The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-01-14


vote her attention entirely to one man.
her husband.
Kemble (glancing at the chess-plsy-
er)-Exactly.
Mrs. Blair toying with her chate-
laine)-Have you ever considered Diff
ferent marriage for yourself?
Kemble-No, not since have been
married.
Mrs. Blair-You are satisfied?
Kemble-Absoluteayl with enthu-
siasm.) Mine has proved q perfect
union.
Mrs. Blair (after some hesitation)-
And yet
Kemble (refects for q moment, then
in q decided tone)-Yes, 1 will assist you.
You wish to recall a period prior to
your weeks infatuation for chess-play-
ing.
Mrs. Blair (tolerably successful in o
look Of blank amazement) What are
you talking about?
Kemble-Yes, it was very absurd.
Mrs. Blair cher memory reviving)-
Pardon me, you were.
kemhle (chuckling)-To think
wished to marry you.
Mrs. Blair Laughing ng)-Ridiculous
Kemble-How absolutely tired Of one
another We should have been by now.
Mrs. Blair-Bored to deathl It was
Providence that sent Blair just then.
Kemble-And Laura a month after!
Mrs. Blair-We have both been very
clever.
Kemble-Clever is the right word. It
was a fortunate event in our lives, and
as such revealed an astounding vein OF
common sense. If we had married, the
''remorseless hand of fate" would have
been clearly betrayed.
Mrs. Blair-To sum up, we have been
provided with admirable partners to
share the responsibilities Of life.
Kemble-To bear the responsibilities,
and provided ourselves with companions
to share the Responsibilities.
Mrs. Blair-What are the irresponsi.
bilities of life, pray?
Kemble-Material for paragraphs in
the society papers.
Mrs. Blair with an attempt at sever
ity)-I think it is time to join the "ad
mirable partners" Turning round and
callingttoIth the chess-players.) Have you
nearly finished your game, Frank?
Another Voice-Your husband is not
here, Mrs. Blair.
Kemble Qaughing)-Why, I declare,
it's young Trollope and Miss Steadman?
wonder where the others are.
"a short interval. Frank Blair and
Alma Stafford have strolled up.)
Mrs. Blair (not altogether pleased)-
Whatever have you two creatures been
doing?
Alma (frankly)-Mr. Blair has been
telling me such delightful fairy tales
in the conservatory!
Kimble (softly)-Fairy tales in the
afternoon! o! Blair, I thought you
were playing chess with Laura.
Blair (stroking his mustache nerv-
oualy)-I was only recounting q few
folklore stories, and Miss Stafford was
good enough to be interested in them.
(Kemble gives him q kindly shake Of
the head. Laura comes across the lawn
to the veranda.)
, Laura-O! Alan, whatever do you
think-I have been learning?
Kemble-My dear girl, how should?
Laura-Capt. Strickland has been
teaching me ecarte in the summer
house.
Kemble-Has he? (Gratefully.)
How extremely kind Of him! (He rec
ollects that he does not particularly
care for Strickland.)
Laura-O! he's delightful, Alan!
(Later: Mrs. Kemble and Blair are
alone again.)
Mrs. Blair (thoughtfully)-I am not
sure, Mr.. Kemble, but that I shall not
take up some interesting study, such
Us
Kemble-Chess, or folklore stories?
Mrs. Blair--Perhaps; and you?
Kemble (airily)-O! shall go with
the tide.
Mrs. Blair-Yes?
Kemble-And teach my wife poker
and the three-card trick.--Black and
White