PS 3503 .R53 C8 1914 Copy 1 lO PLAYS EXCHANGED. nHCR'5 CDIT15N or PL71Y3 Cupid's Partner Price, 25 Cents COPYRIGHT. 1889, BY WALTER H. BAKER & CO. B. m. Pinero's Plays PHce» 50 ectfts €acb TlIP A M A 7nN^ Farce in Three Acts. Seven malea, five fe- IflEi AItIAajv/IiiJ males. Costumes, modern; scenery, not diflaoulto Plays a full evening. TUI7 TARIMrT MIMTQTCP Faroe in Pour Acts. Ten IflJCi VJlDiritil lUllllOlEiIV males, nine females. Cos tomes, modern society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening- riANnV niriT Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, four fe- UAViUl Lrlviv males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two inte- riors. Plays two hours and a half. TUr C kV f nun ATTFY comedy in Four Acts. Fourmales, lllEi Uill lAJsKU KlKJLdA ten females. Costumes, modern; •oenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. UTC UniTCr IW nDni7D comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, niC nUUOti 111 UI\ULIV four females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. TUF UflDRV UnPQC Comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, inL nUDDI nUlVOEi tlve females. Costumes, modern; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. inio Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. I AnV liniTMTII?lTf Play in Four Acts. Eight males, Lti\MJl DUUlllirULi females. Costumes, modern; ery, four interiors, not easy. Plays a full evening. seven scen- I FTTY I^rama in Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five LXil 1 1 females. Costumes, modern; scenery complicated. Plays a full evening, THF IWAPI^TU ATF Farce in Three Acts. Twelve males, inCi lUiWJlO I S\i\ I SIa four females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Walttv ^. Pafeer & Companp No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts CUPID'S PARTNER I ^ A Comedy in Three Acts By GLADYS RUTH BRIDGHAM Juthor of "^ Case for Sherlock Holmes,'' "^ Regular Scream,'* ^^ Leave it to Polly," '^The ^ueen of Hearts,'' ''The Turn in the Road," "-"'Ring- Jround-a-Rosie," etc. BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 1914 CUPID'S PARTNER CHARACTERS Sybil Harlow. Pansy Harlow, Aer sister, six j/ears old. Helen Freeland. l^Z:i%T.ir' \ H'ref or, college ^rls. Muriel Austin. Mrs. Freeland. Mrs. Jardine. Mrs. Mulcahey. Eva Mulcahey. Dandelion Mugg. Miss Hill. An extra waitress and a cashier may be employed in Act IL Plays About Two Hours. SYNOPSIS Act I. Mrs. Freeland' s room in Mrs. Mulcahey's lodging liouse. Act II. Dent's Japanese Tea-room. Valentine's Day. Act 111. Same as Act I. Two hours later. Copyright, 19 14, by Walter H. Baker & Co. m7A\m A>0 / Cupid's Partner ACT I SCENE. — A plainly furnished sitting-room ; doors ^ R. and c. ; door at c. is half open ; a table a little at the right of room is covered with painti?ig materials and valentine hearts. (Pansy Harlow, holding a large doll by the arfns, is doing tango steps.') Pansy. There's not enough spring to you, Rosamund. You must go way over this way, and then way back. (Beatrice Montfort and Ethel Richards look in at door C, then enter.) Ethel. Pansy, you blessed child, what are you doing ? Pansy. Teaching Rosamund to dance, but it will be a long time before she can tango. Bea. I guess that's right, although, goodness knows, she is limp enough to learn the fish -walk. Where's Sybil ? We've been up-stairs pounding on your door. We thought you and she had gone for a walk. Pansy. No, she's been working here all the afternoon, 'cause the light's better here than it is in our room. She's got her work all ready to send away and she went down-stairs to ask Mrs. Mulcahey for some boxes. See all her hearts ! Ain't they be-au-tiful ? {Points at the table. ) Ethel {sitting down by the table). They certainly are. Bea. What are they ? Valentines ? Pansy. Yes. Ethel {taking one np). Why, here's Muriel ! Pansy. Yes, she painted all the girls in different kinds of hearts. Here's you in a glad heart, and Eva Mulcahey in a loving heart, and Pm heart's ease, and isn't that Sybil ? {Hands a heart to Ethel.) 4 CUPID*S PARTNER Ethel. Yes, and a splendid picture of her, too. Pansv. I knew it was ! She said it wasn't any one in particular, but 1 knew it was her ! Oh, dear ! {Begins to cry.) Ethel. Why, dearest, what's the matter ? Pansy (sfi// crying). Don't you see it's a sad heart ? I don't want S-S-S-Sybil to be a s-s-s-sad heart. Bea. Don't you feel that way, Pansy. It doesn't look a bit like Sybil. I can't imagine why Ethel said it did. Ethel. Nor I, now 1 com^ to look at it again. Pansy. You're just saying that to make me feel better. Bea. If you think Sybil is a sad heart, you must ask Cupid to fix things up for her. Pansy. Who's Cupid ? Bea. The little god of love. He works for St. Valentine. Pansy {with interest). Does he? What does he do, Beatrice ? Bea. Oh, St. Valentine sends him around on errands of love,: making sad hearts glad. (Pansy looks thoughtful for a minute, walks across the room and carefully places her doll on a chair.) Ethel. Your imagination is excellent, Bea ; I don't wonder that you hold a star position on the Review. Pansy {walking to door c). I'll find Sybil and tell her you are here. Ethel {calling after her). Say, Pansy, will any one care if we wait here ? Whose room is this ? Pansy {looking back from door). Oh, no ! The girls all come here any time. This is Mrs. Freeland's room. \^Exit. Bea. Freeland ? That's the name of that little star of the freshman class. Ethel. Yes, Helen Freeland. She might be a senior for all the fuss they make over her. It's no use, Bea, money counts. Bea. From what I have heard of her, she is trying to make hers count in the right way, I should think. (Helen Freeland passes door, comes back, looks in^ hesitates, enters.) CUPID*S PARTNER 5 Helen. I beg your pardon. Could you tell me which is Miss Austin's room ? (Helen is about seventeeti. She looks even younger. She is richly dressed. Her movements are quick. She speaks rapidly and is brimful of life and very much in earnest.) Ethel. Her room is on the floor above but she isn't in. She works in Miss Dent's tea-room every afternoon. Helen. Yes, I know. I saw her there early in the after- noon but I thought she would be back by this time. Ethel. No, she doesn't get through until six and it is usually seven or later when she comes in. Helen. And then tries to study all the evening, I suppose, after working all the afternoon. And there's buttons to sew on, and stockings to mend, and letters to write ! Millions of things Hke that to do if you haven't the money to hire it done. When does she have any fun ? Ethel {smiling slightly). Miss Austin came here, I think, for an education without much thought of the fun. You are Miss Freeland, aren't you ? Helen. Yes. And you are Miss Richards. Ethel. And this is Miss Montfort. Bea. {shaki?ig hattds with Helen). I'm glad to meet you, Miss Freeland. Helen. And I'm so glad to meet you both. I'm new here, you know, and you can give me some advice. Do you know, I came here thinking that Hereford was a golden dream, but there are things in connection with college that seem dreadful to me. I never had to work a minute in all ray life. I never had to comb my hair if I didn't feel like it. I've been the silliest, most useless being, and all the girls I hr.ve ever known have been the same kind. Well, since I have been here, I've met girls who are working themselves to death for the privilege of going through Hereford. Now, they are the oncf; who are capable of great things and ought to be leaders here, but they aren't at all. They never have time for anything. Some of our class have formed a little club and we are going to try to see what we can do to give these girls an equal chance with the others. Bea. I admire your courage. Miss Freeland. You cer- tainly have a splendid object to work for, but it's rather a stupendous task that you have set yourselves. Have you any idea how you are going to start in ? 6 cupid's partner Helen. Not the slightest.*' Each of us has some girls to look up, and Miss Austin is on my list. Oh, if we could only interest some of you older girls. Ethel. We are interested and we are starting a movement if not exactly like yours, certainly similar, and if we can join forces and help you, we will. Helen. Oh, joy ! Could I write Miss Austin a note ? I won't wait for her. L would rather talk to you before I do anything more, but I can find out when she has a little leisure time. (Ethel hunts among the thi?igs on the table, finds a pencil and some paper and fia'nds them to Helen.) Thank you. {Sits at table afid writes rapidly as she talks.) You girls didn't come here on the same errand as I, did you ? Bea. In a way, yes, but it isn't Miss Austin. It's another girl. Helen. I see. Well, I'll leave this note with the girl who let me in. (Rises.) And now may I come to see you to- night ? Bea. Certainly. Ethel. Glad to have you. Helen. Wasn't it splendid that I should find you here? Good-bye. [Exit, c. Bea. (laughing). Well, talk about angels ! Ethel. Her wings rustled all right. She's an energetic child to say the least. I would like to have kept her here to talk to Sybil. Bea. (^looking at the hearts). What a host of hearts ! Ethel. Yes, and think of the hours of work they represent. Enter Sybil Harlow. Sybil. Hello, girls ! (Sybil is a delicate looking girl and dressed iji mournifig.) Bea. Hello, dear ! Ethel. Sybil Harlow, look at this pile of work and look at your face ! White as a sheet ! You are working yourself to death. Sybil. Oh, not so bad as that. Ethel. Yes, it is as bad as that. Bea. We have come, Sybil, to talk to you and to talk very nuich to the point. Sybil. Go ahead, but pardon me if I go on with my work. (Sits at table and begins to arrange hearts in boxes.) cupid's partner 7 Ethel. Oh, yes! Please work! You wouldn't look natural if you didn't work. Bea. Sybil, we don't want to interfere with your business. You know how much we care for you, don't you ? Sybil. Ves, girls, I do. If I didn't, I can assure you that you wouldn't know where I am to-day. Ethel. That's just what we want to talk to you about. Sybil, you were one of the most popular girls in our class." There are dozens of girls who feel terribly because you disap- peared the way you did without a word. Why do you persist in hiding from your friends ? Sybil. Girls, I will tell you the truth. At the time my father died and I was obliged to leave college, another sorrow came into my life. One that made me distrustful of every one ; made me feel that I wanted to hide from every one I had ever known. I have fought it out, however, and I am begin- ning to see how wrong I was. Before long I will let you tell the girls I am here. Bea. And you will come back to your class and finish your course ? Sybil. No, I cannot do that. My father lost his money. Died penniless. I have Pansy to care for. If it wasn't for her, I would try to work my way through the two years. Ethel. Sybil, we have something in mind by which we think you could finish up and at the same time earn consider- able. If we can materialize our plan will you consider coming back to Hereford ? Sybil. Girls, I have tried for something in which there is a good deal of money. If I win, I will consider your plan. If I don't win, I can't consider it for a minute. Bea. When will you know ? Sybil. In a few days, I think. Ethel. And we will know in a few days, too. Bea. By Valentine's Day. Sybil, will you come to tea with us on that day and talk it over ? Sybil. At Dent's ? Bea. Yes. Will you, Sybil ? Sybil {slowly). Yes, I will come, but you don't know how hard it will be. ^ Ethel (rising). We will make it easy for you. Come late in the afternoon and you probably won't see a girl you know. Sybil. Thank you. I do appreciate all that you have been to me all these months. Must you go ? 8 CUPID*S PARTNER Ethel. Yes, it's getting la^. Bea. You won't fail to come, Sybil? Sybil. No; I have promised you. Enter Eva Mulcahey. She is very pretty y and she wears a large amount of very light false hair. Her clothes are cheap but in the very latest extreme fashion. Eva. Oh, excuse me. Sybil. That's all right, Eva. Come in. Ethel. We are just going. Bea^ [ {^^S^^^^^)' Good-night, Sybil. Sybil. Good-night ! [Exennt Bea. and Ethel, c. Eva. Ain't she a swell looker ? Were they in your class ? Sybil. Yes. Eva. Say, Sybil, it's a shame you ain't still in college ! You ain't fit to be slavin' for a livin' any more'n I am. Be- lieve me, we was born for somethin* higher. I ain't goin' to work at Heckler's much longer. That reminds me, have you got those hearts done? Sybil {goifig to the table). Yes, here they are in this box. Eva. That's good. I'll take them down in the morning. Mr. Donnely has been over to my counter and asked for them five times, and honest to goodness, Sybil, he's talked one-half hour every time, and me tryin' to wait on folks ! And what do you suppose? He said when he was talkin' to me I didn't have to wait on nobody. The nerve of him ! You'd think he managed the whole store instead of jest our department. My face gets as red as anything and he says {Giggles.) Goodness, Sybil, I couldn't tell you the foolish things he says. And oh, Sybil, wait till I tell you ! Augustus got changed to floor-walker in our department to-day and he saw Mr. Donnely talking to me, and oh, gee ! Say, to-night when we walked up if he didn't give me an earache ! Enter Pansy. Sybil. Does your mother know he walked up with you ? Eva. Weil, not so you'd notice it ! Now, don't go to looking at me like that, Sybil. Ma's so unreasonable ! There ain't a thing the matter with Gus. He's a perfect gentleman. Why are you all so dead against me? Sybil. We aren't, dear. We are right for you. We love you too well to see you throw yourself away, that's all. Better CUPID S PARTNER g listen to your mother. It's safest. I must go up-stairs I have lots of thmgs to do. Pansy, are you going to wait for Mrs. Freeland ? Pansy. Yes. Sybil. Well, don't wait too long. I don't like to have you up late. ^ Pansy. AH right. ^ C^;.// Sybil. Eva. Your sister is too sweet for anything, Pansy, but she's as bad a fusser as ma is. Mrs. Mulcahey {outside). Mrs. Freelind, are yez in ? - Pansy {going to the door). No, she isn't, Mrs. Mulcahey. Mrs. M. {entering). Is it alone yez are, yer blissid youn? one? J 3 Pansy. No'm, Eva is here. Mrs. M. {to Eva). Sure, that's right. It's here yez are, darlmt. An is it tired out yez are, entoirely? Sure, an' don't I wish yez nivir had to put a foot inter that dratted shtore. Sure, I nivir saw sich a house fer workers in me loife Eviry one tryin' ter kill thimselves. There's me own girl, an' mesilf an' Miss Sybil, an' Miss Austin, an' look at the hour it's gittiii' an' Miss Freelind ain't in yit ! Dandelion MuGG (^///j/^^). Miss Eva! Oh, Miss Ev-a-a-a ' Mrs. M. Will yez listen to that? {Goes to door.) What IS It yez after wantin' ? Come in an' shtop yellin' ! (Dan. enters. She is about fourteen, has fiery red hair and a voice which could be heard at a long distance. She has a letter in each hand. When she sees Mrs. M. she puts one hand behind her.) What is it yez wants ? Dan. I — er— I— er — I— er— forget. Mrs. M. If that ain't like yez ! Ye'll be sendin' me to the asylum before yez gets through. What is it yez holdin' behind yez? Dan. Er— oh {holding out letter), it's for Miss Sybil. Mrs. M. Behi?id yez, I said. Dan. Nothin' ! Mrs. M. Nothin', is it ? I'll be after seein'. {Starts for Dan.) Dan. {desperately). Here ! Take it ! (Tries to get the letter to Eva before Mrs. M. gets it.) '^^p^ {springing forward). Forme? 10 CUPIDS PARTNER Mrs. M. Hould on ! (6^^/j- ilie letter away from Dan.) So tliat's it ! 'a missage from Augustus, is it ? Eva. Let me have it ! Mrs. M. Indade an' 1 will whin I've seen what's in it. {To Dan.) An' you, yez good-fer-nothin' young hathern, that I took out of a 'syluui, an' hev been father an' mother to, an' sint yez to school, an* fed yez, an' clothed yez, ye're jist the one ter turn on me an' be after takin' sides wid me good-fer- nothin' darter. Go on up-stairs an' give Miss Sybil her letter, fer it's that hard fer me ter kape me hands off yez. (Dan. exits in haste. Pansy stands at one side, her doll clasped tightly in her arms, and regards them in horrified silence.^ Eva. That's my letter. You have no right to read it ! Mrs. M. Is that so? Will, we'll see about thet. I can't believe me own eyes, whin I see me darter an' a girl wid the face an' style yez got, takin' up wid thet little rid-head thet squints in his lift eye. Whin I'se think of yer father an' the handsome man he wuz an' thet full of sentimint ! Eva. Oh, fiddlesticks ! [Exit, c. Mrs, M. {beginning to weep). Oh, ter think it would come ter this ! Pansy (rimning over to her). Oh, Mrs. Mulcahey, don't cry ! Please don't ! Mrs. M. {still weeping). Yez blissid young one ! Enter Mrs. Freeland, c. Mrs. F. Why, what in the w^orld is going on in my room ? Pansy. Oh, Mrs. Freeland, poor Mrs. Mulcahey feels ter- rible because Eva got a letter from Augustus. Mrs. M. It's broken-hearted I am entoirely, Mrs. Freelind ! Thet girl Pve slaved an' worked fer an' loved an' cherished, an' her father a handsome man an' full of sentimint, an' she takin' up wid a little puppy like Augustus Johnsin' an* gittin* letters behind me back ! Mrs. F. {putting her hand on Mrs. M.'s shoulder). You mustn't be too hard on Eva. She is young, and this is her first fancy. She will get over it soon and see how foolish she has been. She is too sensible a girl to marry a good- for-nothing man. I wouldn't pay too much attention to it. She CUPIDS PARTNER II Dan. {outside), Mrs. Mulcahey, Mrs. Mulcahey ! Did Mrs. Freeland coine in? {Enters.') Oh, you did? A customer wants to talk to you on the telephone. Mrs. F. All right. \^Exit Dan. Mrs. M. It's going down I'll be goin', too ! I wanted to talk wid yez but I'll come back later in the avenin'. \They exeunt. Pansy {draiving a lon^; breath). Now, Rosamund, you see how pufectly dreadful it is to be after breakin' your mother's heart ! You will never grow up like that, will you, dearest ? ( Walks to the table. Places her doll on a chair 7iear the table. Sits down at the table.) Enter Dan. Dan. Hist I Pansy ! They're at it again ! Scrapping to beat the band. Pansy. Mrs. Mulcahey and Eva ? Dan. Yere ! {Laus^hs. ) Pansy. It's dreadful, Dandy ! I don't think you ought to look pleased. I can't think why you laugh. Dan. It's the limit to hear Mrs. Mulcahey going on about her husband being a handsome man and full of sentiment. A handsome man married to the Mrs. ! Pansy. But, Dandy, Mrs. Mulcahey feels turrible bad about it. Dan. She'll feel worse before she feels better. Say, Pansy, will you keep a secret if I tell it to you ? Pansy. Oh, yes ! I love secrets ! Dan. You won't blab? Honest Injun? Pansy. Why, Dandy, of course I won't ! Nobody tells secrets. Dan. I wish I thought so. I'll trust you, though. Eva and Augustus is going to run away. Pansy {horrified). Run away? Dan. Ye-er ! On Valentine's day at five o'clock. Pansy. Oh, Dandy ! Where are they going to run ? Dan. I don't know that part. He walks up with her every night as far as the corner. Believe me, the Mrs. don't know it ! Tuesday night I'd been to the store, and I walked along right behind them, and I heard him fixing it. They're going to meet on the corner of Rossomore Street and Broadway, and fly to parts unknown. He called Eva his little valentine. 12 CUPIDS PARTNER Ain't that slushy? The man that's got more sentiment in him than Augustus will have to go ^me ! Pansy. OK, that's a dreadful secret, Dandy. I wish I hadn't promised not to tell. Dan. {alarmed). Well, you did ! You promised solemn ! You know you did ! Pansy. I know it, and I won't tell. Oh, Dandy, why don't you tell Mrs. Mulcahey ? Dan. Not me ! It ain't none of my business. {Discovers the hearts.) Gee, look at them ! Pansy. Ain't Ihey be-au-tiful? See, here's you. Dandy. Dan. Gee, it is ! {Delighted.) In a heart ! And here's Miss Sybil, herself ! Pansy. Yes, a sad heart. Oh, Dandy, I wish she wasn't a sad heart ! Dan. What makes her ? Pansy. I think it's because she lost her prince. . Dan. Her what ? Pansy. Her prince that she was going to marry. Dan. Honest Injun? Oh, gee ! Who was it? Pansy. His name was Prince Jardine, but Sybil called him <' Prince Charming." When papa lost his money, Prince's mother didn't want him to marry Sybil and she made lots of trouble. So Sybil has been a sad heart ever since. Dan. Ain't that a skin? Pansy. Who is St. Valumtime? Do you suppose he's any like St. Nicholas, and you could write and ask him for things ? Dan. Gee, I don't know. It might be. Mrs. M. {outside). Dandelion Mugg, will yez come down here and do yez work, or shall I be after comin' up there after yez? Pansy {fearfully). You really better go. Dan. I guess that's right. I had ! I'll see you later. [Exit. Pansy. Are you getting tired, Rosamund ? Well, you will have to wait a little while, 'cause I have some 'portant work to do. {Takes some paper and a pe?icil a7id begins to write.) "Dear St. {spelling the word) V-a-1-l-u-m-t-i-m-e " Ain't that a dreadful long name, Rosamund? *' Will you please tell Cupid to find my sister's prince and send him back to her, because she has been a sad-heart ever since he went away, and she is a be-au-tiful girl and works awful hard to take care of me. I am her little sister — Pansy Harlow. "^ — There, CUPID*S PARTNER 1 3 Rosamund, we will put this in this heart and put it in this box that's going down to the tea-room. {Puts the note i?i a hearty and puts the heart back in the box.) Now I got one more to do, and then we will go up to bed, dearie. '' Dear St. Vall- um-time, will you please tell Cupid to be at the corner of Ros- so-more Street and Broadway on Val-um-times day at five o'clock. Cupid had better bring a handsome man full of " What was he to be full of, Rosamund ? Some kind of mint. Must have been peppermint. " A handsome man full of pep- permint, 'cause Eva Mul-ca-hey is going to run away with Au- gustus Johnson, and he has got red hair and squints in his left eye. Eva's mother feels awful bad 'cause a man like that can never make her daughter happy. Eva's eyes are straight and brown, and her hair is be-au-tiful. The front cost ninety-eight cents at the bargain counter. I forget how much the back cost. Your loving little friend, Pansy Harlow." Oh, ain't that dreadful hard work, Rosamund ? Now we'll put this in the box Eva's going to take, and St. Valumtime will tell Cupid to make us all happy. (Puts the note in the other box. There is a knock at the door. Pansy goes to the door.) Mrs. Jardine (stepping itito room). Is this Mrs. Freeland's room? Pansy. Yes'm. Mrs. J, Is she in ? Pansy. She's in the house. You sit down and I will tell her you are here. (Pansy takes her doll from the table and exits. Mrs. J. walks about the room^ regarding things curiously.) Enter Mrs. F. Mrs. F. Marion ! Mrs. J. Yes, Nancy ; I suppose you are surprised ? Mrs. F. Never more so. What has brought you here ? Nothing is wrong with Mrs. J. Helen? No. I saw your ad in the paper. I didn't know that you were doing dressmaking, and I hadn't any idea that you were in this place. Mrs. F. I have been here two years. I have a good busi- ness among the college girls. I can't quite understand why you looked me up. What brings you here ? 14 CUPID S PARTNER Mrs. J. Can't you guess ? Mrs. F. 'No; I haven't tlie least idea. Mrs. J. {glancing cautiously toward the door). Helen. She is at college here. Mrs. F. {very fniich agitated). Helen ? In Hereford ? Mrs. J. Now, do control yourself, Nancy. She is here, and I am visiting her. I nearly fainted when I read your ad. I knew there was no way but to come and see you. Of course you can readily see that you must leave here right away. Mrs. F. Leave here? Mrs. J. Certainly. Don't you see how dangerous it is for you to stay here? If she should, see your **ad" or should hear of you from the other girls. Should find out that you are Mrs. F. {bitterly). Her mother / It would indeed be a dreadful thing. Mrs. J. You are going to be unreasonable. I was afraid you would be. Mrs. F. Unreasonable ? Do you know what you are ask- ing me to do ? Give up my business — my living ; establish myself in another place and run the risk of ever getting any- thing to do. When I gave Helen to you 1 didn't promise to efface myself from the earth. Mrs. J. If it's a question of money, I will see that you are supplied until you can build your business elsewhere. Mrs. F. You ? Do you think I would touch a half penny that belonged to you ? Mrs. J. I don't know why you should have such a feeling toward me, Nancy. Look at your surroundings and the way you have to work for a living, and you ought to be thankful that I influenced you to let us have Helen. Mrs. F. Thankful that you forced me to give up the only thing in the world I had to live for ? Marion, I have done my best to feel kindly toward you, but I can never forgive you for taking such an advantage of me. Mrs. J. Advantage of you ? Mrs. F. Yes, just that exactly ! I was only seventeen when I married your brother ; only nineteen when he died. Because he married me, you all cut him off. You thought I wasn't your equal, because there wasn't as much dishonest money in my family as there was in yours. When Harry died I was only a girl, penniless, i<\r from well, and half crazed with grief. What did you do ? Made me think I wasn't equal to CUPID S PARTNER I5 caring for my child. Offered all the advantages of money and position. It was her father's family, so I gave her up to you and agreed never to let her know that I was living. 1 suppose that you have brought her up to think that 1 am dead ? Mks. J. Yes. Are you going to break your word and tell her the truth after all these years? Mrs. F. No. You have kept your agreement, and I will keep mine. Mrs. J. But if you stay here she will be sure to find out. She knows her mother's name and if she should see or hear the same name, she would certainly be curious and make inquiries. Nancy, she has had every advantage that could be given her. She is accomplished and wonderfully brilliant for a girl of her years. She is quite the popular girl of her class. At home she is a society favorite among the younger set. She is going with a young New Yorker, wealthy and of a very fine family. Don't you see what it would mean if she suddenly discovered any- thing? She — er — has some very peculiar ideas in regard to honor and duty. I don't know what she might be tempted to do. Mrs. F. Don't worry. She won't be tempted into doing anything through any fault of mine. I never shall stand in her way. Years ago through your influence I made a supreme sacrifice. The one you ask of me now is nothmg in compari- son. I will go away. I will try never to let you hear anything of me again. Mrs. J. That sounds a little more sensible. I thought I would Mrs. F. If you please, Marion, we will not talk of this any more. There is one question which I want to ask you and then will you be kind enough to go ? There never was a person born without a heart. I suppose even your cold nature is ca- pable of affection. Do you love my child ? Mrs. J. As if she were my own. Mrs. F. That is all. I am satisfied. Mrs. J. I suppose it is quite useless to make any overtures toward a friendly parting. Mrs. F. Quite. (Mrs. J. sfarfs to speak agaiuy hesitates^ turns away^ exits. Mrs. F. stands looking at door. Slight pause ; knock ; she doesnU move ; she starts as Muriel Austin enters.) i6 cupid's partner Muriel. I beg your pardon, Mrs. Freeland ; I'm looking for Sybil. I th9ught srhe was here. Mrs. F. {recovering with an efforf). No, she hasn't been here yet to-night. Won't you sit down, Muriel? Muriel. That was a customer of yours, I suppose, that I just passed in the hall. I thought for a minute that it was Mrs. Jardine, the aunt of a girl in my class. Of course I was mis- taken ? Mrs. F. Of course. Who is the girl ? Muriel. Her name is the same as yours. Freeland. Helen Freeland. {Looks at Mrs. F. a minute and then exclaims suddenly.') Why, Mrs. Freeland, she reminds me of you. I was trying to think to-day when she was talking to me who it was. It's you ! Isn't that funny ? Mrs. F. a coincidence surely. Do you see her often ? Muriel. I see her often enough but of course I don't know her very well. She has loads of money and dresses I Oh, such clothes ! Mrs. F. {struggling not to appear too much interested). Do you like her ? Muriel. I simply adore her. She came in the tea-room this afternoon with some seniors. I waited on them. Miss Freeland introduced me to them and told them I was in her class. Wasn't that lovely of her ? Mrs. F. Indeed it was ! Does she often go to the tea- room ? Muriel. Yes. Nearly ever afternoon. (Dan. knocks and enters without waiting for an invitation.) Dan. I thought you came in here. Miss Muriel. There was a young lady here this afternoon and she left a note for you. {Gives Muriel a note and exits.) Muriel {as she takes the note). Thank you, Dandy. {Opens note.) Why, Mrs. Freeland, she has been here this afternoon. Mrs. F. {startled). Who? Helen? Er— I mean Miss Freeland ? Muriel. Yes. In this room ! See, this is written on your pa]:)er. Mrs. F. {to herself as Muriel reads the note). Here, in this room ! CUPID S PARTNER 1 7 Muriel. She wants to see me about something. I wonder what in the world it can be. Mrs. F. Muriel, if I go down to the tea-room some after- noon will you point this girl out to me, of course without let- ting her know anything about it ? I have a curiosity to see this girl with the same name as I. Muriel {laughing). Of course I will if you really want to see her. Why, Mrs. Freeland, you look as if it was a matter of life and death. Mrs. F. Do I ? Well, I'm always interested in you girls and your friends. Sometimes I think I have a place in my heart for every girl in the world. Muriel. I believe you have. I know there is one girl who is glad she has a place there. You have been so kind to me. I never would have had the courage to have kept on without you. Working your way through isn't as easy as it sounds. My own little mother up in New Hampshire blesses you from the bottom of her heart for all you have been to her girl. Mrs. F. I'm glad I have been a help to some girl. It makes life more worth the living. Muriel. Why don't you say some dozen girls? I couldn't begin to count the girls you have been a mother to, just in the few months I have known you. (Sybil enters,^ Here's one of your family now. Isn't that right, Sybil? Sybil. What is that ? Muriel. Aren't you one of Mrs. Freeland's daughters ? Sybil. Indeed I am. The most devoted of all. Muriel. Here, here ! I dispute your claim ! You don't love her any more than I do ! (They both put their arms around Mrs. F.) Mrs. F. Oh, girls, you can't understand what your love means to me ! Sybil. It's the other way to. You can't understand what your love means to us. Muriel, you look tired to death to- night. Muriel. I am. We had a dreadful time in the tea-room this afternoon. I walked miles and miles. I must go up-stairs and study a while. I am going to bed early, though. I can't help it if I don't shine in the class room to-morrow. Sybil, did you finish your valentines ? Sybil. Yes. {Goes to table,) This is the box for Miss Dent. i8 cupid's partner MuKiEL {taking the box). ^ All right. I will take it down to-morrow. Sybil. That's very kind of you. Won't it bother you? Muriel. Of course not. 1 know how you hate the tea- room. Sybil. Not the tea-room, dear. I love it just as much as I ever did. I dread to meet the girls. It's foolish, 1 know, and I will get over it in. time. I have chosen the right way and there must be no looking back. Muriel. Sybil, it's a perfect shame that Sybil. Don't, Muriel ! I can't stand any of that to-night. Muriel. All right. I won't I Good-night. {Throws a kiss to each of them as she goes out.) Mrs. F. That's a wonderful little girl, Sybil. Sybil. Indeed she is. Always bright and cheerful no mat- ter how things go. I wish I could say the same. I am as self- ish as I can be to bring my troubles to you. I kept up for Pansy's sake until she was in bed and then 1 just had to come down here. It seems to-night as if there was no silver lining to the cloud. It is black all the way through. Mrs. F. No, it isn't, Sybil. Such a thing was never known to be. What has happened, dear ? Sybil. My last hope. This came in the mail to-night. {Hatids her a slip of paper.) Mrs. F. {reading). " We regret that the design you sub- mitted in our recent art contest is unavailable to our purposes. We are returning the design under separate cover. Yours very truly, Courier Monthly'' My dear child, I'm so sorry. Of course it is a terrible disappointment. Sybil. That doesn't express it. I was sure of something from that. I have built so much on it. Mus. F. I'm afraid I'm somewhat to blame. I encouraged you too much. I was sure you would win. Your work was beautiful, Sybil. I don't care what they say ! Sybil. If they had even used the design it would be some- thing. Some encouragement, and might have led to other things, but you see it is useless. I guess I am a failure. I must try something else. I have Pansy to think of. Mrs. F. Does she know ? Sybil. Oh, yes I She has to know what is in the mail, good news or bad. cupid's partner 19 Mrs. F. Of course she is disappointed. She was so sure you were going to win a prize. Sybil. I know it and I hated to tell her, but somehow she didn't seem to care very much. She said " Don't you care ! We're all going to be happy on Valentine's day," {Draivs her hafid quickly across her eyes.) Oh, I won't be weak, but it seems as if I couldn't stand it ! I have planned so many things 1 would do for her. Why — why couldn't I have been successful? Oh, Mrs. Freeland, I don't care who has won ; they couldn't have needed it as much as I do. Mrs. F. You don't know that, Sybil. It could have gone to some one who needed it a thousand times more than you do ! Some one without the youth and courage to make a second try. Perhaps it was best that success shouldn't come to you too soon. It might satisfy you, and keep you from making the greater effort. You know in your heart that you did good work, but this shows you that better can be done and you must do it. You feel to-night that it is useless to try again, but it will look differently in the morning, and this will spur you to a greater effort. Next time you will come nearer the goal. Sybil. Do you honestly think so ? Mrs. F. I know so. Sybil (drawifig a long breath). So do I now. Mrs. Free- land, did you ever have a daughter ? Mrs. F. {startled). Why do you ask such a question ? Sybil. Why, it seems as if you must be some girl's mother. (Mrs..F. takes a picture from a drawer.) Mrs. F. That was my daughter. I lost her before she was a year old. Sybil. And we lost our mother before Pansy was a year old. Mrs. Freeland, I think it was meant that we three should come together as we have. I feel as if we belonged to you and you belong to Pansy and me. Mrs. F. I have felt that way from the first, Sybil. Sybil. Have you ? Well, now we are all together we must never part. I must go back to Pansy. I had to come, and how much you have comforted me ! {Starts toward door. Goes hack. Throws her arms around Mrs. F. ; kisses her ; exits. Mrs. F. stands looking after 20 CUPID*S PARTNER her a minute, then goes back to table and takes up picture of her child:) ' '^ Mrs F. {speaking to picture). Seventeen years ago for your sake 1 And now again for your sake 1 CURTAIN I ACT II SCENE.— Japanese tea-room. May be easily arranged with small willow tables and chairs ; a Japanese screen around each table to shut off the view frotn the other tables. Room should be decorated with screeiis and fans and lanterns. One table should be near the fro?it at the extreme l. of stage; another at extreme r. Another table should be placed a little in the rear of table at r. and about half-ivay between r. and C. of stage. Three tables are all that are required for action of play ^ but screens may be placed in the background to indicate other tables. There should be an exit R. and ofie at L. c, supposed to be entrance from street. A cashier's desk at L., near this entrance. Arrange the stage so that this entra?ice may be plaifily seen from au- dience. Muriel, the extra Waitress, atid Cashier wear Japanese kimonos. ( When the curtain rises ^ the room is in disorder and has the appearance of many having been there. Muriel and Waitress are clearing the tables and placing the chairs in position. Muriel should be at table near c. as Dan. enters. She sticks her head out the door and calls.) Dan. Oh, go chase yourself, Billy Henderson ! You're nothing but an insignificant little two- spot ! {Co?nes down frofit.') Gosh ! Hang ! Darn ! Muriel {coming from back of screeii). Why, Dandelion Mugg, aren't you ashamed of yourself? Dan. Ain't no one here, is ther? {Looks about.) Muriel. No, and it's a good thing there isn't. Dan. Well, then, I ain't ashamed if there's nobody here. I'd like to say swearier words than them ! You would if your hair was as red as mine, and your name was Dandelion Mugg. Gee, it's tough ! The kids at school call me "a dandy mug." Ain't that the limit? Muriel. Well, it isn't the nicest name that ever was, that's a fact. I'm afraid you'll have to stand it until you grow up and get married. Then you can change your name. 21 22 CUPID's partner Dan. Married ? Me ? Can that joke, Miss Austin. Do you suppose any fellow w3uld ever marry a red-headed mug, even if it was a dandy one ? Muriel {laughing). What would you like to have for a name ? Dan. Gwendolyn Isabella Montgomery. Ain't that some name ? I saw that in a peachy book of Miss Eva's that I was looking at. <* A Kiss in the Dark, or The Mystery of a Pair of Ruby Lips." But I don't know how in time he knew they were ruby if he kissed her in the dark ! Say, has Miss Eva been here this afternoon ? Muriel. No. Dan. Well, she's coming and I've got a message for her. {Looks behind screen.) Say, ain't this cute? I'd like to be swell enough to come in here for tea. I'd sit here {sitting down at table) and you would come up and say, "Ah, Miss Montgomery, what will you have this afternoon?" And I would look at you like this and say, *' Tea, of course. I simply can't exist at this hour without tea." And when you bring it, I'd take the cup this way, and curl my little finger up like this, and eat a sugary wafer without taking my white kids off, and Muriel. Oh, Dandy, come out in the kitchen and I will give you something more substantial than imaginary food. Dan. {?naking one Jump from chair, half-way to k. exit). I get you, Steve ! [They exeunt R. Enter Eva. Eva {to Waitress). I want to see Miss Austin. (Wait- ress exits R. Eva comes down fro7it ; she glances about uneasily ; is very nervous. She takes a letter from her coat pocket and stands looking at it rather doubtfully. Muriel enters.) Hello, Muriel ' Say, I ain't going up home to supper. Would you mind taking a note up to ma for me? Muriel. Why, certainly not ! I would be glad to do it for you. Dandy is here, though. She can take it earlier than I can. Eva {hastily). No ! I can't always trust her to do things right, an' this is somethin* special. Muriel. All right. I will take it. {Takes the note.) Do you want to see Dandy? She said she had a message for you. Eva. Yes, please ! {Calls after Muriel.) Say, any idea what time it is ? CUPID S PARTNER 23 Muriel {from door). Quarter of five. Aren't you out of the store early ? Eva. Yes, rather. (Muriel exits. Slight pause. Dan. enters. She has a cookie ifi otie hand and a piece of chocolate frosted cake in the other. Her tnoiith is smeared with cJiocolate frosti?ig and she looks sublimely happy.) Dan. Hello ! Believe me, this is a swell joint down here ! Eva. Did you bring my bag ? Dan. No, I didn't ! Eva. Why not, you little Dan. {interrupting). 'Cause I ain't going to help you light out with Augustus Johnson. That's why ! Eva {thoroughly frightened, looking to r. and l.). What do you mean ? What are you talking about ? Dan. Oh, don't try the little innocent act, 'cause you don't know how. I know the whole thing. You're going to meet him at five on the corner of Rossomore Street and Broadway and fly to parts unknown. I'll bet you'll have lo fly back again, too ! Augustus Johnson couldn't support a mosquito. Eva {angrily). Have you told ma ? Dan. Nope ! I ain't no telltale, an* it's your own funeral, but you can have this from me and have it cheap, too ! You're meaner'n dirt to treat Mrs. Mulcahey this way. She thinks you're just it and she would lay down and die for you if you asked her to. She's worked hard to take care of you ever since I lived in your house, and that's five years. She's always told about your not having any pa to provide for you an' she must try to give you all the advantages she could. An' after she's pretty near worked herself to death for you, you throw her over for a little piker like Augustus. If he was half a man he would go and tell your ma that he wants to marry you. He wouldn't be teasing you to fly to parts unknown without telling her. As sure as you go, you'll wish you hadn't. Mrs. M. {at door). Good-night, Mrs. Flynn ! I'm that glad I met yez ! Dan. Lay low ! The Mrs. ! (Dan. and Eva ri/71 behind screen at l. Eva drops down into one of the chairs. Dan. stands on a chair and looks over top of screen. Mrs. M. enters and comes down front. Waitress comes forward,) 24 CUPID S PARTNER Mrs. M. Sure,, it's a cimof tea I'll be afther bavin' fer I'm that dry afther travelin' me teet off in the shops. An' if Miss Austin is here I'd be pleased to see her. \_Exit Waitress, r. Eva. Where is she ? Dan. {softly). Right here. She's going to have some tea, an' she's asked for Miss Austin. (Mrs. M. goes to table c.) Eva {desperately). Muriel will give us away ! Dan. No, she won't ! I'll head her off ! (Mrs. M. pulls a chair forward* and sits 'With her back to Dan., but in plain sight.) E7iter Muriel, r., with tea. Goes to Mrs. M. Muriel. Why, it's you, Mrs. Mulcahey ! Mrs. M. Sure it is, darlint. ( Takes the tea and looks down as she takes cream and sugar from the tray which Muriel holds for her. Dan. breaks off a piece of her cookie a?id throws it at Muriel, hitting her on the head. Muriel looks up in surprise. Dan. puts her finger to her lips and shakes her head and her fist. Muriel bites her lips to keep from laughing and nods slightly that she understands, then gives her attention to Mrs. M.) Muriel. Didn't you want anything but tea, Mrs. Mul- cahey ? Mrs. M. No, darlint, not a thing ! I'm too tired to eat entoirely, but I'm that dry. My mouth feels as if I'd shwal- lowed the feather dusther. {As Mrs. M. talks Dan. watches her over the top of the screen, making gestures and imitating her.) Muriel {looking at her bundles). You have been shopping ? Mrs. M. {talking loud enough for Eva to get the benefit of what she says). Sure I have thet, an' me feet feel like two fried oysters. Shure, it's bargains I've been gittin* this day. A hot-wather bottle for fifty-nine cints, an' a new fasthner to kape me waist down in front for nineteen. Shure, I need ihet bad. It's thet sthout I'm gittin' I risimble me own wash-tub. An' a new silk waist for Eva. Shure, me pore little girl works CUPID*S PARTNER 25 thet hard all the time, an' no dad to buy anythin' fer her, though she hed a fome one onct, a handsome man, thet full of sentimint ! Muriel. You are very kind to Eva. Mrs. M. Shure, why wouldn't I be? She's all I've got, an' a swhate-faced little thing as iver walked out, if I am her own mither. (Mrs. M. stops talking to drink her tea.") Eva (in a low voice to Dan.). Oh, I'm going. I can't stand this ! Dan. {scornfully). Sneak, then! I have my opinion of you ! (Eva hurries around the screen to the left and exits unseen. Dan. watches her, then she steps doivnfrotn chair and sits . down^ then folds her arms and looks grim.) Mrs. M. {handing her cup to Muriel). It's goin' I'll be. I want to git down ter Fulton's before they close. I nade a new teakittle, an' they got thim adverthised for thirty-nine cints. (Pays Muriel.) Good-bye, darlint. Muriel. Good-bye. Come in again when you are down this way, won't you ? Mrs. M. Shure, that I will. [^Exit. (Muriel turns her money in to the Cashier. Dan. co7nes from behind screen.) Dan. Close shave ! Muriel. Did Eva go ? Dan. Yes. Muriel. Why didn't she want to see her mother? Dan. You will have to ask her. Guess I'll light out. (Starts for door and looks back.) Thanks, awfully, for that cake ! {^Exit, Enter Mrs. J. Mrs. J. (to Muriel). Has my niece been here? Muriel. Not yet, Mrs. Jardine. Mrs J. When she comes in, tell her I am here. (Muriel bows slightly. Mrs. J. goes to table at extreme r., and sits down. She opens a letter and reads it, then touches a little bell on the table. Waitress comes to table.) Tell that young 26 Cupid's partner woman, Myriel, T believe )*ou call her, that I wish to speak to her. (Waitress speaks to Mukiel. She coi?ies to table. ~) I believe I understood that you are a college girl ? Muriel. Yes. Mrs. J. Do you know a girl in Hereford, or who has ever been in Hereford, by the name of Sybil Harlow? Muriel {trying to conceal her surprise"). Why — er — I think 1 have heard the name. I will inquire for you if you wish me to. Mrs. J. Do so, by all means. It is of greatest importance to me that 1 should find Miss Harlow^ (Muriel withdraws and fueets Helen as she enters.) Helen. Good -afternoon, Miss Austin. I received your note, and Tin going to try to run down to see you to-night. I expect to have something lovely to tell you. - Muriel. I'm glad it's to-night. I'm afraid I couldn't wait much longer. My curiosity is running away with me. Your aunt is waiting for you, Miss Freeland. Helen. Oh, is she? Muriel. Right here. {^Leads the way to table.') Helen. Oh, Aunt Marion, have I kept you waiting ? {Sits at table. ^ Mrs. J. No, I have only been here a minute. Helen. What shall we have ? Mrs. J. Nothing just yet. (Muriel withdraws.) Helen, it's the strangest thing that Sybil Harlow could drop off the face of the earth and no one know anything about her. It seems to me if you had made much of an effort that you could have located her. Helen. Aunt Marion, I hate to have you speak that way. I've done all I could do. She left college last spring when her father died. She sent for her things, and some of her class- mates sent them on to her. They thought of course she was coming back in the fall, but instead of that she moved from New York — you know that well enough — and no one knows where she went. Several of the faculty have tried to locate her, and any number of her classmates have tried. She was dearly loved here, and they would offer her any kind of a chance to work her way through. They don't understand that she had a reason for wanting to bury herself. cupid's partner 27 Mrs. J. (Jmpatiejitly). I wasn't aware that she had. Dear me, Helen, you are the most uncomfortable girl about looking as well as speaking your thoughts. Helen. I should rather be honest with you, Aunt Marion, even if it isn't quite so polite, than to deceive you. Mrs. J. Of course you blame me, and always will, but I thought I was doing the best thing for Prince and Sybil, too ! It didn't seem to me that they were going to be happy under the altered circumstances. Helen. Oh, Aunt Marion, can't you ever see that happiness doesn't depend on money? Mrs. J. It goes a long ways, Helen. You would think so, too, if you didn't have any. You're as unworldly as a three year old child. I hoped that college would open your eyes a litde. Helen. It certainly has, but not exactly in the way you hoped for. Mrs. J. Well, if I am to blame I'm certainly paying the penalty. I had a letter from Prince's doctor this afternoon. Helen. Did you ? How is Cousin Prince ? Mrs. J. Not a bit better. Absolutely no change. There is only one thing in this world that will rouse him from this in- ertia, and that is Sybil Harlow. Helen, I'm going to hire a private detective to try to trace her from New York. I hate to air our affairs, but there's no other way, and we will keep as quiet about it as we can. Enter Bea. and Ethel. Muriel leads them to table c, and stands talking to them. Helen {sympathetically). Poor Aunt Marion ! I know you have suffered, and I am sorry for you from the bottom of my heart. Mrs. J. You're the best child that ever lived, Helen, in spite of your absurd ideas ! (Muriel comes to their table.) Muriel. Pardon me, Miss Freeland ; Miss Montfort and Miss Richards are asking for you. Helen. Oh, yes ! Aunt Marion, will you excuse me for a few minutes? I want to talk to these girls for a little while, and then I will bring them over here and we will all have tea together. 28 cupid's partner Mrs. J. • I must beg to Be excused from that, Helen. This letter has upset me completely. I'm not myself to-day. I have one or two errands which I wish to do. (^Rises.^ I will come back for tea later. Helen. All right. (Mrs. J. exits. Helen goes to table c.) Oh, here you are, girls ! {She sits dowfi at table with Bea. ajid Ethel. She faces the l. of stage. Waitress co7nes to table.') Bea. Good -afternoon, Miss Freeland. Ethel. What shall we have? ' Helen. I'm afraid not anything for me. I'm to have tea with my aunt later. Bea. {smili7ig at the Waitress). And we are expecting a friend, so I think we will eat later on. (Waitress withdraivs.') Helen. Well, tell me your plan ! Have you succeeded ? I am dying to know everything ! Ethel. What an enthusiast you are ! Bea. We won't keep you in suspense any longer. We have succeeded, and the plan is this. You know the old Russell house that adjoins the Hereford grounds? Helen. The old house on Knapp Street ? Ethel. Yes. Bea. Well, we can lease that house. In time Hereford can probably buy it. Our idea is to turn it into a College Club House for freshmen. Put a girl in charge, use another as sec- retary, and several others as attendants and so forth. The sal- ary is good ; they have rooms and board free. They mingle with college girls all the time. They aren't overworked. In fact they have just the chance you want to give them. Helen. How perfectly grand for a few. It won't help many girls, though. Ethel {laughing). My goodness, we can't help every girl who is working her way through. We are lucky to be able to make it easier for a few. Bea. There's another place further dov/n on Knapp Street that we can do the same thing with. The faculty is more than pleased with the idea. They say if we start these and they are a success, it will be easy to start others. So you see in time we can give a chance to more than a few. cupid's partner 29 Helen. It's perfectly grand. We poor little freshmen would never have thought up anything half so glorious. My little friend, Miss Austin, you will give her a chance? Ethel. Yes, indeed. We are going to make her secretary of Russell House. Helen. Oh, may I tell her now ? Ethel. Yes, if you like. (Helen touches the bell on table. Muriel comes to table.) Helen. We ought not to interrupt your work, Miss Austin, but you aren't very busy just now, are you ? Muriel. No, it's too late for many more, but I must have an eye out, for Bessie is working in the other room now. Helen. Well, you won't have to wait until night for your news. Miss Montfort will tell you now. Bea. It's only this, Muriel. The old Russell house is to be turned into a Freshman Club House, and we thought you might like the position of secretary. Is^iURiEsh (in astonishment). I? Secretary? Ethel. Yes. You are just fitted for it. Bea. It's a fair salary and room and board. Helen. I speak for the first chance at the new club. I'll move right in and we'll have more fun ! Ethel (Jo Muriel). Don't you like the idea ? Muriel (half laughing, half crying). Like it ? If you only knew ! Helen. There, you mustn't ! (Mrs. Y. enters.) I hear a customer and you must control yourself or you will pour the tea down her neck ! (Muriel withdraws.) Oh,, girls, I could go out on the housetops and shout, I'm so pleased. (They go on talking together. Muriel goes to Mrs. F.) Muriel. Oh, Mrs. Freeland, I'm so pleased to see you down here. Mrs. F. I thought I would come in for some tea. It will save my getting any supper when I go back to my room. (Tries to speak lightly.) I thought I might get a chance to see that little Freeland girl you told me about. Muriel (leading the way to table at\..). Well, you are just in time, and, oh, Mrs. Freeland, she's the dearest girl in the world! I have so much to tell you to-night. (Bell rings.) Oh, there's my bell from the kitchen. Excuse me a minute 30 CUPID S PARTNER and I will come back and tak$ your order. Miss Freeland is at the next table, facing this way — blue suit and furs. (Muriel exits r. Mrs. F. moves her chair to a position where she can see Helen. Slowly lifts her head and looks at her daughter. She sits with her hands tightly clasped together watching her.') Helen. Girls, I have been so interested in my share in this affair I'm afraid I have been very selfish. Who are you going to put in charge of Russell House ? Bea. We can't tell you that part yet. We are not sure our- selves. Ethel. We have a friend in view who was unfortunate enough to be obliged to leave college. We think this is going to be a way for her to return. Helen. How perfectly splendid ! Of course she will grasp the opportunity. Ethel. We hope so. We are expecting her every minute and we are going to make her the offer. Enter Muriel. Helen. In that case, I had better leave you. {Rises. Sees Mrs. F. gazing at her, and looks at her indifferently. Mrs. F. hastily draws her chair back of screen and sits looking straight ahead of her. Helen to Muriel who is ofi her way to Mrs. F.) My aunt hasn't come back, has she? Muriel. Not yet. Helen. If she comes in, tell her to wait. I'll be right back, I'll see you later, girls. [Exit. Ethel Muriel, we expect Sybil. When she comes in bring her to this table, please. Bea. We are going to put her in charge of Russell House if she will take the position. Muriel. Not really ? Bea. Yes, if we have our way, it will be Sybil you will work for. Muriel. It will be as near heaven as I can ever get in this world. {Goes to Mrs. F.) What shall I bring you, Mrs. Free- land ? Mrs. F. I — er — oh, anything — anything at all. Tea-cakes — a sandwich. Cupid's partner 31 (Muriel starts for w. exit. Sybil enters. She wears a heavy black veil. She looks about uneasily imtil she sees Muriel.) Sybil. Oh, Muriel, is any one waiting here for me? Muriel. Yes, right here. (JLeads the way to tab ley c.) Ethel. Hello, Sybil ! Bea. {joyfully). You did conae ! Sybil (^sitting dowti and throwing the veil back from her face). Of course. I promised. Ethel (Jo Muriel who is on her way to r. exit). Muriel, bring up tea and cakes, please. Muriel {calling back). All right. Sybil. Girls, I had hard work to keep my word with you. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be. Bea. Well, now you are here, forget that part of it, and listen to our plan. Sybil. Girls, it is useless for me to listen to anything. I failed in the effort I made. I mustn't think of college for a minute. I must work harder than ever to take care of Pansy. Ethel. Well, you are going to listen to us, Sybil, whether you want to or not. (Muriel serves Mrs. F., stands talking for a mi?tute and withdraius. Mrs. F. sits for a long time leaning her head on her hand, then begins to eat slowly as if forcifig the food down.) Bea. I think it will be worth your while to listen. We are going to open the old Russell House on Knapp Street, as a Col- lege Club House. The faculty will offer you the chance to take charge of that house if you will take the position. (Waitress serves them and zvithdraws.) Sybil {regarding the girls in astonishmefit until the Waitress withdraws). Why do you think the faculty will make me such an offer ? Have you told them I am here ? Bea. {reproachfully). Sybil ! Ethel. You know we wouldn't do a thing like that. We told Miss Beckworth that we were trying to locate you and if we succeeded could you have the chance ? Bea. And she said there was no girl in the world she would sooner have than you. Don't you see that you can take it ? 32 Cupid's partner There is no reason in the world why you couldn't have Pansy there with you. Say that yau will, Sybil ! (Mrs. J. enters,) Of course she will. She wouldn't be so foolish as to throw over a chance like this ! Sybil. Oh, girls, 1 don't know what to say ! Mrs. J. {who has bee?i lookifig about). Young woman, have you any of those valentine hearts left ? The hand- painted ones ? Perhaps you remember that I purchased some the other day? Muriel. Yes, I remember. I believe there are a few left. Mrs. J. Bring me what you have. I would like one or two more. Muriel. Certainly. (Mrs. J. goes to table at extreme r. Muriel brmgs her a box. She begins to look the hearts over.') Sybil. I can't decide now, girls. I can't ! I do appreciate all that you have done to help me. I appreciate the honor. 1 appreciate what a wonderful chance it is, but there's Pansy to think of ! I must have time to consider it. To see if it is really the best thing to do. If I was alone I would say yes right now. Bea. Will you decide soon ? Sybil. Yes. Ethel. This evening ? If we come up will you tell us yes or no? Sybil. Yes. {With a sigh.) I may as well make a quick decision and have it off my mind. (Muriel conies to table.) Muriel. Pardon me for interrupting you. Sybil, there's a Mrs. Jardine who was inquiring for you this afternoon. She is very anxious to find you. She is here now and Sybil {springing to her feet). Here? In this room ? Muriel. Yes, at the next table. Do you care to speak to her? Sybil. Not for all the world would I see her ! I must go at once. {Pulls the veil over her face and starts for door.) Bea. Wait ! We will come, too ! CUPID*S PARTNER 33 (Ethel />ays Muriel and exits hastily with Sybil and Bea. Muriel turtis the money in at the desk, then statids talking to Cashier.) Mrs. J. (^looking over the box of hearts, finds a card ; reading^, "■ Mrs. Nancy Dent Freeland, dressmaker. Suits, coats, shirt-waists, gymnasium suits." (^Frowns, picks the cards out of box, takes up a heart, opens it ; a 7iote drops out. She looks surprised, takes up the note, reads.) '' Dear St. Val-um-time : Will you please tell Cupid to find my sister's prince and send him back to her, because she has been a sad heart ever since he went away, and she is a beautiful girl and works awful hard to take care of me. 1 am her little sister — Pansy Harlow." Harlow/ Yd^w^y Harloiv I {Hurries froin behind screen.) Young woman ! Young woman, come here ! (Muriel comes forward?) Do you know who painted these hearts ? Muriel {hesitating). Yes, I know. Mrs. J. Who? Muriel. I can't tell you. Mrs. J. {sharply). What do you mean? Muriel. I mean that I am not at liberty to give the young lady's name. Mrs. J. Oh ! Well— er — then, how could I give an order for her ? Muriel. Oh, that is easily accomplished. She rooms in the house with me. (Mrs. J. gives a satisfied '' Ah I'' to her- self.) I will take the order. Mrs. J. Oh, thank you. That will do nicely. I will see you about it later. {She starts to ivalk back to her table. Muriel exits r. Mrs. F. comes from her table to leave. She faces Mrs. J.) Nancy ! I thought you were going away. Mrs. F. {coldly). Did you think I could accomplish it in a day? Mrs. J. I am reminded of you on every side. Your cards ! {Shows her cards which she is holding in her hand.) A nice place to have them, where Helen comes almost daily. Mrs. F. I forgot those entirely. Mrs. J. Do you mind telling me when you are going^ to take your departure ? I would like to guard against having Helen run into you. Mrs. F. You need not worry. I leave to-morrow morning. I could not go sooner. I have work to finish. I have been 34 CUPID S PARTNER secretly packing up. I am ready with the exception of the last few things.^ No one knowspthat I am going, or will ever know where I have gone. Mrs. J. 1 am relieved to hear it, but I wish you would let me provide for you until you can find work. {Glattces un- easily at door.) I am expecting Helen. Dear me, Nancy, I can't imagine why you came here this afternoon ! Mrs. F. {defiantly). I came here to get one look at my daughter. For fifteen years I have longed to just look at her. First it was the little children I met. I scanned their faces to see if there was a look of Helen. Then it was the girls, and then the young ladies! And at last to-day I have seen my child ! Mrs. J. Hush ! For heaven's sake ! Enter Helen. Mrs. F. shrinks hack of screen. Helen co7nes forward. Mrs. J. tries to put cards into a small bag she is carrying. Helen. I have kept you waiting this time, I know. Why, how upset you look ! Has anything happened ? Mrs. J. Why, of course not ! Why should you think so? (Drops the cards.) There, how clumsy I am ! {She tries to stand on them all. Helen kneels to pick them up.) Helen. What have you dropped? Why, Aunt Marion, you are right on top of them ! I can't pick them up if you stand on them ! {Picks ofie up.) Mrs. J. They are of no consequence ! I was going to throw them away ! Don't bother ! {Tries to take card from Helen. Helen jumps to her feet and dances away, laughing.) Helen. I will see now, anyway ! Mrs. J. {desperately). Helen ! Helen {reading). ''Mrs. Nancy Dent Freeland, i6 Du- luth Street, dressmaker. Suits, coats " {Stops abruptly.) Nancy Dent Freeland? Why, that was my mother's name ! Mrs. J. Yes, I found those ! ( With a nervous laugh.) It's quite a funny coincidence, isn't it ? Helen {regarding her aunt steadily). Extremely ! Mrs. J. What's the matter with you ? CUPID S PARTNER 35 Helen. Nothing. The trouble is with you, I think. You are deceiving me about something. Your whole face and manner show it. Your actions showed it when I came in. When I wanted to read this card. I don't dare to think what this may mean (^looking at card'), but I'm going to find out. Mrs. J. What are you going to do ? Helen. I'm not sure, but {very slowly) I think I'm going to find my mother. \_Exit. Mrs. J. {stepping to screen where Mrs. F. is hiddeTi). You see ! It's just as I told you. I will keep her away from you to-night. You will surely go in the morning? Mrs. F. I will not wait until morning. I will go to-night ! (Mrs. J. hurries after Helen. Mrs. F. stands listefiing as her footsteps die aiaay, the7i she throws herself into a chair and drops her head forward on her arms on the table,) CURTAIN ACT III SCENE. — Same as in Act I. Pansy stands in front of her doll 7vho is propped up in a chair. She sings the chorus of a popular song beating time vigorously. Pansy. Rosamund, )'ou don't sing any better than you dance. I'm turribly discouraged. J don't believe you are talented at all. (Mrs. F. enters. , Pansy runs to her.) Oli, Mrs. Freeland, I'm so glad you have come in ! Sybil had to go out, too, and it gets awful lonesome when you both are away and I can't go. Mrs. F. {throwing off her coat, sitting do7vn and taking Pansy in her arms). Dear little girl, do you miss me so much ? Pansy. Of course I do ! Next to Sybil I loye you ! You are just like what a little girl's mamma ought to be. When I go out and see little girls with their mammas I always try to choose which one I would have for mine if I could, but I never see any half so nice as you. Mrs. F. Pansy, this belonged to my own little girl I lost so many years ago. {Takes a little gold chain from her bag and fastens it around Pansy's neck.) I want you to have it. Pansy {delighted, putting her hand up to the chain). Me ? Mrs. F. Yes, wear it all the time, and when you touch it you will think of me, won't you? {Holds her tight.) Oh, Pansy, you will never forget me, will you ? Pansy, Forget you ? How can I, when I am right with you a whole lots of the time? Don't you talk awful funny to-night, Mrs. Freeland? Mrs. F. Yes, I do. Pansy. I'm tired to-night. {Glances at table where some of Sybil's things are stre7vn about.) S)bil has been working here this afternoon ? Pansy. Yes'm. She was going to finish up when she came back. Are the things in your way? Do you want me to take them up-stairs? Mrs. F. No, darling. Nothing of Sybil's or yours is ever in my way. {Puts Pansy do7vn.) I have a letter to write now. 36 CUPID*S PARTNER 37 Pansy. Have you? Rosamund and I will go up and set the table for Sybil, 'cause we have supper when she comes in, and then we shan't disturb you. Mrs. F. All right, dear. (Pansy exits. Mrs. F. sits dowft at table and writes rapidly, drawing her hand across her eyes several times " in a dazed way. She rises and exits r. She reenters with a traveling bag. She takes some papers frojn table drawer and puts them into her bag. She then takes sojne things from another drawer and puts them into her bag. She looks around as if ivondering if that was all. She searches for something in a drawer^ picks coat up, slips it on and exits, leaving her gloves a?id bag on a chair. Slight pause. Sybil enters.) Sybil. Pansy ! Pansy ! (A knock at door. Sybil answers. MiSS Hill enters.) Miss H. Is this Miss Harlow ? {SxBVLbows.) I was told I would find you in this room. Sybil. Won't you sit down? {She removes her own coat and sits down opposite Miss H.) Miss H. I am Miss Hill of the Courier Monthly. You submitted a design in our recent art contest ? Sybil. Yes. Miss H. You received a rejection slip ? Sybil. Yes. Miss H. Well, my dear Miss Harlow, I don't know how to apologize for the stupid mistake that was made. Your design won the second prize. A note to that effect was written to you and placed in the wrong envelope. It went out to the western part of the state instead of the rejection slip which was sent to you. We wondered why you didn't call as we asked yon to, and to-day when the letter to you was returned to us, we under- stoO'l. Mr. Courier has sent you a check for five hundred dollars {placing check on table) and wishes you to call at the office in regard to sonie work he wants you to do. I congratu- late you from the bottom of my heart, and you will forgive our blunder, won't you ? Sybil. Forgive? How can you speak that \vav? It's yon who will have to forgive me for I can't find anything to say. 38 CUPID*S PARTNER I'm so surprised — so — so Oh, don't you understand? I thought my work was worthle'ss, and now to find Miss H. Yes, I do understand, and I'm going right along and leave you alone. You will recover, and by the time you come down to see Mr. Courier you will find plenty to say. Good-night ! I'm glad I could bring you a valentine. {^Exit Miss H. Sybil goes to table and picks up check.) Sybil. Oh-o-o 0-0 ! Five hundred dollars ! Second prize ! Dan. (outside, at the top of her voice). Miss Sybil ! Oh, Miss Sybil ! Are you in. Miss Sybil ? . Sybil. Yes, I'm here! {Goes ' to door.) Come in and stop screaming. What in the world is the matter ? E?iter Dan. Dan. I'll tell you, and then I'm going away and die, 'cause it's all my fault ! Sybil. What is your fault ? What are you talking about ? Dan. Augustus and Miss Eva. Sybil. Well, what about them ? Dan. They've flew de coop ! Sybil. They've what? Dan. Vamoosed ! Skeedooed ! What is it you call it ? Eloped ! Sybil {sternly). Dandy, do you know what you are talking about ? Dan. Yas'um ! I wish I didn't ! I knew they was going, an' I never told no one, and I oughter ! Sybil. Of course you had ! {Starts for door.) Mrs. Mul- cahey ! Dan. She ain't here ! She's down to Fulton's buying a new teakettle. Sybil {grabbing up her coat). Then I shall have to do the best I can. Tell me all you know ! Dan. They was to meet on the corner of Rossomore Street and Broadway at five o'clock, and fly to parts unknown ! Sybil. Five o'clock ! They've had time to get to parts un- known and back again by this time ! It's probably useless for me to go down there, but I'll have to see what I can do. Don't you realize what you've done? Dan. Yas'um 1 Oh, I wish I was dead already ! {Cries at the top of her voice.) Cupid's partner 39 Eva (outside). Sybil ! Oh, Sybil ! Sybil. Husli that noise, Dandy ! Listen ! Eva {outside). Sybil ! Dan. (dramatically). It's her ! Enter Eva. Sybil. Oh, Eva, I'm so relieved to see you ! Eva {dropping into a chair). Sybil, oh, Sybil, I'm so ex- cited ! Fm that upset ! Oh, you can't think what's hap- pened ! Oh, gee, I haven't any breath ! Sybil, you'll think I'm simply awful ; but I got to tell some one or die, and I'd rather tell you than any one on earth. Sybil, I promised Au- gustus that I'd elope with him this afternoon at five. Sybil. Eva, are you crazy ? Eva. I was, but I got over it all right. I went in the tea- room to give Muriel a note for ma to tell her I'd gone, when who comes in but ma herself. She didn't see me, and I man- aged to get away ; but when I was a-goin' down Broadway I got to thinkin' how much she's always done fer me, an' how hard she's worked ever since pa died, and honest, Sybil, I do love ma, after all. Well, by the time I gets to Rossomore Street, I decided I wouldn't go. Augustus was waitin', and he didn't like it any too well 'cause I was late, and when I told him I wasn't goin' ! Say, Sybil, you never heard sech scand'- lous langwige in your life ! I jest woke up right then to the kind of a fellow he really is. He grabbed me by the wrist and was going to pull me right along, when right out of a dark doorway comes Mr. Donnely ! Dan. {who has been sitting on the edge of a chair listening with breathless interest, falls out of chair). Gosh ! Eva. I don't wonder you're surprised. I screamed right out and nearly fainted, and Mr. Donnely grabs Augustus by the collar and he shook his fist right under his nose, and Au- gustus shriveled like a shrimp. You'd oughter hearn Mr. Don- nely talk. It was something grand ! Augustus will never dare to look at me cross-eyed again. Mr. Donnely brought me home, and he didn't stop at the lower corner neither ; he came right up to the door. He says I need to have a real man to look out for me, and he's coming up to-night to see ma and ask her if she's any objection to his callin' on me. Ain't he grand ? Ma will throw a fit ! Say, my heart's pumping like a church organ, and I can't scarcely breathe. I'm going up-stairs and put on my best shirt-waist and a band on my hair. Say, how 40 CUPID S PARTNER do you suppose be, ever knew about my running away witb Au- gustus? I begged him to tell me, but he wouldn't. He said to remember that this is Valentine's day, that Cupid's partner writ liiin a letter. What do you suppose he meant? Sybil. I haven't the least idea, but I'm very glad it has turned out this way. Eva. Gee ! So'm 1 1 I was nuts for fair to want anything of Augustus. Dan. You ain't mad at me, are you. Miss Eva? Eva. No, I ain't, Dandy ! You got more sense in your head in a minute than I've had in mine all my life. It was you set me to thinkin' in the first place. Come on up-stairs with me and see what I got for you. Dan. {^jumping up). I get you, Steve ! \They exeunt, Sybil \looking after them). Gracious ! (^Goes to table and finds Mrs. F.'s letter.) Why— what {Reads.) "My dearest Sybil." {Turns it over quickly and reads.) "Nancy Dent Freeland." {Thoroughly surprised she sits down at ta- ble and reads letter. ) " My dearest Sybil, — I have tried to go away without one word to you, but I can't do it. My heart is breaking and I must tell to you what I have never told to any one before. My baby whose picture I showed to you one night not long ago is living. She is a beautiful young girl. I saw her to-day and it seemed as if I must cry out to her that I was her mother and hold her in my arms just for a minute. She does not know that I am living and must never know, and so I must go. She lives in a different world from mine, and I must never stand in her way. When her father died I was just a girl and ill, and could see no way of caring for her, and so through the influence of her father's people I gave her up. Oh, Sybil, if you only knew what I have suffered for that act. Then, when you came here it seemed to me that you were sent to me, and I really had a girl of my own. And now I must lose you, too " ( Without finishing the letter, Sybil springs to her feet and rushes to door r.) Mrs. Freeland ! Oh! Gone? {Turns and sees her bag on the chair.') No ! {Runs to door c.) Mrs. Mulcahey ! Eva ! (Helen enters.) Oh, pardon —Helen ! Helen {greatly excited). Sybil ! Sybil Harlow 1 Surely you will speak to tne. You can't have any feeling against me ! Sybil. No, no, Helen ! I never did. (Helen throws her arms around her.) CUPID*S PARTNER 4I Helen. Sybil, is this where you have hidden yourself all these months? Why did you do it? Don't you know the ef- fort that has been made to find you ? Sybil. No. Why should you wish to find me ? Helen. Why should I ? Because I love you with all my heart and soul, and always did. But that is not why such an effort was made. It was because of Prince. Sybil {trying to be indifferent). What of him ? Helen. Sybil, when he came home from that western trip and found that you were gone, and that his mother was the cause of it, we had a truly dreadful time. Aunt Marion wor- ships him, and he turned from her completely. He left our home and tried to move heaven and earth to find you. Aunt Marion thought he would get over it, see it was for the best and so forth, but she wasn't very long in discovering her mistake. Prince went south on a business trip, and there he had a serious illness. Sybil. Illness? In the south? Alone? Where is he now ? Is he better ? Helen. He is still in the south. The dreadful fever has gone, but he is in a terrible condition. All through his illness he raved for you, and now the doctor says you are the only thing that can save him. Aunt Marion has been down there four times, and Prince won't even see her. {Bitterly?) Money doesn't count now, Sybil. Aunt Marion will go down on her knees to you to get you into our family. I'm afraid I feel rather bitter toward Aunt Marion to night. I have something to set- tle on my own account. Sybil, is this your room ? Sybil. No, it is Mrs. Freeland's room, but Helen. Nancy Dent Freeland ? Sybil. Yes. Helen, That was my mother's name. Sybil, I believe this is my mother's room. Sybil {looking at her in wonder). Then you are the girl 1 Helen, you are just in time ! Here ! Read this ! {Hands her the letter.) It is your right. Hrlen {reading the letter). Oh, Sybil, are you sure she hasn't gone? Sybil. Yes. Her bag is still here. Helen {looking at the letter again). Going for my sake, so that she might never be in my way. Sybil. As if such a thing could be ! Helen, I envy you. I wish she was my mother. She is one to be proud of. 42 cupid's partner Helen. She probably will be in soon. Sybil, do you mind if I meet her. alone? ^ Sybil. Of course not ! I will go up to my room. Pansy must think I am never coming. (^ExitSt clearing her things from table and taking them with her,) Helen. I will call you later. Sybil {calling back). All right. (Helen looks about uncertainly. Removes her hat and coat and takes them to roofn r. • When she retur?is she has a kettle over an alcohol burner. She removes some papers from table ; finds a cloth in the drawer ; spreads it over table ; puts oti Sybil's apron which hangs over back of a chair ; lights the alcohol lamp under kettle ; finds some dishes ; is standing with her back to the door arranging the dishes when Mrs. F. enters.) Mrs. F. Why, Sybil Helen (Jurfiifig). No, not Sybil, but your own girl. Aren't you going to greet me after all these years? There is no use in your denying, even for my sake. I have read your note to Sybil. I know the truth. Are you going to make me sorry that I came? I thought your arms were waiting for me. {Holds out her arms to her mother.) Mrs. F. {suddenly rushing forward and takhig her in her arms). Helen ! Helen ! It can't be true ! Helen. Yes, it is perfectly true ! I'm a great big valen- tine. Mrs. F. Oh, Helen ! This is wrong for me to do this. Helen {leading her to a chair and kneeling down by her). No, it isn't. Listen, dear, and I am going to tell you some- thing that even Aunt Marion doesn't know. When my grand- father had his last illness and knew that he wasn't going to live, he told me one day when we were alone that his family once did my mother a great wrong. He said if I knew what it was I would hate them all. He told me then that he was going to leave his money to me and he wanted me to make every one I met as happy as I could to atone for the wrong he had done my mother. Don't you suppose he would be pleased to know that I have found my mother and can make her happy ? And CUPID*S PARTNER 43 what about myself? Don't you suppose that 1 have wanted a mother like other girls? Don't you suppose I have made my- self happy to find a mother like you ? Enter Mrs. J. Mrs. J. Helen ! , . . r i. Helen {rising). Yes, I am here and everythmg is my fault. You mustn't blame my mother at all. See ! {Poiiits to bag,) Her bag was all packed and she was going away. I was just in time. . Mrs. F. It is my fault. I shouldn't have waited. 1 should have gone when you first came to me. Mrs. J. It is rather late to speak of that. ^ I suppose, Helen, you are going to be ridiculous over this in your dra- matic way. Mrs. F. Marion, I will not stand in the way. I am going just as I planned. I gave Helen to you and she is yours. The memory of these few minutes will last me the rest of my life. Helen. Do you think I have found my mother only to lose her again ? Here you stay, and I stay, too 1 Mrs. J. I suppose I have failed in caring for you all these years ? ,r , j Helen. No, you haven't, Aunt Marion. You have done everything you could do and I appreciate it. You don't quite understand the difference but I do. You have been Prince's mother, but you have been my aunt. But, Aunt Marion, I can make up to you for all you have ever done for me. 1 have found Sybil Harlow. . Mrs. J. {eagerly). You have seen her? That is what brought me here to-night. I discovered to-day that she is here. What does she say ? Helen. I will call her and you can see for yourself, or per- haps you would rather go up to her room ? Mrs. T. No, call her. It is all in the family. ^ \_Exit Helen. Mrs. F. Marion Mrs. J. Oh, let's not discuss anything more, Nancy, i suppose we can at least pretend friendship for Helen's sake. Mrs. F. I could go a great deal further than that for Mrs. J. I guess there's no question as to that. {Enter Helen with Sybil atid Pansy.) Sybil ! Sybil {coldly). How do you do, Mrs. Jardine ? 44 CUPID S PARTNER Mrs. J. Sybil, I have been trying for several months to find you and now that I have succeeded I don't know how to say what I haVe been waiting to say. Sybil, I was wrong and I know that it will be hard for you to forgive me but for my son's sake, I ask it of you. He once asked you to enter our family and you agreed. It was I who made the trouble. Now I ask you. Will you marry my son ? Sybil. Mrs. Jardine, do you think this world moves at your word of command ? Do you know what you are asking me to give up ? To-day my prospects are bright for a successful career as an artist, the work that 1 love. Mrs. J. You can paint all you want to, Sybil. No one will say a word against it. Sybil. To-day members of my class have offered me a position in Hereford, not only of honor, but by which I can support Pansy and at the same time finish my college course. They are coming for an answer to-night and I have decided to accept. Mrs. J. All that you want in the world shall be yours ! Nothing that money can buy Sybil. Mrs. Jardine, haven't you yet learned that money counts for little when Helen {ifiterrupting). Sybil, be a little bit merciful. It is her son, remember ! Your answer means almost life or death to Prince. Pansy {who has beeft trying hard to understand, looks up delighted at the word " Prince "). Oh, Sybil, has Cupid sent your prince back to you? I'm so glad ! Now you won't be a sad heart any more. Enter Bea., Ethel and Muriel. Ethel. Oh, pardon me Sybil. Come in, girls ! Ethel. How do you do, Mrs. Jardine? Helen. Girls, this is my mother. Muriel {running to Mrs. F.). Not really ? (Bea. and Ethel shake hafids with Mrs. F., trying not to show their surprise.) Bea. I'm afraid we intrude. We just came up for your answer, Sybil. We were so anxious we couldn't wait. Will you take Russell House ? CUPID*S PARTNER 45 Muriel. Oh, will you, Sybil ? Sybil. I can't, dear. {To Bea.) You will have to find some other girl who needs it. 1 have something else I am going to do instead. Muriel. Oh, Sybil, why can't you take it ? Ethel. That's what I should like to know ? Bea. What are you going to do, Sybil ? Sybil. I am going to be married. Girls. Married ? Sybil. Yes, girls. To Mrs. Jardine's son. (Mrs. J. goes to Sybil and puts her arm around her, Sybil subitiits somewhat against her will. ) Girls {surrounding Sybil). What a surprise ! In that case we haven't anything more to say. Helen. Girls, my mother and I were going to have tea. Won't you join us? We will have an engagement luncheon, although I don't know how much of an affair it will be. {Glances doubtfully at table.) Mrs. J. {quickly). Let me settle that ! I will just step down-stairs and telephone to the nearest caterer. \^Exit. Helen {leading the way to r. exit). Come in here and take your things off, girls. . Ethel. All right, we will have to stay. We can't resist. Bea. Come, Muriel ! Never mind what you ought to be doing ! We celebrate to-night. ( Girls exeunt followed by Mrs. F. who takes her bag from chair and takes it with her.') Mrs. M. {outside). Mrs. Freelind ! Sybil ! Is it in yez are ? {Enters.) Hev yez seen anythin' of me darter Eva to- night ? Sybil. Yes, she was in here. She is up in her room, I think. Mrs. M. Thank hevin ! I wuz jest goin' up ter look if she wuz in an' I wuz thet scared ter look. I met Mrs. O'Flynn and she wuz afther tillin' me thet she saw me darter an' Augustus on the corner uv Roosshmore Strate, an' she heard thim sayin' somethin' about flyin' to parts unknown ! Sybil. Perfect nonsense, Mrs. Mulcahey. Here's Eva now. 46 cupid's partner Enter Eva. ^^ Eva. Hello, ma ! Did you get your teakettle ? Mrs. M. Shure, thet I did, darlint, an' sech a bargain ! Eva. Mr. Donnely sent Pansy a box. I was so excited I forgot to tell you. Pansy. Sent me a box ? Eva. Yes, honey. {Gives the box to Pansy.) Sybil. That was very kind of him, Eva. Eva. Sure, he's like that. Come on down-stairs, ma. I'm just dyin' ter tell you somethin'. Mrs. M. All right, darlint ! [They exeunt. Enter girls and Mrs. F. Mrs. J. enters. Mrs. J. We will have something to eat right away. (Mrs. F. makes the tea. The others gather around Pansy who is opening her box.) Bea. Got a valentine, Pansy ? Pansy. I guess so. {Opens box.) Oh-o-o-o ! Look! Ethel. Um ! Chocolates ! Aren't you the lucky girl? Muriel. All peppermints, too ! How odd ! Helen. Here's a note. Sybil. Shall I read it to you, dear ? Pansy. Yes. Sybil (reading). "Dear little partner, — The handsome man was so full of thanks to you that there wasn't any room for peppermint, so he has sent the peppermint to you. Cupid." Muriel. Well, for goodness' sake ! Ethel. Do you know what that means, Pansy? Pansy {smiling happily). Yes. Sybil (in surprise). You do ? Pansy. Yes. It's a secret 'tween me and Cupid. I told you we would all be happy on Valumtime's day. Bea. You little witch ! I believe you are in partnership with Cupid. Mrs- J. (smiling at Pansy). I am sure she is. If I had only known she was Sybil's sister the first time I came here, things might have been straightened out a good deal sooner. Helen. The tea is ready, girls. I propose we drink a toast while we wait for Aunt Marion's feast to arrive. Sybil. All right. What shall it be, Helen ? CUPID S PARTNER 47 {All gather around table. Helen stands Pansy on a chair at the back of table, then she takes a cup and holds it toward Fansy.) Helen. Cupid's Partner ! Bea. Right ! Now, all together ! All. Cupid's Partner ! (They stand around the table, their cups held toward Pansy as the curtain falls.) CURTAIN New Plays THE MISHAPS OF MINERVA A Farce in Two Acts By Bertha Currier Porter Five males, eight females. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. Plays one and a half hours. An exceptionally bright and amusing little play of high class and recommended to all classes of amateur players. Full of ac- tion and laughs, but refined. Irish low comedy part. Strongly endorsed. Price, 2^ cents CHARACTERS Mortimer J. Sterling, an easy-going business man. Victor Brown, a young doctor , friend of the family and espe :ially of Minerva. Harry Stevenson, a club reporter, attentive to Clara. Barnes, the butler. Mike Shannon, a very new policeman. Mrs. Lydia Sterling, domestic and quiet, Minerva Sterling, willing to oblige. Clara Sterling, her younger sister. Molly, the maid. Belle Brantley, reporter for " The Screamer** Mrs. Wright, a club woman. Miss Palmer, a philanthropic worker. Mrs. Jennie Van Deusen Spuyker, a Personage. Members of the reception committee. A CHANGE OF HEART A Comedy in Two Acts By Albert H. Good Five males, six females. Costumes, modern ; scene, a single interior, Plays an hour and a half. An easy, pretty and effective play, suited for schools or young people. Scenery not absolutely necessary. Can be lecommended. Price, 2j cents MAKING A SISTER A Mock Initiation for Ladies in One Act By Epes Winthrop Sargent Ten female characters. Costumes, modern ; scenery unimportant. Plays from forty minutes to an hour. A very bright and lively entertainment, especially strong in its dialogue. Plenty of ludicrous incident and char- acteristic action, but quite v^^ithout the element of « rough and tumble " that would be so objectionable in an entertainment for ladies. The candi- date is placed in positions that are rather undignified but is acithet mussed nor mauled. Strongly recommended. Price, 2^ cents B^ yj. Pinero's Plays Price, SO Ketits Each IVIin THAWNF! Play in Four Acts. Six males, five females. lTlll/-V^ni\iinEiLi Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays two and a half hours. THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH ^^r'i^^T. males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery, all interiors. Plays a full evening. THF PRHFIir'ATF Playln Four Acts. Seven males, five mtU I l\V/rLii\Ji^l£i females. Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. TUr QrUnrhl MfQTDFQQ Farce in Three Acts. Nine males, in£i i3\^nUUL.lTll01I\£ii3*J"Ei^htLi?i; seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. Stage rights reserved. Offered for reading only. Price, 50 Cents. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Walttt i^. isalet: & Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts PARKHILL A CO , PRINTCI B. BOSTON.