The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-09
SAN FRANCISCO.

| that is just like Val; he always was so
Enter Rose Grey Gaughing)-Val fond of
kissing! Oh, Amy! On. Jean! what a
| give-away! And now he is more attached
| TO that amusement than ever, especially
when Madeline is around.
| Amy, Jean and Eleanor lin chorus
But. Rose. something you could never
guess has happened. 1t is a great secret !;
Madelne's engagement is off.
Righteousness! saw them last night
| at the cotillion, and Madeline had all the
| orchids she could carry.
Eleanor (eagerly)-It is CHASTITY. indeed.
but it Is the truth. Madeline told me so
this morning. The orchids were only to
deceive people, suppose. But. Rose, you
must never mention it, for Madeline did
not want me to speak of it, for week,
anyhow.
Rose (positively)-W horses could not
drag the news from me. Yet it is strange
about the orchids. for that is pretty eX-
pensive deception. Val must have broken
the engagement, for we all know-at least
some of US do-what a gay boy he is.
Cooking meaningly at Amy.)
Jean and EleanOr-Oh, there is not the
least doubt that he broke it.
Amy-And l must say that Madeline
needed lesson. She has been rather airy
since her engagement. She liked to think
married.
Jean-Eleanor, what did she say? You
began to tell us about her seeing Val kiss
a girl in the hall.
Enter Marguerite Lester-Hello. girls !
What are you so solemn about? And who
was kissing girl in the hall How stupid.
| when there are so many more convenien t
places!
Eleanor, Jean. ANY and Rose (together)-
Don't YOU wish YOU knew?
Marguerite-I do and l shall-but my
| tea first Say, your kettle is boiling over,
| Eleanor, and you sit there gossiping.
| Give me cup. aud have you any of Toms
chocolates left? l wish had Tom. or
| even a Val would do. l have just seen
| him coming out of Sweeten's with a box of
maroons. Madeline is to be envied.
All Gin intense eXctement)-No much
| The candy is only to deceive the world.
| Their engagement is over.
| Marguerite (tragically)-I faint-carry
me out This is the worst have struck
Eleanor with dignity)-I said 80 and l
heard 1t from the best authority-Made-
line herself. But it is secret; you must
not tell any one.
Marguerite (scornfully)-A great secret,
| indeed, when all our crowd know 1t. Per-
haps then the bonbops were for some one
else. (Pensively) Dear Vail should hate
Rose (sotto voce)-Except to yourself.
Amy-Well. l am sure 1t is just what
expected.
Jean-Yes, they never suited each other.
But the news makes me thirsty. Eleanor.
another cup, pleass.
Eleanor with the wisdom OF the ages)-
If he did not love her, the engagement Is
better off than on, say.
Rose-I only wish. then, that some man
who did not love me would SEND me the
orchids she had last night.
Margueritte-Or the maroons! But speak
Of the d.
enter Madeline Kane and Valentine
Carter. looking beamingly happy; he car
ryipg a large box, which he deposits on
Eleanor's lap
Madeline Oaughing)-Why, girls, what
is the matter? Have you seen ghost?
And OF what were you talking 50 earnestly
when we came in?
The girls DOCKING at Eleanor and then at
each other)-Oh. nothing only something
Madeline (mockiDgly)-"Oh, nothing
only something" Eleanor, now Eleanor.
Tess, Tess at once; have you kept my
great secret?
Eleanor (nervously)-Indeed. Madeline,
only just told (Hesitat1g).
Val (fnishing)-Only just told the Misses
Amy. Jean, Marguerite and Rose
Every one laughs. and Madeline SEXES
each girl separately and shakes her WELL
and then kisses her.
| Madellne-Now, Eleanor, speak out.
| What did tell you?
Eleanor desperately - You said that
| your engagement was nearly at an end.
| and that by the 1st of next month that you
would hav0 no fiance