River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-05-29

SIC MADE dancing ewes or her fingers as
they flew over the notes. Dreamy mu-
sic drew mesh of hushed beauty over
her face, and her great black eyes would
dilate and seem to see far away, as the
room filled with the sweet, low caden-
ces. She would look like an inspired
Joan of Are, when grand chords rolled
out under her hands In majestic meas
ures, and sacred music transformed her
into something sanity, Once the rose
wood case was closed, st Cecilia became
pretty, winsome Fanny Kimberly again
There were few influences that could
soften the upper crust of manner of
Rupert Smithson, but he could hide his
face away when Fanny played, ashamed
of himself of tears that started or smiles
that lowered on his lips, as the music
pierced down into that warm loving
heart he had tried to conceal with Gym
zeal words and looks.
So, when the final chords of the
nocturne melted softly into silence, the
old bachelor stole away and left the
house, bidding no one farewell. They
were accustomed to his singular ways,
ard no one followed him, but
Mrs. Kimberly sighed, as she said !:
Rupert gets older and crustier every
year"
"But is so good, Fannie said, leaving
the piano stool with twirl that kept it
spinning around giddily.
"Why don't he get married ?" said Ru-
pert. Its downright shame to keep
that splendid house shut up year after
year, except just the few rooms Uncle
Rupert and Mrs. Jones occupy"
81 mean to ask him. Fannie said, inn
pulsiyely.
"No, no, said Mrs. Kimberly, hastily.
"Neyer speak of that to your uncle Fan
ny-neyer."
"But why not?"
never told you before, but your I'M
Gle was engaged years ago, and there
was some trouble. never understood
about it exactly, for l 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 he was very much attached to her,
and that you would wound him, Fannie,
if you tested about marriage"
But / don't mean to jest at all.
think he would be ever so much hap
pier with 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 hundred years old, / am certain. y
lie ought to marry her, said Ru-
pert, "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 clear, rather
cold day, the air bright and swapping,
and the sky all treacherous smiles, as
became the coquettish month of sun
shine and showers.
Uncle Rupert, finishing his lonely
breakfast, thought to himself:
II must be on the lookout to-day for
Rupert's promised trick. He won't
find it so easy as he imagines to fool his
old uncle. Who's there? The last in
answer to a somewhat timid knock up
on the door.
1t certainly was not easy to astonish
Rupert Smithson, but his eyes opened
with most unmistakable expression of
amaZement as the door opened to admit
tall slender figure i'll deep mourning,
and a low very sweet voice asked:
as this the landlord?"
"The- the-what 2"
Il called aboutfhe house, sir. !"
"What house?' FTake seat, ;" re-
calling his politeness.
as not this As W-place
Certainly it is"
II have been on the lookout for some
time for furnished house suitable for
boarders, sir, and if find this one suits
me, and the rent is not too high"
But" interrupted the astonished
bachelor.
40, | hope its not taken. The adj
vertisement said to call between eight
and nine, and it struck eight as | stood
upon the doorstep"
"You have the Herald in your hand.
SIR" she said, timidly. 81 did not cut
it out.
ooh, you saw it in the Herald, and
he turned to the list of houses to let.
Sure enough, there it was.
"To let, furnished, three story,
brown stone front, basement" and
rather full description of the advan-
tages of the premises, with the en-
patlic addition, Call only between s
and 8 a. M"
$50 to be sure / am at home, the ras-
cali" said Rupert Smithson, laying
aside the paper. am sorry, madam, y
he said, that you have had the trouble
of calling upon a useless errand. +"
"Then it is taken" said very disap-
pointed voice, and the heavy Grape veil
was lifted to show sweet, matronly
face framed in that saddest of all bad
ges, a widows cap.
"Well no." said the perplexed bach
elor, cit is not exactly taken"
Perhaps you object to boardersp"
"You want to take boarders?" he an
swered, thinking how lady like and
gentle she looked, and wondering if she
had long been widow.
eyes, sir but / would be very care
full about the references"
"Have you ever kept boarders be-
fore?"
"No, sir. Since my husband died
six years ago Che failed in business, and
Drought on u severe lllIeSS DJ ueHIdl
anxiety my daughter and myself have
been sewing, but we have both been in
ill health all winter, and wish to try
some way of getting a living that is less
combining. l have kept house several
years, but I have not capital to furnish,
so we want to secure a house furnished
like this one. if possible"
Quite unconscious Of the reason, Ru-
pert Smithson was finding it very pleas
ant to talk to this gentle little widow
about her plans as she spoke, was won
dering if it would not make an agree
able variety in his lonely life to let her
make her experiment of keeping board
ers upon the premises.
II think you wifi be satisfied with
my references, sir, have lived In one
house and have had work from one firm
for six years, and if you require it /
can obtain letters from my husbands
friends in Cincinnati"
Cincinnati
He was quite well known there.
Perhaps you know of him, John Muir
ry,--street?
John Murryl"
Rupert Smithson looked searchingly
into the palesa face that was SO plead
ingly raised to his gaze. Where were