Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-12-26
SOCIETY AS 1T Is.

Characters: Frank Blair. a husband; Mrs.
Blair and Alan Kemble. friends; Laura
kemble, a wife.
Scene: veranda at "Nolleys,- Blair's
country residence. Time: After lunch
Temperature 80 degrees in the shade. Mrs.
Blair and Alan Kemble are discovered in
wicker chairs.
Kemble (glancing at the tennis
court)-yVhat energy! but there, at 20,
one is willing to play tennis under any
conditions. Myself, I am
Mrs. Blair Canning herself)-I should
say, 40, if you are a day.
Kemble (starting nervously, but re-
covering himself >quickly)I was not
meditating any reference to my age,
but for the sake of accuracy, if you will
refer to your Browning Birthday Book,
1st of April last.
Kemble-The perfect age! In the full
bloom of manly-of manhood!
Mrs. B1air-Thank you! If I desire
an impression, will consult Laura.
Kemble (hastily)-Do no such thing.
No man is hero to his-wife.
Mrs. Blair Qaughing)-Look at those
dear old stiles!
(Kemble looks. Sees his wife and
Frank Blair through an open window;
the two figures sitting at the further
end of a dimly-lit room are just dis
tinguishable. They are engaged in n
game of chess.)
Mrs. Blair-I draw the line at playing
chess with Blair.
Kemble-Chess is Laura's pet nui-
sance.
Mrs. Blair-Nuisance?
Kemble- it is cultivated vice. I
do not play myself, but being perfect
husband
Mrs. Blair-A man who periodically
realizes that a wife may possibly have q
wish she would like gratified.
Kemble Creating the remark with the
contempt he thinks it deserves)-But,
being a perfect husband, do not care
that she shall pine away for want of her
favorite recreation. This is the sole
reason of my coming to the '.Nolleys"
SO often.
Mrs. Blair-You mean it is why
tolerate the frequency of your visits.
other.
Kemb1e-Exactly.
Mrs. Blair-'.A weeks chess for
Frank" scrubbed on my mental diary
completely subdues any feeling that ne
may have been hurt by my
Kemble (murmuring)-Neg
Mrs. Blair (frowning) -Compulsor
attendance to the demands of social
life.
Kemble enthusiastically Lau-
ra, she is such quiet little thing, with
perfect simplicity of taste! She cares
little for the glamor of London sea-
son, much preferring her country home,
and completely happy in the society of
her
Mrs. Blair (quickly)-Now, Frank, he
would positively go nowhere unless I
made-unless he thought it would give
me pleasure
Kemble (who wanted to have finished
his sentence)I wonder what man of
his disposition saw in you?
Mrs. Blair-Probab1y what man gem
orally sees in the woman he falls head
over ears in love with.
Kemb1e-In that case, nothing; his
powers of perception are temporarily
removed.
Mrs. Blair with a becoming blush)-
You cannot expect me to fathom the
mystery.
Kemble-I suppose not. Anyhow, you
are fortunate; he is a good chess player.
Mrs. Blai-How should I know?
have only played few games with him
soon after we met
Kemhle-Ahi 1 remember your in
fatuation for the game that week; the
next you were engaged
Mrs. Blair thinking it is time to
change the subject)-Franlr thinks
Laura a sensible woman.
Kemble-I have fairly good opinion
of her myself.
Mrs. Blair-And it is so convenient
that they agree SO well; the old dears
are simply started with chess, mi
croscope or cribbage, and we are left
entirely free to-
KemblesDiscuss politics.
Mrs Blair-And the agricultural
question. Not one little bit of anxiety.
I can even have girls like Alma STAFF
ford in the house
Kemble-Yes. Laura and Blair give
absurdly little trouble
Mrs. Blair (thoughtfu1ly) = They
would not have been badly matched
Observation-Disclosures! Married people
should never be of a similar tempera-
ment- They would wish to be always
together. When is a woman to know
what perfect freedom is unless it is