Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1911-07-21
How They Say
Good Night


nation Of two simple words. and ordi'
narily 1t is very easy to say 1t. You
hear it everywhere. and on the lips
Of everybody.
But there are times in a mans life
when 1t is a 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 It 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, 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 It over.
mabel. dear. I must go. It 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. 1t
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"
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 n throat trouble. and
he clears his pipes a good deal He'll
doze on In minute Must you go?
Well. goodnight"
yes. dear. goodnight Oh. don't
come out in Il chill night air You
might get cold. and | should never
forgive myself, never Well. good
night"
Goodnight. Archie. Would yoGt
really and truly care II should 3D.
ILL.,"
MY dearest! 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. don't believe you would
care very much II should go into a
decline and die You'd 20 right or
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 go now. That Is
o'clock. by Jove! 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 ciings to his coat button. and
twists It so bewitchingly that he isn't
mortal II he does 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 a deep
drawn sigh, which gives him the idea
that II Is all she can do to bear II
1.-TWO eternities!" he cries in de.
spair; but, then. | can stop a 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
shivered Mabel, do take care OF your.
self. love. Oh. how I long for the day
when you will be all my own. and I
can shield you from every wind that
blows. but ! must go Well good.
night"
1T is 80 early yet. Archie; bur. then.
IL you want to go, why. I won't say
anything more Goodnight"
-.-%Mabel, IL you look at me like that,
I shall never be able to tear myself
away! You are not offended with
your Archie. are you. lover No.
thought you could not be so cruel,
And really must go now: 80 good.
night, goodnight"
And as the sonor0us notes Of
old mans snoring rise and fall on ~
still air, Archie goes away nearly
broken-hearted for minute. but III.
rectly he lights cigar. and feels
reconciled.
And Mabel locks the door behind
him, and goes upstairs in her stock.