, 1897-09-24
How They Are Made on the Stage and
in Real Life.

49, SSANAoh III II lis laNlltl
and go on the real stage"
The girl was seated on a sofa, sigh.
ing over a bouquet Of flowers he had
sent her. when he entered l.. U. E, camt
down the stage a few steps. hesitated
and then walked resolutely toward the
sofa and began. standing behind the
girl. The stage lover usually stands be-
hind the object OF his regard and pours
his appeal over her left shoulder:
Ha-Dora.
She-Oh, Mr.. Valentine. how you
startled me.
He (aside)-My flowers!
She-I was thinking OF you just now.
He-Thinking Of me?
She-Thinking Of
He-Yes?
She-I mean-that I was admiring
these flowers you SEN me. Are they
no. beautiful?
He-lt thought them beautiful when
plucked them This morning. They were
fresh with dew and exhaled a sweet
fragrance in the morning air. I thought
them Neutrality-suspicious. you
were not there. Dora. See, they are
dropping already. Perhaps it is because
they are ashamed by the presence OF
loveliness which surpasses theirs, even
As"
She-Mr. Valentine, what are you say
ing.
He-I am saying what my heart
prompts me 10 say. | I'm saying that
which l would have said the first time
| ever saw you. Unworthy though l am
-I-Dora, l love you!
She-Mr. Valentine!
He-Don't turn away, Dora. Listen
to me. l u tell twill tell it, even
though you spurn me- and send me away
forever. | have loved you since that
first day at Fern Lodge. You wore a
simple gown OF white. The sunshine
was in your hair. You gave me one
glance. Ii went to my heart. | almost
staggered from the sweet pleasure OF
that moment. Something told me thai
you were the woman I must love forever,
come veal. come woe. | tried to speak
10 you. but l could not. You remem-
Der?
She tplucking a rose TO pieces)-Yes.
He-Then came the cruel separation.
| went Ear away. but the image OF your
sweet face went with me-the hope Of
seeing you again was the one beacon
light which shone for me in that lonely
land out yonder. I have heard OF men
seeking forgetfulness-why, Dora, |
would not have forgotten That day for
all the treasures OF earth. Even when
fate seemed to decree that | should never
see you again, even when | felt in my
anguish that you had forgotten me
that you had never loved mel lived
upon the memory OF that day. | said to
myself: Seas and mountains may di-
vide, but love can reach to the ends of
the universe" | threw defiance back
to fate, l cried out: Il love her and
naught can forbid my love.'-Dora. we
meet again. l come to you and | lay at
your feet a love that can no be changed
by the markings OF time: a love strong
er than death itself. | do not presume
to be worthy Of your love. but | can not
live without telling you that you are
the woman whom have loved, whom
| must love without ceasing until time
shall be no more. You are silent. I
it was p~resumptous Of me. Perhaps
there is another
She (arising impetuously)-Lester.
He-Dora! (They embrace.)
This was what the amateur actors call
ed "hot stuff" and when it is considered
chat the young man playing Lester
Valentine" carried the scene with plead
ing tenderness a%lternated with CULVER
ing intensity. 1t might be supposed that
he was a past master in the art OF pros
posing. To tell the truth, however. he
made a different sort of an effort when
he actually proposed to the girl who had
played Dora" They were at a country
place together and had sought places on
a bench somewhat hidden from the
house by a dense growth Of trees.
Sne-What are you doing?
tHe-Nothing.
She-Well, put your arm down. Some
one may be looking.
HE'S that why you want me t o put
it down?
She-Oh. you are simply dreadful!
No; take it clear away. Don't you know
it's awtully jay for a man to put his
arm behind a girl? It's just about the
same as hugging her.
He-No, 1t isn't-not by a long shot.
She-Are you going to behave your
self?
He-Well, it seems to me that this Is
pretty rough treatment for an old friend.
about it.
He-I do, honestly. You don't seem
to realize that I'm stuck on you.
She-Now. VIII, for goodness sake.
don't DeHeln that again..
He-Yes; but I'm in earnest this time.
She-All right: go ahead. What are
you going to do-propose to me?
He-That's what I'm doing now, IL
you'll give me a chance.
Ehe-Goodness! Excuse me! ! did
MT know l was interrupting anything