San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-06-02
IN A YEAR.
CYNTHIA LESTER. aged q

Scene:-A drawing-room; bright fire in the
crate; general air OF freshness about the
room; a quantity Of mimosa and Parma
violets about. Miss Lester, in an extrava-
gantly simple gray gown, standing on a foot
stool before a mirror, tuckinS some violets
into her belt.
CYNTHIA feel Just exactly like a
character in first piece at the theater,
only, unfortunately, there is no gal
lery to play to! Crosses to a work
table, It's nearly twelve, and he al
ways was exasperatingly punctual, so
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 it. It's like page
out of a novel. However, here it ia,
and here is Rex's letter flakes 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 to be allowed to
renew an engagement which has never
been broken as far as we are con-
cerned. May l call on you at twelve
o'clock?-Yours always, eI&Ex HAw-
THoRNE." After note like that, what
choice had l but TO say: Come atonce;
it is thousand years till | see you
CYNTHIA" And (she listens) he's COM
ing! Rises and advances as a servant
announces Mr.. Uawthorne.)
Rex coming forward with out
stretched hands)-Cynthia.
Cynthia running to him)-Rex.
Rex (hesitating)-How good of you
to let me come!
Cynthia drawing gradually away
from him)-Dearest, how could you
think could do otherwise?
Rex Qeading her to a seat and sitting
beside her)-And-and now we have so
much to say to each other.
Cynthia IA little embarrassed)-Yes
of course-so much!
Rex-My poor little Cynthia, re-
member the last time l saw you, how
Cynthia Qaughing)-How red my
ewes 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 resemblance! Please
don't think of me as creature with a
perpetual shuttle.
Rex (seriously)-It was no laughing
matter then.
Cynthia (smilingHNo, 1t wasn't We
were desperatelyi in earnest, weren't WEI
I do believe, Rex, that If that day you
had asked me to run away with you, or
If you had proposed that we should re-
tire to the back garden and dramatic-
ally shuttle off this mortal coil to
gether, honestly, I believe I'D have
done it
Rex pityingly)-Poor little grit
Cynthia - But, all the same, I'm
rather glad you didn't ask me, you
know; becauseff we had rushed of to
the nearest registrars Office there
would have been An end Of Uncle Bob's
fortune, and though, of course, love in
q cottage Is very charming, and q
dinner of herbss Is delightful stin.
the cottage wants to have all the mod
ern improvements and the herbs need
the advantages Of good cook to make
them acceptable, and as for the mortal
coil?-wen (glances at herself In mir
TOR opposite), I'm not sure that I
haven't rather weakness for It
Rex docking at her admiringiy}-
You're prettier than ever, Cynthial
Cynthia (pleasedl-Am I?
Rex surveying her criticalyTBut
you're altered a good deal-and, 1
wonder if 1 dare suggest something's l
believe you'd look more enchanting
still If you'd wear your hair parted in
the middle.
Cynthia horrifed)-My dear boy, I'd
be a perfect fright! I wouldn't do 1t
for the world Where did you get that
idea from?
Rex (meekly)-ohl only thought
I met a girl at the embassy in Paris q
good deal this winter, and she looked
awfully nice with it that way; but,
then
Cynthia-Oh, but she couldn't have
been my stylel
Rex (quickly)-Oh, no! She'd face
like a beautiful Madonna, great dark
eyes and the sweetest hurriedly)-I
of course, she wasn't
at all your style.
Cynchia Cooking at him fixedly)-Do
you know, Rex, that almost fancy
Rex (embarrassed(-What do you
fancyP
Cynthia (gravely(-That 1 should like
you to grow beard
Rex [reheved}-Oh-but--
Cynthia Observation-Disclosures,
man looks so much more impressive
with beard; sort of lord-and-master
airASnd-well, there is something fas-
to me in man with flow
ing golden beard
Rex Gnterrupting(-But, my dear
child, considering my coloring, I don't