The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-03-21


Norman-No-don't go. I'll come
ing her back.
enter Manley, with Muriel Wilton.
She is a pretty little woman, with a
charming girlish manner.)
Manley Ito Muriel)-I think you've
met Capt. Norman before, Muriel?
Norman (awkwardly)-Miss Wilton
has had the pleas-I mean l have had
the pleasure - er - the pleasure
| (They bow, smiling).
Manley Ito MurieD-Do you think
| you can amuse a wounded warrior,
Muriel, until l come back to take him
off your hands. He doesn't dance be-
cause he's wounded-that's what he
says-but it's only an excuse for lazi-
ness.
Muriel-I am sure Capt. Norman
couldn't be lazy. A man who has done
-(Manley and Norman exchange
meaning glances)-er-who has done
"a siX-mile walk by himself this aft
ernoon doesn't deserve to be called
lazy. (Manley goes out, Norman looks
rather gloomy.)
Manley-I retire-conquered. exit
L. Muriel and Norman sit DOWN.
Norman didn't see you during my
walk this afternoon, Miss Wilton.
Muriel-No! Well, you see, l was
learning to ride a bicycle. Of course
l ought to have learnt years ago
whenit was fashionable-bu wouldn't
begin then.
Norman-Just because you didn't
want to do the conventional thing. eh
Muriel-I don't know. l am afraid |
never stopped to think about it. l
haven't thought about anything ex-
cept the bicycle since l had it. l can't
it takes up all my time
Norman-But how was it YOU didn't
overtale me this afternoon if you were
riding?
Muriel-Excuse me. l didn't say I
was riding. l said 1 was learning to
ride. That's quite different, and makes
you very tired.
Norman-I'm sorry you didn't catch
me up. might have helped you.
Muriel-Thanks. l did nearly catch
you up once, and 1 rang my bell hard
so hard, in fact, that l had to get off
my machine to do it properly; but
you didn't look round. You were deep
in thought
Norman-Ies, I was. You know in
Splogerton, where l live. there was
such a crush when our fellows came
| home that they couldn't march, and
they asked me to devise some scheme
for keeping the women-the people
back when the next contingent arrives.
l was thinking out a plan this after
noon.
Muriel-Are the women such a ter
rible nuisance, then?
Norman-Well-er- i'm
pulsive, you know. Break up the ranks.
All that sort of thing.
Muriel-Poor women! I'm glad I'm
not like that.
Norman-It isn't right. you know.
Muriel-No. | can understand that
man who has-er-received a kiss
from woman without asking for it.
might-er-mistake the impulse of the
moment for-er-something else. That
would be a pity.
Norman-Don't you think it usually
is-er-something else when soldiers
are concerned?
Muriel-Most decidedly not. Soldiers
mustn't run away with that idea.
Women are grateful and enthusiastic,
and rather hysterical. That's all.
They are certainly not in love with
the soldiers they rave over.
NOMINATION. don't think so?
Muriel-Sure of it.
Norman getting a trifie nearer Mu-
riel, and speaking in lower tone)-
Is it possible, Miss Wilton, that the
enthusiasm we have heard so much
about is not real?
Muriel-Not all of it. I've no doubt
some of it is. If you have brother
or-a-husband, you naturally feel
glad to see him back safe and sound:
but then | haven't a brother-or hus-
band-in the ARMY mean [ haven't
brother-and, of course. you know
-(their eyes meet, and she bushes
furiously).
Norman-Yes, it must be nice to
have some one looking out for you
when you come blackstone one who
really cares-some one
Muriel-But 1 thought you had
sister, Capt. Norman?
Norman-Oh, but sisters don't count
they look out for some one else's
brothers, l suppose.
Muriel-That's not fair on the sis
ters.
Norman-Oh, but they do.
Muriel-Well, the next time there 5
war, and you go out, I'll look out for
you when you come back.
Norman-You will? That's good of
you to say that.
Muriel-Is it? From what I've heard,
l thought that
Norman-Yes?
Muriel-I-er-hardly KNOW mean
that Cooking on the ground) was told
there were others who-er-looked out
for you this time, and 1 thought
p'raps-
Norman-I'm going to ask you to do
something. You've told me you're not
in love with soldiers. | want you
to try and be in love with one of them
who is-ever so much-in love-with