The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-23
BY TELEPHONE.

table A telephone inolosed in a sort Of
wardrobe. Enter Maude Harrison and
strong perfume Of violettes de Parme. She
is smartly dressed and seems rather nerv-
Gus.
The Clerk docking up)-Yes, miss.
Maude-Oh, II beg your pardon. You
know Mr.. Costing Greene9
The Clerk-Yes; he's one of our clients.
Maude-Oh is her Well (simpering), I
don't know what you'll think Of me, I'm
sure, but want to telephone to him.
Clerk-Very we'll, miss Step in there
She goes into sort of wardrobe
Maude-HoW nervous feell haven't
heard his voice for fortnight and now to
hear it like this I wish I could kiss him
by telephone; it would be nicer some
times. (She puts two ivory cups to her
ears.) Seven hundred and ninety one,
please, if the gentleman's there. a
pause.) Who is its 1t sounds like a parrot.
= Yes, dear, OF course, it's me. You
told me to come at O'Clock, only
didn't know your voice. Are yOu quite
well2 Why haven't you written meg *
So busy as all that? Poor dearl Still, you
might have sent Just a 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 Il m not losing my temper. It's you
that Us doing that. What is it you want,
Reggie? a surprise for mel Oh, you
darling. what is it? & To be married.
(Puzzled.) Yes, know, dear. But have
you told your psOple about it? = # Your
mother? Oh, the darling; how I shall love
herl Tell me exactly what she said,
dear What2 Say it again. I didn't
hear it. : Not to me! Reggie, you can't
mean that-yeu only say it to try my love
for you After all you We said and (crying)
all the letters you've written to me &
21f hack
value them more than anything. I know
them by heart-such darling letters. = =
don't want them. I've nothing to be
ashamed of in mine Your behaving
shamefully, Reggie, and I won't be treat
ed like this. What have I ever done?
Haven't I always loved you and done all
you told me-and- 3 What do I 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 you? (Softening.)
Reggie, dear, you don't mean it, do you?
Don t you remen Der what you said that
evening at 'Enley. when How dare
your don't drop my H Sits this beast
II 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 the telephone).
The Clerk-Have you finished?
Mauds-Yes. Speaking into the tele-
phone) I won't cry any more because I
know you re having some fun with me,
dear.
The Clerk-You're only allowed i've
minutes.
Maude-I haven been crying five min
utes. again speaking into the tele-
phone.) Oh, I beg pardonl Please put
me on 79I again. Not heard a word
I've been saying Why, 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 me once,
if you don't now Don't you remember
that night at H-enley, when We got away
from ma and went along the towing path
in the moonlight, and you kissed me IN
der the I'm sure you can IL you
like. It's because you won't. (ShOut-
ing) Don't - you - remember - that -
Henley No; shan't
break the telephone, and I shall shout if
you't can't hear me without. with much
solemnity.) Reggie, I shall die Of this,
and you'u have killed me, but with sud
den passion) do you think I'll stand it?
No; III shoot you and then myself like
that girl did in r No: I know I
can't do it through a telephone. You
coward, that's why you dare to insult me
like this (Softening) And I'd begun
to buy my things, or at least to think
about what I'd buy 1t is hard
OF course it isn't a question of money
not at all-but I shall see my lawyer at
once, all the same. Five thousand
pounds? Only $500 Certainly
not with dignity.) Mr.. Greene, shall
bring an action against you for breach of
promise tomorrOw-do you hear, tomor-
row. dropping the handles.) Deuce
take the man How does he know thatS
(ShOuting) It's false-it's liel I never
did. g = You can't have proofsi It's
falsel Oh, Reggie, say you don't believe
it of me and-and- (SObbing-)
I'm not making your end all wet. Fancy
a man who can make fun Of a poor girl at
a time like thiai Reggie, if take that
money, viii you say you don't believe it?
Take it OF leave It'll Then I will
take 10 sooner than have anything NOSE to
do with such a mean, despioable, herrid-
Oh, mel Only just begun-despioa-
bic, cOwaEdly-
The Clerk-You're cut of.
Maude-Cut of Cali him back, pleased
The Clerk-Have you done?
Maude-No, tell you'll Please tell him
from me that despise him, and
The TelephOne-Burr, burrl
Maude-Oh, it's no usel What beastly
invention, to be surei Well one comfort
is. I can write ana tell him what I think
about him exit. BLACK and White.
A rT,,v.s,, Te,,,a That Never necevs