The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-04-19
REFUSING OF HENRY.
A DIMINUTIvE DRAMA.

Dramatls fersOnae. he dnC Sne-
Scene-Conservatory leading from
ballroom-band in the distance is play
Ing dreamy waltz He and She are dis
covered seated side by side.
She latter a little pause)-rm SO
sorryi
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, II
passes the time. and Pm not quite sure
whether it is better TO have the disap-
pointment now or later. (Takes fan.
opens 1t. and studies 1t thoughtfully)
She (growing a little nervous)-Im
engaged for the next waltZ-hadn't you
better take me back to the ballroom?
He CONTINUES ignoring her sugges-
| tion)-Now or later. because it's bound
| to come.
She Qndignantly)-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 mel
He (disregarding the interruption)-
Of being unattached is that one can stand
! aside and see these things. and reckon
them at their true value. Even if ! did
say I loved you
She with suppressed excitement)-If
| you did.
He-Well, that isn't everything,
| fCloses the fan with an air of finality and
returns it.)
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-
lieve 1t. 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 'em separately. Come.
to the same thing.
She-And you dared to propose to me,
I'd forgotten the cost.
She with bitterness)-And hadn't
considered it. Are you going to take me
back to the ballroom. or must go alonei
He. (rather injured)-I say. don't talk
like that-don't go off in huff just be.
cause happened to propose and you hap.
pened TO refuse. It's eo-so-provincia
so suburban of you. You should cul'
tivate more broad-mindedness.
She (very kindly)-Don't misunder.
stand me. Henry-haven't promised tc
he sister to you?
He (burying his head in his hands,
Don't! I've got six sisters already.
can't cannot afford another,
She (softly)-Or a friend-to help
to advise. II 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 I once knew a girl who packed VI
her husbands bag when he was about Il
elope with another, And not only that
but she explained TO the other how h
liked his collars starched and his coffe
made. That is true enlightenment
She-I don't quite see where the happi
ness OF married life comes in under thes
circumstances.
He (enviously)-I do. 1t must hav
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 ha
her income from him?
Hell really don't know. It's lit
tie bit hard to expect him TO maintai
Sarah as we'll as-what was the lady
name-Hagar?
She-Perhaps. But Sarah was his ne
eessity. while Hagar was only his choice
We're talking great nonsense.
He tgoing on. and glancing at her ar
provingly)-Because. you known. you
bills must be pretty steep. None of m
| sisters ever turn out so we'll as you dG
and know what IL costs them.
She Oronically)-Thanks.s so much.
He-well, then, l shouldn't have [
come home every night by the same trai
that's an advantage. You must excus
my looking at the advantages as the
strike me. but I'm really trying to pei
suade myself that your refusal is all fc
| the best Why. there's a chap know
! who no more dare miss his usual trai
| home than he dare miss II to the Office
rather less, in fact.
She lin evident admiration)-Hen
you're the most clever man In all th
world Go on.
He with renewed interest)-So
should dine In town. at the club. or with
pal OF two somewhere. And nobod
would have measles or whooping cougl
or-or-what else is II they do have:
She-Teeth?
He-Oh. ah. yes. Teeth. Then IL
were I'll myself. should just get a mic
D pretty and experienced nurse-the do,
tors recommend them pretty. 1t has sue
a soothing effect on the patient-hom
nursing is always clumsy and amateur
ish, isn't It?
She-Of course. Anything else?
He-I don't know-for the momen
But I'm so glad you sympathize and III
derstand. knew you would II put II
you tactfully Blends over as If he
going to kiss her) You're a dearl
e She (calmly)-Tm glad you think So
d because. Henry. in this most instruct,
e talk. you've shown me the folly of m
r ways. You've shown me exactly where
q might fall. and forewarned is forearme
r YOU know. I've rcconsidered the thin
: while you've been talking. and. Henr
shall marry you. And as soon as yo
like.
He (aghast)-You-?
: She-Yes. Don't swear, dear. I've mac
!, vp my mind-and-
o He-Well. I'm
e She (sweetly)-Not yet. dear. Wait
q / tfft1a than narhans-NNa.n ca.