The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-10
A CONFIDENCE GAME.
"a Parlnr Ora ma.

A CONFIDENCE GAME. e
"a Parlnr Drnma.D
CHARACTERS:
Philip Hayward, the Confidence Man.
BENJAMIN Allen. wealthy Quaker.
Patience Allen, his wife.
Ruth Dexter, their fashionable married
Daughter.
Hannah their unmarried Treasure
lord Valentine Featheriuff, live Lord
Lieutenant Fleming from West Point.
ACTI.
a room in Friend Benjamin's House Time
Evening.
Enter Philip.
Philip. Philip, my man, you're in g
fair way to make a fool of yourself.
Here you are. the trusted confidential
friend of the best man in the world.
who took you when a boy-a poor
orphan bOy-into his heart and home,
who treats you as his own son, and YOU
have the base ingratitude to fall in love,
head over heels, with the idol of his
heart, his youngest daughter! Now,
ingrates what have you to say for your
self? Would he be glad to have YOU
as a sOn-in-law? Assuredly not Does
the lady in question return your affec-
ton? She thinks you are an old muff,
and treats you accordingly. What have
YOU to offer her except that trouble
some organ called your heart? AbSo-
Iutely nothing. unless that old mis-
creant, your great-uncle. should repent
his eighty years wickedness and die,
as decent man should, remembering
TO forgive his vexatiGus nephew Philip
for having been born, and leave him
his warm-lined shoes to step into! BAH
Anything but waiting for dead mems
shoes. No! I'll be man, though it
tears my heart out. I'll think of
Hannah no more. Away, dishonori
What is that?-her little glove?
Takes gIOuc, and snaooths u gently
in his hand.
Hannah (outSide.) Where did leave
my glove?
She enters, and Philip Mrows the
Sl0re on table. Philip, have you seen
myglove.
Philip (lightly tossing the glose toward
Lcr.) Is this it?
Hannah (Doutinqly( Well. Mr.. Cross
Patch, why don't you say how well l
look in my finery? Don't YOU know
when a girl goes to the opera for the
first time in her life, and with live
lord in the party, too, that she wants to
he told she is charming?
Philip (tcjM mock dtnlirdtiOn.) You
arc most charming, fair Hannah.
Hannah (Seriousiy) You are most
Unkind, Philip.
Philip (SObcrly) / like your looks
better Hannah, whom you are not going
10 the opera with live lord in the
party. Turns ms back, goes to the table,
idty turns books Orer. Undoubtedly
Lord Featherfluf and Lieutenant Flem-
ing will think the stars palein splendor
when you dawn on their vision; but L
have the poor taste to prefer you in
yonr little home gowns and girlish
home ways. | hate society girls, with
their vapid talk and vulgar angling after
compliments.
Hannah (lagghinqly)! Am going
tDbe a ,Ociety girl, and will YOU hate me
IN that savage way, Philip? don't
know but that should rather like being
complimented 1t would at least be
something new.
Philip. 0, you'll have quite enough
10 turn Your head. You have no opera
glass. I'll get you mine. Starts TO 90.
Hdnn1h (haS.ity). Why, Philip,
aren't you going?
Philip (ShorttyJ. No.
Hannah; 0, Philip, YOU surely are
not in earnest NV first operal You
must be there 10 help me enjoy it. l
Thought of course YOU were going.
PhRip. don't care to go; have a
book must finish reading.
Hannah (drdUing herself up coldEy.)
j beg pardon for such childish insisting.
Your taking the trouble to tell me the
entire story of to-night's music led me to
believe you were going. 1t matters
little, however; there will be others.
IOu may get me the glass
ErH Philip.
Hannah (cla>ping her hands orer her
forehcad) o. the humiliation of it!
That | should love him! | could laugh
myself TO scOrn. as he would do if he
dreamed of it. Why can't | torture
myself into hating him? They alwayS
accused me of indomitable pride l
haven't a shred of pride to cover nv
diminished heau.
Tkrows hcrSclfint chair, t0ith her
arms flung on the table, head
bored on arm.
Philip (cntertng Uih glass. 9. .Hannahi
Hannah (rising hastily, contrOnts
zimJ. How dare you speak to me?
Philip. Ispeak because [ see you in
sorrow. Hannah sinks into chair again,
-corcrS face nth hands; Philip leans 0Uer
back OF her chair. dare because l
would help you bear your grief, what
ever it may be- as | would help dear
sister.
Hannah. Nonsense. Philip, my heart
breaking griefs are but those of silly
girl. How you would laugh if YOU
knew what I've been grieving over
lTatSt'ag her head. Sniltnq1. can al
most find it in my heart to join you in
= merry peal.
Philip (cotdly.) You are right. l
have no claim that 1 can urge as a
reason for helping you bear your sor-
roWs'save that you used to run 10 me,
when you were a little lispins
child, for comfort. You found i
then. Hannah: but l ought not to
expect you 'ao0 to turn to such a m usty
old book-worm for comfort.
EnLcT Ruth, JotLotced 6y Lord Feath-
erAuff and Lieutenant Fleming.