Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1911-06-22
How They Say
Good Night

when 1t 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 IL is time to say good.
night. and go; but he breads 1t aw
fully. and would fain put far off 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" howe' err 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 1t 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 a bit Of sleep. before the sun
rises Well. goodnight"
Then she looks at him. and she
says:
Archie. must you? oh. dear. II
Isn't late at all. It's only just a 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 I
heard him clearing his throat just
now. rs If he were preparing to say
something"
"Oh. Archie. don't you mind about
dad. He's got a throat trouble. and
he clears his pipes n good deal. He'll
doze of in Il minute. Must you go?
Well. Good-n-i-g-ht."
Yes, dear. goodnight. Oh. don't
come out in the chill night air. You
might get cold. and ] should never
forgive myself. never. Well. good
night"
Goodnight. Archie Would you
really and truly care II should DO
in?"
My dearest! I should die If any.
thing happened to you! Well. good
night: and. bark! Vas that your
father calling you?"
mo. indeed! That was the cat
down cellar. I don't believe you would
care very much If should go into a
decline and die. You'd 20 right of
after a little. and marry that hateful
red.headed Kate Stirling; and ! de-
test tho 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. I must go now. That Is
| O'Clock. by love! Well. goodnight"
by this time he has got his arm
around her. and is holding her ha I'd
| in his, to give him courage to speak
| the distressing words OF farewell And
| she clings TO his coat button. and
twists It 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 IL
well. goodnight. \rchie ! shall
| not gee you again for two whole days
| Oh. hnn a
l drawn sigh. which gives him the idea
that II is all she can do 70 bear u
1.-TWO eternities!" he cries in dc
spair; but. then. can stop mo
ment Tuesday morning when | &c
past"
"Oh, can you? How pcf.ectly love
"! Well, 81 you must go. goodnight
Are you cold. dear? thought you
shivered Mabel do take care OF your
| self love oh. how ! long for the day
1 when you will be MI my own. and
can shield you from every wind that
blows. but 7 must 20 Well. good
night" .
ut is so early yet. Archie; but then
II you want to 20. why. won't say
| anything more. boou-Hisut.
Mabel. IL 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 I really must go now: so good
night. goodnight"
And as the sonoruns notes Of tho
old mans snoring rise and fall on the
still air. Archie goes away nearly
broken.hcarted for a minute. but di
rectly he lights a cigar. and feels
reconcllod
And Mabel locks the door behind
him. and goes upstairs In her stock
ing feet. and puts her hair In papers
and u1ns the old gloves she sleeps II