Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1911-08-15
How They Say
Good Night

But there are times in a mans life
taking 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 discreetfy to bed.
md the grateful music Of their snor-
Ing is coming refreshingly down tho
stairway. mingled with the sound OF
the clock on the church steeple slow
ly striking the hour OF midnight. then
the ordeal begins.
Re knows 1t is time to say good
night. and go; but he breads It aw.
fully. and would fain put far on tho
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" howeN er that may be;
and he realizes just how all the col.
umns of figures he Is always adding
Will run together 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 disagreeable as they know
He rises at last with the firm deter.
mination in his heart that he will say
1t, and have 1t over.
Mabel. dear, I must go. II is aw-
fully late. and your dear little head
ought to have been on the pillow long
ago. ! am such a thoughtless. selfish
fellow. ! must say goodnight and let
you get bit Of sleep. before the sun
rises Well goodnight"
Then she looks at him. and she
says:
Archie. must you? Oh. dear. It
Isn't late at all. It's only just little
wee bit past eleven. and | haven't
said half what | wanted to had lots
and lots Of things to tell you. and"
ut is after midnight. darling. and
your pa has stopped snoring. and !
heard him clearing his throat just
now. as II he were preparing to say
something"
ooh. Archie. don't you mind about
dad. He's got a throat trouble. and
he clears his pipes n good deal. He'll
doze off In a minute Must you go?
Well. good-n-tg-h-t.'
Yes. dear. goodnight. Oh. don't
come out in the chill night air You
might get cold. and I should never
forgive myself. never Well. good
night"
Goodnight. Archie. Would you
really and truly care II should be
ill?"
thing happened to you! Well. good
night; and. lark! Vas that your
father calling you?"
mo. indeed That was the cat
down cellar. I don't believe you would
care very much II | should 60 into a
decline and die. You'd go right OF
after a little. and marry that hateful.
rcd-headed Kate Stirling; and ! de-
test the sight OF her Well. good
night"
Mabel. you know | wouldn't look
at Kate Stirling! Old freckle-faced
thing! You little goose. you! Well.
really. ! must go now. That Is
o'clock. by Joye! Well. goodnight"
BY this time he has got his arm
around her. and ia holding her hand
in his. to give him courage to speak
the distressing words of farewell And
she clings to his coat button and
twists II so bewitchingly that he isn't
mortal II he does not respond In some
way; a..d all you people who have
been lovers know just how he does It,
well. goodnight. \rchie. I shall
not see you again for two whole days.
I suppose" and she heaves a deep
drawn sigh. which gives him the idea
that It is all she can do to bear It
1.-TWO eternities!" he cries In de-
spair; but. then. ! can stop n mo.
ment Tuesday morning when go
past"
"Oh. can you? How perfectly love-
ly! Well. II you must go. goodnight"
Are you cold. dear? thought you
shiyered Mabel. do take care OF your.
self. love Oh. how long for the day
when you will be all my own. and I
can shield you from every wind that
blows. Lut | must go. Well. good.
night"
ut is so early yet. Archie; but then,
II you want to go. why, ! won't say
anything more Goodnight"
Mabel. II you look at M like that,
shall never be able to tear myself
away! You are not offended with
yohr Archie. are you. love? No. I
thought you could not be so cruel,
And really must go now; so good.
night. goodnight"
And as the sonorous notes OF the
did mana snoring rise and fall on the
still air. Archie goes away nearly
brokon.hearted for a minute. but d.
rectly he lights a cigar. and feels
reconciled.
And Mabel locks the door behind
him. and goes upstairs in her stock.
L. ID mia har hnIx In.