The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-02
Mr.. JoHS MARBLE, 26.

Mr.. JoHE WARpLE, &c.
VALENTIA WASHINGTON. Is.
Scene: A garden lighted By Chinese lanterns.
Enter from The house John and Vdlentid.
John Throwing himself on rustic seat)-I
say, the evening begins well. That was a
splendid vslse. Perfect floor, perfect music,
perfect partner Ell, Nalentia? You will have
to dance with me all night
Valeutis-I shouldn't mind, but what would
mamma say?
john (suppressing q yawn)-Has a modern
mother any control over her daughters?
Yalentia-Not exactly, but she can say
things. you know. She can make my life a
burden to me-about people
john don't fancy she disikes me, at any
rate.
Valentia-No-hut she doesn't like me to
waste my time-and (hesitatingl she knows
John-Thst / am not marrying man. I
should think not indeed Qaughngl.
Talenta-Ha! ha! Fancy you being mar
ried Uaughing) 1t would be too funny.
John-You can't imagine me married, can
your
Yslentia-No. indeed But-Jack-you-
John-Bcing engaged is apt to lead to being
married.
valentia-It needn't
Johu-Breach Of promise.
Valentia-0h. in our class! No nice girl
John Clazly)-You are the only nice girl I
Valentia tdespcrately)-Well, then. Jack,
would you mind being engaged to me just for
FIVE hours?
John-Val-my dear girl
Valentia speaking very fast)-Jack, you
eDce taught NE slang workout / like it
we always said We were pals" didn't we?
IL Ill L.
Valentia-l want you to be real "pal" and
help me.
John-Yes. of course; what is it? Want me
10 take you to supper at the Amphitryon, or
get you tickets for
Ealenfia-Oh, none of that nonsense Lis
ten am bothered ont of my life by mamma
and Lord Siurley; you know him?
John-Wcll, he is a very good parti-not SO
good as I am tianghing)-but-
Ealentia-But old!
John-Make you widow the sooner
Falcntia-Dou't say that, Jack. 1t is horrid
of you, but-isnt be hideousf
John-Dzmonds!
Nalentia (paintively oh, Jack I didn't
think you would take mammals part against
me. i think he is simply hateful.
John-Well. then, dear don't marry him; it's
quite easy. Yon can afford to wait. Besides,
the mans sailing for Gibraltar, isn't he, to-
morrow?
valentia-Yes, that's Just it; and he means
10 propose to me before he goes and make ME a
kind of widow. Mamma wishes it. Aunt Mar
Earet wishes it, Frank wishes it, they all
John-And they sll-mother, aunt, and
brother-buily yon? It's shame; the liberty
Of the subject ought to be respected. I'll do
anything can for you; come now!
Faientia-Jack, you are a good "pal." Well,
then, If you really think you can bear tits
not for loDg-would you mind being engaged
10 me. Jack, till the end of this ball. and I'll
do as much for you another dayf i promise
you.
JOhn-No fear. Once engaged, twice shy
But look here, wait; this must be properly
managed if am to have share in it, j don't
thiBk-eycuse me-you have not had much er.
pericnce-nor have !, for that matter But
we'll pull it through somehow. And / meant
TO dance with you all the evening. Now we
Ghal have TO be rather distant.
Falentia-Dstaut?
John-Almost as distant SIS if we were mar.
ried. People might talk
Ealentia-But ! want them to!
John-Ahi but dsagreeably They would
say, " Poor things. they've got 1t badlyi" or
They are very far gone" You wouldn't like
that. would you?
Nalentia-But engaged people
John-Vsl, my dear, don't think you have
been properly brought up. This is your FIRST
season. You ought still 10 be very cynical
Valentia (aneriyl-Itis you, Jack, who are
cynical. But go on.
John-And there's another thing to think
sf Which Of us is to be jiltcd2
Nalenlia-Ob, me. OF course.
John-Generous girl. ! couldn't think of
allowing il. though. No, yoa shall tilt memo
one ever did before. 1t will do me good.
Falentia- Really and truly, Jack, / think
you can stand il better than can. am sure
IL would do you no harm TO be thrown over by
such an eccentric girl as Valenta Warrington.
John kissing her hand by such beauti.
fnl girl as Falentia Warrington All right!
Nc" we must go and tell your mother; every
body in the room Will know it within quarter
Of an hour. Are you aware of that?
Naientia tlsughing)-0f course, including
Lord Starley-
John (admiringly)-You have plenty of
pluck! Come alone. then. ASIDE. How the
fellows viii laugh! I shall be chsffed IN.
nercifully. (Exeunt)
Is The last dance of the evening. Enter John
and Valeatia 10 the same seat IN The garden.
John lthrowing himself down wearjlyl-
Well, I've been patted on the back. aud ex-
horted TO be cheerful, and hidden to make You
good husband. and chatfed almost beyond the
brink of endurance.
Valentia-And I've been told you were a
good sort aud cnvied by my girl friends and
congratulated todistraction
John-Thank goodness it's over. had no
Nea 1t was like that. / wouldn't 20 through
again for worlds.
sslentia-So you'll never be married
gohn-No suppose not-now.
falentis-Ererybody has been very kind.
confess rather liked il. And oh. Jack, what
20 you think2 Lord Sturley has proposed to
Etbei stranfeways. aud she has accepted him.
John-So you've lost that!
Vsientia-Do you think care?
John-One never knows-wonien are 90
sunny, when once another sifi hes aeeept.,d