Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-03-12


Mavis cleaning far forward IN an en-.
deavor 10 conceal her face and making a
grasp at the book in her lap)-Wcllf
Dick noticing only her bright hair shin.
ing in the sunli ghO-By Jovei
Mavis (having recovered her calmness)-
beg your pardon.
Dick beg yours, but-but it looked
so pretty with the light shining on it.
Mavis docking at him astonishcdly)-
Was that what you wanted to tell me
Dick?
Dick-No, no, Of course not. 1t was
something of-of great Importance at least
TO me. Do you remember our old promise
that each would
Mavis dropping the book with clatter)
oh, yes, yes. Fancy your remembering
that old nonsense.
Dick Tin IA disappointed touc)-Was il
nonsense? II thought it was an under
stood thing, so /
Mavis mpatiently)-Well, yes, SO it
was, but tell me your news quickly.
was always a bundle of curiosity.
Dick-Wcll, am hoping TOTO pcrpe.
trate matrimony soon.
Mavis Speaking little unstcadily. but
looking with apparently keen interest at
the fastening of her pretty suede slippcr)-
Oh, indeed, this is quite exciting Dick.
(Ihen, after the slightest pause.) Hoping,
did you say?
Dick-Ies, hoping | am not engaged
get IL don It even know if she will have
me- but-but you see she does not know
yet that | want her.
Mavis Tin calm, inCisive tOnc)--A WON
an always knows when man loves her
Dick-Oh-h. does shcs
Mavis (blushing hotly)-At least nearly
always She always (sadly) knows when
a man ceases tO love her
Dick-lndeed
Mavis (hastily)-Dick, is she pretty
Dick (cmphatically)-
Mavis aside with little moan)--Oh
this is too cruel tAlOud) OF course do
not mean In your eyes. Do others admire
her.
Dick-Most certainly they do. and She
Mavis-Dcscribe her 10 me bit by bit
Her eyes?
Dick-Gray.
Mavis (aside)-I wonder if they are like
mine. (Aloud) Hair
Dick-Bright brown and curly
Mavis bitterly, but with little laugh)
AT all like mine Dickf
Dick (nodding emphatically Yes, just
at least very much like yours. Little
loose curls straying about her forehead
adding as a bright afterthought) More
like yours used To he.
Mavis (surreptitiously puts up her hand
and ruflles her hair about her brows a lit
tle)-Is she clever;
DiCk-NcS very.
Mavis (moaning again)-Oh And does
she care very much for you, Dick bend.
ing forward and resting her elbow on her
knee and her cheek on her hand, so that
her face is almost entirely concealed from
HIM.
Dck-I hope So
Mavis-If she is clever, she will make
you believe she loves you whether she does
Or not.
Dick-I have no fear Of that Her cev-
erncSs Is more likely to take the form Of
making me think She does not care for me
when al the time she-she really has some
some affection for me
Mavis with little catch in her voice |
and playing ncrvously with a ribbon of |
her gown)-That is much harder TO keep
up fer any length of time She nccd-be |
very clever-or very strong a pause |
But it is not necessary-in her case--as you |
you want to marry her
lllNh NllphlHR NlSlluIlN dJ tne DftttN |
head turned So persistcntly from him. |
But she does not know that yet. CA long |
pause during which the sun shines more |
brightly, lighting the whole conscrvat |
and discovering a something that sparklcs |
on Mayis' check Dick rises and comes |
over To the window, where he stands look. |
ing down at the girl He sees the spar
king drop, but, of course, makes no com
4 Inn Cd 10 4
am very fond of her. Mavs
Mavis (carelessly passing her hand across
her face and smudging the tear away so
that it leaves wide wet streak across her
check, looks up at him, thinking that in
the Pickering light hc will not see her
panied eyes and quiyering ce)-Of course,
| understood that, as you want her for
your wife. Do you love her very much,
Dick
Dick (who sees her face and eyes dis
very much.
Mavis (clinching her hands involunta-
rily)- More than you used to mey (Wist-
fully
Dick (gravely) - Yes, little woman,
much more. With a deeper
Mavis (rising and throwing out her
hands with a cry that makes Dicks lips
Dick, not that--not that
Dick taking her hands, But il is 80, il
Is so, as / know TO my cost (Then more
drmlyD You have not asked me her name
yet, Mavis
Mavis withdrawing her hands and turn
ing away white and shiny)--I-I don't
want TO know it, Dick-today II can't
bear any more now. am very tired
Dick firmly | must tell you,
Mavis
Mavis (coldly)-Of course II you insist,
cant prevent you. Go on-be quick,
Ior-
Dick Her name is Mavis Thorne.
Mavis-Dick !-Exchangc
Every housewife should impress upon
The minds of her family that the best sauce