Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-11
\ GIRLS TRIAL.

MY darling, this makes me realize
that in only two weeks time you will be
married. and l shall he without my
grand aaughter.
''Yes, our you will have gained noble
grandson softly whispered Eleanor's
sweet voice.
Mrs. Hamilton bent her gray head
fondly and kissed the speakers soft
cheek.
The old lady and her srandchiid
TODD before \ lounge upon whose Grim
son cushions lay EIcanors wedding dress,
which had Just arrived, Il delicate marvel
OF satin and lace.
Or course i must be tried on, and with
the assistance OF Margaret, Elcanor's
maids deft fingers, the young gIrl soon
stood before the mirror b!ushing AZ her
own loneliness.
Just then knock came upon the
door 1t was servant with 4 letter.
Eleanor glanced at the superscription
without recognizing the writing.
"It is not from Ralph she said, in
reply To her grandmothcr's questioning
look
After the bridal costume had been
pronounced a perfect tit and entrusted to
Margaret to be replaced in the cedar
chest, Eleanor took up tie letter and
broke the seal.
She read the first few lines carelessly,
then into the brown eyes q look OF I'M
speakable horror sprang.
''What is it, Eleanor" exclaimed Mrs.
Hamilton, as she saw her agitation, but
without speaking, the young girl rapidly
read on to the end. Then, with a sob
bling long-drawn breath, she threw her
self into her grandmother's arms.
"Read." she cried, SIS this true what
is written here, or is it the plot of some
enemy to crush out my happiness?"
GAS Mrs. Hamilton persued the letter
apallor settled over her features. What
she had always dreaded had come at last !
o, if it might nave been only two weeks
later. One glance at Eleanors imploring
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
pity sake, tell me am dreamingw
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 broken heart! When
the man whom she marred against her
parents wishes, abused her, she bore it
without complaint, never letting Us
dream Of her unhappiness; but when, at
ter being bis wife only three years, she
h,,ol
nal, living upon his lll-gotten gains, then
she left him, fleeing with her babe to our
protection. Not long after, your father
was arrested for bank robbery, and i'm
prisoned. The shock was too much for
your mothers frail strength, and after
lingering Il short time she passed away.
After her death your grandpa saw your
father and obtained from him 4 promise
never to disclose himself to you. But
alas! he has broken it. Do not blame Us,
Eleanor, for THIS keeping you iii ignor-
ance Of what would have always clouded
your life. We thought we did It for the
best"
The youug cir. listened with ben: head
and tightly ciaspod hands. rs her grand
mother paused she looked w. 4 woeiul
CiduGe HUI CciiG iHLo tHS IVulO, plbDIn-
ing face.
"Grandma,' she sad, and her voice
was low ard strained, docs anyone know
of this?"
"Only cne-your friend. EIr. Stcarns,
your grandfathcr's lawyer"
'And Ralph-does heMot know
II do not think he does
''Ohl (the young voice was very pite-
ous) it was Il cruel kindness to keep it
from me- Now | shall never be Ralph
Ogden's wife"
Eleanor" expostulatcd her grand
mother, winding her arms around the
dropping form. He need never know
You can 90 and see your father. He says
it Will be the last time that he will ever
send for YOU"
Drawing herself away, Eleanor looked
firmly into the fearful face near her own.
GRANDMA, I will not bring a tainted
name to him love. can never marry
Ralph Cdgen"
That evening Mrs. Hamilton sent Tor
Mr. Stearns, and the TWO old friends had
long consultation together. The kind
LAWYERS eyes moistened as he heard of
Eleanor's grief.
1.-THE scoundrol," he CALCULATED, "after
running one life could he not have held
his peace and refrained from blighting
another? But stay" lie said, taking up
the letter and reading it; Il have
fought against the longing to
see you, my daughter, but can no long
er restrain myself. l promise you that
if you come TO me this once it will be
the last time you shall ever hear from
your wretch ed father This looks to
me as if he must be very sick-perhaps
dying"
$50 Eleanor thinks, and the noble
chrld persists in saying that she will go
at once to him. She declares it is her
duty. Poor, poor girl; see now that
this concealment has been very wrong"
"Do not fret, my friend; you and your
good husband could not look into the
future. You did as you thought for the
best. So Eleanor has written about it
to Mr.. Ogden? She is noble creature,
and II he is what he ought TO be, it
will bring him on the wings of the
wind
The next day a heavily-velled, girlish
figure and an old, gray-haired gentleman