The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-08-01
OF THE HEART
1 was so beautiful, every one said.

was so beautiful, every one said.
Some enthusiasts called me a dream, a
bit Of painted poetry, an ideal face and
many more extravagant expressions, but
all agreed was beautiful.
1 have laughed softly to myself many
times, when the little velvet case has been
closed tightly over me, to think how little
they knew about 1t.
II they could have seen her
She had all that lacked, the life, the
rich coloring, the changing expression Of
the starry eyes; her whole piquant, spar
king self changeful as a chameleon. OF
course, did very well as q representation,
as well as bit of cold, dead, painted ivory
/, could.
! had her features, her hair and eyes,
and a little of her coloring, for master s
hand had fashioned me. tried my best
at times, to put on her expression when
people looked at me, but my lips could
never be coaxed out of their everlasting
SMILE try as l would.
When was first brought home, she was
1S years old. l was birthday gift, and a
very dainty affair 1 really was, set In a
delicate ornamentation of gold and case
of pale blue velvet. She had quaint,
pretty fashion of talking to me- as If I
were hor second self.
y She would whisper her thoughts, often
breaking off in the middle of sentence as
Il II she knew would understand her. as in
deed did, better than she did herself.
Y She was singularly gifted, possessing q
voice Of rare beauty, rich, intense con-
tralto.
At the time Of which I speak she was
the most popular young singer of the day,
feted and courted everywhere.
A brilliant future was predicted for her.
Often have lain on the little onyx table
near her. When her glorious voice would
swell through the rooms / have exerted all
my strength to join with her, but the only
result Of my efforts would be a tiny creak-
ing Of the velvet case, a sound with really
no harmony at ALL
Among the frequent guests at her home
was man, young man of splendid ply
sique, though that failed to impress me as
did the open candor of his face, the homes
ty and truth in the clear gray eyes.
In fact, felt myself singularly drawn
10 him.
There was a certain bond of sympathy
between us, for the very first time saw
him in her company knew the young fell
low loved her.
His every look revealed it-at least to
me--though he was never presuming in
his attentions, as were many of the others.
But his voice always seemed softer when
addressing her, and his honest eyes never
left her face.
Often, at the end of some beautiful song
the others have applauded stormily, he has
sat In perfect silence, making no sign that
he has heard her music.
A little panied, wondering look would
creep into her eyes as she would glance at
him sitting SO stolidly there. At first
felt quite angry with him, thinking, as did
she, he was simply indifferent to 1t all.
One day happened to be In q cabinet
so close to him could hear his breathing.
IL was early twilight, and she had been
singing some plaintive thing In harmony
with the dying day. Exclamations of
"Exquisitel "Glorious" filled the rooms
as her voice died into silence. He sat as
mute as a stone. felt like tumbling off
on to his head, reminding him OF his duty,
when the queerest sound reached my ear,
q sound expressive of keenest sorrow and
agony.
did not know then what 1t meant, but
have heard since, and know now it can
tnly be wrung from a man by the most
heartfelt, crushing misery.
1t seems they had always known each
, other-that Is, ever since she was tiny
maid, round and brown as gypsy. He
had always been her chosen knight, repel-
ling the overtures of the less favored youths
In her pretty, imperious way. There was
talk Of her going away to study. Finally
Ii was decided. She was wildly happy; the
future held so much for her.
She laughed merrily at his sober face
when she told him Of her plans, but her
eyes wore troubled look, and the laugh
ter had tremulous little quiver as she
bade him goodby.
"Only for short time, she whispered.
II shall be at home SO often"
lay on the music stand on which his
hand rested while talking to her. can
not think what tempted him. felt his
fingers touch me, then close firmly over
me. When he held her hand at parting,
was tightly in his left.
Watching his opportunity he slipped me
into his pocket and away went with him.
Yves very indignant for had counted
10 much on my new life with her In the
great city, and here was to be denied all
this by this dishonest young mep.
If 1t had been any one else's pocket but
his, would have stoutly resented being
carried about In such close quarters; but,
lying there, so near his heart that every
beat made me move uneasily, grew to
understand the young fellow as well as
had her.
At last New York swallowed her COM
pletely as 1t does so many talented young
people who seek It's width and breadth,
hoping to gain there a strong foothold de-
MED them In smaller cities.
News reached US from time to time
little fiurries and drifts of her growing
success and popularity.
One night he came home from the office
parly.
knew from his quick breathing hewas
excited, and / burned with curiosity TO
know the cause.
was always so fearful Of some business
oaiamity overtaking himi he was suoh a