The Mineral argus., 1884-06-05

that would have made any sacrifice fol
their sakes, that loved them with a:
true a love as their own dead father
could have given them.
As they outgrew childhood, evidences
of election ceased to take the forms OF
dolls and drums, and chopped out in
Christmas checks, in ball dresses and
bouquets, in saddle horse, and in vari-
Gus other delightful and acceptable
shapes, till Rupert came of age, when
he was taken from college into his I'M
cle's counting room, and a closer init
macy then ever was cemented between
the young life and the one treading the
downward path to old age.
There had been a family gathering at
Mrs. Kimberly's one evening, late in
the month of March and conversation
had arisen upon the traditional customs
of the first of April.
"Senseless, absurd tricks" Rupert
Smithson had called them in his abrupt
way, eft only to amuse children and
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, Miss
Fannie, l was never once caught by
these shallow deceits."
"Never made an April fooI?"
"Never, and never will be-" was the
reply. "There, child, go play me that
last nocturne you learned. 1t suits me.
/ hate sky rocket music, but that is a
dreamy, lazy air, and l like it"
"The idea of your liking anything
dreamy or lazy" said Miss Kimberly
II thought you were all energy and ac-
tivity"
"When work, work." was the re-
ply, "but when l want rest want to
rest"
uncle Rupert" broke in Rupert sud
denly, "what will you bet can't fool
you next week"
bah! the idea of getting to my age
to be fooled by boy like you"
"Then you defy me?"
"Of course / do"
"I'll do it. Keep your eyes open"
'Forewarned is forearmed. But /
come, stop chattering. I want my
music"
Pretty, saucy, mirth-loving Fannie,
liant smile, did not look like very pro-
ninent interpreter of dreamy lazy mu-
sic; but once the girls fingers touched
'he keyes of the grand pianoforte, the
girls whole nature seemed to merge in
10 the sounds she created. Merry mu-
nc made dancing elves of her fingers as
hey flew over the notes. Dreamy mu-
ic drew a mesh of hushed beauty over
Ter face, and her great black eyes would
Iilate and seem to see far away, as the
DOM filed with the sweet, low caden-
es. She would look like an inspired
oan of Arc, when grand chords rolled I
ut under her hands in majestic meas
res, and sacred music transformed her
nto something sanity. Once the rose
rood case was closed, st. Cecilia became 1
retty, winsome Fanny Kimberly again. {
There were few influences that could 1
often the upper crust of manner of
rupert Smithson, but he could hide his
ace away when Fanny played, ashamed ]
himself of tears that started or smiles l
hat hovered on his lips, as the music
ierced down into that warm loving
cart he had tried to conceal with Gym
,al words and looks.
So, when the final chords of the [
octurne melted softly into silence, the
Id bachelor stole away and left the
ouse, bidding no one farewell They
Tere accustomed to his singular ways,
nd no one followed him, but {
Irs. Kimberly sighed, as she said {
Rupert gets older and crustier every
ear"
"But is so good, " Fannie said, leaving
he piano stool with twirl that kept it
pinning around giddily.
"Why don't he get married ?" said Ru-
ert. "It's downright shame to keep
nat splendid house shut up year after
ear, except just the few rooms Uncle
rupert and Mrs. Jones occupy"
II mean to ask him. Fannie said, i'm
ulsively. 1
"No, no, 4" said Mrs. Kimberly, hastily. s
Never speak of that to your uncle, Fan
y-never."
"But why not?"
I never told you before, but your un- I
le was engaged years ago, and there J
as some trouble. / never understood
bout it exactly, for was married and I
1T Wilton the same year that Rupert |
ame to New York. But this do know,
le lady, after waiting three OF four
ears, married, and Rupert has never I
zen the same man since. am quite 9
Ire he was very much attached to her, '
ld that you would wound him, Fannie, c
you iested about marriage"
"But don't mean to Jest at all. I a
INK he would be ever so much hap d
Ter with some one to love, and some a
ne to love him in return. It must be G
lonesome in that large house @
ith no companion but Mrs. Jones, who