Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-03-26
STOOD THE ORDEAL.

'I really must be In bad dream said
Mr. Dolmaine, staring at his pretty daugh-
Dor Leslie as II she were somo startling
freak OF the chronological kingdom.
"Base child, do i understand you Alright?
Have You actually promised to wed this
ponniless artist-you, the solo heiress OF
half millions'
81 actually have, 4" confessed Leslie, with
ayes a-droop
"Then go" he said, striking an atti-
tudo which would have disgraced Salvini
himself. $50, marble hearted and unfeel-
Ing daughtor-go with the man Of your
choicel What Is IL to you that have an
organic affection which renders excite
ment fatal-thnt may
''Oh, papa' cried Leslie, making
rush In his direction.
But loftily no waved her back.
"Departl" no resumed. "Abido by
your choice. You are no longer child Of
mine Away with the centlcss one who
has won you from my arms Do not speak
TO mol DO not address me! Leave me to
perish alone with this fatal organic
Earl Palmer; tho "centless one" referred
Co. seized Leslies hand at this junoture and
drew her toward the door.
"Oh, hastenl Oh, let US not linger!
oh, fiy-let us fy--for we mnst" he
quoted In seeming terror.
Before the old gentleman could finish
his interrupted sentence they wero 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 eccontricities will
strike in and kill him some day instead
OF that organic affection on which he
harps. Was he ever ills''
Never" answered Leslie soemnly.A
"His health is perfect hoped he would
receive the news of our engagement differ
entity, Earl Ho likes you, but he likes to
show his authority. He does not dream
would ever take him at his word. I've
notion to e!ope with you since he has
ordered me to Iopart--just to teach him
lesson"
Needless to say tho plan met with Earls
unqualified approval, and in less than an
hours timo the elopement was an accom-
plisbed fact. a brief note to Mr.. Delmaine
apprising him Of 1.-The affair was dropped
into a postbox, and then Mr.. and Mrs.
Palmer took possession of a wee cozy cot
tage In the suburbs of Omaha far from
the 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
rjage, Earl came homo to find his little
wife in state of high excitement. "Oh,
Earl" she said eagerly, "such 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 do you think! He let it
lie in the road and asked me in the queer
est choked voice for glass of water. 1
went to the kitchen to get 1t, and when /
came back he YVES standing in tho parlor
looking at papas picture over there.
tell you was frightened.
"What did you dor" asked her husband.
looking startled.
II told him TO 60 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
of as the young man picked up scrap of
green paper from the floor and eyed it
incredulously.
"a $50 bill, " he gasped, holding it up
to view Your organ grinder is ras-
cally counterfeter 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 astonishment
found the note genuine. On his return
that night Leslie met him with an ac-
count of a second visit from the organ
grinder and showed him second note she
had found on the doorstep, held In place
by q small stone. 1t was for 500 this
time, and Earl nearly tainted with sur
prise.
IAN old Italian throwing money round
after that fashlon!" he calculated, sink
ing into a chair and drawing Leslie down
on his knee. He must DO a prince in
disguise. SEQ how true goodness is re-
warded, darling We obeyed the dictates
of our hearts and got married, and now
that our father has forsaken us, 10, an or
gan grinder takes us up. But organ grind
ers who go round dropping 500 notes
are dangerous customers. ! shall stay at
home with you tomorrow and interview
the mysterious old fellow IL he comes
again.
wore on without sign Of the musical tin-
Grant They had given him up at last
and stood together at the 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, unperceiyed, entered the
open door Of the parlor and stood grinning
at them.
"Out with youl" was all Earl could saw
in voice Of fierce Indignation.
The venerable offender answered by
dropping his organ, seiZing the astonished
Leslie in his arms and kissing her I'm
most insane manner.
For an instant Earl stood as in horri-
bio nightmare Then he made wild rush
mt the Italian, arasping 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 ma