The morning call., 1893-02-14

malIy, mind, so that there shall be no mis-
take about it-before this clock strikes II.
well and good. | have no personal objection
to the man, and lie will be well off. If not.
Will you give me yoar word OF honor to &C.
cept Mr.. Grove?
Miss Grant (aside)-Hs said he was CON-
Ing here tonight. l think he cares for me
L know he does-but he will never say So
nnless l-disgraee myself and tel him.
Why not? Things cannot be worse than
they are. (Aloud.) Mother, you promise
faithfully not to come back here until -?
Mrs. Grant-On the stroke! What farce
it is! Laughing constrainedly.) Believe
me. my dear girl, / only want your happi-
ness-to have things settled Que way or the
other. A bird in the hand, you know.
Here comes Mr.. Grove. l will leave you to
explain matters to him. (Exit.)
Enter Grove.
Grove-Dear Miss Grant, why are you hid
ing yourself away here? Have you head
ache-Or-(softly) are you going to give ME
an answer now?
Miss Grant, have a headache. OecId-
edy) Mr.. Grove. have promised TO give
you an answer-before | leaye-by mid
night Would You be good enough not to
ementioD the subject till then?
Grove (bows)-Of course. One moment.
Miss Grant; be kind and answer me this
you don't absolutely dislike me?
Miss Grant-(smiling faintly)-On the con.
trary, like you very much.
Grove-Then need l go away? This Is
the dance you promised me-remember.
Miss Grant--Y GU need not go away, only
talk of something else.
Grove Ga pause)-Let me see. How can
amuse you? We had such a pleas
ant lunch today at the Beesleys'. You
would have enjoyed it.
Miss Grant Qanguidly)-And who was
there?
Grove-That funny young Malters-and
Il ~
told me he was to be here tonight. L
hardly see how he can, though; he has a
meeting TO address. / detest his politics,
Of course; but hope he'll be elected. as |
know he is a friend of yours.
Miss Grant-Thank you, Mr.. Grove, that
Is nice of you. But (anXi0asly) the longest
meeting must have an end. [ suppose?
Grove-Oh, yes; he'll get here some time
this morning, | daresay-not before. It's
going TO be stormy meeting, | fancy.
Miss Grant (aside)-Moher knew!
(Aloud) / don't think | can talk, after all.
Mr.. Grove; my head aches so. Perhaps if
L were lett quite alone
Grove (rising)-l am so sorry I'll go and
leave you in peace. (MeanDgly) [ shall
see you sgain--at II. (Exit)
Miss Grant-lt wants 20 minutes to 49,
Dreadful-dreadfuli Shall / run away?
But where to? Laughing bitterly.) On.
what IL is to be a girl. tied hand and footl
And IL would make no difference.
Mother will have her own way she
always does. And then. if he doesn't want
me. | don't care what happens.
(Sits bolt upright and stares at the clock.
The hands GO round. Other partners come,
she dismisses them. Enter Henry Curzon.
1t is 10 minutes to 12)
Curzon (breathless)-I have been looking
for you everywhere How pale you look
You've been dancing too hard, ell? (Sits
DOWN. I've just come from political
meeting. The other side tried to break it
up Fearful rowdies!
Miss Grant-And did you speak?
Curzon (staresl-Why, yes, of course. l
addressed the electors. | can't say think
much Of them. Why do you keep looking
at the door. LauraP Qaughing) Are you
afraid Of your mother coming in?
Miss GRANTEES, dreadfully afraid.
Curzon-She objects to her daughters Sit
ting ont, l know. What a time Of it Nelly
aud Kate used to havel Let us go and
dance.
Miss Grant-Ob, mono!
Cnrzon-Very we'll, then, we'll sit still.
At the meeting
Miss Grant-Oh. don't 60 back to the
meeting.
Curzon-I thought you were interested in
my political career. You used to sympa-
thize-
Miss Grant-So do. Go on.
Curzon-No, bore you. | mustn't do it
of nothing else just now, you see.
Miss Grant, see.
CurZon-When it is settled
Miss Grant-When it Is settled
Cufzpn (meaningly)-I hope you will still
sympathlze with Observation-Disclosures things
(vaguelY). Why do you keep watching
that CLOCK as il il mesmerized you? 1t puts
me out. And l have so much to say to
you
Miss Grant (rising abruptly and moving
the minute hand of the clock 10 minutes
back)-There! desperately you have 10
minutes to say it in!
CurZOn-What do you mean?
Miss Grant (wildly)-Then it will be II
o'clock! Oh. don't know what am say
ing. Gals on The sofa and hides her face in
her hands,
Curzon-Laura. dear, what is the matter +?
Why should it not be II o'clock?
Miss Grant-Only at 12 O'Clock. I am to
give Mr.. Grove an interview-to tell him
Cnrz0n-Ah-l see-and you were max
ing wild attempt to defer the evil mo-
ment! / know you-you are very kind
hearted, Laura-you hale refusing people,
don you?
Miss Grant-No, mol should love to re-
fuse him-I hate to accept hm
Curzon-Accept! Oh, Laura, you know 1
love you.
Miss Grant-Row can l know-unless
you tell me?
l tell you pOw-l always meant TO tell YOU,
cared only Tor you-for you only-always.
Believe me.
Mss Grant, thought you cared only for
your election.
Curzon-Only in so far as it seemed to
make you a little more accessible to me-
Your mother-I thought you would like NE
better II land even if fail Laura, you
must promise to marry me But | shan't
fall am sure of winning. You will marry
me-say you will?
MisS Grant (aside)--That is plain enough.
even for mother! (Curzon kisses her hand.
\ on don't know, dearest, what a near thing
1t was! Mother said (The clock
strikes 12)
CurZon-Here Is your mother.
Miss Grant Is nniIinul- L.