The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-14
A PLAToNIc EPISODE.

CScene-The dining hall OF the Hotel del Coronado.
The winter laundering about foundations the
house though the windows open the south
wind is tender strong She toying coffee
and he is blowing the smoke cigarette into
the cdes the wind The diningrooin empty.
and the the enables them crn-
tones without being overheard.)
He-Its sudden resolution. isn't it? When did you
decide TO go away?
She-This morning Don't you think it's time2 with
wicked fash of her black eyes)
He-Any time is time if you wish to Catherine.
You your mistress. You not?
CThere silence for a moment, during which he
watches her fine through the blue haze Of
She looks up suddenly .dehantly)
she-Who is she?
He-Who is who?
she-Come now Captain Herkomer. let's fence
You've been with her the pier you've her driv
rg you've been rowing her about the bay. You
hate and work Of all kinds. It's none of bust
know but I'd like know who she may be?
He-what matter? She's woman. Catherine
a good woman.
she-Thats why you prefer her TO me- Howard You
wouldn't dare insinuate-you know pretty Wen
now-you you haven't to your agreement. You've
quit! We try out" this PIatonc business the
end I've sighted everyone for I've been game
you say.
IIe-But I told you was married didn't I?
She (gancing about her excitedy)-Yes you've been
honest considerate. but I-don't you
hate to have you won away like that Everybody
notices getting credit for being 'jlted' That
isn't right It hurts We've been seen to-
gether often. I've been-weli I've been partial TO
you. haven't I?
He-You have been infinitely gracious Catherine You
have been than kind, But have been honest
that I mean. have you been frank with with
everybody in this matter?
Sleeve agreed 10 keep pasts TO ourselves. didn't
we? To the most of our chance for friendship
that both last? We agreed TO respect
anoters secrets and to find if could what there
was of good in either of US. We did that, didn't
Howard?
He-Yes and I think we are fairly quits-that is If
you're going We have thrashed al the old topics
even love-and We have not been singed. We
"a great laundering against the stone founds-
voice when the still
they sit silent watching another. Then with
hutter about her red mouth
She-You speak it bravely. sir.
Hell only said that had talked Of love without
talking love- that had played with fire and remain
CHis voice falls below the of the sea.
She-Ice? CThere is OF sarcasm. a sting OF
inquiry in the short, almost whispered auery)
He-No Ice Fire and tow but there's conha-
grafton. is there? We're too sane for that aren't We?
Besides-CA pause)
she-Besides? What there besides?
He-It is you who seek to end this Patonic episode
You going? Now? Tomorrow? When?
She-Tonsht.
He-And you have not told where. why Come
it is Catherine who have been secretive Why
you going? is of your past 1t is question of
now perhaps of the future but it Is Sinking his
vcice)-it is very TO both of
She (pouting-Near to US? Is it so? Not than
the you walking with in the garden all
afternoon Is she of the past? Is she not of the here
and now?' Keep your secret Howard And don't ask
minei
Gle very still for while watching the glimmer of
light the Iona lighthouse. She steals
glances handsome driving little shall
lops of crust upon the water of the finger BOWL
He turning upon her suddenly)-she the woman I've
been walking with, driving with, boating with
she-Oh. mind. It isn't important. Flip
PANTY smilng)
He-she's my wife Catherine That's who she is.
you up visit her, hut-well you're
a creature of health wouldn't like her She
she-Does she about me?
He-Yes. Everything-that is. everything I know.
Shed like you-
she-P Probably approves of me as paythng for you,
What honor.
He-she knows I've never made love to you,
she-And probably thinks that the lovemabing is all
on my side! Fie. Captain Herkomer. you're coward
after all
She's invalid, Catherine, Don't say ugly things
about her / won't not you.
She-I don't what she is It's shameless of
To permit YOU husband go about you
done, making loveat least you've been attentive-you
YOU don't know how-Howard, how this has hurt met
She is in but proudly her fact toward
the darkening Window
He-I might have guessed it would STEALING
his hands upon hers in the shadow Of the tapping
tain) Let say goodby then Catherine. Goodby God
bless you! I shah not ask your secret. You have
guessed mine. I never meant-anyt thing.
Gle rises slowly. waiting for her look him.
but she at the livid Walking the
wide hallway. he fran little with
q child by the handD
The pointing in at the doorway)-See her. Kate?
There's mamma Run and kiss her.
The child in the shining floor the
daing haH and Captain Herkomer standing outside IN
the shadow, watches the small salute his wife
sees GATHERINGS fair smiling the her
daughter
destieks What liars We all the honest ones
o: US JOHN II. RAFTERY