Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-05-18
quite see how could oblige you with

golden beard.
Cynthia Cblushing as she chances at
his mustache)-Oh-no, of course
(hurriedly)-what were we saying?
Oh, yes, that things had changed a
good deal since poor Uncle Bob parted
us SO cruelty a year ago.
Rex-To begin with, poor Uncle Bob
himself has joined the great majority.
Cynthia-Yes-and left me absolute
ly alone in the world, sole mistress of
his fortune, always provided that
kept to his conditions and held no COM
munication with you until the year he
had fixed for our separa ton had
| elapsed.
Rex rather wonder he didn't make
the whole thing conditional on your
not marrying me.
Cynthia (dreamiIy)-Yes, it is almost
wonder! with an efort.) Well, at
any rate, now, dear Rex, there will be
no need for us to live in back street
and never able to get out of each 9th
er's way for an hour, as poor uncle
said We shall be rich enough to do
exactly as we choose and see as little of
each other as we like.
Rex following ont his own thought
! That will be delightful, and perhaps
you haven't heard that that mine of
my fathers which your uncle used to
make such fun of has begun to yield
again, so that my position either is not
| quite what it was, and
Cynthia (quickly)-Then you are not
poor any more?
Rex Shaking his head)-Not any
more than you are.
Cynthia-Then--then my money
Rex Gnterrupting frmly)-That shall
be settled entirely upon yourself.
Cynthia-But, then, what's the use
of my marrying you?
Rex-CynthiaI
Cynthia (embarrassed)-I uean-oh,
1 don't quite know what 1 mean. "a
pause, during which Cynthia examines
her shoe and Rex pulls his mustache.)
Rex with aD effort)-When shall we
be married, Cynthia?
Cynthia Coming out of her reverie)-
Mari? Oh, yes, of course. / don't
care; whenever you like.
Rex-Then it had better be as soon
as possible, hadn't it?
Cynthia (absently)-Yes, and get it
over.
Rex (tal1ing her hand)-Cynthia, do
you know that you haven't once told
me you loved me?
Cynthia (awkwardly)-Oh but have
! told you SO so often.
| Rex-Yes, but that was year ago.
Cynthia Cbetween tears and laughter)
Yes, a year ago, and suddenly look
ing into his eyes, do you know, Rex,
that you haven't kissed me?
Rex Cleaning forward quickly
dear Cynthia.
Cynthia drawing back)-No-you did
so often-a year ago
Rex-But-
Cynthia Cooking at him, frankly
Rex sn't it all rather farce, don't
you think?
Rex (uncomforta b1e)-What do you
mean?
Cynthia Quickly -Well-that year
ago means just three hundred and
sixty-fve days, and a lot of things have
happened since then; not only the
things we have talked about-others.
We've been about, both of US, and seen
different places and people with a
sudden smile), girls with beautiful
dark eyes and their hair parted down
the middle.
Rex (sotto woodland fascinating
golden boards.
Cynthia Cblushing)-Yes-a nd-and
don't you think that, perhaps, when
Uncle Bob said we were q couple OF
young fools, he wasn't very far wrong?
Rex in carefully controlled voice.
DO you mean that you wish to break
off our engagement?
W 4. -
it your duty to come back to me, and
thought it mine to wait for you; but
everything is different, and-and, oh,
Rex, can't you see l don't love you a
bit, any more than you do me, and
that should hate to marry you?
Rex Staring at her hard)-You'd
hate-(suddenly selling her hands,
Cynthia, you're the best girl in all the
world
Cynthia (demurely)-Bu I haven't
got beautiful dark eyes.
Rex (ferventIy)-I hope the golden
beard will make you as happy as you
deserve.
Cynthia-T-(with a burst of laugh.
teri you're going back to Paris TO-
night, aren't you?
Rex (smiling)-Yes-and you?
Cynthia-rm going to write to hirn
and explain!
Rex taking her hand, heartily
Good-by!
Cynthia (same)-Good luck!
Rex (as he exits)-Ah, Violet My
Violet!
Cynthia flying to the writing table
and Selling sheeto of paper)-"Myd dear
| Berthe"
[CURTAIN.
London Black and White.