Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-21
THE NAN
ON THE BOX
- BIZ
HAROLD MAC GRATH
NJ. $50, 8, I'VE soees ,.sRsil Co

to start anew, possessing my present learn
ing and wisdom, and knowledge of the
world; to avoid the pits into which I so
carelessly stumbled! But no!
The Girl-Mercy! what have you to wish
for? Are not princes and ambassadors
your friends; have you not health and
wealth and beauty? You wish for some
thing, you who are so handsome and bril-
l:ant
The Woman-Blinds. my dear Betty, only
blinds; for that is all beauty and wealth
and wit are. Who sees behind sees scars of
many wounds. You are without mother.
I am without child. (Sits down beside
the girl and takes her hand in hers.) VIII
you let me be mother to you for just this
morning? How can any man help loving
you! Gmpulsively.)
The Girl-How foolish you are, Grace!
The Woman-Ah, to blush like thati
The Girl-You are very embarrassing this
morning 1 believe you are even sentiment
tai. Well, my handsome mother for just
this morning. what is it you have to say to
me? Gestngly)
The Woman-I do not know just how to
begin. Listen! If ever trouble should be-
fall you, if ever misfortune should entangle
you will you promise to come to me?
The Girl-Misfortune? What is on your
mind. Grace?
The Woman-Promise.
The Girl promise. Gaughs.)
The WomanI am rich. Promise that if
poverty should ever come to you you will
come to me.
The Girl (puzzled-I do not understand
you at all.
The Woman-Promise!
The Girl promise, but
The Woman-Thank you, Betty.
The Girl (growing seriouS)-What Is all
this about, Grace? You look earnest.
The Woman-Some day you will under
stand Will you answer me one question,
as daughter would answer her mother?
The Girl (gravely)-Yes.
The Woman-Would you marry title for
the titles sake?
The Girl dndignantly)-I?
The Woman-Yes: would you?
The Girl shall marry the man I love,
and If not him, nobody. I mean. of course,
when love.
The Woman-Blushing again? My dear.
is Karloff anything to you?
The Girl-Karloff? Mercy, no. He is
handsome and fascinating and rich. but
could not love him. 1t would be easier to
lOve-to love my groom outside.
{They both SMILEY
The Woman (grave once more)-That is
all 1 wished to know, dear. Karlof is not
worthy of you.
The Girl (sitting very erect)-I do not I'M
derstand. Is he not honorable?
The Woman (aesitating)I have known
him for seven years; I have always found
him honorable
The Girl-Why, then. should he not be
worthy of me?
The Woman Qightly)-Is any man?
The Girl-You are parrying my question.
If 1 am to be your daughter, there must
be no fencing.
The Woman (rising and going over to the
portrait again)-There are some things that
a mother may not tell even to her daughter
The Girl (determinediy)-Gra you have
said too much or too little 1 do not love
Karloff. / never could love him: but I like
him, and liking him, 1 feel called upon to
defend him.
The Woman (surprised into showing her
dismay)-You defend him? You!
The Girl-And why not? That is what I
wish to know: why not?
The Woman-My dear, you do not love him
That is all wished to know. Karloff is
brilliant. handsome man. a gentleman; his
sense of honor such as 1t Is. would do credit
to many another man; but behind all this
there is a power which makes him help
less. makes him a puppet, and robs him of
certain worthy impulses 1 have read
somewhere that corporations have no souls;
neither have governments. Ask me moth
ing more. Betty, for shall answer no more
questions.
The Grill do not think you are treating
me fairly.
willingly share with you half of all pos
sess in the world.
The Grl-But all this mystery!
The Woman-As I have said some day
you will understand. Treat Karlof as you
have always treated him, politely and pleas
antly. And l beg of you never to repeat
out conversation.
The Girl Ito whom illumination sud
denly comes; rises quickly and goes over
to the woman; takes her by the shoulders
and the two stare into each others ewes
the one searchingly, the other fearfulIyj
Grace!
The woman am a poor foolish wom-
an, Betty for all my worldliness and wis
dom; but love you (softly), and that is
why appear weak before you. The blind
envy those who see, the deaf those who
hear; what one does not want another
cannot have. Karloff loves you, but you
do not love him.
he erir Iii
the cheek. and, without word, makes
her departure.)
The Woman Gas she hears the carriage
roll away)-Poor girl! Poor. happy I'M
conscious, motherless child II only I
had the power to stay the blow!
Who can 1t be, then. that she loves?
The Girl Tin her carriage)-Poor thing!
She adores Karloff. and never suspected
1t! shall begin to hate him.
How well women read each otheri
James had never parted with his rose