The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-02-07
THE EVENING BEFORE.
Harry's Intellectual Efforts to Secure
Tete-a-Tete with Maud.


| quarter. Jove! Doesn't it seem queer
and delicious? / want to see her once
more-tell her how much l love her
hear her say how much she-Ugh! Eth.
ConfOund you! Take care where you are
going.
Indistinct Figure (which has collided
with Harry)-Beg pardon, sir, but l
couldn't see. We're putting up an avn
ing frame out here.
Second Indistinct Figure-Hi, there!
Look out for your toes! DROPS heavy
scantling almost on Harry's foot }.
Harry somewhat discomposed)- This
is jolly, vow! (Rings.)
Servant (opening) -Well, you're here
at last, are you? o, excuse me, Mr..
| Spooner! Thought it was the man with
| the
Voice lover banisters)-Ha he come,
James. Tell him
Servant-Its Mr.. Spooner, ma'am.
Voice-O, it's only Mr.. Spooner, Maud.
What can have become of that man?
Now, Maud Voice recedes.)
Harry-Hum!
| Enter, down the stairs, with a dove
like swoop and rustic, Maud, all smiles
and happiness at seeing Harry.]
Maud-Dear!
| Harry-O Maud!
Maud (staying Harry's impassioned
rush)-No, not here, you reckless boy!
Don't you notice that carpenter in the
vestibule? He's fixing the, and oh!
my darling, don't know where to take
you, for, you see, the florist is at work
in the parlor, and then
Harry hopefully)-The MUSHROOM?
Maud-The presents are displayed
there.
Harry-The dining-room?
| Maud-No; the caterers men have
possession of that, and the women from
madam's are in the library, and all my
things are being packed upstairs,
| and
Harry (sarcastically) - Perhaps the
Maud quite seriously)-It's perfect
pandemOnium.
Harry (same)-Or the stable!
Maud (same)-Why, Patrick says he
can't ever stow away-you're laughing
at me, you wicked-but I'm simply wild
tonight with all this bother oh!
papa's little studio! But it's mass of
confusion, for every thing not imme-
diately wanted is hustled in there.
| Harry (aside)-Just the place for me
then. (They enter.)
Maud-Now, dear, we'll have nice,
delightful chat, for you know we've only
seen each other four times to-day, and
I've so many things to tell you.
Seamstress (parting portierre)-H you
please, Miss Maud, would you step up
stairs? That back needs to be fitted
again, and
Maud-O, Harry, you can't think what
trouble we've had with that dress!
When it was sent home we found that
coming, mamma! Exit.
Harry contemplates ceiling with
what patience he may for ten minutes,
when re-enters Maud.
Maud-That's settled. Now, to begin
again. It's so sweet
Maud's Mamma (entering hurriedly)
| Maud, would you-O, good evening,
Mr.. Spooner!-would you put all those
light things into the Saratoga or the
little sole leather? I think perhaps
| we'd better--'
Maud-Any way you like, mamma.
don't care. Exit mamma.) And, as
| was saying, Harry
| Bridemaid (outside) - I'm awfully
sorry to disturb you, Maudie. but won't
you please come out here for an instant?
l don't quite understand how am to-
MAUD slips out, remaining some time.
while Harry listens to the following):
Maud, The Bridemaid, The Bell, and
| Various VOices-There's two dozen, I
think, of white silk-lilies for the arch
over the door ding! ding! - where's
James?-in the bottom of some trunk,
I'm sure-if those are roses, bring 'em
here-and drive tacks through the dead
center of every one-ding! ding!-Mrs.
Smiths compliments, and she sends
three cakes of toilet soap-so please
| pack the handkerchiefs ina salad-bowl
or sOup-tureen-for there aren't sachel-
bags enough to-favor the creams-and
your Paris hat is putin the ice-chest,
where it ought to be-ding! ding!-you
must see the floral bell; it's made of one
hundred chicken croquettes, sprinkled
with-Mr. and Mrs. Snyder's best
wishes, mum-and set off by-four dozen
dessert spoOns-and the minister's fee
| tied up in a brown paper bag!
Maud (re-entering)-O, Harry, isn't
this awful?
Harry-Well, we'll be at peace now.
Come, one little kiss
Maud shrinking away)-Ow!
Harry-What is it? On! Before him
stands messenger boy, silently holding
forth letter.
Harry (petulantly) = I know well
enough what this is! Reads letter and
tears it up.)
The Messenger Boy-Dere ant no an
! swer?
Harry-No! Off with you! exit boy)
You see, Charley has never been best
man before, and he's frightfully nervous
| about it. This is the fifth note to-day
from him. He's asking whether he shall
wear white scarf like the ushers or
pearl-gray one like mine! Let him wear
both or neither or none at all, and be
hanged to him!
Maud (tearfully)-O, now you're get
ting cross-I shouldn't think you would
and l don't blame you, it's so exas-
perating. I've been going through it
all day, and I'm j-just t-t-tired tito
d-d-death-
Harry (remorsefully)- little girl.
There, there, forget all about it, and
we'll talk abut something else. There.
there. brief bliss broken by
Voices-Maud, Miss Maud, Maudie!
Maud springing up)-Oh, dear, it's no
use. just hear them!
up the other dress to
d ' down .:s ;::;' y. , ,s ...