White Oaks eagle., 1895-09-05
STOOD THE ORDEAL.

Il really must be In bad dream, said
Mr.. Delmaine, staring at his pretty daush-
ter Leslie as II she were some startling
freak of the chronological kingdom.
" Base child, do I understand you Alright?
Have you actually promised to wed this
penniless artist-you, the sole hciress OF
half million?
Il 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 daughtor-go with the man of your
choicel What Is it to you that have an
organic affection which renders excite
ment fatal--that may
'Oh, papar' cried Leslie, making a
rush in his direction.
But loftily he waved her back.
"Dcparti' he resumed. Abide by
your choice You are no longer child Of
mino. Away with the oentless one who
has won you from my arms! Do not speak
to mel Do not address mel Leave me to
perish alone with this fatal organize
Earl Palmer the cent tless one' referred
to- seized Leslie hand at this juncture and
drew her toward the door.
"Oh, hasten! Oh, lot us not lingori
Oh, hy-let us fy-for we must!" 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 rs well be married at
once" said Earl. His eccentricites will
strike in and kill him some day instead
of that organic affection on which he
harps. Was no ever illi''
Never" answered Leslie solemnly
His health is perfect / hoped he would
receive the news of our engagement differ
entity, Earl He likes you, but no likes to
show his authority. He does not dream
! would over take him at his word. I've
a notion to elopo with you since he has
ordered me to depart--just to teach him a
lesson"
Needless to say the plan met with Earl's
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 a wee cozy cot
tago In tho 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 ana 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 worry happy. No word came from her
father in his great lonely house up town.
He had apparently forgotten hor worry OK
istenGe.
One evoning, a month after their mar
riage Earl Gamo homo to find his little
wifo in a state of high excitement. "Oh,
Earl, she said eagerly, 'such queer olj
organ grinder stopped in front Of the house
today and played that little Italian all
you always liked SO we'll. threw him q
quarter, and what doyou thinkS He let il
lie in tho road and asked mo in tho queer
est chokcd voice for q glass Of water.
won't to the kitchen TO get it, and when
came back he was standing in tho parlol
looking at papa's picture over there.
tell you l was frightened. :"
"What did you do?" asked her husband
looking startled.
Il told him to go at once, and he stop
| Ped outside and played Byruns Fare
VOL, thon waved his dirty hand and wen
away. Why, Earl, what is itt' she brokt
off as tho young man picked up "A scrap o
green paper from the floor and eyed j
incrodulOusly.
"A $50 bill, " he gaspod, holding 1t VI
to view. Your organ grinder is ras
cally connterfcitor, Leslie, dear, and is try
ing to get us into trouble. III give thi
to an expert tomorrow.
lie did SO, and to his nstonishmen
found the note genuine. On his rG5url
that nigh5 Leslie met him with an ac
count Of second visit from the organ
grinder and showed him second nUto sh
had found on tho doorstOp held in plac
by small stone Ii WAS for 500 thi!
time and Earl nearly tainted with sur
prise.
AN old Italian throwing money roun
nfter that fashionl" he ejaculatod, sink
ing into q chair and drawing Leslie d0wl
on his kuoe He must be a prince il
Disguise. See how true goodness Ia Ie
warded, darling. Wo obeyol the dictate
Of our hearts and got married, and nov
that our father has forsal;on us, 10, an OF
gan grinder takes us up. But organ grind
crs vino 20 round dropping 500 note
are dangerous customers. shall stay &
home with you tomorrow and interview
tho mysterious old follow If no come
again"
lie was as good as his word, but the da
wore on without sign of tho musical itir
Grant. They had given him up mt las
and stood together at tho pnrlor wlndo'
watching the tlcas Of sunset In tho ives
An odd, cho,,d cough startled them, an
hcth turned 20 find the identical orga
grinder, who bad unpcfcoived, entered I'll
open door of tho parlor and stood GRIMM
ut them.
"OGt with you'll" was al Earl could 81
In voice Of fierce Indignation.
Tho venerable uTondor answered b
dropping his organ, selling the nstonishe
j Leslie in bis arms and kissing her in
most insane manner.
For an instant Farl stood as IN q horr
bio nightmare. Thon ho r,ado q wild rus
at the Italian, Prasping him by the cola
and dragged him toward tho door. II
grasped ut his Intel, aud resisting Il
young mans strength threw his aru
around him fgai. ticIlly, burying his pi
trinrchal head IN his bosom.
Fearing eon;agioD Earl extricatcd hin
self with difficulty, hhilo tho scominel
dementcd Visitor kicked over the Orgal
and thiugtinQ his hands into bis poke