Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-04-27
TIE FIRST OF APRIL,

on his palette for the nut-brown tresses of
the Maid Marian" that he was putting on
canvas, "she don't love mel She can't! No
woman ever yet treated man so, If she
cared two straws for him."
But it was not of Maid Marian he was
thinking; it was Of Dolly Brooke, the pref
ty girl whose mother had rented the old
brown brick house at the corner of the
street, and whose eyes are so blue and
sparkling ana yet 80 cruelty cold.
He had been introduced to her, and met
her great many times that winter. He
had even danced with her at the Blue Bell
Sociables, held her hand in the Caledoni-
ans, and stood beside her in the Virginia
Reel.
He did not,think, from her manner, that
she absolutely dishked him, but he was
very sure that she did not care for him.
And this unreasonable young artist made
hims. If miserable accordingly.
She Is such a darling!" he said to him.
self-"suoh human rosebud, with ooloring
In her hair such as Titan never dreamed
OF, and eyes that Salvador Rosa would have
painted in ultra marine with blue
shadows! But MLe,e is the use Of my
moaning about herr I'd better accept
Raymonds offer, and 60 to Rome with him,
even il have to starve there in a garrett
Aie Will pcIuhPo oIulk6 On ul6, Out DOllN
Brooke, never will!'
And he painted on, resentfully dabbiug
away at Maid Mariau's" round nose. VITA
o heart as heavy as If it were moulded In
lead. While at that very moment, Dolly
Brooke Cher Christian name was Dorothea)
was busting the parlor at home, with her
head tied up in blue cambria sweeping.
cap and her lovely cheeks heightened with
true feminine exercise; while Norah, the
help, stood meekly in the doorway, with q
sorubbing brush In her hand.
Yes, if you please, miss!" said Norah.
"A letter from Mike-an, if you please to
answer 1t, miss, for not wurred can /
writei"
Dolly left of polishing the base of the
little statuette of Oeres, and looked at No.
rah, with prettily puzzled expression of
countenance.
But, Norah. said she. "how absurd all
this isl How can I answer Michael's lettsrI
How shall know what to say to him2"
-Surs, miss" said Norah, her honest
eyes tightening up, an that's aisy enough
Just tell him, in fine, scholarly writing,
miss, that love him with all my hear
That's what I want him to understand, miss;
for, sure, he amt quiet in his mind about
it. an he's way off IN County Roscommon,
Ireland
Very well, said Dolly, half smiling al
the idea, ~I'n try. Come to my room in
half an hour, Norah"
And Dolly, inexorabls locked out her two
little brothers, whs were enraged at thell
being debarred from the fun of hearing
Norah's love-letter.
Go about your business, boys" said
Dolly severely. ats no affair of yours. I"
Johnny and Billy looked Indignantly 1t
one another.
well serve her out!" said Johnny.
We'll let he, know!' automatically re-
sponded Billy.
And these young lads, with their CHR 8
balanced on the garden wall, like Raphaels
cherups, betook themselves to throwirt
stones at the cat, while they consulted as
to the special variety OF Nemesis which
should be visited on Dolly's unconscious
head.
Il have got It'll" said Johnny, shifting his
leg, atlast.
-Eh?" said Billy.
We'll make an April fool of her!" shout
ed Johnny.
yes; but howl" said Billy.
"Ah-h.hl" said Johnny. You always
was q softly, Bill. I'll telyou by.and:by.
"Now, Norah," sail Dolly, seated at the
table with the fresh sheet of paper, the new
steel pen and standish of violet ink befor.
her, how are we to beginP Dear Mike2 ,
Sure, miss. said Norah, who was stand
ing respectfully near the door, with clean
calico apron, "an' amt that too plain like?
Make it little sweeter. miss-the saints be
good to you'll An just tell him love him
and I'll be constant to him to the wurreld's
end Therel"
Very WE'LL" said Dolly, contracting her
brows. Keep still for few minutes-very
still. mindi"
And Norah, shifting her weight from one
foot to the other, scarcely dared to breathe,
until at last Dolly flung aside the pen and
pushed back her chair, reading out what
she had composed with all the grace of
rhetorical effect.
will that do2" she asked.
And Norah, clasping he hands in delight,
answered.:
Och, miss, an book-print itself couldn't
be finer! An if yen sign it Your own true
love- Mike'l know who it is true and GER
tain."
There is mammals bell" said Dolly
suddenly. Run, Norahl Well inclose
the letter In an envelope, and post it after
dinner. There has been quite enough time
wasted in love-letter writing already"
And then she sat down, and fell into a
sort of half conscious reverie.
"All the girls have lovers" she said, to
herself; even poor Norah, who can neither
read nor writei They all have lovers ex-
except mel aOh, wonder-I wonder how
it would seem to have q lover2"
And instinctively her thoughts wandered
off to Bolton Bellew, the handsome, pale
browed young artist, whose studio was on
the next street.
"Ah," she pondered, "he thinks of moth
ing but his arti He has no time to dream
Of lovei And If he had, am scarcely vain
enough to fancy that he would care for
mer'
And Dolly Brooke crisd a little, she did
not know why. But when she came up
stairs after dinner, the love-letter was gone.
Dolly looked around her with fright
ened face. The easement window was
open little way to admit the fresh March
sunshine, and she could only imagine the
breeze had whirled the sheet out Of the
window.
Poor Norahl' thought Dolly. "she shall
uot be disappointed"
And 30 she sat down and wrote it all over
again as near as she could recollect the i'm
FASHIONED phrases, enclosed it in an envel-
ops. and directed it circumstantially, tc
"Mr. Michael Mullany. Blaney Hill. Coun.
ty Roscommon, Ireland"
And then she herself carried to the DOS,
box on the corner, directly under the win
dows Of Mr.. Bellows studio; while Billie
and Johnny. in the wood shed at the enc
of the garden, were Cycling over the first
copy Of poor Norah's tender effusion.
"Weu kill two birds with one stone,
said the precious Billy, whose rancor hat
= been heightened by Dolly's refusal to give
him three helpings of raspberry jam at din.
ner. Wen make an April fool Of tina
Bellew fellow that comes prowling around
to see Dolly, and well play jolly game OF
her!"
And Johnny, sitting hugging his knees
on the floor, chuckled aloud at the pros
poet.
The first Of April dawned chill and bleal
and showery, like anything but the brigh
precursor of spring, and Mr.. Bellew was
just setting to work on Maid Marian,
when TIE postman raped loudly at til.
door. and letter directed in Johnny