The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-12-18
SOCIETY AS 1T rs.


Kemble, a wife.
Scene: Veranda at "Nolleys," Blair's
country residence. Time: After lunch.
Temperature so degrees in the shade. Mrs.
Blair and Alan Kemble are discovered in
wicker chairs.
Kemble (glancing at the tennis
eourt)-What energy! but there, at 20,
sne is willing to play tennis under any
conditions. Myself, I am
Mrs. Blair Canning herself)-I should
cay, 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,
you will discover that 1 was 35 on the
list of April last.
Mrs. Blair ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS!
Kemble-The perfect age! In the full
bloom of manly-of manhood!
Mrs. Blair-Thank you! If desire
an impression, 1 will consult Laura.
Kemble (hastily)-Do no such thing.
No man is a 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
game of chess)
Mrs. Blair-I draw the line at playing
chess with Blair.
Kemble-Chess is Laura's pet nui-
Bance.
Mrs. Blair-Nuisance?
Kemble-Yes, it is a cultivated vice. l
10 not play myself. but being perfect
husband
Mrs. Blair--A man who periodically
reg ICES that wife may possibly have
wish she would like gratified.
Kemble Creating the remark with the
contempt he thinks it deserves -But,
being perfect husband, do not care
that she shall pine away for want of her
tavorite recreation. This is the sole
reason of my coming to the "Nolleys"
80 often.
Mrs. Blair-You mean it is why I
tolerate the frequency of your visits
We are of mutual assistance to one an
other.
Kemble-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) -Compulso
attendance to the demands of social
life.
Kemble enthusiastically Lau-
"a, she is such quiet little thing, with
perfect simplicity of taste! She cares
little for the glamor of a London sea-
son, much preferring her country home,
and completely happy in the society Of
her
Mrs. Blair (quickly)-Now,F Frank, he
would positively go nowhere unless
nade--unless he thought it would give
ne pleasure.
Kemble (who wanted to have finished
his sentence)-I wonder what man of
his disposition saw in you?
Mrs. Blair-Probably what man gen.
orally sees in the woman he falls head
over ears in love with.
Kemble-In that case, nothing; his
powers of perception are temporarily
removed.
Mrs. Blair with becoming blush)--
You cannot expect me to fathom the
mystery.
Kemble-I suppose not. Anyhow. you
are fortunate; he is good chess player.
Mrs. Blair-How should / know? /
have only played few games with him
soon after we met.
Kemble-Ah! l remember your in
.atuation for the game that week; the
next you were engaged.
aIrs. Blair thinking it is time to
:hange the subiect) Prank thinks
esaura a sensible woman.
Kemble-I have a fairly good opinion
If her myself.
Mrs Blair-And it is so convenient
that they agree SO we'll; the old dears
are simply started with chess, a mi
troscope or cribbage, and we are left
entirely free to-
Kemble-Discuss politics.
Mrs. Blair-And the agricultural
question. Not one little bit of anxiety.
can even have girls like Alma Stat
ford in the house.
Kemble-Yes. Laura and Blair give
absurdly little trouble.
Mrs. Blair (thoughtfully) = They
would not have been badly matched.
Ridiculous! Married people
should never be of similar tempera-
ment. They would wish to be always
together. When is a woman to know
what perfect freedom is unless it is
when she is married?
Mrs Blair-You mean freedom to de-
vote her attention entirely to one man
her husband.
Kemble (glancing at the chess-play.
ers)-Exactly.
Mrs. Blair (toying with her chate-
Iaine)-Have you ever considered diff
ferent marriage for yourself?
Kemble-No, not since have been
married.
Mrs. Blair-You are satisfied?
enthusiastically with enthu-
siasm.) Mine has proved a perfect
ion.