The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-10-05
A VERY MATURE LOVE AFFAIR.


Cscene. the palmroo-n at Huddleston'.. Time. mid
night seated al tablet
she-Ahd you bidding good-by to Us all?
Ee-Not all goins-yes wished TO good
by you.
she-And why
He-You been ve-y kind-very syrnpa thetic-you
seemed understand. Did you?
She-Not everything. You have been kind-very
kind. but do you understand? Do you know what kind
towel women
He-I believe have been overconsiderate OF every
one To you
she-To me you have more. you have been-well.
just That's all (she with her napkin bites
her lip and looks away
He-And II have been more to you it is because you
have been to You child. Christel
have made my affairs 1 have loved you.
She-Oho. you? Gauntingly)
He-And 10 balancing upon his glass
looking furtivey her fretted BROW.
she-And what then? You saying good-by. Is
be quite speech? (SneeringIy).
He-I have TO speeeh-no set speech for this am
just going.
she-well. good-by Mister Ralstonl Good-by. sir.
knocking HIM.
He-Youre sneering Christie. Don't do it, It doesn't
fool You-you like me. don't you?
She-Oh you're right. There
Gle frowns sips wine minutes there
is silence. only by the swift and wOrdess minis
trations water)
She-To Boston. suppose?
He-Ye-es. To Boston. She. my daughter is there
school.
she-Oh so she is. I had forgotten your daughter.
And you a son. haven't you. Mr.. Raston!
He-Yes Christie! with enthusiasm. A splendid boy.
Brovn-haired brown-eyed-like his mother. Hes
she-You're very enthusiastic about your children.
He-Oh yes. And have be 20. They're
beautifu-take after her, you know And-and they're
very fond Of me- Christie.
she-How long ago. when did she die Horace2
He-Let's see. 1t was in 81 nos That's it-in
SS when the boy
she-And did you love her, Horace? (very gently.)
He Serving the salad)-she good woman.
perfect mother. Christie
She-And you loved her. Horace?
He-They loved her. with dehance)
She-And that enough?
He-It enough-for them.
She-But you?
He-I past 80.
You are 40 now and yet did you not say you loved
me?
He-And say it, But when is 80. somehow-you
will understand. Christie will you is 80
and-and children doesn't
She-Then 1 to forget it, since it doesn't matter?
He-You would forget anyway Christie. have
asked you to marry 1 not overselfsh-
she-But the privilege of making love! Eli?
He-Not designediy. I very lonely
She-And would pass the time?
Hell have possible dreams.
she-Nore power you Are you dreaming
Hell going and 1 will say good-by! You are
unkind for the first time.
She (furiously)-what do you expect of a woman? Can
throw myself at you? Have not rsked ALP Invited
criticism? Foregone pleasure. opportunity? Am
stick, Horace? What do about children?
they not the children of another Do you wish
to "enthuse about your babies? What they
You have not asked marry you You going
away-in-in this cold blooded manner You say in one
breath that you love and-and then-and then you
speak of daughterand(she covered her with
her handkerchief.
(There minutes silence. He tngies his spoon
against the empty glass; frowns at his plate listens
the music.)
He-You do not like children. Christie?
she-1 might love better than you guess
He-Thats it! That's what do. love mine better
than you guess.
She-And you satisfied?
Hell didn't say that I said it didn't matter after
one is 80 past 40 Nothing matters when is
80 unless it involves else.
She-And 1? Am 1 involved? Merciful heaven.
man. you trapping I you. There that's
end of it! love you and want you? Does that mean
anything to you?
He-Thank you. Christie. It is generous OF you to
say shall know. Thank you. 1t does not
matter since. you are involved" But
She-But what? What you hesitating about?
Hell about to say. Christie that II stop her
shall have involved nobody else We shall suffer
perhaps but they-the children shall know. Good
should not like to give them step-mother
without consulting them With you il is different I
know. You have children. You a very young
widow. Christie. I think a good deal
OF "a child until she has had children Of her And
don't think quite understand how IT that my
children outweigh all other considerations-even your
.elf-with me.
CHis voice came very low and hesitant The door
opens and girl of is enters laughing)
The girl-Mamms, mamma. dear. giddy. delightful
mamma Kiss
Mrs Tankervine-Clane, Claire Gissng herr. this is
Mr. Ralston. Horace Ito the who is standing now
oPen-eyed. pale embarrassed Mr.. Raston this is
my daughter Claire.
He-Your daughter? Why I didn't know-deIIghted
Miss Tankervle I-ah, were Just saying cur adeus
Miss Claire-your mother and l. Shall call your
rage?
(And as they stand in the vestbue waiting.
nothing all, but Tankervle whose lips have
turned blue, perhaps from the cold night air
locks older beside her blooming daughter whispers
hoarsely the restless daughter Why you let
ne know, Claire. that you
The Girl-Oh. just wanted surprise you And
did. don't you think So Mr. Ralston7
He-Handing them into the carriage) think Good
night good-by. JOHN H RAFTERY.
Great French Reporter.
NJ. Chnchole the prince French reporters the
father OF lie grand reportase is dead The
respondent Daily Times writes that when