Daily Republican., 1883-08-11
A TRUE HEART.
NY MRS. Y. BURKE COLLINS.

er's the lOvliest object In II.
In a sweeping robe Of white silk,
drap-d with white lace and pearls
cleaning every where about the exqni-
site costume, she was simply perfect.
Her complexion matched her pearls ;
her eyes were Heavens own blue, y
her features Irregular and de icate her
hair like spun gold. Ye,--beautitUl, re-
fined and high-bred-this young girl
knew no her own name
Hers was a sal history. She had
h en- found upon the marble steps OF
the Fairleigh mansion, a little crow
| ing babe Of about six months, with no
clue to her identity save he name
Eve" embroidered upon her pretty
clol hes. Mrs. Fairleigh was widow
with one child, Richard, a sturdy boy
of five or six. She was great hearted
and generous she had taken the little
ioundlng to her heart and home.
She had bestowed her own aristocra.
tic name upon the friendirss waif, and
little Eve had grown up in the midst
oflusury, the hapl,i st maiden under
the sun.
They had told her the story Ct her
own lifr, that is the little that was
known 10 them, Better TO hear the
truth from lips that loved her, than
from the cruel words f cold-heart'd
strangers,
And Eve knew that, Il arly beloved
though size was, Mrs. Fairleigh WAS
not her mother, and that Richard Far
leigh was nothing to her. All, Hea.
ven she realized it all tonight, stand
irg IN her luxurious attire In that
sumptuOus apartment she knew for he
first time that he was all the world to
her He had always treated her
with kindness aud considtrate atten-
ton.
Never, by word or look, was the
story other unknown parentage referred
TO in the girls presence. But 10 night
she was overwhelmed with the horror
of her sad lot, for she realized that she
had given her heart to this prince
mong men !; she, a nameless creature,
who knew not f,om what obscure or
shameful sources she night have sprl ny.
Well, no matter She would cover
up her secret, and no one should
suspect that she had given her love
unasked.
Even as she stood there, the door
opened and Richard Fairleigh entered.
Tall, handsome, and manly ; this man
was a true nobleman. He came to her
side, ana lifted one white glOved to his
lips.
:" How beautiful you are, Eve!" he
said, softly !; "you are dressed quite
like a bride"
The red blood rushed in cIimso
tide to her swee face he bent his
head and kissed her eagerly upon her
red lips.
"Eve," he whispered, 81 must tell
you, | love you, my darling, love you
with all my heart Say that you will
be my own little wife"
Everything grew dark before her
ey es the room seemed to swim round
in giddy circles. She felt like one who
stands at the gates of Paradise, and
knows that his own hand must reach
out and close the portal, and bar 1t
against Il hope of entrance. With
prayer in heart for strength, she looked
into his tender gray eyes.
Richard" she said softly, it can
never be %
"My God !" he cried, wildly. "Tell
me, Eve, surely you love me %
She turned away to hide her anguish.
" Yes !" she answered softly, " love
you, but ! can never oe your VIE !!
How could |, nameless founding, re-
pay your mother for all her goodness to
me by stealing from her her only son
Richard, could not be guilty Of such
base ingratitude ! | love you," she
went on, lalterllBlv, Will not ac-
tempt to deny it, but can never De
more TO you than now.
Even us the words huttered from nee
white lips, rap al the door arouSed
them.
In response TO llcharh come In
the door swung siowi open, ana wo'
man stood upon the threshold.
A disreputab'e-looking Inquire, atflred
in soiled and Candy fnery her thin
face plentifnlly ronged ; her golden
hair dressed in he - LATEST agony, ana
crowned by dllapldated French bon
net. She came straight to Ewes side.
" This is the young lady, believe,
she began, in high key, who goes by
the name OF Eve Falrleigh =?
With strange sinking at heart, Eve
bowed her head in assent.
!" My child - cried the woman, with
the air ola heroine in melodrama,
advancing with outstretched arms,
"my own, long lost daughter y
Eve recoiled, involuntarily, while
Richard Fairleigh turned his white face
and blazing eyes upon the intruder,
"What do you mean - he demanded,
haughtily. Chow dare you make snch
an assertion %
The woman gazed calmly into his
face.
Seventeen years and six months
ago" she began in Il shrill, sing song
tone, 81 left this girl, then Il babe of
six months, on the doorstep Of the
Fairleigh mansion. This is the place,
is it not"
Richard bowed.
"Why did you desert your innocent
child 2" he demanded.
She laughed a horrible laugh