The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-03-20
can
April Fools
Paradise
IN
By EDITH MORGAN WILLETT
(Copyrigss)

ior IL. 80, naturally was the nrSt or
April-Our ancient feast day sacred to
the observance of practical jokes.
1t must be explained just here that
Bud was bora joker, having a sense
of humor which might truly be called
saving" from the fact that he in
variably practiced it at other peoples
expense. On this particular morning.
for instance, literally no pains had
been spared.
The day was still young. the hour
being s 4. NJ. but already in order to
celebrate it properly old Miss Skip
worth, a fellow sboarder, had been
operated upon with most satisfactory
results.
Miss SkipwOrth hated travelling and
had cat-like horror of rain. And it
was rainy morning. She had also
been overheard referring to Bud as
IAN empty-headed young idler."
Therefore an imperative telegram
from her lawyer had just arrived,
summOning her to New York on ''ur-
gent business" And even as the au-
thor of it sat by his cozy sitting-room
fire, he could hear from the next room
the sounds of excited feminine hustle,
and a Shrill voice issuing unintellgible
directions.
From time to time other tones
chimed in, too, at which Bud looked
little penSive; for that second voice
belonged to Miss Skipworth's niece
and his own best girl-the sole rea-
son. in fact, why he at twenty-one.
with a fortune and an automobile.
was wasting both at a suburban fam
lily hotel instead of dispOrting them at
Newport or at Palm Beach.
The thought of Phylys Folsom, on
this especial morning, however, was
not entirely welcome, as it reminded
Bennington of some one else in the
house, and he became suddenly, irrit-
ably conscious of noises coming from
the veranda underneath his room.
There's that POmeroy now" he
unused disgustedly. 'fTramping about
and incoming up at her window, as
usual. Oh, the unutterable fool! Just
because PhylyS is kind enough to no.
tice him occasionally, when I'm not
round, lie has the brass to fall in love
with her! Or rather'-satiricall y-
che hasn't the brass, with only mis-
cradle law business 10 depend upon"
Mr.. Bennington stretched himself
iuxuriously in his silk-lined dressing
l.,
81 suppose the truth is, Phylys is
sorry for POmeroy. Well, who
wouldn't be? What a life!
Every day hard at work in the city
grinding away half the night over his
law-bOOkS. Gee. | wonder what the
poor devil would do if some one left
him a fortune-or a fake fortune
Jimmjny crickets How's that for an
April foOl?"
Pulling piece of paper toward him,
gan to write:
New York, April /.
My Dear Sir:
have just deposited to your credit
at the Fifth Avenue bank of this city
the sum of $500. the amount, with
interest at 6 per cent, of loan made
to me by your father ten years ago. l
regret very much that / was unable
to repay it during his lifetime, but am
only just in condition to discharge an
obligation which has laid very heavily
on my mind.
Believe me, with sincere regards,
Very truly yours,
Douglas Wallace.
Pursuing his lips thoughtfully, he
now proceeded to forge u check, and
then, examining the letter with its en-
closure into a business envelope,
turned the latter over in order to write
on its back in tiny letters two mean
ingful words appropriate to the season.
Perhaps he'll see them when he
doesn't find the money at the bank"
Bennington surmised, with grim
| chuckle, ard then won't he be rip
ping!"
| He was still hard at work five min
utes later when a knock at the door
! lIdue mn Stdl Sullllly- out II was
only one of the numerous Buttons"
in the house, bearing steaming,
smoking, breakfast-tray. Bennington
hailed both jubilantly. Got a job for
you, Sam" he announced. Now listen,
my boy"
Wheeling around, he dropped his
voice In a few whispered directions.
| There was the clink of coin followed
| by the CLEAN of African teeth, and a
fervent TANK We, sab. Trus' me,
| sab"
Gazing anxiOusly at the dining-room
door, Bennington saw 1t open sud-
denly.
Dear mer' cried a familiar high
pitched voice. Here's the trap al
ready! Phylys, dear, just get my
bag; hurry.
"Ah, there's POmeroy"
He glanced down at tall young
man putting on his hat in the hall,
and then drew back, with an irresisti.
BILE chuckle, as the form of Sam ap-
peared sOlemnly In the doorway hold
Ing out an envelope, with these por.
tentous words, "Special-deliberate let
tab, sab ~
Da,,,o,.o.. cool. q O. Co., ,r cod