The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-07-23
.Senseless. absurd tricks Runner

Smithson had called them, in his
abrupt, rough way, "iii only to amuse
children or idiots.'
"Oh, pshaw, Uncle Rupert !.
Fannie said, saucily, you played
April fool tricks, too, when you were
young.
Never. Never could see any wit
or sense in them. And what's more.
Mss Fannie, was never once caught
by any Of the shallow deeeits.r
Never made an april fool :'
Never and never viii be - was
the reply. There. child, 20 play me
that last rOcturne YOU learned. 1t
suits me. | hate skv,roeket music,
but that is dreamy, lazy air, and
( like it,"
The idea OF YOU liking anything
dreamy or lazy" said Mrs. Kimberly.
Il thought YOU were all energy and
activity"
When | work, | work :" was the
reply; but when | rest, want to
rest
"Uncle Rupert" broke in Rupert,
suddenly, what will you bet can't
fool YOU next week r
Bah! The idea of getting to nv
age to be fooled by boy like you.n
Then YOU defy me -
"0f course | do"
I'm do it. Keep your eyes open. !"
"Forewarned is forearmed, But
come stop chatting / want my
music"
Pretty. saucy, mirth-loving Fannie,
with her dancing black ewes and
brilliant smile, did not look like
very promising interpreter of dreamy.
lazy music" but once her hands
touched the KEYS of the grand piano
forte, the girls whole nature seemed
to merge into the sounds she created.
Merry music made dancing elves of
her fingers as they few over the notes:
dreamy music drew mask of hushed
beauty over her face, and her great
black ewes wouid dilate and seem to
see far away beauties as the room
filed with the sweet, low cadenees.-
She would look like an inspired Joan
Of Are when grand chords rolled out
under her hands in majestic measures,
and sacred music transformed her
beauty into something sanity. Once
the rosewood case was closed St.
Cecilia became pretty winsOme
Fannie Kimberley again
There We're few influences that
could soften the outer crust of manner
in Rupert Smithson, but be would
hide his face away when Fannie
PLAYED ashamed himself Of tears that
started, or smiles that lowered on his
lips s. the music pierced down, down
into that warm loving heart he had
tried to conceal with cynical words
and looks.
So when the final chords of the
nocturEe melted softly into silence,
the old bachelor stole away and left
the house, bidding no one faIewell-
They were accustomed 70 his singular
WAYS, and no one followed him, but
Mrs. Kimberley sighed, as she said
Rupert gets odder and crastier
every year"
But ne is so good.r Fannie said,
leaving her piano stool with a twirl
that kept it spinning round giddily.
Why don't be get married - said
Rupert 1t is downright shame to
have that splendid house shut up
wear after wear, excepting just the few
rooms Uncle Rupert and Mrs. Jones
occupy"
Il mean 10 ask him - Fannie said,
impulsively.
NO. no - said Mrs. Kimberly.
hastily, never speak of that to Your
uncle, Fannie Never!r
Bat why not ?"
Il never told You before, but your
uncle was engaged wears ago, and
there was some trouble | never un-
derstoOd about it exactly. for | was
married and left Wilton the same
year that Rupert came to New York
But this | do know: the lady after
waiting three or four years, married,
and Rupert has never been the same
man since. | am quite sure be was
very much attached to her, and that
You would wound him, Fannie, if you
jested about marriage"
But | don't mean to jest at all i
think he would be ever so much hap
pier if he had some one TO love, and
some one to love him in return. 1t
must be dreadfully lonesome in that
large house with no companion but
Mrs. Jones, who is one hundred years
old. | am certain.
He ought to marry her. said
Rupert: she always calls him dearie." "
Don't children, jest about it any /
more, " said the mother, "and be sure /
you never mention the subject to your
uncle"
The first of April was a clear, /
rather cold day. the air bright and /
swapping. and the sky all treacherous
smiles, a. became the cOqueiish month
Of sunshine and showers.
Uncle Rupert, finishing his lonely
breakfast, thought to himself:
Il must be on the lookout to-day.
for RuperI's promised trick, He
won't fnd it 80 easy as he imagines
to fool his old uncle. Who's there s''
The last two words in answer TO a
timid knock upon the door.
Ii was certainly not easy 10 aston
sh Rupert Smithson, but his eyes
opened with a most unmistakable ex-
preston Of amaZement as the door
opened 70 admit tall slender figure
IN deep mourning, and a low, very i
sweet voice asked -
"Is this the landlord - +
"The-the-what g'
II called about the house. sir.r