Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1911-09-18
How They Say
Good Night

q
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 COMO discreetly to bed.
and the grateful music Of their snor.
Ing ID 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.
He knows It 10 time to say good
night. and go; but he breads II aw
fully. and would tain put far or 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, er that may be;
and he realizes Just how all tho col.
umns OF figures he Is always adding
VIII run together next day. and how
the old man" will snort when he
nnds him mapping over tho ledger.
and how tho boys in the once will
quote love-sick poetry to him. and
SN"S' "aoO hAohO lhOmbOINCB db luI0T
nally disagreeable AZ they know
He rises at last with tho Arm deter.
mination in his heart that he will say
It. and have It over.
Mabel. dear. I must 70. II 10 aw.
fully late. and your dear little head
ought to have been on tho 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. Il
Isn't late at all. It's only Just . little
wee bit past eleven. and haven't
said half what I 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 II 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 good deal. He'll
doze of In a minute. Must you go?
Well. goodnight"
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 I should be
ill?"
MY dearest! should die n any.
thing happened to you! Well. good.
night; and. bark! Vas that your
father calling you?"
mo. indeed! That was tho cat
down cellar. ! don't believe you would
care very much II should 60 into a
decline and die. You'd go right on
after a little. and marry that hateful
red-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 60 now. That Is |
o'clock. by Jove! Well. goodnight"
BY this time he has got his arm
around her. and is 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 It 80 bewitchinGly that he isnt
| mortal II he docs not respond In some
way; AID all you people who have
! been lovers know just how he does It,
well. goodnight. \rchie. shall
not see you again for two whole days,
suppose" and she heaves deep
drawn sigh. which gives him the idea
that It Is all she can do to bear II
Two eternities!" he cries in do
| spair; but. then, I can stop a mo-
| ment TuesS&y morning whom ! go
| past"
"oh. can you? How perfectly love-
ly! We'll. II you must 30. goodnight"
Are you cold. dear? thought you
shivercd Mabel. do take care Of your.
self. love. Oh. how long for the day
when you will be all my own, and 7
can shield you from every wind that
blows. Lut I must 60. Well good.
night"
ut is so early yet. Archie; but. then.
\ II you want to go, why. I won't say
anything moro Goodnight"
Mabel. II you look at mo like that,
I shall never be able to tear myself
away! You are not offended with
your Archie. are you. love? No. I
thought you could not DO so cruel!
And I really must 20 now; so good.
night. good night"
And az tho sonorods notes OF tho
old mans snoring rise and fall on tho
still air. Archie goes away nearly
brokcn.hearted for a minute. but di.
rectly he lights a cigar. and feels
reconciled.
And Mabel locks the door behind
him. and goes upstairs in her stock.
ing feet. and puts her hair in papers.
and Il ons the old gloves she sleeps Ia
to keep her hands soft and wonders
II II ever was so hard for anybody
| to say good night no " 10 for Aer and