The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-13
A FARM TO LET.

-
Characters, Miss Cecilia Preston (2s),
Miss Dorothy. Langdon (24); scene, an ar
tistieally furnished farmhouse parlor.
| Miss Preston sitting by herself before the
fire.
Miss Preston (glancing at the grand
fathers clock in the corner)-Six o'clockl
Dolly will be back directly, and then I
shall have to break the news. What will
she say? But not tonight, think. She
may be tired after her journey, and she'll
want to know why didn't tell her in my
letters, and, Of course, she'll be angry.
No; can't do it tonight. Tomorrow, per-
haps-
(Enter Miss Langdon, in travelling
dress)
Miss Langdon (after embraoing)-Oh,
it's SO delightful to be back at the old
farm againI What shame it was of me
to take such long holiday Haven't you
been dreadfully dullP Now, I'll have
some tea, and you can tell me all the
news. How are those silver gray Dorkings
doing, and what have you got for butter
lately?
Miss Preston (hurriedly)-Don't let's
talk about the farm tonight, Dolly. I'd
ever SO much rather hear how your been
enjoying yourself. We're there nice people
staying at the hallS
Miss Langdon-Yes, very. By the way,
I saw a new chiIrn which
Miss Preston-Did they laugh at our
starting farm together?
Miss Langdon-Some of them made the
usual stupid jokes, pretending that I
couldn't tell turnip from nangold, you
know. AS IL we hadn't been running the
farm for quite three months! And then
they said that-that before long we
should get married (glances quickly at her
companion), and that the whole business
would come to an end. Such an absurd
idea!
Miss Preston docking straight in front
of her)-Perfectly preposterous. Who did
you say were staying there?
Miss Langdon (vaguely)-There was a
Mr.. Ashburton, who was rather nice, and
others. 1 felt quite ashamed of myself for
stopping SO long. How lonely you must
have felt
Miss Preston-Not very. There is a Mr..
Stetway stopping at the rectory who's been
to call pretty often. Did you ride much at
Somerleigha
Miss Langdon-Yes, good deal. How
have you been spending your daysP
Miss Presten-Oh, much usual. Is
the fishing good at Somerleigh?
Miss Langdon-Really, Cts, you might
have more to tell me after I've been away
all this time. You're very dull tonight.
Miss Preston-And really, Dolly, you
might give me some account of your holt
day after having left me alone for a month.
"a long silence, Miss Preston gazing alb
stractedly into the fire and Miss Langdon
tying and untying the tassels of her UNI
brella)
Miss Preston Tin a changed voice)-Dol-
~, I've got something very important to
say to you.
{ Miss Langdon (startled)-Yes?
Miss Preston-You remember when we
agreed to work this farm together we
promised each other solemnly never to
give it up-neygr to marry?
Miss Langdon Suddenly becoming scar
1et)-Yes, yes, of course. What about it?
Miss Preston Slowly and tragically)-
Dolly one of us means to deceive her friend
to break her solemn promise.
Miss Langdon Ito herself)-This is aw-
full! How did she manage to find out?
(Aloud.) Oh, Cts, I know it's wrong and
wicked of me, but I only met Mr.. Ash
burton three weeks ago, and I did tell
him couldn't possibly marry him and
leave you, but he was SO obstinate, and
whatever are you looking like that for?
Miss Preston (gasping)-Do you mean
to say that you are engaged?
Miss Langdon-I really couldn' + help it'll
(Tearfully.) Don't be too hard on me.
If you only knew
Miss Preston Observation-Disclosures
didn't mean you. meant myself! Dolly,
while you were away Harry-Mr. Stetway
proposed, and accepted himl
Miss Langdon-Cisl And after your
solemn word of homer that never, never
Miss Preston-You are every bit as bad
but I'm SO glad your wicked, too, dar-
ling! (They embrace.) Now tell me all
about your him, and I'll tell you about
mine.
Gan interval; then 20 minutes later.)
Miss Langdon-But what will our
friends say? Yours is barrister, and
mines journalist, SO we shan't be able
to carry on the farm. Who would have
thought that the experiment. would have
come to an end so soon? Miss Preston
seats herself at the writing table.) But
I'm sure it would have been a great sue
cess if only What are you writing, dear?
a letter to him?
Miss Preston-No; look, if you 1ikeI
Miss Langdon cleaning over her shoulder
and reading)-A commodious, we'll stu
ated farm to be Iet.-Black and White.