can leave me at the corner, and I'll just tell Aunt Ki some friends walked up with

me. Second

Scene-Fon-du-lac

Station; time, 10:30. Dot ensconsed in a rocker. Fred just returned from ticket office. Fred-Train very late, Dot. I'm glad, for I'll have you all to myself while we wait, though I don't dare even look at you as I'd like to, with all these less happy people sitting round.

Scene Third-Oshkosh Station; time, 11:35.

Fred-Here we are, Dot. By Jove, there's my train just ready to pull outthe train we came down on was so late, of course. Leave you to go up home alone? Not if I walked back to Fon-dulac, little one. Wait till I inquire when the next train goes back. You see, I've got to be there in the morning to see about that Thompson and Barlow affair. (Converses with ticket agent and returns disconsolate.) Hevings, Dot, the next west-bound doesn't leave here till 3:05. What am I going to do till then?

Dot-You could stay with me, if only mamma were home.

Fred (imploringly)-Your aunt Keziah is there.

Dot-That's just it. You know I don't need a chaperon; but Aunt Ki and my cousin will be sitting up till I come, and they'd be scandalized if I entertained you at this hour.

Fred (sorrowfully)-Oh, Dot, have I got to count the boards in this old floor till three o'clock, when I might be in that blessed little parlor with you?

Dot (in a tone of indignant pity)-It's a shame. And you came with me just to accommodate mamma and Aunt Nettie! (Suddenly inspired.) I can do itI will. I'll tell mamma all about it when she comes home. I never hide anything from her! But Aunt Ki is so different; her suspicions invite deceit. Come on, Fred. I'm going to leave you outside the parlor door while I go into the sitting room and let aunt see that I am alone. Then I'll ten her I have an important letter to write (I have to-morrow), bid her good-night, and go in the parlor and admit you

Fred-You angel of goodness and Portia of wisdom.

Dot-But you must be still as death, Fred, for if Aunt Ki discovered you she'd call up the patrol, and I believe she would try to prove poor mamma demented if she did not consent to have me sent to the house of correction. I'm taking an awful risk for you, dear, so when the Spartan boy comes to be tried, you must be an obedient fox.

Fred-Dot, we'll make a new version

Dot unbolts door. Enter Fred. Dot-Sh-sh-sh! Take off your shoes, Fred, they'll surely hear you walk. Yes, leave them right there by the door. Of course they were both up; but Aunt Ki is going to bed now. There'll be no one coming in here unless Willie should see the gas burning, and come in when he gets home from the concert; but I'll put this screen right by the sofa and you can kneel behind that if. Quick, Fred! Here he comes!

(Fred drops behind screen. Enter Willie.) Willie-Hello, Dot. Didn't mother come home? Well, I'm sorry, for you always have the house full of girls and dudes when she's gone. I think

Dot-Save your thoughts and go to bed, Will; it's late.

Willie I know it; but say, I heard some jolly good music to-night.

sor Allen gave me my ticket.

Profes

He's a

dandy, Dot.

There's that book of poems

he brought you. (Looking at a book on a little table back of screen.) I'm going to take it to my room and read it sometime, just because he likes it.

Dot (rising hastily and standing before him)-Let that book alone to-night, Willie. I-I want to read it myself before I go to sleep.

Willie-Well, it's time you got ashamed of yourself and read it. I don't believe you've ever opened it, and you know he's just dead gone on you, Dot. I'd rather have him than Fred Campbell, but I suppose it's Fred's money you're after.

Dot (peevishly, while watching Fred's face)-Do go to bed, Willie. (Then noticing the boy standing and staring at something by the door.) What are you looking at?

Willie (pointing to Fred's shoes)Why, Dot, they're a man's shoes!

Fred (in hoarse whisper, as he wipes the sweat)-Blast those shoes-Dot, I'm lost-that is, I'm found.

Dot (calmly)-Willie, those are a pair of shoes I got for-for-that is, to use as models in a picture I am painting. You didn't think I could use your brogues?

Willie (still surveying shoes)-Models! Must be going to paint a couple of Noah's arks. You bet if I was going to paint shoes I wouldn't get a pair big enough for the Cardiff Giant. And say, Dot, there's one queer thing aboutDot-They're beautifully shaped, and just what I want. Never mind telling me the queer thing, for I'm going to turn the gas off, and leave you in the dark if you don't go to your room.

Willie All right, I'm gone. But (calling from the stairs), do you have to have fresh mud on all your little shoe models?

(Dot seizes shoes and thrusts them under sofa. Then follows a long whispered conversation, with the words "Professor Allen," "flirt," and "jealous" occasionally audible. At last-)

Dot (tremulous but haughty)-Well, you'd better find some other

Fred (aloud, with passionate energy)But I don't want, and won't have anyone but you, you sweet little

(Loud rapping heard. Dot coughs violently and long. Rapping continues, mingled with Aunt Keziah's voice.)

Fred-Oh, Lord, she's heard me.

Aunt K.-Dorothea, Dorothea, come here immediately.

(Dot hastening to aunt's room, finds her sitting up in bed very excited.)

Aunt K. (shaking an accusing finger at her trembling niece)-Dorothy, in the absence of your mother, I shall act in her place. You may well look scared, for I heard you. You needn't jump. I heard you coughing terribly. Now, do you take a spoonful of that cough medicine this minute. I know a pneumonia cough when I hear it.

Dot (swallowing the dose)-Yes, ma'am. (Aside.) I'd swallow anything but strychnine, I'm so relieved that she didn't hear him. (Returning to parlor.) No, she only heard me coughing; but oh, my fox, how you have been snarling and tearing at me.

Fred-Poor darling; I won't say another word. I know I do get unreasonably jealous; but you always laughed at me when I said Allen cared for you. But how can he help it? I can't.

(Delicious interval; then a step so deliberate that Fred has time to kneel carefully behind the screen, against which Dot leans her head. A tap, and Cousin Lazarus enters.)

Laz.-My dear cousin, as neither of us seems inclined to sleep, I seize this opportunity to converse with you on a subject that is pressing for deliverance.

Fred (softly)-Speaking of deliverance, Dot, is there anv for me?

Dot (aside)-Hush-sh! to-night, cousin, please.

(Aloud.) Not

Laz.-Always the same cruel denial of even a chance to plead my overwhelming love for you. But, Dot, I must speak. I am tortured with fear for your future as well as by my hopeless love for you. Dorothy, I spent all last night on my knees.

Fred (in a whisper, while he tries to change his position)-And means that I shall spent to-night on mine. Say, Dot, can't you get him out, somehow? My leg is cramping. Ow-ow!

ARMSTRONG.

Aunt Keziah. Dot (to both)-Don't, don't, pray don't! Laz (vehemently)-Dorothy, I must speak. I see Fred Campbell

(Fred utters unprintable words and begins to arise. Dot gives a little shriek and covers her face.)

Laz.-I see him with my spiritual eye in his true character.

Fred (settling down on his knees)Oh!

Dot (uncovering her face)-Oh! Laz.-Yes, I see that he is lightminded, selfish, fickle

Fred (whispering)-He lies, Dot. Minister or no minister

Laz. He has a bad temper; his face shows that.

Fred-Mayn't I come out, dear? Do let me, and his face will show what my temper is in brighter colors than my own does.

Dot (clapping her hands to her head, and speaking to both)-I forbid you to speak another word. (Opens door for her cousin. Exit Lazarus.)

Dot (laying her hand on Fred's arm as he rises)-Oh, my fox, you are actually shaking with anger.

Fred-The sneaking cad-slandering a fellow to his betrothed!

Dot-Fred, I want you to light your cigar. There, now, you sit there and smoke while I talk; for see, it will soon be time for you to go to the station. (Fred lights cigar and smokes while they

talk. Presently Dot giggles aloud. The voice of Aunt Ki heard approaching.) Aunt Ki.-Dorothy, I'm coming to sit up with you while you finish that letter. If your cough should be worse

Dot (frantically)-Oh, Fred, she will stay forever, or till I go to bed. Get into your coat, quick-here's your hat.

Aunt Ki. (very near)-I'm coming. Dot-Go! Oh, don't stop to speak. (Pushing him out of the outside door)— Go! Quick! Quick!

Aunt Ki. (opening door and walking slowly in)-I'm coming to stay.

Dot (closing outside door and facing aunt)-I was writing a letter.

Aunt Ki.-If your letter is so important that you must write it at two o'clock in the morning, I'll sit up with you till it's finished. I don't want to say that the letter is only an excuse for-for(Fred appears at window, making energetic pantomime.)

Dot (beside herself with anxiety, addresses aunt for Fred and vice-versa). To Aunt-Oh, you chump, why don't you go? (Turning to window). Wh-a-a why-y should I want an excuse?

Aunt Ki. (in tones of horror)-That my brother's child should come to this. Why, I don't believe you've had less than three to-night; and to sit up to enjoy them! Shocking. Your grandfather was terribly given to the habit, but he was never as bad as this.

(Fred opens door a few inches and peers anxiously in.)

Dot (half crying)-Oh, I don't know what you mean. (To both)-and I don't care. I think you must be crazy. Excuse me, but I'm going to turn off the gas and go to bed. I-I'm sick.

Aunt Ki. (indignantly)—I should think you would be.

(Exit Aunt Ki. Enter Fred.) Dot-Oh, you worst of all foxes, why didn't you go home?

Fred-Forgive me, pet; but you see, you shoved me out without my shoes; and I couldn't go to Fond-du-lac in my socks. (Tableau.) In Aftertime.

Aunt Ki. (to bosom friend) -Don't mention it, for I don't want to say anything