The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-23
THE ADVERTISERS
 DAILY SHORT STORY
DRAMATIs PERSONAL.

May Harcourt The Bride Arthur Raymond. .............. The Groom Jack Carleton ................... Best Man A Bridesmaid. ......................... ..... Scene-May Harcourt's sitting-room. 4 prettily furnished girls room. smal table to the right over which Is clock Chair near the table. Everything enam- eled in white. May discovered hall She is dressed in her wedding gov nall | in pure white. NJ May-You needn't be ticking away SC impatiently, you heartless little clock Why can't vou stop for a few minutes Don't you know l am about to be mar. ried, and go away and leave you, and perhaps never, never see you again? How little you care! You are the same old clock that used to send me off to bed every night at eight, and your disposition hasn't changed, either. How angry used to get at you. Just when I was having the best time romping on the lawn with Jack and Rover you would sing out eight o'clock and call me in to bed. 1 hate eight o'clock. Little clock now that we are parting, I'll confess to you used to lie and watch you and call you naughty names, and watch your would never, never go to. sleep; but never once heard you strike nine. tSighs). And now I am waiting for you to strike eight for the last time. Oh,
  will never again matter to me what you do.. Now hold still just minute. while l tell you something: When you strike eight l shall be married to Arthur. Yes, fault CWith a half-sob). Can't you hold back, just a minute? Don't hurry along so., I wish, oh. wish-you never-would -strike-eight. the table. Speaks slowly. Arthur is such dear good fellow. Every one ap- proves of Arthur. Mamma said 'twould be perfect shame-to disappoint Arthur. about me-with Arthur. Arthur said he should always, always, love me-and he would teach me to love him-and he was content. Nooks away mournfully few moments; Then springs to her feet ex- why did you come home. 1 might have forgotten you in time! I thought l had forgotten you. (More slowly. We were so happy together, Jack, you and I, through all the sunny days of childhood. know you loved me then, Jack, for you always wanted me with you. No other gird would do. Then you went to West Point-and suppose you met other girls, who made you forget me. They say Jack is fickle. He isn't thought it is only that he is just Jack, and the girls s can't help loving him. But. oh. if he only hadn't come home for my wedding. It was cruel of you, Jack; but then--of
 
 you.
 Gaughs softly. Turns to dressing ta- ble; runs her hands through articles there). I had a little ring of Jacks where can it be? Oh, here it is. How thin 1t has worn-almost in two. I won der if it would be very wicked to wear 1t just as l always have done. Starts to. slip it on the engagement finger). No, not that hand-that belongs to Arthur. What a crease it has worn in that fin ser, Arthur's ring is there now-but the little circle is underneath. It is hid den; but it is there. I suppose 1t will fade away in time-and Arthur's ring qufts hidesoit. No, not on that hand. (Chhngesa to right. Il put you there, little ring, and I'll change the setting around inside, and you will never be clock) Oh, how the time passes. Nearly eight. You tiresome clock! Gooks about startled). I hear someone coming. II must be Arthur-or, or-one of the girls. It cant be time, yet-there are surely a few minutes more. Oooks from clock to door on left. Jack. enters). Oh, it's Jack. (Gasps). What can he want Advances toward him; offers her hand). Mir. Carleton, what is 1t?
 Jack (advances, takes her hand, holds 1t and returns with her to center)-Ar- thur sent me-to see if the ring Is the correct size.
 lSlips 1t on her finger). An. 1t seems all right-goes on little hard, but
 May-They always go on a little hard. do. they not? Voice trembles).
 Jack-All wedding rings?
 May-All rings of any kind. It is bet ter that they should fit closely.
 Jack (dreamily)-Strange that l should
 Sundays story. "A SNOW BOUND IT