Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-06-14
IN A YEAR.
CYNTHIA LESTER. aged q

hLA iAANIh0hNE- hEtl %
Scene:-A drawing room: bright fire In IN
crate; general AIR OF freshness about TIT
room; quantity OF mimosa and Parmi
violets about. Miss Lester, in an extrava
gantly simple gray gown, standing on q foot
stool before mirror, tucking some violet
into her belt
CYNTHIA feel Just exactly like 6
character in a first piece at the theater
only, unfortunately, there is no gal,
lery 10 play to Crosses TO a work.
table, It's nearly twelve, and he al.
ways was eIasperatingly pune tual, SC
he'll be here directly. (Sits.) If any
one had told me year ago that things
would actually happen like this, I'd
never have believed il. It's like page
out of a novel. However, here IL is.
and here is Rex's letter Takes out a
letter and reads. MY DEAR CYNTHIA:
Tomorrow is the 14th of February.
the day on which our probation ends,
and on which we are 10 be allowed 10
renew an engagement which has never
been broken as far as we are con-
cerned. May call on you at twelve
o'clOck?-Iours always, REX HAw-
THoRNE. After note like that, what
choice had but 10 say: Come at once;
1t is thousand years till | see you
CYNTHIA" And she listens he's com
ing. Rises and advances as a servant
announces Mr.. Hawthorne
Rex coming forward with out
stretched hands)-Cynthia.
Cynthia running TO himl-Rex
Rex (hesitating)-Lo good Of YOU
70 let me GOMEZ
Cynthia drawing gradually away
from him)-Dearest, how could YOU
think could do otherwise?
Rex leading her 70 a seat and sitting
beside her)-And-aud now we have SO
much 70 say 10 each other.
Cynthia Ia little elnbarrassed)-Ye |
of course-so much
Rex-My poor little Cynthia, I re-
member the last time saw you. how
Cynthia laughing How red nv
eyes were. and how shiny my nose!
Don't remind me Of it; it's almost as
bad as being shown a photograph
taken when you were six, and being
assured of the resem blance! Please
don't think of me as creature with a
perpetual shuttle.
Rex lseriously)-It was no laughing
matter then.
Cynthia (sniling)-No, il wasn't We
were desperately in earnest. weren't we?
do believe, Rex, that IL that dav YOU
had asked me To run away with YOU. or
II you had proposed that we should re-
tire 70 the back garden and dramatic
ally shuttle off this mortal coil 10
gether, honestly, ! believe I'd have
done IT,
Rex (pityingly)-Poor little girl! I
Cynthia - But, all the same. I'm
rather glad you didn't ask me, YOU
know; because if we had rushed off 70 s
The nearest registrars office there
would have been an end Of Uncle Bob's
fortune and though, of course, love in {
cottage Is very charming. and n
dinner OF herbs" is delightful, still. I
he cottage wants To have all the mod. 1
I'm improvements and the herbs need
he advantages OF a good cook TO make
hem acceptable, and as for the mortal a
oil?-well lglances at herself in mir
or opposite), I'm not sure that c
Iavent rather a weakness for IT,
Rex looking at her admiringly)-
'onre prettier than ever, Cynthia! '
Cynthia (pleased)-Am I?
Rex surveying her criticallv)-But a
on re altered a good deal-and. | Ii
'onder if dare suggest something? I
elieve you'd look more enchanting
I'LL If you'd wear your hair part d in
le middle. -
Cynthia (horrifed)-My dear boy, I'd j..
perfect fright! ! wouldn't do il
'r the world. Where did you get that
lea from?
Rex meekly)-Oh | only thought o. o.
met girl at the embassy in Paris a a.
bod deal this winter, and she looked u
Tfully nice with it that way; but 90
ZEN I'd
Cynthia-oh, but she couldn't have IA "a
,en my stylel q
Rex (quickly)-Oh, mol She'd a face ~
&c beautiful Madonna, great dark ". "
es and the sweetest (hurriedly)-I ="
is, of course, she wasn't ",
all your style. ."
Cynchia docking at him fxedly)-Do be
~ know, Rex, that | almost fancy 80,
Rex embarrassed What do Won IN
ncy? vi
Cynthia (gravely)-That should like e.,
u to grow beard -
Rex relieved -Oh-but- =.
Cynthia (enthusiastically)-Yes. -
IN looks so much more impressive ba,
tn beard; sort OF lord-and-master 90,
there is something fas- -, 49,
lating 70 me in man with flow r.,
I golden beard 81. .ii'
Rex Gnterrupting)-But, my dear "a.
I'D, considering my coloriny, d.u+ tbe