The Penn's Grove record., 1884-02-16
THE PLAY THAT wEDID NOT WRITE.

. Miss Nelly Maynard Is quite literary
in her tastes and pursuits. ! called
upon her one evening and she asked me
if | had read Mr.. Stockton's "Our Sto'
ry," in the Century. Yes" l replied,
''and | enjoyed it very much"
81 like them the best of all hu.
morous writer's" she said, because
never feel the effort that he must some,
times make it to be amusing. 1t al
seems to come as naturally as the fun Of
a little child"
"Supposing that we write a story to
getherr" | proposed in an animated
way.
30. no." she objected, "Mr. Stock
ton would think that we were just imi
tating him."
"He would not be offended, | an
sure. Bnt We might write a little play
if you do not care to try a story"
livery we'll, 4" she said, II am willing
to do that"
s'Shall we have five acts2"
ttNo. indeed, we should be tired OF
each other long before the fifth act"
"That is not polite" | said, reproY
ngly.
She blushed brightly, and said:
Il did not say that | should be tireC
Of you. | used the pronun we which
YOU know always means the man"
eyes, in married life, but we are moi
married."
II should think not" she replied
quickly.
you need not look so indignant"
said, as if it were something very disa
greeable. Il do not think that it woulC
be any worse than writing a play"
u do. / expect that this little play
will make us both famous
"And do you mean to say that you
would rather be a famous woman thar
a happy, loving wife, with a husband
ready to die for"
'tHow perfectly absurd you are! Do
keep all that for the play when it vii
be most appropriate, and 90 not waste
it all on me-"
81 am very sorry that it is wasted.
supposed that you would appreciate The
hottest sentiments of which the human
heart is capable"
81 shall appreciate it when the time
comes. But now the play, the plays
the thing"
Don't quote Shakespeare"
81 shall, too, Mr.. Vernon, you're
cross, and | think we had better givC
up this thing"
begged her pardon, and promised
net to be cross, as she expressed i
again. Now" she said. ''how shall
we begln?"
"YOu must be sitting quietly in you
chair" | suggested, land | shall enter
80. no." she objected, that would bt
exactly like the Morning Call, and W.
do not want to plagiarize."
I'VE cannot help that sometimes
You might, perhaps, say that falling il
love is plagiarizing."
but that is so natural. OF course
you will have to fall in love with
mean the hero must fall in love will
the heroine"
"What did you correct yourself il
that way for? L think it would be ma
tural."
II wish you would not catch me "
So" she said, the indignant colo
making her handsomer than eve {
forget to mention that Nelly Maynard
5 a remarkably pretty girl
"But l think that you might answer
an honest question"
Your honest questions are so alb
surd."
THAT is the second time you have
| imSinuated that | am a"
Il have not insinuated anything at al
Whatever | may have thought"
"Well what do you thinkT"
81 shall not tell you"
you cannot deny, then, that yol
| thought me a."
Il wish you would not be so per
sonal.n
How can l help being personal whel
you say such things to me?'
"What thing?"
about our falling in love with e&cl
other"
Mr.. Vernon, if you do not stop al
tins nonsense, | will not try to write
play with you"
well, then to business. How shall
we commence?"
Let us be in the street walking
home"
so, yes, then you can wear that kill
ing new hat of yours, that Mr.. Miles
admires so much"
"And you can be kissing the can
that Miss Lizzie Downs gave YOU"
Il had rather kiss something else.
The donor herself, | suppose"
81 do not care a straw for the donor
and you need not try to tlatter me witt
the idea that you are jealous of Mis-:
Downs
"Mr. Vernon" she exclaimed, witt
the III of a tragedy queen, Il shall
leave this room," and she started fol
the door. But fell upon my knees Sc
that she could not pass without tumb
ling oven me, and then made a fervent
apology.
She was soon recOnciled, and sitting
down upon the sofa | placed myself al
a respectable distance from her
Well" | said, 1--WE were walking il
the street together"
Not we," she replied, 1.-THE hero ant
heroine"
"But you said We"
"Did ~" she asked, blushlng again
ait vas very stupid in me-"
mo, it was not,n l replied earnestly
sit was very-sweet," l was going tC
say, but she gave me a warning look,
and l substituted exemplary" Their
she burst INTO a merry laugh, and ]
moved a little nearer to. her lovely self,
''Uf course, " continued, "'we-I mean
the hero and heroine, are going to hel
home. What shall we do with then
after, we have put them inside the.door?'
"Give them chairs to sit upon. They
may be very tired you know"