Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1906-09-06

be everywhere, to follow the foot
steps of each and all of my characters,
and with a fidelity and perspicacity
nothing short of the marvellous. So
take the liberty of imagining the pith
of the conversation between the woman
and the girl.
The Woman: How long, dear, have
we knoyn each other?
The Girl: Since | left school, l be-
-lieve Where did you get that stun
ming morning gown?
The Woman (smiling 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.
The Girl: But, mercy, we do not
talk about that!
The Woman: l am going to estab-
lish a precedent, then. I am 40 or
at least, l am on the verge of it.
The Girl (warningly): Take care! If
we should ever become enemies! If /
should ever become treacherous!
The Woman: The world very well
knows that | am older than | look
That is why it 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 20s (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 l 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 mother, | 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
it 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
to come to me?
The Girl: Misfortune? What is on
your mind, Grace?
The Woman: Promise!
The Girl: promise. Uaughs)
The Woman: l am rich. Promise
that if poverty should ever come to
you, you will come to me.
The Girl (puzzled): l do not under
stand you at all!
The Woman: Promise!
The Girl: I 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 (gravely): Yes.
The Woman: Would you marry q
title for the titles sake?
The Girl Indignantly: 1?
The Woman: Yes; would you?
The Girl: | shall marry the man
love, and if not him, nobody. l mean,
of course. when I 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 out
J 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: do
not understand. Is he not honorable?
The Woman (hesitatingly): l have
known him for seven years; l 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 am to be your daughter
there must be no fencing.
The Woman( rising and going over