The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-09-21
you-make ono little sacrifice for both

Raimund (fervently) Yes; any
thing anything in my power, Alicia,
except to leave you, and that is not in
my power now.
l Alicia-But that, dear, is what 1
would ask you to do. No, let me
speak. do believe that you are true
and loyal and full of love-
Raimund-Oh, Alicia!
Alicia-Hush, now! And it Is for
this reason that / wish you to 20
away. Yesterday, when you spoke OF
your partner trying to persuade you to
take business trip
Raimund-But l told you l would
not go because it would separate me
from you.
Alicia-I thought it was what you
ought to do. He wanted you to stay
year, you said
Raimund-Yes, but l won't.
Alicia-And take charge of the firm
in San Francisco. (Gravely) Sup
pose I demand of you to make this
test of your love-to stay away a
year?
Raimund Gmpetuously)-I can't,
that's all.
Alicia-If you love ine-if you are
sure your love will last-you can. Now,
see, dear. will say this much: that
if you go away for year among new
interests and new people, getting the
new experiences that are sure to come
to you, and then return to me with
the same unchanged regard, might
be able to see-but | won't promise
only-perhaps-
Raimund (passionately)-Oh, yes,
you will promise-you will let me hope
for promise. That is what you mean,
my best and dearest. Then I'll 60
It's hard, it's heart-breaking; but I'll
leave you for year, Alicia. And
| when / come back you'll marry me;
say you will?
Alicia giving him her hand)-Don't
ask me for any pledge. Come to me
and see.
CURTAIN. 4
Scene II: The same. Alicia alone.
Alicia (musing)-It doesn't seem like
a year since RAYMOND went All, yes,
it does. And itseems a little more like
five years. l can't realize that l shall
see him so soon. Dear boy! he has
changed; l can feel 1t in his letters.
He seems more dignified, more guard
ed. l notice that especially in his
writing of his friendship with my
cousins. l know from Helens letters !
that he has been with them constant
ly since he went to San Francisco, and |
yet he mentions them always in the |
ho
once month or SO. Perhaps that is |
significant. rather fanced that he
might be attracted permanently they |
are both such charming girls, though !
Amy, of course, is very young
eighteen yet. He has spoken of her
more often than of Helen, perhaps
because he knows she is my ia
vorite. Heigho! Poor Raimund!
hope he has come back cured, or
do hope it? l am year older, but
am l year wiser? I-don't know.
My heart goes beating as if it belonged
to young girl expecting call from
her first sweetheart (smiling softly.
am Raimund's first sweetheart--at
least l was; but much can happen in
year. | have curious feeling as if
something were coming to make me
sorry. / wonder-there's the bell 1t
can't be SO soont / told Nora to send
him up. Yes, that's his footsteps Con
trolls herself and stands waiting until
a tap is heard.) Come in. ENTER Raj
mund. Raimundl
Raimund-Yes, I'm here, dear-dear
Alicia! (Grasps both her hands warm
ly) How glad ! am to see you again!
Alicia-And l am more glad than /
can say.
Raimund-Is it possible you are more
anything than you can say? You never
used to be. (He laughs.)
Alicia (mentally)-Oh, he's changed
How brown he is, how handsome
No, it is only that he has grown to be
a man.
Raimund (still keeping her hands
and looking brightly into her facet
Well, do you recognize me? ! think |
must be altered. The life out there
is SO different from our New York life;
but like tit is splendid. am glad
| gave it trial
Alicia with an odd sense of depres-
sion)-Yes, you are altered, Raimund
You seem to have grown larger, every
way
Raimund-Thank you. My views of
life | know are wider. You? You ,
don't seem changed at all, but you
ook pale. We're you always so pale, I
Alicia?
Alicia am year older, you must
Raimund (heartily)-And year
ovelier, indeed you are. think must
nave forgotten about your being so
very pretty 1t strikes me SO forcibly !;