The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1888-08-10
AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
A Story of a Few April Fools

AuEDuRu Tue huOLU VI AAS NSmRSNNS"
career, had surrendered his sceptre
with one d~esparing howl, and Apri
had entered upon the scene, bathed
ia Gears, without a smile of greeting
Tor the dear old earth she had lefI
q year ago.
The streets of the village were near
" deserted, and Rodney Marston sat
alnne in the Office of Marston & Mars
ton. Presently the office boy came in
with a note. 1t was directed to r.
Marston, Esq.
'Does that meal me, or Uncle ROg-
erP" said the young man to himself.
Il viii open it anyway; it is probably
on business"
The note wa notvery businesslike in
its appearance; neither was the thick,
creamy note-paper, on which these
words were written:
miss Barton wishes to see Mr..
Marston Immediately, on business of
Importance"
Rodney looked at the note thought
fully. The senior member of the firm
had gone to the city that morning, and
would return by the late train. 1t was
necessary that somebody should at
tend to this affair, and Rodney, with
ali the ardor of a young barrister,
.o,o1rnJ o., gyv tba r,,,,,p,org The
firm of Marston & Marston was a
youthful one. 1t was only a few weeks
before that the well-known sign, 'Rog-
en- Marston, Attorhey-at-Law," had
been replaced by a smart new one,
indicating the recent partnership of
uncle and nephew.
med said he, "where does Miss
Barton liveP"
"A little out of the village in a two
story white house, on the road that
goes by the Baptist church." replied
the boy.
'0h yes, / know" said young Mars
ton hastily. "Well, I'm obliged to 90
up there, aud if anybody comes-they'n
not ike to on such a night as this-telI
them to wait"
FAN right, sir" said the boy.
Its a rough night" muttered the
young man, as, after donning rubber
boots and oyercoat, and arming himself
with q huge umbrella. he stepped out
into.the wind and rain; ''but profession
81 men must brave aIl kinds of wealth
or. The consciousness that he be-
to that ill-used fraternity gave
him an exalted sense of misery unat-
tainable by common mortals.
Half an hour after, a dripping, for.
lornlooking figure presents itself at
the twc-story house and rang the bell
vigorously. No answer, another peal
followed. Presently the door was
opened cautiously a few inches, and
one eye, belonging to half a human
face, peeped timidly out.
rs Miss Barton imp inquired Rod
ney.
'Ys-yes. sir, replied a quaking voice
but she cant see anybody tonight"
II think she will see me. however"
faid Marston, gaining confidence as he
scented . possible mystery. sPlease
inform her that Mr.. Marston, the attor-
wa;ss her pleasure.
What does this mem, Martha
said . fresh, pleasant voice from with
n. LET the gentleman in. whoever
10 is.a'
Martha obeyed, and covered back
N The shadow Of the hall as il she ex-
nothing short Of instant a~ssassi-
Marston gave little heed to
Der, however, for standing in the full
beht 81 the hall lamp was a dainty,
figure, with the sweetest,
nerriest lace be had ever seen.
"Yon must excuse our girl; she's a
coward. Pray come in sill. 2
ald Tho young lady
THANK you; as Dor as / have made
self presentsole." he replied,
gpnloying his dripping outer gar
Enents Then he was ushered into a
S~itting-room where a bright open
seemed to ofIer 4 laughing chal-
70 the April storm
4ty name is Marston, be began,
sowing Pardon me. but ] 40 not adj
Miss Barton half question
am MISS Barton, /" replied tue
with en- assumption o. dignity.
Now Rodney hastily formed the idea,
adlnG through the mud 70 her house,
hat Miss Barton was an elderly spinis-
This bright vision. with Tie
anghing brown eyes. somewhat con-
oQndeG HAM.
T am Miss Barton. She said again,
i,e q moment. eBsk the one you
obably wish to see Is my aunt, Miss
afnflia Barton. 4 am sorry she is
10 hoineE hs repeated d little
received an urgent sum
nens % ene np &1d see her.
@tUha* t1nt4 n% 4 tftnnSnnao