The Tomahawk., 1919-03-20
An
April Fools
Paradise
e>~.
Bv EDITH MORGAN WILLETT
(Copyrlght)

Mr.. Bud Bennington was responsible
for it. So, naturally, was the first of
April-our ancient feast day sacred to
the observance Of practical jokes.
1t must be explained just here that
Bud was born 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 a. m, but already in order to
celebrate it properly old Miss Skip
worth, fellow boarder, had been
operated upon with most satisfactory
results.
Miss Skipworth hated travelling and
had a cat-like horror of rain. And it
was a 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-
~ sat ny AAAS way Sitting OOAAA
fire, he could hear from the next room
the sounds of excited feminine hustle,
and a shrill voice issuing unintelligible
directions.
From time to time other tones
chimed in, too, at which Bud looked
a 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, frrit.
ably conscious of noises coming from
the veranda underneath his room.
'"There's that Pomeroy now!" he
unused disgustedly. "Tramping 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, he has the brass to fall in love
with her! Or Enthusiastically
che hasn't the brass, with only a mis-
cradle law business to depend upon"
Mr.. Bennington stretched himself
luxuriously in his silk.lined dressing
gown and continued his reflection.
II 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! 1 wonder what the
poor devil would do If some one left
him a fortune-or fake fortune!
Jimminy crickets! How's that for an
April foolY'
Pulling a piece of paper toward him,
he selected pen with care and be-
gan to write:
New York, April 1.
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 a loan made
to me by yoar father ten years ago. I
regret very much that I 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 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
fngful words appropriate to the season.
"Perhaps he'll see them when he
doesn't find the money at the bank"
Bennington surmised, with a grim
chuckle, "and then won't he be rip
ping"
He was still hard at work five min
utes later when a knock at the door
made him start guiltily. But 1t was
only one Of the numerous Buttons"
in the house, bearing a steaming,
smoking, breakfast-tny. Bennington
hailed both jubilantly. "Got job for
you, SAM" he announced. Now listen,
my boy"
Wheeling around, he dropped his
voice in q few whispered directions.
There was the clink of coin followed
by the CLEAN of African teeth, and a
fervent "T'ank ye, sab. Trus' me,
sab -
Gazing anxiously at the dining-room
door, Bennington saw it open sud-
denly.
Dear mel" cried familiar high
pitched voice. Here's the trap al
ready! Phylys, dear, just get my
bag; hurry.
"Ah, there's Pomeroyw
He glanced down at q 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