Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-04-02
REFUSING OF HENRY.

,
ballroom-band in the distance is play
ing dreamy waltz. He and She are dis
covered seated side by side.
She latter little pause)-I'm so
sorry
He with considerable gloom)-It
doesn't matter, thank you
She lin apparent remorse)-If | ever
gave you cause to hope begins to play
with FAM
He--Hope is ever taxed with uncer-
tainty-to hope and to hope, well, 1t
passes the time, and I'm not quite sure
whether 1t is better to have the disap
pointment now or later. tTakes fan,
opens 1T, and studies it thoughtfully)
She growing little nervous) I'm
engaged for the next waltz-hadn't you
better take me back TO the ballroom?
He Continues ignoring her sugges-
fion)--Now or later, because it's bound
to come.
She dndignantly)--I don't see that at
ALL
He--Ah? No. You wouldn't But one
advantage Of being unattached
She--And you said you loved me!
He (disregarding the interruptioD)--
OF being unattached Is that one can stand
aside and see these things, and reckon
them at their true value. Even If / did
say loved you
She with suppressed excitement)--If
you did,
He--Well, that isn't everything!
lCloses the fan with an air of finality and
returns IT'D
She(rather snappy)-I've been given to
understand it's good deal. I'm told It's
just the one thing that makes life worth
living.
He (confidentially)- you be-
lieye It, Put love in one side of the scale,
and comfort, ease and independence in
the other, and then see where you are.
She with hesitation) Only they're
three to one, aren't they?
He-Well, take EN- separately, Comes
to the same thing.
She-And you dared to propose to me!
He (refectively)It is odd, isn't It?
Id forgotten the cost.
She with bitterness)-And I hadn't
considered It, Are you going to take me
back to the ballroom, or must go alone?
He (rather injured)-I say, don't talk
like that--dont go off In huff just be-
cause happened to propose and you hap
pened to refuse. It's so-so-provincia
so suburban of you. You should cul-
tivate more observation-disclosures.
She very kindly)-Don't misunder-
stand me, Henry-haven't promised to
be sister you?
He (burying his head In his hands)-
Don't! I've got six sisters already. l
can't cannot afford another!
She (softly)-Or a friend-to help
to advise, IL l may. You shall never,
never call me provincial! Anything else
He with his head still in his hands)
Darling.
She (hesitating)-In reason.
Hem this broad-minded and gener-
Gus age once knew girl who packed up
her husbands bag when he was about to
elope with another! And not only that.
but she explained to the other how he
liked his collars starched and his coffee
made That is true enlightenment
She--I don't quite see where the happi-
ness of married life comes in under these
circumstances.
He (enviously)-I do. 1t must have
been very comfortable for him-no wor-
ry-no scenes-no bother at all.
She-And nice and easy and independ-
ent for her-because, OF course, she had
her income from him?
He'll really don't know. It's lit
tie bit hard to expect him to maintain
Sarah as well as-what was the lady's
-name-Hagar?
She-Perhaps. But Sarah was his ne
cessity, while Hagar was only his choice.
We're talking great nonsense.
He (going on. and glancing at her ap-
provingly)-Because, you known, your
bills must be pretty steep. None of my
sisters ever turn out so well as you do,
and know what 1t costs them.
She onically)-Thanks, so much.
He-Well, then, shouldn't have to
come home every night by the same train
that's an advantage. You must excuse
my looking at the advantages as they
strike me, but I'm really trying to per-
suade myself that your refusal is all for
the best. Why, there's a chap l know,
who no more dare miss his usual train
home than he dare miss it to the Office
rather less, in fact.
She lin evident admiration)-He
you're the most clever man in all the
world Go on.
He with renewed interest)-So
should dine In town. at the club, or with
pal or two somewhere. And nobody
would have measles or whooping cough,
or--or-what else is it they do have?
She-Teeth?
He-Oh, ah, yes. Teeth. Then II
were i'll myself, should just get nice,
pretty and experienced nurse-the doc
tors recommend them pretty, it has such
a soothing effect on the patient-home
nursing is always clumsy and amateur
sish, isn't it?
She-Of course. Anything else?