The Chipley banner., 1897-07-10

Hatherly (penitently); Excuse me,
dear. I'm beastly rude, treating you
like this. It's the fault of this glorious
light. There hasn't been day like it
all winter. I'm boor, I know, but
the fatal Monday draweth nigh after
which no man can work.
Lefty: Well, I was trying to tell
you that Captain Grierson returns to
India in two months to rejoin his regi-
ment, and
Dick (cheerfully interrupting):
Lucky beggar! Seeing the world while
we all vegetate at home.
Lefty (faltering): And-Dick-he
says he hates going back. He doesn't
wish to 60 alone.
Hatherly (struck with sudden COM
punction): I say, Lefty, what
thoughtless brute I am not to have
given you some tea. just touch the
bell, will you?
Lefty: No tea, thanks. really
couldn't drink it. Dick, he feels aw-
full at leaving--everybody-and grand
mama keeps getting worse and worse,
and
Hatherly painting away vigorously:
She's an unmitigated old wretch. Good
thing she was bit queer to-day, so
that you could get off the chain and
have a little futter by yourself.
Lefty: o, don't think she would
object to my coming here so much.
She likes you pretty well, Dick. But
to return to what we were saying
Hatherly; Lefty, just hand me that
hand-mirror, will you? It's on the
table beside you. All, thank you.
Lefty continuing, doggedly and
huskily): So he said he'd come this
evening--for his answer.
dick, staring fixedly at the refec.
tion of his picture in the hand.mirror,
makes no reply. Lefty waits in breath
less silence.
Hatherly (speaking suddenly: Do
come here, Lefty, and say if you like
that, or is it too strong?
Lettie (rising): 1t is strong and de-
ded, like yourself and all men, Dick.
1t is only we women who are weak and
irreso1dte. Goodbye. No, don't
come downstairs; can see myself
out. Goodbye.
Hatherly (relieved) Well, il You
must go, goodbye. Come again
soon, like good girl, when I have
more time to spare. And don't let the
old lady bully you too much. Ta-ta.
(Hatherly paints till the light fails,
and then sits before the picture smok-
ing meditatively) Glad took that
hint of Claxton's. Funny how the
duffer always gives you the best sug.
gestions. 1t will be easy sailing now.
The rest groups all right. Nice OF
Lefty not staying when she saw 1 was
working against time. She did not
seem SO happy as usual, somehow.
Hateful time she has with that old
grandmother. II was richer I'd like
to carry her off out of that old witch's
clutches; but she's too young yet. She
was talking about Grierson. Capital
fellow he used to be. Going back to
India? What lot of fun those army
chaps have-not like artists, shut up
in studio half the year. By the bye,
what was it that Lefty said about him
not wishing to go back alone? He
can't have been making love to that
child. She is only eighteen, and al.
ways thought of her as mine-some
day. What did she say about him
coming for his answer? Heavens!
what fool I've been. That's what
she was trying to tell me, and I was
ass enough to have thoughts for moth.
ing but my picture, Blind idiot!
Getting up hurriedly,) This evening
she said I wonder if ] can possibly
be in time. (Seizes hat and rushes
out.
| SCENE II. Entrance to the Dowagef
Lady. Lorimer mansion in May
fair. Hatherly, alighting hurriedly
from hanson, runs into Grierson
descending steps of house.
Grierson (radiantly): Hullo, Hath
erly!
Hatherly (blankly): Grierson!
Grierson: Delighted to meet you
again, old man. Seems almost good
omen, don't you know.
Hstherly with hollow politeness):
All, very pleased, I'm sure.
Grierson (confidentially and effu.
sively): Feel you sort of relation,
don't you know. You see I've just.
that is, Miss Lefty has iust-I say, old
chap, by Jove, I'm awfully happy
Congratulate me.-Black and White.
| ----------------