Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1905-1906, 1906-02-14

/ Scarce a half a dozen bundles were
the result of the tour among the shops.
Mrs Chadwick's. James"
The call lasted half an hour.
| AS the story-teller | am supposed &c
BE everywhere. 10 follow the foot
steps Of each and all of my characters.
and with a fidelity and perspicacity
nothing short of the marvellous. Sc
take the liberty of imagining the pith
of the conversation between the woman
! and the girl
The Woman: How long, dear, have
we known each other?
The Girl: Since left school, be-
lieve. Where did you get that stun
ming morning gown?
| The Woman tsmiling in spite of the
! serious purpose she has in view
| Never mind the gown, my child; l
/ have something of greater importance
! to talk about.
The Girl: Is there anything more
important to talk about among women
/ The Woman: Yes. There is age.
talk about that!
The Woman: / am going to estab-
lish precedent, then. l am 40 or
at least. l am on the verge of 1t.
The Girl (warningly): Take care! If
we should ever become enemies! II
should ever become treacherous!
The Woman: The world very we'll
knows that am older than l look
That is why 1t takes such interest in
my age.
The Girl: The question is, how do
you preserve it?
The Woman: Well, then, / am 40,
while you stand on the threshold Of
the adorable EOS. walks over to pic
, ture taken is years before and con-
templates it, All, to be 20 again; to
start anew, possessing my present
learning and wisdom, and knowledge
of the world; to avoid the pits into
which | SO carelessly stumbled! But
no!
The Girl: Mercy! what have you
to wish for? Are not princes and am
bassadors your friends; have you not
health and wealth and beauty? You
wish for something, you who are so
handsome and brilliant!
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 a mother, l am without a
child. (Sits down beside the girl and
takes her hand in hers.) Will you let
me be a mother to you for just this
morning? How can any man help
loving you! Gmpulsively)
The Girl: How foolish you are,
Grace!
The Woman: All, to blush like that!
| The Girl: You are very embarrass-
ing this morning. l believe you are
very sentimental. Well, my handsome
mother for just this morning, what is
1t you have to say to me? (jestingly)
The Woman: do not know just
how to begin. Listen. If ever trouble
should befall you, If ever misfortune
should entangle you, you will promise
to come to me?
The Girl: Misfortune? What is on
your mind, Grace?
The Woman: Promise!
The Girl: promise. Uaughs.)
The Woman: | am rich Promise
that if poverty should ever come to
| you, you will come to ne.
The Girl (puzzled) do not under
stand 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 so
earnest
| The. Woman: Some day you will
understand. Will you answer me one
question as a daughter would answer
her mother?
The Girl (graveiy): Yes.
The Woman: WCaid you marry a
title for the titles sale?
The Girl Indignantly: l?
The Woman: Yes; would you?
The Girl: shall marry the man l
love, and if not him, nobody. l mean,
Of course. when l love.
The Woman: Blushing again? My
uedt, Is NdilOh any lulhS " oo.
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 out
side.
! (They both smile.)
The Woman (grave once more):
That is all | wished to know dear.
Karloff is not worthy of you.
The Girl (sitting very erecD: l do
not understand. Is he not honorable
The Woman (hesitatingly): l have
known him for seven years: 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