Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-24
EARNING HER OWN LIVING.

Il was a tempestuous night IN Novem-
Der. The carved Dutch clock in Judge
Harrison's study had just struck nine.
Judge Harrison himself, an austere Look
ing. silver-haired man, sat upright in his
chair gazing coldly at his guest.
well" said DR.. Hooper, pulling on
his gloves. "of course, it isn't for me OF
any one else TO interfere in family mat
ters. But your grandchild is left totally
unproyided for, sir.
II cannot help that" said the Judge,
frigidly. "Eigh; years ago offered to
support the child, and her father, too. II
he would only consent to leave that out
landish foreign wife of his. He married
her against my will-he clung TO her
against my will. Let him abide by his
decision, =,
"It's only natural, Judge, that man
should cleave unto his wife, urged the
doctor.
Il, is only natural, then, that a man
should provide for the child of that wife,
DR.. Hooper At all events, | shall as
sumo no further responsibility.
But, Judge Harrison, YOU are a rich
man.
"Granted-but as | have made my
money myself, feel tha, | have Il righ,
to spend it to suit myself.
"Bu, Hilda IS a fine girl, pleaded DR..
Hooper.
No doubt, no doubt; but YOU Will
pardon me if feel NO very great anxiety
to see the child of the German singing
woman who stole my sons heart away
from me.
Mr. Hooper hesitated.
Judge" he said at last, in a tone OF
appealing earnestness, "you have another
granddaughter.
II have. Ny daughters child, Marian
Lenox, makes her home with me.
And you would deny similar home
to Hilda Harrison"
Judge Harrison's shaggy white brows
met in a straight, frowning line.
Doctor" said he, ''you fail to make
the distinction between dutiful child
and one who has been undutiful.
let me see Miss Lenox, said DR..
Hooper. "Let me interest her in the
fate of this desolate, unknown cousin.
She has woman's heart in her bosom.
| am sure can move her.
Judge Harrison smiled coldly as he
touched a small gilded call-bell which
stood on the table beside him.
''Send Miss Marian here" he said to q
servant and the man noiselessly obeyed.
In another minute tall, princess-like
girl stood in the room-a girl with han
of pale gold. deep blue eyes, like azure
stars, and dress of soft blue silk tina,
fell in picturesque folds about her, and
trailed noiselessly over the carpet as she
walked.
Marian" said the Judge, "this is DIR
Hooper. He has come here to plead the
cause of your Uncle Severn's daughter
Hilda. Severn deliberately disobeyed me
at first in marrying Hildegarde Bochmel
he rejected the offer | afterward made
of taking him and the child home, if he
would leave the siren who had bhghtec
all his life. Now he is dead, and has lef,
the child unprOvided for. | say as he
has sowed so LET the child reap. What
do you say
Il think grandpa is quite right saic
Marian, in a soft sweet voice. Grand
papa is always right
Then you have no word to speak fo
this lonely little orphan" cried out DIR
Hooper, deeply indignant. Marian laic
her ringed hand upon that of her grand
father aud nestled close to him.
Il always defer my judgment to tha
of grandpapa,' said she, and Judge Har
rison, passing his arm around the girr'
waist looked with ill-concealed triumph
at the luckless special pleader.
DR.. Hooper bowed, spoke his adieu
and departed.
When he returned to his own humble
residence, dark-eyed girl met him a
the door.
'.Have you seen him doctor-my grand
father" she cried out eagerly.