The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-09

Base GQllQ- 90 understand you aElGnEf
Have you actually promised to wed this
penniless artist-you, the sole heiress of
half a milliou?"
II actually have " confessed Leslie, with
eyes a-droop.
''Then gol'' he said, striking an atti-
tude which would have disgraced SalviRi
himself go, marble hearted and Unfeel-
ing daughter-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, papal" 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 armsl Do not speak to mel
Do not address mel Leave me to perish
alone with this fatal organize
Earl Palmer, the ''centless one'' referred
to, seized Leslie's hand at this juncturs
and drew her toward the door.
'Oh, hastenl Oh, let us not hngeri Oh,
hy-let US fy-for we mustl'' he quoted
in seeming terror
Before the old gentleman could finish
his interrupted sentence they were both
outside, and Leslie was clinging to her
lover arm, half in tears, half in laughing.
Come, darling, he has given his con-
sent and we may as well 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 il1?''
Never answered Leslie soIemnIy.
"His health is perfect. I hoped he would
receive the news OF our engagement differ
emily, 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 or
dered me to depart-just to teach him
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, coy cot
tage in the suburbs OF Omaha far from the
madding crowd
Earl had a studio down town. Though
he had as yet attained no startling degree
OF success in his chosen profession he was
artist of rare talent and had his patrons
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 existence.
One evening, a month after their mar
riage, Earl came home to find his little
wife in state of high excitement. tOh,
Karl, T" 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 well. L threw him a quar-
ter, and what do you think? He let it lie
in the road and asked me in the eueerest
choked voice for a glass of water. went
to the kitchen to get it, and when 1 came
back he was standing in the parlOr look
ing at papa's picture over there 1 tell
you 1 was frightened.
what did you do?' asked her husband,
looking startled
Il told him to go at once, and he step
ped outside and played Byron's Farewell
then waved his dirty hand and went away.
Why, Earl, what is it?' she broke off as
the young man picked up a scrap of green
paper from the floor and eyed it incredu-
lousy.
"A $50 bill, - he gasped, holding it up
to view. - Your organ grinder is Il rascallys
cOunterfeiter, Leslie, dear, and is trying
to get US into trouble III 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 account
of a second visit from the organ grinder
and showed him a second note she had
found on the doorstep, held in place by a
small stone. 1t was for 500 this time,
and Earl nearly tainted with surprise.
An old Italian throwing money round
after that fashion, he calculated, sinking
into a chair and drawing Leslie down on
his knee He must be a prince in dis
guise. See how true goodness is rewarded,
darling. We obeyed the dictates of our
hearts and got married, and now that our
father has fOrsaken u.s. 10, an organ grind
er takes us up But organ grinders who
go round dropping 500 notes are danger
Gus customers. 1 shall stay at home with
you tomorrow and interview the nysteri-
Gus old fellow if he comes again. -
He was as good as his word, but the day
vpifhO41f5 a Gic Cf
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, unperceived entered the
open door of the parIor and stood grinning
at them.
"Out with youl" was all Earl could say
in voice of fierce Indignation.
The venerable offender answered by
dropping his organ, seizing the astonished
Leslie in his arms and kissing her in =
most insane manner.
For an instant Earl stood as in a horri-
bic 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 contagion, 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
instantly or 1 must give you in chargel'
cried Earl in strong excitement. How
did you get so many wheels in your head,
venerable Rothschild?"
No answer again save acts. OF 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 a full moon beamed upon
the surprised young people the smiling