Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-05-07
STOOD THE ORDEAL.

freak of the chronological kingdom.
" Base child, do l understand you Alright?
Have you actually promised to wed this
pennilcss artist-you, the sole heiress of
half millionf'
II actually have, confessed Leslie, with
eyes a-droop
Then go!'' he said, striking an atti-
tude which would have disgraced Salvini
himself. go, marble hearted and unfeel-
ing daughter-go with the man of your
choice! What is it to you that have an
organic affection which renders excite
ment fatal-that may
"Oh, papap' cried Leslie, making q
rush In his direction.
But loftily he waved her back.
"Depart!" he resumed. ''Abide by
your choice. You are no longer child of
mine. Away with the centless one who
has won you from my arms! Do not speak
to mel Do not address me! Leave me to
perish alone with this fatal organize
Earl Palmer, the "centless one' referred
to,seized Leslie's hand at this junoture and
drew her toward the door.
"Oh, hasten! Oh, let us not linger!
Oh, fy-let us fly-for we must!' he
quoted in seeming terror.
Before the old gentleman could finish
his interrupted sentence they were both
outside, and Leslie was clinging to her
lovers arm, half in tears, half in laugh
ing.
Come, darling, he has given his con-
SENT and we may as we'll be married at
once" said Earl. His eccentricities will
strike in and kill him some day instead
Of that organic affection on which he
harps. Was he ever illf'
Never" answered Leslie solemnly.
His health is perfect, hoped he would
receive the news of our engagement differ
entity, Earl. He likes you, but he likes to
show his authority. He does not dream
would ever take him at his word. I've
a notion to elope with you since he has
lessonh
p Needless to say the plan met with Earls
unqualified approval, and in less than an
hours time the elopement was an accom-
plished fact. A brief note to Mr. Delmaine
apprising him Of the affair was dropped
into a postbox, and then Mr.. and Mrs.
Palmer took possession of wee cozy cot
tage in the suburbs of Omaha far from
tho madding crowd.
Earl had studio down town. Though
he had as yet attained no startling degree
of success In his chosen profession, he was
an artist of rare talent and had his pa
irons. 1t was somewhat lonely for Leslie,
left to her own devices all day, but she
busted herself with household affairs and
was very happy. No word came from her
father in his great lonely house up town.
He had apparently forgotten her very ex-
istence.
One evening, month after their mar.
rage, Earl came home to find his little
wife in state of high excitement "Oh,
Earl she said eagerly, ''such a queer old
organ grinder stopped in front of the house
today and played that little Italian air
you always liked so we'll. threw him
quarter, and what doy Think He let 1t
lie in the road and asked me in the queer
est choked voice for glass Of water. /
went to the kitchen to get 1t, and when I
came back he was standing in the parlor
looking at papa's picture over there. I
tell you was frightened
looking startled. .......
II told. him to go at once, and he step
ped outside and played Byron's Fare
WE'LL, then waved his dirty hand and went
away Why, Earl, what is it," she broke
off as the young man picked up scrap Of
green paper from the floor and eyed 1t
incrsdulously.
"a $50 BILL, he gasped, holding it up
to view. Your organ grinder is ras
cally counterfeiter, Leslie dear, and is try
ing to get us into trouble. I'll give this
to an expert tomorrow"
He did so, and to his establishment
found the note genuine. On his return
that night Leslie met him with an ac-
grinder and showed him second note she
had found on the doorstep, held in place
by small stone. 1t was for 500 this
time, and Earl nearly tainted with sur
prise.
IAN old Italian throwing money round
after that fashion," he calculated, sink
ing into chair and drawing Leslie down
on his knee. He must be a prince In
disguise. See how true goodness ia re-
warded, darling. We obeyed the dictates
of our hearts and got married, and now
that our father has forsakon u.s. 10, an Or
gan grinder takes us up. But organ grind
ers who go round dropping 500 notes
are dangerous customers. I shall stay at
home with you tomorrow and interview
the mysterious old fellow If he comes
again"
He was as good as his word but the day
wore on without sign of the musical itin-
Grant. They had given him up at last
and stood together at tho parlor window
watching the fires of sunset In the west.
An odd, choked cough startled them, and
both turned to find the identical organ
grinder, who had, unperceived, entered the
open door of the parlor and stood 9rinnins
at them.
"Out with you'll" was all Earl could say
in voice of fierce Indignation.
The venerable offender answered by
dropping his organ, selling the astonished
Leslie in his arms and kissing her in q
most insane manner
BILE nightmare. Then he made wild rush
at the Italian, grasping him by the collar,
and dragged him toward the door. He
grasped at his Intel, and resisting the
young mans strength threw his arms
around him frantically, burying his pa
triarchal head in his bosom.
Fearing oontagion, Earl extricated him
self with difficulty, while the seemingly
demented visitor kicked over the organ,
and thrusting his hands Into his pockets
withdrew notes, silver and gold and flung
them on the carpet in wild profusion.
"You moonstruck Vanderbilt! Desist
or I must give you in charge"
cried Earl in strong excitement. "How
did you get SO many wheels in your head,
RothsCHild?"
No answer again save acts OFF came
the apostolic beard with Its environment
Of dirt. Down went the greasy rabbit skin
cap. One jerk, and, 10, the mustache had
departed. Like full moon beamed upon
the surprised young people tho smiling
face OF Leslie's father. In another mo-
mcnt she was sobbing and laughing, both
at once, upon his bosom.
UChi1dron ~ said tho old gentleman