The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-10-24

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 eyes
would dilate and seem to see far away
beauties as the room filed with the
sweet, low cadences.
She would look like an inspired Joan
Of Arc when grand chords rolled out
under her hands in majestic measures,
andsacred music transformed her bean
ty into something sanity. When once
the rosewood case closed, Saint Ceci-
liza became pretty, winsome Fannie
Kimberly again.
There were few influences that
could soften the outer crust of manner
in Rupert Smithson, but he would
hide his face away when Fannie play
ed, ashamed of the tears that started,
or smiles that lowered on his lips as
the music piercing down into that
warm, loving heart he had tried to
conceal with cynical words and looks.
So, when the first chords of the noe
turn melted softly into silence, the old
bachelor stole away and left the house,
bidding 10 one farewell
They were accustomed to his singu-
lar ways, and no one followed him, but
Mrs. Kimberly sighed as she said:
| "Rupert gets more odd and crusty
every year"
But he is good" Fannie said, leav-
ing her piano stool with twirl that
kept 1t spinning around gid,lily.
"Why don't he get married. asked
Rupert. 1T is downright shame to
have that splendid house shut up year
after year, excepting just the few
rooms Uncle Rupert and Mrs, Jones
occupy"
Il mean to ask him. said Fannie,
impulsively.
mo, 'noln said Mrs. Kimberly, hasti-
ly, "never speak of that to your uncle,
Fannie, neverl"
"But why not?'
II never told you before, but your
uncle was engaged years ago, and there
was some trouble. never understood
about exactly it, for | was married
aud lett Wilton the same year that
Rupert came to New York. But this
, lido know; the lady after waiting three
or four years, married, and Rupert has
never been the same man since. am
quite sure he/was very much attach
ed 10 her, and that you would wound
him, FANNIE, if yon jested about mar
rlage.'
"But | don't mean to jest at all.
TANK he would be ever SO much hap
pier il he bad some one to love, and
some one to love him i'll return. II
musl be d,eadtully lonesome in tha,
large house with 10 companion bul
, Mrs. Jones, who is 100 years old, l an
, certain,
! "Ile ought to marry her." sale
, Rupert, "she always calls him 'dearie. "
Don't, children, jest about it any
more, said their mother, "and he sure
YOU never mention the su1Jec TO you
Y uncle, ....-
/. The first OF April WAS a clear rath
,er cold day, the air bright and. snap
a ping, and the sky all treacherous will
!. sm,les as became the coquettsh mont
r. ol sunshine and showers.
y Uucie Rapert, finishing his lionel.
breakfast, and thought 10 himself;
y ii must he on the lookout toda,
i tor Rnperls romised trick! lie won
!. tit,d II 50 easy as he lmagnes TO 100
hts old uncle. Who's thereF In
a lasl two w orEs in answer to a some
~ What tinid knock on Tie door.
= IL was not easy 70 astOnlsh Rnper
II Smnbsun, but has eyes opened with a
= uuInlslakable expression Of anlazemen
as Tie door opened TO admit "a tal
ender'bgnre IN deep mourning, an
|. low, tely sweet voice asked:
t. lis this this the landlordF'
ii "1he-lhe-whalW
>. 81 called about The house, sir"
. "WhaL house? Take seaC-sut
i denly recalling his pohteuess.
ir lis not this No, 40 W-place"
N Certainly 1t is. .a
" "l have been looking out for som
,s time tor furnished house suitable tc
# boarders, sir, and il | find this OIL
IN suits me, aud the rent is not Ia
ID high e.,
IS "Bul--" interrupted the astonisl
RI ed bachelor.
N ~O, hope it is not taken. The al
se veatIsemenL said TO call between 8 an
os 9, and it struck 8 as | stood on Ii
ID door step"
ID 70, ,he advertisement, Oh, h
Master Rupert. This is your doing
,g IS 1t: viii you let me see the adVe
,e tlsemenl, madam"
m "You have the paper in your han
!. sir, she SAID, timldly. 81 did not q
IT out."
RI 10, you saw it in the paper" an
h. he turned to the lisL OF houses TO le
il. Sure enough there it was.
40 let, turnished-three stor
n. brown-stone front, basement, al
ri rather full description OF the a
yantages of the premises, with Il
II emphatic addIllon, "call only betwet
q S aud . M"
j $50 as to be sure am at home, Il
y rascal" SAID Rupert amllhsOn, layir
" aside the paper. Il am sorry, ma
he am," he sald, that you have had u
Al trouble OF calling upon useless g
,e. rand"
e. "rhen il is taken Z" said very di
appointed voice, aud the heavy craI
,s veil was lliled TO snow sweet, ma
=. 1 ronly lace, framed III that most ga
~ dest OF all badges, widow cap.
p .Well, no, said the perpIex'
"a bachelor, 'it Is not exactIy taken"
III ''rerbaps yoa object 10 boarders
"You want TO taSe boarders r.
RI answered, thinking how ladyllke Al
,'t genleel she iooked, aud wondered
she had long been a widow.
nv Yes, sir; but l would be We
careful about the reference"
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