Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-03-02
How They Say Goodnight.

OOOQ-nlgnt u very SiiiPiS SOhio'"a
ton of two simple words and ordinarily
itisvery easy to sayit. You hearit every
where, and on the lips of everybody.
But there are times in mans life when
il is most stupendouS undertaking to
say goodnight.
When he has been to visit The lode-star
of his affections, and pater familias and
his wife have become tired out, and gone
discreetly to bed, and the grateful music
of their snoring is coming refreshingly
down the stairway, mingled with the
sound of the clock on the church Steeple
slowly striking the hour OF midnight, then
the ordeal begins.
He knows il is time TO say goodnight,
and go; but he dreads-it awfully, and
would fain put far offthe dreadful moment.
And she feels just the same. She knows
that her eyes will be red next day from
loss OF sleep. and that she will feel like
"a stewed WITCH" however that may be;
and he realizes just how all the columns
of figures he is always adding will run to-
gether next day, and how the 'old man"
will snort when he finds him mapping
over the ledger, and how the boys in the
office will quote love-Sick poetry to him
and otherwise make themselves as infer
nally dlsagreeable as they know.
He rises at last with the firm determi-
nation in his heart that he will say II, and
have il over.
mabel. dear, must 90. II is awtully
late, and your dear little head ought TO
have been on the pillow long ago. am
such thoughtless. selfish fellow. must
say goodnight and LET you get BIT oil
-leep, before the sun rises. Well, good
night"
Then she looks at him. ahd she says:
"Archie, must you ? Oh, dear, il isn't
late at all. It's only just little wee bit
past eleven, and haven't said halt what
wantedto. | had lots and lots OF things
10 tell you, and"
at is after midnight, darling, and your
pa has stopped snoring, and heard him
clearing his throat just now, as il he were
preparing TO say something"
"Oh, Archie, don't you mind about
dad. He's got throat trouble, and he
clears his pipes a good deal. He'll doze
off in minute. Must you go2 Well.
good-n-i-g-h-t."
ayes, dear, goodnight. Oh, don't
come out in the chill night air. You
might get cold, and should never tor
give myself, never Well, goodnight" "
Goodnight, Archie. Would you
really and truly care if should be Ill 2"
"My dearest should die il anything
happened TO youl Well, goodnight; and
harkl was that your father calling youp'
"No, indeed That was the cat down
cellar. don't believe you would care
very much if | should go INTO decline
and die. You'd 90 right off after little
and marry that hateful red-headed Kate
Stiringl Old freckle-faced thing
"You little goose, youl Well, really !
mustgo now. That is one clock, by Jovei
Well, goodnight.
BY this time he has got his arm around
her, and is holding her hand in his, TO
ing words of farewell. And she clings
give him courage TO speak the distress
TO his coat button, and twists II so be-
witchlngly that he isn't mortal If he does
not respond in some way and all you
people who have been lovers know just
how he does it.
"Well, good might, Archie. shall not
see you again for two whole days, J
suppose" and she heayes deep-drawn
sigh, which gives him the idea that il is
all she can do TO bear il.
1.-TWO eternitiesl" he cries in despair
"but, then, can stop moment Tuesday
morning when 90 past"
"Oh, can you2 How perfectly lovely
Well, if you must 60, goodnight"
care you cold, dear2 thought you
shivered. Mabel, do take care Of your
self, love. on, how long for the day
when you will be all my own, and can
shield you from every wind that blows.
But must go. Well, goodnight"
at is so early yet, Archie; Tut, then,
il you want TO go, why, won't say any
thing more. Goodnight"
"MabeI, if you look at me like that, ]
shall never be able to tear myself away J
You are not offended with your Archie,
are you, love? No, thought you could
not be so cruel. And ! really must 60
now, so goodnight. good night"
And as the sonorous notes OF the old
mans snoring rise and fall on the still air,
Archie goes away nearly broken-hearted
for minute, but directly he lights a cigar,
and feels reconciled.
And Mabel locks the door behind him,
and goes upstairs in her stocking feet,
and puts her hair in papers, and dons the
old gloves she sleeps in TO keep her
hands soft, andiwonders.ifiit was solIafd
for anybody to.say goodnight tas.h is.for
her and Archie.