New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29
A VACANT PLACE.


summer.
Enter Captain Dudley)
Mrs. Sabine (starting up)-Captain Dudley!
Archibald. ! am glad. This Is good OF you!
(Smng) You gave me a shock. though. I
thought you were in Siam or-Burmah. is it?
Captain Dudley-Nepaul. really That doesn't
matter. How well you look, Mabel! Should /
say Mrs -
Mrs. Sabine-You should not. nor should you
stand pante there. towering over me like a
copper statue.
Captain Dudley Uaking a seat near her)-Sun
has caught ne. Awful sight look.
Mrs. Sabine-Apologze when I complain. So
you saw that had changed my name?
Captain Dudley-Again7
Mrs. Sabinc-Havent you forgiven me? II
was like this Soon after we were married. Rob-
erts godfather. Mr. Sabine. died and left him all
his money II he'd take his name
Captain Dudley-I asked for Mrs. Cloudesley
without being corrected.
Mrs. Sabine-Shows how discreet my servant
L. doesn't It?
Captain Dudley-My congratulations on the
pretty name and its accompaniment l didn't
know OF any change: fidelity induced me to call
here. the only address I had OF yours. But
Mrs. Cloudesley or Mrs. Cloudesley Sabine. IT'S
the same TO me.
Mrs. Sabine (aside)-He doesn't knOw-he
thnks-shal tell him? (Aloud) Now. Cap
tain Dudley. news. please! Why you here?
When did you come? How long do you stay
Are you married. and do you like India?
Captain Dudley-A shower Of questions just in
the old fashion. Mabel
Mrs. Sabine-Five years ago. I often think OF
those days.
Mabel-rcay you didn't.
Mrs. Sabne-Do you expect mo to agree with
that? Perhaps things might have been differ
ent. II people had been different.
Captain Dudley Ne. for example
Mrs Sabine You? Scarcely. one does not
look for nexibility in the unyiclding oak. but
papa might have been gained by more willowy
manner.
Captain Dudley That's why Clouicsley won.
Is II? He was willowy. put II down to the
money. Live and learn-too late,
Mrs Sabine--Dcar. dear! You're n IN the Old
express style. Archibald You take too much
for granted
Captain Dudley-Tm cure you did care FOR me-.
Mabel
Mrs Sabinc-Hahn't We better stop? rs Ave
years ago | am Mrs Sabine. you've done ia"
y
young dream. and the other usual thing you'y"
come back and you're going 10 be my bcs,
friend and adviser for evermorc.
Captain Dud,cy-That am not
Mrs Sabine-No rancour please Archibald.
Captain dudley Never toward you. dear. Re
greet. always.
Mrs Sabinc-Aiche. you know. ! didn't mean
my tongue and my brain were always too inu-
nate-you ought 10 know.
Captain Dudley there speeches II
yours shall not forget. I would willingly ac-
cept the post Of friend and adviser 10 you. but
am engaged
Mrs Sabine (quckly)-Engagcd, Why didn't
you tell me?
Captain Dudley say. Mabel. couldn't you
reduce the excessive intimacy between your
tongue and your brain? I was about to say that
am engaged In those capacities to the Begun
OF Oudreporc.
Mrs. Sabine-You. Archibald Dudley. going TO
marry a nativci | would never have believed
Il OF YOU It's not like you. not like my Archie.
Captain Dudley-Incarnate impetuosity and
champion jumper at conclusions. do listen. Bide
a wee. Mabel
Mrs Sabinc-Bide wee, Once more-I can
hear you saying it in the old Shplake garden.
Oh you used to exaspcrate me. Well. Dudley.
I'm bidlng-it Won't be for long.
CAPTAIN Dudley-I can't be your friend and
adviser because I'm doing that kind Of thing
for H. l. NJ at the Court OF the Begun. Polit-
cal resident you know I'm going back In six
weeks.
Mrs Sabine-Go!ng back! What shame
How long have you been here already?
nd hanging