Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-08-07
MIScELLAR NE Gus.
PERFECTLY HEARTLESS.

PERFECTLY HEARTLESS.
"&n nRETTY. yes, rather pretty, but pc, fectly
Is heartIess. said old Mrs. Ii dimes TO DIR.
r Stanley, with whom she was conversing u;
a large, brilliant party
"ileartless with that sensitive mouth and
those eyes, so full OF expression z" said the
gentleman, musingly.
Il don't admire her style or beauty at all.
She looks like wax doll, and her heartless-
ness is so proyerbial. Since her uncle left
her so wealthy, sho has had lovers by the
score and she frts with every one. Why,
look at her now -
DR.. Stauley's eyes followed the direction
in which the lady waved her fan, and rested on
the central figure of a group around the piano.
1t was a lady, young and fair. with tall ex
ceedingly graceful figure. pure Greek festures
and large blue eyes. Her hair was short but
the soft curIs made lovely frame for the fsr
face. Ter dress of dark lace, orna-
mented with flowers aud dark green leaves
She was conversng quietly with knot of
gentlemen, and DR.. Stanley sauntcred over to
the group.
Miss Marston." said one gentleman, what
has become of Mr.. Harold Graham? z"
Her hands swept over the ivory keys of the
grand piano, in the measure of a brilliant
waltz, when another of the group. supposing
that Miss Marston did not hear the question,
said
perhaps he has committed suicide"
alt is three weeks since he disappeared, J"
said another
"Ah! hope not," said Miss Mars,on :;
eve want his tenor for our next musical
soirce. 1t would tie too provoking for him
to commit suicide"
Mrs Holmes was right" thought DR.
Stanley. "shc is perfectly heartless. Poor
Harold -
He turned from the piano but stopped as
the full, rich voice broke out into song
Mis- Marston was singing Schuber's Last
Greeting ;" and into the mournful words she
poured such wailing energy and deep pathos
that group after group in the large rooms
ceased their gay converse to listen to the
muse
Can sho sing 80. without heart or feeling?"
muttered the doctor, again drawing nearer to
the place.
"EIlen," said young lady, as the last note
oi the song died awsy-"Ellen, do play Us a
polka now"
A eon,emptuous smile played for moment
Oh Ellen MarstODs lips then nodding good
paturedly, she dashed off into lively polka,
which soon melted the group round the piano
into merry dancers, and DR.. Stanley with the
rest.
The next morning, Miss Msrston sat in her
boudoir, writing letter. Peep over her
shoulder and read the sentence: "All hol>
low and heartless Miriam. do you blame
me for flirting; you are not here TO see how
they follow me merely for my money. Not
one true heart amongst all of them !! There
was one, Harold-"z
a knock at the door interrupted her.
Come IN ~ and a woman enters with sew
eral articles of necdleW.rk. t
Good morning" said Ellen pleasantly
"How is Terrence this morning 2"
go, Miss. it's beautiful he is TO day Sure
Miss, M sorry We had to wait so long for the
! dress and other things"
"Never mind that How could you work
with that poor boy so iII?'
"Sure, Miss, IT'S many one expects their
dresses, sick well and isn't Terry sitting
up the day playing with the toys ye sint him;
and Pat, that kept from school, . miBding
him."
"where's the bill, Mary ?" said Ellen,
taking out her purse.
"Oh, Miss you don't OVID Mary O'Brien a
penny. There's the money ye left 70 pay the
doctor with. aud the money ye gave ne in
advance last week sure, Miss, it's in your
debt l am for needlework for the rest Of your
| life"
What gave Terrence has nothing to do
with my bill, said Ellen, rapidly counting
out some money.
Miss Ellen said Mary o 'Brien, and
then she stopped.
well, Mary d"
"sure, Miss, you do SO much good with
your money, l am ashamed to tell you"
'sTPIl me what 2"
well. Miss, it's about tke young man that
riuted my room. Ye mind where the widder
died last autumn. BE came a week ago,
Miss. and he never came down stairs for three
| days. Miss SO this morning went up, and
he is sick with the fever-in his head in
tirely. M;ss Ellen. if you can only send"
"Wait. Mary, III go with you"
Throwing of her rich silk wrapper. Ellen
put on dark gray dress and shawl, and sd-
| ded close silk bonnet. with thick veil
Come, Mary" and the two left the house
together.
In low. close room, on pallet bare lay
| Mary O'Rriep'r lo5eer The face which lay