The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-19
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THE GIRL FARMERS

9 3
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Characters: Miss Cecilia Preston (25),
Miss Dorothy Landon CD. Scene: An
artistically FURNISHED farmhouse parlor
Miss Preston sitting by herself before the
| fire.
Miss Preston tglancing at the grand
fathers clock in the corner)-Six o'clock,
Dolly will be back directly, and then |
| shall have to break the news. What will
she say? But not tonight, | think. She
may be tired after her journey, and she'll
want to know why didn't tell her in my
| letters and. of course, she'll be angry.
| No: ! can't do it tonight. Tomorrow,
| perhaps
l2ntcr Miss Langdon, in travelling
| dress.)
Miss Langdon latter embracng)-Oh.
it's so delightful to be back at the old
farm again! What shame it was of me
to take such a long holiday. Haven't
you been dreadfully dull? Now, Ill have
some tea. and you can tell me all the
news. How are those silver gray Dor
kings doing, and what have you got for
butter lately:
Miss Preston (hurriedly}-DoT't let's
talk about the farm tonight, Dolly. I'd
| ever so much rather hear how you've
| been enjoying yourself. Were there nice
people staying at the hall?
Miss I.angdon-Yes, very By the way,
| saw new chuln which
Miss Preston-Did they laugh at our
| starting farm together?
NIiss Langdon-Some of them made the
usual stupid jokes, pretending that l
couldn't tell turnip from lnangold, you
know. AS if we hadn't been running the
farm for quite three months. And then
they said that-that before long We
should get married tglances quickly at
| her co.apanion), and that the whole bust
ness would come to an end. Such an alb
surd idea!
Miss Preston docking straight in front
| of hcr)-Perfectly prepnstcrous. Who did
you say We're staying there?
| Miss Langdon lvaguely)-There was a
Mr. Ashburton, who was rather nice. and
others. | felt quite ashamed of myself
for stopping so long. How lonely you
must have felt!
Miss Preston-Not very There is a
| Mr.. Stetway stopping at the rectory
who's been to call pretty often. Did you
/ ride much at Somerleigh?
Miss Langdon-Yes. good deal. How
have you been spending your days?
Miss Preston-Oh, much as usual Is
the fishing good at Somerleigh?
Miss Langdon-Really, CHS, you might
have more to tell me after I've been
away ali this time. You're very dull to-
night.
Miss Preston-And really, Dolly, you
might give me some account of your hol
day after having left me alone for a
month. You're not in the least interest
ing
CA long silence. Miss Preston gazing
abstractedly into the fire and Miss Lang
don tying and untying the tassels of hel
umbrella.)
Miss Preston lin changed voice.
Dolly, I've got something very important
to say to you.
Miss Langdon (startled)-Yes?
Miss Preston-You remember when VIZ
agreed to work this farm together W,
promised each other solemnly never tt
give it up-never to marry?
Miss Langdon Suddenly becoming scar
let-Yes yes, of course What abou
it?
Miss Preston Slowly and tragically)-
Dolly, one OF us means to deceive he
fricnd-to break her solemn promise.
Miss Langdon Ito herself)-This is aw
full. How did she manage to find out
(Aloudo Oh, Cts, know it's wron,
and wicked of me, but only met Nh
Ashbnrton three weeks ago, and | di
tell him couldn't possibly marry hin
; and leave you. but he was so obstinate
and-whatever are you looking like tina
for?
Miss Preston (gasping)-Do you mea
to say that you are engaged?
: Miss Lansdon-I really couldn't he
it. ,Tearfully.) Don't be too hard o
me. If you only knew
Miss Preston Observation-Disclosures
didn't mean you. ! meant myself
Dolly while you were away Harry-Ml
Stetway-p proposed, and l accepted him.
Miss Langdon-Cis! And after you
solemn word of honor that never, never
Miss Preston-You are every bit as bat
but Pm so glad you're wicked, too, dal
ling! (They embrace.) Now tell me a
about your him, and I'll tell you abou
mine.
Can interval. Then 20 minutes later.)
Miss Langdon-But what will on
friends say? Yours is a barrister. an
mines a journalist, SO we shan't be abb
TO carry on the farm. Who would hav
thought that the experiment would hay