Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-27
HILD1'S EXPERIMENT;
Or Earning Her Own Living.

Or Earning Her Own Living.
1t was tempestuous night in November.
The carved Dutch clock in Judge Hnrrson's
study had just struck .. Judge Harrison
himself, an austere looking, slver-haired
man, sat upright in his chair, gazing coldly
at his guest.
''Wel" said DR.. Hooper, putting on his
gloves, 'of course it isn't for me or any one
else to interfere in family matters But your
grandchild is left totally unproyided for, sir"
II cannot help that, said the Judge, frig-
idly. Eight years ago l offered to support
the child, and the father too, if he would on
ly consent TO leave that outlandish foreign
wife Of his. He married her against my will;
he clung to her against my will. Let him
abide by lis decision"
ITS only natural Judge, that man
should cloaye unto his wife" urged the doc
tor.
1T is only natural then, that man should
provide for the child Of that wife, DR.. Hoop
er. At all events, l shall assume no further
responsibility"
But Judge Harrison, you are a rich
man"
"Granted-but as made my money my
SELF feel that have a right TO spend it 10
suit myself"
'Hilda is fine girl, pleaded Dr. Hooper.
No doubt, no doubt but you will par
don INC if feel no very great anxiety to see
the child Of the German singing woman who
stole my sons heart away from me"
DIR. Hooper hestated.
Judge, he said at last, in a tone of ap-
pealing earnestness, you have another grand
daughter"
Il have. My daughters child, Marian
Lennox, makes il her home with me-"
And yet you would deny a similar home
to Hida Harrison:'
Judge uarrson's shaggy white brows met
in a straight, frowning line.
Doctor, said lie, you will fail TO make
distinction between dutiful child and one
who has been undutiful."
Let me see Miss Lennox,' said Dr. Hoop
or. Let me interest her in the fact of this
desolate unknown cousin. She has a woman's
heart in her bosom. am sure l 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 a ser
want, and the man noiselessly obeyed.
In another minute a tall prncess-like girl
stood in the room-a girl with hair of pale
gold, deep 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.
Marian" said the Judge, "this is DIR.
Hooper He has come here to plead the
cause of your uncle Severns daughter Hilda
Severn deliberately disobeyed me at first in
marrying Hildergrade Boehmer-he rejected
the offer l afterWard 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.
| say, as he has sown, SO let his child reap.
What do you say!"
Il think grandpapn is quite right, said
Marion, i'll sort, sweet voice "Grandpapa
is always right"
Then you have no word to speak for this
lonely little orphan 7" cried out DIR. Hooper,
deeply indignant. Marian laid her ringed
hand upon that of her grandfather and nestled
close to him.
Il always defer my judgment to that of
graudpapa," said sho-and Judge Harrison,
passing his arm around the girls waist, look
ed with ill-concealed triumph at the luckless
special pleader.
DR.. Hooper bowed, spoke his adieux and
departed.
When he returned to his own humble resi-
dence, dark-eyed girl met hIm at the door.
Have you seen him, Doctor-my grand
father Z" she cried eagerly.
DIR. Hooper nodded.
''It's 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 meE
NO"
Hida Harrison set her lips together.
well" said she, then l must manage to
provide for myself"
mo hurry, lass no hurry" said the kind
ly little doctor. go tell the wife to bring
me cup of hot coffee before l start out
again.
"IIilda," he said, presently, as he sat toast
ing his feet before the fire, with his wife knit
ting opposite and Judge Harrison's grand
daughter leaning against the window and
looking out into the stormy darkness, what
are you going to do 2"
Il don't think 1 quite know, Doctor"
"You are sixteen?"
Sixteen and half, sir"
And you cannot teach 7"
"Oh, dear, no, sir :" IIilda shook her head
decidedly. II had no chance for much cdu-
cation, travelling about as did"
Nor sew?"
mot well enough 10 adopt it for pro-
fession."
Then, for all l can see, there is nothing
left but to so into domestic service"
81 would take place tomorrow, Doctor
if l could get home and decent wages"
said EIilda, quickly.
Good" said DIR. Hooper "That is the
right spirit, child! don't fear but what
you'll make your way, in ono direction or an
other. But think l can see something a
little more promising ahead you than that"
"What is it, doctor ?"
II noticed the way you took care of your
poor father, Hilda, in his last illness. 1
thought then you would make good nurse
I think so now. There is an opening in
st. Francesca's hospital A good home and
81 per day"
"A nurse, doctorY
"As nurse"
"And shall see you sometimes? 2"
"Frequently-twicea Il week at least"
Hilda pondered a second or two and then
came forward with glistening eyes and red
lips apart.
doctor" said she, II will try it,"
And so Clement Harrison's granddaughter
donned the little muslin cap, print dress and
white ruffled apron of the st. Franciscan
corps of nurses, and set diligently to work
earning her own living.
A year passed by, and DIR. Wallace sent
word that nurse was wanted for a small
pox case in the city. The Sister Superior
looked obviously at her women.
"Who will go ?"' said she-and Hilda Har-
rison stepped forward
81 will, " said she II have no fears of the
contagion, and want to add to my expert
ence."
So little Hilda packed her bag and went.
The housekeeper of the great Fifth avenue
palace was wringing her hands, half terrified
out of her senses the other servants had |
taken precipitate leave.