The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-07-23
HILDA'S EXPERIMENT.

Il was tempestuous night in Novem-
her. The carved Dutch clock in Judge
Harrison's study had just struck 8.
Judge Harrison himself, an austere-
looking, silver-haired man, sat upright
in his chair, gazing coldly at his guest.
"Well," said DIR. Hooper, pulling on
his gloves, "of course it isn't or me or
any one else to interfere in family mat
ters. Butyour grandchild is left totally
unprovided for, sir.
II cannot help that, said the Judge,
frigidly. Eight years ago | offered to
support the child, and the father, too, if
lie would only consent to leave that out
andish foreign wife of his. He married
her against my will /; he chung to her
against my will. Let him abide by his
decision"
cts only natural, Judge, that man
should cleave unto his wife," urged the
doctor.
"It is only natural, then, that man
should provide for the child of that
wife, DR.. Hooper. AT all events, ! shall
assume no further responsibility"
But, Judge Harrison, you are rich
man r
Granted but, as made my money
myself, feel that have right to
spend it to suit myself,
"Hilda is a fine girl pleaded DIR.
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-
DR. Hooper hesitated.
Judge" he said at last, in tone Of
appealing earnestness, "you have an
other granddaughter"
II have. My daughters child, Ma
rian Lennox, makes it her home witt
me-"
"And yet you would deny similar
home to Hilda Harrison 2"
Judge Harrison's shaggy white brows
met in straight, frowning line.
Doctor, said he, "you will fail to
make the distinction between dutiful
child and one who has been undutiful .
Let me see Miss hennox," said DIR.
Hooper. "Let me interest her in the
fact 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, " said he to
servant, and the man noiselessly
obeyed.
In another minute tall, Princess-like
girl stood in the room--a girl with hail
Of pale gold, deep blue eyes, like azure
stars, and dress of soft blue silk that
ieil IN picturesque folds about her, an6
trailed noiselessly over the carpet al
she walked. .4@
Marian, said the Judge, this il
Dr. Hooper. He has come here tc
plead the cause of your Uncle Severn'i
daughter Hilda. Severn deliberately
disobeyed me at first in marrying Hilder
earde Boehmer-he rejected the offer ,
aiterward made of taking him and the
chlid home, if he would but leave tn,
siren who had blighted all his life. Nov
ne is dead, and has left his child unpro
vded for. say, as he has sowed, 50 le
ms child reap What do You say 2"
II think grandpapa is quite right,
said Marian, in soft, sweet voice
Grandpapa is always right |"
Then you have no word to speak 70
this lonely little orphan?" cried out Di
Hooper, deeply indignant. Marian lai
her ringed hand upon that of her grand
father and nestled close to him. a
always defer my Judgment to this
o. grandpapa," said she-and Judg
Harrison, passing his arm around th
girls waist, looked with ill-conceale
triumph at the luckless special pleadel
Dr. Hooper bowed, spoke his adieu
and departed.
When he returned to his own humb
residence, . dark eyed eirl. met him
the door.