Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-07-31
HILDA'S EXPERIMENT.

II was tempestuous night in Novem-
Der. The carved Dutch clock in Judge
Harrison's study had just struck 9.
Judge Harrison himself, an austere-
looking, 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 or me or
any one else to interfere in family mat
ters. But your grandchild is left totally
nnprovided for, SIR"
"I cannot help that" said the Judge,
frigidly. Eight years ago I offered to
support the child, and the father, too, if
he would only consent to leave that out
landish foreign wife of his. He married
her against my will he chung to her
against my will. Let him abide by his
decision"
Its only natural. Judge, that man
should cleave unto his wife," urged the
doctor.
at is only natural, then, that man
should provide for the child of that
wife, DR.. Hooper. At all events, 1 shall
assume no further responsibility"
"But, Judge Harrison, you ere rich
man"
Granted-but, as ! made my money
myself, 1 feel that have a right to
spend it to suit myself"
"Hilda is a fine GIRL" pleaded DR..
Hooper.
"No doubt. no doubt /; but you will
pardon me if l feel no very great anxiety
to zee 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
Judge Harrison's shaggy white brows
met in . straight, frowning line.
doctor" said he, "you will fail to
make the distinction between a dutifnl
child and one who has been undutiful. 4"
LET me see Miss Lennox," said DR..
Hooper. "Let me interest her in the
fact of this desolate, unknown cousin.
She has q woman's heart in her bosom.
I am sure can move her!"
Judge Harrison smiled coldly as he
touched . small gilded call-bell which
stood on the table beside him.
"Send Miss Marian here" said he to
q servant, and the man noiselessly
obcyed.
In another minute tall, Princess-like
girl stood in the ROOM girl with hair
Of pale gold, dep blue eyes, like azure
stars, and dress of soft blue silk that
fell in picturesque folds about her, and
trailed noiselessly over the carpet as
she walked. a
"Marian," said the Judge, "this n
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 Hilder
garde Boehmer-he rejected the offer L.
afterwsrd made Of taking him and the
child home, if be would but leave the
siren who had blighted all his life. Nov
he is dead, and hos left his child unpro-
vided for. say, as he has sowed. so lei
his child reap. What do you say?"
IT think grandpapa is quite right,
said Marian, in a soft, sweet voice
"Grandpapa is always right"
"Then you have no word to speak fo'
this lonely little orphan'" cried out DR.
Hooper, deeply indignant. Marian laic
her ringed hand upon that Of her grand
father and nestled close TO him.
81 always defer my Judgment to thai
Of grandpapa," said she-and judge
Harrison, passing his arm around th'
girls waist, looked with ill-concealet
triumph at the luckless special pleader
DR.. Hope, bowed. spoke his adieu,
and departed.
When he returned to his own humble
residence, = dark-eyed girl met him
the door.