English story read back to gladden (5)

I believe the answer is:

elate

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'gladden' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'english story read back' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'story read' becomes 'etal' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'etal' reversed gives 'late'.
'e'+'late'='ELATE'

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for elate that I've seen before include "Doctor suitor to Anne Page (MWOW)" , "Bring joy" , "transport?" , "Make happy or joyful" , "Overjoy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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