The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-19

rough way, sit only to amuse children oi
idiots"
"oh, pshaw, Uncle Rupert /" Flora said
saucily; ''you played April fool tricks, too
when you were young"
Never! Never could see any wit o,
sense in them. And what's more Miss
Flora, was never once caught by any oi
the shallow deceits."
'Never made an April fool ?"
'Never, and never will be-, was the re.
ply, "But, there, child, 60 play that last
nocturne you learned. 1t suits me. l hate
sky-roeket music, but that is o dreamy,
lazy air, andsI like it,"
1.-The idea of your liking anything
dreamy or Lazy" said Mrs. Kimberly.
81 thought you were oil energy and ac-
tivity."
when l work, work. was the reply;
but when rest, I want to rest"
"Uucle Rupert" broke in Rupert, sud.
denly Twill you bet can't fool you next
week ?"
bah The idea of getting to my acc
to be fooled by boy like you'll"
Then you defy me?"
'Of course do"
"l'll do it. Keep your eyes open.r
"Forewarned is forearmed. But como,
stop chatting. want my music"
Pretty. saucy, mirth-loving Flora, with
her dancing black eyes and brilliant smile,
did not look like very prominent inter
prefer OF dreamy, lazy music;" but once
her hands touched the keys of the grand
pianoforse, the girls whole nature seemed
to merge into the sounds she crented
Merry music made dancing elves of her
fingers as they flew over the notes; dreamy
music Grew mesh of hushed beauty over
ler face, and her great black eyes would
Ilate and seem to see far away, as the
room filed with the sweet low cadences,
She would look like an inspired Joan of
Arc when grand chords rolled out un-
der her hands in majestic measures.
md sacred music transformed her into
3omething sanity. Once the rosewood
case was closed, ST. Cecilia became pretty,
winning Flora Kimberly again.
There were few influences t.at cou,a
soften the outer crust of manner of Rupert
Smithson, but he would hide his face away
when Flora played, trying to hide the tears
that started, or the smiles that hoyered on
bis lips, as the music pierced down, down
into that warm, loving heart be had
tried TO conceal with cynical words and
looks.
So when the final chords of tho nocturne
melted softly into silence the Old bachelor
stole away uud left tho house, bidding no
one farewell. They wero accustomed to
his singular ways, and no one followed
him; but Ers. Kimberly sighed, as she
said:-
Rupert gets older ard crusticr every
year"
"But he is 80 good" Flora sa;d, leaving
her piano-stool with whirl that kept it
spinning around very giddily.
"Why don't he get married2" said Ru-
pert ''It's downright shame TO keep
hat splendid house shut up year after year,
except just the few rooms Uncle Rl.pert
md Mrs. Jones occupy"
81 mean to ask him." Flora exclaimed |
mo. no" said Mrs. Kimberly, hastily;
never speak of that to your uncle Flora
,ever."
"But why not ?"
81 never told you before, but your uncle
vas engaged years ago, and there was some
rouble. never understood about it ex.
lctly, for was married and left Wilton
he same year that Rupert came to New
York. But this l do 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 attached
o her, and that you would wound him,
Flora, if You jeSted about marriage"
but don't mean to jest at all. think
,e would be ever SO much happier if he
rad some one to love. and some one to love
lin in return. It must be terribly lone.
ome in that large house with no compan-
on but Mrs. Jones, who is one hundred
,ears old, I am certain"
HE ought to marry her." said Rupert;
she always calls him dearie."
Don't, children, jest about ii any
ncre," said the mother, land be sure
'ou never mention the subject to your
lncls."
The first of April was clear, rather cold
10y, the air bright and swapping, and the
ky all treacherous smiles, as became
he coquettish month of sunshine and
howers.
"Uncle Rupert, finishing his lonely break
ast, soliloquized to himself
81 must be on the lookout to-day for
aupert's promised trick. He won't find II