Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-09-27
Perfectly Heartless.
BY ALICE DALE.

aud those eyes, so deep and full or ex-
preston said the physician, musingly.
81 don't admire her style of beauty at
| all. She looks like wax doll, and her
heartlessness is provcrbial. Since her
uncle left her 80 wealthy she has had
suitors by tho score, and tlirts with eve
ryone. Why, look at her now"
Doctor Stanley's eyes followed the di-
rection in which the lady waved her fan,
and rested on the central figure of q
group around the piano. 1t was a lady,
young and fair, with tall, exceedingly
graceful figure, pure Greek features, and
large blue eyes Her hair wi short, but
the soft, full curls made ID vely frame
for the fair face. Her dress was of dark
lace; and twisted amongst the golden
curls were deep crimson fl1wers with
dark green leaves, and Oh the snowy
throat and arms glittered blbod-red ru-
bies. She was conversing g%ily with q
knot of gentlemen, and Doctor Stanley
sauntered up to the group.
'Miss Marston," said one gentleman,
"what has become of Harold Graham,
the artist ?"
The tiny hands swept over the ivory
keys of the grand piano in |, 'e measure
of brilliant waltz; and anoh hor of the
group, supposng Miss Marstsn did not
hear the question, said: "out at elbows,
and can't appear"
Gle is wretchedly poor, there is no
doubt" said third. J
"Perhaps he has committed suicide.
1t is three weeks since he disappeared"
said another.
ooh, I hope notw said Miy Marston,
1--WE want his tenor for our next musical
soirce. 1t would be too provoking for
him to commit suicide"
"Mrs. Holmes was right" Thought the
doctor; "she is perfectly hcaftless. Poor
Harold ~
He turned from the piano, but stopped
as full rich voice broke into song. Eva
Marston was singing Schuber's Last
Grccting;' and into the mOlhnful words
she poured such wailing energy and
deep pathos, that group aftcl group in
the large rooms ceased their gay CONVEX
sation to listen to the music.
"Can she sing so without Heart or feel
ing1" muttercd the doctor, again drawing
nearer to the piano. !
"Eva," said the young l,ly, US tho
last notes of the song died away. "Eva,
play polka, won't youW !
A contemptuous smile quiEered for a
moment on Eva Marston's lills, then nod
ding good-naturedly she dashed off into
a lively polka, which soon melted the
group around hepianointo 1pcrry, light
footed dancers, and Doctor Stanley went
with the rest.
The next morning Miss M4rston sat in
her room, writing a letter. Let uB peep
over her shoulder at one sentence.
"All hollow, all heartles,l, Marian
You blame me for flirting, y0u are not
here to see how they follow >me merely
for my money; not one true heart among
them all. There was one. larold--"
A knock at the door interrupted her.
"Comc in," and q ncedlc,woman en-
tered with basket of work
"Good morning." said Eva pleasantly.
GLOW is Terence this mornisgW
ooh, miss, it's beautiful lie is to-day.
Sure, marin, Pm sorry ye've had to wait
so long for the necdlcwork."I
"Ncvcr mind that. How could you
work with the poor fellow so i'll p?
"Surc, miss; it's many Sne expects
their work, sick or well; and isn't Jerry
sitting up the day playing With the toys
ye stint him, and Pat, that \ kept home
from school, a minding himH
GLOW much, Mary" said Eva taking
out her purse.
ooh, miss, you don't owe Nary Dennis
a fardcn. There's the doctor we left the
money to pay, and the woodiye stint, and
the pratos and milk, and tie money ye
gave mo last week, sure mis- it's inyour
debt am for the rest of mylife.'
"What gave Terence hae nothing to
do with my BILL" said Eva, rapidly coun-
ting out some money.
"Miss Eva"-said thcpoor irish needle
woman, and stopped.
"Well, Mary" =.
"Sure, miss, You do so much good with
your money. Pm ashamed to tell YOU
"Tcll me what ~
"Well, miss, it's about the young gen.
tleman that's rinted my room. You
mind where the widder died last autumn.
He came week back, miss, and he niver
came down stairs for three days, so this
morning whit up, and he is sick with a
fever, out of his head entirely, miss. II
you would come now"
"Wait, Mary, I'll 90 With YOU"
"He's dreadful poor, tl'iak, miss, for
it's precious little Notwithstanding but
a bed, and a table, and chair, and no
trunk at all, at all, but a biz of carpet
bag"
Throwing off her rich silk wrapper,
Eva put on dark gray dress and cloak,
and added close silk bonnet with a
thick veil.
"Come, Mary"
And the two left the house together.
In low, close room, on a pallet-bed,
| Law Mary Dennis ledger. The face