come now."' ..
"Wait, Mary; I'll go with you." o.
"He's dreadful poor, I think, miss
for it's precious little furniture
ing but bed and table and chair
and no trunk, but o bit of carpet-bag.
Throwing off her rich silk wrapper
Eva put on dark dress and cloak, anC
added close silk bonnet with thicl
veil. '"@ & aHa a'.
"Come, Mary !" and the two left tn
house together.
In low, close room, on pallet bed
lay Mary Gennis' lodger. The face
against the coarse ticking pillow, wa
such as one fancies for that of his ia
vorite poet. The hair was dark, wavin
over broad,F white forehead; and tn
deep-set eyes were hazel, large and full
and the features delicate. Usually tn
face was pale, but now it was crimso
with fever. The eyes, too, fierce an
wild. But, even with all this, that wa
beautiful with an almost unearthl