The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1908-11-05
He-Nn I didn,t think I need ten m,

He-No. I didn't think I need tell my
own wife | was innocent. If she couldn't
! believe me against the most overwhelm-
ing evidence l was too proud to justify
myself. | daresay [ was wrong.
She docking up startled)-I think
you were very wrong.
He-And then you know you said so
many cruel things at the time. One
can't forget.
She-i only said what I thought you
deserved.
He-You told me that apart from that
scandal we were unsuited to each other,
that l should never satisfy all the many
sides of your character.
She-Oh, surely l didn't say that?
He-Yes, you did, and lots more; and
every word you said hurt like a knife.
She-Why didn't you forget??
He-One doesn't forget when one has
had it well rubbed in that one has
spoilt someone's life.
She ASHAMED, covering her face with
her hands)-Oh, Jack, spare me. To
think that I could ever have been a
shrewish little beast like that. Oh, of
course we could never have patched it
up after that.
He-Well, you were rather hard on
one, but please don't be unhappy, Maud.
[ was perhaps wrong to suggest talking
it over, and now Tn going to try to for
get that two people SO absolutely I'M
suited ever knew each other before. Let
us imagine this is our first meeting.
Can't we turn tragedy into comedy =?
Our lives are just touching each other
for an hour; can't we think of it that
way? Go himself) I want to see little
Maud smile in the old way.
She (smiling)-As you like, Jack; we
won't rake up the past since it can't be
mended.
He-Since it can't be mended. (Sighs;
a pause.) Do you know, it feels like a
little oasis in the desert sitting here
with you.
She (eagerly)-Then is the rest of
your life a desert?
He-I suppose you'd say it's only my
deserts I'm getting.
She Laughing a little)-Oh, don't do
it, Jack.
(They talk on. taking no thought of
time, getting closer to each other i'll
spirit. At last the train draws up at a
junction about 6:30.)
He-Great Scott! Heaton Benstable.
Then we've passed Blakenham and
there's no train back tonight.
She-What will you do? Hire a trap
here to take you back?
He with decision)-No. I'll see you
safely as far as Holton first. (Train
goes on.) 1 want every minute of the
oasis, you see, and after that-oh, well,
I'll manage to get back somehow into
the desert.
She--It's been rather a nice green
little oasis, hasn't it, Jack??
He-Yes, but they often turn out to
be a mirage. Anyway it will be some
thing refreshing to look back upon
(rather sadly), like any other mirage.
She taking her courage in both
hands)-But why should it be a mirage?
Only a few minutes now and we go out
of each others lives, perhaps forever.
Couldn't we prolong the oasis? Quick
ly and n~ervously.) The terminus is Fer
bingham, a sweet little place by the sea.
Couldn't we both 60 on there together?
He-What! and prolong the oasis for
three days at Ferringham ON Sea ?
BITTERLY No thanks. You've not for
gotten how to be cruel, Maud.
She VERY agitated)-Oh, Jack, no!
Won't you understand? Ito herself. J
We're just at Holton; it's now or never.
(Aloud) If anything's to be said it's
1 who have to say it this time. Brave
ly and with a sudden inspiration) Oh,
Jack, don't you see I'm proposing to
you? 1 didn't mean three days-I meant
forever if you can put up with me-.
He (breathlessly)-Maud! You don't
mean it?
'She-Yes, Jack, every word. I was
mad to believe that story, and the
strange. part was that I loved you all
along in spite of it. Forgive mel
(Here an unexpected twitching of
the corners of Maud's mouth
prevents her going on. He stops
the twitching in the only way that
suggests itself. Train draws up at
Holton. Enter guard.)
Guard-Holton, madam. I've put your
luggage out.
He-Er-well, you can put it back
again. The lady is going on to Ferring-
ham-on-Sea. Her luggage was labeled
wrong.-Alice S. Packard in the Taller.