The herald., 1896-07-07
BY TELEPHONE.

Scene-Offlce. A clerk writing at a
table. A telephone inclosed in q sort of
wardrobe. Enter Maude Harrison and a
strong perfume Of violettes de Parme. She
Is smartly dressed and seems rather nerv-
Gus.
The Clerk docking up)-Yes, miss
Maude-Oh, IL beg your pardon. You
know Mr.. Gosling Greene?
The Clerk--Yes; he's one of our clients
Maude-Oh, is he? Well (simpering)
don't know what you'll think of me, I'm
sure, but want to telephone to him.
Clerk-Vory well, miss Step in there.
She goes into sort of wardrobe
Maude-How nervous feel l haven't
heard his voice for fortnight and now to
hear it like this! / wish l could kiss him
by telephone; it would be nicer some
times. (Sho puts two ivory cups to her
ears.) Seven hundred and ninety-on
please, II the gontleman's there. "a
pause.) Who is it9 1t sounds like parrot.
*** Yes, dear, of course, it's me. You
told me to come at 2 O'Clock, only l
didn't know your voice. Are you quite
we'll? Why haven't you written me? =
So busy as all that? Poor dear Still, you
might have sent just line. You know
how anxious I am. ~ & Oh, you can't ex-
pect me to believe that. I'm not quite a
fool, whatever you may think. *** I'm
sure I'm not losing my temper. It's you
that's doing that. What is it you want,
Reggie? = = A surprise for me! Oh, you
darling, what is it? ~ = To be married!
(Puzzled) Yes, know, dear. But have
you told your people about itY - Your
mother? Oh, the darling; how shall love
her! y Tell me exactly what she said,
dear. *"+ What? Say it again. didn't b
hear it. *** Not to me Reggie, you can't
mean that-you only say 1t to try my love
| for you. After all you've said and (crying)
| all the letters youve written to me- - :
| But 1 couldn't send them back, dear; I
value them more than anything. I know
them by heart-such darling letters. = 4 =
I don't want them. I've nothing to be
ashamed Of in mine. You're behaving
shamefully, Reggie, and won't be treat
ed like this. What have I ever donep
Haven't I always loved you and done all
you told me-and- 80" What do care
for Henderson, That was before I knew
you, and I've never seen him since
hardly. Oh, don't go in that way.
Do you want me to hate your (Softening.) }
Reggie, dear, you don't mean 1t, do you?
Don't you remember what you said that
evening at 'Enley. when *** How dare
youP don't drop my H's-it's this beast
ly telephone drops them on the way and If
you only want to insult me- Oh. Reggie,
you've broken my 'art-heart. (She sobs
into tho Telephony.
The Clerk-Have you finished?
Maude-Yes. (Speaking into the tele-
phone.) won't cry any more because
know you're having some fun with me,
dear.
The Clerk--You're only allowed five
minutes.
Maude-I haven't been crying five min
utes. (Again speaking into the tele-
phone.) Oh, beg pardon! Please put
me on 791 again. 4 T. Not heard a word
I've been saying! Why, I haven't been
saying anything I've been talking to the
office. And you talk of money !!
Do you think money can repay me for the
way I've loved you? It's that that makes
it SO hard, because you did love mo once,
if you don't now. Don't you remember
that night at Henley, when we got away
from ma and went along the towing path
in the moonlight and you kissed me I'M
der the I'm sure you can il you
like. It's because you won't. (Shout-
ing.) Don't-you - remember = that -
Il
break the telephone, and I shall shout If
you't can't hear me without. with much
solemnity.) Reggie, 1 shall die of this,
and you'll have killed me, but with sud
den passion) do you think I'll stand it9
No; I'll shoot you and then myself like
that girl did in = = 4 No; l know
can't do 1t through a telephone You
coward, that's why you dare to insult me
like this! (Softeni2g.) And I'd begun
to buy my things, or at least to think
about what I'd buy! 1t is hard y
OF course 1t isn't II question of money
not at all-but l shall see my lawyer ut
once, all the same. Five thousand
pounds? Only a50Ol Certainly
not with dignity.) Mr. Greene, shall
bring an action against you for breach of
promise tomorrow-do you hear, tomor-
row. So - dropping the handles.) Deuce
take the man! How does he know that9
(Shouting.) It's false-its a lie! never
did. = = You can't have proofs! It's
false! Oh, Reggie, say you don't bolieve
1t Of me and-and- (Sobbing.) =
I'm not making your end all wet. Fancy
a man who can make fun of poor girl at
time like this! Reggie, IL I take that
money, will you say you don't believe it.?
Take it or leave It'll Then will
take it sooner than have anything more to
do with such n mean, despicable, horrid-
$50 Oh, mol Only just bcgun-despica-
BILE, cowardly-
The Clerk-You'ro cut off.
Maude-Cut off! Call him back, please!
The Clerk-Havo you done?
Maude-No, tell you'll Please tell him
from mo that despise him, and
The Telephone-Burr, burr!
Maude-Oh, it's no use What beastly
invention, to be sure! Well, ono comfort
is, can write and tell him what l think
about him (Ezit. BLACK and White.
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