The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1901-03-14
I'm Unconditional
s. Surrender 81
By WELLESLEY PAIN.

ny WELLESLEY PAIN.
CNCEsNE-A dimly-llt conservatory at
y tached 30 the house OF Mrs. James
Marley. In the center Ia a group OF
palms and ferns, hiding q doorway in
the middle Of the back Of the stage.
The time Is 1880 y. m. during a dance.
Charactcrs-Jamcs Manley; Capt.
arthur Norman. of the Kings Own Yeo-
many, lately returned from the front;
Muriel Wilton.
Arthur Norman (walks on L. a. the
curtain rises. He appears 10 be look
ing for some one, but, ~ q matter OF
fact, he has come there for a smoke
and wishes TO make quite sure that he
is alone before sitting down. He takes
out his cigarette case. and Is about TO
pen II when James Manlcy walks on
quickly from the back. lie stops sud
denly on seeing Arthur Norman.
Then
Manley-My dear Norman where
have you been to2 I've been looking
FOR you everywhere, and
Norman-And in the Eupper-room?
Did you go there?
Manlcy-Well-no I thought sup.
per wasn't in your line--I mean your
illness WIS
Norman h--er-bothcr the illness.
I'm all right-and never lost my APP
petite. either. It's only YOU people
Who live In London that can't cat. But
what have you brcn looking for me FOR?
To bring me n cigar (holding out his
Laud1. Thanks rr -- it's awfully
thoughtful Of you, old man. Come
out with Il.
Manley-My dear Norman, you did
nj come here TO smoke cigars, and you
know a. with mock graviiy.) This
u q serious matter. sir Out of the
goodness Of her heart my wife invites
you for "a dance, and you spend your
time smoking. Don't you know ou're
the lion Of the evening he returned
hrro-thc envy of the men and the
pride Of all the girls, the peoples idol,
the?
Norman (who Is obviously pleased
by the compliment but prctends not to
hcJ Shut up, old man. shut mp. I'm
getting sick Of that sort of thing
nm. really. My wrist still aches from
that hand.shaking business as We
came up from the station absurd rot.
Why on earth should couple OF mil
ion people-absolute stranRers--wRRi
Ia shake hands with me?
Manley-I don't perhaps some
~ en- wanted to shake hands with an
other fellow. but, not being able TO get
near cnoupgh TO him, thought you'd do
ustsnd. Hut we're wasting valuable
time. Come and dance.
Norman Me dancer Thanks, but
you know ! don't dance; not in my
line.
Manley-Why not? Soldiers do
dance sometimes, you know.
Norman But you'll excuse me, won't
you?
Manley-Well. II you won't dance,
coIns and see and be seen. Come and
show yourself. What's the good OF my
wife having lion Of The evening II the
lion goes and hides himself in docking
around the place -er-in the jungle?
Come out. Mr.. Lion, In the open, and
wen soon do for you.
Norman-Tbere-t II -- that's
what you brought me here form or
der that might be induced 10 propose
to some pretty girl whose enthusiasm
for soldiers--er--iB-cr-
Manley--Don't you make any mis-
take, my dear Norman. The girls are
not all so enthusiastic over you bronzed
heroes as you think.
NormAn--You say that because
you're not n bronzed hero---you're only
married. Time viii prove whether you
are n hero or a martyr.
Manley--Skittlesl
Norman--lt's q fact.
Msnley-well, you're not proper
sort OF hero or you wnuldnt talk like
that. Your true hero thinks all wom-
I'm perfect. He accepts their adula-
tion with becoming modesty, and In
due course marries the beat Of them.
Norman Well. l do not think all
women are perfect, and their aduIation
is an annoyance. lhaven't met a WON
an aimee I've been back who hasn't fall
en- In love with me. You may say that's
conceit--
Manley--I do.
Norman-But it'a true.
Manlsy.-yot a bit of II. All The
women aren't in love with you soldiers.
Some of them are perhaps takea In