The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-05-23
A DUOLOGUE.

On the shape Of two letters; the first
written by a handsome, attractive
man of the world, born in Richmond,
Va, in 1859. but from childhood a
resident of New York; the second let
ter. written in reply to the first, by
New York woman, born somewhere
about 1864, charming, lovely and mar
ried-but unhappily.)
New York. Feb. %, 1S94.-Oh, My
Dear, Dear Mrs. Peggy: Haven't you
realized why you haven't seen me
these last three days? 1t is because L
have seen no one and nothing but you!
There, it is out! And unless your Wo-
mans instinct has been very much
a-maying Il couldn't say Wool-gather-
ing apropos Of iD, you must have seen
ard known days, weeks ago.
I've tried to go away. I've chosen
ever so many routes, gone several
times to the station, and twice even
bought ticket; but while what we
poor fools call our better judgment
dragged my very mortal body away
from town, my heart full Of love-and
heavy. because | feel you will say
for you to receive, or at any rate to
return that love, would be WrOng-my
heart God bless IT'D held me back
fast. in the place where you see the
sun shine and the moon rise. Can you
make head or tail of me, my darling
Mrs. Peggy? which of course I must
not call You unless you grant me per-
mission; will you?
But to go back no further than YES
terday: 1 had been only two days
away from you, yet having sworn to
myself the night before that l would
not go to see you in the morning, |
found l couldn't sleep at ALL because l
had nothing to wake up for And then
what day! AS if it weren't enough
to have you in my heart 1 had you
ION the BRAIN" too. Everywhere I
went l saw only Mrs. Peggy, and
myriads of her! Think of myriads of
Mrs. Peggys, when there is really only
one in the whole wide world, only
could be one, and she, besides, is more
than tWo-thirds heavenly. When l
boarded street car it seemed to me
that Mrs. Peggy rang the bell, and in
side there were rows and rows of her.
and every strap had another man than
me hanging on it all down the aisle.
Even at lunch she was with me, the
Carte du Juror was Ia Peggy. And
all my business letters were signed
with her name, big and vanishing.
Every store I passed on Broadway be-
longed to you, and SarOny had no one
else pictured in his windows. The
violets the men sold on Twenty-third
street smiled like your eyes, and lily
of-the-valley tears hung sympathetic
ally for me beside them. 1 couldn't
stand it any longer! I glanced up at
the Fifth Avenue hotel clock-it was
Mrs. Peggy minutes past Mrs. Peggy!
and l came on here to my club to
make Il fool or a beast-or What?-of
myself. 1 haven't been able, appar
emily, to make my declarations seri-
Ously! That is because of two rea-
sons; first, I didn't want to frighten
you, or anger you, Or have you laugh
at me, either; / thought it was safer
to invite you to laugh with me; and
second, | was afraid you might be less
likely to believe a serious declaration
from me, we have been on such Jolly,
jol1y terms, you and 1 q love even to
write those three words together. and
everlasting adamantine little chain of
hearts, which l am afraid is Wofully
silly for great strong man who once
had beard to say) Perhaps you will
be angry with this letter, ANYWAY.
but have honestly tried to take as
few liberties as possible, and though
some of the adjectives are a trifle
more cordial than usual, still I con-
finnn
have to put it in afterwards with a
caret, for a Witness! But 1 shall stop
all that-yes, l must; it is all too
trivial. Besides it is beating around
the bush. would rather beat against
the bars. The facts are these-you are
not happy.
There is no love lost-ever to be
found-between you and your hus-
band; this l dare to write because YOU
have confessed as much to me. Why,
then, shouldn't I at least tell you that
do love you? 1t is necessity for
me TO say it. or 1 shall 20 mad with
it's being hushed so long into silence.
while see you starving of any love.
If not for mine. And, God help me,
but I can't help hoping, thinking.
dreaming, or what you choose 10 cali
1t, .'lat my step coming has been Il
pleasant sound to your ears, my hand
clasp welcome to your hand, my
glances answered in your deep-sca
eyes. I love you and that is why 1
haven't been to see you. The last
time l called could scarcely keep my
lips from seeking yours, and have
long ago gave up trying to keep my
thoughts from that; when you came
into my room, the flowing drapery of
your sleeve brushed against me-.i.
affected me like an exquisite sweep of
harp strings, it was as if al unseen
paradise wing had blessed me, and for
a moment was quite dizzy. Per-