The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-04-24
HER CORRESPONDENT.
She Makes Running Comments as
She Reads.

UfamplQg up ana uOWn, nandS IN pOcK-
cts, jacket half off his shoulders, fu-
riously smoking perfectly empty
pipe.l -
Jack (savagely soliloquizing between
puffs) Glad / wrote it. Glad l sent it.
Glad I've broken with her. Only sorry
didn't do it sooner. Flirt. Thorough
fiirt. Went to see her. Found her GO
ing out. With man. Young man.
Good-looking. Also stylish. She says
she's extremely sorry. But unexpected
arrival, and 1 flare up, Interrupt
Wish her very good evening. Which
means very bad one. Fling off. Lie
awake all night. Morning, write letter
ending engagement: Post it, Meant
to G 80 europe instantly. This noon.
But thought I'd wait for answer. Won
der if letters reached her yet? Hope it
has. No; l don't. Hope it hasn't.
Ethel! Dashes down pipe, looks at
watch.) 3:45, and she'll get it by the
five o'clock delivery. Even now I've
time to go up there and see her
before it comes-time enough. But
what do / want to do that for? Haven't
I any strength of mind? (Tears off
jaclzet.) Or firrnness? puts on coat.)
resolution? Dathes face and hands,
brushes hair) Or determination?
(Hurries into ulster and arctics.) Or a
decent amount of self-respecting pride?
(Snatches hat.) No; by Jove, haven't!
exit, running.)
[Ethel's parlor. Jack, slightly heated
and tremendously agitated; to whom
enter Ethel.
Ethel (fondly smiling and not at all
conscious) s)-Why, dear!
Jack (awlzwardly) y)-Ah!-hem!-goo
afternoon, Miss-Ethell
Ethel INSTANTLY comprehending)-
Jack! what foolish, good, blind,
quiclz-tempered stupid you are! You're
the most ridiculous being that ever
was; and sometimes you try me almost
to death, and sometimes you're too fun
ny for any thing. This time you're
funny! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
Jack attempting dignity)-May I
ask
Ethel Qaughing)- yes; you may
asl1-but whether I can get breath
enough to answer is another matter
ha, ha, ha, ha!
dCN \WlIll u SOIb VI ollsilItC-ldCcll
haughtiness)-If you can do nothing
but jecr at me, I'd better-( (moves
to go.)
Ethel pulling him down into the
chair)-Don't be silly, Jack. You know
you don't mean to go-you're only pre-
tending-and you wouldn't be able to,
if you meant it-goose!
Jack (helplessly) - Yes; I know.
Ethel, it's because love
Ethel delighted at this victory)-Of
course it is That's what you intended
to tell me at the very first, wasn't it?
(Jack confused) Well, now, you've
told me; I'll tell you something. 1t
was my uncle!
Jack-Eha
Ethel - Yes, Uncle Joe, just from
California He's papa's younger broth
er, whom you've never seen-as was
quite evident from your behavior-ha,
ha, ha, hal If you'd waited one second,
you'd have learned Rll about it and
Jack-O Ethel! what donkey am!
tSeizes herr
Ethel (unresisting)-Not quite that,
but possibly some other kind of big,
strong, unreasoning animal-from your
actions, / should say bear. Good old
jealous Jack! peace breaks out with
great violence.)
Servant (entering later)-Th' letters,
Miss. exit Servant.)
Jack Suddenly recollecting)-
Heavens!
Ethel examining letters) Only one
for me. Why, Jack, what ails you?
You're absolutely white! Are you i'll?
You're not? But why do you look so?
(Glances at address on envelope), All!
Jack (apartl-I'd forgotten all about
it!
Ethel with very piauant air of being
mistress of the situation)-Now,w whom
can this be from? The hand is mans
very much like yours, Jack. The re-
semblance is quite strong,
Jack (apart)-What a horrihle scrape!
Ethel Qeis1relE opening letter)-And
the enFelope's like yours, too-and the
paper. (Reads.) "Miss Fay;" Must
be from some shop-keeper on bust
ness. (Reads) "When you read these
lines l shall be outside of Sandy Hook
- Well, welll What do you think of
that, Jaclz3
Jack tperspiring with agony)-I don't
II can't
Ethel (thoughtfully)-Do you sup
pose this person is really where he said
he should be when read these lines?
Jack (wincing)-Merciful powers!
Ethel uming)-:'-outside of
Sandy Hook, neyer to see you again"
Az any rate, this isn't from a shop
keeper. (Reads.) ''You have tired me
out" don't know but that it may be,
thought (Reads.) "-and 1 leave you
forever" Jack groans.) You don't
appear interested, and Il fs stuff,
acknowledge, iJack gFoans again.
Let's go on, though, just for fun.
lReads. .:-forever not to remorse-''
dear me, should hope not, (Reads.)
(which You are incapable of feel
ing"
Jack (apart)--I wish were deadl
Ethel Cooking hard at him)-Aiy cor
respondent seems rather severe, doesn't
he, Jack? Reads.l but / do leave
you 20 one who is far my superior, no
donbt-" No doubt, truly, Any sane
person would be. (Renewed groans
from jazz. Ethel continues) lin
merit as he is in good fortune how
very Johnsonian and prize-essayish my
correspondence is, Jaclxl (Reads.l ..::-and
who is, trust, worthy Of your love-
Why, he means you, Jacki' Now, are
you really worthy of my love?
Jack (despeFatel-a Ethell Stopl L
Ekhal (nuftintp har hand r,, h;e ~, >,,t1,A |