The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1877-09-12
Perfectly Heartless,

fectly heartless" said old Mrs Holmes tc
DR.. Stanley, with whom she was convers-
ing at large, brilliant party.
HeartIess with that sensitive mouth,
ard those eyes, 30 full of expression ?"
said the gentleman, musingly.
"I don't admire her style of beauty at
ALL She looks like wax doll, aud her
heartlesness is 50 Proverbial. Since her
uncle left her so wealthy she has had lovers
by the score, and she flirts 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 around the piano. 1t was a
lady, young and fair, with tall exceed
ingly graceful figure, pure Greek features
and large blue eyes. Her hair was short,
hut the soft, full curls made a lovely
frame for the face. Her dress was of q
dark lace, ornamented with flowers and
dark green leaves. She was converBing
quietly with aknot Of gentlemen, and Or.
Stanley sauntered over to the group.
"Miss Marston," said enc gentleman,
"what has become of Mr.. Harold Gra-
ham,"
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"
''Itis three weeks since he disappeared"
said another.
"Ahl | hope not, said Miss Marston
eve want his tenor for our next musi.
cal soiree. It would be too provoking
for him to commit suicide"
''Mrs. ssHolmes was right" thought DR..
Stanley, "she is perfectly heartless.
Poor Harold |"
He turned from the piano; put stopped
as the full, rich voice broke out into
song. Miss Marston was singing Schu-
bert's Last Greeting;" and into the
mournful words she poured such wailing
energy and deep pathos, that groups
after groups in the large rooms ceased
their gay converse to listen 10 the music.
"Csn she sing, so without heart or
feeling9n muttered the doctor, again
drawing nearer to the place.
"Ellen," said young lady, as the
last pote of song died awsy-"ElIen, do
play a polka now"
A contemptuous smile played for
moment on Ellen Marston's lips; then
nodding good-naturedly, she dashed of
into lively polka, which soon melted
the greup round the piano into merry
dancers, and Mr.. Stanley with the rest.
The nexs morning Miss Marston sat
in her boudoir, writing letter Peep
over her shoulder and read the sentence;
"All hollow and heartlessl Miriam, you
blsme me for flirting; you are not here
TO see how they follow me merely for my
money. Not one true heart amongst
all of theE{ There.was one Harold
A knock at the door interrupted her.
"Come imp and woman enters with
several articles of needlework.
"Good morning, said Ellen npleasantly,
chow is Terrence this morningT'
40, Miss, it's beautiful he is to-day.
Sure. Miss, les many one expects their
dresses sick or we'll and isn't Terry sit
ting up The day playing with the toys ya
sint him; and Pat, that ! kept from
school, minding him."
"Where's the bill, Mary?' said Ellen,
taking out her purse.
"oh, Mics, you don'towe Mary O'Brien
i penny There's the money you left 10 |
pay the doctor with, aud the money We |
saye me in advance last week sure, Miss, |
Us in your debt | am for needlework for
he rest of your life"
What gave Terrence has nothing to /
10 with my bill" said Ellen, rapidly /
,ountiug out some money.
/" Miss Ellen - said Mary O'Brien
Ind then she stopped.
Well, Mary r.
Sure, Miss, you do 10 much good with |
four money, am ashamed to tell you
----s
aTell me what ~
'eWell, Miss, It's absut the young man
hat rinted my room. Ye mind where
he widder died last autumn. He came |
. week ago, Miss, and be never came
lown stairs for three days, Miss; 30 this
wint up, and he Il sick with !