Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-07-11
IDEALS: ANALOGUE

On DOarQ Il Z. ~ ". steamer. not
afternoon in the Mediterranean: the deck
is deserted but for three passengers and
an occasional noiseless Lascar.
Miss Molly Titherige, looking dainty
and cool in white frock and shoes. IS
lying back in her deck chair with an
open book on her knee. She is dark
haired, gray-eyed and interesting to the
verge Of prettineSs.
Archie Campbell. in a white linen trop-
ical suit, paper IN his hand, lies in
the shadow of neighboring boat. He is
dark and good-Iooking, but rather under
the medium height.
Mrs. Mathews, an elderly lady, with
a very severe countenance, mods over her
knitting further up the deck.
Molly with a sigh of relief)-At last
I've got rid of that horrid old bore of a
colonel. Such an ideal day. Such Il
wicked waste to spend it talking to him.
[ wonder where-oh. here he is. (She
subsidies into her book as Archie Camp
bell strols up
Archie-Anyb ody's chair, Miss Tith-
erige, or may | have it!
Molly with slightly annoyed express
sion)-Well, it was the coloners; but [
suppose you may sit there till he comes
back. | don't suppose he'd mind. (She
relapses into her book with an Indifferent
air.
Archie (aside)-Wouldn't he, though.
{Al0ud) | don't suppose he would. He's
not bad old boy if he'd only shut up
about the dcpreciating rupee and not be
always boring us with
Molly (interrupting sharply)-Don't
talk, please, l want to read.
Archie-SO SOrry-I won't say another
word | want to read, too.
"a long silence ensues, during which
they both appear to be reading intently.)
(Su6dpnIV ho nd
ing at the sea)-Oh! what an ideal day.
Such color in the sea and the sky
Archie Gnterrupting sharply)-D0n't
talk, please, want to read.
Molly with offended dignity)-I sup
pose | may speak TO myself.
Archie-Oh. certainly. In loud aside)
It's considered rather 'ratty.
Molly (scornfully)-I don't understand
your slang.
Archie-Well, you needn't be so offend,
ed then if you don't understand it.
Molly with extreme dignity)-It is con-
sidered very rude to talk to people in
language they do not understand.
Archie (also with dignity)-I suppose l
may speak to myself.
Molly-Oh. certainly.
(Another long pause ensues, during
which both appear to be earnestly read
ing. Molly looks up, looks at Archie
frowns and signs heavily. Archie goes
on reading. Molly signs louder. Archie
ing. Molly gives a third huge sigh, and
Archie looks up
Archie-Surely breeze springing up?
Moily-No: only me signing.
Archie-Oh! Gle relapses into his pa
Molly with sudden decislon)-Mr.
Campbell
Archie Cooking up eagerly)-NIiss
Iitherige! An ice or a lemon squash, or
both?
Molly-Neither, thanks. But you might
talk a little, [ think. You're awfully dull
today.
Archie folding up his paper with alac-
rlty)-So sorry, | thought you meant
what you said. You do sometimes, you
Molly-Only when I'm Ill or angry.
Archie-And you're not either now, are
you? looks at her tenderly) What
shall we talk about? Let me see.
We had weather and tropics the first
politics and religion; fourth, generali-
ties about people; fifth, personalities
about the gers-thatw was yesterday
Well, now, suppose we try personalities
about ourselves today. [ know. You
tell me about my faults and I'll tell
you all yours
MoIly-Thank you. That would be
giving me all the weight of the conversa-
ton, and | want you to talk. Conf
dentially and seriously.) Do you know
we are boring each other horribly? Con-
fess! we've exhausted each other, and
want to quarrel, don't we?
Archie looking at her earnestly)-Do
we?
MolIy-Yes; one always exhausts peo-
pie on long voyages, don't you know?
Coming out, | walked clean through
yes, right clean through all the passen-
gers in the first week. Fact! Thirty-fve
people, and not a soul to speak to after
the first week!
Archie-Of course, you read all the rest
of the way, and kept a diary. Girls al
ways keep diary when there's nothing
going on, and never when there is. Why
is that?
Molly-How stupid you are. Because
1C is so difficult when you have something
to tell. Don't you see? Anyone can
spin things out, but it takes genius TO
stew them down. Oh. literature I'm
talking now, and | can feel YOU aren't
listening. Now you talk! I'm tired. and
want rest. Your conversation always
has such a sOmno-somnip-Somn
Oh. bother. It's too hot You know the
sort of effect your talking has on me.
There! go aheadi
(She lies hack in her chair and closes
her eyes. He sits silent and watches
herr
Molly (Opening her eyes sUddenly)-Ho.
On second thought, | won't. thought I
always sleep with my mouth wide open.
and 1t isn't becoming. [ shouldn't mind
your seeing me, as You must be hardened
TO my winning ways by now. But that
dear old cOionel might come back, and it