Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-02-17
Perfectly HeartIess.

'Pretty2 Yes. rather, but perfectly
heartless ~ SAID Mrs. Holmes to DR.. Stan
lev, a young and talented physician, with
whom she was conversing at q large and
brilliant entertainment,
''Heartless with that sensitive mouth,
and those eyes so full of expression" !" said
the physician, musingly.
Il don't admire her style of beauty at
all. She looks like wax doll, and her
heartlessness is preverbial. Since her
uncle left her so wealthy she has had suit
ors by the score, and firts with every one.
Why, look at her now |"
DR.. Stanley's eyes followed in the direc-
ton in which the lady waved her fan, and
rested on the central figure of a group round
the piano. 1t was a lady, young and fair,
with tall, exceedingly graceful figure,
pure Greek features, and large blue eyes.
Her hair was short, but the soft, full curls,
made lovely frame for fair face. Her
dress was of dark lace; and twisted
among the golden curls were deep crimson
flowers, with dark green leaves, and on the
snowy throat and arms glittered blood-red
rubies. She was conversing gaily with q
knot of gentlemen, and DR.. Stanley saun-
tered over to the group.
Miss Ma-ston," said one gentleman,
''what has become of Harold Graham, the
artist? ?"
The tiny hand swept over the ivory keys
of the piano in the messure of brilliant
waltz; and another of the group, suppos-
ing Miss Marston did not hear the question
said, ''Out at the elbows and can't ap-
pear"
"He was wretchedly poor" said o
third.
perhaps he has committed suicide. 1t
Is three weeks since he disappeared" said
another.
20, / hope notl" said Miss Marston !;
"we want his tenor in our next musical
sonee. II would be too provoking for him
to commit smcidel"
'tNIrs Holmes was right" thought the
doctor; ''she is perfectly heartless Poor
| Harold!"
He turned from the piano, but stopped
as full, rich voice broke out into song
| Eva Marston was singing Shubert'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 conversation to lis
ten TO the music.
''Can she sing SO without heart or feel
| ing ?'' mutteIed the doctor, again drawing
near the piano.
Eva, said a young lady, as the las:
notes of the song died away 'tEya, play
polka, won't your"
A contemptuous smile quivered for a
moment on Eva Marston's lip; then nod
lively polka, which melted the group
| around the piano into merry dancers, and
DR.. Stanley with the rest.
The next morning Miss Marston sat in
her room, writing q letter. Let us peep
over her shoulder, at one sentence
Gall hollow, all heartless, Marian! 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 in ~ and needlewoman entered
with basket of work
''Good morning." said Eva, pleasantly,
| show is Terrence this morningf"
''Oh, miss, it's beautiful he is today
sure. marin. I'm sorry ye've had to wait
so long for the needlework."
''Never mind that. How could you
work with the poor fellow so i'll 2"
''Sure, miss, it's many one expects their
work, sick or well; and isn't Jerry sitting
up the day playing with the toys ye STINT
hlm, and Pat, that kept home from school,
a minding him"
''How much, Mary2" said Eva, taking
out her purse.
''Oh, miss, you don't owe Mary Gennis
farden. There's the dochter ye left the
money to-day-and the word we sint--anC
the money ye gave me last week, sure,
miss, It's in your debt am for the rest OF
your ife." y"
"What gave Terrence has nothing Il
do with my bill, " said Eva, rapidly count
Ing out the money.
'tMiss Eva," said the poor Irish needle.
woman-and then stopped.
"Well, MarY?"
''Sure miss, you do SO much good with
your money, Pm ashamed TO tell you"
'"Tell me what 2"
swell, miss, It's about young gentle
man that rinted my room. Ye mind wher'
the widder died last autumn. He came 6
week back, miss, and he niver came dOwr
stairs for three days; so this morning
went up, and he was sick with fever, ou
of his head entirely, miss. If you woult
come now"
"Wait, Mary; I'll go with you"
"Aes dreadfully poor, l think, miss
for it's precious little Notwithstanding
but bed, and table, and chair, and nj
trunk at all, not bit of carpet bag"
Throwing off her rich silk wrapper
Eva put on dark grey dress and cloak
and added a close silk bonnet and thicl
veil.
''Come, Mary" and the two left tn
house together.
In low, close room, on a pallet bed
lay Mary Gennis' lodger. The face, agains
the coarse ticking pillow was such as on
fancies for that of bis favorite poet. Tn
haIr was dark, waving over broad, whit