Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-04-29

1
grace among the guests; for she was obliged
to assist that aged, somewhat conventional
looking lady in doing the honors of the
house-the generals wife had been dead
many years-and could not help admirine
the tact and self-possession with which she,
in spite OF her youth, SO charmingly filled
| her position as hostess. Here she asked an
old gentleman after the health of his sick
| spouse; there whispered some pleasant re-.
mark to young lady about her tasteful
toilet, or repelled too gallant cavalier with
scornful glance or a saucy answer. With
each and all she knew just the right tone to
take. She was surrounded by all. Every
one flocked about her, who, like an appari-
ton out of story book, moved amorg
those nodded fashion plates. And yet there
lay in her violet eyes, when she believed
herself to be unobserved, sad expression
which did not accord with the conventional
smile of the sweet, small mouth.
At length the signal for dinner was given.
Eveline laid the tips of her dainty fingers
on the arm of a tall blonde cavalier, a cou-
SIN of the family. To my great annoyance
my portion was Countess Soundso. no long
er in the first bloom of youth. must add
had secretly hoped to see Eveline's angelic
head at my side. With a mien which was
certainly not very amiable 1 offered the
Countess my al m and led her to the places
designed for us. Though otherwise a most
estlmable lady, she almost drove me to des-
pair with her loquacity, while she even be-
fore soup inquired about my recent journey
in the east and expressed a desire to hear
something about my last new work, nv
glance strayed impatiently past the ques.
tioner in a vain seal ch for Eveliue had
not had the opportunity to exchange one
word with her. She had only nodded to me
from across the room, pleasantly and con-
fidingly, as to an old acquaintance,
Pretty soon felt a gentle touch ON my
arm, and voice only too we'll remembered
asked shyly and at the same time saucily:
"Does mien Herr no longer recognize his
protege ?''
l turned quickly. and yes, there indeed
was Eveline, who had been sitting next to
me Tor full flve minutes without my having
observed her. My neighbor, the countess,
anu Eveline's escort, the cousin in the
guards, very soon understood how much
they might expect to be entertained by Eve
line or myself during the four or five hours
passed at the table, How the time sped and
what were the general topics Of converse
tion we never knew. But was snpremelg
happy during the whole time. Not once
did discover in her eyes that melancholy
dropping which had often before made me
anxious. Oh, if | could only succeed in
making her forget Paumwolf! To this
fond, proud thought l concentrated all nv
mind and efforts. With rapture l noticed
how her eyes hung so earnestly on my lips
as told her of my distant travels and of nv
restless wandering about from one distant
land to another. And when l spoke of NV
dear solitary Barwalde, with it's sombre fir
trees and its rush-grown ponds; of nv i'm
mense library and the beautiful grand piano
which often trusted to the hands of nv
overseer, just to have some accompanying
instrument to my beloved violoncello: when
l said; ''Surely Fraulien Eyeline also plays
on the piano, and very much better, too,
than my overseer," thoughtful smile
spread over the dear, sweet face She loved
music very much, she replied, and it would |
give her pleasure to accompany me come |
day:
81 hope you will do that at Rarwalde,n -
cried passionately. She dropped her lids |
over her clear violet eyes and deep blush |
spread over her cheek
Eight days afterwards Eveline was nv |
6etrothed. What did I care for all the |
Paunlwolfs in the whole world?
On one of the very first days of our en-
5"SS'ASHo WO hCt tuO UtlIOtuSu pdlr, Mailer |
and Paumwolf, on the street.
''shall we turn hack, Evia'' asked play |
fully, though could not prevent a slight |
feeling of anxiety from rising in my heart.
She became very grave for a moment; then |
nesting closer to my side, looked up at me |
with her innocent, childlike eyes.
You know have left all that behind |
me-" she said SOFTLY
| pressed her arm more aloaely to me-
'Qh, Evi! my own sweet Evip' l was so
happy, 30 proud that even the bold curiosity
with which Lieut.. Paumwolf stared at us
in passing could not irritate me.
Eveline and have lived many years at |
our quiet old Barwalde, where tie sun new
er seemed to have risen until Eveline's
blonde head fitted through the house and |
grounds. But the happiest hours in our
blissful life are those in which we sit con-
fidlngly together after the cares and duties |
Of the day are over, and the tones of the |
piano and violoncello mingls their sounds |
on the still evening air.