The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-02-22

Katia, that iS,-a-MlSS Bartlett, al
low
Katia [Sueeringly.l thought so! l
knew you were guilty. - 1rtumphanty.l
and it took me to catch you.
Percy. Cooly.l Yes-fact. 1t does.
take thief to catch thief! But I
Katia. What do you mean, sir?
Percy Ki"dly,I Why nothing, Katia,
except that you have stolen my heart,
and consequently suspect me % theft.
But protest my innocence. .joEfhgly.
If necessary, I'll proclaim it from the
houso-tops!
Katia. lS"cerjngty.l Don't try to he
funny!
Percy. ! regret this. l did not come
here this morning to quarrel, but came
like the winged messenger of peace
Katia. Indeed! Well, as can't wait
for your wings to grow, l fear we mi st
quarrel. An atchuard pause, during
rdich Peiham d0eS not ren0re lbs eyes from
her .tdrc wish you wouldn't look at
me that way, you make me nervous!
Percy. IN an Und"rtone. You have
guilty conscience, see. I'hcn t0uder.
How do you expect me to keep from
looking at you when | am near you?
You ask impossibilities. 1t is the same
old story of the moth, you know. o,
Katia, why are you so heartless? Do
you not-can you not see my meaning?
Katia. aside. Now I'll teach him
lesson. Aloud, as il astonished. | Why,
| do believe the man is making love to
me! Lc"ghs Immoderately.l low
funny! Draolingly.l
Pelham. [0fended. Yes, very funny!
very! Positively joke.
Katia. Well, it is The idea of max
ing love to any one! It's perfectly abb
surd, and ridiculous!
Percy. Yes. Hum! 1t is absurd!
never looked at it in that light before.
S0rcaMtcatly.l SO few indulge in it. too.
Katia. don't know any thing about
that.
Pelham. I!SarcasticoHyl o, no, of
course not. Certainly not!
Katia. l only know that hate to he
the object of tender devotion. We don t
Pointcd(y. all like it." 1t does not
"amusc" us. lSnappisAM.l All women
positively hate it!
Pelham. Do they? Looking a!'oHnd in
m0rk bc"tJdcrmeht. Where am |?
Katia. 1ahingn notice Of his remark~.
And if you are gentleman you will de-
siSt.
Pelham. De-what? o, yes: ode
sist." II am gentleman? Well. per-
haps if there's any doubt about it, Id
better take the benefit of the doubt. In
this particular case. assure you it's
great temptation to he no gentleman.
katia. How would you like it if l
made love to you. continually.
Pelham. How would-how-O OH
0 don mention it, Sinks do'cn upam Sofa
md lO0h'& at her in mock de&pairI
Katia. Yes: just imagine how you'd
like it, if you were in my place.
Pelham. ArouSed.l 0, MarS different
Katia. No, it's quite the same thing.
Percy. No, it is very different.
Katia. Ne, it's exactly the same iden-
teal thing.
Percy. No, I'll be hanged if-I-beg
your pardon! but the situation calls for
strong language
Katie. Yes it is quite the same thing,
ana can prove IL.
Pelham. How?
Katia. Very easily.
Pelham How?
Katia. BY simply allowing you to
change places with nc until one o'clock
! will pcrsOnate you. At the end of that
time, if you are not willing to admit
that il is tiresomc and depressing for a
woman to be a constant object of aGora-
ton, then, will--let me sGe--I will al
low you to be INV devoted lover. each
time we meet. for three whole weeks
and | feel perfectly safe in making the
contract, for shall win! .1%jdc. This
is better than thought! | shall so ex-
aggcrate his lovC-making, that he will
never make love again, I'll warrant.
There's nothing like teaching these men
wholesome lessons occasionally.
Pelham. after MiAhing ii ARR. |
Agreed am perfectly willing. When
do we begin?
katia. Now you are to act as much
like me as possible, rcmcmbcr-and /
well, am to do as please. WIN q con-
fdem air.
Pelham. All right! IWatch in hama. !
Are you ready?
Katia. Yes.
Pelham. One, two. three,-go!
Snaps ,ratch. Sinhs into rhair. dratr&
Katia's tight shawLa5oW his ShoulIerx, takes
hcr fan, aud acts IN a most Languid, Mcka-
daisicaJ manner.
Katia. Walking Gbout Jehind linn.
ASIDE. | know l don't act as ridicu-
lousy as that Positively outrageous.
Percy. assuming a tone. suppose
when you've quite finished walking
about you won't mind sitting down and
keeping quiet! In a high pitched eoice
and e0'tA great qdectation.l You make
me n-errOuS'
Katia. Astounded. aside. never
heard such barbarous impudence in my
life! hn0r don't talk that way.
Pelham. Where is my fahncy work?
Katia What work do you mean?
Pelham. With ridiculous desrriptice
gestures. That beautiful red centipede,
with acomet shooting through-through
space, -and lots of ittle-little-centi
-&ttle thingamaiigs all over it! THIS
Is said actth much eraggeration Of manner
and tone.
Katia. Do you mean my sofa-cushion?
Pelham. LOttiiY No: | mean ma