Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-04-07
A,Girl's Trial.

Yes, but you will have gained no.
Bile grandson softly whispered Flea
nor's sweet voice.
Mrs. Hamilton bent her gray head
fondly and kissed the speakers soft
cheek.
The old lady and her granachlld
stood before a lounge upon whose GRIM
son cushions lay Eleanor's wedding
dress. which had just arrived, a delicate
marvel of satin and lace.
Of course it must be tried on, and
with the assistance of Margaret, Flea
nor's maids delt fingers, the young girl
soon stood before the mirror blushing
at her own lovelness.
Just then knock came upon the
door. 1t was a servant with letter.
Eleanor glanced at the superscription
without recognizing the writing.
1T is not from Ralph she said, in
reply to her grandmother's questioning
look.
After the bridal costume had been
pronounced a perfect fit and entrusted
10 Margaret to be replaced in the cedar
chest, Eleanor took up the letter and
broke the seal.
She read the first few lines carelessly,
then into the brown eyes look ofun-
speakablo horror sprang.
what is it, Eleanor?' exclaimed
Mrs. Hamilton, as she saw her agita-
ton. bu. without speaking, the young
Girl rapidly read on to the end. Then,
with q sobb'ng, long-drawn breath, she
threw herself into her grandmother's
arms.
'Readv she cried, is this true
what is written here, or is it the plot OF
some enemy to crush out my happi-
uess?'
As Mrs. Hamilton porused tie letter
a pallor settled over her features. What
she had always dreaded had come at
last. o, irit might have been only two
weeks later. Onc glance at Eleanor's
inplorng face, and she saw that the
truth could be withheld no longer.
Grandma, speak = And I-Ralph's
promised bride-the child Of o! for
pty's sake, tell me am dreaming!
Then Mrs. Hamilton spoke.
Eleanor, try and be calm, and l
will tell you the truth. You know that
your mother, my only child, died at the
early age of twenty; but you have not
heard that she died of a broken heart
When the man whom she married
against her parents wishes, abused her,
STE bore it without complaint, never
letting US dream OF her unhappiness
but when, after being his vile only
three wears, she discovered that her
husband was a criminal, living upon his
ill-cotten gains, then she left him, flee
ing with her babe to our protection.
Not long after, your father was arrested
for a bank robbery, and Imprisoned
The shock was too much for your moth
er's frail strength, and after lingering a
short time she passed away. After
her death your grandpa saw your father
and obtained from HIM promise never
to disclose himself to you, But, alas
he has broken it. Do not blame US,
Eleanor, for thus keeping you in igno-
rance of what would have always cloud"
ed your life. We thought we did it for
the best
The young girl listened with bent
head aid tightly clasped hands. AS
her grandmother paused she looked up.
\ woeful change had come into the
round, booming face.
Grandma she said, and her voice
wa. low and strained, does any one
know of this p
.Oay one-your friend, Mr.. Stearns,
your grandiather's lawyer
And Ralph-does he not know"
1 do not think he does.'
%. (the young voice was very pIte-
ou,) il was a cruel kindness to keep 1t
from me. Now l shall never be Ralph
Ogden's wife,
Eleanor expostulated her grand
mother, winding her arms around the
dropping figure, he need never know
You can go and see your father. He
saws It will be the last time he will ever
send for you.'
Drawing herself awav, Eleanor look"
cd firmly into the fearful face near her
own.
Grandma, will not bring tainted
name to him love. | can never mar
rs Ralph Ogden
That evening" Mis-. Hamilton sent Tor
iIr. Stearns, aud the two old friends
had long consultation together. The
kind lawyers eyes moistened as he
heard of ElcanOr's grief.
The scoundreln he CALCULATED,
'after running one life, could be
not have held his peace and refrained
from blighting another But stay he
said. taking up the letter again aud
reading: L have fought against the
longing to see you, my daughter, but
can no longer restrain myself. Iprom
lse YOU that if you come tome this once
il will be the last time you shall ever
hear from your wretched father This
looks TO me aslfhe must be very SICK
perhaps DYING
so Eleanor thinks, and the noble |
child persists in saying that she will 60
Of once 10 HIM. She declares it is ber
duty. Poor, poor girl; I see now that
.ooIo,ont haa haen very wrong