The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-07-13
In A YEAR.
CYNTHrs. LESTER. aged p
REX HAWTHORNE, aged ca

CYNTHrs LESTER. aged e
REX HAWTHORNE aged Ga
Sccne:-A 6rawing-rooDl; bright frc In the
crate: general Dir OF freshness about the
room; a quantity Of mimosa and Parma
violets about. Miss Lester, In an extrava-
gautly simple gray gown, standing on foot
, stool before mirror, tuckng some violets
into her bolt
CYNTmA-I feel Just exactly like q
character in first piece at the theater,
only, unfortunately, there is DO gal
]ery to play tol Crosses to work
table, Its nearly twelve, and he al
ways was exasperatingly punctual, SO
he'll be here directly. (Sits.) 1t 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 novel. However, here it Is,
and here is Rcx's letter. Takes ont
letter and reads.) my DEAR CYNTHIA:
Tomorrow is the 14th of February,
the day on which our probation ends.
md ON which we are to be allowed to
renew an engagement which has never
been broken as far as we are con-
cerned. May call on you at twelve
oclock?-Yours always, REX HAw-
rHoRNE." After q note like that, what
choice had l but to say: "Come atonce;
it is thousand years till l see you
CYNTHIA" And (she listens) he's COM
ingi Rises and advances as servant
announces Mr.. Hawthorne.l
Rex coming forward with out
stretched hands)-Cynthia.
Cynthia drumming to him)-Rex.
Rex (hesitatinge How good OF you
to let me comet
Cynthia drawing gradually away
from him)-Dearest, how could you
think could do otherwise?
Rex leading her to seat and sitting
beside her)-And-andn now we have SO
much To say to each other.
Cynthia "a little embarrassed)-Yes
of course--so much!
Rex-My poor little Cynthia, l re-
member the last time saw you, how
Cynthia Qaughingl How red my
ewes were, and how shiny my nose!
Don't remind me of it; it's almost as
bad as being shown photograph
taken when You were six, and being
assured of the resemblance! Please
don't think of me as creature with
perpetual shuttle.
Rex (seriously)-It was no laughing
matter then.
Cynthia (smilingl-No, It wasn't. We
were desperately in earnest, weren't we?
/ do believe, Rex, that IL 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, believe I'd have
done 1t.
Rex (pityingly)-Poor little grill
Cynthia - But, all the same. I'm
rather glad you didn't ask me, you
know; because If 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
cottage Is very charming, and a
"dinner of herbs" is delightful, still,
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?-well (glances at herself in mir
ror opposite), I'm not sure that
haven't rather weakness Tor IT,
Rex Cooking at her admirinRly)-
You're prettier than ever. Cynthial
Cynthia (pleased)-Am l?
Rex Surveying her critically
vou're altered q good deal-and,
wonder If dare suggest something?
believe you'd look more enchanting
still if you'd wear your hair parted IN
the middle.
Cynthia (horrifed)-My dear boy, Fd
be perfect fright! l wouldn't do Il
for the world. Where did you get thai
idea from?
Rex (meelxly)-Ohi only thought
met a girl at the embassy in Paris
GOOD deal this winter, and she looked
ewfully nice with it that way; but
then
Cvnthia-oh, but she couldn't have
been my stylel
Rex (quickly)-Oh, mol Shed Q iacs
like q beautiful Madonna, great darl
eyes and the sweetest (hurriediyl-l
nean-no-thatis is, of course, she WASH
at all your style.
cynchia Cooking at him fixedly)-Ds
YOU know, Rex, that almost fancy
Rex (embarrassed)-What do yos
fancy? 80,
Cynthia (gravely)-That ] should iik'
YOU to grow beard
Rex (relieved) -Oh-but-
CYNTHIA (enthusiastically)-Yes
man looks so much more impressive
with q beard; sort Of lord-and-mastel
.air--and-weii, there is something fas
cinating to me in man with Q low
ing golden beard -,
Rex lIntcrsupting)-Bus, my aesl
thild, considering ny colcFlng' ! s'oa'