Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-09-01
Mistellanu.
Hilda's Experiment.;
OR EARNING HER OWN LIVING.

ver-halred man, sat upright In his chair,
gazing coldly at his guest.
Well" said DR.. Hooper. putting on his
gloves, "of course it isn't for me OF any
one else 10 interfere in family matters.
But your grandchIli is left totally unpro-
vided for, sir"
Il cannot help that" said the Judge,
frigidly. Eight years ago | offered to
support the child, and the father too, If he
would only consent to leave that outland-
ish foreign wife of his. He married her
against my will; he clung to her against
my will. Let him abide by bis decision -
Its only natural. judge. that u man
should cleave unto his WIFE" urged the
doctor.
1T is only natural then. that man
should provide for the child of that wife,
Dir. Hooper. At all events, shall assume
no further responsibility.
But, Judge Harrison, you are rich
man."
"Granted-but as l made my money
myself, feel that have right to spend
it to suit myself"
"Hilda is a fine GIRL" pleaded DR..
Hooper.
No doubt, no doubt; but you will par
don me if feel no very great anxiety to
see the child Of the German singing
woman who stole my sons heart away
from me-"
DR.. Hooper hesitated.
"Judgr," he said at last. in a tone of
appealing earnestness, you have another
granddaughter"
Il have. My daughters child, Msrian
Lennox, makes it her home with me-
And yet you would deny similar
home to Hilda Harrison?'
Judge Harrison's shaggy white brows
met in a straight, frowning line.
doctor" said he, lyon will fail to
make distinction between dutiful child
and one who has been undutiful"
Let NE see Miss Lenno1," said DR..
Hooper. "Let me interest her in the fact
of this desoate unknown cousin. She has
woman's heart in her bosom. am sure
l can move her."
Judge Harrison smiled codly rs he
touched small gilded call bell which
stood on the table beside him.
Send Miss Marian here" said he to a
servant, and the man noiselessly obeyed.
In another minute tall, princess-like
girl stood in the room-a girl with hair of
pale gold, deep blue eyes, like azure stars,
and a dress of soft blue silk that fell in
picturesque folds about her, and trailed
noiselessly over the carpet as she walked.
Marian" said the judge, this is Dr..
Hooper. He has come here to plead the
cause of your uncle Severn's daughter
Hilda. Severn deliberately disobeyed me
at first in marrying Hildergrsde Boehmer
he rejected the offer | afterwards made
of taking him and the child home. if he
would leave the siren who had blighted all
his life. Now he is dead, and has left his
child unprovided for. l say, as he has
sown. so let his child reap. What do you
say?'
If think grandpapa is quite right" said
Marian, in soft, sweet voice. Grand
papa is always right
Then you have no word to speak for
this lonely little orphan?' cried out DR..
Hooper. deeply indignant. Marian laid
her rnged hand upon that of her grand
father and nestled close to him.
Il always defer my Judgment to that Of
grandpapa,' said she-and Judge Harri-
son, passing his arm around the girls
waist, looked with ill-concealed triumph
at the luckless special plesder
DR.. Hooper bowed, SPOKE bis adieuX and
departed.
When he returned to his own humble
residence, dark-eyed girl met him at the
door.
Have you seen him, doctor - my
grandfather?' she cried eagerly.
DR.. Hooper nodded.
Its of no use, though" said he. The
old man has - heart like granite; and that
girl. your cousin. is of cast IRON"
He will not take me?'
NO"
Hlda Harrison set her lips together.
WELL" said she, then must manage
to provide for myself"
No hurry, lass; no hurry said the
kindly little doctor, Go tell the wife to
bring me cup of hot coffee before | start
out again
"Hilda," he said, presently, as he sat
toasting his feet before the fire, with his
wife knitting opposite and Judge Harri
sons granddaughter leaning against the
window ana looking out into the stormy
darkness, what are you going to do?'
Il don't think quite know, doctor"
You are sixteen?'
Sixteen and half, sir.
"And you cannot teach?"
"Oh, dear, no, sir" Hilda shook her
head decidedly. Il had no chance fol
much education, travelling about as
did
Nor sew
"Not well enough to adopt it for pro
fession."
Then, for all can see, there is nothing
left but to 20 into domestic service
Il would take place tomorrow, Doc
tor, if | could get a home and decen
wages" said Hilda, quickly.
Good" said DR.. Hooper That is the
right spirit, child! | don't fear but whaI
you'll make your way, in one direction oil
another. But think can see something
little more promising ahead of you thar
that
What is it. Doctor?"
Il noticed the way you took care ofyoul
poor father, HiIda, in his last illness.
thought then you would make good nurse
1 think so now. There is an opening iu
St. Francesca's hospital. A good homt
and u per day"
"A nurse, doctor?"
LAS nurse"
"And shall see you sometimesP
"Frequently-twice week at least"
Hlda pondered a second or two, an
then came forward with gistening eye
and red lips apart.
Doctor" said she. II will try it.
And so Clement Harrison's granddaugh
ter donned the little muslin cap, prln
dress and white ruffled apron of the 81
FRANCISCAN corps Of nurses, and set dill
gently to work earning her own living
A year passed by. and DIR Wallace sen
word that nurse was wanted for a sma
pox case in this city. The Sister Superio
looked dubiousIy at her women.
"Who will go?" said she-and Hid
Harrison stepped forward.
81 will, said she. 81 have no Tears
the contagion, and want to add to m
experience" ,.,
So little Hilda packed her bag and wen
The housekeeper Of the great Fifth ave
nue. palace was wringlng ner hands. Ma
terrified out of her senses; the other SCI
wants had taken precipitate leave.
uA,d Miss Lennox went this morning