The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-19
A HAPPY CLIMAX.

OF a summer RESORT CObUd&g6 On al al OOEuOOn
when it Eas too dreary for cycling, stroll
ing or boating. The young lady is alone,
sitting in comfortable chair trying to kill
time with a novel, when a gentleman who
has long known her is announced
Mavis (starting to her feet and holding
out both her hands)-Dickl
Dick (smiling and taking both her hands
in his)-Mavis!
Mavis-Why, Dick, is it really your
Dick-It is really L
Mavis-And you have really made up
your mind after all these months to see me
again?
Dick-I wanted to see you very much.
Mavis-And you have forgiven me?
Dick-I have nothing to forgive, dear.
You did not know. How should you?
Mavis (aside)-I did know, and-and he
must know it. (She looks away nervously. J
Come and sit down and talk gushing for
ward the chair she had been occupying,
taking another for HERSELF. Well, and
what made you remember me at last?
Dick (gravely)-I have always remem-
bered you, Navis, but 1 came here because
I wanted to tell you something.
Mavis cleaning far forward in an en-
deavor to conceal her face and making
grasp at the book in her lap)-Wel?
Dick noticing only her bright hair shin
ing in the sunlight)-By Jovel
Mavis (having recovered her calmness)-
beg your pardon.
Dick-I beg yours, but-but 1t looked
so pretty with the light shining on it.
Mavis Cooking at him astonishedly)-
Was that what you wanted to tell me,
Dick?
Dick-No, no, of course not. It was
something of-of great Importance, at least
to me. Do you remember our old promise
that each would
Mavis dropping the book with a clatter)
oh, yes, yes. Fancy your remembering
that old nonsense.
Dick lin a disappointed tone)-Was it
nonsense? II thought it was an under
stood thing, so I
Mavis Gmpatiently)-W yes, so it
was, but tell me your news quickly.
was always a bundle of curiosity.
Dick-Well, 1 am hoping Toto perpe-
trate matrimony soon.
Mavis Speaking a little unsteadily, but
looking with apparently keen interest at
the fastening of her pretty suede slipper)-
Oh, indeed, this is quite exciting. Dick.
(Then, after the slightest pause) Hoping,
did you say?
Dick-Yes, hoping I am not engaged
yet. II don't even know if she will have
me, but-but, you see, she does not know
yet that 1 want her.
Mavis Tin calm, incisive tone)-A wom-
an always knows when man loves her.
Dick-Oh-h, does she?
Mavis (blushing hotly)-At least nearly
always, She always (sadly) knows when
a man ceases to love her.
Dick-Indeed.
Mavis (hastily)-Dick is she pretty
Dick (emphaticaIly)-
Mavis (aside, with little moan)-Oh,
this is too cruel (AlOud) OF course L do
not mean in your eyes. Do others admire
her?
Dick-Most certainly they do, and she
Mavis-DescFibe her to me bit by bit.
Her eyes2
Dick-Gray.
Mavis (aside)-I wonder if they are like
mine. (Aloud) Hair9
Dick-Bright brown and curly.
Mavis bitterly, but with little laugh)
AT all like mine Dick? 4
Dick (nodding enphatically)-Yes just
at least very much like yours. Little
loose curls straying about her forehead
adding as a bright afterthought) More
like yours used to be-
Mavis (surreptitiously puts up her hand
and rufdes her hair about her broWs a lit
tle)-Is she clever?
Dick-Yes, very.
Mavis (moaning again)-Ohl And does
she care very much for you, Dick? bend
ing forward and resting her elbow on her
knee and her cheek on her hand, so that
her face is almost entirely concealed from
him).
Dick-I hope so.
Mavis-If she is clever, she will make
you believe she loves you whether she does
or not.
Dick-I have no fear of that Her clev-
erness is more likely to take the form of
making me think she does not care for me
when all the time she-she really has some
some affection for me.
Mavis with little catch in her voice
and playing nervously with a ribbon of
her gown)-That is much harder to keep
up for any length of time She Needle
very clever-or very strong. "a pause.)
But it is not necessary-in her case-as you
you want to marry her.
Dick Cooking wistfuIly at the pretty
head, turned SO persistently from him.
But she does not know that yet. "a long
pause, during which the sun shines more
brightly, lighting the whole conservatory
and discovering a something that sparkles
on Mavis' cheek. Dick rises and comes
over to the window, where he stands look
ing down at the girl He sees the spar
king drop, but, of course makes no com
ment. YOu-yOu have not asked me if
am very fond of her, Mavis.
Mavis (carelessly passing her hand across
her face and sInudging the tear away so
that it leaves a wide wet streak across her
cheek, looks up at him, thinking that in
the Pickering light he will not see her
panied eyes and quivering face)-Of course,
understood that, as you want her for
your wife Do you love her very much,
Dick?
Dick (who sees her face and eyes dis
tinotly) -Very, very much
Mavis (clinching her hands involunta-
rily)- More than you used to me9 (Wist-
fully)
Dick (gravely) - Yes, little woman,
much more. With deeper
Mavis (rising and throwing out her
hands with q cry that makes Dicks lips
quiver)-No, Dick, not that-not thatl
Dick taking her hands)-But it is so, it
is so, as know to my cost (Then more
frlnly) You have not asked me her name