Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-08-26
THE AMBITION OF EVA.

1t was a dismal, windy, rainy Novem
Der evening, and ever since lunch sh,
had been padding about London
climbing grimy stairs Of newspaper of
fees, and talking to people who did no.
seem especially pleased to see her
Her skirts were wet, and a wisp o.
damp hair was tumbling over her eyes
on the hall table, disclosed by the
Pickering gasjet, were some letters.
"a year ago to-day!" said Esa to her
self as she closed the door against the
wind. HAS he written, or has he for
gotten?"
He had not forgotten. Eva picked uT
the letter from the hall table, looked
quickly round at the closed hall door
at the closed dining-room door, and at
the baize door that led 10 the kitchen
stairs-and kissed IL. Then she went
upstairs 10 her bed-sitting-room with
the letter in her hand and joy in her
| heart.
Hateful little room!" she murmured
TO herself, as she struck a match and lit
the gas. but it's the last time. thank
Godl"
The room was not really bad; a bed
IN the corner, wash-stand, a wardrobe,
here and there a picture on the walls,
and table by The window, rather rick
ETY., on which lay heap OF manuscript
Ia half-fnished story.
Il win burn that before [ go to bed
tonight" said Eva, as She caught sight
IF il.
Eva Norrington had been the pride
of the provincial town which gave her
birth. At the high school no girl could
stand against her. Her form governess,
who now and then asked her fayorite
pupils TO tea, even said she might be a
head mistress one day. To Eva this
seemed absurd. But when, at the age
Of 20, she gained n guinea prize for a
story in a weekly paper she began 70
think that at least she might be a great
novelist. At any rate she felt sure that
somewhere ahead Of her stretched
career; and as her 21st birthday
approached She announced 10 her
startled parents her intention Of going
10 London in search OF it. Thereupon
ensued a series Of domestic scenes such
as have been common of late in the
homes Of England. wherein the parents
play the port of the apprehensive hen,
the daughter that of the adventurous
duckiug. The duckling invariably
gains its point; and 50 it was with Eva
Nor ington. Having refuted argument
and resisted persuasion for certain
number OF weeks, Eva obtained a grudg-
Ing consent to her departure. The
townspeoplc knew not whether TO adj
mire or disapprove. But they had read
N. novels Of young ladies' who took their
lives and latchkcys into their own
hands, became famous, and married re-
specially after al. So during the |
weeks of preparation for her campaign /
Eva became something Of a figure in 1
local society. and more than one din |
ner party was given in her honor, rs /
well as plentiful advice rs to the neces-
sary precautions against London guile.
and many recipes for guarding against
the colds induced by the fogs that in
fest the metropolis.
Eva was almost happy; for she had
the hopefulness of youth and beauty, |
and all the exhilaration of taking her
life into her hands and fashioning il as
she would, with none TO raise objections
TO the process. She would have been
quite happy but for Allan Craig. For
Allan Craig, whenever he heard that
Eva was bent on going to London to
make a name for herself, promptly Of
fered her his own for a substitute. 1t
was a good enough name, and at the
foot of check it was generally respect
I'd. as Allan Craig'had lately stepped
into his fathers business as estate
agent and was prospecting. Eva was
disturbed. but she turned not ASIDE
from her project. Eva had mapped out
ier life and Allan Craig was not in
GUIDED in the scheme.
As she sat lingering her letter in her
bedroom, she went over the parting
Gene in her mind The details of it
would only increase the delight of the
etter. For Eva had learned during the
asst year that happiness is so rare that
{ deserved to be rolled on the tongue |
nd not swallowed in haste. 1t was q;
dance on the night before her de-
last dance, so she thought,
,efore she started life in earnest. They
we're sitting out a dance together. for
Eva was not disposed to think unkindly
f Allan, though she might resent his
intrusion into her scheme of life. She
how there had been silence
,etween them for some moments, how
.llan had leaned his elbows on his
nees and dug the heel of his dancing
hoe into the carpet
And so you are quite determined TO
ave us?" said Allan.
"Of course" replied Eva. my boxes
re all packed"
Full of manuscript novels and other
lings?"
zone novel and several stories"
81 cannot understand why you want >
} go when"
Il want lowell - TO live larger
fe."
"You mean you want to live in a big !