The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-07-08
T A BROKEN IDOL.

sister-ln-laW.
Scene-Rev. Cyril Corbett's study in
small house at the east end ~
Time-Morning, present. day.
May watching Mrs. Corbett as she fits
from corner to corner, buster in HANDY
Really, Logs, your energy is insulting. I
never busted Cyril's room when kept
house for him. To think of yoU-a society
girl-settling down SO meekly in an east
end parish-nO, not meekly, but joyously
as if you liked it.
Mrs Corbett-Of course like it-with
Cyril.
May-Yet when we heard Of you first
you were-your particular set was-rapid.
Mrs. Corbett (ca1m1y) We were all
alike, only was more SO. with emphasis)
was horrid.
May-You are always in extremes, dear.
never heard any real harm of you. But
how you can exist here passes understand
ing did, but then was brought up to
it, and so was Cyril 1t is our environ
ment.
Mrs. Corbets441t's mine, now-by a mir
acle.
May with touch of cynicism)-Love?
Mrs Corbett-Ah, you don't under
standl 1t wasn't ordinary love. 1t was
Cyril's goodness and genius that attracted
me.
May-His genius2 Logs, you raveI
Mrs Corbett-No, I am quite matter of
L
the usual acceptation of the term. But
once he rose to genius, and was there.
1t was in a sermon.
May-Cyri1 rose to genius-in a sermoni
Mrs COrbett-Oh, this was out of the
common. He must have been inspired.
Indeed he looked like a strong, serene an
gel, who understood the mysteries of life,
and he spoke to my very soul, May. can
never forget it. I had gone to church IN
willingly
May-You went to scoR and remained
to pray, suppose.
Mrs Corbett-Exactly In one Of the
finest passages our eyes met
May-That was a touch Of genius
Mrs. Corbett (fushing)-It was an in
slant revelation of soul to soul. From that
moment knew and loved him for the best
in him.
May-It's very strange. I never heard
Cyril preach extraordinarily well.
Mrs. Corbett-Perhaps [ have not since.
But that's no matter There are supreme
moments that can never reoccur, but one
reads all by their light. read Cyril then.
He's not one of your commonplace parsons,
May. On her energy she drops the book
she is replacing and stoops to pick it up.)
May-Isn't he? But does he know all
this?
Mrs. Corbett-He must know, but not
from words There are feelings too sacred
for speech. (Turns the book over starts
and begins to read
May (sniling)-Loys, you are an ideal
ist. hope you will never waken to real
tiles. But do make haste. You know we
promised to meet Cyril at 10.
Mrs. Corbett (stiu reading)-It isn't
true. 1t can't be.
May-We did promise. Logs, how
strange you look! What is the natter
Mrs. Corbett (hysterically)-It's really
too ridiculous. Breads on eagerly for
moment, then pushes the book back into
its place.) Theological literature is so en-
tertaining
May-Its wrong to laugh at sermons.
(Slyly) Every one cannot preach like Cyril,
you know.
Mrs. Corbett-Oh, May, don'tl What a
rhapsody that was of mine Just now about
poor Cyril's geniusi How you must have
laughed at me! Ha, hal It's very funny.
Bursts into tears.)
May-Loys, you are not well, and it's
from getting cholzed with dust. don't
know what Cyril will say.
Mrs. Corbett (dreaTnily lies back in her
chair)-SimmOns broke that gtatuette of
Hope, May, this morning. What can do
with it?
May-Why, nothing. Throw it away.
7 detest mended treasures.
Mrs. Corbett-They are often the dearer
Poor thing, it will not be quite the same
but I must repair it. May, I must, I
must. (Leughs) Do you think me mad?
May think you slightly historical
Mrs. Corbett-Convenient hysterial 1t
accounts for every thing in a woman, from
maunderings about a broken idol mean
statue-to sobs from broken heart.
May-I'm sure Cyril is wondering where
we are
Mrs Corbett-Poor Cyril He is very
patient May, you don't know half his
goodness.
NJ, M h, &, tho e,,,,,1 81 E,1,,o,
Mrs. Corbett (esgerly)-Ah, yesl There
are different standards of honor, are there
not? 1 mean that professional men may
have practices which shock outsiders Just
at first, yet are not really dishonorable.
May-Oh, very likely. But don't see
yoEr drift.
Mrs. Corbett (hushing)-You remem-
Der old Mr.. Dent, our vicar? They said he
preached other mems sermons Do you
believe it?
Aay-Why, we all knew it. Logs, here's
Cyril
(Enter Cyril)
Cyril say, you are nice pair to keep
promises. And 1 rather hoped to have had
your help in school
May-Loys has had an industrious fit
on.
Mrs. Corbett-I've been in my school,
Cyril
Cyril (smiling)-Can you say your les
son?
Mrs. Corbett-Yes. "When half gods
go, the gods arrive. -
May-That means you, Cyril, If it
means anything.
Mrs. Corbett (softly)-The real ''you."
Black and White.
Cash or Credit.
sWhy should a man receive a bonus
when he gets things charged instead of
paying cash?'' asked a New Yorker of an
inquiring mind. If I pay my bill regu-
larlY every day at the restaurant I frequent