Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1911-06-05
How They Say
Good Night

DuS ShCAS dLC llLlCo III uldu IlLO
when It is most stupendous under
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 discreetly to bed.
and the grateful music OF their snor.
ing is coming refreshingly down the
stairway. mingled with the sound of
| the clock on the church steeple slow
ly striking the hour Of midnight. then
the ordeal begins.
He knows 1t is time to say good.
night. and go; but he breads 1t aw.
fully. and would fain put far of the
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" howel err that may be;
! and he realizes just how all the col
umns OF figures he is always adding
VIII run together next day. and how
the old man" will snort when he
hnds 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. ! 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 al him. and she
says:
Archie. must you? Oh. dear. It
Isn't late at all. It's only just a little
wee bit past eleven. and I haven't
said half what | wanted to had lots
and lots Of things to tell you. and"
1T is after midnight. darling. and
your pa has stopped snoring. and ]
heard him clearing his throat Just
| now. as If he were preparing to say
something"
oh. Archie. don't you mind about
dad. He's pOt q throat trouble and
he clears his pipes good deal He'll
dozc of IN minute Must you go?
Well. goodnight"
Yes. dear. goodnight oh. don't
come out in T. G chill night air You
| might get cold. and ! should never
forgive myself. never We'll. good
night"
"Good-nIght. Archie Would you
really and truly care if should be
| ill?"
"My dearest, should die II any.
| thing happened to YOU! Well. good
night; and. | ark! vas that your
father calling you?"
NO. indeed, That was the cat
| down cellar don't believe you would
care very much II should go into
| decline and die You'd go right OF
| after little. and marry that hateful.
| red-headcd KITE Stirling; and de-
test the sight Of her Well. good
| night"
Mabel. you know wouldn't look
| mt Kate Stirling! Old freckle-faccd
thing! You little goose. you! Well.
really. | must go now. That Is
| o'clock, by Jove. Well. goodnight"
BY this time he has got his arm
! around her. and is loiding her hand
! In his. to give him courage to speak
| the distress ing words OF farewell And
! she ciings to his coat button. and
| twists II so bewitchingly that he isn't
| mortal II he does not respond In s1Iue
| way; I'D all you people who Fave
been lovers know just how he does it,
"Well. goodnight. \rchic. I shall
! not see you again FOR two whole days
| ! suppose" and she heaves deep
drawn sigh. which gives him the ldea
that II Is all she can do to bear II
1.-TWO eternities!" he cries In de.
spair; but. then. ! can stop mo.
ment Tuesday morning when 60
past"
| "Oh. can you? How perfectly love-
| ly! We'll, II you must go. goodnight"
Are you cold. dear? ! thought you
| shivcTed Mabel. do take care OF your.
self. love Oh, how long for the day
when you will be all my own. and
can shield you from every wind that
blows. Lut ] must go Well good.
night"
ut is so early yet. Archie: b,n then.
II you want to go. why. won't say
anything more Goodnight
Mabel. II you look at m, like that,
I shall never be able to tear myself
away! You are not offended with
your Archie. are you. love? No.
thought You could not be so cruel!
And really must go now; so good.
night. goodnight"
And as the sonor0as notes OF the
old mans snoring rise and fall on the
still air, Archie goes away nearly
broken.hearted for minute. but di.
rectly he lights cigar. and feels
Teconciled.
And Mabel locks the door behind
him and goes upstairs in her stock.
ing feet. and puts her hair in papers,
and u ms the old gloves she sleeps in
to keep her hands soft, and wonders