The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-05-30

Z s1S1 %as%s& 4syG- nfais AIS ;.SfTfrs IUr
| their sakes, that loved them with as
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 a conversation
had arisen upon the traditional customs
of the first of April.
"Senseless, absurd tricks" Rupert
Smithson had called them in his abrupt
way, fit only to amuse children and
idiots"
ooh, 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, I was never once caught by
these shallow deceits."
Never made an April fool?"
Never, and never will be-" was the
reply. There, child, go play me that
last n~octurne you learned. 1t suits me.
I hate sky rocket music, bat that IS a
dreamy, lazy air, and l like it,"
The idea of your liking anything
dreamy or lazy" said Miss Kimberly.
Il thought you were all energy and ac-
tivity." -.
When I work, 1 work" was the re-
ply, "but when l want rest 1 want to
rest"
Uncle Rupert" broke in Rupert sud
denly, what will you bet 1 can't fool
you next week."
Bah! the idea of getting to my age
to be fooled by a boy like you"
Then you defy me?
"Of course / do" .. e
"Tll do it. Keep your eyes open"
"Forewarned is forearmed. But
come, stop chattering. / want my
music"
Pretty, saucy, mirth-loving Fannie,
with her dancing black eyes, and bril-
liant smile, did not look like very pro-
minent interpreter of dreamy lazy mu-
sic; but once the girls fingers touched
the keyes of the grand pianoforte, the
girls whole nature seemed to merge in
to the sounds she created. Merry mu-
sic made dancing elves of her fingers as
IL. H. - H. ~-A1- Ilnn0yrw ~
sic drew a mesh of hushed beauty over
her face, and her great black eyes would
dilate and seem to see far away, as the
room filed with the sweet, low caden-
ces. She would look like an inspired
Joan Of Arc, 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 a twirl that kept it
spinning around giddily.
why don't he get married p said Ru-
pert. ITS q downright shame to keep
that splendid house shut up year after
year, except just the few rooms Uncle
Rupert and Mrs. Jones occupy
II mean to ask him. Fannie said. inn
pulsirely.
mo, no. said Mrs. Kimberly, hastily.
aNever speak of thatto your uncle Fam
ny-never."
aBst why not?"
/ neverSsuld You before, but your un-
Gle was engaged years ago, and there
was some trouble. never understood
about Il exactly, for / 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 woHnd him, Fannie,
if you TESTED about marriage"
ABut I don't mean to jest at all. I
think he would be ever 50 much hap
pier with some one to love, and some
one to love him in return. II must be
dreadfully lonesome in that large house
with no companion but Mrs. Jones, who
is q hundred years old, I am certain