The Van Buren press., 1894-09-08


to you. and then return to me with
the same unchanged regard, | might
be able to see-but l 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 q year, Alicia. And
when come back you'll marry me;
say you will?
Alicia giving him her nd)-Don't
ask me for any pledge. Come to me
and see.
CURTAIN.
Scene L.: The same. Alicia alone.
Alicia tmusing)-It doesn't seem like
a year since Raimond won't All. yes.
it does. And it seems little more like
Ave years. can't realize that shall
see him so soon. Dear boy! lie has
changed, can feel It in his letters.
lie seems more diguified. more guard
ed. I notice that especially in his
writing of his friendship with my
cousins. l know from Helen's letters
that he has been with them constant
" since he went to San Francisco, and
yet he mentions them always in the
most distant way, as If he saw them
once month or SO. Perhaps that is
significant. rather fancied that he
might be attracted permanently, they
are both such charming girls, though
Amy, of course. is very young mot
eighteen yet. He has spoken of her
more often than of Helen, perhaps
because he knows she is my fa-
vorite. Heigho! Poor Raimund! l
hope he has come back cured, or
do hope it? am year older. but
am year wiser? I--don't know.
My heart goes beating a il it belonged
to young girl expecting call from
her first sweetheart fsmiling softly. I
am Raimund's first sweetheart-at
least was; but much can happen III
year. have curious feeling as II
something were coming to make me
sorry. wondef-there's the bell. 1t
can't be SO soon! l told Nora to send
him up. Yes, that's his footsteps (Con-
trolls herself and stands waiting until
y tap is heard.) Come in. Enter Raj
mund.) Raimund!
Raimund-Yes, I'm here. dear-dear
Alicia. (Grasps both her hands warm
ly) How glad am to see you again!
Alicia-And am more glad than
can say.
Raimund-Is it possible you are more
anything than you can say? You never
used to be. (Hc laughs.)
Alicia fmcntally)-Oh,h he's changed.
How brown he is, how handsome!
No, it is only that he has grown to be
q man.
Raimund (still keeping her hands
and looking brightly into her facet
Well. do you recognize me? l think
must be altered. The life out there
is SO different from our New York life;
but Hike tit Is splendid. am glad
I gave 1t 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 l know are wider. You? You
don't seem changed at all, but you
look pale. Were you always so pale.
Alicia?
Alicia-I am year older, you must
remember.
Raimund (hcartily)--And year
lovelier, indeed you are. think must
have forgotten about your being so
very pretty. 1t strikes me SO forcibly
now. And your eyes are just the same.
l have thought of them so often. Your
cousin Amy's eyes and yours are very
much alike. as
Alicia mentally How bold he is!
Withdrawing her hands). Yes, they
are alike, l think
Raimund (critically) - Amy's arc
darker, q little. by the way, they've
sent letters and packages-your aunt
and cousins-but I've not got at my
trunks yet. just stepped of the
train, took n bath, and came straight to
you.
Alicia-How nice and kindl
Raimund-To myself. It's such a
delight to sit and talk with you again,
but there's 30 much to tell you, don't
know where to begin! I've had glo-
rious time with your cousins, and your
aunt has really been like a sweet
mother to me. Right at once they
made the strange city seem like home
Alicia-And Aunt Laura's health is
so wonderfully improved, Helen writes
me.
Raimund Enthusiastically = I'm
proved! You never saw anything like
1t. And the girls are really-well, real
ly beauties, both of them. They are
coming on to New York, l suppose
Helen has told you, very soon now.
Alicia-She has not spoken OF it,
Raimund-Oh! they are coming; at
least / hope they will that is, i
think-they ought to.
Alicia (mentally)-How confused he
seems. (Aloud, smilingly). Why do
you think they ought to2 Aren't they
quite happy In San Francisco?
Raimund--Well. I'm selfish, sup
pose. Ill miss them good deal.
Alicia (spmpathetically)-Oh! l can
understand that Helen is SO charm
ing, don't you think? l said at once
when ! knew you were to stay In San
Francisco that Helen would be just
the friend you needed there. M
Raimund-She certainly is splendid,
butts curious-somehow, l took to
Amy more. F
Alicia-Oh, did you? She's very
young.
Raimund-I liked that never had
s1ch companionship before. mean
er (reddening lightly)-ah--I'm glad
Amy is yoar favorite, too.
Alicia (slowly)-But I've scarcely