The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-09-22
Perfectly Heartless.

Eer1ecGIy dearC1ess'
"Pretty! yes, rather pretty, but per
fectly heartless! |" said old Mrs. Holmes tc
DR.. Stanley, with whom she was convers
ing at a large, brilliant party.
"Heartless with that sensitive mouth,
ard those eyes, SO full of expression ?'
said the gentleman, musingly.
~ don't admire her style of beauty at
all. She looks like a wax doll, and her
heartlesness is SO proverbial. Since he1
uncle left her so wealthy she has had lovers
by the score, and she firts 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
a group around the piano. 1t was a
lady, young and fair, with a tall exceed
ingly graceful figure, pure Greek features
and large blue eyes. Her hair was short,
but the soft, full curIs made a lovely
frame for the face. Her dress was of a
dark lace, ornamented with flowers and
dark green leaves. She was conversing
quietly with aknot of gentlemen, and DR.
Stanley sauntered over to the group.
"Miss Marston," said enc gentleman,
"what has become of Mr.. Harold Ora
ham,"
Her hands swept oyer 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"
"Iti is three weeks since he Disappeared"
said another.
"Ah! I hope not, +" said Miss Marston.
1--WE want his tenor for our next must
cal soiree. It would be too provoking
for him to commit suicide"
"Mra. Holmes was right" thought DR..
Stanley, "she is perfectly heartless.
Poor Harold!"
He turned from the piano; putstopped
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.
"Can she sing, so without heart or
~feeling?" muttered the doctor, again
drawing nearer to the place.
ellen" said a young lady, as the
last note of song died aWay-"Ellen, do
play a polka now"
A contemptuous smile played for a
moment on Ellen Marston's lips; then
nodding good-naturedly, she dashed off
into q lively polka, which soonpmelteG
the group round the piano into merry
dancers, and Mr.. Stanley with the rest.
The next morning Miss Marston sat
in her b%oudoir, writing a letter. Peep
over her shoulder and read the sentence:
"AIl hollow and heartless Miriam, you
blame me for flirting; you are not here
to see how they follow me merely for nv
money. Not one true heart amongst
all 0 ftheml There.was one Harold"
A knock at the door interrupted her.
Come ini' and a woman enters with
several articles of needlework.
Good morning" said Ellen pleasantly,
how is Terrence this morning."
20, Miss, it's beautiful he is today.
Sure, Miss, it's many a one expects their
lresses sick Or well and isn't Terry sit
ing up the day playing with the toys ye
int him; and Pat, that I kept from
ehool, q minding him.
Where's the bill, Nary" said Ellen, /
out her purse. j
tOh, Miss, youdon'towe Mary O'Brien I
penny. There's the money you left to
the doctor with, and the money ye |
ave me in advance last week; sure, Miss,
Is in your debt I am for needIewerk for
he rest of your life" g I
What | gave Terrence has nothingt5 i
Q with my BILL" said Ellen, rapidly t
ounting out some money. /
Miss Ellen , said Mary O'Brien !
nd then she stopped. 3
We'll, Mary 7, s
Sure, Miss, you do 80 much good with
money, I am ashamed to tell you d
j
3Tell me what ?' J
well, Miss, it's about the young man t
nat rinted my room. Ye mind where 4
be wilder died last autumn. He came i
week ago, Miss, and be never came /
own stairs for three days, Miss; 50 this }
7 Wint up, and he is sick with :
faver--out Of his head intirely, Miss. !
you would only send 4
alTait Mary; TIL go with you.n "a